WQCS00132_NOV CEI_20190307

Certified Mail #7017 2620 0000 9759 0874
Return Receipt Requested

March 07, 2019

Chad B Simons, Manager Town
Town of Murphy
PO Box 130
Murphy, NC 28906

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0180
Permit No. WQCS00132
Murphy Collection System
Cherokee County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Murphy Collection System on
March 1, 2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in Collection System Permit No. WQCS00132. A summary of the findings and
comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.

The Collection System Non-sampling inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the
Asheville Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection:

Inspection Area Description of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Performance Standards A spill response action plan still needs to be developed and made available to all personnel. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Performance Standards Fats, oils, and grease educational material still needs to be developed and distributed
semiannually. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7196DD7-FE82-44D7-8027-4A4A44E23BC0

The following additional items were noted at the time of the inspection:

 Repeat SSOs & Repair: The ARO acknowledges the current steps being taken to mitigate and permanently
repair the problem line. This is a growing area of Town and any new flow may only exacerbate the problem
until a permanent repair is in place. Please continue to keep our office informed of the progress.

 Debris from System Users: Town staff report repeat problems with debris from the Hospital and County Jail.
Escalation in enforcement of the SUO may be warranted should foreign debris continue to cause system
interferences.

 Sewer Use Rates: Rates were increased marginally but should continue to be assessed for the proper operation,
maintenance and improvement of the collection system. Currently the Town charges $9.00 for every 4000
gallons of sewer used; whereas, the average sewer rate for 4000 gallons in other Southwestern Council of
Government utilities is $28.07.

Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem 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 Mikal Willmer with the Water Quality Regional
Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500.

Sincerely,

G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS

EC: WQS-ARO Server
LF

G:\WR\WQ\Cherokee\Collection Systems\Murphy Collection System\Inspections\Inspect. March 1, 2019\20190307_WQCS00132_NOV2019PC0180

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7196DD7-FE82-44D7-8027-4A4A44E23BC0
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQCS00132 Effective:05/01/17 Expiration:04/30/25 Owner :Town of Murphy
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Cherokee
Asheville
Anna A Payne
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Murphy Collection System
PO Box 130
Murphy NC 289060130
Title:Phone:[phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
828-837-5035Phone:[phone]Certification:Tyler B WhitePrimary ORC:
CS1,System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0020940 Town of Murphy - Murphy WWTP
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
03/01/2019 10:00AM 02:00PM
Mikal Willmer 828-296-4686
Daniel J Boss
Timothy H Heim
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Follow-up
Collection system management and operation
Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions Performance Standards
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7196DD7-FE82-44D7-8027-4A4A44E23BC0
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00132
03/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Murphy
Follow-up
Inspection Summary:
Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office (ARO), conducted a follow up inspection of the Town of Murphy's Collection
System. This inspection was conducted to determine what steps have been taken since the last inspection to correct the
noted deficiencies and to obtain additional information and discuss plans to address the line near 123 Woodland Dr.
experiencing frequent overflows. Inspectors Dan Boss and Tim Heim with the ARO were also present and assisted in the
inspection. Chad Simons, Town Manager, and Tyler White, CS ORC, with the Town of Murphy were present for the
inspection.
Since the last compliance inspection there has been a change of Town Staff and Management. Several of the maintenance
staff are working to obtain their CS-1 licenses. Tyler White will now be the designated CS ORC. The Regal St. sewer
improvement project funded by CDBG has an approved sewer extension permit as of February 2019. The Town is also
actively working to map all collection system components into their Utility Cloud program. Once complete, this will allow
instant access to collection system data while in the field. Sewer use rates were increased marginally but should continue
to be assessed in the coming fiscal year to help fund the proper operation, maintenance and improvement of the collection
system. For comparison, the Town of Murphy charges $9.00 for every 4000 gallons of sewer used; whereas, the average
sewer rate for 4000 gallons in other Southwestern Council of Government utilities is $28.07.
The following items noted in the 2018 inspection that still need to be addressed.
•FOG Education: A form of FOG education still needs to be developed now that billing is electronic. Recommend posting
educational material on the Towns website and sending links along with the bills.
•Spill Response Action Plan (SRAP): SRAP needs to be made available to all collection system personnel in the event of an
SSO. This must include, at a minimum, the items found under Section II.9 of the CS permit.
An overview of the 123 Woodland Dr. Manhole Site Visit is as follows:
Issue: Dan Boss conducted an initial site visit of the manhole at 123 Woodland Dr. in December 2018 in response to citizen
complaints received by the ARO. Since then it has been determined the line is no longer able to adequately gravity feed due
to negative and/or inadequate slope between inlets & outlets of the manholes and gravity line sections. Inspectors revisited
the site with Town staff during the follow up inspection to further discuss the cause and solution to the repeated overflows at
this location. Anecdotal evidence indicates this line may have had issues (repeated overflows) since its original installation in
the 90’s. This line receives approximately 100,000 gallons of flow a day and services a growing area of the town. A sewer
extension for a 134-bed nursing home, which will add approximately 16,000 gallons of flow a day, was approved by the
Division in December of 2018. Any additional flow added to this line before permanent repairs are made, may only
exacerbate the issue and cause more frequent overflows.
Location/Accessibility: 123 Woodland Dr. is the site of the Tusquitee Ranger District Office. The Hiwassee is approximately
50’-70’ from the manhole, but a culvert that drains to a UT to the Hiwassee sits approximately 15’ from the manhole. There is
a short walking path on the property that passes directly by the site. The path is mainly frequented by residents near the
District Office, more so during warmer months. Town staff indicate the area is not a major fishing location. A public boat
ramp is located half a mile downstream (near receiving lift station). Due to river conditions and the location of bridge piers,
the section of the Hiwassee upstream of the boat ramp is not often recreated.
Temporary Mitigation Efforts: The Town Staff have constructed an 8000 gallon overflow catch basin surrounding the manhole
that is experiencing the chronic SSOs. The basin was put to test on 2/22/2019 when the manhole experienced another
overflow. The basin intially had a wall failure during the overflow but was repaired and reinforced. After the repair the basin
successfully retained sewage that overflowed from the manhole, and it was pumped back into the collection system that
evening. It appears that the overflow basin now will be able to contain most SSOs at the volumes that have been reported at
this location.

Permanent Repair Options: The Town is in the early stages of planning for the permanent line repair. McGill & Associates
has put together a preliminary cost estimate for the Town which includes installing 1000 linear feet of DIP line and the
installation of 6 new manholes with watertight lids. Plans have not been finalized and an option forward has not been
selected. The Town is currently pursuing a funding source for the project.
Page 2 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7196DD7-FE82-44D7-8027-4A4A44E23BC0
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00132
03/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Murphy
Follow-up
Additionally, the Town currently has experienced problems with debris in this line from the Hospital and County Jail.
According to Town staff, both entities have been advised of the requirements set forth in the Town’s Sewer Use Ordinance.
Escalation in enforcement of the SUO may be warranted should foreign debris from these facilities continue to cause
blockages and pump malfunctions within the system. As part of the service agreement, customers should take necessary
steps to prohibit the discharge of interfering substances and debris into the Town’s collection system (i.e. educating staff,
installing bar screens, grinder pumps etc.)
Page 3 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7196DD7-FE82-44D7-8027-4A4A44E23BC0
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00132
03/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Murphy
Follow-up
Performance Standards Yes No NA NE
Is Public Education Program for grease established and documented?
What educational tools are used?
A means for distributing grease education has not been implemented. Recommend posting on the Town's
website and sending a link with the eletronic bills.
Is Sewer Use Ordinance/Legal Authority available?
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced?
Is Grease Trap Ordinance available?
Is Septic Tank Ordinance available (as applicable, i.e. annexation)
List enforcement actions by permittee, if any, in the last 12 months
No issues noted in previous inspection regarding ordinances. Notices have been sent to problem faciltiies;
however, further escalation of enforcement may be warranted for some users.
Has an acceptable Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) been implemented?
Does CIP address short term needs and long term \"master plan\" concepts?
Does CIP cover three to five year period?
Does CIP include Goal Statement?
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?
Is CIP designated only for wastewater collection and treatment?
Approximate capital improvement budget for collection system?
Total annual revenue for wastewater collection and treatment?
CIP Comments
The combined appropriations for water and sewer in FY19 is $1.57 million. Capital projects include Regal St.
improvements to replace existing line. Sewer rate increases were discussed during the inspection. More
detail about Murphy rates compared to similar municipalities in western North Carolina can be found in the
summary.
Is system free of known points of bypass?
If no, describe type of bypass and location
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted at ALL pump stations?
# Does the sign include:
Instructions for notification?
Pump station identifier?
24-hour contact numbers
If no, list deficient pump stations
During the last inspection the Casino LS was without a sign. If not already completed, a 24-hour notification
sign should be placed near the LS for after hours contact.
# Do ALL pump stations have an "auto polling" feature/SCADA?
Page 4 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7196DD7-FE82-44D7-8027-4A4A44E23BC0
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00132
03/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Murphy
Follow-up
Number of pump stations
Number of pump stations that have SCADA
Number of pump stations that have simple telemetry
Number of pump stations that have only audible and visual alarms
Number of pump stations that do not meet permit requirements
# Does the permittee have a root control program?
# If yes, date implemented?
Describe:
Continue to work towards installing telemetry at all sewer lift stations as mentioned in the budget.Comment:
Page 5 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: A7196DD7-FE82-44D7-8027-4A4A44E23BC0
Certificate Of Completion
Envelope Id: A7196DD7FE8244D780274A4A44E23BC0 Status: Completed
Subject: Please DocuSign: 20190307_WQCS00132_NOV2019PC0180.draft.docx, 20190307_WQCS00132_CEI.draft.pdf
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Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 3 Mikal Willmer
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EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled
Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
217 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27699
[e-mail]
IP Address: 149.168.204.10
Record Tracking
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Mar 8, 2019 | 12:03
Holder: Mikal Willmer
[e-mail]
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Mikal Willmer
[e-mail]
Environmental Specialist
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
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Daniel Boss
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Environmental Specialist
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
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Tim Heim
[e-mail]
DWR
DEQ
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G. Landon Davidson
[e-mail]
Asheville Regional Office, Regional Supervisor
DEQ, Division of Water Resources, Water Quality
Regional Operatoins
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