NC0000272_Inspection_20171026

ROY C©OPER.
MICHAEL S. RECAN
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Water Resources S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
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October 26, 2017
Mr. Brian Satterfield, Manager, EHS&S Business Unit
Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc.
P.O. Box 4000
Canton NC 28716
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc. Canton Mill
Permit No.: NC0000272
Haywood County
Dear Mr. Satterfield:
On October 24, 2017, Mikal Willmer, and I conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the
NPDES Discharge Permit that serves the Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc. Canton Mill WWTP. Based
on records reviewed, on-site evaluation and interviews with staff, the system was determined to be in
compliance with permit NC0000272. An inspection report is attached for your records with findings
summarized. The system and its components appear to be well maintained and operated.
The following additional observations were made at the time of the inspection:
1. Continue to investigate and pursue a solution to the fecal coliform exceedances and associated
chlorine demand. The effort and resources applied to the problem to date, cooperation with the town,
and continued communication with DEQ staff is acknowledged and appreciated.
2. Since the last annual inspection (summer of 2016) staff for the WWTP appear to have been reduced
(departure of the BORC/lab manager). Verify that the facility has adequate staffing resources
available.
The assistance of Nick McCracken, ORC during the inspection was greatly appreciated, as
previously noted, Mr. McCracken is highly knowledgeable about the WWTP and its components. If
there are questions or additional information is needed regarding system operation, maintenance, or
permit questions, please feel free to contact me at 828-296-4500. Please refer to the enclosed
inspection report for additional observations and comments.
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
2090 U.S.Highway 70 Swannanoa,NC 28778
828 296 4500

Sincerely,
G'
Tim Heim, P.E.
Environmental Engineer
Enc.
cc: Nick McCracken, ORC
MSC 1617-Central Files-Basement
Asheville Files
G:\WR\WQ\Haywood\Wastewater\Industrial\Blue Ridge Paper 00272\Inspections\2017 CEI\CEI letter 10-24-2017.doc

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 NC0000272 111 12 17/10/23 17 18 1 C i 19 i G i 201 I
21111I 11 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 LI I I I r6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating 131 QA ----------------------Reserved---------------
671 70 I _J 71 � 72 L NJ 73 I L I I74 75I III I I Li 80
Section B:Facility Data L� I I
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)
01:00PM 17/10/23 10/07/01
Canton Mill
175 Main St Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
Canton NC 28716 04:OOPM 17/10/23 15/06/30
Name(s)of Onsite R epresentative(s)/Titles(s)/P hone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data
///
Nicholas Morgan McCracken/ORC/828-646-2874/
Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Demo Brown,PO Box 4000 Canton NC 28716H828-646-2318/
Yes
Section C:Areas Evaluated During Inspection(Check only those areas evaluated)
® Permit ® Flow Measurement ® Operations&Maintenance ® Self-Monitoring Program
® Sludge Handling Disposal ® 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
Timothy H Heim 7*1 ARO WQ//828-296-4665/ / 1-0
Mikal Willmer Mom) ARO WQ//828-296-4686/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
't
EPA Form 3560-3(Rev 9-94)Previous editions are obsolete.
Page# 1

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.)
31 N00000272 I11 12 17/10/23 117 18 JCJ
Section D:Summary of Finding/Comments(Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Tim Heim and Mika]Willmer of the Asheville Regional Office performed a Compliance Evaluation
Inspection on October 24, 2017. Nick McCracken (ORC)assisted with the inspection and facility
review.The facility appeared well maintained and operated, and in compliance with Permit NC0000272.
The following additional observations were made at the time of the inspection:
1. Continue to investigate and pursue a solution to the fecal coliform exceedances and associated
chlorine demand. The effort and resources applied to the problem to date, cooperation with the town,
and continued communication with DEQ staff is acknowledged and appreciated.
2. Since the last annual inspection (summer of 2016) staff for the WWTP appear to have been reduced
(departure of the BORC/lab manager).Verify that the facility has adequate staffing resources available.
Page# 2

Permit: NC0000272 Owner-Facility: Canton Mill
Inspection Date: 10/23/2017 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: Housekeeping and facility organization was in good condition at the time of the inspection.
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? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: New permit application still under review.
Grit Removal Yes No NA NE
Type of grit removal
a.Manual ❑
b.Mechanical
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the grit free of excessive odor? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
#Is disposal of grit in compliance? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual ❑
b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris? N ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the screen free of excessive debris? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is disposal of screening in compliance? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the unit in good condition? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Page# 3

Permit: NC0000272 Owner-Facility: Canton Mill
Inspection Date: 10/23/2017 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the wet well free of excessive grease? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
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:
Primary 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? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Are weirs level? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of weir blockage? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is scum removal adequate? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the drive unit operational? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable?(Approximately'%of the sidewall depth) ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Sludge blanket depth is managed based on torque on drive arm
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation Ext.Air
Type of aeration system Surface
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? N ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the foam cover less than 25%of the basin's surface? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the DO level acceptable? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: DO level on meters ranged between 1.7 and 3.8 mg/L.
Page# 4

Permit: NC0000272 Owner-Facility: Canton Mill
Inspection Date: 10/23/2017 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of weir blockage? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is scum removal adequate? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the drive unit operational? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the return rate acceptable(low turbulence)? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable?(Approximately'%of the sidewall depth) ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Sludge blanket level managed by monitoring torque on drive arm
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? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Page# 5