The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutNC0026654_NOD2022PC0115 & CEI Report_20220721 July 21, 2022 David Edward Yarber, Mayor Town of Crossnore PO Box 129 Crossnore, NC 28616-0129 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY Tracking Number: NOD-2022-PC-0115 Permit No. NC0026654 Crossnore WWTP Avery County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Crossnore WWTP on July 6, 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. NC0026654. 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 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Effluent Pipe The effluent pipe needs to be located. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A0F060-6B75-4682-8C4C-46EF63B7FBD8 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 DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A0F060-6B75-4682-8C4C-46EF63B7FBD8 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 NC0026654 22/07/06 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) Crossnore WWTP U.S. Highway 221 Crossnore NC 28616 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 09:30AM 22/07/06 20/06/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Other Facility Data 10:30AM 22/07/06 25/01/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number David Edward Yarber,PO Box 129 Crossnore NC 286160129//828-733-0360/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 Melanie Kemp DWR/ARO WQ/ - - / 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: F4A0F060-6B75-4682-8C4C-46EF63B7FBD8 7/20/2022 7/20/2022 7/20/2022 NPDES yr/mo/day 22/07/06 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Stephanie Williams and Melanie Kemp, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Town of Crossnore WWTP on July 6, 2022. This inspection was conducted to determine if the system is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES permit no. NC0026654. Robby Woody (ORC) was present during the inspection. Mr. Woody took over operations in the Fall of 2021. Bar Screen and EQ Basin: The EQ basin had been cleaned of the excessive rags that were present during the 2021 inspection and the basin was aerated at the time of the inspection whereas it was not aerated during the 2021 inspection. Mr. Woody stated that the grinder pumps, which were discussed during the 2021 inspection, have been installed in the EQ basin and he has not since noticed any changes in operation due to the new pumps. Secondary Clarifiers: Mild floating sludge was noted in the clarifiers. As stated in the 2021 report, this is a byproduct of the plant design. Mr. Woody is operating the skimmers at a higher flow rate than previous operations, and the skimmers appear to be removing the floating sludge well. Both clarifiers had a 3 foot sludge blanket with 6 feet of clear supernatant in 9 foot clarifiers. Disinfection - UV: Mr. Woody stated that he is cleaning the UV bulbs three times per year. The displays have been fixed and transmittance is clearly displayed now. Flow Measurement - Effluent: The chart recorder was low on ink at the time of the inspection. Ms. Williams and Mr. Woody discussed that the ink should be changed. Influent and Effluent Samplers: The tubing on both samplers appears to be dirty. It is recommended that the tubing be replaced. Mr. Woody stated that he does not know how to change the settings on the autosamplers. It is recommended that the aliquot be checked to ensure that at least 100 mL is being pulled during each sample pulse. Effluent Pipe: The effluent pipe cannot be located. The pipe should be located, and personnel should know where it is located. The following deficiency was noted during the inspection: 1. Effluent Pipe: Staff does not know where the effluent pipe is located. The pipe should be located. NC0026654 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A0F060-6B75-4682-8C4C-46EF63B7FBD8 Permit:NC0026654 Inspection Date:07/06/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Crossnore 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 permit expires on 1/31/2025.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? 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? Mr. Woody stated that he rakes the bar screens twice per week. See summary for details. Comment: Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected above side streams? 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 sampling performed according to the permit? The aliquot could not be measured during the inspection. It is recommended that the tubing be kept clean. See summary for details. Comment: Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A0F060-6B75-4682-8C4C-46EF63B7FBD8 Permit:NC0026654 Inspection Date:07/06/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Crossnore WWTP Compliance Evaluation Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE 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? The EQ basin has been cleaned of the excessive rags that were present during the 2021 inspection. See summary for details. 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? 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) Settleability was measured at 34% in basin 1 and 32% in basin 2.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? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A0F060-6B75-4682-8C4C-46EF63B7FBD8 Permit:NC0026654 Inspection Date:07/06/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Crossnore WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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) There were fewer pockets of floating sludge during this inspection. See summary for details. Comment: 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? The bulbs are cleaned three times per year.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: 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? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A0F060-6B75-4682-8C4C-46EF63B7FBD8 Permit:NC0026654 Inspection Date:07/06/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Crossnore WWTP Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Yes No NA NE The fuel level is monitored by Town staff. Mr. Woody was unsure how often the generator is tested under load because the Town manages the generator. 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 aliquot could not be measured during the inspection. It is recommended that the tubing be kept clean. See summary for details. 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? The flow meter was last calibrated on 7/30/2021. The ink on the flow chart was low and should be changed. See summary for details. 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? Staff does not know where the effluent pipe is located. See summary for details.Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A0F060-6B75-4682-8C4C-46EF63B7FBD8