NC0027286_NOV-2019-PC-0068_20190211

NORTH CAROLINA
ROY COOPER F.avhomm ntalQuattty
Governor -
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Interim Director
CERTIFIED MAIL# 7015-0640-0005-8164-0322
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
RECEIVED/DENR/DWR
February 11, 2018 FEB 1 9 2013
Ed Evans Water Resources
Town of Blowing Rock Permitting Section
1036 Main St.
PO Box 47
Blowing Rock, NC 28605 ,
SUBJECT: Follow Up Inspection and Notice of Violation
NOV Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0068
Blowing Rock WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0027286
Watauga County
Dear Mr. Evans,
On February 4, 2019, Kelli Park, Jenny Graznak, and Paul DiMatteo, of this office,
performed an unannounced follow-up inspection at the Blowing Rock wastewater
treatment plant (WWfP), to check on the violations identified during the previous
inspection in November 2018, which resulted in Notice of Violation NOV-2018-PC-0444.
The attached EPA inspection form details the areas that were evaluated for this
inspection. Violations and major areas of concern observed from the follow-up inspection
are described below:
1) The bar screen was full of material at the time of inspection, nearly to the point of
causing a bypass. After talking to James Townsend, ORC, he confirmed that the
screen was cleaned later that day. Please note, it is industry standard, that a
manual bar screen be cleaned every hour, or, at a minimum, every two hours. Mr.
Townsend mentioned possibly using a finer bar screen in the future to screen out
debris. This would potentially reduce the trash and material noted throughout the
plant's components, as described below, but will also require more frequent
cleaning because it will screen out more material. Also note that failure to clean
the bar screen as required is considered a violation of Part II, Section C, Paragraph
2, of the permit. This should be corrected immediately.
2) There was trash and lime residue on the ground surrounding the equalization
basin. This trash and lime residue was also seen in a trail leading to the fence
Page 1 of 3

Blowing Rock WWTP,Follow Up,February 4,2018
across from the basin, and then down an embankment to a small tributary of the
• Middle Fork of the New River. There was also a sludge-looking material going
down the embankment. Mr. Townsend reported that this was due to cleaning the
equalization basin, however, this is highly indicative of a recent bypass at the
equalization basin. You are hereby reminded of the bypass operating requirements
located in Part II, Section C, Paragraph 4 of the permit, as well as the bypass
reporting requirements located in Part II, Section E, Paragraph 6 of the permit. If
the trash was, in fact, due to the basin cleaning, please ensure that trash is'better
cleaned up in the future. Such conditions can also be construed as being
representative of operational standards at the plant.
Please be aware that, in accordance with the permit, a bypass event needs to be
reported to our office immediately, or within 24 hours of occurrence.
Please clean up the trash and material inside the plant grounds and on the
adjacent bank.
3) There was a significant amount of floating material and pin floc in the clarifiers, and
the effluent in the holding tank was cloudy. This issue needs to be addressed
immediately. It is suggested that you request a technical assistance visit through
our office.
4) The clarifier weirs are not level. About one-third of the weirs on each clarifier were
• dry. Weirs must be level all the way across their face in order for them to work
properly and in accordance with the permit. This may contribute to the inordinate
amount of floating solids, mentioned above. Please fix this issue immediately.
5) The influent and effluent samplers are set up to pull 100 milliliters (mL) per 10,000
gallons of flow. 100mL is the minimum sample that should be pulled. It is suggested
that the samplers pull 130mL or 150mL, as a buffer for error. ,
6) The fence around the plant is still broken and needs to be repaired immediately
to prohibit an unauthorized entry.
It was noted that since the previous inspection an influent sampler has been set up,
clarifier sludge-level records are being maintained, sludge hauling records are being
maintained, pH standards are current, and the flow meter has been certified to be properly
placed and operating correctly.
These issues represent deficiencies and violations of the facility's NPDES permit. Thus,
this letter is being sent to you as a Notice of Violation. Please reply in writing to this
letter within 10 calendar days of receiving it. Your written reply should address each of
the noted deficiencies and provide a corrective action plan along with an
implementation/completion schedule to remediate them. A review of your response will
be considered along with any additional information provided.
Please be aware that violations of your NPDES permit, or the NC statutes and regulations
under which it is promulgated, are subject to fines of up to$25,000 per day, per violation,
Page 2 of 3

Blowing Rock WWTP,Follow Up,February 4,2018
il
Please be aware that violations of your NPDES permit, or the NC statutes and regulations
under which it is promulgated, are subject to fines of up to$25,000 per day, per violation,
as set forth in NC General Statute (NCGS) 143-215.6A, Enforcement Procedures, Civil
Penalties. If we do NOT receive your written reply within 10 calendar days of your receipt
of this notice, we may draft an enforcement case for the noted deficiencies/violations.
Your immediate attention is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions regarding the
inspection or this report, please contact Kelli Park or me at [phone] or by email at
kelli.park [e-mail] or sherri.knightAncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
f
Sherri V. Knight, P.E.
Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations
Division of Water Resources
Enclosure: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
cc: Central Files
WSRO
rNPDES'Unit ,f
•
Page 3 of 3

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 IN I 2 IS I 3 I NC0027286 111 121 19/02/04 117 18 Lics 19[ i 201 I
2111111I11111111 [ II III IIIIII1I1II IIIIIIIIIII f6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved
67I I 70I I 711 I 72 I N I 731
I 174
75� I I I I I I I80
Section B Facility Data LJ
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) 11 10AM 19/02/04 16/07/01
Blowing Rock WVVTP
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
US Hwy 321 Bypass N
12 00PM 19/02/04 21/03/31
Blowing Rock NC 28605
Name(s)of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data
///
Marshall James Townsend/ORC/828-295-5226/
Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Ed Evans,1036 Main St Blowing Rock NC 28605/Town Manager/828-295-5200/
No
Section C Areas Evaluated During Inspection(Check only those areas evaluated)
El Operations&Maintenance El Facility Site Review II Effluent/Receiving Waters -
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/
Kelli A Park /r t Q lQCy� WSRO WQ//336-776-9689/ r��
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

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont) 1
31 NC0027286 I11 121 19/02/04 117 18 IA
•
Section D Summary of Finding/Comments(Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On February 4, 2019, Kelli Park, Jenny Graznak, and Paul DiMatteo, of this office, performed an
unannounced follow-up inspection at the Blowing Rock wastewater treatment plant(WWTP), to check
on the violations identified during the previous inspection in November 2018,which resulted in Notice of
Violation NOV-2018-PC-0444.The attached EPA inspection form details the areas that were evaluated
for this inspection.Violations and major areas of concern observed from the follow-up inspection are
described below.
1) The bar screen was full of material at the time of inspection, nearly to the point of causing a
bypass.After talking to James Townsend, ORC, he confirmed that the screen was cleaned later that
day. Please note, it is industry standard,that a manual bar screen be cleaned every hour, or, at a
minimum, every two hours. Mr Townsend mentioned possibly using a finer bar screen in the future to
screen out debris.This would potentially reduce the trash and material noted throughout the plant's
components, as described below, but will also require more frequent cleaning because it will screen
out more material.Also note that failure to clean the bar screen as required is considered a violation of
Part II, Section C, Paragraph 2, of the permit.This should be corrected immediately.
2) There was trash and lime residue on the ground surrounding the equalization basin. This trash and
lime residue was also seen in a trail leading to the fence across from the basin, and then down an
embankment to a small tributary of the Middle Fork of the New River.There was also a sludge-looking
material going down the embankment. Mr.Townsend reported that this was due to cleaning the
equalization basin, however, this is highly indicative of a recent bypass at the equalization basin.You
are hereby reminded of the bypass operating requirements located in Part II, Section C, Paragraph 4 of
the permit, as well as the bypass reporting requirements located in Part II, Section E, Paragraph 6 of
the permit. If the trash was, in fact, due to the basin cleaning, please ensure that trash is better cleaned
up in the future. Such conditions can also be construed as being representative of operational
standards at the plant.
Please be aware that, in accordance with the permit, a bypass event needs to be reported to our office
immediately, or within 24 hours of occurrence.
Please clean up the trash and material inside the plant grounds and on the adjacent bank.
3) There was a significant amount of floating material and pin floc in the clarifiers, and the effluent in
the holding tarik was cloudy.This issue needs to be addressed immediately It is suggested that you
request a technical assistance visit through our office.
4) The clarifier weirs are not level.About one-third of the weirs on each clarifier were dry. Weirs must
be level all the way across their face in order for them to work properly and in accordance with the
permit This may contribute to the inordinate amount of floating solids, mentioned above. Please fix this
issue immediately.
5) The influent and effluent samplers are set up to pull 100 milliliters (mL) per 10,000 gallons of flow
100mL is the minimum sample that should be pulled. It is suggested that the samplers pull 130mL or
150mL, as a buffer for error.
6) The fence around the plant is still broken and needs to be repaired immediately to prohibit an
unauthorized entry
It was noted that since the previous inspection an influent sampler has been set up, clarifier
Page# 2

•
/
Permit: NC0027286 Owner-Facility: Blowing RockWWTP
Inspection Date: 02/04/2019 Inspection Type' Compliance Evaluation
sludge-level records are being maintained, sludge hauling records are being maintained, pH standards
are current, and the flow meter has been certified to be properly placed and operating correctly.
These issues represent deficiencies and violations of the facility's NPDES permit. Thus, this letter is
being sent to you as a Notice of Violation. Please reply in writing to this letter within 10 calendar days of
receiving it.Your written reply should address each of the noted deficiencies and provide a corrective
action plan along with an implementation/completion schedule to remediate them.A review of your _
response will be considered along with any additional information provided.
Please be aware that violations of your NPDES permit, or the NC statutes and regulations under which
it is promulgated, are subject to fines of up to$25,000 per day, per violation, as set forth in NC General
Statute(NCGS) 143-215.6A, Enforcement Procedures, Civil Penalties. If we do NOT receive your
written reply within 10 calendar days of your receipt of this notice,we may draft an enforcement case
for the noted deficiencies/violations.
•
Page# 3

.'s4
Permit: NC0027266 Owner-Facility: Blowing Rock WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/04/2019 Inspection Type- Compliance Evaluation
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'? .
•
Comment. There was trash and lime residue on the ground surrounding the equalization basin.This
trash and lime residue was also seen in a trail leading to the fence across from the basin,
and then down an embankment to a small tributary of the Middle Fork of the New River.
There was also a sludge-looking material going down the embankment.
Trash was noted in all components of the plant.
The fence around the plant is still broken and needs to be repaired immediately to prohibit an
unauthorized entry.
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'? EIMEID
Is disposal of screening in compliance'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the unit in good condition'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment 11 The bar screen was full of material at the time of inspection, nearly to the point of
causing a bypass.After talking to James Townsend, ORC, he confirmed that the screen
was cleaned later that day. Please note, it is industry standard, that a manual bar screen be
cleaned every hour, or, at a minimum, every two hours. Mr. Townsend mentioned possibly
using a finer bar screen in the future to screen out debris. This would potentially reduce the
trash and material noted throughout the plant's components, as described below, but will
also require more frequent cleaning because it will screen out more material.Also note that
failure to clean the bar screen as required is considered a violation of Part II, SectionC
Paragraph 2, of the permit This should be corrected immediately
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation Ext Air
Type of aeration system Diffused
Is the basin free of dead spots'? • ❑ ❑ ❑.
Are surface aerators and mixers operational'? • ❑ ❑ 0
Are the diffusers operational'? • 0 0 ❑
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the foam cover less than 25%of the basin's surface'? 0 • ❑ ❑
Page# 4

Permit: NC0027286 Owner-Facility: Blowing Rock WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/04/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aeration Basins - Yes No NA NE
Is the DO level acceptable'? 00011
Is the DO level acceptable2(1.0 to 3 0 mg/I) ❑ ❑ ❑ •
Comment: Foam covered about 33% of the clarifier
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater'? 11 ❑ 0 ❑
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier'? ❑ ❑ 11 ❑
Are weirs level'? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Is the site free of weir blockage? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 11 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is scum removal adequate'? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge'? ❑ 11 ❑ ❑
Is the drive unit operational? ❑ ❑ 11 ❑
Is the return rate acceptable(low turbulence)' ❑ ❑ ❑ •
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc'? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable'?(Approximately 1/4 of the sidewall depth) ❑ ❑ 0 •
Comment. There was a significant amount of floating material and pin floc in the clarifiers.
The weirs next to both clarifiers are uneven.About a third of the weirs on each clarifier were
dry.The weirs are required to be level via the permit. Please fix this issue immediately.
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained'? • ❑ 0 ❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly'? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Comment Some pin floc in the effluent.
Page# 5