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Home My WebLink AboutNC0033600_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20200323 March 23, 2020 Lisa Leatherwood Silver Bluff LLC 100 Silver Bluff Dr Canton, NC 28716 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Pigeon Valley Rest Home NPDES WW Permit No. NC0033600 Haywood County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Pigeon Valley Rest Home on 3/18/2020. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0033600. Please carefully review the comments, recommendations and requirements listed within the summary of the inspection report. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mikal Willmer with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist II Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report EC: WQS-ARO Server, LF Mark Teague, Environmental Inc G:\WR\WQ\Haywood\Wastewater\Minors\Silver Bluff - Pigeon Valley 33600\Inspections\Inspect March 18, 2020\NC0033600_CEI_2020323 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 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 NC0033600 20/03/18 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) Pigeon Valley Rest Home 100 Silver Bluff Dr Canton NC 28716 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:30AM 20/03/18 16/02/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Joedavid Matthew Hall/ORC/828-586-5588/ Other Facility Data 11:30AM 20/03/18 20/01/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Lisa Leatherwood,100 Silver Bluff Dr Canton NC 28716//828-628-2044/8286482065 Contacted 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 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 Mikal Willmer DWR/Division of Water Quality/828-296-4686/ 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: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 3/23/2020 3/23/2020 NPDES yr/mo/day 20/03/18 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Inspector, Mikal Willmer with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Silver Bluff Village WWTP on March 18, 2020. This inspection was conducted in conjunction with the facility's NPDES permit renewal and to determine whether it is being operated and maintained in compliance. Joedavid Hall, ORC, was present and assisted in the inspection. Facility appeared to be in compliance at the time of the inspection; however, the following need to be addressed to maintain compliance. This facility is showing age related wear (rusting). ORC reports he has not noticed bypassing of treatment units due to metal failure from corrosion; however, the entire plant should be structurally evaluated and should be repainted and cleaned to extend its overall life expectancy. Maintenance Items: Structural Integrity & Safety: All hoses, piping and grating that can be moved should be stored out of the walkways to reduce trip/fall hazards for the ORC and maintenance staff. Facility has one rectangular clarifier (part of original package plant) and one circular clarifier. Plumbing was configured to allow for operation of these clarifiers in parallel or in series. Clarifiers have been run in series for at least a decade due to the lack of functionality of the rectangular clarifier. It is primarily utilized as additional settling before flow into the circular clarifier. Post Aeration: ORC reports they do not have post aeration in the dechlor chamber. According to records there was aeration within the dechlor chamber, but notes indicate it was oversized for the contact chamber. ORC states he does not have issues maintaining DO in the effluent. The facility IWC is less than 1%. Alarms: All audio and visual alarms are operational. Recommended ORC checks these more frequently since there is no remote telemetry and visual alarms are hidden behind the WWTP fencing. Scum Skimmer: The skimmer and rake arm are operational within the circular clarifier; however, the scum pump is not operational. Maintenance staff are trying to determine the cause and repair; however, the ORC reports this is hindered by not being able to take the clarifier off-line. No apparent buildup of scum within the circular clarifier. Environmental Inc. staff routinely waste and clean the circular clarifier. ORC reported the WWTP has difficulties handling the recent increased flows. Flow increase since 2017 is approximately 6,000 gallons (0.015 MGD to 0.021 MGD). The ORC has requested the Silver Bluff staff assess water usage and potential sources of extraneous flow into the system. This facility serves several buildings. Please also note, this facility was designed to handle 0.25 MGD, not 0.03 MGD as shown in the permits since 2010. The modification to the facility in 2009 was only expected to increase flow capacity by 2000 gallons and no additional allotment of flow was requested at that time. This means the facility is currently receiving 85% of their design capacity. Silver Bluff staff are required to determine whether an increase in hydraulic capacity (modification to existing WWTP) is warranted or whether flows can be reduced. Deemed collection system and Silver Bluff interference: Please note, any rags used within the nursing facility by facility staff are to be placed in the trash, not flushed down the toilet. This is causing undue stress and maintenance on the WWTP. Facility staff should reassess practices to reduce wear on the WWTP treatment units. NC0033600 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 Permit:NC0033600 Inspection Date:03/18/2020 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Pigeon Valley Rest Home Compliance Evaluation System Components: Please clarify all system components during this renewal. Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 Permit:NC0033600 Inspection Date:03/18/2020 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Pigeon Valley Rest Home 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? ORC monitors solids and checks chlorine within the contact chamber to determine if adjustments are needed. Comment: 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? Influent grinder (installed before manual bar screen) should be removed from the permit as it hasn’t been used in years and facility does not wish to replace it. This is not an essential operational item. Facility does not have a digester, but an aerated sludge holding tank. ORC reports there is no post aeration. There is a small effluent lift station before it is discharged into the Pigeon River. Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain-of-custody complete? 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? Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 Permit:NC0033600 Inspection Date:03/18/2020 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Pigeon Valley Rest Home Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Logbook was onsite. It is recommended all operator notes be transcribed to the operator logbook on a daily basis. Comment: 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? Staff have not located the exact location of the effluent pipe. It's believed to be near the 110 bridge. This bank is not easily accessible. Comment: Flow Measurement - Influent 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? ORC reports he has seen an increase in flow recently and has requested the Silver Bluff staff determine if their have been changes in water use within the building. Permitted flow needs to be corrected in upcoming permit. Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? This is an aerated sludge holding tank rated capacity of 7300 gallons. ORC reports solids are hauled three times a month by Mike's Septic. Comment: Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 Permit:NC0033600 Inspection Date:03/18/2020 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Pigeon Valley Rest Home Compliance Evaluation Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? Recommend testing of audio and visual alarm at least weekly since not connected to telemetry and the wet well does not have adequate storage capacity should the pumps/floats become inoperable. Both pumps are in working order. 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 rest home continues to flush rags down the drain; however, most appear to catch within the manual bar screen. Appears to be in decent condition. ORC request a drying box next to the bar screen, so debris can be raked into for drying before disposal in the garbage. 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? One of the EQ basin pumps was recently replaced and operations staff are looking at obtaining a back up to keep onsite. 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? Are weirs level? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 Permit:NC0033600 Inspection Date:03/18/2020 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Pigeon Valley Rest Home Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately ¼ of the sidewall depth) The surface skimmer return pump does not appear to be operational. Maintenance staff have been unable to determine the cause without taking the clarifier offline. There does not appear to be a significant problem with scum build up on the surface. Maintenance cleans clarifiers and washes down weirs as needed. Recommend increasing cleaning of the effluent launder as there appeared to be solids/growth build up in the bottom of the launder. Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused 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? 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/l) Blowers were relocated, header valve was replaced, and electrical control panel was repaired. Environmental Inc staff installed diffusers into the aeration basin. Aeration basin and rectangular clarifier need to be repainted to prevent further corrosion. 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? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Chlornie tablets are used and containers are stored onsite.Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 Permit:NC0033600 Inspection Date:03/18/2020 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Pigeon Valley Rest Home Compliance Evaluation De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use?2 Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE 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? Silver Bluff staff have a maintenance contract with a local firm to resupply fuel and service the generator. Comment: Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? facility has air lift pumps. ORC reports he wastes approximately once a week.Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?2 Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination? Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Page#8 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 Permit:NC0033600 Inspection Date:03/18/2020 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Pigeon Valley Rest Home Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the tubing clean? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? ORC collected samples during the inspection below all treatment units.Comment: Page#9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FEFCCE3-A22A-4BC5-82C0-E11D23571052 Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: 6FEFCCE3A22A4BC582C0E11D23571052 Status: Completed Subject: Please DocuSign: NC0033600_CEI_2020323.ltr.docx, NC0033600_CEI_20200323.insp.pdf Source Envelope: Document Pages: 10 Signatures: 3 Envelope Originator: Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 0 Mikal Willmer AutoNav: Enabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) 217 W. Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27699 Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Record Tracking Status: Original Mar 23, 2020 | 09:36 Holder: Mikal Willmer Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Location: DocuSign Signer Events Signature Timestamp Mikal Willmer mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Environmental Specialist North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Drawn on Device Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: Mar 23, 2020 | 09:39 Viewed: Mar 23, 2020 | 09:39 Signed: Mar 23, 2020 | 09:39 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign G. Landon Davidson landon.davidson@ncdenr.gov Asheville Regional Office, Regional Supervisor DEQ, Division of Water Resources, Water Quality Regional Operatoins Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Uploaded Signature Image Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: Mar 23, 2020 | 09:40 Viewed: Mar 23, 2020 | 09:44 Signed: Mar 23, 2020 | 09:44 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp Editor Delivery Events Status Timestamp Agent Delivery Events Status Timestamp Intermediary Delivery Events Status Timestamp Certified Delivery Events Status Timestamp Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp Witness Events Signature Timestamp Notary Events Signature Timestamp Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted Mar 23, 2020 | 09:40 Certified Delivered Security Checked Mar 23, 2020 | 09:44 Signing Complete Security Checked Mar 23, 2020 | 09:44 Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Completed Security Checked Mar 23, 2020 | 09:44 Payment Events Status Timestamps