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Home My WebLink AboutNC0031828_NOV-2020-PC-0101 NOI_20200220ROY COOPER. Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director Certified Mail # 7019 0160 0000 3479 8056 Return Receipt Requested Mr. Chad Braxton City of Vanceboro PO Box 306 Vanceboro, NC 28586-0306 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality February 20, 2020 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY Tracking Number: NOV-2020-PC-0101 Permit No. NCO031828 Vanceboro WTTP Craven County Dear Mr. Braxton: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Vanceboro WTTP on 02/19/2020. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit No. NC0031828. A summary of the findings and comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report. The Compliance Inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Washington Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Violation Operations & Maintenance Sludge present on the grounds of the effluent portion of the facility. Operator indicated bypass was noticed over 24 hours ago and not reported as required. In addition, the issues below must also be addressed: Compliance Issue(s): Bypass was not reported in the 24-hour window of first knowledge as indicated by operator and required by Condition 6 in Section E of Permit NC0031828. The facility did not take the reasonable steps to minimize or prevent discharge or sludge as required by Condition 2 in Section B of Permit NC0031828. The facility did not properly operate and maintain facilities as required by Condition 2 in Section C of Permit NCO031828 The sludge was not cleaned up to prevent it from running off of the property and eventually entering state waters. 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 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 Paul Mays with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Washington Regional Office at 252-948-3940. Sincerely, Raw T"I" Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Washington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: Laserfiche 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 NC0031828 111 121 20/02/19 �,. 117 18 l 19 Ls 1 201 l 211II1 I I I I I III I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I III I I I I I f6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating 131 QA ----- ------ —---- -- Reserved --- ----- —---- --- 67 70 u 71 I JI 72 l ti l 73 �74 75I III I I I I80 L-1 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 permit Number) 10.00AM 20/02/19 18/12/01 Vanceboro WWTP Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date US Hwy 17 Business 10:30AM 20/02/19 23/04/30 Vanceboro NC 28586 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Name. Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Chad Braxton,PO Box 306 Vanceboro NC 285860306//252-244-0919/ No Section C Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Operations & Maintenance N Sludge Handling Disposal 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 Robert E Bullock DWR/Division of Water Quality/252-948-3924/ Paul M Mays DWR/WARO WQ/252-948-3940/ 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# r-J NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) 31 NCO031828 I11 121 20/02/19 117 18 1 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Paul Mays and Robbie Bullock did a quick drive by inspection of Vanceboro V TTP to introduce new inspector (Paul Mays) to the operator. Sludge was present on the grounds nearby chlorine contact chamber and stair aerator. Thin sludge cover is approximately 30ft by 15ft near this area. Indicating there was an overflow in the near past that was not reported in the 24-hour window as required by permit NC0031828. The facility is reminded to report any bypasses within 24-hours. The operator indicated that this bypass was noticed over 24 hours ago and was not reported. Due to this the facility was found to be noncompliant with permit NC0031828. Page# Permit: NCO031828 Inspection Date: 02/19/2020 Owner - Facility: Vanceboro VWVTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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: Sludge present on grounds nearby chlorine contact chamber and stair aerator. Thin sludge cover is approximately 30ft by 15ft near this area. Indicating there was an overflow in the near past that was not reported in the 24-hour window as required by permit NC0031828. Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new ❑ ❑ ❑ application? Is the facility as described in the permit? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ M ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ M Is scum removal adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately '/< of the sidewall depth) ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Quick walkthrouqh through plant, clarifier was not evaluated in detail and appeared to be functioning normally.. Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 ,r I Permit: NC0031828 Owner - Facility: Vanceboro WWTP Inspection Date: 02/19/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Comment: Drying Beds Yes No NA NE Is there adequate drying bed space? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge distribution on drying beds appropriate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the drying beds free of vegetation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the site free of dry sludge remaining in beds? ❑ M ❑ ❑ Is the site free of stockpiled sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filtrate from sludge drying beds returned to the front of the plant? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 # Is the sludge disposed of through county landfill? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the sludge land applied? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 (Vacuum filters) Is polymer mixing adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Sludge drying beds appeared to be in good order during walkthrough. Was not inspected in detail. Page# 4