1801-20160106INSP

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF LCID YW Transfer Compost SLAS COUNTY: Catawba
Closed
MSWLF X HHW White
goods Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: 18-01
CDLF Tire T&P /
Collection Tire
Monofill Industrial
Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE
Date of Site Inspection: January 6, 2016 Date of Last Inspection: July 7, 2011
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Catawba County Landfill
Bethel Church Road
Newton North Carolina 28658

GPS COORDINATES: N: 35.65186 W: 81.16483
FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: Rodney Hamby, Landfill Superintendent
Telephone: [phone]
Email address: [e-mail]
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 389
Newton, North Carolina 28658
PARTICIPANTS:
Rodney Hamby, Landfill Superintendent
Dallas Sigmon, Landfill Operations Supervisor
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section
STATUS OF PERMIT:
Catawba County was issued a Closure Letter for the Catawba County Landfill, Permit #18-01 on September 5, 1991.
PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Comprehensive Inspection
STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:
N/A
OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
The closure letter issued on September 5, 1991 states in part: All disposal sites, either operating or closed, are subject to
the explosive gas requirements of Section .0503(2)(a).
x 15A North Carolina Administrative Code .0503(2)(a) states: A site shall meet the following design
requirements:
a. The concentration of explosive gases generated by the site shall not exceed
i. twenty-five percent of the limit for the gases in site structures (excluding gas control or
recovery system components); and
ii. the lower explosive limit for the gases at the property boundary;

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 2 of 3

Inspection of methane monitoring data found that the lower explosive limit for methane had been exceeded at multiple gas
monitoring wells on multiple dates, specifically GP-7, GP-8 and GP-11. These monitoring wells are located along the
west and north property boundaries. Therefore, Catawba County is in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0503(2)(a) in that the
lower explosive limit for methane had been exceeded at the facility property boundary.

In order to achieve compliance, Catawba County must take steps to ensure that the gas collection system functions as
designed. These measures can include, but not be limited to the development of a consistent schedule for pumping of
water from the gas collection system, and/or installation of permanent measures to prevent water from infiltrating into
the system. Within 30-days of issuance of this report, Catawba County must submit written documentation to the Solid
Waste Section detailing the chosen method. This documentation must be submitted to:

Ervin Lane, Compliance Hydrogeologist
Division of Waste Management/Solid Waste Section
1646 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1646
[phone]

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

1. Semiannual groundwater monitoring was being performed for the facility. Records for the second semiannual
event for 2014 (performed 9/5/14), 1st semiannual sampling event for 2015 (performed 3/24/15), and second
semiannual event for 2015 (performed 9/15/15) were verified. Exceedances were reported.
2. Methane monitoring was being performed monthly at the facility. Records for sampling events performed on
12/14/14, 2/12/15, 3/12/15, 4/9/15, 4/10/15, 5/20/15, 5/29/15, 6/15/15, 6/17/15, 7/15/15, 8/14/15, 9/16/15, 10/9/15,
10/12/15, 11/13/15, 12/11/15, and 12/14/15 were verified.
x Majority of sampling events found no exceedances above the applicable limits with the exception of the
following.
o GP-11: 4/9/15 @ 22.9% volume (sampling on 4/10/15 recorded as N/D); 6/15/15 @ 25.1%
volume (sampling on 6/17/15 recorded as N/D); 7/15/15 @ 5.2% volume ( sampling on 8/14/15
recorded as N/D); 10/9/15 @ 23.9% volume (sampling on 10/12/15 recorded as N/D); 11/13/15 @
35.1%, 12/11/15 @ 22.9% volume (sampling on 12/14/15 recorded as N/D)
o GP-7: 12/11/15 @ 40% volume (sampling on 12/14/15 recorded as N/D).
o GP-8: 10/9/15 @ 20% volume (sampling on 10/12/15 N/D)
x Mr. Hamby explained that the exceedances were a result of water collection in the gas lines and knockouts
resulting in a loss of vacuum to wells. Mr. Hamby explained that once water was pumped from the
knockouts, vacuum was restored and the methane levels were decreased.
3. A gate was provided at the entrance to the facility to prevent unauthorized access.
4. The landfill has an active landfill gas collection system. All gas is routed to a flare located on the south side of the
landfill property.
5. A good vegetative cover was observed on the landfill.
6. Edge of waste markers were in place.
7. No areas of significant settling were observed on the landfill.

The item(s) listed above were observed by Section staff and require action on behalf of the facility in order to come into or maintain compliance
with the Statutes, Rules, and/or other regulatory requirements applicable to this facility. Be advised that pursuant to N.C.G.S. 130A-22, an
administrative penalty of up to $15,000 per day may be assessed for each violation of the Solid Waste Laws, Regulations, Conditions of a Permit,
or Order under Article 9 of Chapter 130A of the N.C. General Statutes. Further, the facility and/or all responsible parties may also be subject to
enforcement actions including penalties, injunction from operation of a solid waste management facility or a solid waste collection service and any
such further relief as may be necessary to achieve compliance with the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Act and Rules.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 3 of 3

8. Tall vegetation was observed at multiple headwalls on the east side of the landfill. Please ensure that this
vegetation is removed to allow for a thorough inspection. Mr. Hamby explained that staff were in the process of
cutting dense vegetation from the landfill but had not yet reached this area.
9. Significant ponding was observed at multiple locations on the landfill. Steps should be taken to provide positive
drainage and prevent future ponding. Areas of specific concern are as follows:
x Within the diversion swale located at the second bench from the top of the landfill near extraction well
EW-30.
x Two areas of signification ponding located within the drainage swale leading to the headwall near
extraction well EW-34.
x Leading to the headwall near extraction well EW-44.
x Within the diversion swale located at the far eastern portion of the landfill adjacent to extraction well
EW84.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report.

____________________________ Phone: [phone]
Charles T. Gerstell
Environmental Senior Specialist
Regional Representative

Sent on: 2/3/16 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]

Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor
Jessica Montie, Compliance Officer
Ervin Lane, Compliance Hydrogeologist
Digitally signed by Charles T. Gerstell
DN: cn=Charles T. Gerstell, o=Division
of Waste Management, ou=Solid
Waste Section,
email=[e-mail],
c=US
Date: 2016.02.03 11:34:02 -05'00'