WQCS00380_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210528

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQCS00380 Effective:05/29/18 Expiration:03/31/25 Owner :Aqua North Carolina Inc
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Wake
Raleigh
Amanda Berger
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Hawthorne Collection System
Title:Phone:[phone]Compliance Manager
Secondary ORC(s):
919-625-0098Phone:[phone]Certification:Larry Wayne AlfordPrimary ORC:
CS2,System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0049662 Aqua North Carolina Inc - Hawthorne Subdivision WWTP
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
05/10/2021 11:00AM 01:35PM
Stephanie Goss 919-791-4200
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Routine
Collection system management and operation
Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions Sewer & FOG Ordinances Capital Improvement Plan
Map Inspections Spill Response Plan
Spills Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6
5/28/2021
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E24993F-E492-48E2-9D0F-27918AA5D622
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00380
05/10/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Aqua North Carolina Inc
Routine
Inspection Summary:
Mr. Alford stated that a Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) program is implemented and in use.
Mr. Alford was unable to assist with providing a list for Aqua’s funds/projects that cover funds for a three to five period.
Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) cleanup, pumping, and reporting procedures, which includes a response action plan was up
to date. There have been no reportable SSO’s at the Hawthorne Collection system during a 2-year period ending April 2021.
Aqua maintains a contingency plan for pump failure at each pump station.
Per the subject permit, there are approximately 15.25 miles (80,520 linear feet) of sewer line. According to Mr. Alford, he
stated that records indicate that 1.74 miles (9,200 linear feet) of sewer line was cleaned in 2020 which is 11.4%. Please
continue to ensure that at least 10% of sewer lines are cleaned each year.
All the six pump stations in the collection system were inspected and the findings are as follows:
•Hawthorne at 12400 Warwickshire Way: the Hawthorne pump station is located inside the perimeter of the Hawthorne
WWTP which has identification signs and secured access with fencing. All audible and visual alarms functioned when the
high-water floats were activated, and the SCADA system acknowledged the alarm. This pump station was rebuilt in
November 2021 and appeared in good condition and free of excess debris. A logbook was available for inspection and a
generator is available onsite.
•Boxelder at 1021 Boxelder Drive: this pump station had secured access; however, visible signage was not present. All
audible and visual alarms functioned when the high-water floats were activated, and the SCADA system acknowledged the
alarm. The pump station was rebuilt in February 2019 and appeared in good condition and free of excess debris. A logbook
was available for inspection.
•Boulder Creek at 2899 Rocky Point Court: this pump station had secured access with fencing and visible signage was
present. All audible and visual alarms functioned when the high-water floats were activated, and the SCADA system
acknowledged the alarm. A logbook was available for inspection. A generator is available onsite and was tested under load.
•Galway at 12308 Galaway Drive: this pump station had secured access; however, visible signage was not present. All
audible and visual alarms functioned when the high-water floats were activated, and the SCADA system acknowledged the
alarm. The pump station was rebuilt in February 2019 and appeared in good condition and free of excess debris. A logbook
was available for inspection.
•Glennlevit at 12329 Glennlevit Drive: this pump station had secured access and visible signage was present. All audible and
visual alarms functioned when the high-water floats were activated, and the SCADA system acknowledged the alarm. The
pump station was rebuilt in July 2019 and appeared in good condition and free of excess debris. A logbook was available for
inspection. A generator is available onsite and was tested under load.
•Wexford at 7051 Wildlife Trail: this pump station had secured access with fencing and visible signage was present. All
audible and visual alarms functioned when the high-water floats were activated, and the SCADA system acknowledged the
alarm. The pump station appeared in good condition and free of excess debris. A logbook was available for inspection
Two high priority lines were inspected: Primrose behind 2324 Primrose Valley Court and Whartons Park at 12332 Whartons
Park: both high priority lines appeared straight, rust free and no detrimental effects to the streams were observed. Mr. Alford
stated that he inspects the high priority lines twice a year. Please continue to ensure the high priority lines are inspected at
least every six months.
An up-to-date comprehensive sewer map of the collection system was available which included direction of flow, pipe size
and diameter, pump station identification and location
Page 2 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E24993F-E492-48E2-9D0F-27918AA5D622
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00380
05/10/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Aqua North Carolina Inc
Routine
Sewer and FOG Ordinances Yes No NA NE
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.)
The ORC present during the inspection was not up to date on the FOG program. I emailed the
Supervisor, Roger Tupps, and he has not responded to my questions regarding their FOG
program at this time.
Comment:
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?
The ORC present during the inspection was not up to date on the CIP program. I emailed the
Supervisor, Roger Tupps, and he has not responded to my questions regarding their CIP at
this time.
Comment:
Map Yes No NA NE
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
Page 3 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E24993F-E492-48E2-9D0F-27918AA5D622
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00380
05/10/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Aqua North Carolina Inc
Routine
# Location of satellite connections
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation?
Comment:
Inspections Yes No NA NE
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?
Comment:
Spill Response Action Plan Yes No NA NE
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:
Spills Yes No NA NE
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?
Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) cleanup, pumping, and reporting procedures, which includes a
response action plan was up to date. There have been no reportable SSO’s at the Hawthorne
Collection system during a 2-year period ending April 2021
Comment:
Page 4 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E24993F-E492-48E2-9D0F-27918AA5D622
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00380
05/10/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Aqua North Carolina Inc
Routine
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Hawthorne, Boxelder, Boulder Creek, Galway, Glennlevit, and Wexford
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system 6
# Number of vacuum stations in system 0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system 10
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto-dialer) installed?
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 collection system has two spare pumps for every station.
# 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?
Page 5 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E24993F-E492-48E2-9D0F-27918AA5D622
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00380
05/10/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Aqua North Carolina Inc
Routine
Inspecting and exercising all valves?
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment?
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment?
Boxelder and Galway pum stations did not have the required signage.Comment:
Page 6 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E24993F-E492-48E2-9D0F-27918AA5D622