WQ0028785_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210803

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7CCOO D6-OCC9-4C95-B505-48280589362E
ROY COOPER .'.
Governor _
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary wont
S. DANIEL SMITH NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Qualify
August 03, 2021
James Hepner, President
Queens Grant Recreation Assn., Inc.
P.O. Box 3402
Topsail Beach, NC 28445
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Queens Grant WWTP
Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0028785
Pender County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Queens Grant WWTP
on 8/02/2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with
the conditions and limitations specified in Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0028785. The findings and
comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report
entitled "Compliance Inspection Report".
Please respond in writing to this office within 30 days of your receipt of this letter regarding your plans
or measures to be taken to address the following issues:
1. Please provide a copy of calibration records for the flowmeters, upon completion; and,
2. Please provide proof (pictures, etc.) that the vegetation within the high -rate drip irrigation fields has been
properly cut.
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].
Sincerely, DocuSigned by:
EKAbmLta SaI� G�j'f l"
E3ABA14AC7DC434...
Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENT
Cc: Darrell Covington (via email [e-mail])
Laserfiche
D ��� North Carolina Department of Environmental QualityDivision of Water Resources
,./ Wilmington Regional Office 1127 Cardinal Drive Extension I Wilmington. North Carolina 26405
910.796,7215

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7CCOO D6-OCC9-4C95-B505-48280589362E
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0028785 Effective: 10/08/19 Expiration: 02/28/25 Owner : Queens Grant Recreation Assn Inc
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Queens Grant WWTP
County: Pender 926 N Anderson Blvd
Region: Wilmington
Topsail Beach NC 28445
Contact Person: Darrell James Covington Title: ORC Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: SI, WW2,
Primary ORC: Darrell James Covington
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 08/02/2021 Entry Time 10:OOAM
DocuSigned by:
Primary Inspector: Bryan Lievre
El!
Secondary Inspector(s): azagAeED37aa3E_
Certification: 1002814 Phone:[phone]
Exit Time: 11:45AM
Phone: [phone]
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration
Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Treatment Record Keeping
Use Records
Treatment Influent Pump Station Treatment Disinfection End Use -Infiltration
Treatment Flow Measurement Standby Power Wells
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7CCOO D6-OCC9-4C95-B505-48280589362E
Permit: WQ0028785 Owner -Facility: Queens Grant Recreation Assn Inc
Inspection Date: 08/02/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
A routine compliance inspection of the Queens Grant WWTF was conducted on August 2, 2021. The purpose of the
evaluation was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit
WQ0028785. Ownership of the WWTF has apparently been transferred to the Queens Grant Recreation Association, Inc.,
where Mr. James Hepner currently serves as President. Darrell Covington, system ORC, was present during the inspection.
Permit WQ0028785 has been established for a 35,400 GPD wastewater treatment plant and a 20,160 GPD high -rate surface
disposal system (which has only recently been utilized) to serve residential units and a marina within a gated development.
The facility also uses a subsurface disposal system which was permitted through Pender County Health Department.
Activities performed by system staff since the last inspection of 8/14/2019 include, the installation of a new controller
system, repairs to one of the 35,000 gallon Envirofilter Tanks, installation of replacement turbidity meter, installation of valves
to better regulate the flow through the NxClear unit, replacement of drip lines and valves for the entire drip system and the
installation of replacement outer stick-up casings for monitoring wells MW-3 and MW-4. In addition, solids were recovered
from the first (-80%) and second (--20%) septic tanks by Wesley Wooten in 12/2019.
The facility is operating at approximately 5,200 gpd on average (from 6/1/2020 — 5/31/2021), although as a seasonal system,
summer months are typically higher and a daily flow of 19,300 gpd was observed 7/31/2021. It has been noted that the
system has had exceedances of daily and/or monthly exceedances for total ammonia as nitrogen in late 2020 and BOD5
and fecal coliform in May 2021. The total ammonia as nitrogen issues are suspected as having been problematic due
issues involving one of the 35,000 gallon Envirofilter Tanks and the BOD5/fecal coliform issues are believed to have been
problematic due to inefficiencies of UV bulbs. In both circumstances, system staff informed DWR staff of suspected
problems and worked to rectify the problems. In addition, permit violations did not occur since, in all occasions, the effluent
was sent to the subsurface disposal fields and not to the drip infiltration fields.
Mr. Covington was extremely knowledgeable of plant operations and was very helpful during the inspection. The facility is
compliant with the non -discharge permit W00028785. Please review the comment sections of the inspection report for more
details.
Page 2 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7CCOO D6-OCC9-4C95-B505-48280589362E
Permit: WQ0028785
Owner -Facility: Queens Grant Recreation Assn Inc
Inspection Date: 08/02/2021
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Reuse (Quality)
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
❑
Lagoon Spray, LR
❑
Single Family Spray, LR
❑
Infiltration System
❑
Recycle/Reuse
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
❑
Single Family Drip
❑
Activated Sludge Drip, 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: This past winter, a fiberglass structure supporting the media within the first Envirofilter Tank
array broke and repairs were subsequently made. A level sensor was placed in the tank and
sensors are planned to be installed witin each of the additional tanks to help diagnose future
problems. A new MTOL Turbidimeter, by Scientific Instruments was installed-2/2021 after it
was determined that the former unit was not able to be repaired and callibrated.
Treatment Influent Pump Station
Yes No NA NE
Is the pump station free of bypass lines or structures?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the general housekeeping acceptable?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps operable?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are floats/controls operable?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms available?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms operational?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Are SCADA/Telemetry alarms required?
❑
❑ ❑
Are SCADA/Telemetry available?
❑
❑ ❑
Are SCADA/Telemetry operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: During the inspection, the operator lifted the hiqh level alarm float within the influent pump
station. The visual and audible alarms subsequently activated and an alarm condition was
sent to the operator's cellular telephone.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Page 3 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7CCOO D6-OCC9-4C95-B505-48280589362E
Permit: WQ0028785 Owner -Facility: Queens Grant Recreation Assn Inc
Inspection Date: 08/02/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Yes No NA NE
Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Flowrates are determined daily by the control system using in -line flow sensors within the UV
compartments for total effluent less any amount(s) using in -line flow sensors utilized by
backwash pumps, as automatically calculated at the end of each day. Flows are also checked
by reading flows in manual meters located prior to entry into the subsurface drain fields as well
as the drip fields, although these measurements are obtained during daytime hours. Flow
meters are scheduled to be callibrated next week by Chadwick Instruments.
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does generator have adequate fuel? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The propane -powered emergency generator was started during the inspection and appeared
to operate satisfactorilv. On -site loas document that the unit is tested weeklv under load.
Treatment Disinfection
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?
Yes No NA NE
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❑❑■❑
❑❑■❑
❑❑■❑
❑❑■❑
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Page 4 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7CCOO D6-OCC9-4C95-B505-48280589362E
Permit: WQ0028785 Owner -Facility: Queens Grant Recreation Assn Inc
Inspection Date: 08/02/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
If UV, are extra UV bulbs available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is it a dual feed system? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- - )
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: The system utilizes two UV units, each with four bulbs and operated in parallel. The operator
recenty replaced the bulbs within the unit closer to the interior of the building. Seven spare UV
bulbs were present on -site.
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of current permit available?
❑ ❑ ❑
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?
❑
❑ ❑
Are annual soil reports available?
❑
❑ ❑
# Are PAN records required?
❑
❑ ❑
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
❑
❑ ❑
If so, has it been applied?
❑
❑ ❑
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 5 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: A7CCOO D6-OCC9-4C95-B505-48280589362E
Permit: WQ0028785 Owner -Facility: Queens Grant Recreation Assn Inc
Inspection Date: 08/02/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: Current operator started with the system 12/2019. Manual copies of reports were neatly
organized within a plastic container and eradily available for review. Several recent months of
forms as well as monthly operational sheets and inspection forms were inspected and found to
be properly completed.
End Use -Infiltration Yes No NA NE
# Is the application High Rate or Low Rate? High Rate
Are buffers maintained?
❑
❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within the CB?
❑
❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB?
❑
❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells required?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB?
❑
❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval?
❑
❑ ❑
Is a usable green area maintained?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site acceptable?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the distribution equipment acceptable?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site free of ponding?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the disposal site free of breakout?
❑
❑ ❑
Are the disposal sites free of solids, algae, etc.?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the disposal sites free of vegetation?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation, solids, algae, etc.?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Comment: At the request of the inspector, the surface infiltration (i.e. drip) system was activated
Although the zone closest to the wastewater building was observed to have activated, a small
area needed to be cleared in order to make this observation. The entire drip fields were
observed to have been covered with one to two feet high vegetation. The vegetation needs to
be cut and maintained in order to enable the operator to properly operate the system and
check for leaks.
Page 6 of 6