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Home My WebLink AboutNC0050610_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20190912ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER Director Mr. Jadd Brewer Water Quality Utilities, Inc. P.O. Box 384 Banner Elk, NC 28605-0384 �ry 44, NORTH CAROLINA EnNlmnmrrtlnl Quality September 10, 2019 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection The Ponds WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO050610 Watauga County Dear Mr. Brewer, On August 29, 2019, Kelli Park and Mike Turner, of this office, met with Brandon Hughes, Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection at the Ponds wastewater treatment plant. This type of inspection consists of two basic parts: an in -office file review and an on -site inspection of the treatment facility. The attached EPA inspection form details the areas that were evaluated during this inspection. The inspection of the facility was satisfactory. If you have any questions regarding the inspection or this report, please contact Kelli Park or me at (336) 776-9800 or by email at kelli.park(a-)_ncdenr.gov or Ion. snider(a_ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Docu Signed by: 1 _.49E225C94EA... Lon Snider Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Division of Water Resources Attachments: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report CC' WSRO 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 1 2 15 I 3 I NC0050610 111 12 I 19/08/29 I17 18 I S J 19 L G] 201 I 211111 I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I f6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 671 70 I I 71 I I 72 I r I 73 I I 174 751 I I I I I I I80 u ty I I i Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES oermit Number) 12:OOPM 19/08/29 17/12/01 The Ponds WWTP NC Hwy 105 Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Banner Elk NC 28604 12:30PM 19/08/29 22/09/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Brandon K Hughes/ORC/828-260-5213/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Jadd W Brewer,PO Box 1167 Banner Elk NC 286041167H828-898-6277/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance 0 Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Program 0 Facility Site Review 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 Kelli A Park WSRO WQ//336-776-9689/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date DocuSigned by:9/11/2019 - ? SWer FL "- 145B49E225C94EA... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO050610 I11 121 19/08/29 117 18 JCJ Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On August 29, 2019, Kelli Park and Mike Turner, of this office, met with Brandon Hughes, Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection at the Ponds wastewater treatment plant. This type of inspection consists of two basic parts: an in -office file review and an on -site inspection of the treatment facility. The attached EPA inspection form details the areas that were evaluated during this inspection. The inspection of the facility was satisfactory. If you have any questions regarding the inspection or this report, please contact Kelli Park or me at (336) 776-9800 or by email at kelli.park@ncdenr.gov or Ion.snider@ncdenr.gov. Page# Permit: NCO050610 Owner - Facility: The Ponds WWTP Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ application? Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all required information readily available, complete and current? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the chain -of -custody complete? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Dates, times and location of sampling Name of individual performing the sampling Results of analysis and calibration Dates of analysis Name of person performing analyses Transported COCs Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? ❑ ❑ ❑ Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? ❑ ❑ ❑ (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator ❑ ❑ ❑ on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO050610 Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Record Keeping Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Owner - Facility: The Ponds WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: When reviewing the DMRs a typo was found on 10/26/2018 for dissolved oxygen. The bench sheet reported 7.9 but the DMR read 7.3. Please use diligence when transcribing data. Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: There was some grease build up during the inspection. The well is reported to be cleaned out monthly. Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical ❑ Are the bars adequately screening debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Debris are removed, laid out to dry, bagged, and disposed of in a landfill. Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO050610 Owner - Facility: The Ponds WWTP Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Comment: 2 pumps in the basin Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the diffusers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: There was pin floc suspended in the clarifier. The sludge blanket was reported to be around 5 ft deep. The clarifier is 12 ft deep. Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are UV bulbs clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is UV intensity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is transmittance at or above designed level? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NCO050610 Owner - Facility: The Ponds WWTP Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Is there a backup system on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent clear and free of solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The effluent was clear the day of inspection. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NC0050610 Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Standbv Power Owner - Facility: The Ponds WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? Comment: Upstream / Downstream Sampling Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and sampling location)? Comment: Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7