WQCS00047_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20220825 (2)

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

August 25, 2022

City of Sanford
Attn: Victor Czar
PO Boc 3729
Sanford, NC 27331-3729

Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
City of Sanford Wastewater Collection System
Permit Number WQCS00047
Lee County

Dear Mr. Czar:

On August 24, 2022, Stephanie Goss of the Division of Water Resources conducted the subject
inspection. The assistance of Gerald Cox, Kay Bunnell, Jason Satterfield, and Brian Keas during
the inspection was appreciated. Below is a list of findings developed from the inspection:

1. The permit became effective December 1, 2016 and expires on November 30, 2024.

2. The City of Sanford’s wastewater collection system has approximately 207 miles of gravity
sewer, approximately 20 miles of force main, and 11 duplex pump stations.

3. A Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) program is implemented and in use. Educational materials
are mailed out twice a year per permit requirements.

4. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) lists funds/projects through 2030.

5. Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) cleanup, pumping, and reporting procedures, which
includes a response action plan was up to date. There has been 15 reportable SSO’s at the
City of Sanford’s collection system during a 3-year period ending December 2020. The
SSO cleanup, pumping, and reporting procedures meet all permit requirements. Records
for SSO’s are kept for over three years.

6. Per the subject permit, there are approximately 207 miles of gravity line. According to the
City’s Annual Wastewater Report records, approximately 30.7 miles of gravity sewer lines
were cleaned in 2020-2021 which is 14.8%.

7. Five pump stations were inspected: Jackson Heights, Kelly Drive, Carr Creek, Lemon
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A5D5B27-1036-41B3-B9FC-0E75A7EF9158
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

Page 2 of 2

Springs and Shaddox Creek. All five pump stations have identification signs, secured
access, appeared in good condition and were free of excess debris. All audible and visual
alarms functioned when the high-water floats were activated. A logbook for each pump
station was available to view during the inspection. All five pump stations have a generator
on-site and operated successfully.

8. Maintenance logs were reviewed and appeared satisfactory.

9. Seven high priority lines were inspected: Jackson Heights, 812 Horner, Bay Breeze, Hi-
Tone Fitness Center, 3rd Street and Richmond Center, 3rd Street, and 1st Street. All high
priority lines appeared straight, rust free and in good condition. The right of way (ROW)
was being maintained for all lines. Mr. Cox stated that high priority lines are inspected
twice a year and a visual observation is made while maintaining the ROW.

10. An up-to-date map of the collection system was available which included direction of flow,
pipe size, pipe material, pipe location, pipe age, pump station identification and location.

If you have any questions concerning this report, please contact Stephanie Goss at 919-791-4256
or by e-mail at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Vanessa E. Manuel, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

cc: Laserfiche

DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A5D5B27-1036-41B3-B9FC-0E75A7EF9158
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQCS00047 Effective:12/01/16 Expiration:11/30/24 Owner :City Of Sanford
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Lee
Raleigh
Victor I Czar
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Sanford Collection System
PO Box 338
Title:Phone:[phone]Public Works Director
Secondary ORC(s):
Phone:Certification:Primary ORC:
CS3,System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0024147 City Of Sanford - Big Buffalo WWTP
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
08/24/2022 09:30AM 01:00PM
Stephanie Goss 919-791-4200
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Routine
Collection system management and operation
Collection System Inspection Sampling
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions General Sewer & FOG Ordinances
Capital Improvement Plan Map Reporting Requirements
Inspections Spill Response Plan Spills
Lines Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6
8/25/2022
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A5D5B27-1036-41B3-B9FC-0E75A7EF9158
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00047
08/24/2022 Collection System Inspection Sampling
City Of Sanford
Routine
Inspection Summary:
Page 2 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A5D5B27-1036-41B3-B9FC-0E75A7EF9158
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00047
08/24/2022 Collection System Inspection Sampling
City Of Sanford
Routine
General Yes No NA NE
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?
Comment:
Sewer and FOG Ordinances Yes No NA NE
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.)
They have semi-annual mailing distribution, booths, regular education to schools.
Comment:
Capital Improvement Plan Yes No NA NE
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?
Does CIP include description of existing facilities?
Does CIP include known deficiencies?
Does CIP include forecasted future needs?
Comment:
Map Yes No NA NE
Page 3 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A5D5B27-1036-41B3-B9FC-0E75A7EF9158
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00047
08/24/2022 Collection System Inspection Sampling
City Of Sanford
Routine
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:
Reporting Requirements Yes No NA NE
# 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?Wastewater
Annual Report
Comment:
Inspections Yes No NA NE
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?
Comment:
Spill Response Action Plan Yes No NA NE
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
Does the plan include:
Page 4 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A5D5B27-1036-41B3-B9FC-0E75A7EF9158
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00047
08/24/2022 Collection System Inspection Sampling
City Of Sanford
Routine
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?
Comment:
Spills Yes No NA NE
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?
Comment:
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines Yes No NA NE
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Seven high priority lines were inspected: Jackson Heights, 812 Horner, Bay Breeze, Hi-Tone Fitness Center,
3rd Street and Richmond Center, 3rd Street, and 1st Street.
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?
Comment:
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Jackson Heights, Kelly Drive, Carr Creek, Lemon Springs and Shaddox Creek.
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system 11
# 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?11
Page 5 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A5D5B27-1036-41B3-B9FC-0E75A7EF9158
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQCS00047
08/24/2022 Collection System Inspection Sampling
City Of Sanford
Routine
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto-dialer) installed?
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?
# 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?
Comment:
Page 6 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A5D5B27-1036-41B3-B9FC-0E75A7EF9158