HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0003090_NOD-2022-PC-0065_20220502ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Scott Kidd, Town Manager
Town of Liberty
P.O. Box 1006
Liberty, NC 27298
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
May 2, 2022
SUBJECT: Notice of Deficiency (NOD-2022-PC-0065)
Town of Liberty, Wastewater Irrigation
Permit No. WQ0003090
Randolph County
Dear Mr. Kidd:
On April 12, 2022, Division of Water Resources staff Caitlin Caudle conducted a routine
compliance inspection. Tremaine Fike, ORC, was present during the entire inspection,
and Todd Kellam, back up ORC in -training, was present during part of the inspection. A
review of records, treatment facilities, spray fields, and monitoring wells was completed.
This review reflected non-compliance with the subject permit.
The following deficiency was noted:
1. Per correspondence dated September 3, 2021, the Winston Salem Regional Office
requested that the freeboard marker in the lagoon be resurveyed and reinstalled
before the end of the 2021 calendar year. Extensions were requested and granted,
moving the deadline to February 28, 2022. At the time of inspection, the freeboard
marker had not been resurveyed or reinstalled. Per Permit Condition 111.14 "a
gauge to monitor waste levels in the 15-acre stabilization storage lagoon shall be
provided. This gauge shall have readily visible permanent markings, at inch or
tenth of a foot increments, indicating the following elevations: maximum liquid
level at the top of the temporary liquid storage volume; the minimum liquid
level at the bottom of the temporary liquid storage volume, and the lowest
point on top of the dam." The maximum liquid level is at 720ft elevation, and
the minimum liquid level is 713 ft elevation. Please resurvey the freeboard
marker by May 30, 2022.
GDE
NORTH CAROLINA '
D. mmm�� .ore�nt o�.i
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
The following item of concern was noted:
A. Vegetation overhanging the spray fields was noted in the inspection report for
compliance inspection dated August 30, 2022. As of this inspection, vegetation
has not been cut back due to lack of man -power and equipment. Overhanging
vegetation can impact the spray pattern of sprinklers and can cause channelized
flow. Please take steps to remove vegetation overhanging spray zones that
could be impacting spray patterns.
B. The hinge on lid of Monitoring Well 7 was broken. Per Permit Condition 11.3
"groundwater monitoring wells shall be constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC
02C .0108..." As described in 15A NCAC 02C .0108, repair the hinge on MW7
so that the lid is secure if not done so already.
C. Maintenance activities completed by the farmer contracted to manage the spray
fields has not been recorded in the operations and maintenance log for the facility.
Per Permit Condition V.2 "The Permittee shall maintain an inspection log that
includes the date and time of inspection, observations made, and maintenance,
repairs, or corrective actions taken." Moving forward, please begin recording
all maintenance activities (e.g.; herbicide application, seeding, or lime
application) in the spray fields in the operation and maintenance log.
Please refer to the enclosed inspection report for additional comments and observations.
If you have any questions please contact me or Caitlin Caudle at the letterhead address
or phone number, or by email at lon.snider@ncdenr.gov or caitlin.caudle@ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
L-on l . <JMAte
145B49E225C94EA..
Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ-WSRO
Enc: Inspection Report
Cc: Tremaine Fike, ORC (electronic copy)
Randolph County Environmental Health (electronic copy)
Laserfiche File WQ0003090
WSRO Electronic Files
D_E
NORTH CAROLINA
gaparMeM of Environment,/quay
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 I Raleigh, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0003090 Effective: 05/01/19 Expiration: 08/31/24
SOC: S19011 Effective: 01/01/21 Expiration: 12/31/23
County: Randolph
Region: Winston-Salem
Contact Person: Sandra Dixon Title:
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: SI,
Primary ORC:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 04/12/2022
Primary Inspector: Caitlin Caudle
Secondary Inspector(s):
Entry Time 10:22AM
Reason for Inspection: Routine
Permit Inspection Type: Wastewater Irrigation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
II Treatment Flow Measurement -Water
Use Records
▪ Treatment Lagoons
▪ Treatment Disinfection
▪ Standby Power
(See attachment summary)
Certification:
Owner : Town of Liberty
Facility: Town of Liberty WWTF
7187 E Highfill Ave
Liberty NC 272981006
Exit Time: 12:33PM
Phone: 336-622-4276
Phone:
Phone: 336-776-9699
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
▪ Treatment Barscreen
▪ End Use -Irrigation
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement
▪ Wells
▪ Miscellaneous Questions
▪ Record Keeping
▪ Treatment Influent Pump Station
▪ Storage
Page 1 of 7
Permit: WQ0003090 Owner - Facility:Town of Liberty
Inspection Date: 04/12/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
On April 12, 2022, Division of Water Resources staff Caitlin Caudle conducted a routine compliance inspection. Tremaine
Fike, ORC, was present during the entire inspection, and Todd Kellam, back up ORC in -training, was present during part of
the inspection. A review of records, treatment facilities, spray fields, and monitoring wells was completed. This review
reflected non-compliance with the subject permit.
The following deficiency was noted:
1. Per correspondence dated September 3, 2021, the Winston Salem Regional Office requested that the freeboard marker
in the lagoon be resurveyed and reinstalled before the end of the 2021 calendar year. Extensions were requested and
granted, moving the deadline to February 28, 2022. At the time of inspection, the freeboard marker had not been resurveyed
or reinstalled. Per Permit Condition 111.14 "a gauge to monitor waste levels in the 15-acre stabilization storage lagoon shall be
provided. This gauge shall have readily visible permanent markings, at inch or tenth of a foot increments, indicating the
following elevations: maximum liquid level at the top of the temporary liquid storage volume; the minimum liquid level at the
bottom of the temporary liquid storage volume, and the lowest point on top of the dam." The maximum liquid level is at 720ft
elevation, and the minimum liquid level is 713 ft elevation. Please resurvey the freeboard marker by May 30, 2022.
The following item of concern was noted:
A. Vegetation overhanging the spray fields was noted in the inspection report for compliance inspection dated August30,
2022. As of this inspection, vegetation has not been cut back due to lack of man -power and equipment. Overhanging
vegetation can impact the spray pattern of sprinklers and can cause channelized flow. Please take steps to remove
vegetation overhanging spray zones that could be impacting spray patterns.
B. The hinge on lid of Monitoring Well 7 was broken. Per Permit Condition 11.3 "groundwater monitoring wells shall be
constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 02C .0108..." As described in 15A NCAC 02C .0108, repair the hinge on MW7 so
that the lid is secure if not done so already.
C. Maintenance activities completed by the farmer contracted to manage the spray fields has not been recorded in the
operations and maintenance log for the facility. Per Permit Condition V.2 "The Permittee shall maintain an inspection log
that includes the date and time of inspection, observations made, and maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken."
Moving forward, please begin recording all maintenance activities (e.g.; herbicide application, seeding, or lime application) in
the spray fields in the operation and maintenance log.
Other observations:
• Todd Kellam will be taking operator test in June. Gregory Hanyok retired on 4/14/2022. A new back up operator must be
designated within 120 days of Mr. Hanyok retiring (08G .0200 (3)(b)(i)).
• Zones 1, 2, 3A, and 8B were reseeded last winter. Vegetation had sprouted and was approximately 6" tall in all zones.
• Part of Z1 (marked on field map) was sprayed with herbicide to kill weeds and reseeded.
• A diagram was left explaining how the freeboard marker should be installed with all necessary depths marked.
• The previously noted wet spot in Z1 was dry. Swamp gras was still visible.
• The valve between 3 and 4 was repaired but the immediate area around the valve still needs vegetation established.
• The first quarterly report for 2022 was provided.
• Irrigation equipment must be calibrated by August 31, 2024.
• Lime was not called for in soil reports.
• Liquid chlorine is delivered.
• Some floating solids were present in the chlorine contact chamber. Mr. Fike stated he would remove the solids when the
lagoon level lowered.
• Two sediment basins are present on the side of the lagoon next to North Rocky Fork River.
• The flow meter was last calibrated on 11/6/2021.
• The effluent pump station has a lower water float that cuts off the irrigation system.
• All other monitoring wells were in good condition.
• Additional nitrogen may be applied to the spray fields to ensure that optimum crop health is reached. Staff recommend
that additional nitrogen only be applied during the active growing season, May — October. Below is a table of recommended
Page 2 of 7
Permit: WQ0003090 Owner - Facility:Town of Liberty
Inspection Date: 04/12/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Plant Available Nitrogen (PAN) rates for each spray zone based on the North Carolina State University Realistic Yield
Database. Be sure that nitrogen applications do not exceed the recommended rates. PAN is present in irrigated effluent, and
the amount of PAN to be irrigated during the entire year must be calculated and subtracted from the recommended PAN
rates below. The highest nutrient rates analyzed to date must be used to calculate PAN. If additional assistance is needed,
please contact the Winston Salem Regional Office.
Z1 204 Ibs
Z2 204 Ibs
Z3 204 Ibs
Z4 204 Ibs
Z5 204 Ibs
Z6 163.2 Ibs
Z7 163.2 Ibs
Z8 188 Ibs
Page 3 of 7
Permit: WQ0003090 Owner - Facility:Town of Liberty
Inspection Date: 04/12/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Infiltration System
Reuse (Quality)
Single Family Spray, LR
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
Recycle/Reuse
Single Family Drip
Lagoon Spray, LR
Treatment Influent Pump Station
Is the pump station free of bypass lines or structures?
Is the general housekeeping acceptable?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are floats/controls operable?
Are audio and visual alarms available?
Are audio and visual alarms operational?
# Are SCADA/Telemetry alarms required?
Are SCADA/Telemetry available?
Are SCADA/Telemetry operational?
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
Is flowmeter operating properly?
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
Does flowmeter record flow?
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately?
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records
Is water use metered?
Are the daily average values properly calculated?
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Yes No NA NE
IEI
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Yes No NA NE
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Page4of7
Permit: WQ0003090 Owner - Facility:Town of Liberty
Inspection Date: 04/12/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
Is flowmeter operating properly?
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
Does flowmeter record flow?
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately?
Comment:
Standby Power
Is automatically activated standby power available?
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source?
Is generator operable?
Does generator have adequate fuel?
Comment:
Treatment Barscreen
Is it free of excessive debris?
Is disposal of screenings in compliance?
Are the bars spaced properly?
Is the unit in good condition?
Comment:
Treatment Disinfection
Is the system working?
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection?
Is there adequate detention time (>=30 minutes)?
Is the system properly maintained?
If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe?
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable?
Is the chlorinator accessible?
If tablets, are tablets present?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth?
If UV, are extra UV bulbs available?
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate?
# Is it a dual feed system?
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- - )
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Page5of7
Permit: WQ0003090 Owner - Facility:Town of Liberty
Inspection Date: 04/12/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: Some solids present in contact chamber.
Record Keeping
Is a copy of current permit available?
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
NDAR?
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
Are application rates adhered to?
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)?
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
Are annual soil reports available?
# Are PAN records required?
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
If so, has it been applied?
Are operational logs present?
Are lab sheets available for review?
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s?
Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
Comment: Bypass from lift station in January 2022.
End Use -Irrigation
Are buffers adequate?
Is the cover crop type specified in permit?
Is the crop cover acceptable?
Is the site condition adequate?
Is the site free of runoff / ponding?
Is the acreage specified in the permit being utilized?
Yes No NA NE
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Page6of7
Permit: WQ0003090 Owner - Facility:Town of Liberty
Inspection Date: 04/12/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is the application equipment present?
Is the application equipment operational?
Is the disposal field free of limiting slopes?
Is access restricted and/or signs posted during active site use?
Are any supply wells within the CB?
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB?
How close is the closest water supply well?
Is municipal water available in the area?
# Info only: Does the permit call for monitoring wells?
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB?
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval?
Are monitoring wells damaged?
Comment: See summary.
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Page 7 of 7