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Home My WebLink AboutNC0020800_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20211116DocuSign Envelope ID: A6620B88-A9EE-4DOD-9A8C-F836618A7F78 ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretory S. DANIEL SMITH Orrerter NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Qualify SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. November 16, 2021 Sandy Dobson, Town Administrator Town of Andrews E-mail: townadministrator@andrewsnc.org SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking Number: NOV-2021-PC-0567 Permit No. NC0020800 Andrews WWTP Cherokee County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Andrews WWTP on November 9, 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. NC0020800. A summary of the findings and comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report. The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Asheville Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Violation Pump Station - Influent Only 2 of the 3 influent pumps are currently able to operate. Execute and complete the influent pump station project. Trickling Filter The south trickling filter drive unit is not operational. This is likely contributing to NH3 effluent limit violations in the summer months. Repair the drive unit. Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of State law. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quelfy I olvtslon of Water Resources Asheville Regional Office 12090 O.S. Highway 70 I Swannanoa, Noah Carolina 28778 828.290 4500 DocuSign Envelope ID: A6620B88-A9EE-4D0D-9A8C-F836618A7F78 To prevent further action, please respond in writing to this office within 30 days upon your receipt of this Notice of Violation regarding your plans or measures to be taken to address the indicated violations and other identified issues, if applicable. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Timothy Heim with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500. ATTACHMENTS Ec: LF Tim Wood, Andrews WWTP ORC Sincerely, r—DocuSigned by: S 022 �E397192DABFB4FF... Daniel Boss, Asst. Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quelfy I olvtslon of Water Resources Asheville Regional Office 12090 O.S. Highway 70 I Swannanoa, Noah CaroI0a 28778 828.290 4500 DocuSign Envelope ID: A6620B88-A9EE-4DOD-9A8C-F836618A7F78 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 NC0020800 111 121 21/11/09 117 1810I 19I S I 2011 Type 21IIIIII IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII I IIIIII IIIIIIIIIII P6 Inspection 671 Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring I 70I Evaluation Rating I 711 B1 1 72 QA I N I 731 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 permit Number) Andrews WWTP Reagan Ave Andrews NC 28901 Entry Time/Date 10:OOAM 21/11/09 Permit Effective Date 19/09/01 Exit Time/Date 12:OOPM 21/11/09 Permit Expiration Date 23/08/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Timothy Brian Wood/ORC/828-557-8630/ Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Michael Ladd,PO Box 1210 Andrews NC 289011210//828-321-3113/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Operations & Maintenar Sludge Handling Dispo: 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 Timothy H Heim DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4665/ �DocuSignetl by: 11/16/2021 I iwib{iu At iKA Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date jDocuSignetl by: 11/16/2021 �roco„nocon cc EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 DocuSign Envelope ID: A6620B88-A9EE-4D0D-9A8C-F836618A7F78 3I NPDES yr/mo/day NC0020800 I11 121 21 /11 /09 117 Inspection Type 18LI (Cont.) 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Tim Heim of the Asheville Regional Office performed a Compliance Inspection of the Facility on November 9, 2021. Tim Wood (Andrews WWTP ORC) assisted with the inspection. Although the ORC is maintaining and operating the facility to the best extent possible, this facility includes many components at the end of their service life and requiring upgrade or replacement. Priority should be given to completing planned projects in the immediate future, and a comprehensive facility upgrade in the longer term. The following items were non -complaint with NC0020800: Only 2 of the 3 influent pumps are currently operational. The town's engineering consultant has designed an influent pump station replacement project, but is waiting to finalize and send the project to bid. Construction is anticipated to start in Spring 2022. Execute and complete the influent pump station project. The south trickling filter drive unit is not operational. Operators must manually rotate the distributor arms. This results in poor hydraulic distribution and is likely contributing to NH3 effluent limit violations in the summer months. Repair the drive unit The following additional items were noted at the time of the inspection: The south clarifier was experiencing high levels of scum at the time of the inspection, likely due to seasonal diurnal temperature fluctuations. Monitor the scum levels and removal effectiveness to make sure they do not impact effluent quality. Page# 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: A6620B88-A9EE-4D0D-9A8C-F836618A7F78 Permit: NC0020800 Inspection Date: 11/09/2021 Owner - Facility: Andrews WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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 II ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? ❑ • ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Only 2 of the 3 influent pumps are currently operational. The town's engineering consultant has designed an influent pump station replacement project, but is waiting to finalize and send the project to bid. Construction is anticipated to start in Spring 2022. Execute and complete the influent pump station project. Bar Screens 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? Comment: Trickling Filter Is the filter free of ponding? Is the filter free of leaks at the center column of filter's distribution arms? Is the distribution of flow even from the distribution arms? Is the filter free of uneven or discolored growth? Is the filter free of sloughing of excessive growth? Yes No NA NE • • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: A6620B88-A9EE-4D0D-9A8C-F836618A7F78 Permit: NC0020800 Inspection Date: 11/09/2021 Owner - Facility: Andrews WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Trickling Filter Are the filter's distribution arms orifices free of clogging? Is the filter free of excessive filter flies, worms or snails? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The south trickling filter drive unit is not operational. Operators must manually rotate the distributor arms. This results in poor hydraulic distribution and is likely contributing to NH3 effluent limit violations in the summer months. Repair the drive unit. Secondary Clarifier 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'/4 of the sidewall depth) Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The south clarifier was experiencing high levels of scum at the time of the inspection, likely due to seasonal diurnal temperature fluctuations. Monitor the scum levels and removal effectiveness to make sure they do not impact effluent quality. Disinfection -Gas Are cylinders secured adequately? Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? 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? Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- - ) If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Comment: Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ • ❑ Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: A6620B88-A9EE-4D0D-9A8C-F836618A7F78 Permit: NC0020800 Inspection Date: 11/09/2021 Owner - Facility: Andrews WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Gas 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? Comment: 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: Drying Beds Is there adequate drying bed space? Is the sludge distribution on drying beds appropriate? Are the drying beds free of vegetation? # Is the site free of dry sludge remaining in beds? Is the site free of stockpiled sludge? Is the filtrate from sludge drying beds returned to the front of the plant? # Is the sludge disposed of through county landfill? # Is the sludge land applied? (Vacuum filters) Is polymer mixing adequate? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: A6620B88-A9EE-4D0D-9A8C-F836618A7F78 Permit: NC0020800 Inspection Date: 11/09/2021 Owner - Facility: Andrews WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Drying Beds Yes No NA NE Comment: Aerobic Digester 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? Comment: Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6