NC0045471_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20200727

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Gregory Heaton
Barium Springs Home for Children
Post Office Box 1
Barium Springs North Carolina 28651
Dear Mr. Heaton:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
July 27, 2020
Subject: Notice of Deficiency
Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Barium Springs Home for Children WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NCO045471
Iredell County
Tracking #: NOD-2020-PC-0421
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report for the inspection conducted at the subject
facility on July 16, 2020, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. Please inform the facility's Operator -in -Responsible Charge
(ORC) of our findings by forwarding a copy of the enclosed report.
This report is being issued as a Notice of Deficiency (NOD) due to the following:
- Ponding observed in the sand filter beds;
- Spent sand had not been removed and replaced in each sand filter bed;
- Wastewater was not being evenly distributed throughout the sand filter beds.
Please be advised that the failure to properly maintain the wastewater treatment facility is a violation of the
subject NPDES Permit and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 as detailed in the Sand Filter (Low
Rate) Section of the attached report. Please be advised that G.S. 143-215.6A provides for a civil penalty assessment
of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), or twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per day
when the violation is of a continuing nature, 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. Penalties may also be assessed
for any damage to surface waters of the State that may result from the violations.
It is requested that a written response be submitted to this Office by August 17, 2020, detailing the actions taken
to address the maintenance issues noted in the sand filter beds. In responding, please address your comments to the
attention of Mr. Wes Bell.
�� Office
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
NOR7H ORROLINA i
�,"r1_J m Em^'m'"^e^ai Qmli /`� 704.663.1699

Gregory Heaton
Page Two
July 27, 2020
Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at [phone],
or via email at wes.bellAncderingov.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
A14CC681 AF27425...
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosure:
Inspection Report

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 u 3 I NCO045471 111 121 20/07/16 I17 18 LC] I 19 I s I 20L]
21111I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I r6
Inspection
Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved -------------------
67
2.0 701d I 71 I„ I 72 I r., I 71 I 74 79
L—I tyI I I I I 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 Dermit Number)
08:50AM 20/07/16
19/06/01
Barium Springs WWTP
156 Frazier Loop
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Statesville NC 28677
10:30AM 20/07/16
24/03/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Robert Charles White/ORC/336-503-2383/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
GregoryA Heaton,PO Box 1 Barium Springs NC 280100001H828-260-2633/
Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispo: Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Wate
Laboratory
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
Wes Bell Docusigned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 7/27/2020
A61696D90CC3437...
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
W. Corey Basinger DWR/Division of Water Quality/704-235-2194/
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
DocuSigned by:
' 7/27/2020
AlaccsalAFvazs... Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type
NCO045471 I11 12I 20/07/16 117 18 i c i
(Cont.)
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On -Site Representatives:
The following personnel were in attendance during the inspection: Greg Heaton/Barium Springs Home
for Children, Robin Shaw/Barium Springs Home for Children, Josh Powers/Envirolink, Chip
White/Envirolink and Todd Robinson/Envirolink.
LABORATORY SECTION cont'd:
The annual calibration verification on the ORC's total residual chlorine meter had not been performed
within 12-months as required 15A NCAC 2H .0805 and NC Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory
Certification approved procedure for the analysis of total residual chlorine. Note: The ORC's TRC
meter is currently in the laboratory for the annual calibration verification.
Page#

Permit: NCO045471 Owner -Facility: Barium Springs WWTP
Inspection Date: 07/16/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit
Yes
No
NA
NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
❑
❑
0
❑
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: The last connDliance evaluation insDection at the facilitv was Derformed by DWR staff on
10/25/18.
The facility has secured funding for the connection of the wastewater system to the Town of
Troutman's collection system within the next two years (estimated projection). The project's
status is currently in the design phase.
Record Keeping
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is all required information readily available, complete and current?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)?
❑
❑
❑
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the chain -of -custody complete?
0
❑
❑
❑
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?
0
❑
❑
❑
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ?
❑
❑
0
❑
(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operatc
❑
❑
0
❑
on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification'
0
❑
❑
❑
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
0
❑
❑
❑
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
❑
❑
0
❑
Page# 3

Permit: NCO045471 Owner -Facility: Barium Springs WWTP
Inspection Date: 07/16/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge
Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period June 2019 through May 2020.
BOD effluent limit violations (daily maximum and monthly average) were reported from June
2019 through October 2019 (BOD daily maximum only in July 2019) and January 2020
through April 2020. Ammonia effluent limit violations (daily maximum and monthly average)
were reported in August 2019. All these violations will be addressed separately by the
Division throuah the issuances of either a NOV or NOV/civil Denaltv assessment.
Laboratory
Yes
No
NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is the facility using a contract lab?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
❑
❑
0
❑
Celsius)?
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees?
❑
❑
0
❑
Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: On -site field analvses (dissolved oxvaen. DH. temDerature. total residual chlorine) are
performed under Envirolink's field laboratory certification #5212. Statesville Analytical
(Certification #440) has also been contracted to provide analytical support.
The ORC must ensure to perform post -analysis calibration checks on the dissolved oxygen,
PH and total residual chlorine meters if these field analyses are performed at multiple sites
throughout a day. Post -analysis calibration checks must be performed in accordance with
the NC Wastewater/Groundwater laboratory certification approved procedures for the
analyses of dissolved oxygen, pH and total residual chlorine. See "Summary" Section for
additional comments.
Effluent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is proper volume collected?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the tubing clean?
❑
❑
0
❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
❑
❑
0
❑
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
0
❑
❑
❑
representative)?
Comment: The subject permit requires effluent grab samples.
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, an( 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
sampling location)?
Page# 4

Permit: NCO045471
Inspection Date: 07/16/2020
Owner -Facility: Barium Springs WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Upstream / Downstream Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
Comment:
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
❑
❑
0
❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment: Maintenance issues were noted on the sand beds during the inspection. See Sand Filter
(Low Rate) section for additional comments.
Bar Screens
Yes
No
NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
❑
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the screen free of excessive debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is disposal of screening in compliance?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the unit in good condition?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: The facility is equipped with a coarse bar screen.
Septic Tank
Yes
No
NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational?
❑
❑
N
❑
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: Lentz Septic Service has been contracted to remove wastewater solids annually (at a
minimum).
Sand Filters (Low rate)
Yes
No
NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is the distribution box level and watertight?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is sand filter free of ponding?
❑
0
❑
❑
Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio?
❑
❑
0
❑
# Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1)
❑
❑
0
❑
Page# 5

Permit: NCO045471
Inspection Date: 07/16/2020
Sand Filters (Low rate)
Owner -Facility: Barium Springs WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Comment: The followina was observed on both sand beds: evidence of Dondina. uneven distribution
and spent sand (approximately 2"-4" deep). The laterals should be adjusted to allow for a
greater distribution of wastewater throughout the entire sand beds. In addition, the spent
sand should be removed and replaced with the appropriately sized sand. Please be advisec
that the subject permit requires the permittee to properly operate and maintain the facility at
all times [Permit Condition Reference: Part II, Section C(2) Proper Operation and
Maintenance].
Disinfection -Tablet
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Number of tubes in use?
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?
Yes No NA NE
3
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ■ ❑ ❑
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: All vegetation in the chlorine contact chamber must be removed and disposed.
Calcium Hypochlorite is used for disinfection.
De -chlorination
Yes No
NA
NE
Type of system ?
Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
0 ❑
❑
❑
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
❑ ❑
0
❑
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
0 ❑
❑
❑
Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use? 4
Comment: Sodium Sulfite is used for dechlorination.
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is the flow meter operational?
❑
❑
0
❑
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
❑
❑
0
❑
Page# 6

Permit: NCO045471
Inspection Date: 07/16/2020
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Owner -Facility: Barium Springs WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Comment: Instantaneous flow measurements have been performed by the bucket and stop watch
method. The ORC and staff should use the calculated volume (6600 gallons per dose of full
tank) as the future method of flow measurement.
Effluent Pipe
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The ORC and staff measured
the effluent pH and total residual chlorine (TRC) during the inspection at 61 SU (pH) and <1 ,1
uq/L(TRC).
Page# 7