WQCSD0059_TA_20191125

November 25, 2019

Jonathan Cannon, City Manager
City of Saluda
PO Box
Saluda, NC 28773

SUBJECT: Technical Assistance Inspection Report
City of Saluda Collection System
Collection System Permit No. WQCSD0059
Polk County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the City of Saluda Collection
System on 11/13/2019. This inspection was conducted in response to the recent sewer-line moratorium.
Comments and recommendations noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the
inspection report.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4500 or via email at
[e-mail].

Sincerely,

Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report

EC: WQS-ARO Server
LF
G:\WR\WQ\Polk\Collection Systems\Saluda WQCSD0059\Inspections\Inspect. Nov. 13, 2019\20191125_WQCSD0059_TA
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQCSD0059 Effective:03/01/00 Expiration:Owner :City of Saluda
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Polk
Asheville
Kevin Queen
Effective:Expiration:Facility:City of Saluda Collection System
Title:Phone:[phone]Public Works Supervisor
Secondary ORC(s):
Phone:Certification:Primary ORC:
CS1,System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
11/13/2019 11:00AM 01:00PM
Mikal Willmer 828-296-4686
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Routine
Deemed permitted collection system management and operation
Technical Assistance
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions General
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 3
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0059
11/13/2019 Technical Assistance
City of Saluda
Routine
Inspection Summary:
Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a technical assistance inspection of Saluda's deemed
collection system on November 13, 2019. This inspection was conducted in response to a recent moratorium initiated due to
flows exceeding 80% of design capacity of the WWTP. Jonathan Cannon and Kevin Queen (Saluda), Bobby Kramer
(KACE) were present and assisted in the inspection.
Staff are working to maintain the system in compliance; however, aging infrastructure is causing significant I&I within the
collection system. Improvements included as part of the USDA loan are in the process of being completed, but were not
significant sources of I&I. All LS appear to be in operable condition. Quick connects are recommended on stations without
current power reliability.
Forest Creek LS: Generator on-site; however, needs new circuit board. Minimal flow at facility (currently one or two houses
connected). Has auto-dialer, but not connected. Facility is checked daily.
Truck Stop LS: New panel box is ready to be installed and has SCADA capability. Force main is going to be replaced.
Failing concrete lining inside of ductile iron has constricted flow causing issues at the LS. City staff are pumping LS
regularly to maintain an appropriate level until repairs can be made. Two new pumps installed and the lag float is being
replaced. Generator was tested during the site visit and appeared to be working adequately.
Laurel Dr. LS: Staff are working on getting a quick connect for the LS.
176 LS: Components for the new LS are installed. The older chambered LS is still in use until power is run to the booster
station. Potentially on-site generator if funding allows. Currently there is no on-site generator.
A UT to Joels Creek increases flows into one of the system's main terracotta lines under Main St. during heavy rains.
Several issues appear to be contributing to continued degradation of the infrastructure. Part of this line has been slip-lined in
the past; however, continued ground movement around the line has caused joints to further separate. Due to the shifting
joints and instability of the surrounding soils, slip lining does not seem practical. Additionally, DOT stormwater culverts
intersect with the flow of the UT and the main sewer line through Town, creating additional structural concerns. Sink holes
continue to occur. Much of the line parallels the stream bank and will require acquisition of easements for a full repair.
As discussed during the site visit, the City should continue to work with their contracted engineer to prioritize which lines
may be the most significant contributors to I&I and create an new extended capital improvements plan. Please reference
the sewer-line moratorium letter dated October 21, 2019 to determine what immediate steps need to be taken to return to
compliance with 15A NCAC 02T.0118.
Page 2 of 3
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0059
11/13/2019 Technical Assistance
City of Saluda
Routine
General Yes No NA NE
# Is this system a satellite system?
# If Yes, what is system name or permit number?
Is there a overall sewer system map?
Does the map include:
Pipe sizes
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc)
Pipe location
# Flow direction
# Approximate pipe age
# Pump station ID, location and capacity
# Force main air release valve location & type
# Location of satellite connections
Are system maintenance records maintained?
This is a deemed collection system. Facility map was not reviewed during this site visit. This visit
was to discuss the status of the current infrastructure and current plans moving forward to repair
issues discussed during the CEI in April. All sewer system informaiton is being maintained in a
gis program. Air relief valves were recently located and are in the process of being repaired. See
summary for inspection observations and recommendations.
Comment:
Page 3 of 3
Certificate Of Completion
Envelope Id: 1F7DB5D2D2724EFEA23A4CCE0C714308 Status: Completed
Subject: Please DocuSign: 20191125_WQCSD0059_TA.ltr.docx, 20191125_WQCSD0059_TA.insp.pdf
Source Envelope:
Document Pages: 4 Signatures: 1 Envelope Originator:
Certificate Pages: 1 Initials: 1 Mikal Willmer
AutoNav: Disabled
EnvelopeId Stamping: Disabled
Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
217 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27699
[e-mail]
IP Address: 149.168.204.10
Record Tracking
Status: Original
Nov 25, 2019 | 14:02
Holder: Mikal Willmer
[e-mail]
Location: DocuSign
Signer Events Signature Timestamp
Mikal Willmer
[e-mail]
Environmental Specialist
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
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Signature Adoption: Drawn on Device
Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10
Sent: Nov 25, 2019 | 14:02
Viewed: Nov 25, 2019 | 14:02
Signed: Nov 25, 2019 | 14:02
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