NC0041696_Approval_20041108

NPDES Permit:
NC0041696
Lake Rhodhiss WWTP
Document Type:
Permit Issuance
Wasteload Allocation
Authorization to Construct (AtC)
Permit Modification
Complete File - Historical
Engineering Alternatives (EAA)
Approval
Instream Assessment (67b)
Speculative Limits
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Document Date:
November 8, 2004
Thins document isti printed. an reuse paper - ignore mirky
content on the re-srerese aide

AVA
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
November 8, 2004
Greg Padgett
Wastewater Superintendent
P.O. Box 339
Valdese, NC 28690
Subject: Exemption from 24-Hour Staffing
Lake Rhodhiss WWTP
Permit NC0041696
Burke County
Dear Mr. Padgett:
This letter is in response to your request for a variance from the requirement at 15A
NCAC 2H .0124 (Reliability) that requires 24-hour staffing at your WWTP by certified operators.
Your request for a variance of the regulation has been granted with the following conditions:
1. The facility shall operate and maintain the SCADA system, including alarms on all vital
mechanical & electrical components. Operators and/or maintenance personnel shall be
accessible via phone or pager at all times.
2. The facility shall maintain all current systems and operating strategies as outlined in your
memo to the Asheville Regional Office [received by the Director on October 21, 2004].
3. In case of power failure or an alarm situation, an appropriate certified operator must be
dispatched immediately to the treatment plant.
4. Failure of the monitoring system to detect a malfunction, the failure of the monitoring
system in reporting a malfunction, or the failure of an appropriate certified operator in
responding to a problem must be documented and reported to the Asheville Regional Office
by phone within 24 hours and in writing within five (5) working days. Failure of a monitoring
device or failure to respond to a problem will not be a mitigating factor in any enforcement
action.
5. The City shall provide in writing to the Asheville Regional Office, within ten (10) working days
of receipt of this variance, the notification procedure and notification schedule of how
contacts will be made when problems are reported and shall notify the Asheville Regional
Office of any changes in this schedule.
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] / FAX [phone] / Internet: h2o.enr.state.nc.us
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer — 50% Recycledll0% Post Consumer Paper
NorthCarolina
Naturally

NC0041696 staffing exemption
November 8, 2004
6. The variance may be rescinded at the discretion of the Director in the event that the
compliance status or the conditions at the facility change or that the system in place does
not prove to provide adequate reliability or adequate notification.
The Division appreciates the efforts that the City of Valdese has made to provide reliable
and efficient wastewater treatment and we look forward to your continued cooperation. If you
have any questions or need any further assistance in this matter, please contact Mr. Jim Reid of
the Asheville Regional Office at [phone].
Sincerely,
01/1
an W. Klimek, P.E.
cc: Central Files
NPDES File
Asheville Regional Office
Technical Assistance & Certification Unit

Memorandum
14/410,-.
illvikt
October 21, 2004
To: Alan Klimek
Through: Forrest Westall
From: Jim Re+fd\ ,
Subject: 24-Hour Staffing Exemption
Town of Valdese, NPDES NC0041696
Burke County
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality
TIT 'o
NOV 1 2004
DENR - WATER QUALITY
POINT SOURCE BRANCH
..,mat: rt,.•rrsss,-[Vc.r:tAk'iith �'.f ��':
ARO staff received the attached request from the Town of Valdese. Staff recommended to the applicant
that he resubmit the request to the Director. The Town of Valdese previously had a 24-hour staffing
exemption that expired May 21, 2000. Despite having an exemption, the Town largely maintained 24-
hour staffing during the exempt period.
The Town of Valdese has recently undergone personnel changes at the treatment facility, and a certified
operator just gave notice of departure. In recognition of overall quality in Valdese's operations and that
the attached letter only requests covering a third shift slot with an uncertified operator, regional staff
support the Town's request.
Your attention to this matter is appreciated. Please advise if additional information is required.
Cfrt,r its —
k4. h,tMJti( f.<
g&y 4,44/c 5:0411.c. etiorfr 14-- eov"( I /6i4".5 telizt
/�aS G�Gyu' lt41/ ./2ip( 7 ix � ‘fc-
Ns r Caro •na
Naturally
North Carolina Division of Water Quality 2090 U.S. Highway 70 Swannanoa, NC 28778 Phone [phone] Customer Service
Internet: h2o.enr.state.nc.us
FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer — 50% Recyctedll0% Post Consumer Paper

Town of Valdese
LAKE RHODHISS WWTP
2100 Lake Rhodhiss
P.O. Box 339
Valdese, N.C. 28690
(828) 879 - 2131
NCDENR / DWQ
Asheville Regional Office
2090 US Highway 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
RE: Exemption Request - 24 hr. Certified Operator Staffing
Dear Mr. Reid,
The Town of Valdese, Lake Rhodhiss WWTP would like to request
an exemption to the rule requiring the plant be attended at all times by a
certified operator. Due to retirements, transfers and other employment
issues the plant is currently short on certified operators. To this point,
the staff has been able to cover all the time. However, with the holiday
season approaching and certified operators requesting time off I would
like to request that an uncertified operator be allowed to work one of the
third shift slots.
The plant has a SCADA system in place with alarms on all vital
mechanical and electrical components. There is a call list printed out and
posted in the control room with all the important numbers. The operator
has access to a "Nextel" phone so they can call or `direct connect' the
maintenance man or myself. The maintenance man and I carry "Nextel"
phones at all times. The maintenance man and assistant superintendent
also carry pagers.
No employee will be asked to monitor the plant alone until I feel
they have had adequate on the job training. I can assure you that I do
not intend to place the plant in the hands of anyone that does not have
the proper training.
Regards,
Greg Padgett
Wastewater Superintendent