HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0089095_NOVNOI2020PC0085_20200211
Certified Mail # 7019 0700 0000 8867 5336
Return Receipt Requested
February 11, 2020
Aubrey L Deaver
A&D Water Service Inc
PO Box 1407
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768-1407
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2020-PC-0085
Permit No. NC0089095
High Vista Falls WWTP
Henderson County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the High Vista Falls WWTP on
February 10, 2020. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0089095. A summary of the findings and
comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.
The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Asheville
Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Effluent Sampling Flow proportional sampling is still not taking place. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) There have not been any repairs to the filters since the last inspection and a ratchet
strap is still holding one of the broken filter panels in place. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Operations & Maintenance The dechlorination tube is at the bottom of a concrete tank partially filled with chlorination
chamber effluent. There needs to be a safety railing or measure of some sort to prevent
the ORC from falling while in the tank. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Equalization Basins The equalization basin was completely full and bypassing into the aeration basins and
is undersized for the flow that it receives. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ABC5944-2D0B-436D-868D-0359328820C8
Inspection Area Description of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Flow Measurement - Effluent The flow measurement seems to still be functioning, but the chart recorder was not
working properly. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bar Screens The screening is not adequate for the amount of rags being received at the headworks.
Education materials need to be mailed out about grease, oils, and rags/flushable wipes. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Notice of Violation/Intent to Issue Civil Penalty is being issued for the noted violation of North Carolina General
Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 and the facility’s NPDES WW Permit. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of
not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) 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.
If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or discuss
overall compliance please respond in writing within ten (10) business days after receipt of this Notice. A review of
your response will be considered along with any additional information provided. You will then be notified of any
civil penalties that may be assessed regarding the violations. If no response is received in this Office
within the 10-day period, a civil penalty assessment may be prepared.
Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the
future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of
State law. If the violations are of a continuing nature, not related to operation and/or maintenance problems, and
you anticipate remedial construction activities, then you may wish to consider applying for a Special Order by
Consent.
Reminder: Pursuant to Permit Condition 6 in Section E, the Permittee is required to verbally notify the Regional
Office as soon as possible, not to exceed 24 hours, from first knowledge of any non-compliance at
the facility including limit violations, bypasses of, or failure of a treatment unit. A written report may
be required within 5 days if directed by Division staff. Prior notice should be given for anticipated or
potential problems due to planned maintenance activities, taking units off-line, etc.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Daniel Boss with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500.
Sincerely,
G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Ec: WQS ARO Server, Laserfiche
G:\WR\WQ\Henderson\Wastewater\Minors\High Vista Falls 89095\Inspections\2.10.2020\NC0089095_NOVNOI2020PC0085_20200211.rtf
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ABC5944-2D0B-436D-868D-0359328820C8
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Form Approved.
OMB No. 2040-0057
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 N 52 NC0089095 20/02/10 C S31112171819 20
21 66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
N67707172 73 74 75 80
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
High Vista Falls WWTP
Creasman Hill Rd
Mills River NC 28759
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
10:00AM 20/02/10 15/11/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Vincent L Edwards/ORC/828-697-3077/
Other Facility Data
10:30AM 20/02/10 20/10/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Patty Carland,117 Kira Ln Hendersonville NC 28739//828-890-4810/Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Self-Monitoring Program
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
Daniel J Boss DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4658/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#1
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ABC5944-2D0B-436D-868D-0359328820C8
2/11/2020
2/11/2020
NPDES yr/mo/day
20/02/10
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On 2/10/2020 I (Daniel Boss) conducted a follow up inpsection of the High Vista Falls WWTP. I met
with the ORC, Vincent Edwards, for the inspection. There had been heavy rains in recent days and Mr.
Edwards told me that he had daily flows up to 60,000 gallons, which is 33% above the design flow of
the facility. At that rate of flow, the facility cannot adequately treat the BOD or ammonia in the influent
wastewater due to a lack of needed detention time in the aeration basins.
On the day of the inspection, the plant was hydraulically overloaded with flow. The bar screen and
equalization basin were completely full and bypassing directly into the aeration basins. The bar screen
was completely full of rags and it appears to be inadequate for the amount of rags being received at the
headworks. Mr. Edwards said that the equalization pumps had clogged from rags that morning and
that was part of the reason that the equalization basin was completely full.
The tertiary filters are still broken. The effluent was too turbid to see the filtration screens but Mr.
Edwards did not report any repairs since the last inspection and the ratchet strap holding one of the
broken filtration screens was still visible.
The same effluent meter is still in place. The chart recorder is not functional and the meter will not
interface with a flow proportional sampler, and therefore flow proportional sampling is still not being
conducted.
The dechlorination tube is at the bottom of a concrete tank. There is a ladder bolted into the concrete
for the ORC to climb down, but there is no safety rail to prevent a fall into the tank. This is a safety
hazard that still needs to be addressed.
NC0089095 17 (Cont.)
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ABC5944-2D0B-436D-868D-0359328820C8
Permit:NC0089095
Inspection Date:02/10/2020
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
High Vista Falls WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping?
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
Is the flow meter operational?
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
The flow measurement seems to still be functioning, but the chart recorder was not working
properly.
Comment:
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
Is the screen free of excessive debris?
Is disposal of screening in compliance?
Is the unit in good condition?
The screening is not adequate for the amount of rags being received at the headworks.
Education materials need to be mailed out to system users about grease, oils, and
rags/flushable wipes.
Comment:
Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE
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?
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ABC5944-2D0B-436D-868D-0359328820C8
Permit:NC0089095
Inspection Date:02/10/2020
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
High Vista Falls WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE
The equalization basin was completely full and bypassing into the aeration basins and
therefore is undersized for the flow that it receives.
Comment:
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE
Type of operation:Up flow
Is the filter media present?
Is the filter surface free of clogging?
Is the filter free of growth?
Is the air scour operational?
Is the scouring acceptable?
Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media?
I couldn't see the filter media due to turbid effluent and an overcast day. There have not
been any repairs to the filters since the last inspection though and a rachet strap is still
holding one of the filter panels.
Comment:
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
# Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Are tablet de-chlorinators operational?
Number of tubes in use?1
The dechlorination location is not safe for the operator to access. The ladder is bolted into
the concrete, but a safety rail of some sort is needed to prevent a fall.
Comment:
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
Is proper volume collected?
Is the tubing clean?
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
Celsius)?
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ABC5944-2D0B-436D-868D-0359328820C8
Permit:NC0089095
Inspection Date:02/10/2020
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
High Vista Falls WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
representative)?
Flow proportional sampling is still not taking place.Comment:
Page#5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ABC5944-2D0B-436D-868D-0359328820C8
■ Complete items 1, 2, and 3.
A. Signature
❑ Agent
■ Print your name and address on the reverse
X
❑ Addressee
so that we can return the card to you.
B. Received by (Printed Name)
C. Date of Delivery
■ Attach this card to the back of the mail
or on the front if space permits.
7m,
1. Article Addressed to:
I re.6 Uifferent from item 11 Yes
_-- - " ,
If YES, enter delivery address below: No
f
Aubrey L Deaver
c
Serv�+
; A&OW
EB 1 8 2020
I hCtn� �fS
P Box 1407S
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768-1407
rl+
Water Qu
lity Re io
ShE
T.1 Oe ieOype
❑ Priority Mail Express®
III III I III II i I)II I I I IIII I II�
0 Adult Signature
T
II I IIIII
❑ Adult Sionatao^+• ^�^� ^ " ^•
El Registered Mail Restricted
9590 9402 5224 9122 6736 05
Delivery
❑ Return Receipt for
Merchandise
p AHirla Ni imhar (Transfer from service label)
El Signature ConfirmationT
❑ Signature Confirmation
7 019 0700 0000 8867 5336
Restricted Delivery
PS Form 3811, July 2015 PSN 7530-02-000-9053
Domestic Return Receipt
I
uses'
U.S. Postal
Service""
CERTIFIED
o RECEIPT
.n
Domestic
.-
m
Ln
°;
F I
S
9 5 9 0 9 4 (12
5 c [�
Certified M
02/13/2020 db
United. States
�
$
co
Extra Sen
NOV-2020-PC-0085
Postal Service
❑ Return
High Vista Falls WWTP
1=
❑ Return
H E N D E
Postmark
C3
❑Certifie
Here
EM
❑ Adult £
O
❑Adult£
Aubrey L Deaver
C3
Postage
A&D Water Service Inc
0
$
PO Box 1407
rl-
Total Pos
Pisgah Forest, NC 38768-140;
[:3
$
-
0—
Sent To-
r q
�
St�eei andAjit.
- ---------------------------------------------------
IVo., or PO Box No.
r'