WQCS00160_Sparta_CEI_20220519

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQCS00160 Effective: 08/23/21
SOC: Effective:
County: Alleghany
Region: Winston-Salem
Contact Person: Ryan Wilmoth
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS2,
Primary ORC:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Expiration: 07/30/29
Expiration:
Title: Town Manager
NC0026913 Town of Sparta - Sparta WWTP
Inspection Date: 05/19/2022
Primary Inspector: Patricia Lowery
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine
Entry Time 10:OOAM
Certification:
Owner : Town of Sparta
Facility: Sparta Collection System
PO Box 99
Sparta NC 28675
Exit Time: 01:30PM
Phone: [phone]
Phone:
Phone: [phone]
Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
▪ Miscellaneous Questions
II Capital Improvement Plan
▪ Inspections
▪ Lines
(See attachment summary)
▪ General
▪ Map
▪ Spill Response Plan
▪ Manholes
▪ Sewer & FOG Ordinances
▪ Reporting Requirements
▪ Spills
▪ Pump Stations
Page 1 of 7

Permit: WQCS00160 Owner - Facility:Town of Sparta
Inspection Date: 05/19/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Tricia Lowery, of the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR), Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO), visited the Sparta
Collection System on May 19, 2022, to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI). The assistance and cooperation
of Kevin Dowell and Megan Edwards was greatly appreciated.
Overall, the collection system is well operated and maintained by Mr. Dowell. Seismic activity has increased in Sparta
significantly and proactive measures have been taken by the Town of Sparta to find potential issues caused by such seismic
activity. Additionally, noteworthy upgrades have been made by placing all five pump stations on SCADA(MISSIONS) and
implementing the UtilityCloud system. The UtilityCloud system integrates all vital components involved in collection system
operations (GIS, operational/maintenance/pump station logs, inspections, etc). Personnel has access to all information
pertaining of the collection system in real time. The UtilityCloud is regularly assessed and upgraded if needed.
There is, however, one area of great concern regarding 15A NCAC 08G .0201 involving ORC and Back-up ORC designation.
Kevin Dowell has been acting ORC of the collection system since January 2021 when Mr. Bobby Shaw retired. Mr. Dowell
will test June 2022 to obtain his Grade II certification. Once testing is complete and graded, Mr. Dowell will possess
eligibility to be designated as ORC (pending testing results). Currently there is no designated Back-up ORC for the
collection system. This position has been vacant since March 2021.
As per 15A NCAC 08G .0201 (3)(b)(ii)(c): Owners of classified water pollution control systems shall designate operators
certified by the Commission of the same type and grade as the classification for the system and for each classification
shall:
(3) submit a signed completed Operator Designation Form to the Commission (or to the local health department for owners
of subsurface systems) countersigned by the designated certified operators, designating the ORC and the Back-up ORC:
(b) within 120 days of the following:
(ii) a vacancy in the position of ORC or Back-up ORC; or
(c) within seven days of vacancies in both ORC and Back-up ORC positions replacing or designating one of the
responsibilities.
Mr. Dowell disclosed during the inspection there have been staffing issues, creating difficulties filling much needed positions.
This will result in a 'Notice of Deficiency to be issued and delivered with inspection report.
Page 2 of 7

Permit: WQCS00160 Owner - Facility:Town of Sparta
Inspection Date: 05/19/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
General
Is there a properly designated primary ORC and at least one back-up of proper grade?
Are logs being reviewed by the system management or owner on a regular basis?
# What is that frequency?
# Are there any issues being addressed currently or any in the planning stages?
Is there a specific pump failure plan available for all pump stations?
Does plan indicate if pump parts/new pumps are in spare parts/equipment inventory?
Are new/significantly upgraded pump stations equipped with anti -corrosion materials?
Does the permittee have a copy of their permit?
# Is permit expiring within the next 6 months?
If Yes, has the Permittee applied for renewal?
Yes No NA NE
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Weekly to Monthly
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Comment: Bobby Shaw abruptly retired in January 2021. Kevin Dowell has been acting ORC of collection
system. Mr. Dowell has Collection Grade I operator license and has taken Grade II class. He is
testing June 10th to obtain his Grade II certification. Tyson Edwards was BORC, but left the
position March 12, 2021. Currently the Town has no BORC. Mr. Dowell explained to inspector
there are staffing shortage issues and no applicants for vacant position.
Sewer and FOG Ordinances
Is Sewer Use Ordinance (SUO) or other Legal Authority available?
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced?
Is there a Grease Control Program that legally requires grease control devices?
What is the standard grease trap cleaning requirement in the FOG ordinance?
Is Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review?
Is action taken against violators?
# Have satellite systems adopted an equivalent or more stringent ordinance?
Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution?
# Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc?
If Yes, what are they? (This can reduce mailing to annual.)
Town's website
Yes No NA NE
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Every 6 months
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Comment: Residential customers are connected to a phone tree system where an email, text and phone
call goes directly to residents concerning FOG education once a year. Restaurants FOG
education distribution is bi-annually. FOG education information can also be found on the
Town's website.
Capital Improvement Plan
Has a Capital (CIP) or System Improvement Plan been developed and adopted?
Is it designated for wastewater only or does it have a dedicated section?
Does CIP cover three to five year period of earmarked improvements?
Does CIP include description of project area?
Yes No NA NE
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Page 3 of 7

Permit: WQCS00160 Owner - Facility:Town of Sparta
Inspection Date: 05/19/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Does CIP include description of existing facilities?
Does CIP include known deficiencies?
Does CIP include forecasted future needs?
Comment: CIP is adequate and meet requirements.
Map
Is there a overall sewer system map?
Does the map include:
Pipe Type (GS/FM)
Pipe sizes
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc)
Pipe location
Flow direction
Approximate pipe age
Pump station ID, location and capacity
# Force main air release valve location & type
# Location of satellite connections
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation?
Comment: GIS system in place. It is upgraded regularly.
Reporting Requirements
# Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years?
If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria?
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued?
Is an Annual Wastewater Performance Report being filed with the Division, if required?
Is the report being made available to all its sewer customers?
# How is it being made available?
gallon
Inspections
Are adequate maintenance records maintained?
Are pump stations being inspected at the required frequency?
# Is at least one complete functionality test conducted weekly per pump station?
Is there a system or plan in place to observe the entire system annually?
Is the annual inspection documented?
# Does the system have any high -priority lines/locations?
Are inspections of HPL documented at least every 6 months?
Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created?
Yes No NA NE
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Local newspaper
3/2022. Both
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: 2 SSO have been reported: 1) 10,000 gallon in 11/2021, and 2) 500,000
were reported appropriately to the Division.
Page4of7

Permit: WQCS00160 Owner - Facility:Town of Sparta
Inspection Date: 05/19/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: SCADA was installed on all 5 pump stations the week of May 9th, 2022. They were conducting
inspections on a daily basis until SCADA was instatlled. Now inspections have moved to
weekly. With the new MISSIONS system, a barcode is located at each pump station.
Personnel can scan the barcode which delivers a pump station inspection check list. The
check list is adequate and satisfies permit requirements. Mr. Dowell stated he inspects the
entire collection system annually and will document the inspections going forth.
The system has 15 HPLs. NOTE: Old Kelley's Motel (subsurface creek crossing) will be
decommisioned June 2022, leaving 14 HPLs in system. HPL are being conducted every 6
months and documented.
Spill Response Action Plan
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
Does the plan include:
24-hour contact numbers
Response time
Equipment list and spare parts inventory
Access to cleaning equipment
Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers
Source of emergency funds
Site sanitation and cleanup materials
Post-overflow/spill assessment
Does the Permittee appear to respond within 2 hours of first knowledge of a spill?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The Spill Response Plan was recently revised on 1/7/2022. The only issue inspector found
was WSRO and EM number was not listed in phone contacts. This was a simple oversight in
recent revision and will be quickly remedied.
Spills
Is system free of known points of bypass?
If No, describe type of bypass and location
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented?
# Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location?
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Mr. Dowell explained due to the recent increase in seismic activity in the area, the Town took
proactive steps to contract an engineering company to do extensive smoke testing throughout
collection system to find problems areas. Areas were found and currently plans are being
made to correct/repair. A new fault line was discovered in the area: "Little River". The recent
SSO in March 2022 was a result of an earthquake. Construction is underway now to replace
and re-route the collection system in recent SSO location (Hwy 18 S between bypass and
Collins Road). Inspector was able to go to construction site and observe.
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Hwy 18 S between bypass and Collins Road
Yes No NA NE
Page5of7

Permit: WQCS00160 Owner - Facility:Town of Sparta
Inspection Date: 05/19/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Are right-of-ways/easements maintained for full width for access by staff/equipment?
If No, give details on temporary access:
Is maintenance documented?
Are gravity sewer cleaning records available?
Has at least 10% of lines older than 5 yrs been cleaned annually?
Were all areas/lines inspected free of issues?
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Comment: There are approximately 117,744 ft of gravity sewer (22.3 miles) total in the collection system.
In 2020, 25,200 ft of line were cleaned and in 2021, 15,000 ft of line were cleaned meeting the
10% requirement. Cleaning of lines is mapped and documented appropriately.
Manholes
Please list the Manholes Inspected:
Are manholes accessible?
# Are manhole covers/vents above grade?
Are manholes free of visible signs of overflow?
Are manholes free of sinkholes and depressions?
Are manhole covers present?
# Are manholes properly seated?
# Are manholes in good condition?
# Are inverts in good condition?
Is flow unrestricted in manholes?
Are manholes free of excessive amounts of grease?
Are manholes free of excessive roots?
Are manholes free of excessive sand?
Are manhole vents screened?
Are vents free of submergence?
Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes?
Comment:
Pump Stations
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Adap
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system
# Number of vacuum stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page6of7

Permit: WQCS00160 Owner - Facility:Town of Sparta
Inspection Date: 05/19/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access?
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes?
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris?
# Do they all have telemetry installed?
Is the communication system functional?
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
Pump station identifier?
# Address?
Instructions for notification?
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
Are audio and visual alarms present?
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator?
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage?
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan?
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
Of the 5 pump stations, 3 have permanment generators and 2 rely on portable unit. Distribution plan is
adequate. Town contacts CAT to service generators 2x year. They are regularly tested to ensure
performance.
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps?
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate?
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal?
Inspecting and exercising all valves?
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment?
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment?
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Comment: As stated earlier, all pump station have been recently placed on SCADA and are equipped with
a barcode outlining inspection check list. Check list is adequate and compliant.
Page 7 of 7