WQCS00091_Inspection_20211011

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQCS00091 Effective: 05/24/18
SOC: Effective:
County: Mitchell
Region: Asheville
Contact Person: Phillip Wayne Hise
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS2,
Primary ORC:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Expiration: 03/31/26
Expiration:
Owner : Town of Spruce Pine
Facility: Spruce Pine Collection System
PO Box 189
Spruce Pine NC 287770189
Title: Public Works Director Phone: [phone]
Certification:
NC0021423 Town of Spruce Pine - Spruce Pine WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/16/2021
Primary Inspector: Linda S Wiggs
Secondary Inspector(s):
Entry Time 02:40PM
Stephanie A Williams
Reason for Inspection: Routine
Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
▪ Miscellaneous Questions
II Capital Improvement Plan
▪ Inspections
▪ Lines
(See attachment summary)
▪ General
▪ Map
▪ Spill Response Plan
▪ Manholes
Exit Time: 03:40PM
Phone:
Phone: [phone] Ext.4653
Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
▪ Sewer & FOG Ordinances
▪ Reporting Requirements
▪ Spills
▪ Pump Stations
Page 1 of 7

Permit: WQCS00091 Owner - Facility:Town of Spruce Pine
Inspection Date: 09/16/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Linda Wiggs and Stephanie Williams (DWR) met with Darlene Butler and Philip Hise (Town of Spruce Pine, ORC) and Steve
Taylor (Veolia Staff).
Work is currently underway on lines and manholes along Locust Street which flow to the Depot (Locust St) Pump Station
(PS). The project is nearing completion and was visited during the inspection.
The Town needs to distribute a Wastewater System Performance Annual Report (SPAR) annually for their customers. The
SPAR is to summarize the performance of the collection system and wastewater treatment works. It can include a general
description of the systems, any violations of the permits, rules, regulations that may have occurred, any current or pending
improvements to systems.
The Pump Station (PS) name references need to be consistent between the PS Information List and the PS Log Sheets
which were presented for the inspection. The PS Information List itemized first followed by the PS Log Sheets indicated
within the parenthesis, discrepancies include: Locust St (Depot), Feldspar (Mica St), Sunnybrook Dr. (Maintenance) and
MHS (Mitchell).
PS's that are equipped with backup power and telemetry include: Prison #1, Prison #2, Beaver Crk, Burleson Hill, Carters
Ridge and Mitchell (MHS). Shannon Drive PS is equipped with backup power (no telemetry) and Mica St (Feldspar) is
equipped with telemetry (no back up power). PS's are visited daily regardless of telemetry system.
The Town plans to rehabilitate the Sullins PS in 2024. Rehabilitation will include brining the PS up to current design
standards. In the interim the deficiencies noted below are to be addressed.
Pump Station Deficiencies:
The Sullins PS is not secure with restricted access, signage is needed, a wet well lock should be used since there is no
fencing, there is an unknown line in the wet well and the bulb needs to be checked as it did not illuminate during lifting float
test.
Page 2 of 7

Permit: WQCS00091 Owner - Facility:Town of Spruce Pine
Inspection Date: 09/16/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
General Yes No NA NE
Is there a properly designated primary ORC and at least one back-up of proper grade? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are logs being reviewed by the system management or owner on a regular basis? • ❑ ❑ ❑
# What is that frequency? As needed.
# Are there any issues being addressed currently or any in the planning stages? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a specific pump failure plan available for all pump stations? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Does plan indicate if pump parts/new pumps are in spare parts/equipment inventory? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Are new/significantly upgraded pump stations equipped with anti -corrosion materials? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the permittee have a copy of their permit? • ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is permit expiring within the next 6 months? ❑ ❑ • ❑
If Yes, has the Permittee applied for renewal? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Comment: The Town has an electrical inventory for Pump Stations (PS). Other parts are not kept
inventoried, but are purchased as needed.
Sewer and FOG Ordinances Yes No NA NE
Is Sewer Use Ordinance (SUO) or other Legal Authority available? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a Grease Control Program that legally requires grease control devices? IN ❑ ❑ ❑
What is the standard grease trap cleaning requirement in the FOG ordinance? Frequent
inspections by
Town staff.
Is Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is action taken against violators? • ❑ ❑ ❑
# Have satellite systems adopted an equivalent or more stringent ordinance? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution? • ❑ ❑ ❑
# Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc? • ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, what are they? (This can reduce mailing to annual.)
Town website and Facebook.
Comment: Three grease related Notices have been issued in recent years.
Capital Improvement Plan
Has a Capital (CIP) or System Improvement Plan been developed and adopted?
Is it designated for wastewater only or does it have a dedicated section?
Does CIP cover three to five year period of earmarked improvements?
Does CIP include description of project area?
Does CIP include description of existing facilities?
Does CIP include known deficiencies?
Does CIP include forecasted future needs?
Yes No NA NE
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Page 3 of 7

Permit: WQCS00091 Owner - Facility:Town of Spruce Pine
Inspection Date: 09/16/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: Work is currently underway on the lines and manholes on Locust Street.
Sullins Pump Station is scheduled for rehabilitation in 2024.
Map
Is there a overall sewer system map?
Does the map include:
Pipe Type (GS/FM)
Pipe sizes
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc)
Pipe location
Flow direction
Approximate pipe age
Pump station ID, location and capacity
# Force main air release valve location & type
# Location of satellite connections
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation?
Comment:
Reporting Requirements
# Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years?
If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria?
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued?
Is an Annual Wastewater Performance Report being filed with the Division, if required?
Is the report being made available to all its sewer customers?
# How is it being made available?
Comment:
Inspections
Are adequate maintenance records maintained?
Are pump stations being inspected at the required frequency?
# Is at least one complete functionality test conducted weekly per pump station?
Is there a system or plan in place to observe the entire system annually?
Is the annual inspection documented?
# Does the system have any high -priority lines/locations?
Are inspections of HPL documented at least every 6 months?
Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created?
Comment: PS functionality test should include lifting of floats. PS are visited daily by Veolia staff.
Spill Response Action Plan
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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water report, web,
Facebook
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
Page4of7

Permit: WQCS00091 Owner - Facility:Town of Spruce Pine
Inspection Date: 09/16/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
Does the plan include:
24-hour contact numbers
Response time
Equipment list and spare parts inventory
Access to cleaning equipment
Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers
Source of emergency funds
Site sanitation and cleanup materials
Post-overflow/spill assessment
Does the Permittee appear to respond within 2 hours of first knowledge of a spill?
Comment:
Spills
Is system free of known points of bypass?
If No, describe type of bypass and location
Needs Evaluating: Unknown line in Sullins PS needs to be evaluated to verify it is not a bypass. Refer to
summary.
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented?
# Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location?
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan?
Comment:
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Locust Street Lines.
Are right-of-ways/easements maintained for full width for access by staff/equipment?
If No, give details on temporary access:
Is maintenance documented?
Are gravity sewer cleaning records available?
Has at least 10% of lines older than 5 yrs been cleaned annually?
Were all areas/lines inspected free of issues?
Comment:
Manholes
Please list the Manholes Inspected:
Locust Street Manholes.
Are manholes accessible?
# Are manhole covers/vents above grade?
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page5of7

Permit: WQCS00091 Owner - Facility:Town of Spruce Pine
Inspection Date: 09/16/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Are manholes free of visible signs of overflow?
Are manholes free of sinkholes and depressions?
Are manhole covers present?
# Are manholes properly seated?
# Are manholes in good condition?
# Are inverts in good condition?
Is flow unrestricted in manholes?
Are manholes free of excessive amounts of grease?
Are manholes free of excessive roots?
Are manholes free of excessive sand?
Are manhole vents screened?
Are vents free of submergence?
Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes?
Comment:
Pump Stations
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Sullins Pump Station (PS)
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system
# Number of vacuum stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed?
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access?
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes?
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris?
# Do they all have telemetry installed?
Is the communication system functional?
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
Pump station identifier?
# Address?
Instructions for notification?
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Yes No NA NE
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Page6of7

Permit: WQCS00091 Owner - Facility:Town of Spruce Pine
Inspection Date: 09/16/2021
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
Are audio and visual alarms present?
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator?
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage?
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan?
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
If power outage occurs at the Sullins PS the Town relies on pumper trucks.
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps?
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate?
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal?
Inspecting and exercising all valves?
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment?
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment?
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Comment: The Sullins PS is not secure with restricted access, signage is needed, a wet well lock should
be used since there is no fencing, there is an unknown line in the wet well and the bulb needs
to be checked as it did not illuminate during a lifting of float test.
Optional Logsheets have been sent to Town staff and Veolia staff for use or guidance.
Page 7 of 7