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Home My WebLink AboutNC0089095_CEI_NOVNOI2021PC0155_20210310EPA 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 NC0089095 21/02/19 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) High Vista Falls WWTP Creasman Hill Rd Mills River NC 28759 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:30AM 21/02/19 15/11/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Vincent L Edwards/ORC/828-697-3077/ Other Facility Data 12:00PM 21/02/19 20/10/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Patty Carland,117 Kira Ln Hendersonville NC 287391407//828-890-4810/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance 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 Stephanie A Williams DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Daniel J Boss DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4658/ 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: 28D3D445-8249-481C-B8E5-1CE5268ED3F8 3/10/2021 3/10/2021 NPDES yr/mo/day 21/02/19 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On 2/18/2021, I (Daniel Boss) and Stephanie Williams conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the High Vista Falls WWTP. We met with the ORC, Vincent Edwards, for the inspection. The condition of the equalization basin appeared to improved. The basin was free of built up grease and rags. Mr. Edwards reports that the piping for aeration and pumps of the equalization basin had been replaced. The new piping has allowed greater air flow preventing mats of grease and rags from building up. The new pumps have prevented stops and surges in flow to the aeration basins that were occuring previously due to the old pumps clogging up. The tertiary filters are still damaged and short circuiting. The ORC has switched to tablet disinfection from liquid disinfection because the pumps for the liquid disinfection would sometimes clog and cause fecal coliform violations. The dechlorination is still not able to be safely accessed by the ORC. A person has to climb down a ladder into the post aeration tank and stand on a concrete pylon to reach the dechlorination tube. This is a safety hazard and concerning since the ORC works on site alone. NC0089095 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 28D3D445-8249-481C-B8E5-1CE5268ED3F8 Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:02/19/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls WWTP 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? 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? 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? 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 28D3D445-8249-481C-B8E5-1CE5268ED3F8 Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:02/19/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE The condition of the equalization basin appeared to improved. The basin was free of built up grease and rags. Mr. Edwards reports that the piping for aeration and pumps of the equalization basin had been replaced. The new piping has allowed greater air flow preventing mats of grease and rags from building up. The new pumps have prevented stops and surges in flow to the aeration basins that were occuring previously due to the old pumps clogging up. 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) first aeration basin= DO- 4.4 mg/L, 6.76 pH, 30% settleability last aeration basin= DO- 6.6 mg/L, 6.7 pH, 27% settleability 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? 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) Clarifier 1- 4' blanket of 12' depth, 1' clear supernatant Clarifier 2- 3' blanket of 12' depth, 2' clear supernatant Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 28D3D445-8249-481C-B8E5-1CE5268ED3F8 Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:02/19/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls WWTP Compliance Evaluation Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Type of operation:Up flow Is the filter media present? Is the filter surface free of clogging? Is the filter free of growth? Is the air scour operational? Is the scouring acceptable? Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? The tertiary filters are still broken and short circuiting.Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?1 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? The ORC has switched to tablet disinfection from liquid disinfection because the pumps for the liquid disinfection would sometimes clog and cause fecal coliform violations. 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? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use?1 The dechlorination is still not able to be safely accessed by the ORC. A person has to climb down a ladder into the post aeration tank and stand on a concrete pylon to reach the dechlorination tube. This is a safety hazard and concerning since the ORC works on site alone. Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 28D3D445-8249-481C-B8E5-1CE5268ED3F8 Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:02/19/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls WWTP Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? The flow meter is still not able to interface with the sampler for flow proportional sampling. The chart recorder is still not working properly. 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? Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 28D3D445-8249-481C-B8E5-1CE5268ED3F8 Certified Mail # 7020 1290 0001 1766 8491 Return Receipt Requested March 9, 2021 Aubrey L Deaver A&D Water Service Inc PO Box 1407 Pisgah Forest, NC 28768-1407 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY Tracking Number: NOV-2021-PC-0155 Permit No. NC0089095 High Vista Falls WWTP Henderson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the High Vista Falls WWTP on February 19, 2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0089095. A summary of the findings and comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report. The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Asheville Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Flow Measurement - Effluent The flow meter is not capable of interfacing with the sa mpler and for that reason flow proportional sampling is still not being performed. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations & Maintenance The operator needs safe access to the dechlorinator. Currently a person is required to enter a confined space to access it. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) The tertiary filters are still broken and short circuiting. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DocuSign Envelope ID: 28D3D445-8249-481C-B8E5-1CE5268ED3F8 A Notice of Violation/Intent to Issue Civil Penalty is being issued for the noted violation of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 and the facility’s NPDES WW Permit. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed 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. If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or discuss overall compliance please respond in writing within ten (10) business days after receipt of this Notice. A review of your response will be considered along with any additional information provided. You will then be notified of any civil penalties that may be assessed regarding the violations. If no response is received in this Office within the 10-day period, a civil penalty assessment may be prepared. Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of State law. If the violations are of a continuing nature, not related to operation and/or maintenance problems, and you anticipate remedial construction activities, then you may wish to consider applying for a Special Order by Consent. Reminder: Pursuant to Permit Condition 6 in Section E, the Permittee is required to verbally notify the Regional Office as soon as possible, not to exceed 24 hours, from first knowledge of any non-compliance at the facility including limit violations, bypasses of, or failure of a treatment unit. A written report may be required within 5 days if directed by Division staff. Prior notice should be given for anticipated or potential problems due to planned maintenance activities, taking units off-line, etc. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Daniel Boss with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Ec: Laserfiche DocuSign Envelope ID: 28D3D445-8249-481C-B8E5-1CE5268ED3F8 r-ENDER: CoMpLETE THIS SECTION COMPLETE1 °Complete Items 1, 2, and 3. n to ❑Agent ■ Print your name and address on the reverse X ❑ Addressee so that we cart return the card to you, ed by (Prl , Da a of silvery ■ Attach this card to the back of the mal(plece, or on the front if space permits. Rem; Yes DIs delivery dress dt 1; D. o 1. Article Addressed to: be w: No If YES, a at deliveryaddresass be p Au"Cy L Deaver l j.l i < Aj1) Water Service Inc. PO:Box 1407 Pisgah Forest,NC 28768-1407 _ 3. Service Type i68 ❑ PPP o ty Mail ExpressEl IIII II I II I I II I III I II III Adult Signal RestdctedbelNerY ❑ Heglate d MallrRastrlctec Delivery Oerrdled III IIIIII IIII III I II IIII ❑ Mail® l for MeurnR si ❑ Certified Mall Restricted DelNery ❑ Return Merchandise 9590 M02 5998 0069 1509 50 t] Collect on Delivery Restdcted Delivery O Signature confirmation*p ❑ Signature Confirmation 2. Article Number Grans/er /rom service label) 8491 ❑ Insured Mail D Insured Mail RBs5lcted Delivery Restricted Delivery 7020 1290 0001 1766 Nov-2021-PC-0166 �— PS Form 3811, July 2015 PSN 7530-02-000-9053 NC0089095 Domestic Return Receipt Postal CERTIFIED o RECEIPT ra Domestic roIAI �g a rE ,-p Certified Mail Fee r-1 Extra Services& Fees(chackbx, addlesesapp-0-10 ❑ Return Recelpt(hwd.PY) ❑ Retum Receipt (eleceonlc) $ $ Postmark I: � ❑ Cedlfed Mall Restrlcte Oelleq $ Here ED Adult Slgnatum RKulred a Adult SlgnaWm Restricted DerqI O Postage Er nu ,a $ Total postage and Fee. o s Aubrey L Deaver fO A&D Water Service Inc. ...... -....................... ----- C3 171 S' PO Box 1407 C Pisgah Forest, NC 28768-1407------------------- ----------------