NC0045128_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20171205

Water Resources
Environmental Quality
December 5, 2017
Jay Fuller
Alamance -Burlington School System
1732 Vaughn Road
Burlington, NC 27217
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report
NPDES Permit NCO045128
Sylvan Elementary School WWTP, Alamance County
Dear Mr. Fuller:
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Interim Director
DEC 2017
Wager
Resources
Perrating
On November 30, 2017, Paul DiMatteo and Jenny Graznak of the Division of Water Resources
("Division"), Winston-Salem Regional Office conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the above
referenced wastewater treatment system. Matthew Smith, Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), was
present for the inspection. This type of inspection consists of two basic parts: an on-site inspection of the
facility and a review of facility files and self-monitoring data. An inspection summary follows and an inspection
report is attached for your records.
Site Review
1. Permit
The current permit became effective on July 1, 2016 and expires on May 31, 2021. A copy of the
current permit was available for review. Permitted components include a septic tank, sand filter,
and ultraviolet disinfection.
2. Facility Site Review
The facility was as described in the permit. The sand filter is dosed by a siphon mechanism; no
alarms are present. Although the facility is not located near the main school building or any other
surrounding buildings, access to the sand bed is not restricted to the general public.
3. Operation and Maintenance
The operator or a properly designated backup visits the site as required. Visitation logs were
current and available during the inspection. Mr. Smith said that school maintenance staff turned off
the UV alarm because it kept going off after hours. However, lights on the control panel indicated
that all bulbs were operational and the ORC said the bulbs are cleaned regularly. In case of a failure
of the UV system, Mr. Smith said he could add chlorine tablets to the old chlorine contact chamber.
- _ `Y"Noth[ng Compares7—__
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality
450 W Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
Phone [phone] FAX. [phone]

!i
4. Flow Measurement 1
Flow is estimated using data from the potable water meter. Given the low permitted discharge rate
of 3,000 gpd monthly average, care should be taken to ensure that the reported value is within
10% of the "true" value.
5. Effluent/Receiving Waters
The effluent is discharged into Cane Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin. Mr. Smith said that the
outfall was recently located but he himself did not know the exact location. An effluent sample
drawn from a valve after UV disinfection appeared clear.
Documentation Review
6. Records/Reports
Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) and lab data are maintained according to the permit. DMRs
include all permit parameters. Copies of DMRs, operator visitation logs, lab reports and Chain -of -
Custody forms were available for review during the inspection.
7. Self -Monitoring Program
A review of DMRs from April, 2015 through September, 2017 showed the following violations,
which have been addressed through previous correspondence from this office:
A comparison of submitted DMR data and field records showed no errors or concerns.
8. Laboratory
All parameters are analyzed by Research & Analytical Laboratories, Certification #34. ORC measures
pH and temperature at the facility. All other samples are collected from a valve following
disinfection.
Temperature is measured using the digital thermometer on the Dissolved Oxygen meter. The
thermometer was last calibrated on October 12, 2017. pH meter pre -run calibration and sampling
procedures appeared acceptable.
9. Sludge Handling Disposal
Mr. Smith said that sludge is removed from the septic tank as needed. Records showed that sludge
was last removed by Jenkins Waste Management on 2/20, 4/28, 8/10 and 11/20 of this year.
ACTIQN-'
Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC
08/31/2017
Daily Maximum Exceeded
Proceed to NOD
Broth, 44 5 C
Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC
08/31/2017
Monthly Geometric Mean
Proceed to NOD
Broth, 44.5 C
Exceeded
Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC
10/06/2015
Daily Maximum Exceeded
Proceed to NOV
Broth, 44 5 C
Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC
10/31/2015
Monthly Geometric Mean
Proceed to NOV
Broth, 44 5 C
Exceeded
A comparison of submitted DMR data and field records showed no errors or concerns.
8. Laboratory
All parameters are analyzed by Research & Analytical Laboratories, Certification #34. ORC measures
pH and temperature at the facility. All other samples are collected from a valve following
disinfection.
Temperature is measured using the digital thermometer on the Dissolved Oxygen meter. The
thermometer was last calibrated on October 12, 2017. pH meter pre -run calibration and sampling
procedures appeared acceptable.
9. Sludge Handling Disposal
Mr. Smith said that sludge is removed from the septic tank as needed. Records showed that sludge
was last removed by Jenkins Waste Management on 2/20, 4/28, 8/10 and 11/20 of this year.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Paul DiMatteo at [phone] or
our office at [phone].
Sincerely,
'%herri V. Knight, P.E., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosures —Inspection Report and Summary
CC: Matthew Smith — by email
WQS Winston-Salem Regional Office - Enforcement File
NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File
Central Files

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Form Approved
EPA Washington, D C 20460
OMB No 2040-0057
Water Compliance Inspection Report
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 U 2 15 1 3 I NCO04512B I11 121 17/11/30 I17 18 I q( 19 Lc 1 20I I
211 1 1 1 I I I I I III I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I III I I I I 1166
I
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA — -Reseryed
72 N_73LJJ74 75 1 1 1 1 1 80
67 70 LJ 71 ty
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
Entry Time/Date
Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
01 30PM 17/11/30
16/07/01
Sylvan Elementary School
7718 Sylvan Rd
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Snow Camp NC 27349
02 45PM 17/11/30
21/04/30
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Tittes(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
///
Matthew P Smith/ORC/336-414-8274/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Jay Fuller,1732 Vaughn Rd Burlington NC 27217//336-570-648213365706485
No
Section C Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit E Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self-Monitoring Program N 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
Jennifer F Graznak WSRO WQ//336-771-5000/
Paul DiMatteo WSRO WQ//336-776-9691/
Signature ofManagement Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date ,
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete
Page#

N'DES
yr/mo/day
31 NC0045128 I11 12 17/11/30 "
Site Review
1 Permit
Inspection Type
18 ICI
(Cont )
Section D Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
The current permit became effective on July 1, 2016 and expires on May 31, 2021. A copy of the
current permit was available for review. Permitted components include a septic tank, sand filter, and
ultraviolet disinfection.
2. Facility Site Review
The facil ty was as described in the permit. The sand filter is dosed by a siphon mechanism; no alarms
are present. Although the facility is not located near the main school building or any other surrounding
buildings, access to the sand bed is not restricted to the general public.
3. Operation and Maintenance
The operator or a properly designated backup visits the site as required. Visitation logs were current
and available during the inspection. Mr Smith said that school maintenance staff turned off the UV
alarm because it kept going off after hours. However, lights on the control panel indicated that all bulbs
were operational and the ORC said the bulbs are cleaned regularly In case of a failure of the UV
system, Mr Smith said he could add chlorine tablets to the old chlorine contact chamber.
4. Flour Measurement
Flow is estimated using data from the potable water meter. Care should be taken to ensure that the
reported value is within 10% of the "true" value.
5. Effluent/Receiving Waters
The effluent is discharged into Cane Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin. Mr Smith said that the outfall
was recently located but he himself did not know the exact location. An effluent sample drawn from a
valve after UV disinfection appeared clear.
Documentation Review
6. Records/Reports
Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) and lab data are maintained according to the permit. DMRs
include all permit parameters. Copies of DMRs, operator visitation logs, lab reports and
Chain -of -Custody forms were available for review during the inspection.
7. Self -Monitoring Program
A review of DMRs from April, 2015 through September, 2017 showed the following violations, which
have been addressed through previous correspondence from this office:
PARAMETER VIOLATIONDATE VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION ACTION
Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC Broth, 44 5 C 08/31/2017 Daily Maximum Exceeded Proceed to NOD
Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC Broth, 44.5 C 08/31/2017 Monthly Geometric Mean Exceeded Proceed
to NOD
Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC Broth, 44 5 C 10/06/2015 Daily Maximum Exceeded Proceed to NOV
Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC Broth, 44.5 C 10/31/2015 Monthly Geometric Mean Exceeded Proceed
to NOV
A comparison of submitted DMR data and field records showed no errors or concerns.
8 Laboratory
All parameters are analyzed by Research & Analytical Laboratories, Certification #34. ORC measures
Page#

permit- NCO045128
Owner • Facility, Sylvan Elementary School
Inspection Date. 11/30/2017 Inspection Type, Compliance Evaluation
pH and temperature at the facility. All other samples are collected from a valve following disinfection
Temperature is measured using the digital thermometer on the Dissolved Oxygen meter The
thermometer was last calibrated on October 12, 2017 pH meter pre -run calibration and sampling
procedures appeared acceptable
9 Sludge Handling Disposal
Mr. Smith said that sludge is removed from the septic tank as needed. Records showed that sludge
was last removed by Jenkins Waste Management on 2/20, 4/28, 8/10 and 11/20 of this year.
Page#

Permit- NCO045128
Inspection Date: 11/30/2017
Operations & Maintenance
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping?
Owner - Facility. Sylvan Elementary School
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment.
Permit
(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?
Yes No NA NE
M ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ■ ❑
Yes No NA NE
❑ ❑ ■ ❑
M ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ■ ❑ ❑
❑ ■ ❑ ❑
M ❑ ❑ ❑
i
Comment: There is no access restriction to the sand bed. but It did appear to be located away from the
school or other areas where people would gather.
Record Keeping
Ars records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
Is all required information readily available, complete and current?
A -e all records maintained for 3 years (lab reg required 5 years)?
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs?
Is the chain -of -custody complete?
Dates, times and location of sampling
Name of individual performing the sampling
Results of analysis and calibration
Dates of analysis
Name of person performing analyses
Transported CDCs
Are DMRs complete. do they include all permit parameters?
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ?
(If the facility Is = or > 5 MGD permitted fiow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator
on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current?
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification?
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification?
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
Yes No NA NE
❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ❑
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
M ❑ ❑ ❑
M ❑ ❑ ❑
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ■ ❑
❑ ❑ M ❑
M ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 4

Permit NCO045128 Owner • Facility: Sylvan Elementary School
Inspection Date. 11/30/2017 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? ❑ ❑ ❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: ORC did not know the location of the effluent pipe, though he said that someone had located
it recently A sample obtained after UV disinfection appeared clear.
Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational?
❑
❑
Flow Measurement - Influent
Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
❑
❑
M
❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is the flow meter operational?
❑
❑
M
❑
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: Flow is estimated using the school's water meter. Beqinninq this school year flow has been
reported on the DMR to the nearest 1000 gallons (previously reported to the nearest 100
gallons). Note that the reported flow measurement should be within 10% of the true value
Since the flow limit at this facility is 3000 god with a typical reported flow around 2000 gpd,
this gives an acceptable range of —+/- 200 gpd, which is to small to be resolved if flow is
rounded to the nearest 1000 gallons.
Septic Tank
Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational?
❑
❑
M
❑
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
M
❑
❑
❑
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
❑
❑
M
❑
Comment: There are no alarms on the septic tanks Dosing
operates by a siphon mechanism. Dosing
❑
❑
system appeared to be operating properly during
the inspection.
Sand Filters (Low rate)
Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational?
❑
❑
❑
Is the distribution box level and watertight?
❑
❑
M
❑
Is sand filter free of ponding?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio?
M
❑
❑
❑
# Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation?
M
❑
❑
❑
Page# 6

Permit NCO045128 Owner - Facility. Sylvan Elementary School
Inspection Date: 11/30/2017 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Sana Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE
# Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) ❑ 0 1:11 ❑
Comment. Sand filter is single pass. As noted previously, there is no alarm for this system.
Disinfection - UV
Yes No NA NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are UV bulbs clean?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is UV intensity adequate?
❑
❑
❑
N
Is transmittance at or above designed level?
❑
❑
❑
N
Is there a backup system on site?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is effluent clear and free of solids?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment- 6 tubes in use/6 total ORC has chlorine tablets available as a backup.
Laboratory
Yes No NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
�
❑
❑
❑
Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is the facility using a contract lab?
M
❑
❑
❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
❑
❑
❑
N
Celsius)?
❑
❑
❑
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees?
❑
❑
❑
M
Incubator (BOD) set to 20 0 degrees Celsius +/-1 0 degrees?
❑
❑
❑
M
Comment:
Effluent Sampling
Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
N
❑
❑
❑
Is proper volume collected?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the tubing clean?
❑
❑
0
❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
❑
❑
❑
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
0
❑
❑
❑
representative)?
Comment Sample is collected from a valve after UV disinfection.
Page# 6