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Home My WebLink AboutNC0021857_NOD2022PC0043 & CEI Report_20220407 April 07, 2022 Keith E Hoilman Town of Newland 620 Meadow Ave Banner Elk, NC 28604 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY Tracking Number: NOD-2022-PC-0043 Permit No. NC0021857 Newland WWTP Avery County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Newland WWTP on March 15, 2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021857. 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 deficiency(s) was noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Deficiency _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Laboratory At the time of the inspection there were no thermometers in the influent or effluent samplers. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Oxidation Ditches Excessive solids were measured in the oxidation ditch. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DocuSign Envelope ID: C0036BBA-4EC7-4D19-B3C3-DA428851AEEF 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. To prevent further action, carefully review these deficiencies and address the causes of non-compliance to prevent the recurrence of similar situations. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Stephanie Williams with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Sandra Lewis (finance@townofnewland.org) DocuSign Envelope ID: C0036BBA-4EC7-4D19-B3C3-DA428851AEEF EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency 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 Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 N 52 NC0021857 22/03/15 C S31112171819 20 21 66 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- N67707172 73 74 75 80 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) Newland WWTP Cow Camp Rd Newland NC 28657 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:00AM 22/03/15 21/07/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Other Facility Data 12:00PM 22/03/15 26/02/28 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Keith E Hoilman,620 Meadow Ave Banner Elk NC 28604//828-733-2023/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters 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 Stephanie A Williams DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 DocuSign Envelope ID: C0036BBA-4EC7-4D19-B3C3-DA428851AEEF 4/6/2022 4/6/2022 NPDES yr/mo/day 22/03/15 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Stephanie Williams, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Newland WWTP on March 15, 2022. This inspection was conducted to determine if the system is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES permit no. NC0025836. Brandon Hughes (ORC) was present during the inspection. The WWTP is currently being operated under tier one of the two-tiered permit. Tier one allows for an average flow of 320,000 GPD. Mr. Hughes stated that the average flow during rainy conditions is approximately 100,000 GPD. The WWTP consists of an influent pump station with a comminutor and manual bar screen, a flow distribution box, an influent flow meter, dual oxidation ditches with rotary aerators, dual secondary clarifiers, RAS pump station, dual aerobic digesters, supernatant pump station, UV disinfection, a parshall flume with ultrasonic flow measurement, one stationary generator, and one portable generator. The WWTP discharges into the North Toe River. Currently the comminutor at the influent pump station is not operational, the drying beds are not in use, and only one oxidation ditch and secondary clarifier are in use due to low flow. Oxidation Ditch: The 30-minute settleability was measured at 97%. This level of solids is unacceptably high and should be managed to a lower level in the future. Mr. Hughes wasted following the inspection and ran a 30-minute settleability on March 25th resulting in 84% settleability. Secondary Clarifier: The sludge blanket was 8 feet deep with 3 feet of clear supernatant in a 14-foot clarifier. Mr. Hughes said that he wasted the week following the inspection. Laboratory: At the time of the inspection there were no thermometers in the influent or effluent samplers. Mr. Hughes stated that the thermometers have been ordered but have not arrived yet. The following deficiencies were noted during the inspection: 1. Oxidation Ditches: Excessive solids were measured in the oxidation ditch. 2. Laboratory: At the time of the inspection there were no thermometers in the influent or effluent samplers. NC0021857 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: C0036BBA-4EC7-4D19-B3C3-DA428851AEEF Permit:NC0021857 Inspection Date:03/15/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Newland WWTP Compliance Evaluation Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new application? Is the facility as described in the permit? # Are there any special conditions for the permit? Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? The current permit became effective on 7/1/2021 and will expire on 2/28/2026.Comment: 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 Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Process controls analyzed include pH, temperature, and sludge judge.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? The wet well can only be accessed by elevator down a narrow shaft that is approximately 100ft high. Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE 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? The bar screen is cleaned twice weekly.Comment: Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: C0036BBA-4EC7-4D19-B3C3-DA428851AEEF Permit:NC0021857 Inspection Date:03/15/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Newland WWTP Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE Are the aerators operational? Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? # Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin’s surface? Is the DO level acceptable? Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/l in 30 minutes) The 30-minute settleability was measured at 97%. See summary for details.Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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 ¼ of the sidewall depth) The blanket was 8 feet with 3 feet of clear supernatant in a 14-foot clarifier. Mr. Hughes wasted the week following the inspection. See summary for details. Comment: Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: C0036BBA-4EC7-4D19-B3C3-DA428851AEEF Permit:NC0021857 Inspection Date:03/15/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Newland WWTP Compliance Evaluation Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? Are UV bulbs clean? Is UV intensity adequate? Is transmittance at or above designed level? Is there a backup system on site? Is effluent clear and free of solids? Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE 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: Drying Beds Yes No NA NE 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? The drying beds are not currently in use.Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Comment: Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: C0036BBA-4EC7-4D19-B3C3-DA428851AEEF Permit:NC0021857 Inspection Date:03/15/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Newland WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Standby Power Yes No NA NE 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: Laboratory Yes No NA NE Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? # Is the facility using a contract lab? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? At the time of the inspection there were no thermometers in the influent or effluent samplers. See summary for details. Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: C0036BBA-4EC7-4D19-B3C3-DA428851AEEF