WQCSD0150_CEICMPL_20200812

August 10, 2020

Jim Rhyne
Town of Ellenboro
PO Box 456
Ellenboro, NC 28040

SUBJECT: Complaint Inspection Report
Ellenboro Collection System
Collection System Permit No. WQCSD0150
Rutherford County

Dear Permittee:

Please find the complaint inspection conducted by the Division of Water Resources (DWR) on July 29, 2020 of a
portion of the Ellenboro CS near 204 N. Glenn St. This inspection was initiated due to a complaint received by
a resident of Ellenboro. At the time of the inspection, the wastewater flow within the gravity line, while
minimal, appeared to be free flowing. There did not appear to be a buildup of debris, organic matter or
obstructions within the manholes which could potentially contribute to the generation of hydrogen sulfide gas.
No sewer gas odor was detected immediately surrounding the gravity line or when the manhole lids were
removed. The Wilson St. pump station appears to be pumping flows down regularly and to the WWTP based
on pump run times and low odor within the wet-well of the pump station.

It should be noted the DWR does not make health assessments or determinations, and the assessment of any
potential air quality and/or health concerns within a place of residence is something that should be brought to
the attention of the Local Health Department (828-287-6100) and/or State Department of Health and Human
Services (919-707-5900). The collection system inspection conducted by the DWR was an assessment of the
operations and visual condition of the public gravity sewer line and receiving pump station only. This did not
include an assessment of the private sewer lateral. Any potential concern with private laterals and/or plumbing
should be assessed by a certified plumber.

Recommendations:

Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Assessment: Forest City Staff do report increases in flow during heavy rain events
indicating influence from I&I. It is recommended that Ellenboro assess these contributions further to reduce
excess flow into the system and reduce any added stress on the system. The use of a sewer camera and smoke
tester can aid in locating sources of I&I throughout the system.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4500.

Sincerely,

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

ATTACHMENTS: Complaint Inspection

Ec: LF
Allen Greene
Avery Hamrick

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQCSD0150 Effective:03/01/00 Expiration:Owner :Town of Ellenboro
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Rutherford
Asheville
Allen Black
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Ellenboro Collection System
Title:Phone:[phone]Mayor
Secondary ORC(s):
Phone:Certification:Primary ORC:
System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
07/29/2020 10:00AM 12:00PM
Mikal Willmer 828-296-4686
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Complaint
Deemed permitted collection system management and operation
Complaint
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions Manholes Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 5
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0150
07/29/2020 Complaint
Town of Ellenboro
Complaint
Inspection Summary:
Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted an inspection of part of the Ellenboro collection system on July
29, 2020. This inspection was conducted in response to a complaint received by our office. Nathan Edwards and Allen
Greene with the Town of Forest City public works were present and assisted in the inspection.
The Ellenboro Collection System is a satellite system to Forest City’s collection system. The Town of Ellenboro contracts
the Town of Forest City to oversee routine operation and maintenance. The Town of Ellenboro is the owner of record of the
deemed permitted collection system WQCSD0150.
The complainant indicated he was experiencing sewer gas entering his home from his home's stack vent at 204 N. Glenn St.
This is a duplex residence. Unit # 206 is not currently occupied. It should be noted the Division of Water Resources does
not make health assessments or determinations and the assessment of any potential air quality and/or health concerns
within a place of residence is something that should be brought to the attention of the Local health department and/or State
Department of Health. The collection system inspection conducted by the Division of Water Resources was an assessment
of the operations and visual condition of the public gravity sewer line and receiving pump station only. This did not include
an assessment of the complainant’s private lateral. Any potential concern with private laterals and/or plumbing should be
assessed by a certified plumber.
Observations:
The manholes along N Glenn St. and Oak St. were opened and observed at the time of the inspection. Approximately 5 or 6
buildings are connected to this line. The inspection began upstream of the complainant’s residents at the head of the 8"
gravity line beginning at MH 1778. The manhole invert 90s to the backyard next to the duplex 174/176 N Glenn St. and runs
along an easement through the backyards of the following three duplexes 184/186, 194/196 and 204/206 N. Glenn St. There
is a manhole immediately before 204 Glenn St. which had minimal flow but appeared free flowing. The manhole downstream
on Oak St also appeared free flowing before it 90s to the right (south) towards a forested area and the low point of the
neighborhood. The downstream manhole also appeared free flowing. No apparent hydrogen sulfide odor emanating from the
manholes and/or immediately above the manholes in this area. No obstructions, significant debris or organic matter were
noted within the inverts of the inspected manholes. It is anticipated flow volume increases during morning and evening hours.
Forest City collection system staff indicated the majority of the manholes in Ellenboro have two vent pick holes. The
complainant’s private lateral is assumed to be tapped onto the gravity line as there were no apparent taps or borings in the
observed manholes. The closest force main terminus to a gravity line is approximately 980’ (heigh st.) away and is not
connected to the gravity line near the area of the complaint. The force main discharges directly in to the invert and the
manhole appeared to be in good condition. There was minor corrosion noted near the rim of the manhole and should
continue to be monitored.

Wilson St. Lift Station: This lift station was visited during the inspection. The gravity line flows into the Wilson St. pump
station which then pumps directly to the Forest City WWTP. This lift station also receives flow from four lift stations. A
Generac generator is maintained onsite for power reliability. The lift station has remote telemetry. The maintenance logs
were reviewed and both pumps appear to be alternating and running on a daily basis based on run times. Also limited odor
coming from the wet-well when the hatch was opened indicating the wastewater is not remaining within the wet-well for
extended periods of time. Some grease and trash were noted within the wet-well. Mr. Greene indicated they have had
pump trucks at the lift station during extreme rain events to keep the level below the top of the wet-well; however, overall
there have not been issues noted with the lift station. Collection system staff recently changed out control relays and
replaced the auto dialer battery.
Additional Information:
The Ellenboro Collection system map and information is housed within the Town of Forest City’s GIS program. No force
mains terminate into this portion of the gravity system and there have been no identified failures of the gravity line and/or
manholes in the area. The gravity lines within the vicinity of the complainant’s residence were jet rodded on December 3,
2019 as part of the annual cleaning schedule. Forest City reports they have not received any additional complaints from
other residents in this neighborhood as of the date of my inspection. The collection system does experience inflow and
infiltration during heavy rain events and this is something that should be further assessed by the Town of Ellenboro. Pick
Page 2 of 5
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0150
07/29/2020 Complaint
Town of Ellenboro
Complaint
holes in manholes are one potential source for additional inflow into the system.
Page 3 of 5
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0150
07/29/2020 Complaint
Town of Ellenboro
Complaint
Manholes Yes No NA NE
Please list the Manholes Inspected:
1778 to 1774
Are manholes accessible?
# Are manhole covers/vents above grade?
Are manholes free of visible signs of overflow?
Are manholes free of sinkholes and depressions?
Are manhole covers present?
# Are manholes properly seated?
# Are manholes in good condition?
# Are inverts in good condition?
Is flow unrestricted in manholes?
Are manholes free of excessive amounts of grease?
Are manholes free of excessive roots?
Are manholes free of excessive sand?
Are manhole vents screened?
Are vents free of submergence?
Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes?
Manhole covers still contain pick holes which is a potential avenue for stormwater to enter the
system.
Comment:
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Wilson St. LS
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system 6
# Number of vacuum stations in system 0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system 0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building 0
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto-dialer) installed?6
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access?
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes?
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris?
# Do they all have telemetry installed?
Is the telemetry system functional?
Page 4 of 5
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0150
07/29/2020 Complaint
Town of Ellenboro
Complaint
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
Pump station identifier?
# Address?
Instructions for notification?
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
Are audio and visual alarms present?
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator?
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage?
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan?
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps?
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate?
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal?
Inspecting and exercising all valves?
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment?
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment?
This is a deemed collection system permit and 02T.0403 rules are applicable. Collection system
staff check these items, but are not recorded weekly unless maintenance is required. All
maitenance and repairs are recorded within the log book as they occcur. Recommend recording
all checks performed weekly within the logbook onsite.
Comment:
Page 5 of 5