NC0063860_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20191016 (3)

Pictures taken by DWR Staff during the 9/25/19 Compliance Evaluation Inspection at the Harbor Estates WWTP.
All included pictures show significant corrosion and deterioration of the facility's metal structure (aeration basin).

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MAP
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ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director
CERTIFIED MAIL #: 7018 0360 0002 2099 1949
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. Shannon V. Becker, President
Aqua North Carolina, Inc.
202 Mackenan Court
Cary, North Carolina 27511
Dear Mr. Becker:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
October 15, 2019
Subject: Notice of Violation
Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Harbor Estates WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NCO063860
Mecklenburg County
Tracking #: NOV-2019-PC-0689
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on
September 25, 2019, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. Please inform the facility's Operator -in -Responsible Charge (ORC) of
our findings by forwarding a copy of the enclosed report.
This report is being issued as a Notice of Violation (NOV) due to the failure to properly maintain the internal metal
structure of the wastewater treatment facility (aeration basin, piping systems, etc.) which is a violation of the subject NPDES
Permit and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215 as detailed in the Operation & Maintenance/Summary Section
of the attached report.
Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per
violation, per day may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or
requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. Penalties may also be assessed for any damage to surface
waters of the State that may result from the violations.
It is requested that a written response be submitted to this Office by November 8, 2019, detailing the actions taken to
address this violation. The response shall include an evaluation of the structural integrity of the metal structure (including
aeration basins, chlorine contact chamber, piping system, etc.) by a structural engineer professionally certified in N.C. In
responding, please address your comments to the attention of Mr. Wes Bell.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D_ E� Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
NORTH CAROLINA
Da"MoM a enWmn�bl mwnq 704,663.1699

Mr. Shannon V. Becker
October 15, 2019
Page Two
The report should be self-explanatory; however, should you have any questions concerning this report, please do not
hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at [phone] or at wes.bellgncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
Docu Signed by:
for
F161 FB69A2D84A3...
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosures: Inspection Report, Pictures

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 IF I 3 I NCO063860 111 12 I 19/09/25 I17 18 I S i 19 i G i 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 -------------------
67
2.0 70 Id I 71 [.. I 72 73 L_LJ74 751 I I I I I I I80
I —I u
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)
09:15AM 19/09/25
18/04/01
Harbor Estates WWTP
NCSR 1113
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Charlotte NC 28212
12:05PM 19/09/25
20/06/30
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Daniel G Wimpey/ORC/704-572-6472/
Keith Alan Shattuck//704-489-9404 /
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Shannon V Becker,202 Mackenan Ct Cary NC 27511/President/919-653-5570/
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters
Laboratory
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
Wes Bell DocuSigned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 10/15/2019
�Piy �6&
A61696D90=43T
Signature of Mana mePtoffXR64ib%ver Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Andrew Pitney A44" H P R/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 10.15.19
1`161 FB69AMUA3...
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.)
NC0063860 I11 121 19/09/25 117 18 JCJ
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE SECTION cont'd:
A significant hole in the metal structure was observed in one of the aeration basins. In addition, the
internal metal structure (including the metal piping system) throughout both aeration basins appeared
significantly corroded and deteriorated. Note: Pictures of the corrosion/deterioration have been
attached to this report.
Please be advised that the permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities of
treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the Permittee to
achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit [Permit Condition Reference: Part II, Section C(2)
Proper Operation and Maintenance].
Page#

Permit: NCO063860 Owner - Facility: Harbor Estates WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/25/2019 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
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0
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application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
0
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# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
0
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Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
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Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
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Comment: The facility has not received any filter backwash from water supply well treatment systems
(Fleetwood Acres and Old South Lane) to date.
The last compliance evaluation inspection by DWR staff was Derformed on 7/26/16.
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
0
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Is all required information readily available, complete and current?
0
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Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)?
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Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs?
0
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Is the chain -of -custody complete?
0
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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?
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Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ?
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(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator
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on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current?
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Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification?
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Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification?
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Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
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Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
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Page# 3

Permit: NCO063860
Inspection Date: 09/25/2019
Record Keeping
Owner - Facility: Harbor Estates WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Comment: The records reviewed durina the inspection were oraanized and well maintained. Discharae
Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period August 2018 through July 2019.
No effluent limit violations were reported.
The facility failed to collect a weekly effluent ammonia sample in September 2018. The
Division has previously addressed this limit violation through the issuance of a Notice of
Deficiency (NOD).
The ORC and staff must ensure not to report effluent total residual chlorine (TRC) values
below the lowest standard verified on the TRC meter (annual curve verification)
Laboratory
Yes No NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
0
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Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab?
M
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# Is the facility using a contract lab?
0
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
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0
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Celsius)?
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: On -site field analyses (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, TRC) are performed under Aqua
NC's laboratory certification #5035. Water Tech Labs (all permit parameters except field)
has also been contracted to provide analytical support.
Effluent Sampling
Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
0
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Is sample collected below all treatment units?
0
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Is proper volume collected?
0
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Is the tubing clean?
0
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
0
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Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
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representative)?
Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples.
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?
Page# 4

Permit: NCO063860
Inspection Date: 09/25/2019
Owner - Facility: Harbor Estates WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be properly operated and adequately treating
the wastewater.
Process control measurements were being documented and maintained on -site. See
"Summary" Section for additional comments regarding concerns with the facility's structural
integrity.
Bar Screens
Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
❑
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
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Is the screen free of excessive debris?
0
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Is disposal of screening in compliance?
0
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Is the unit in good condition?
E
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Comment: Screenings are transported to the Country Woods East WWTP's dumpster and ultimately
disposed at a permitted landfill by a contracted company.
Equalization Basins
Is the basin aerated?
Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment?
Is the basin free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Are audible and visual alarms operable?
# Is basin size/volume adequate?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The facility's telemetry -type alarm system functioned properly during the on -site test.
Aeration Basins
Mode of operation
Type of aeration system
Is the basin free of dead spots?
Are surface aerators and mixers operational?
Are the diffusers operational?
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
Yes No NA NE
Ext. Air
Diffused
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Page# 5

Permit: NCO063860
Inspection Date: 09/25/2019
Owner - Facility: Harbor Estates WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aeration Basins
Yes No NA NE
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface?
0
❑
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Is the DO level acceptable?
0
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Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1)
0
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Comment: Only one blower was operational and in service durina the inspection: however. two new
blowers had been placed into service following the inspection. In addition, a third new
blower is in the process of being connected to the treatment system.
Soda ash is added on an as -needed basis to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels. The
30-minute settleability test performed during the inspection was 400 ml/L with a clear
supernate.
Secondary Clarifier
Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
0
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Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
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0
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Are weirs level?
0
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Is the site free of weir blockage?
0
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Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting?
0
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Is scum removal adequate?
0
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Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
0
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Is the drive unit operational?
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0
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Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
0
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Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
0
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Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/ of the sidewall depth)
0
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Comment:
Disinfection -Tablet
Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
0
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Are the tablets the proper size and type?
0
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Number of tubes in use?
4
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
0
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Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
0
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Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
0
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Comment:
De -chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ? Tablet
Page# 6

Permit: NC0063860 Owner - Facility:
Inspection Date: 09/25/2019 Inspection Type:
Harbor Estates WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
De -chlorination
Yes No NA NE
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
❑
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0
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Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
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0
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# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
❑
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0
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Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use? 8
Comment: The facility is equipped with an aerated dechlorination chamber.
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
0
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
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Is the flow meter operational?
0
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
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0
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Comment: The flow meter is calibrated annually and the flow meter was last calibrated/verified by Aqua
NC staff on 3/6/19.
Pump Station - Effluent
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
Comment:
Effluent Pipe
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
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Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The effluent is discharged into
the receiving stream via submerged outfall.
Aerobic Digester
Page# 7

Permit: NC0063860
Inspection Date: 09/25/2019
Owner - Facility: Harbor Estates WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aerobic Digester
Yes No NA NE
Is the capacity adequate?
0
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Is the mixing adequate?
0
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Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
0
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# Is the odor acceptable?
M
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# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
0
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Comment: Wastewater solids are removed on an as -needed basis by a contracted company (currently
L&L Environmental).
Standby Power
Is automatically activated standby power available?
Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source?
Is the generator tested under load?
Was generator tested & operational during the inspection?
Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site?
Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power?
Is the generator fuel level monitored?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The generator is exercised monthly and tested/serviced annually by a contracted company
(Palmer Generator).
Page# 8