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Home My WebLink AboutWQCSD0239_Collection System Inspection Report - NOD-2020-PC-0439_20200826ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality Certified Mail #7018 1130 0000 1612 7697 Return Receipt Requested August 26, 2020 Paul Isenhour Water Quality Utilities, Inc.PO Box 1167 Banner Elk, NC 28604-1167 Subject: Wastewater Collection Systems Inspection Report and Notices of Deficiency Deemed Permitted Systems No. WQCSD0232, WQCSD0235, WQCSD0235, WQCSD0239, WQCSD0240, and WQCSD0243 Watauga County Dear Mr. Isenhour: On August 6, 2020, Paul DiMatteo of the Division of Water Resources (Division), Winston-Salem Regional Office met with you to conduct Compliance Evaluation Inspections at the above referenced Deemed Permitted Wastewater Collection Systems in Watauga County. This inspection consists of (1) a review of the permit and accompanying documentation to determine compliance with permit conditions, and (2) an on -site inspection of the systems. The attached inspection form notes the areas that were evaluated for the inspection, with any items requiring your attention outlined in the following paragraphs. Notices of Deficiency Deemed permitted collection systems are required to adhere to the operational and maintenance requirements of 15A NCAC 02T .0403, as well as any design requirements specified in 15A NCAC 02T .0300 et seq. All collection systems inspected were operated in a similar manner, and noted deficiencies were consistent throughout the systems. Specifically: 1. All pump stations must have restricted access (15A NCAC 02T .0305(h)(4)), which can include locked components and/or a secured gate surrounding the pump station grounds. None of the pump stations observed during the inspection had adequately restricted access. 2. Pump stations are to have audible and visual alarms (15A NCAC 02T .0305(h)(1)(17)), and the alarms should be tested with a sufficient frequency to ensure their continued operation. Only one pump station had operable alarms when tested during the inspection. 3. Pump stations must have emergency signs posted stating the pump station identifier, 24-hour emergency number, and instructions to call in case of emergency (15A NCAC 02T .0305(h)(2)). None of the pump stations observed during the inspection had posted emergency signs. D � North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office [ 450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 NOh �HCARO UHA ^^ •^^ma^� u�•i` r 336.776.9800 These observations have resulted in the following Notices of Deficiency: 1. WQCSD0235 —The Ponds Collection System: NOD-2020-PC-0437 2. WQCSD0236 — Roaring River Collection System: NOD-2020-PC-0438 3. WQCSD0240 — Willow Valley Collection System: NOD-2020-PC-0440 4. WQCSD0243 — Yonahlossee Collection System: NOD-2020-PC-0441 Additionally, the inspector noted that the Valley Creek Collection System, WQCSD0239, did not have a map, which is required by 15A NCAC 02T .0403(a)(2). This has resulted in a further Notice of Deficiency, NOD-2020-PC-0439. Required Response Within 30 days after receipt of this report, please submit a response to this Notice, which details your plan to attain compliance with the deficiencies noted above. If you have any questions concerning this report, please contact Paul DiMatteo at (336) 776-9691 or Lon Snider at (336) 776-9800. Sincerely, /I D__ocuSiiggned by: �I1IM l 5mgti 1 _"49E225C94EA... Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Winston-Salem Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Enclosures — Inspection BIMS Reports CC: WSRO Laserfiche Files Permit: WQCSD0239 SOC: County: Watauga Region: Winston-Salem Compliance Inspection Report Effective: 03/01/00 Expiration: Owner: Hawksnest Utilities Effective: Expiration: Facility: Valley Creek Collection System Contact Person: Leonard Cottom Title: Directions to Facility: System Classifications: Primary ORC: Secondary ORC(s): On -Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Inspection Date: 08/06/2020 Entry Time 01:30PM Primary Inspector: Paul DiMatteo Secondary Inspector(s): Certification: Phone: 828-963-6561 Phone: Exit Time: 02:OOPM Phone: 336-776-9691 Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Permit Inspection Type: Deemed permitted collection system management and operation Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant Question Areas: Miscellaneous Questions General Grease Control Spills/Response Plan Inspections Manholes (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 5 Permit: WQCSD0239 Owner - Facility: Hawksnest Utilities Inspection Date: 08/06/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine Inspection Summary: I met with Paul Isenhour of Water Quality Labs to inspect several deemed collection systems operated by them. Documentation and practices are similar throughout the facilities. However, it's noted that this system doesn't have a map. There is one pump station that serves a single building in the system but it's not maintained by Water Quality Labs and isn't included in this inspection. Page 2 of 5 Permit: WQCSD0239 Owner - Facility: Hawksnest Utilities Inspection Date: 08/06/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine General Yes No NA NE # Is this system a satellite system? ❑ ❑ ❑ # If Yes, what is system name or permit number? Is there a overall sewer system map? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the map include: Pipe sizes ❑ ❑ ❑ Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc) ❑ ❑ ❑ Pipe location ❑ ❑ ❑ # Flow direction ❑ ❑ ❑ # Approximate pipe age ❑ ❑ ❑ # Pump station ID, location and capacity ❑ ❑ ❑ # Force main air release valve location & type ❑ ❑ ❑ # Location of satellite connections ❑ ❑ ❑ Are system maintenance records maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: A map should be developed and maintained. Grease Control Yes No NA NE Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc? ❑ ❑ ❑ If Yes, what are they? (This can reduce mailing to annual.) For public systems, is there a Grease Control Program via an ordinance/agreement? ❑ ❑ ❑ If Yes, does it require grease control devices at applicable locations? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is action taken against violators? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Spills and Response Action Plan Yes No NA NE # Is system free of known points of bypass? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If No, describe type of bypass and location # Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years? ❑ ❑ ❑ If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria? ❑ ❑ ❑ If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location? ❑ ❑ ❑ # If Yes, is there a corrective action plan? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is a Spill Response Action Plan available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 3 of 5 Permit: WQCSD0239 Owner - Facility: Hawksnest Utilities Inspection Date: 08/06/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine Does the plan include: # 24-hour contact numbers ❑ ❑ ❑ # Response time ❑ ❑ ❑ # Equipment list and spare parts inventory ❑ ❑ ❑ # Access to cleaning equipment ❑ ❑ ❑ # Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers ❑ ❑ ❑ # Source of emergency funds ❑ ❑ ❑ # Site sanitation and cleanup materials ❑ ❑ ❑ # Post-overflow/spill assessment ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Inspections Yes No NA NE Are adequate maintenance records maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pump stations being inspected at the required frequency? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is at least one complete functionality test conducted weekly per pump station? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a system or plan in place to observe the entire system annually? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the annual inspection documented? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Does the system have any high -priority lines/locations? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are inspections of HPL documented at least every 6 months? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Manholes Yes No NA NE Please list the Manholes Inspected: 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 4 of 5 Permit: WQCSD0239 Owner - Facility: Hawksnest Utilities Inspection Date: 08/06/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes? Comment: ■❑❑❑ Page 5 of 5