NC0076431_NOD2021PC0391_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210701

July 01, 2021

Don Denton
Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina
4944 Pwky Plz Blvd
Ste 375
Charlotte, NC 28217

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY
Tracking Number: NOD-2021-PC-0391
Permit No. NC0076431
Wolf Laurel WWTP
Madison County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Wolf Laurel WWTP on June 9,
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. NC0076431. 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 deficiency(s) was noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Deficiency _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Secondary Clarifier The sludge blanket is not being kept at acceptable levels.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In addition, the issues below must also be addressed:

Compliance Issue(s): Process controls are not being recorded.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 10C6E364-1708-4962-A7E1-FF411C473CBF

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. To prevent further action, carefully review these deficiencies and address the causes of
non-compliance to prevent the recurrence of similar situations.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Stephanie Williams 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: Inspection Report

Ec: Laserfiche
Heath Wiseman (ORC)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 10C6E364-1708-4962-A7E1-FF411C473CBF
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 NC0076431 21/06/09 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)
Wolf Laurel WWTP
835 Oak Ridge Rd
Mars Hill NC 28754
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
10:30AM 21/06/09 16/01/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Heath Wiseman/ORC/828-483-0032/
Other Facility Data
01:45PM 21/06/09 20/09/30
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Brent Milliron,4944 Parkway Plz Charlotte NC 28217/Regulatory Compliance
Manager/704-319-0504/
Contacted
Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Operations & Maintenance Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site ReviewPermit
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
Linda S Wiggs DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500 Ext.4653/
Stephanie A Williams DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/
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: 10C6E364-1708-4962-A7E1-FF411C473CBF
7/1/2021
7/1/2021
7/2/2021
NPDES yr/mo/day
21/06/09
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Stephanie Williams and Linda Wiggs, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance
Evaluation Inspection of the Wolf Laurel WWTP on June 9, 2021. This inspection was conducted to
determine if the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No.
NC0076431. Heath Wiseman (ORC) and Christian Montgomery (BORC) were present for the
inspection. The following deficiency was noted: 1) Secondary Clarifier: The sludge blanket is not
being kept at acceptable levels with 9.5’ blanket in a 10’ clarifier.
Equalization Basin: The aerated equalization basin contains two submersed pumps that
automatically alternate run cycles. The floats were found to be functioning properly and the high-level
float alerted the operators via telemetry when tested. Moderate grease and rags were noted on the
floats during the inspection. Operators cleaned the floats during the inspection. It is recommended to
regularly check the floats for buildup of debris to maintain proper function.
Aeration Basin: Settleable solids were very high at 95% after 30 minutes. The composition of solids
did not appear to consist of excessive young bacteria or filamentous bacteria. The supernatant was
clear. Mr. Montgomery said solids became a problem beginning in the spring. Mr. Montgomery stated
the dissolved oxygen in the basin is kept between 2.0 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L. The air runs constantly in
the summer and is cycled on and off in the winter.
Clarifier: The sludge blanket in the clarifier was not acceptable at 9.5’ in a 10’ clarifier – Mr. Wiseman
had wasted earlier that morning prior to the inspection. It is recommended that the sludge blanket be
kept at a depth of no greater than ¼ of the sidewall depth. Operators have increased wasting from
once per week to three times per week.
The clarifier appears to be unlevel. The weirs may be level with the clarifier; however, they are not
level with the ground.
Chlorination: The chlorine contact chamber has a total depth of 9’, and the sludge blanket was
measured at 1.5’.
Flow Measurement: Flow is measured as water exits the chlorine contact chamber. The flow meter
was calibrated 03/01/2021 and calibration is due 08/31/2021. The inspectors and operators
discussed concern regarding the accuracy of the flow meter.
Standby Power: Operators stated that the stationary generator is not wired to operate the wastewater
plant. The permit requires a portable generator, which is available if needed.
Process Controls: Inspectors did not find sufficient documentation of process controls. Proper record
keeping would allow operators to track operational changes that are effective at maintaining the
wastewater treatment plant.
NC0076431 17 (Cont.)
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 10C6E364-1708-4962-A7E1-FF411C473CBF
Permit:NC0076431
Inspection Date:06/09/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Wolf Laurel 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?
The permit expired 09/30/2020; the application was submitted 6 months prior to
expiration.
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?
The operator stated that they are measuring process controls, however none had
been recorded for the month of June. Inspectors performed process control
measurements for settleability and sludge depth. See summary for details.
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?
Moderate grease and rags were noted. 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?
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 10C6E364-1708-4962-A7E1-FF411C473CBF
Permit:NC0076431
Inspection Date:06/09/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Wolf Laurel WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
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)
Operators stated the DO is maintained between 2.0 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L. Settleability
was 95% after 30 minutes. See summary for details.
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)
The clarifier appears to be tilted. The sludge blanket was measured at 9.5' in the 10'
clarifier. See summary for details.
Comment:
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Number of tubes in use?4
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?
Sludge blanket in the 9' chlorine contact chamber was measured at 1.5'.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?
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 10C6E364-1708-4962-A7E1-FF411C473CBF
Permit:NC0076431
Inspection Date:06/09/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Wolf Laurel WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
# 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?4
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:
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?
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?
As required by the permit, there is a portable generator available. See summary for
details.
Comment:
Page#5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 10C6E364-1708-4962-A7E1-FF411C473CBF