WQ0005849_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20190515

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ROY COOPER
K41CHAEL S.UGAN fir+
Secretary `
LINDA CULPEPPER NORTH CAROUNA
Djwfor Environmental Qual"
June 13, 2019
Randy R Hoffer
Pluris LLC
PO Box 856
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460-0856
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Pluris North Topsail WWTF
Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0005849
Onslow County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Pluris North Topsail WWTF on
5/15/2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0005849. The findings and comments
noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance
Inspection Report" (CIR).
There were no significant findings noted during the inspection. However, please notice that there are
groundwater monitoring issues explained in the"Summary"section of the CIR that need your attention.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Morella Sanchez-King with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215 or via email at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
E3ABA14AC7DC434...
Morella Sanchez-King, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Downloaded to Laserfiche
North CaroLrns Depsrtrrent of Err r-Dr.mamtsd Qualkv I D iAsion of Water Resources
WJrningron RegorLa:Offw 1 127 CarMfnlDrive Extertsoo I ffi"ingtoa, North CaTofna.28445
910-796-7215

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jApproximate reccmrnended • _t e -a� along ••
Figure 1. Approximate Location of Suggested Groundwater Monitoring Well (east of high rate
infiltration basins) along the Compliance Boundary. For details, refer to the Summary section of
the enclosed Compliance Inspection Report.
North CaroLna Department of Environmeatsd Quality I D7vision of Water Resources
Wilmington Reg ons;Office 127 Card fn]DriveExtension I Wilmington, North CaTofna2S4O5
$10-796-7215

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0005849 Effective: 07/29/15 Expiration: 06/30/20 Owner: Pluris LLC
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Pluris North Topsail WWTF
County: Onslow 1095 NC Hwy 210
Region: Wilmington
Sneads Ferry NC 28460
Contact Person: Randy R Hoffer Title: Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
The WWTF is located in the Sneads Ferry community on the southeast side of the NC Hwy. 172/NC Hwy.210 intersection.
System Classifications: WW4., SI,
Primary ORC: Randy Ray Hoffer Certification: 23922 Phone: [phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 05/15/2019 Entry Time: 03:OOPM Exit Time: 04:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Morella Sanchez-King Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s): Docusigned by:
E
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E3ABA14AC7DC434...
Reason for Inspection: Complaint Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration
Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement-Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement-Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Flow Measurement-Water Treatment Treatment Barscreen
Use Records
Treatment Filters Treatment Lagoons Treatment Activated Sludge
End Use-Irrigation Treatment Disinfection End Use-Infiltration
Treatment Flow Measurement Treatment Return pumps Standby Power
Wells
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6

Permit: WQ0005849 Owner-Facility:Pluris LLC
Inspection Date: 05/15/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Complaint
Inspection Summary:
WQ0005849
A facility compliance inspection on 5/15/2019 and file review were conducted to verify compliance with conditions specified
in permit WQ0005849. The assistance provided by Mr. Randy Hoffer during the inspection is greatly appreciated. The
facility was found compliant with a groundwater monitoring issue that requires attention and is explained further below.
FILE REVIEW
a) Effluent monitoring
The facility performs very well and in general, there are no issues regarding exceedances above the permitted limits, except
for some instances when the irrigation fields have received more flow than the permitted amount in order to keep the lagoons
within the freeboard parameters. If any non-compliance issue is observed, please contact Helen Perez within 24 hours.
b) Groundwater monitoring
For all facilities,when monitoring wells are originally installed,they must be located along the review boundary. The review
boundary must be established midway between the waste boundary and the compliance boundary(Rule 15A NCAC 02L
.0108). Then, if wells at the review boundary show exceedances above the 2L groundwater quality standards,the regional
office may request installing additional wells at the compliance boundary to verify that pollutants are not leaving the site.
The compliance boundary must be established 250 ft from the waste boundary for facilities that were originally permitted
after 1983[Rule 15A NCAC 02L.0107(b)].
The file review indicates monitoring wells MW-3 and MW-7 have recurrent ammonia exceedances(ammonia groundwater
quality standard= 1.5 mg/1) and MW-6 has some exceedances and/or concentrations near the groundwater standard. From
the maps provided, it is difficult to establish if the locations of these three wells is along the review boundary. For monitoring
wells MW-6 and MW-7, the review boundary should be 125 ft from the edge(perimeter) of the high rate infiltration basin#2
and for MW-3 the review boundary should be 125 ft from the edge of lagoon#3. Since these three wells are showing
exceedances,the Wilmington Regional Office is requesting the installation of one additional well along the compliance
boundary(i.e. distance: 250 ft from the waste boundary). We are providing a map(Figure 1)with a suggested location for
the new well, please contact our office for guidance or verification.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION
a) Operation and maintenance: The facility is operating the lagoon/spray irrigation fields and the BNR/high rate infiltration
basins. Both systems appeared to be well operated and maintained.
b) Equipment testing: The standby generator was not tested during the inspection since it worked without interruption for
three days during hurricane Florence. It is assumed, therefore,that servicing of the equipment is appropriate.
c) Effluent quality: clear and odorless.
Page 2 of 6

Permit: WQ0005849 Owner-Facility:Pluris LLC
Inspection Date: 05/15/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Complaint
Type Yes No NA NE
Activated Sludge Spray, LR ❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR ❑
Activated Sludge Drip,LR ❑
Recycle/Reuse ❑
Single Family Drip ❑
Reuse(Quality) ❑
Lagoon Spray, LR ❑
Single Family Spray, LR ❑
Infiltration System
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: On inspection day, all treatment units were operational. As specified in the permit, the facility
includes two wastewater treatment plants and two disposal systems: (1) three-cell facultative
lagoon system and irrigation system: (2) advanced treatment membrane filter bioreactor(BNR)
and two high-rate infiltration basins. Both systems appeared to be well operated and maintained.
Treatment Flow Measurement-Influent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: All flowmeters were calibrated in January 2019 by Delta Systems.
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? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Flowmeters were calibrated in Jan 2019 by Delta Systems.
Page 3 of 6

Permit: WQ0005849 Owner-Facility:Pluris LLC
Inspection Date: 05/15/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Complaint
Standby Power
Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The standby generator was not tested on inspection day since the generator showed to work
optimally during three days under Hurricane Florence in September 2018.
Treatment Barscreen
Yes No NA NE
Is it free of excessive debris? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is disposal of screenings in compliance? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the bars spaced properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Activated Sludge Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration mechanism operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is activated sludge an acceptable color? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Aeration tank flow looked evenly distributed and with appropriate color and density. Typical MLSS
was approximately 12,000 mq/I.
Treatment Return pumps Yes No NA NE
Are they in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are they operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: This BNR plant is programmed to recycle 1Q RAS to the anaerobic tank and 2Q RAS to the
preanoxic tank. This creates a 3Q nitrate recycle flow. The return pumps were working properly
on inspection day.
Treatment Filters Yes No NA NE
Is the filter media present? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter media the correct size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the clear well free of excessive solids? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does backwashing frequency appear adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 4 of 6

Permit: WQ0005849 Owner-Facility:Pluris LLC
Inspection Date: 05/15/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Complaint
Comment: The filters consists of filter train membranes which receive maintenance every three months.
Treatment Disinfection Yes No NA NE
Is the system working? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there adequate detention time(-30 minutes)? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the system properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑
If gas,does the cylinder storage appear safe? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the chlorinator accessible? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
If tablets,are tablets present? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is contact chamber free of sludge,solids,and growth? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
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)? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
If yes,then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
If yes,then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number?(1000-__)
If yes,then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: Fecal coliform records indicate adequate disinfection.
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
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? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
How close is the closest water supply well? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
#Info only:Does the permit call for monitoring wells? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 5 of 6

Permit: WQ0005849 Owner-Facility:Pluris LLC
Inspection Date: 05/15/2019 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Complaint
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? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Permittee uses 26 different fields consisting of(129.28) acres and the cover crop is a mixture of
Bermuda and Fescue.
Lagoon# 1 has 3 ft. Freeboard, Lagoon#2 has 2"8 ft. of freeboard and Lagoon#3 has 3"1 ft. of
freeboard.
Monitoring wells: There are two monitoring wells associated to the spray irrigation fields (MW-1
and MW-4). The map available at the Regional Office (C1.0, dated 11/05/2010) does not show
the delineation of the review and compliance boundary around the spray irrigation fields. MW-1
and MW-4 are generally in compliance with the 2L groundwater quality standards listed in the
permit (Attachment C).
End Use-Infiltration Yes No NA NE
#Is the application High Rate or Low Rate? High Rate
Are buffers maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells required? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/respect to RB and CB? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is a usable green area maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the distribution equipment acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site free of ponding? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site free of breakout? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the disposal sites free of solids,algae,etc.? ❑ ❑ ❑
Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the disposal sites free of vegetation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation,solids,algae,etc.? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The high rate infiltration basin looked properly maintained.
Groundwater monitoring: There are four wells associated to the high-rate infiltration basins
(MW-3, MW-5, MW-6, and MW-7). MW-3, MW-6, and MW-7 have shown recurrent
exceedances or concentrations near the 2L groundwater quality standards. For details, refer to
the"Summary" section of this report.
Page 6 of 6