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Home My WebLink AboutNC0023086_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210614 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. June 14, 2021 Zelerie Rogers Town of Fontana Dam Email: zelerie.rogers@fontanavillage.com SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Town of Fontana Dam WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0023086 Graham County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Town of Fontana Dam WWTP on 6/01/2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0023086. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". Additionally, a Technical Assistance Inspection Report will be forthcoming. There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this inspection report is not required. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lauren Armeni with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at lauren.armeni@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: LF Dennis Pilkington, ORC DocuSign Envelope ID: 86EF2E97-D247-4F6B-A91F-1D3048248B41 EPA 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 NC0023086 21/06/01 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) Town of Fontana Dam WWTP Fontana Village Resort Fontana Dam NC 28733 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 11:00AM 21/06/01 17/11/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Daniel Dennis Pilkington/ORC/828-498-2271/ Other Facility Data 01:00PM 21/06/01 22/10/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Zelerie Rogers,PO Box 128 Fontana Dam NC 287330128/Town Administrator/828-498-2107/ Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review 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 Lauren E Armeni DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Timothy H Heim DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4665/ 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: 86EF2E97-D247-4F6B-A91F-1D3048248B41 6/14/2021 6/14/2021 6/14/2021 NPDES yr/mo/day 21/06/01 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Lauren Armeni and Tim Heim with the Asheville Regional Office conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Town of Fontana Dam WWTP on June 1, 2021. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0023086. Dennis Pilkington (ORC) and Jason Duke (BORC in training) were present and assisted in the inspection. The Engineer's Certification was signed for the Fontana Dam WWTP improvements on October 4, 2019 that verified all improvements outlined in the AtoC were completed. It was decided that a tablet chlorination-dechlorination system be installed instead of the planned chlorine gas disinfection system due to cost. Mr. Pilkington confirmed that they have both chlorination/dechlorination tablets in storage if needed, but these are currently not being used because the permit does not have fecal coliform limits. Bar Screen - It is recommended to cover the debris from the bar screen to keep it contained during drying, making it less of a health hazard. Secondary Clarifier - Mr. Pilkington mentioned that Secondary Clarifier #2 is stirring up TSS when the arm is turned on, causing effluent limit violations. Mr. Heim (ARO Engineer) conducted a Technical Assistance Inspection on the same day and will further assist the Town with this issue. No deficiencies were noted during the inspection. NC0023086 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 86EF2E97-D247-4F6B-A91F-1D3048248B41 Permit:NC0023086 Inspection Date:06/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Town of Fontana Dam WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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: 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? Mark Bentley with Earth Environmental analyzes process control parameters each Monday, which includes MLSS, DO, and checking the sludge blanket with a sludge judge. Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain-of-custody complete? Dates, times and location of sampling Name of individual performing the sampling Results of analysis and calibration Dates of analysis Name of person performing analyses Transported COCs Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 86EF2E97-D247-4F6B-A91F-1D3048248B41 Permit:NC0023086 Inspection Date:06/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Town of Fontana Dam WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Comment: Flow Measurement - Influent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? 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 new and was installed and calibrated two weeks ago by KDT Service Technologies. The chart recorder is digital and all data is transferred to a computer every fifty days. 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? At the time of the inspection, debris from the Bar Screen was spread out on the concrete behind it. Mr. Pilkington said the debris was spread out to dry before placing it in the trash. See summary for details. 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? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 86EF2E97-D247-4F6B-A91F-1D3048248B41 Permit:NC0023086 Inspection Date:06/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Town of Fontana Dam WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Is the DO level acceptable? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) In Aeration Basin #1 (smaller basin), the one diffuser was shut off because the nozzle is still broken. Mr. Pilkington indicated that they are having trouble finding parts because the basins are so old; however, he said it does not affect DO levels or the treatment process. Aeration Basin #3 (farthest to the right) is primarily used as an aerated equalization/overflow basin. Wastewater from the Water Treatment Plant goes into a wet well at the WWTP, is pumped into Aeration Basin #3, and is then distributed to the headworks of the plant. 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) Mr. Pilkington said the sludge blanket level was measured last week at 1' out of 12' in Secondary Clarifier #2. Secondary Clarifier #1 is still not in operation. Weirs are cleaned every two weeks. The digester is now in operation, so the scum can be returned to the headworks or the digester. Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? The digester is 16' deep and was put back online in 2019. The sludge from the digesters is pumped and taken to an approved landfill. The supernatant from the digester goes into a wet well and is pumped back to the headworks of the plant. Comment: Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 86EF2E97-D247-4F6B-A91F-1D3048248B41 Permit:NC0023086 Inspection Date:06/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Town of Fontana Dam WWTP Compliance Evaluation Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?0 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? Tablet disinfection is available if needed; however, it is currently not in use because there are no fecal coliform limits in the permit. 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? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Tablet de-chlorination is available if needed; however, it is not currently in use because there are no fecal coliform limits in the permit. Comment: Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Flow is measured only from the influent.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? The pipe is underwater and could not be observed.Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 86EF2E97-D247-4F6B-A91F-1D3048248B41 Permit:NC0023086 Inspection Date:06/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Town of Fontana Dam WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? The composite sampler was replaced 1.5 years ago and is now flow proportional.Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? Is the generator tested under load? Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? The generator automatically exercises weekly on Mondays.Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 86EF2E97-D247-4F6B-A91F-1D3048248B41