WQ0035049_Inspection_20190214

DocuSign Envelope ID:A9C95DCE-506D-4BDF-88F6-60422C4D47D9
STATE
ROY COOPER �
c�crnur
MICHAEL S.REGAAI
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER NORTH CARODNA
CUh CtOr Environmental Quality
Certified Mail # 7017 0190 0000 9534 2635
Return Receipt Requested
February 20, 2019
Randell Woodruff
Pender County
PO Box 5
Burgaw, NC 28425-0005
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-OV-0001
Permit No. WQ0035049
Maple Hill WWTF
Pender County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Maple Hill WWTF on February
14, 2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions
and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0035049. A summary of the findings and comments
noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.
The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Wilmington
Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Record Keeping No backup designation for SI and WW-2.
Record Keeping No field lab certification for ph testing.
End Use-Irrigation No gauge installed to measure freeboard in storage lagoon.
Record Keeping No operational or maintenance logs present.
Record Keeping No ORC for SI.
North CawEnsDepartmentofEnvironmeatalQua?rty I Diuisionof Water Resources
Wilmington Reg•3rLa-Dffioe 1 127 CardirreiDrive Extenson I Milrar:ngton, North;ar•xms2A405
- 910-796-7215

DocuSign Envelope ID:A9C95DCE-506D-4BDF-88F6-60422C4D47D9
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Treatment Sludge Updated residual management plan not submitted.
Storage/Treatment
Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct these problems and prevent further occurrences in the
future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of
State law.
To prevent further action, please respond in writing to this office within 30 days upon your receipt of this Notice
of Violation regarding your plans or measures to be taken to address the indicated violations and other identified
issues, if applicable.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Perez with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
E3ABA14AC7DC434...
Morella Sanchez-King, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: Uploaded to Laserfiche
Kenny Keel — electronic copy
Chris Picket — electronic copy
NorthCafo Dike DepartrnentoffnvironmeatadQaadity I Diuisianof Water Resources
Z��p Wilmington Reg•3reIQfRce 1 127 Cardinr lDriveExtension I WiHmington. North Caro:ma73405
910-796-7215

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0035049 Effective: 04/19/16 Expiration: 03/31/21 owner: Pender County
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Maple Hill WWTF
County: Pender 306 Maple Hill School Rd
Region: Wilmington
Maple Hill NC 28454
Contact Person: Randell Woodruff Title: County Manager Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
Head southeast on NC Hwy 50 from intersection of Hwy 50 and NC Hwy 53. Turn left onto Maple Hill School Road,facility entrance
is on right after a blueberry farm and before post office/community building on the left.
System Classifications: SI, WW2,
Primary ORC: Christopher Kane Pickett Certification: 995931 Phone: [phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
On-Site Representative(s):
On-site representative Kenny Keel 910-259-0212
Related Permits:
WQ0035107 Pender County-Maple Hill Community STEP Sewer
Inspection Date: 02/14/2019 Entry Time: 10:OOAM Exit Time: 11:40AM
Primary Inspector: Helen I Perez Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Wastewater Irrigation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement-Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement-Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Flow Measurement-Water Treatment Record Keeping
Use Records
Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment End Use-Irrigation
Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection Treatment Flow Measurement
Standby Power
(See attachment summary)
Page: 1

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner-Facility:Pender County
Inspection Date: 02/14/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
A routine compliance inspection of the Maple Hill WWTF was conducted on 02-14-2019. Chris Picket, ORC, and Kenny
Keel, Pender County Utility Director,were present.The treatment facility is well maintained.The average flow received from
the Septic Tank Effluent Pump(STEP)collection system is approximately 8,000 gpd compared to the permitted flow of
42,000 gpd. Dog food continues to be used as a carbon source because of the influent low food mass.
The facility was not compliant with their permit,WQ0035049,for the the following issues:
1. The facility is classified as WW-2 and S1.There needs to be an ORC and BORC for both classifications. Currently,there
is only an ORC for the WW-2 classification (Permit section 111.2).
2. There needs to be a field lab certification for pH testing (Permit section IV.2).
3. No copy of an updated residuals management plan submitted within three months of issuance of current permit(Permit
section IV.8).
4. No operational or maintenance logs available(Permit section IV.9).
5. No gauge installed to measure freeboard in storage lagoon (Permit section 111.13).
A reminder that monitoring reports from May, 2018 to present need to be submitted to the Raleigh Processing Unit as soon
as possible, as outlined in the NOV issued earlier this month.The GW-59 reports for July and November, 2018 are also
missing and need to be submitted.The Maple Hill Sewer Extension Permit for the STEP collection system is the
responsibility of Pender County and the deemed rules listed in Permit WQ0035107 are to be followed for compliance.
Page: 2

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner-Facility:Pender County
Inspection Date: 02/14/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Type Yes No NA NE
Reuse(Quality) ❑
Infiltration System ❑
Lagoon Spray, LR ❑
Single Family Spray, LR ❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR ❑
Activated Sludge Drip,LR ❑
Recycle/Reuse ❑
Single Family Drip ❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do all treatment units appear to be operational?(if no,note below.) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Treatment units and the telemetry system are operational.
Treatment Flow Measurement-Influent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Flowmeter was calibrated on 06/13/2018.
Treatment Flow Measurement-Water Use Records Yes No NA NE
Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement-Effluent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Standby Power
Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page: 3

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner-Facility:Pender County
Inspection Date: 02/14/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The generator is programmed to test automatically on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday.
Treatment Activated Sludqe Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration mechanism operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is activated sludge an acceptable color? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The treatment process includes the combination of fixed film and activated sludge. The rotating
wheels collect algae growth, especially in the summer months due to exposure to the sun,
requiring frequent cleaning. This cleaning tends to remove some of the accumulated fixed film
growth as well.
Treatment Clarifiers Yes No NA NE
Are the weirs level? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the weirs free of solids and algae? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system accessible? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: There was a small amount of floating solids in the clarifiers. The additional baffle walls installed
in each clarifier is in need of repair in the near term.
Treatment Slud-ge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration pattern even? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If required,are Sanitary"Ts"present in tankage? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Solids are removed from the facility once a year by Ben Aragona.
Treatment Disinfection Yes No NA NE
Is the system working? ❑ ❑ ❑
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there adequate detention time(-30 minutes)? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the system properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑
If gas,does the cylinder storage appear safe? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Page: 4

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner-Facility:Pender County
Inspection Date: 02/14/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Is the chlorinator accessible? ❑ ❑ ❑
If tablets,are tablets present? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is contact chamber free of sludge,solids,and growth? ❑ ❑ ❑
If UV,are extra UV bulbs available? ❑ ❑ ❑
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
#Is it a dual feed system? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine(CAS No.7782-50-5)? ❑ ❑ ❑
If yes,then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ ❑
If yes,then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number?(1000- )
If yes,then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: The parallel UV banks are cleaned twice a week due to lack of tertiary treatment in the process.
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? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW? ❑ ❑ ❑
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Are annual soil reports available? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are PAN records required? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
#Did last soil report indicate a need for lime? ❑ ❑ ❑
If so,has it been applied? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are operational logs present? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Are lab sheets available for review? ❑ ❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR? ❑ ❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are Operational and Maintenance records present? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page: 5

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner-Facility:Pender County
Inspection Date: 02/14/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Is a copy of the SOC readily available? ❑ ❑ ❑
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: There were no operational or maintenance logs present. A reminder to document calibrations of
the pH meter.
End Use-Irrigation Yes No NA NE
Are buffers adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the cover crop type specified in permit? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the crop cover acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site condition adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of runoff/ponding? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the acreage specified in the permit being utilized? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the application equipment present? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the application equipment operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal field free of limiting slopes? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is access restricted and/or signs posted during active site use? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑
How close is the closest water supply well? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Info only: Does the permit call for monitoring wells? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/respect to RB and CB? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed,including screened interval? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are monitoring wells damaged? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment: There was good crop coverage on the fields, but grass clippings, left after mowing, were not
removed. Unharvested grass clippings can reduce infiltration capacity of the soil and cause
stress to the cover crop. All four GW monitoring wells were in good condition and locked.
Page: 6