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Home My WebLink AboutNC0026654_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210805 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. August 05, 2021 Jesse C Smith Town of Crossnore Email: townhall@townofcrossnore.com SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Crossnore WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0026654 Avery County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Crossnore WWTP on 7/28/2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0026654. 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 stephanie.williams@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Stephanie Williams, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Josh Cagle (ORC) DocuSign Envelope ID: E96AD0AA-C9D6-43ED-BED1-11366218C22A 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 NC0026654 21/07/28 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) Crossnore WWTP U.S. Highway 221 Crossnore NC 28616 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:50AM 21/07/28 20/06/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Joshua Kenneth Cagle/ORC// Other Facility Data 12:20PM 21/07/28 25/01/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Jesse C Smith,PO Box 129 Crossnore NC 286160129//828-733-0366/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review 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 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: E96AD0AA-C9D6-43ED-BED1-11366218C22A 8/5/2021 8/5/2021 NPDES yr/mo/day 21/07/28 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Stephanie Williams, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Town of Crossnore's Wastewater Treament Plant on July 28, 2021. This inspection was conducted to determine if the system is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES permit no. NC0026654. Josh Cagle (ORC) was present during the inspection. ORC: The current ORC is listed in our system as a backup ORC. An ORC designation form needs to be submitted to maintain compliance with 15A NCAC 08G. Bar Screen and EQ Basin: The Bar Screen appears to be adequately screening debris; however, the EQ Basin is retaining rags that had entered the Basin during several heavy rain events before I&I issues were addressed. Mr. Cagle stated that the rags cause blockages in the pumps, and the problem is exacerbated when the basin is aerated. The basin was not aerated at the time of the inspection. The Town is in the process of replacing the pumps with larger ones that can handle solids and debris without becoming clogged. The EQ Basin should be thoroughly cleaned of any existing debris prior to installation of these pumps to ensure that rags and other debris are not carried further in the treatment process. Secondary Clarifiers: Mild to moderate floating sludge was noted in both clarifiers. Mr. Cagle stated that this is a typical effect of this treatment process. The aeration basin is piped into the bottom of the clarifier and water is directed upwards through the sludge blanket, which causes some sludge to become dislodged. The skimmer does an adequate job of removing this sludge. There is a baffle which prevents this sludge from flowing over the weir. The effluent from both clarifiers was clear. Disinfection: The UV disinfection consists of 8 banks with 2 bulbs each. The bulbs are changed yearly and cleaned semiannually. Extra bulbs are kept at the nearby Water Quality Labs office. The UV intensity and transmittance cannot be evaluated as the display does not work. It is recommended that the existing display be fixed, or a working display be installed. There is no backup disinfection system on site. Chart Recorder: At the time of the inspection, the chart recorder was difficult to read because the ink was low. Mr. Cagle fixed the ink the following day. Influent and Effluent Samplers: The tubing on the effluent sampler is not clean and should be changed. NC0026654 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: E96AD0AA-C9D6-43ED-BED1-11366218C22A Permit:NC0026654 Inspection Date:07/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Crossnore 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 became effective 6/1/2020 and expires 1/31/2025.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? Process controls anazyled include settleability, DO, pH, and temperature.Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? The bar screen is cleaned every other day. The bar screen appears to be adequately screening debris. 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: E96AD0AA-C9D6-43ED-BED1-11366218C22A Permit:NC0026654 Inspection Date:07/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Crossnore WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE The EQ Basin was not aerated at the time of the inspection. The Basin is retaining rags and other debris. 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? 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) Mr. Cagle stated that the DO is kept between 2.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L in the aeration basins and 0.2 mg/L in the anoxic zone. Settleability could not be measured. 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) Clarifier 1 had mild floating sludge. Clarifier 2 had moderate buildup of floating sludge. See summary for details. The sludge blanket was not evaluated with a sludge judge. The blanket was not visible from the surface. Comment: Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? Are UV bulbs clean? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: E96AD0AA-C9D6-43ED-BED1-11366218C22A Permit:NC0026654 Inspection Date:07/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Crossnore WWTP Compliance Evaluation Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Is UV intensity adequate? Is transmittance at or above designed level? Is there a backup system on site? Is effluent clear and free of solids? Intensity and transmittance could not be evaluated. See summary for details.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? Mr. Cagle stated that sludge has not needed to be disposed of in more than two years.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? The Town contracts Mountain Heritage Systems to service and maintain the generator and fuel. The generator exercises weekly. Mr. Cagle was unsure how frequently the generator is tested under load; however, he stated that the generator operated the plant during a power outage approximately two months ago. Comment: Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected above side streams? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: E96AD0AA-C9D6-43ED-BED1-11366218C22A Permit:NC0026654 Inspection Date:07/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Crossnore WWTP Compliance Evaluation Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is sampling performed according to the permit? Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? The sampler is set to pull an aliquot of 110 mL. The tubing on the effluent sampler is not clean and needs to be changed. See summary for details. Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: E96AD0AA-C9D6-43ED-BED1-11366218C22A