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Home My WebLink AboutNC0066966_CEI_NOV2021PC0372_20210726ROY COOPER. Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality July 26, 2021 Quarterstone Farms HOA Attn: April Pritchett, Association Manager 1842 Banking St, Suite 5 Greensboro, NC 27408 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection & Notice of Violation Case #: NOV-2021-PC-0372 NC Individual NPDES Permit NC0066966 Quarterstone Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant Guilford County Dear Ms. Pritchett: Ron Boone and Tricia Lowery, of the NC Division of Water Resources, Winston-Salem Regional Office, met with Matt Smith, Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), and Neil MDuffie, Backup ORC, to conduct a compliance evaluation inspection of the Quarterstone Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), on July 1, 2021. The attached Water Compliance Inspection Report summarizes the findings of the inspection. Please be aware that the Division may take enforcement action against any permittee who fails to comply with any requirement of their permit. Pursuant to NC General Statute (NCGS) 143- 215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per day, per violation, may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. NORTH D E Dopartmem of Envimnmomni au.i` North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 336.776.9800 If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Boone or Ms. Lowery, by phone at 336-776-9800, or by email at ron.boone@ncdenr.gov or tricia.lowery@ncdenr.gov, respectively. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, DocuSiiggned by: '-145B49E225C94EA... Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Winston-Salem Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachments: 1. Water Compliance Inspection Report cc: Laserfiche Matt Smith, Operator in Responsible Charge 612 Hwy 62 North Blanch, NC 27212-1301 LD_E NORTH CAROLINA gapartmeM of Environmental quaky North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality j Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 336.776.9800 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8AB63D63-COC4-4CB7-B34A-78D473C57B8D United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA 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 1 IN Code I 2 IL NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac I 3 I NC0066966 111 121 21/07/01 117 1810I 19I S I 2011 Type 21IIIIII IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII I IIIIII IIIIIIIIIII P6 Inspection 671 Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring I 7° I Evaluation Rating I 711 B1 1 72 QA I N I 73I 1 I I Reserved 74 71 I I I I I I 180 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES oermit Number) Quarterstone Farm WWTP Huffine Mill Rd Greensboro NC 27408 Entry Time/Date 01:OOPM 21/07/01 Permit Effective Date 21/07/01 Exit Time/Date 02:OOPM 21/07/01 Permit Expiration Date 26/06/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Matthew P Smith/ORC/336-414-8274/ Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted April Pritchett,1842 Banking St Ste 5 Greensboro NC 27408/Association Manager/336-355-9826/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Wate Laboratory Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) (See attachment summary) Name(s) and Signature(s9Wsr(s) Ron Boone' Patricia Lowery Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date °°"� DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9690/ 7/26/2021 `✓�D ed 3460... DWR/WSRO WQ/336 776 9691/ 7/26/2021 Signature 4'LL56216SSO8G4/6... of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Docusigned by: 7/26/2021 1 L— T. Stiiolcr EPA F git994) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8AB63D63-00C4-4CB7-B34A-78D473C57B8D 31 NPDES yr/mo/day NC0066966 111 121 21/07/01 117 Inspection Type 18LI (Cont.) 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Ron Boone and Patricia Lowery, of the NC Division of Water Resources, Winston-Salem Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Quarterstone Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant on 7/1/2021. The assistance and cooperation of Matt Smith, ORC, and Neil McDuffie Backup ORC, were very much appreciated. The plant is in poor condition but appeared to be operating properly on the day of the inspection. There are large floating mats of solids in the basin. The operators stated that residents flush large items down toilets, such as sheets and towels. These items could cause severe operations problems for the plant and this should be stopped immediatley. Also, the audible alarm on the influent pump station was inoperable during the inspection. The alarm has been inoperable for several past inspections and it should be fixed whenever it goes inoperable. The whole plant structure is badly corroded and should be better maintained. All discrepancies and violations noted during the inspection MUST be corrected as soon as possible. No other concerns, deficiencies, or violations were noted during the inspection. You're reminded that violations of your discharge permit and/or applicable state statutes and regulations, subject the permittee to fines of not more than $25,000 per day, per violation, in accordance with NC general statute 143-215.6A, Enforcement Procedures: Civil Penalties. Please correct the above -listed deficiencies and violations as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the inspection or this report, please do NOT hesitate to contact Mr. Boone or Ms. Lowery, at 336-776-9690, or 336-776-9691, respectively. You may also reach them by email at ron.boone@ncdenr.gov and tricia.lowery@ncdenr.gov. Page# 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8AB63D63-00C4-4CB7-B34A-78D473C57B8D Permit: NC0066966 Inspection Date: 07/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Quarterstone Farm WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new MODE 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Upon permit renewal, the plant description needs to be updated to reflect the plant's current configuration. Record Keeping Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain -of -custody complete? Dates, times and location of sampling Name of individual performing the sampling Results of analysis and calibration Dates of analysis Name of person performing analyses Transported COCs Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ▪ El El El ❑ ❑ • ❑ Comment: None Laboratory Yes No NA NE Page# 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8AB63D63-00C4-4CB7-B34A-78D473C57B8D Permit: NC0066966 Inspection Date: 07/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Quarterstone Farm WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Laboratory Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? # Is the facility using a contract lab? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? Comment: None Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? • ❑ El El Is the tubing clean? • El El El # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 ❑ El ❑ • degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type El El El • representative)? Comment: None Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? • El El El Are all pumps operable? • El El El Are float controls operable? • El El El Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? El El • El Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? El • El El Comment: Audible alarm is inoperable. This has been an issue in several past consecutive inspections. This needs to be repaired immediately. Bar Screens Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Yes No NA NE • Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8AB63D63-00C4-4CB7-B34A-78D473C57B8D Permit: NC0066966 Inspection Date: 07/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Quarterstone Farm WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE 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? Comment: None II El El El • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ 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? El El • ❑ Are the diffusers operational? • El El El Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? • El ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? • El El El Is the DO level acceptable? ❑ El ❑ • Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) El El El • Comment: Large mats of floating solids. Operators stated that residents flush large items such as sheets and towels down the toilets and end up in the basin. They have them removed about once per year to every two years, depending on severity. Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? • ❑ ❑ El Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? ■ El El El Are weirs level? • El El ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? • El El El Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? ■ El El El Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? El • El El Is the drive unit operational? El El • El Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? • El El El Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) El El ❑ • Comment: None Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8AB63D63-00C4-4CB7-B34A-78D473C57B8D Permit: NC0066966 Inspection Date: 07/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Quarterstone Farm WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Pumps-RAS-WAS Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: None Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 0 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ • Comment: No chlorinator. Chlorine tablets dropped in clarifier's effluent trough. 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Sodium sulfite tablets Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 2 Comment: None Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Are all pumps present? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Are all pumps operable? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Are float controls operable? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Page# 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8AB63D63-00C4-4CB7-B34A-78D473C57B8D Permit: NC0066966 Inspection Date: 07/01/2021 Owner - Facility: Quarterstone Farm WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Comment: None 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: Outfall unreachable. Operators advised to clear path to outfall to comply with permit/regulations. 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 MP ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: The plant is generally in poor condition. The inspector's confidence in the facility is low. Standby Power 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? Comment: Diesel Yes No NA NE ❑ • ❑ ❑ Page# 7