WQCS00221_BIMS Report_20240322

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQCS00221 Effective: 03/05/24 Expiration: 01/31/32 Owner: City of Claremont
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Claremont Collection System
County: Catawba PO Box 446
Region: Mooresville
Claremont NC 286100446
Contact Person:James Brown Title: City Manager Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS1,
Primary ORC: Kenneth W Pennell Certification: 1008520 Phone:[phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0032662 City of Claremont- North WWTP
NC0081370 City of Claremont- McLin Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 03/20/2024 Entry Time 10:OOAM Exit Time: 01:OOPM
Primary Inspector:Tony Parker Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
Facility Status: Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions General Sewer& FOG Ordinances
Capital Improvement Plan Map Reporting Requirements
Inspections Spill Response Plan Spills
Lines Manholes Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 7

Permit: WQCS00221 Owner-Facility:City of Claremont
Inspection Date: 03/20/2024 Inspection Type:Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Page 2 of 7

Permit: WQCS00221 Owner-Facility:City of Claremont
Inspection Date: 03/20/2024 Inspection Type:Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
General Yes No NA NE
Is there a properly designated primary ORC and at least one back-up of proper grade? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are logs being reviewed by the system management or owner on a regular basis? ❑ ❑ ❑
#What is that frequency? Monthly
#Are there any issues being addressed currently or any in the planning stages? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a specific pump failure plan available for all pump stations? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does plan indicate if pump parts/new pumps are in spare parts/equipment inventory? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are new/significantly upgraded pump stations equipped with anti-corrosion materials? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the permittee have a copy of their permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is permit expiring within the next 6 months? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
If Yes, has the Permittee applied for renewal? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The permit expired 4/30/2023 and a renewal application was previously submitted and the
permit is in process. Therefore the city will continue to operate under the expired permit untill
the new one is issued.
Sewer and FOG Ordinances Yes No NA NE
Is Sewer Use Ordinance(SUO)or other Legal Authority available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a Grease Control Program that legally requires grease control devices? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
What is the standard grease trap cleaning requirement in the FOG ordinance? variable
Is Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is action taken against violators? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
#Have satellite systems adopted an equivalent or more stringent ordinance? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes,what are they?(This can reduce mailing to annual.)
FOG info is mailed out monthly with billing.Also the city posts info on their website and on social media and
at various times in newsletters.
Comment:
Capital Improvement Plan Yes No NA NE
Has a Capital (CIP)or System Improvement Plan been developed and adopted? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is it designated for wastewater only or does it have a dedicated section? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP cover three to five year period of earmarked improvements? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include description of project area? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include description of existing facilities? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include known deficiencies? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include forecasted future needs? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 3 of 7

Permit: WQCS00221 Owner-Facility:City of Claremont
Inspection Date: 03/20/2024 Inspection Type:Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: The city continually seeks to improve their system and appear to have an adequate capital
Improvementl Program that should meet future needs.
Map Yes No NA NE
Is there a overall sewer system map? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the map include:
Pipe Type(GS/FM) ❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe sizes ❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe materials(PVC, DIP, etc) ❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe location ❑ ❑ ❑
Flow direction ❑ ❑ ❑
Approximate pipe age ❑ ❑ ❑
Pump station ID, location and capacity ❑ ❑ ❑
# Force main air release valve location &type ❑ ❑ ❑
# Location of satellite connections ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The city uses GIS and paper maps.
Reporting Requirements Yes No NA NE
#Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years? ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes,were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria? ❑ ❑ ❑
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is an Annual Wastewater Performance Report being filed with the Division, if required? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the report being made available to all its sewer customers? ❑ ❑ ❑
#How is it being made available? website
Comment: The city is not free of SSO's or spills but are responding, reporting and documenting these
events as required.
Inspections Yes No NA NE
Are adequate maintenance records maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are pump stations being inspected at the required frequency? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is at least one complete functionality test conducted weekly per pump station? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a system or plan in place to observe the entire system annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the annual inspection documented? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the system have any high-priority lines/locations? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are inspections of HPL documented at least every 6 months? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: All activities were well documented.
Spill Response Action Plan Yes No NA NE
Page 4 of 7

Permit: WQCS00221 Owner-Facility:City of Claremont
Inspection Date: 03/20/2024 Inspection Type:Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the plan include:
24-hour contact numbers ❑ ❑ ❑
Response time ❑ ❑ ❑
Equipment list and spare parts inventory ❑ ❑ ❑
Access to cleaning equipment ❑ ❑ ❑
Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers ❑ ❑ ❑
Source of emergency funds ❑ ❑ ❑
Site sanitation and cleanup materials ❑ ❑ ❑
Post-overflow/spill assessment ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the Permittee appear to respond within 2 hours of first knowledge of a spill? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: A spill response plan was available.
Spllls Yes No NA NE
Is system free of known points of bypass? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, describe type of bypass and location
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are there repeated overflows/problems(2 or more in 12 months)at same location? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines Yes No NA NE
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Smyres aerial and outfall R/W&State aerial. No issues noted.
Are right-of-ways/easements maintained for full width for access by staff/equipment? ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, give details on temporary access:
Is maintenance documented? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are gravity sewer cleaning records available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Has at least 10%of lines older than 5 yrs been cleaned annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Were all areas/lines inspected free of issues? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The city had cleaned greater than the minimum 10% cleaning requirement for consecutive
ey ars.
Manholes Yes No NA NE
Please list the Manholes Inspected:
Various manholes inspected and no issues noted.
Are manholes accessible? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are manhole covers/vents above grade? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of visible signs of overflow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 5 of 7

Permit: WQCS00221 Owner-Facility:City of Claremont
Inspection Date: 03/20/2024 Inspection Type:Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Are manholes free of sinkholes and depressions? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are manhole covers present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are manholes properly seated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are manholes in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are inverts in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flow unrestricted in manholes? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of excessive amounts of grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of excessive roots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of excessive sand? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are manhole vents screened? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are vents free of submergence? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No issues with the manholes inspected.
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Smyres US, School US&State L/S. One issue noted at each US inspected. The city uses a liquid cherry
blend deodarant for odor control at these lift stations and they use 55 gallon barrells and a chemical feed
pump at each. These barrells were not labled and no placards or safety data sheets were available. This is a
safety issue that needs to be properly addressed.
#Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system 5
#Number of vacuum stations in system 0
#Number of simplex pump stations in system 0
#Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building 0
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way"auto polling"communication system (SCADA)installed? 0
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto-dialer)installed? 5
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access? ❑ ❑ ❑
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes? ❑ ❑ ❑
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Do they all have telemetry installed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the communication system functional? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the sign include:
Owner Name? ❑ ❑ ❑
Pump station identifier? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Address? ❑ ❑ ❑
Instructions for notification? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 6 of 7

Permit: WQCS00221 Owner-Facility:City of Claremont
Inspection Date: 03/20/2024 Inspection Type:Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
24-hour emergency contact numbers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If tested during inspection, did it function properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes,what resources(Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc)are included in Plan?
The city has 5 P/S's with one dedicated on-site diesel generator and 1 portable generator and 1 portable by
pass pump.All 5 lift atations are planned to have total upgrades per staff to start this year with completion by
end of next year.All 5 are plannded to have new generators, pumps, controls and quick connects for
generators and by-pass pumps. Some aerials will also be replaced that are adjacent to these pump stations.
#Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting and exercising all valves? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting alarms,telemetry and auxiliary equipment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The lift staations inspected for the most part appeared to be well operated and maintained.
Page 7 of 7