NC0065684_Complaint Investigation_20210708

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
John N. Martin
Stallings Town Hall
315 Stallings Road
Stallings, NC 28104
Dear Mr. Martin:
(via email)
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
July 8, 2021
SUBJECT: Summary of Odor Complaint Investigation
Country Wood WWTP
NPDES Permit NC0065684
Union County
This letter is a response to your email sent to this Office regarding odor complaints at Country
Wood Subdivision. At the present time there is an ongoing investigation of the odor complaints
at Country Wood Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). As of this date, on -site investigations
in relation to odor complaints have been conducted as follows:
• On December 3, 2020, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm the lower end of the Country Wood S/D
was walked to determine sources of odors. At time of site investigation, odors emitting from
collection system (manholes) and WWTP appeared to be normal with no loud, obnoxious, or
overpowering odors detected.
• January 22, 2021, from 7:16 pm to 9:00 pm the area in and around the Country Wood S/D
was investigated for odors. A very strong, obnoxious odor of hydrogen sulfide and septic
sewage was detected at the bridge crossing on Mill Grove Road at 7:58 pm. No odors were
detected at the gate of Country Wood WWTP. It was not possible to determine source of
this odor. It is now believed that the odor detected on Mill Grove Road in Goose Creek is
from a different source.
• January 25, 2021, from 10:20 am to 12:40 pm the area of Hunley Creek lift station was
investigated. A sewage pump Air Relief Valve (ARV) was located and thought to be the
source of the odors. It was later confirmed by Union County, during an onsite visit, that no
air relief valve was ever installed at this site.
• January 29, 2021, from 12:29 pm to 9:45 pm the area in and around Country Woods East,
Chris Mark S/D, South Rock S/D, and Fairfield Plantation S/D were investigated for sources
of odor. At 12:32 pm, an onsite meeting was held with Greg Morgan, Utility Field Service
Superintendent, staff from Union County Utilities, Joseph Pearce, Aqua Director of
Operations, and Aqua staff. Throughout the evening MRO staff monitored sewage lift
stations operated by Aqua and Union County for odors. At the time of the investigation, no
loud, obnoxious, or over powering odors were detected.
NO 1:1E
n.n.m,,nt of Environment& mwitv
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1 Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704.663.1699

• April 19, 2021, from 5:29 pm to 5:56 pm investigated the area of Country Wood S/D at the
corner of Hawthorn and Pecan, there was no odor. The end of Hawthorne Drive at 5:31
p.m. no odor. At the gate of WWTP (5:34 p.m.) the smell of raw wastewater. On Goldcrest
Drive at 5:44 pm no wastewater odor detected. On Mill Grove Road at bridge crossing over
Goose Creek no wastewater odor detected.
• July 2, 2021, at 11:56 am no wastewater odors were detected on Hawthorn Drive, Aspen
Lane, and on the corner of Pecan and Hawthorn. At the corner of Pecan and Hemlock,
12:03 pm, no odor detected. At the gate of WWTP a wafting odor of raw wastewater was
detected (12:04 pm). At 12:09 pm an unannounced reconnaissance inspection was
conducted with WWTP Operator Mr. Keith Shattuck. At time of inspection a 30-minute
settleability test was conducted on basins #1, #2, and #3. The first 10 minutes of the test
MLSS in all three treatment basins settled well and exhibited good flocking characteristics.
Effluent was clear with no visible suspended solids. At the time of inspection, there were no
loud or unusual odors noted. Activated sludge under aeration had earthy, musty smell
indicating good operations.
• July 5, 2021, from 10:20 pm to 11:10 pm, in response to emails of odors reported on July 4,
2021, a site visit was conducted. No wastewater odors were detected from Lawyers Road
to corner of Hawthorn Drive and Pecan, where a light odor of wastewater was detected. At
corner of Pecan and Hemlock a light odor of wastewater detected. At gate of WWTP (10:26
pm) no wastewater odor detected. On Aspen Court there was a very strong odor of raw
wastewater. It is surmised that, in the evening hours, warm air around the WWTP travels up
gradient via convection air currents and carries wastewater odors up Aspen Court. The
homeowners' clearing of trees and underbrush between adjacent to the WWTP may have
helped facilitate this process.
This Office has been in contact with Ms. Laurie Ison of Aqua regarding this matter. Below is a
summary of steps Aqua has taken in response to complaints they have received from residents
in Country Wood East.
• On January 12' Aqua's Director of Operations inspected the wastewater treatment plant
and found no evidence of anaerobic conditions.
• Aqua installed three H2S odor loggers on Tuesday, January 12th. They were removed
on January 19' and the results showed low to no levels of Hydrogen sulfide.
• Aqua has contracted with an outside Engineering firm to run an independent survey of
odor capturing both H2S and Ammonia from manholes, lift stations and the WWTP.
• Aqua has lowered the influent lines that enter the two EQ basins to discharge below the
water level in order to minimize any potential volatilization of gases from the influent.
• Aqua evaluated the possibility of installing a spray fogger with masking agent.
NORTH CAROLINAD
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality j Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704.663.1699

It is requested that a meeting be held with representatives from the Town of Stallings, Aqua and
Division of Water Resources to discuss this issue and possible long-term solutions.
If you should have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact myself
or Roberto Scheller at [phone] or [e-mail].
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
A4 4414w H P: ue4
F161FB69A2D84A3...
for
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Cc: Kolleen M. Dickinson, Code Enforcement Officer, Town of Stallings:
[e-mail]
Laurie !son, Area Manager, Aqua: [e-mail]
NCRTwll 01! vvNA
peparlmenof nvlmnmrnnl Quality
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704.663.1699