WQ0000798_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210623

DocuSign Envelope ID: AFABE21 B-3F55-45FB-B304-269D72342CE1
ROY COOPER
Governor
JOHN NICHOLSON
Interim Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Donald B Dixon
Brunswick County
PO Box 249
Bolivia, NC 28422-0249
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Qualify
July 02, 2021
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Shallotte WWTF
Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0000798
Brunswick County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Shallotte WWTF on
6/23/2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0000798. The findings and
comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report
entitled "Compliance Inspection Report".
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 Bryan
Lievre with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215
or via email at [e-mail].
ATTACHMENT
Cc: Laserfiche
Sincerely,
EW
DocuSigned by:
Vt.0 a, Saw��Al"
E3ABA14AC7DC434...
Morelia Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
,./ Wilmington Regional Office 1127 Cardinal Drive Extension I Wilmington. North Carolina 26405
910.796,7215

DocuSign Envelope ID: OOF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0000798 Effective: 11/01/19 Expiration: 12/31/24 Owner: Brunswick County
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Shallotte WWTF
County: Brunswick Forest Dr
Region: Wilmington
Shallotte NC 28459
Contact Person: Donald B Dixon
Title: Deputy Utilities Director Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
Travel US Hwy. 17 South to the Shallotte area. The WWTP is located northwest of the Shallotte area. Turn right onto Forest Drive off
the US Hwy. 17 Bypass. Proceed approximately 0.9 miles to the WWTP.
System Classifications: SI,
Primary ORC: Michael J Garrity Certification: 1006246 Phone: [phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
WQCS00296 Town of Shallotte - Shallotte Collection System
WQCS00284 Brunswick County - Brunswick County Collection System
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Entry Time 10:OOAM Exit Time: 01:45PM
Prima ryInspector: Bryan Lievre �7D4o2c4u9�sAigB�nEe37d b�y�: �...� Docus gned by:
Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s): D37443EUr0n6uD,CAyE26
DD,754n46S8b.n,
Tyler G Benson
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Wastewater Irrigation
Facility Status: 0 Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water
Use Records
Record Keeping
Treatment Disinfection
Wells
(See attachment summary)
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Treatment Barscreen
Treatment Lagoons End Use -Irrigation
Treatment Flow Measurement Standby Power
Page 1 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: 0OF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
An inspection of the Shallotte Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF), Permit Number WQ0000798, was performed on June
23, 2021 in order to verify compliance with the existing permit. Present during a pre -inspection meeting were: Donald Dixon,
Brunswick County Deputy Director, WW Operations; Bob Tweedy, Brunswick County Project Manager; Tim Webb,
Brunswick County, Facility Superintendent; Michael Garrity, Brunswick County, Facility Chief Operator; Ricky Babson,
Brunswick County, Backup Operator; as well as Morella Sanchez -King, Tyler Benson and Bryan Lievre (all with NCDEQ,
DWR). Everyone above except Messrs. Dixon and Webb were present during the inspection.
The system includes a 500,000 gpd wastewater treatment and irrigation facility consisting of:
A 175,000 gpd wastewater treatment and irrigation facility consisting of:
o An influent surge basin with a Parshall Flume and ultrasonic influent flowmeter;
o Dual 2.75 acre clay -lined facultative lagoons (with reserve storage capacity);
o Dual manually -cleaned coarse screens;
o A spin filter fine mesh screen with backwash pump;
o A gas chlorine disinfection unit;
o A wet well (located under a controls and office building at the middle of the north side of Lagoon 3) with an irrigation
pump station and two 400 gpm pumps;
o An effluent flow meter;
o A40.8 acre solid -set spray irrigation field containing Fields 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 9, 10, 11, and 12; and,
o All associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances.
A 325,000 gpd wastewater treatment and irrigation facility consisting of:
o A 7,400 linear feet of eight -inch force main;
o A magmeter influent flowmeter;
o An 11.6 acre treatment/storage lagoon with a 40-millimeter high -density polyethylene (HDPE) liner;
o A trash screen;
o A Chlorine gas disinfection system and contact basin;
o An irrigation pump station with two 820 gpm vertical turbine pumps and in -line strainers (located at the middle of the
west side of Lagoon 3);
o A ultrasonic effluent flow meter;
o A 93.4 acre solid -set spray irrigation field containing Fields 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 13;
o All associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances
The pre -inspection meeting discussion pertained to modifications mentioned below for the existing wastewater system as
well as a permit application the county has submitted for a new activated sludge wastewater facility at the site. The new
facility is to be called the Mulberry Branch WRF, is proposed to utilize the same proposed headworks as the Shallotte
WWTF and is proposed to utilize three high -rate infiltration basins for disposal. The new proposed system is being
permitted under Permit Application W00042579.
The county is proposing to modify the existing permit to include:
o A new headworks station which is proposed to be located in the area of existing Spray Fields 1 A and 1 B. Head works
will receive all incoming flows to the existing lagoons and will include:
•--2,558 gallon mixing well
• 1.25 MGD Rotary drum screen conveyor system with 6 mm openings and manual bypass bar screen with 1"
openings
• Odor control system
• Grit removal chamber with 1.25 MGD stacked tray grit removal system and 250 gpm at 10' TDH submersible pump
o The installation of a —319,903 gallon Equalization Tank
• Three 1,650 gpm at 47.4' TDH self priming pumps to EQ Tank and to Lagoon 1
• One 2,928 gpm at 20' TDH jet motive pump for solids handling for EQ Mixing
• Two 450 scfm PD blowers
o The installation of a concrete channel between the two northern Lagoons (i.e. Lagoon 1 & 2)
Page 2 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: OOF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
o The installation of piping between the existing northwest lagoon (Lagoon 1) and the existing southern lagoon (Lagoon 3).
o Add a new spray field (i.e. Field #14) to replace Fields 1A and 1 B which will be taken out of service for the placement of
the proposed headworks station
o The installation of three monitoring wells around the perimeter of the proposed spray field.
o Install a truck unloading station on the northern side of Lagoon 1 with:
• Bar screen with 3/8" by'/4" gaps
• Stainless steel hopper assembly
o Piping and valves to utilize the pumping system for the 325,000 gpd system (two 820 gpm vertical turbine pumps) to
spray to all fields and take the wet well and irrigation pumps for the 175,000 gpd system out of service.
A copy of the soil assessment report for the spray fields should be provided when complete.
All county staff were extremely knowledgeable of system and plant operations and were very helpful during the inspection.
The system seems to be well operated and maintained. The records were readily available, very thorough and well
organized. The facility is compliant with Permit WQ0000798. Please review the comment sections of the inspection report
for more details.
Page 3 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: OOF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Reuse (Quality)
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
❑
Single Family Spray, LR
❑
Infiltration System
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
❑
Recycle/Reuse
❑
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
❑
Single Family Drip
❑
Lagoon Spray, LR
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: An ultrasonic flowmeter, located prior to the equal split of flow to Lagoons 1 & 2, was inspected
by Brunswick County Utilities Department staff 7/20/2020. A magmeter flowmeter, located on
piping prior to entry into Lagoon 3 was calibrated by county staff 8/31/2020.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Yes No NA NE
Is water use metered? ❑ 1:10 ❑
Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately?
❑ ❑ ❑
Page 4 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: OOF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: An ultrasonic flowmeter, located post effluent converging flow of Lagoons 1 & 2, was inspected
by Brunswick County Utilities Department staff 7/20/2020. A magmeter flowmeter, located on
the effluent line of Lagoon 3 pump station, was calibrated by county staff 7/22/2020 and the
system staff have a replacement which they intend on installing soon.
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source?
Is generator operable?
Does generator have adequate fuel?
❑❑■❑
❑❑■❑
❑❑■❑
Comment: A diesel powered qenerator is present for the existinq transfer pump station. This transfer
station is reportedly capable of sending wastewater from either of the northern 2.75 acre
lagoons on -site to the West Brunswick WRF for treatment. The generator automatically
activated during the inspection and reportedly automatically starts on a weekly basis. County
staff maintain the generator and perform regular maintenaince of the unit.
Treatment Barscreen Yes No NA NE
Is it free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is disposal of screenings in compliance?
Are the bars spaced properly?
Is the unit in good condition?
■❑❑❑
❑❑❑■
■❑❑❑
Comment: The old system with Laqoons 1 & 2 as well as the "newer" system with Laqoon 3 both use
manually cleaned coarse screens as well as cylindrical fine filters which spin during backflow
cleaning for automatic debris removal. The tank housing the cylindrical filter for the old system
as well as all other coarse filters must be manually cleaned. The cylindrical filter for the newer
system has it's own filter housing and backflushed debris is dischraged back into Lagoon 3. All
manually recovered debris is brought in small containers to the West Brunswick WRF
(WQO023963) and combined with their waste before bringing to the county landfill for disposal.
Treatment Disinfection
Yes No NA NE
Is the system working?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is there adequate detention time (-30 minutes)?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the system properly maintained?
❑ ❑ ❑
If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the chlorinator accessible?
❑ ❑ ❑
If tablets, are tablets present?
❑
❑ ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
❑
❑ ❑
Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth?
❑ ❑ ❑
If UV, are extra UV bulbs available?
❑
❑ ❑
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate?
❑
❑ ❑
# Is it a dual feed system?
❑
❑ ❑
Page 5 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: 0OF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ ❑
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1 000-- )
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: The old and newer system both utilize gas chlorine for disinfection. The disinfection systems
were housed separately, but each had an exhaust fan with exterior switch which were observed
to be operational. Wrenches were observed on each of the active tanks to enable a responder
to quickly shut off flow.
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of current permit available?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
❑ ❑ ❑
NDAR?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are application rates adhered to?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
❑0
❑ ❑
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
❑
❑ ❑
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
❑0
❑ ❑
Are annual soil reports available?
❑
❑ ❑
# Are PAN records required?
❑
❑ ❑
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
❑
❑ 0❑
If so, has it been applied?
❑
❑ 0❑
Are operational logs present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are lab sheets available for review?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
❑ ❑ ❑
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
❑
❑ ❑
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
❑ ❑ ❑
Page 6 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: OOF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: the current permit was issued 9/24/2019, became effective 11/1/2019 and expires 12/31/2024.
The average monthly flow for the old system in 2020 was 48,723 gpd and for the newer system
was 145,194 qpd for a total of 193,917 qpd. Upon questioning, staff stated that they have not
completed soil sampling for 2020 mostly due problems associated with staff turnover: however,
the sampling is being planned and samples will be obtained.
While on -site inspected several
months of hand written inspection measurements and current method of placing information
within spreadsheet as well as log book with summary of inspection
notes. Information seemed
comprehensive and regularly updated.
End Use -Irrigation
Yes No NA NE
Are buffers adequate?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the cover crop type specified in permit?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the crop cover acceptable?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site condition adequate?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of runoff / ponding?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the acreage specified in the permit being utilized?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the application equipment present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the application equipment operational?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the disposal field free of limiting slopes?
❑
❑ ❑
Is access restricted and/or signs posted during active site use?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within the CB?
❑
❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB?
❑
❑ ❑
How close is the closest water supply well?
❑
❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Info only: Does the permit call for monitoring wells?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB?
❑
❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval?
❑
❑ ❑
Are monitoring wells damaged?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Comment: Municpal potable water is provided by the Town of Shallotte.
Monitoring wells MW-8 and
MW-12 wereinspected and both wells were found to have loocking stick-up outer casings as
well as concrete pads.
2.75 ACRE -
Treatment Lagoons
Yes No NA NE
Lagoon Type
None
Primary/Secondary Primary
Influent structure 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Banks/berms (seepage and erosion) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Vegetation (excessive vegetation on banks/berms) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Liner 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 7 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: OOF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Liner Type
Full, clay
Baffles/curtains
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Freeboard Marker
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Required freeboard
2
Feet
Actual freeboard
2.5
Feet
Are increments clearly marked on gauge at adequate intervals?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Has the water level gauge been surveyed w/ respect to lowest point on dike? wall?
❑
❑ ❑
No Evidence of overflow
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Acceptable color
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Floating mats
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Excessive solids buildup
❑
❑ ❑
Aerators/mixers
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Effluent structure
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Lagoon cover
❑
0 ❑ ❑
►':�• 9:N
Treatment Lagoons
Yes No NA NE
Lagoon Type
None
Primary/Secondary
Primary
Influent structure
0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Banks/berms (seepage and erosion)
0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Vegetation (excessive vegetation on banks/berms)
❑ ❑ ❑
Liner
❑ ❑ ❑
Liner Type
Full, clay
Baffles/curtains
❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Freeboard Marker
0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Required freeboard
2
Feet
Actual freeboard
2.5
Feet
Page 8 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: OOF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Are increments clearly marked on gauge at adequate intervals?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Has the water level gauge been surveyed w/ respect to lowest point on dike? wall?
❑
❑ ❑
No Evidence of overflow
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Acceptable color
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Floating mats
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Excessive solids buildup
❑
❑ ❑
Aerators/mixers
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Effluent structure
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Lagoon cover
❑
0 ❑ ❑
798-B NEW
Treatment Lagoons
Yes No NA NE
Lagoon Type
None
Primary/Secondary
Primary
Influent structure
❑
❑ ❑
Banks/berms (seepage and erosion)
❑ ❑ ❑
Vegetation (excessive vegetation on banks/berms)
❑
❑ ❑
Liner
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Liner Type
Apron, synthetic
Baffles/curtains
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Freeboard Marker
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Required freeboard
2
Feet
Actual freeboard
2.4
Feet
Are increments clearly marked on gauge at adequate intervals?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Has the water level gauge been surveyed w/ respect to lowest point on dike? wall?
❑
❑ ❑
No Evidence of overflow
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Acceptable color
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Floating mats
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Excessive solids buildup
❑
❑ ❑
Page 9 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: OOF65309-6FD7-4EE1-9143-8B7A57B6CD16
Permit: WQ0000798 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 06/23/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Aerators/mixers
Effluent structure
❑■❑❑
■❑❑❑
Lagoon cover ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Page 10 of 10