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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0033804_CEI_20220812 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED August 12, 2022 Benjamin L Sprouse Mountain and Sea Getaways Inc 56 Mills Gap Rd Apt #331 Asheville, NC 28803 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report – Follow-Up Laurel Mountain Retreat WWTF Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0033804 Buncombe County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted a follow-up inspection of the Laurel Mountain Retreat WWTF on 8/09/2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0033804. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". ARO staff have verified the treatment violation has been resolved; however, the facility will remain in non-compliant status until the compliance issues outlined in NOV-2022-PC-0383 are addressed. Please reference NOV-2022-PC-0383 and the summary of the attached inspection report for specific details. As a reminder, a response addressing all issues outlined in the previously issued Notice of Violation is due no later than August 24, 2022. If you are unable to immediately address all items, please provide a projected timeline for completion. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Melanie Kemp with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at melanie.kemp@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Melanie Kemp, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Cc: WQS Asheville Regional Office - Enforcement File NON-DISCHARGE Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File Robert Barr – RPB Systems, Inc. E.c.: LF Compliance Inspection Report Permit:WQ0033804 Effective:06/18/21 Expiration:03/31/27 Owner :Mountain and Sea Getaways Inc SOC: Contact Person: Region: County: Directions to Facility: Buncombe Asheville Benjamin L Sprouse Effective:Expiration:Facility:Laurel Mountain Retreat WWTF 6 Deerborne Ln Weaverville NC 28787 Title:Phone:828-417-4835 From I-26 take the Marshall exit (US Hwy 70/25). Go approximately 3.5 miles and exit right onto Sheppard Branch Road (SR 1741). Go 0.25 miles to Lower Sheppard Branch Road. Facility is on the left. Secondary ORC(s): 828-251-1900Phone:1010633Certification:Kevin Wayne BryanPrimary ORC: SI,System Classifications: On-Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Secondary Inspector(s): Primary Inspector: Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time: Phone: 08/09/2022 10:30AM 11:00AM Melanie Kemp Mikal Willmer Facility Status: Permit Inspection Type: Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type: Not CompliantCompliant Follow-up Wastewater Irrigation Compliance Evaluation Question Areas: Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Record Keeping Storage Standby Power (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033804 08/09/2022 Compliance Evaluation Mountain and Sea Getaways Inc Follow-up Inspection Summary: Melanie Kemp, with Asheville Regional Office, conducted a follow-up Compliance Evaluation Inspection on 8/9/22 of the Laurel Mountain Retreat WWTF. This inspection was conducted to determine whether several issues identified during a 7/15/22 inspection had been addressed, related to Non- Discharge Permit No. WQ0033804. Please see the Notice of Violation letter dated July 25, 2022 for additional details (NOV-2022-PC-0383). This inspection is marked as non-compliant based a number of remaining issues on-site including thinning overgrown vegetation around tank and vault assembly area and pond (Permit Condition III.15), replacement of freeboard marker so that it is legible to staff (III.14), verifying all listed alarms are installed and operable, verifying that the rain sensor is operational and record readings in the logbook (II.5), and working with the owners to ensure the backup generator is operable and exercising on a regular basis (III.17). During a 7/15/22 Compliance Evaluation Inspection, ARO staff noticed that untreated waste had been overflowing from one of the septic tanks due to damaged piping and seams between tanks upstream of the treatment area. Bob Barr (ORC) informed the ARO on 7/21/22 that the issues related to the overflowing tank had been repaired on 7/20/2022. The issue was caused by a 2-inch flush return pulling away from the 4-inch tank connection due to settling that had occurred. Mature vegetation was still observed in this area and should be thinned to improve access. The remainder of the compliance issues noted above have not been resolved. The ARO expects a response to the NOV, outlining a plan for addressing these items, by 8/24/2022. Page 2 of 5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033804 08/09/2022 Compliance Evaluation Mountain and Sea Getaways Inc Follow-up Type Yes No NA NE Infiltration System Reuse (Quality) Lagoon Spray, LR Single Family Spray, LR Activated Sludge Spray, LR Activated Sludge Spray, HR Activated Sludge Drip, LR Recycle/Reuse Single Family Drip Treatment Yes No NA NE Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) Appears that treatement units are operational after repairs. Vegetation needs to be thinned/maintained to improve access to this area. Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? Is generator operable? Does generator have adequate fuel? Verify with the owner that the backup generator is being exercised weekly.Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE 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? Page 3 of 5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033804 08/09/2022 Compliance Evaluation Mountain and Sea Getaways Inc Follow-up # 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? O&M Manual needs to be updated regularly to reflect ownership changes and current protocols. A copy should be kept on site. Comment: ST-1 - Storage Yes No NA NE Storage Type?Pond Gallons Storage amount?77600 # At what point is side-stream wastewater returned to treatment?post-treatment/pre -disinfection Is there a Spill Control Plan? Aerated or Mixed?NONE If aeration is present, is it adequate? If present, are diffusers cleaned regularly? Is influent structure acceptable? Are banks/berms free of seepage and erosion? Are banks/berms free of excessive vegetation? Is pond lined? Liner Type Full, synthetic Is liner acceptable? Are baffles/curtains acceptable? Does the pond have a freeboard marker? Required freeboard?2 Feet Feet Actual freeboard?7 Page 4 of 5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033804 08/09/2022 Compliance Evaluation Mountain and Sea Getaways Inc Follow-up Is there suitable grassed vegetation? Is the vegetation maintained? Is the area free of excessive weeds and/or woody species? Is the area free from signs of overflow? Is color acceptable? Are floating mats acceptable? No excessive buildup of solids? Are aerators/mixers acceptable? Is effluent structure acceptable? If present, is pond cover acceptable? Spill Control Plan is part of O&M Plan. Woody vegetation is growing out of the synthetic liner in the bottom of the pond and needs to be removed. Exposure to sunlight is deterorating the liner due to low water levels. Vegetation around the pond should be maintained regularly. Freeboard marker needs to be replaced as readings are no longer legible. Comment: Page 5 of 5