WQCS00309_NOD-2021-PC-0127_20210322

Compliance Inspection Report
Secondary Inspector(s):
Permit: WQCS00309
SOC:
County: Moore
Region: Fayetteville
Effective: 04/01/18
Effective:
Contact Person: Ronald J Istre
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS2,
Primary ORC: Ronald J Istre
Secondary ORC(s):
Jerry L Shephard
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Expiration: 03/31/26
Expiration:
Owner : Town of Southern Pines
Facility: Southern Pines Collection System
125 Se Broad St
Title: Utilities Superintendent
Certification: 1002399
1006157
NC0037508 Moore County - Moore County WPCF
Southern Pines NC 28387
Phone: [phone]
Phone:
910-692-1983
Inspection Date: 03/15/2021 Entry Time 09:15AM Exit Time: 12:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Danielle Simpson ,—°ocuSigned by: %% Phone: [phone]
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Reason for Inspection: Routine l Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
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Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
3/18/2021
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
▪ Miscellaneous Questions
▪ Capital Improvement Plan
▪ Inspections
▪ Lines
(See attachment summary)
▪ General
▪ Map
▪ Spill Response Plan
▪ Manholes
▪ Sewer & FOG Ordinances
▪ Reporting Requirements
▪ Spills
▪ Pump Stations
Page 1 of 8

Permit: WQCS00309 Owner - Facility: Town of Southern Pines
Inspection Date: 03/15/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
The Southern Pines Collection System is overseen by ORC Ronald Istre and Secondary ORC Jerry Shepherd. Required
documents such as the CIP and Spill Response Action Plan were readily available. Pump station inspections and
maintenance are logged by hand as well as entered in workorder software. This software engages with GIS and provides a
detailed map of the sewer system. The system is grouped into six zones, each year a different zone is cleaned so that
every six years the entire system will have been cleaned. In 2020, 19.46 miles of lines were jetted, in addition to another
6.49 miles (34,285 feet) of sewer lines.
Cleaning requirements for grease traps vary by facility, as do the grease control devices. Facilities will either have use a
medium, large, or under -sink device, and be required to clean the traps every 30, 60, or 90 days. Violators that are
significantly late will have their water shut off directly until they are back in compliance.Compliance is tracked through Linko.
Pump stations are inspected three times weekly, and HPLs are inspected on a quarterly basis. Aerial lines were well
maintained and free of visible issues. SCADA also has recently been installed on all the duplex or larger pump stations.
Manholes also appeared to be free of signs of overflow or depressions in the surrounding areas.
There was an issue with easements being inaccessible to equipment, noted for more than one location. It is a requirement of
the permit that right-of-ways/easements be properly maintained to allow accessibility to the wastewater collection system.
One of the observed locations in which the easement is obstructed is near Village in the Woods. There were trees large
enough to prevent equipment from accessing sewer lines for maintenance or in the event of an emergency. The collection
system is not in compliance with permit requirements until easements are maintained for full width of access. In the location
noted above the trees restricting access to sewer lines had been identified and marked.
Page 2 of 8

Permit: WQCS00309 Owner - Facility: Town of Southern Pines
Inspection Date: 03/15/2021
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: Permit expires 03/31/2026
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?
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.)
In addition to a web page, educational information is included in a bill stuffer going out to customers on a
quarterly basis.
Yes No NA NE
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Pump station
inspections and
maintenance are
logged by hand as
well as into the
work order
software. This
software is
checked regularly,
while the
handwritten logs
are looked at less
frequently.
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Yes No NA NE
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Every 30, 60 or 90
days based on the
type of facility.
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Page 3 of 8

Permit: WQCS00309 Owner - Facility: Town of Southern Pines
Inspection Date: 03/15/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: Cleaning requirements for grease traps vary by facility, as do the grease control devices.
Facilities will either have use a medium, large, or under -sink device, and be required to clean the
traps every 30, 60, or 90 days. Violators that are significantly late will have their water shut off
directly until they are back in compliance.
Capital Improvement Plan
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?
Comment: CIP written for both water and wastewater
Map
Is there a overall sewer system map?
Does the map include:
Pipe Type (GS/FM)
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
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Comment: GIS; the system is grouped into six zones, each year a different zone is moved through and
cleaned so that every six years the entire system will have been cleaned.
Reporting Requirements
# 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?
Yes No NA NE
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Page 4 of 8

Permit: WQCS00309 Owner - Facility: Town of Southern Pines
Inspection Date: 03/15/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
# How is it being made available?
The Annual
Wastewater
Performance
Report is made
available to
customers through
bill stuffers that
include links and
instructions to
access the
information.
Comment: "Code Red" is a free service available to the public that notifies residents of any utility -related
announcements or problems in the area. In 2020 there was only one reportable spill within the
system, and as of 03/15/2021 there has only been one spill.
Inspections
Are adequate maintenance records maintained?
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?
Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Pump stations are inspected three times weekly, and HPLs are inspected on a quarterly basis.
New lines are being added to the HPL list when found/created and are updated on the map
through GIS.
Spill Response Action Plan
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
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: The Spill Response Action Plan is available to all personnel on the server.
Spills
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
Page 5 of 8

Permit: WQCS00309 Owner - Facility: Town of Southern Pines
Inspection Date: 03/15/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Is system free of known points of bypass? • ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, describe type of bypass and location
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? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Comment: CCTV to clear, rather than just jetting lines so that the problem is addressed and solved. Work
orders track any sewer related problems or complaints
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Several aerial lines were inspected, as well as various right-of-ways.
Are right-of-ways/easements maintained for full width for access by staff/equipment?
If No, give details on temporary access:
Temporary access is not viable for equipment if needed.
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?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: One of the observed locations in which the easement is obstructed is near Village in the Woods.
There were trees lame enough to prevent equipment from accessing sewer lines for
maintenance or in the event of an emergency.
In 2020, 19.46 miles of lines were jetted, in addition to another 6.49 miles (34,285 feet) of sewer
lines.
Manholes
Please list the Manholes Inspected:
Several manholes were inspected throughout the inspection.
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?
Yes No NA NE
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Page 6 of 8

Permit: WQCS00309 Owner - Facility: Town of Southern Pines
Inspection Date: 03/15/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Are vents free of submergence? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Manholes also appeared to be free of signs of overflow or depressions in the surrounding areas.
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Vacuum pump Aro (planned for replacement in 2021), Pee Dee Rd, Warrior Woods
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system 19
# Number of vacuum stations in system 1
# 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:
# Atwo-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed? 19
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed? 0
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 communication system functional? • ❑ ❑ ❑
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?
The distribution plan for portable units in the event of a power outage are based upon pump station priority for
those that have lost power and brought to stations by staff using equipped trucks.
Page 7 of 8

Permit: WQCS00309 Owner - Facility: Town of Southern Pines
Inspection Date: 03/15/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
# 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?
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Comment: Portable and static generators are tested regularly under normal operating conditions. SCADA
was recently installed for all duplex or lamer pump stations.
Page 8 of 8