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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0036755_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20180914 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources 2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-296-4500 September 14, 2018 Charles Kevin Klatt Mason’s Ruby and Sapphire Mine 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd Franklin NC 28734 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mine Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0036755 Macon County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mine on 9/13/2018. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0036755. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". The following items were noted and should be addressed: 1. The Operation & Maintenance Plan should be updated to include safety measures and a spill control plan. 2. Based on the 2013 permit application, the ponds were built with berms to minimize stormwater contributions. You should ensure that stormwater does not enter the ponds. 3. The residuals drying pit should be stabilized to prevent further erosion and increase in the size of the pit. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources 2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-296-4500 If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me 828-296-4500 or via email at bev.price@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Beverly Price, Environmental Senior Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: WQS ARO Server LF 20180914_WQ0036755_CEI.rtf Compliance Inspection Report Permit:WQ0036755 Effective:02/06/14 Expiration:01/31/19 Owner :Ernest Alford Klatt SOC: Contact Person: Region: County: Directions to Facility: Macon Asheville Ernest Alford Klatt Effective:Expiration:Facility:Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mine 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd Franklin NC 28734 Title:Phone:828-369-9742Owner Secondary ORC(s): Phone:Certification:Primary ORC: System Classifications: 24 hour contact name Ernest Alford Klatt 828-369-9742 On-site representative Charles Kevin Klatt 828-524-3967 On-Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Secondary Inspector(s): Primary Inspector: Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time: Phone: 09/13/2018 11:00AM 12:30PM Beverly Price 828-296-4500 Facility Status: Permit Inspection Type: Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type: Not CompliantCompliant Routine Closed-Loop Recycle Compliance Evaluation Question Areas: Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Record Keeping (See attachment summary) Page:1 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0036755 09/13/2018 Compliance Evaluation Ernest Alford Klatt Routine Inspection Summary: The inspection was conducted Beverly Price of the Asheville Regional Office. Mr. Kevin Klatt assisted with the inspection. The permit is in renewal. Both settling ponds contained freeboard markers. The required freeboard is 1'. The observed freeboard in the primary pond was 2.5'; secondary settling pond was 3.4’. All recycle water is taken from the primary pond. Residuals are removed from the upper settling pond as needed and then dried on site for approximately 6-9 months. The residuals are placed in a pit to dry. Dried residuals are used on-site or reused in the panning process. The pit used for drying is located adjacent to the primary settling pond and is beginning to erode on the side nearest the primary pond. The drying pit has also increased in size and is now less than 50 feet from the streambank. The drying pit should be stabilized to prevent further erosion and an increase in depth and width. The facility operator is trying to establish grass cover around the upper settling pond; that area needs to be reseeded. Mature trees/woody vegetation were already firmly established on the streambank prior to this system being permitted. Stormwater drains to the primary settling basin. Based on the 2013 permit application, the ponds were built with berms to minimize stormwater runoff from the adjacent area. Stormwater should be prevented from entering the ponds. Freeboard, residuals removal and inspection records appeared to be complete. The O&M Plan needs to be updated to include safety measures and a spill control plan. Page:2 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0036755 09/13/2018 Compliance Evaluation Ernest Alford Klatt Routine Type Yes No NA NE Activated Sludge Spray, HR Activated Sludge Drip, LR Single Family Drip Single Family Spray, LR Activated Sludge Spray, LR Lagoon Spray, LR Reuse (Quality) Infiltration System Recycle/Reuse Treatment Yes No NA NE Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) The permit description indicates makeup water for the system is from groundwater. Groundwater and surface water are being used for makeup water. Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of current permit available? Are monitoring reports present: NDMR? NDAR? Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? Are application rates adhered to? Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)? Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters? Are there any 2L GW quality violations? Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility? Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW? Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards? Are annual soil reports available? # Are PAN records required? # Did last soil report indicate a need for lime? If so, has it been applied? Are operational logs present? Are lab sheets available for review? Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR? Page:3 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0036755 09/13/2018 Compliance Evaluation Ernest Alford Klatt Routine Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s? Are Operational and Maintenance records present? Were Operational and Maintenance records complete? Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months? Is a copy of the SOC readily available? No treatment units bypassed since last inspection? There are no flow meter requirements for this system.Comment: Page:4