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Home My WebLink AboutNC0067318_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20220518 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. May 18, 2022 Tracy Tallent Macon County Schools Email: tracy.tallent@macon.k12.nc.us SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Nantahala School NPDES WW Permit No. NC0067318 Macon County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Nantahala School on 5/12/2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0067318. 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 Lauren Armeni with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office 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 Mark Bentley (ORC – Earth Environmental Services) DocuSign Envelope ID: A5456509-C2D6-4210-8FE1-2A454DF8CD86 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 NC0067318 22/05/12 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) Nantahala School NCSR 1412 Topton NC 28781 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:00AM 22/05/12 18/10/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Other Facility Data 11:30AM 22/05/12 22/11/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Chris Baldwin,PO Box 1029 Franklin NC 287341029//828-524-3314/8285245938 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/ 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: A5456509-C2D6-4210-8FE1-2A454DF8CD86 5/18/2022 5/18/2022 NPDES yr/mo/day 22/05/12 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Lauren Armeni, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Nantahala School WWTP on May 12, 2022. This inspection was conducted to determine if the system is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0067318. Mr. Mark Bentley (ORC - Earth Environmental Services), was present during the inspection. Overall, the facility appeared to be well-maintained and operated. Secondary Clarifier: The depth of the clarifier is around 10 feet and Mr. Bentley stated that the sludge blanket is around 2.5 feet. Sludge is pumped out twice a year, and 1,000 gallons was last pumped out in March 2022. The sludge is hauled to the Franklin WWTP. Following the clarifier, there are two polishing tanks, which further settle out solids prior to being pumped onto the sand filter. The following item was noted during the inspection: 1. The EQ basin does not currently have a high level alarm. This was mentioned in the 2016 CEI Report, and an alarm should be added to the basin. NC0067318 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: A5456509-C2D6-4210-8FE1-2A454DF8CD86 Permit:NC0067318 Inspection Date:05/12/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Nantahala School 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 expires November 30, 2022. The six-month window is approaching, so the renewal application should be submitted by the end of May. 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? Mr. Bentley stated that he currently takes DO readings, but moving forward he will also analyze MLSS. 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: A5456509-C2D6-4210-8FE1-2A454DF8CD86 Permit:NC0067318 Inspection Date:05/12/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Nantahala School Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Mr. Bentley stated that the current permit is at the lab, but he will print a copy and keep one on site. 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? Comment: Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? Is the basin free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? There are six floats and two pumps in the EQ basin. Wastewater is pumped into the aeration basin, it does not gravity feed as previously stated in the 2016 CEI Report. It is recommended to add an audible and visual high level alarm to the EQ basin. Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? Are surface aerators and mixers operational? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: A5456509-C2D6-4210-8FE1-2A454DF8CD86 Permit:NC0067318 Inspection Date:05/12/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Nantahala School Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Are the diffusers operational? 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? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) At the time of the inspection, settleability was 25% after 30 minutes.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) A small clarifier is attached to the aeration basin. When sludge is pumped out of the clarifier, it is also pumped out of the EQ basin and aeration basin. See summary for details. Comment: Sand Filters (Low rate)Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? Is the distribution box level and watertight? Is sand filter free of ponding? Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? # Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation? # Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) At the time of the inspection, pumps and alarms were working. Mr. Bentley stated that the concrete pads throughout the sand filter should be replaced this month. Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: A5456509-C2D6-4210-8FE1-2A454DF8CD86 Permit:NC0067318 Inspection Date:05/12/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Nantahala School Compliance Evaluation 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? The flow measurements are based on water meter readings for the school.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? The effluent pipe was accessible and well-maintained. The plant discharges daily.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? 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 generator is sometimes tested under load and automatically exercises weekly. The school has an underground diesel tank that is used to fuel the generator. The level of the diesel fuel tank is checked manually. Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: A5456509-C2D6-4210-8FE1-2A454DF8CD86 Permit:NC0067318 Inspection Date:05/12/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Nantahala School Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Yes No NA NE Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: A5456509-C2D6-4210-8FE1-2A454DF8CD86