HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0083071_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20220513
SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED.
May 13, 2022
Shaun Adams, Mayor
Town of Robbinsville
Email: s.adams@townofrobbinsville.com
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Robbinsville WTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NC0083071
Graham County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Robbinsville WTP on
5/05/2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0083071. The findings and comments
noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled
"Compliance Inspection Report".
There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this
inspection report is not required.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4667 or via email at
lauren.armeni@ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
Lauren Armeni, Environmental Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report
Ec: Laserfiche
DocuSign Envelope ID: C470C716-EE67-49C6-BC43-9D607B97ECF9
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 NC0083071 22/05/05 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)
Robbinsville WTP
Long Creek Rd NCSR 1110
Robbinsville NC 28771
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
10:00AM 22/05/05 18/02/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
11:00AM 22/05/05 22/11/30
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Steve Hooper,PO Box 126 Robbinsville NC 287710126//828-479-3250/Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
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
Lauren E Armeni DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/
Mikal Willmer DWR/Division of Water Quality/828-296-4686/
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: C470C716-EE67-49C6-BC43-9D607B97ECF9
5/13/2022
5/13/2022
5/13/2022
NPDES yr/mo/day
22/05/05
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Lauren Armeni and Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance
Evaluation Inspection of the Robbinsville WTP on May 5, 2022. This inspection was conducted to
determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No.
NC0083071. Mr. Lamar Nix (ORC) and Mr. Mason Adams (Class C Drinking Water Operator) were
present and assisted in the inspection.
Overall, the facility appeared well-maintained and operated and in compliance with NPDES Permit No.
NC0083071.
The following items were noted during the inspection:
1. Parts of the liner are ripped, so it is recommended to replace the liner in the lagoon.
2. A copy of the permit is not being kept at the WTP. Moving forward, make sure to keep a copy
on-site.
NC0083071 17 (Cont.)
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: C470C716-EE67-49C6-BC43-9D607B97ECF9
Permit:NC0083071
Inspection Date:05/05/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Robbinsville WTP
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?
McGill Associates is in the process of completing the renewal application.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?
The property around the lagoon and WTP is well-maintained. Process controls are not
analyzed because this plant is physical/chemical treatment only.
Comment:
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
Is all required information readily available, complete and current?
Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)?
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs?
Is the chain-of-custody complete?
Dates, times and location of sampling
Name of individual performing the sampling
Results of analysis and calibration
Dates of analysis
Name of person performing analyses
Transported COCs
Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters?
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ?
(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified
operator on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current?
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification?
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility
classification?
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: C470C716-EE67-49C6-BC43-9D607B97ECF9
Permit:NC0083071
Inspection Date:05/05/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Robbinsville WTP
Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
The permit is kept at the Robbinsville WWTP. A copy of the most recent permit needs
to be kept at the WTP.
Comment:
Lagoons Yes No NA NE
Type of lagoons?
# Number of lagoons in operation at time of visit?1
Are lagoons operated in?
# Is a re-circulation line present?
Is lagoon free of excessive floating materials?
# Are baffles between ponds or effluent baffles adjustable?
Are dike slopes clear of woody vegetation?
Are weeds controlled around the edge of the lagoon?
Are dikes free of seepage?
Are dikes free of erosion?
Are dikes free of burrowing animals?
# Has the sludge blanket in the lagoon (s) been measured periodically in multiple
locations?
# If excessive algae is present, has barley straw been used to help control the growth?
Is the lagoon surface free of weeds?
Is the lagoon free of short circuiting?
The lagoon is lined and shallow, and the sludge blanket is visible. The liner is ripped in
some spots. Mr. Nix said the liner will be replaced. Approximately 60,000 gallons of
sludge in the lagoon was pumped in June 2021. Town maintenance hauls the sludge to
the Robbinsville WWTP as needed.
Comment:
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?Liquid
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
# Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: C470C716-EE67-49C6-BC43-9D607B97ECF9
Permit:NC0083071
Inspection Date:05/05/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Robbinsville WTP
Compliance Evaluation
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Are tablet de-chlorinators operational?
Number of tubes in use?
The wastewater is dechlorinated with calcium thiosulfate before discharge.Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
Is the flow meter operational?
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
A flow meter is not used for reporting. Effluent flow is estimated based on the amount of
backwash water that is discharged. The plant discharges approximately 17,900 GPD
every 24 hours for 30 to 60 minutes.
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?
Access to the effluent pipe is well-maintained. The outfall discharges onto rip rap
above Rock Creek.
Comment:
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
Is proper volume collected?
Is the tubing clean?
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
degrees Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
representative)?
The permit requires grab samples.Comment:
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?
Page#5
DocuSign Envelope ID: C470C716-EE67-49C6-BC43-9D607B97ECF9
Permit:NC0083071
Inspection Date:05/05/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Robbinsville WTP
Compliance Evaluation
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
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?
The Town of Robbinsville has a maintenance contract to have the generator serviced
annually. The generator automatically exercises every Tuesday morning under load. At
the time of the inspection, the propane tank was 75% full.
Comment:
Page#6
DocuSign Envelope ID: C470C716-EE67-49C6-BC43-9D607B97ECF9