NC0056561_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20221209

December 9, 2022

Michael Lee Mehaffey
Town of Maggie Valley
Email: [e-mail]

SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Maggie Valley WWTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NC0056561
Haywood County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Maggie Valley WWTP on
11/21/2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0056561. 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 828-296-4500 or via email at
[e-mail].

Sincerely,

Lauren Armeni, Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report

Ec: Laserfiche
Seth Boyd (BORC)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
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 NC0056561 22/11/21 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)
Maggie Valley WWTP
U S Hwy 276 N
Maggie Valley NC 28751
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
09:00AM 22/11/21 22/02/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Michael Lee Mehaffey/ORC/828-400-9494/
Other Facility Data
11:00AM 22/11/21 26/03/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Michael Lee Mehaffey,3987 Soco Rd Maggie Valley NC
28751//828-926-0866/8289263576
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/ - - /
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: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
12/9/2022
12/12/2022
12/12/2022
NPDES yr/mo/day
22/11/21
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Lauren Armeni and Melanie Kemp, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance
Evaluation Inspection of the Maggie Valley WWTP on November 21, 2022. This inspection was
conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with
NPDES Permit No. NC0056561. Mr. Mike Mehaffey (ORC), Mr. Seth Boyd (Backup ORC), and Mr.
Jordan Davis (WW Operator) were present and assisted in the inspection.
Overall, the facility was well-maintained and operated. The previous inspection report indicated that
the only access road to the facility is experiencing significant erosion during flood events, and the
streambank supporting the road has the potential to become unstable. Mr. Mehaffey indicated that
they were able to obtain funding through the NC Department of Public Safety to repair this issue, and
the work should be starting around April 2023. No deficiences or violations were found during the
inspection.
NC0056561 17 (Cont.)
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
Permit:NC0056561
Inspection Date:11/21/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Maggie Valley 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?
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?
Settleability results are utilized to maintain healthy biota within the aeration basins.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?
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility
classification?
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
Permit:NC0056561
Inspection Date:11/21/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Maggie Valley WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
Comment:
Flow Measurement - Influent 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?
An ultrasonic flow meter is present at the headworks, but it is used to operate the step
mechanical bar screen.
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?
Flow-proportional composite sampling is not required for influent sampling. Mr.
Mehaffey indicated that the influent composite sampling is time-based. A thermometer
was not in the influent composite sampler at the time of the inspection, but the
temperature was checked with another thermometer and was in compliance. Mr. Boyd
ordered a thermometer while I was there, and sent me a picture of the new
thermometer in the influent composite sampler on November 30, 2022.
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?
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
Permit:NC0056561
Inspection Date:11/21/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Maggie Valley WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Mr. Mehaffey indicated that they are in the process of building a roof for the bar screen
and for the dumpster where they store debris from the bar screen. They will also place
a concrete pad under the dumpster with a drain that goes back to the headworks. The
dumpster is hauled off as needed.
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)
The facility utilizes AeroMod technology in the two aeration basins. The basins are
labeled as four separate basins, A1, A2, B1, and B2, but A1 and A2 are connected and
B1 and B2 are connected. Surface DOs are maintained around 5-6 mg/L in the
summer, and slightly higher in the winter. Activated sludge is wasted to the digesters
out of A1 and B1. Settleability was 230 mL/1000 mL after 30 minutes in A1, and 410
mL/1000 mL after 30 minutes in B2. Sequencing aeration is used to allow denitrification
to occur, which consists of cycling the air on/off for 2 hours at a time. A1 and B1 use
fine bubble aeration and A2 and B2 use coarse bubble aeration.
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)
Page#5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
Permit:NC0056561
Inspection Date:11/21/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Maggie Valley WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
The rectangular clarifiers (ClarAtors) also utilize AeroMod technology and have air-lift
pumps. The weirs are submerged. At the time of the inspection, the sludge blanket was
measured at 2.5' in Clarifier A and 5' in Clarifier B. Both clarifiers are approximately 11'
deep. Mr. Mehaffey indicated that the sludge blanket in Clarifier B might be higher
because the hood could be stopped up in the spot the reading was taken. The hoods
are where the RAS pumps pull sludge from at the bottom of the clarifier. On December
1, 2022, Mr. Boyd indicated they had been washing the hoods that week.
Comment:
Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place?
Are pumps operational?
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
There are two RAS pumps in place, so if one goes down, the other can be solely used
until a spare pump is purchased.
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?
There are two digesters, and approximately 100,000 gallons of sludge was pumped out
of them in October 2022. The solids are pumped directly to the belt press building.
Prior to pumping the solids, the supernate is decanted and pumped into the aeration
basins.
Comment:
Solids Handling Equipment Yes No NA NE
Is the equipment operational?
Is the chemical feed equipment operational?
Is storage adequate?
Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters?
Is the site free of sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press?
Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake?
The facility has an approved sludge management plan?
The facility belt presses sludge before stabilizing with lime. Solids are distributed under
the Town's Class A permit (WQ0010615). The belt press is ran approximately three
days per month.
Comment:
Page#6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
Permit:NC0056561
Inspection Date:11/21/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Maggie Valley WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection-Gas Yes No NA NE
Are cylinders secured adequately?
Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight?
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination?
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 lbs of Chlorine (CAS No.
7782-50-5)?
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site?
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000-____-____)
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Approximately 1,200 pounds of gas are maintained on site. Containers are stored and
chained next to the disinfection building away from the de-chlorination gas. Feed is flow
proportional. Solids in the contact chamber are pumped out every two months. It is
recommended to protect the containers from direct sunlight during future upgrades.
Comment:
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?Gas
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
# Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Are tablet de-chlorinators operational?
Number of tubes in use?
Feed is flow proportional. It is recommended to protect the containers from direct
sunlight during future upgrades.
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 effluent flow meter was last calibrated on March 15, 2022 by Horizon Engineering
& Consulting.
Comment:
Page#7
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
Permit:NC0056561
Inspection Date:11/21/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Maggie Valley WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
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)?
Effluent composite sampling is flow proportional, and the sampler is set to pull a 150
mL aliquot.
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 is visible and accessible along Jonathan's Creek. Rip rap surrounds
the bank, and there are no issues with excessive growth.
Comment:
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type,
and sampling location)?
The permit requires upstream total hardness sampling. Mr. Mehaffey indicated that this
sample is collected from the entrance bridge, approximately 1,000' upstream of the
discharge.
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#8
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225
Permit:NC0056561
Inspection Date:11/21/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Maggie Valley WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
The generator automatically exercises every Thursday. At the time of the inspection,
the fuel tank was approximately 45% full, and Mr. Boyd indicated that they generally fill
the tank this time of year. Star Tek Electric annually services the generator and tests it
under load.
Comment:
Page#9
DocuSign Envelope ID: 869A2775-5DFB-45A3-9863-8BF7EC01B225