WQCSD0023_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210720

SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED.

July 20, 2021

Daniel Manring
Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority
Email: [e-mail]

SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Cashiers Collection System
Collection System Permit No. WQCSD0023
Jackson County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Cashiers Collection
System on 7/13/2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in
compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Collection System Permit No. WQCSD0023.
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 me at 828-296-4500 or via email at
[e-mail].

Sincerely,

Stephanie Williams, Environmental Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report

Ec: Laserfiche

DocuSign Envelope ID: 02557B0B-8260-4FEC-AA46-699B5F2CDC89
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQCSD0023 Effective:03/01/00 Expiration:Owner :Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Jackson
Asheville
Joe Cline
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Cashiers Collection System
Title:Phone:[phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
Phone:Certification:Primary ORC:
System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
07/13/2021 09:00AM 02:00PM
Stephanie A Williams 828-296-4500
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Routine
Deemed permitted collection system management and operation
Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions General Grease Control
Spills/Response Plan Inspections Lines
Manholes Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02557B0B-8260-4FEC-AA46-699B5F2CDC89
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0023
07/13/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority
Routine
Inspection Summary:
Stephanie Williams, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Cashiers
Collection System on July 13, 2021. This inspection was conducted to determine if the system is being operated and
maintained in compliance with permit no. WQCSD0023. Daniel Manring (Executive Director), Bobby Morris (Maintenance
Supervisor), Troy Ammons (Senior Utility System Operator – Collections ORC), and Matt Bryson (Utility Maintenance
Mechanic) were present during the inspection. The facility appears to be well operated and maintained and was found to be
compliant at the time of the inspection.
The collection system consists mostly of PVC pipe with ductile iron used for high priority lines. There are no known clay
lines or brick manholes in the system.
Grease Control: Grease traps are inspected at a minimum of twice per year. If grease traps are found to be in unsatisfactory
condition, progressive action is taken. Educational material can be found on the utility’s website and door hangers are used
in targeted areas when grease becomes a problem. Mr. Ammons stated that rags are currently a larger issue than grease,
and Ms. Williams recommended distributing educational material as needed.
Inspections: The utility is conducting annual inspections of the Collection System; however, historically these inspections
have not been documented. The utility should document these inspections moving forward with the date conducted.
Pump Stations: There are six pump stations in the Collection System, and all are outfitted with duplex submersible pumps,
audio, visual, and SCADA. The following pump stations were inspected: Pump Station 17 (Slab Town), Pump Station 12
(Intersection), Pump Station 13 (Burn Street), and Pump Station 14 (Cashiers Lake Road). Pump station 17 had moderate
grease buildup. Mr. Ammons stated that the wet well had not been cleaned in over two years; Mr. Ammons cleaned the wet
well the following day. Pump stations 12, 13, and 14 were clean with no apparent issues. Floats at stations 17, 12, and 14
were tested and operated the pumps properly. Audio, visual, and SCADA alarms were tested and operated properly at all
pump stations visited during the inspection. Pump Station 14 is the largest pump station and captures 100% of the flow from
the collection system; there are no additional connections between this pump station and the WWTP. Thorough pump
station inspections should be conducted regularly. It is recommended that pump station logs be revised to include the line
items in this report.
Emergency Generator: Pump Station 14 is the only pump station in this system with a stationary generator. The generator
exercises weekly and is tested under load monthly. The utility performs routine maintenance on the generator and contracts
Carolina Energy for repairs as needed. The utility monitors the propane level and Freeman Gas refills the tank as needed.
There is no portable generator available in Cashiers, and only 2 pump stations have quick connections. Mr. Ammons has
requested that the remaining pump stations be outfitted with quick connections and a portable generator be stationed in
Cashiers. There is a pump truck dedicated to Cashiers CS stored at the WWTP for use in emergencies.
Page 2 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02557B0B-8260-4FEC-AA46-699B5F2CDC89
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0023
07/13/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority
Routine
General Yes No NA NE
# Is this system a satellite system?
# If Yes, what is system name or permit number?
Is there a overall sewer system map?
Does the map include:
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
Are system maintenance records maintained?
Comment:
Grease Control Yes No NA NE
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.)
For public systems, is there a Grease Control Program via an ordinance/agreement?
If Yes, does it require grease control devices at applicable locations?
Is the Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review?
Is action taken against violators?
Comment:
Spills and Response Action Plan Yes No NA NE
# Is system free of known points of bypass?
If No, describe type of bypass and location
# Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years?
If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria?
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued?
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?
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
Page 3 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02557B0B-8260-4FEC-AA46-699B5F2CDC89
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0023
07/13/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority
Routine
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
No spills have been reported to the division. One spill occurred this year and did not meet
reporting requirements. The utility keeps very good documentation of non-reportable spills.
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?
Annual inspections of the entire collection system have not been documented in the past. See
summary for details.
Comment:
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines Yes No NA NE
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Under bridge on Cashiers Lake Road and coming into WWTP on Cashiers Lake Rd
Are right-of-ways and easements maintained for the full width for access?
If No, give details on temporary access:
Is maintenance documented?
Were all areas/lines inspected free of issues?
There are two aerial lines in this system, both on Cashiers Lake Road. The utility inspects high
priority lines every 6 months and documents these inspections with photos and general
observations.
Comment:
Manholes Yes No NA NE
Please list the Manholes Inspected:
S607NG02 (Cashiers Lake Manhole), S601NA07 (Flash Point Drive), S602NB08 (Cornucopia parking lot),
and 2 newly installed unnamed manholes on Valley Street
Are manholes accessible?
# Are manhole covers/vents above grade?
Page 4 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02557B0B-8260-4FEC-AA46-699B5F2CDC89
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0023
07/13/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority
Routine
Are manholes free of visible signs of overflow?
Are manholes free of sinkholes and depressions?
Are manhole covers present?
# Are manholes properly seated?
# Are manholes in good condition?
# Are inverts in good condition?
Is flow unrestricted in manholes?
Are manholes free of excessive amounts of grease?
Are manholes free of excessive roots?
Are manholes free of excessive sand?
Are manhole vents screened?
Are vents free of submergence?
Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes?
Comment:
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Pump Station 17 (Slab Town), Pump Station 12 (Intersection), Pump Station 13 (Burn Street), and Pump
Station 14 (Cashiers Lake Road)
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system 6
# Number of vacuum stations in system 0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system 0
# 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?6
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto-dialer) installed?6
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 telemetry system functional?
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
Pump station identifier?
# Address?
Instructions for notification?
Page 5 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02557B0B-8260-4FEC-AA46-699B5F2CDC89
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCSD0023
07/13/2021 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority
Routine
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?
# 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?
Telemetry has been replaced with SCADA at all pump stations. Telemetry equipment is still in
place, but it is unused. One pump station has a stationary generator. There is no portable
generator available in Cashiers. See summary for details.
Comment:
Page 6 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 02557B0B-8260-4FEC-AA46-699B5F2CDC89