WQCS00168_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20200908

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQCS00168 Effective: 06/04/18 Expiration: 03/31/26 Owner : Town of Star
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Star Collection System
County: Montgomery PO Box 97
Region: Fayetteville
Contact Person: James Wesley Brown Title: Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS1,
Primary ORC: James Wesley Brown Certification: 14480 Phone: [phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0058548 Town of Star - Star WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/02/2020 Entry Time 09:45AM Exit Time: 01:30PM
DocuSigned by:
Primary Inspector: Chad Turlingto ✓ �9/8/2020 Phone: [phone] Ext.720
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Secondary Inspector(s): ccAos97813D247D...
DocuSigned by:
Trent Allen ),� O.-Q�.e�, 9/9/2020
Reason for Inspection: Routine 5189c2D3DDsc42e... Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions General Sewer & FOG Ordinances
Capital Improvement Plan Map Reporting Requirements
Inspections Spill Response Plan Spills
Lines Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6

Permit: WQCS00168 Owner - Facility: Town of Star
Inspection Date: 09/02/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Permit was available upone request. ROW clearing and line cleaning records were available. CIP and Spill Response Plan
was available. Daily pump station visitation was documented. HPL is observed daily. Map was available on GIS system.
Annual Report was available and is available to public by being published in local newspaper. The system uses 2 portable
generators in the event of a power outage. Generators are tested quarterly. Grease education materials were not being
distributed. Permitee shall develop a grease education program and distribute grease education materials to all users of the
system at least twice per year. The pump stations use a rod type system to monitor wet well levels. Operator stated that
there is no way to test functionality of alarms with system. Operator should contact manufacturer to determine a method for
testing alarms. At the time of the isnpection, two pump stations were down 1 pump. At one of these stations the bracket
that holds the guide rod for the submersible pump had corroded and failed. Permittee shall repair immediately. The other
pump station had a failed pump. Operator stated that because of lack of budget being in place because of local tax
revaluation being delayed because of Covid-19, they had no available funds to purchase new pump. Permittee needs to
source funding for this repair ASAP.
Page 2 of 6

Permit: WQCS00168 Owner - Facility: Town of Star
Inspection Date: 09/02/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
General
Is there a properly designated primary ORC and at least one back-up of proper grade?
Are logs being reviewed by the system management or owner on a regular basis?
# What is that frequency?
# Are there any issues being addressed currently or any in the planning stages?
Is there a specific pump failure plan available for all pump stations?
Does plan indicate if pump parts/new pumps are in spare parts/equipment inventory?
Are new/significantly upgraded pump stations equipped with anti -corrosion materials?
Does the permittee have a copy of their permit?
# Is permit expiring within the next 6 months?
If Yes, has the Permittee applied for renewal?
Comment:
Sewer and FOG Ordinances
Is Sewer Use Ordinance (SUO) or other Legal Authority available?
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced?
Is there a Grease Control Program that legally requires grease control devices?
What is the standard grease trap cleaning requirement in the FOG ordinance?
Yes No NA NE
Yes No NA NE
■❑❑❑
■❑❑❑
■❑❑❑
Is Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is action taken against violators? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Have satellite systems adopted an equivalent or more stringent ordinance? ❑ ❑ ❑
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.)
Comment: Grease education materials were not being distributed to customers. Grease education
materials are required to be developed and distributed to all customers twice per year.
Capital Improvement Plan Yes No NA NE
Has a Capital (CIP) or System Improvement Plan been developed and adopted? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is it designated for wastewater only or does it have a dedicated section? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP cover three to five year period of earmarked improvements? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include description of project area? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include description of existing facilities? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include known deficiencies? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include forecasted future needs? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: CIP goes through year 2024.
Map Yes No NA NE
Page 3 of 6

Permit: WQCS00168 Owner - Facility: Town of Star
Inspection Date: 09/02/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is there a overall sewer system map?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the map include:
Pipe Type (GS/FM)
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe sizes
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc)
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe location
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Flow direction
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Approximate pipe age
❑
❑ ❑
Pump station ID, location and capacity
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Force main air release valve location & type
❑
❑ ❑
# Location of satellite connections
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Map available on GIS system.
Reporting Requirements Yes No NA NE
# 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? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is an Annual Wastewater Performance Report being filed with the Division, if required? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the report being made available to all its sewer customers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# How is it being made available? Printed in local
newspaper.
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: Maintenance records were available. Pump stations visited daily and documented. Pump
Station controls use a rod system for wet well level. Operator stated that there is no way to test
high level alarms. Operator raised rod during inspection to create a low level alarm. Operator
shall contact manufacturer to determine a method to check functionality weekly.
Spill Response Action Plan Yes No NA NE
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 4 of 6

Permit: WQCS00168 Owner - Facility: Town of Star
Inspection Date: 09/02/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
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
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the Permittee appear to respond within 2 hours of first knowledge of a spill?
❑
❑ ❑
Comment:
SpIIIS Yes No NA NE
Is system free of known points of bypass? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, describe type of bypass and location
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented? ❑ 1:10 ❑
# Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location? ❑ ❑ ❑
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines Yes No NA NE
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Are right-of-ways/easements maintained for full width for access by staff/equipment? ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, give details on temporary access:
Is maintenance documented? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are gravity sewer cleaning records available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Has at least 10% of lines older than 5 yrs been cleaned annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Were all areas/lines inspected free of issues? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: ROW and line cleaninq doucmented.PS
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
PS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system 8
# 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:
Page 5 of 6

Permit: WQCS00168 Owner - Facility: Town of Star
Inspection Date: 09/02/2020 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed? 0
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed? 0
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Do they all have telemetry installed? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the communication system functional? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Pump station identifier?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Address?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Instructions for notification?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms present?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting and exercising all valves?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment?
❑
❑ ❑
Comment:
Page 6 of 6