WQCS00064_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210622 (2)

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQCS00064 Effective:04/01/17 Expiration:03/31/25 Owner :Town of Apex
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Wake
Raleigh
Jimmy Dale Cornell
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Apex Collection System
PO Box 250
Apex NC 275020250
Title:Phone:[phone]Utilities Operations Mgr.
Secondary ORC(s):
910-893-7575Phone:[phone]Certification:Keithy Obrien McNeillPrimary ORC:
CS3,System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0064050 Town of Apex - Apex Water Reclamation Facility
NC0088846 Town of Cary - Western Wake Regional WRF
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
06/22/2021 08:45AM 12:15PM
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 Lines Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E96E66CD-9728-417A-AAEE-1828A9616174
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00064
06/22/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Apex
Routine
Inspection Summary:
1.The permit became effective April 1, 2017 and will expire on March 31, 2025.
2.The Town of Apex’s wastewater collection system has approximately 204.93 miles of gravity sewer, 34.5 miles of force
main, 3 simplex pump stations that discharge to a pressure sewer and 27 duplex pump stations.
3.A Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) program is implemented and in use. Educational materials are mailed out twice a year per
permit requirements.
4.The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) lists funds/projects through 2025.
5.Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) cleanup, pumping, and reporting procedures, which includes a response action plan was up
to date. There have been five reportable SSO’s at the Town of Apex collection system during a 2-year period ending May
2021. The SSO cleanup, pumping, and reporting procedures meet all permit requirements. Records for SSO’s are kept for
over three years.
6.Per the subject permit, there are approximately 204.9 miles (1,082,030 linear feet) of gravity line. According to ORC
records, approximately 59.8 miles (315,738 linear feet) of gravity sewer lines were cleaned in 2020 which is 29%.
7.Five pump stations were inspected: Perry Farms, New Hill, Shephards Vineyard, Lake Castleberry and Feltonsville. All
five pump stations have identification signs, secured access, appeared in good condition and were free of excess debris. All
audible and visual alarms functioned when the high-water floats were activated. A logbook for each pump station was
available to view during the inspection. All five pump stations had a generator onsite and operated successfully.
8.Maintenance logs were reviewed and appeared satisfactory.
9.Five high priority lines were inspected: Salem Creek Townhomes, E. Chatham Street, Whitehall Village Phase 1 & 2,
West Street (1374), West Street (1379). All high priority lines appeared straight, rust free and in good condition. The right of
way (ROW) was being maintained for all lines. Mr. McNeill stated that high priority lines are inspected every three months.
10.An up-to-date map of the collection system was available which included direction of flow, pipe size, pipe material, pipe
location, pipe age, pump station identification and location.
Page 2 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E96E66CD-9728-417A-AAEE-1828A9616174
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00064
06/22/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Apex
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.)
At the Peak Festival that is held yearly in Apex, the town has an informational booth for the FOG program.
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?
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
# Location of satellite connections
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation?
Page 3 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E96E66CD-9728-417A-AAEE-1828A9616174
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00064
06/22/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Apex
Routine
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?
.Comment:
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines Yes No NA NE
Page 4 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E96E66CD-9728-417A-AAEE-1828A9616174
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00064
06/22/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Apex
Routine
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Five high priority lines were inspected: Salem Creek Townhomes, E. Chatham Street, Whitehall Village
Phase 1 & 2, West Street (1374), West Street (1379). All high priority lines appeared straight, rust free and in
good condition. The right of way (ROW) was being maintained for all lines. Mr. McNeill stated that high priority
lines are inspected every three months.
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?
Comment:
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Five pump stations were inspected: Perry Farms, New Hill, Shephards Vineyard, Lake Castleberry and
Feltonsville. All five pump stations have identification signs, secured access, appeared in good condition
and were free of excess debris. All audible and visual alarms functioned when the high-water floats were
activated. A logbook for each pump station was available to view during the inspection. All five pump stations
had a generator onsite and operated successfully.
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system 27
# Number of vacuum stations in system 0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system 3
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building 0
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?30
# 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?
Page 5 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E96E66CD-9728-417A-AAEE-1828A9616174
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00064
06/22/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Town of Apex
Routine
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?
.
# 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?
Comment:
Page 6 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E96E66CD-9728-417A-AAEE-1828A9616174