WQ0003468_Inspection_20220407

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0003468 Effective: 06/01/19 Expiration: 11/30/23 Owner : West Fraser Inc
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Armour Lumber Mill CLRS
County: Columbus 361 Federal Rd
Region: Wilmington
Riegelwood NC 28456
Contact Person: Thomas G Jordan Title: Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
From the center of Riegelwood, travel 0.6 miles north on State Route 87 and turn left. The plant is approximately 0.9 miles on the
left.
System Classifications:
Primary ORC: Certification: Phone:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 04/06/2022
Primary Inspector: Bryan Lievre
Secondary Inspector(s):
Entry Time 01:OOPM Exit Time: 02:20PM
Geoff Kegley
Reason for Inspection: Routine
Permit Inspection Type: Closed -Loop Recycle
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions
(See attachment summary)
Phone: [phone]
Phone :
Inspection Type: Reconnaissance
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Permit: WQ0003468 Owner - Facility: West Fraser Inc
Inspection Date: 04/06/2022
Inspection Type : Reconnaissance
Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
A routine reconnaissance inspection of the West Fraser, Inc., Armour Lumber Mill Closed Loop Recycle System (CLRS),
was performed on April 6, 2022. The purpose of the inspection was to review the processes at the site and discuss potential
modifications to Permit WQ0003468. Present during the inspection were Emily Blank and Kristine Waikins with West
Fraser, Inc., as well as Morella Sanchez -King, Geoff Kegley and Bryan Lievre with NCDEQ, DWR.
The facility is located at 361 Federal Road, Riegelwood, Columbus County, NC. The facility accepts cut logs and produces
finished lumber. According to the current permit, the wastewater treatment and closed loop recycle facility consists of:
- Two (2) 0.167 million gallon settling basins with freeboard measurement gauges;
- A SWACO 414 centrifuge dewatering system;
- A 13,000-gallon makeup water tank;
- A 300 gallon per day vehicle wash -down area with:
- A sump with a 100 gallon per minute (gpm) pump;
- A grit/sediment trap;
- A 1,000-gallon oil/water separator;
- A 500 gpm recycle pump; and,
- All associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances.
During the April 6th meeting, discussions ensued regarding system operations and relevant structures and then a
walk-through of the facility was performed. As noted during this inspection, as well as the compliance inspection, performed
on 12/6/2021, the facility removed the centrifuge system and installed a belt type oil skimming system (which utilizes a
plastic tube as a belt) in the vehicle wash -down area to augment operations. System staff were informed that the changes
noted above required a modification to the existing permit.
Also noted during the recent inspection, was the status of the settling basins, which appeared to have been recently cleaned
of sludge. A new inlet structure was also observed in Basin 2 for the inlet of the recovery pumps. The new inlet structure
has a submerged inlet which is elevated off the base of the basin with a float System staff were under the belief that the
settling basins were constructed with a clay liner and during the walk-through of the facility, orange clay seemed to have
been present along some of the exposed steep -sloped banks.
Along with the permit modification application, system staff were recommended to provide a written narrative of activities for
which the modification is being requested as well as a detailed revised process diagram. The process diagram was
recommended to:
1. Demonstrate that the system operates as a closed loop system (e.g. that the flow following the dumpster flows to Pond
#1 );
2. Depict how all the flows associated with the water softener are directed (e.g. flow into and out of the unit as well as
backwash water);
3. Depict all inlet structures (e.g. surface drop inlets, etc.); and,
4. Indicate if potable water for the on -site buildings is provided through the same water meter or other(s). Indicate the
location of the water meter(s) on a site diagram.
Considering the modifications to the system over the years, additional site diagram(s) are recommended to depict the
location of structures referenced within the process diagram to assist in a timely review of the permit modification
application.
Regarding item 1 above, we request a confirmation that system operates as a closed -loop system. This can be
accomplished either through an assessment with a water balance approach or by providing documentation of the
characteristics of the impermeable layer(s) to demonstrate that infiltration is not occurring.
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Permit: WQ0003468 Owner - Facility: West Fraser Inc
Inspection Date: 04/06/2022
Inspection Type : Reconnaissance
Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Reuse (Quality)
Lagoon Spray, LR
Infiltration System
Single Family Spray, LR
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
Single Family Drip
Recycle/Reuse
Yes No NA NE
•
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