NC0066150_NC0066150 CEI and Inspection Form_20240325

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

March 25, 2024

Adam Mitchell, Town Manager
Town of Fuquay-Varina
134 N. Main Street
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Brighton Forest WWTP
NPDES Permit: NC0066150
Wake County

Dear Mr. Mitchell,

On Friday, March 15, 2024, Donald Smith and Danny Smith of the NC Division of Water Resources,
Raleigh Regional Office conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the treatment facilities
located at the Brighton Forest Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The purpose of the
inspection was to ensure compliance with the subject National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit. Adam Stephenson – WWTP Supervisor/ORC, Heather Adams – Assistant
Public Utilities Director, and Troy King – Backup ORC was present. Their assistance and the
information provided during the inspection/tour of the facility was very helpful and appreciated.

The Brighton Forest WWTP is located at 4809 Goldleaf Court, Fuquay-Varina in Wake County, NC.
The facility is a Grade III biological activated sludge water pollution control system. The facility is
permitted with a monthly average flow limit of 0.117 million gallons per day (MGD) of domestic
wastewater. Through the NPDES permit, the Town of Fuquay-Varina (Town) is authorized to
discharge the treated wastewater through outfall 001 to Middle Creek a waterbody classified as
C; Nutrient Sensitive Waters (C;NSW) of the Neuse River Basin.

The NPDES compliance evaluation inspection consisted of the following:

 NPDES Permit Review
 Review of facility/owner information
 Review of calendar year 2022 and 2023 monitoring data and compliance history
 Onsite inspection of the wastewater treatment units and facility
 Onsite inspection of the outfall discharge pipe and receiving stream
DocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

Mr. Mitchell, NC0066150
March 25, 2024 Page 2 of 5

Pre-inspection and File Review:

1. The current active NPDES permit was issued effective November 1, 2023, and will expire
on April 30, 2028. Discharge is not authorized after April 30, 2028. To continue discharge
authorization after the expiration date, a permit renewal application will need to be
submitted at least 180 days prior to the expiration of the permit.
2. The current active NPDES permit lists the following treatment components, including a
influent pump station, 2-train caron steel package treatment plant with equalization basin,
sludge holding basin, aeration basin, hopper bottom clarifiers, cloth media disc filter,
backup tertiary filters, ultra-violet disinfection. The permit identifies backup de-
chlorination, but no de-chlorination or chlorination equipment is installed or on-standby.
3. The Town has designated Adam Stephenson as the ORC and Troy King and Todd Marcom
as backup ORC. A backup ORC designation form was submitted to DEQ in December 2023
naming Mr. Marcom as a backup ORC. All ORC/Backup designated operators have an
active status grade 4 NC biological wastewater operator certification.
4. For the review period of January 2022 through January 2024, the following violations
were identified. An effluent fecal coliform exceedance on February 19, 2022, and
ammonia nitrogen exceedance on February 28, 2022.
5. The following new permit development comments were reviewed as they were modified
from the previous permit requirements. Weekly average ammonia limits were corrected
in the permit, new weekly average limits for summer are 6 mg/L and winter 12 mg/L.
Dissolved oxygen effluent limit was changed from ≥ 5 mg/L to ≥ 6 mg/L.
6. The required annual administering and compliance monitoring fee for the current billing
cycle has been paid and there are no overdue fees. The next billing cycle for 2024 will
begin on August 1, 2024.

Inspection Findings:

1. ORC log sheets were reviewed with the discharge monitoring reports (DMR) data
review. Log sheets identify the dates and times the ORC is present at the facility. The
log sheets also include field parameter data as well as noted operational data. It was
noted that field sampling data on the ORC log sheets did not include the date, time,
or the personnel (staff names) associated with the respective analytical result(s). Mr.
Stephenson indicated that a new form is being designed and implemented and field
analysis staff are being trained to record the date, time, name, and pertinent
information with the analytical results.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

Mr. Mitchell, NC0066150
March 25, 2024 Page 3 of 5

2. Review February 2023 and August 2023 DMR/Lab data:
a) DMR and supporting laboratory documentation were in good order and
accessible for review.
b) No DMR limit violations were detected during the review and no penalty
assessments have been issued since October 2018.
c) DMR sheets do not list the field certification lab name or certification number
for the temperature, pH, and DO (field parameters). Include all laboratory
names and certification numbers on the monthly DMR for parameters
requiring analysis by a North Carolina certified laboratory.

3. Facility walk-through
a) Influent Pump Station – The pump station was operating properly and in good
working order during site inspection. Both pumps are operational, and a spare
pump is stored onsite. The high-level alarm float was activated, and
audible/visual alarm initiated onsite. The ORC received a dialer/telemetry
alarm to his cell phone.
b) Influent Composite Sampler – The influent composite sampler was setup to
collect time composite samples with a frequency of 200 ml every half-hour.
The refrigerated sampler contained a NIST thermometer that was recorded at
3.5 degree Celsius. A thermometer calibration certificate was located with the
thermometer with a recalibration date of July 14, 2024. The operator
indicated new calibrated thermometers are purchased and replaced annually.
c) Screening (Manual bar screen) – A manual bar screen was in place and solids
removed and disposed with solid waste. Operator indicated that the bar
screen is adequate, and they do not experience any major debris issues in the
treatment process.
d) Equalization (EQ) Basin – Both treatment trains and EQ basins were in
operation. The EQ basins are aerated and mixed using dedicated blowers. The
operator indicated that there were no issues or problems with the EQ basin
operation.
e) Secondary Aeration Treatment – The operator explained that air is supplied at
the beginning of the basin with a target dissolved oxygen of around 3.0 mg/L.
Target DO at the end of the basin is around 1.0 mg/L. The aeration basin is
one-stage treatment and uses dedicated blowers for air supply. Both aeration
basins were in operation.
f) Sludge holding basin is used for wasting and storing biosolids/sludge. McGill is
contracted to haul and dispose of sludge from the facility.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

Mr. Mitchell, NC0066150
March 25, 2024 Page 4 of 5

g) Clarifiers – The clarifiers were both in operation with level weir. Total depth of
the rectangular clarifier was approximately 15 feet with a sludge depth
measured by the operator at 1 foot.
h) Tertiary Filters – The tertiary filters were offline and in standby. Cloth disc
filter was installed in 2018. The tertiary filters remain in place as secondary or
backup filters for the facility.
i) Cloth Disc Filters – Effluent from the clarifiers enters a pump station that
pumps to the cloth disc filters. The disc filters automatically backwash based
on level and head differential. The cloth disc filter was in operation and
actively filtering during the inspection. Effluent from the cloth disc filters
appeared to be clear with no observed suspended solids.
j) UV Disinfection – The UV system consists of 2 - Trojan UV banks. Both UV banks
were in operation at the time of the inspection. Spare bulbs are kept onsite.
The operator indicated that bulbs are cleaned on a quarterly basis and
replaced based on service hours.
k) Effluent Sampler - The effluent composite sampler was setup to collect flow
proportional composite samples. The refrigerated sampler contained a NIST
thermometer that was recorded at 4.5 degree Celsius. A thermometer
calibration certificate was located with the thermometer with a recalibration
date of July 14, 2024. The operator indicated new calibrated thermometers
are purchased and replaced annually.
l) Effluent Flow Meter – A weir and ultrasonic level measurement is utilized for
effluent flow monitoring. It was noted that the effluent flow meter was last
calibrated on January 11, 2024. No issues of concern were observed with the
weir or effluent flow meter.
m) De-chlorination backup – No chlorine or de-chlorination equipment or
chemicals are installed at the WWTP. De-chlorination is listed in the permit as
a facility component but only as a backup. Total Residual Chlorine is an effluent
limit and monitoring requirement. The limit and associated monitoring will
apply only if chlorine is used for disinfection.
n) The Brighton Forest WWTP has one emergency stationary generator that will
run the entire facility. The plant operators test the generator weekly under
load. Generator has low level alarm and operations staff check with measuring
stick.
o) The inspector observed the effluent discharge from the outfall pipe to Middle
Creek to be clear with no observable solids or foam. No detrimental impacts
to the receiving waters from the effluent discharge were observed.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

Mr. Mitchell, NC0066150
March 25, 2024 Page 5 of 5

The overall condition of the facility was compliant with the NPDES permit requirements observed
on the day of the inspection. If you have questions or comments about the inspection, this report
or any requirements to take corrective action (if applicable), please contact Donald Smith at (919)
791-4234 or by email at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Vanessa E. Manuel, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

Attachment: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report

Cc: Laserfiche

DocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Form Approved.
OMB No. 2040-0057
Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 N 52 NC0066150 24/03/15 C S31112171819 20
21 66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
3 N67707172 73 74 75 80
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
Brighton Forest WWTP
NCSR 1375
Fuquay Varina NC 27526
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
09:20AM 24/03/15 23/11/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Adam Parker Stephenson/ORC//
Troy Robert King/ORC/919-900-0794/
Other Facility Data
11:02AM 24/03/15 28/04/30
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Heather Adams,134 N Main St Fuquay Varina NC 27526//919-294-7170/Contacted
Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters Laboratory
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s)Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Stephen D Smith DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4200/
Donald Smith DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4234/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#1
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3/22/2024
3/25/2024
DocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C
3/26/2024
NPDES yr/mo/day
24/03/15
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Effluent discharge from the outfall pipe to Middle Creek was clear with no observable solids or foam.
No detrimental impacts to the receiving waters from the effluent discharge were observed.
The overall condition of the facility was compliant with the NPDES permit requirements observed on
the day of the inspection.
NC0066150 17
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02A11C70-E0F0-4125-9791-82EFB4A4EB3CDocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C
Permit:NC0066150
Inspection Date:03/15/2024
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Brighton Forest WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Permit Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
Current active NPDES pemrit issued November 1, 2023 and will expire April 30, 2028.
The current active NPDES permit lists the following treatment components, including a
influent pump station, 2-train caron steel package treatment plant with equalization
basin, sludge holding basin, aeration basin, hopper bottom clarifiers, cloth media disc
filter, backup tertiary filters, ultra-violet disinfection. The permit identifies backup
de-chlorination, but no de-chlorination or chlorination equipment is installed or
on-standby.
Comment:
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping?
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
ORC log sheets were reviewed with the discharge monitoring reports (DMR) data
review. Log sheets identify the dates and times the ORC is present at the facility. The
log sheets also include field parameter data as well as noted operational data. It was
noted that field sampling data on the ORC log sheets did not include the date, time, or
the analyzers name associated with the analytical results. Mr. Stephenson indicated
that a new form is being designed and implemented and field analysis staff are being
trained to record the date, time, name, and pertinent information with the analytical
results.
Comment:
Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
Is the wet well free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02A11C70-E0F0-4125-9791-82EFB4A4EB3CDocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C
Permit:NC0066150
Inspection Date:03/15/2024
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Brighton Forest WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE
Influent Pump Station – The pump station was operating properly and in good working
order during site inspection. Both pumps are operational, and a spare pump is stored
onsite. The high-level alarm float was activated, and audible/visual alarm initiated
onsite. The ORC received a dialer/telemetry alarm to his cell phone.
The influent pump station was operating properly and in good working order during
site inspection. Both pumps are operational, and a spare pump is stored onsite. The
high-level alarm float was activated, and audible/visual alarm initiated onsite. The ORC
received a dialer/telemetry alarm to his cell phone.
Comment:
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
Is the screen free of excessive debris?
Is disposal of screening in compliance?
Is the unit in good condition?
A manual bar screen was in place and solids removed and disposed with solid waste.
Operator indicated that the bar screen is adequate and they do not experience any
major debris issues in the treatment process.
Comment:
Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE
Is the basin aerated?
Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment?
Is the basin free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Are audible and visual alarms operable?
# Is basin size/volume adequate?
Both treatment trains and EQ basins were in operation. The EQ basins are aerated
and mixed using dedicated blowers. The operator indicated that there were no issues
or problems with the EQ basin operation.
Comment:
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation Ext. Air
Type of aeration system Diffused
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02A11C70-E0F0-4125-9791-82EFB4A4EB3CDocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C
Permit:NC0066150
Inspection Date:03/15/2024
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Brighton Forest WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Is the basin free of dead spots?
Are surface aerators and mixers operational?
Are the diffusers operational?
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin’s surface?
Is the DO level acceptable?
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l)
The operator explained that air is supplied at the beginning of the basin with a target
dissolved oxygen of around 3.0 mg/L. Target DO at the end of the basin is around 1.0
mg/L. The aeration basin is one-stage treatment and uses dedicated blowers for air
supply. Both aeration basins were in operation.
Comment:
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
Are weirs level?
Is the site free of weir blockage?
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting?
Is scum removal adequate?
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
Is the drive unit operational?
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately ¼ of the sidewall depth)
The clarifiers were both in operation with level weir. Total depth of the rectangular
clarifier was approximately 15 feet with a sludge depth measured by the operator at 1
foot.
Comment:
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE
Type of operation:Cross flow
Is the filter media present?
Is the filter surface free of clogging?
Is the filter free of growth?
Is the air scour operational?
Is the scouring acceptable?
Page#5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02A11C70-E0F0-4125-9791-82EFB4A4EB3CDocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C
Permit:NC0066150
Inspection Date:03/15/2024
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Brighton Forest WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE
Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media?
Effluent from the clarifiers enters a pump station that pumps to the cloth disc filters.
The closth disc filters automatically backwash based on level and head differential. The
cloth disc filter was in operation and actively filtering during the inspection. Effluent
from the cloth disc filters appeared to be clear with no observed suspended solids.
Comment:
Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site?
Are UV bulbs clean?
Is UV intensity adequate?
Is transmittance at or above designed level?
Is there a backup system on site?
Is effluent clear and free of solids?
The UV system consists of 2 - Trojan UV banks. Both UV banks were in operation at
the time of the inspection. Spare bulbs are kept onsite. The operator indicated that
bulbs are cleaned on a quarterly basis and replaced based on service hours.
Comment:
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available?
Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source?
Is the generator tested under load?
Was generator tested & operational during the inspection?
Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site?
Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up
power?
Is the generator fuel level monitored?
Brighton Forest WWTP has one emergency stationary generator that will run the entire
facility. The plant operators test the generator weekly under load. Generator has low
level alarm and operations staff check with measuring stick.
Comment:
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 02A11C70-E0F0-4125-9791-82EFB4A4EB3CDocuSign Envelope ID: 8F4E8324-925C-4E8B-853F-1182246F345C