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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0033677_CEI_20221220 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED December 20, 2022 Paul J Taylor Case Farms Emailed to: ptaylor@casefarms.com SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Case Farms - Morganton Hatchery WWTF Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0033677 Burke County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Case Farms - Morganton Hatchery WWTF on 12/15/2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0033677. 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 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 Report EC: LF CC: Cindy McGinnis, ORC Darryl Bryan, Hatchery Manager DocuSign Envelope ID: 429043D4-AF8D-4047-A9E1-6999CC936046 Compliance Inspection Report Permit:WQ0033677 Effective:07/21/20 Expiration:12/31/21 Owner :Case Farms LLC SOC: Contact Person: Region: County: Directions to Facility: Burke Asheville Paul J Taylor Effective:Expiration:Facility:Case Farms - Morganton Hatchery WWTF 5067 Foreman St Morganton NC 28655 Title:Phone:828-438-6974Hatchery Manager I-40 E. to Jamestown Rd. exit, turn right. Go approx. 1 mi. turn left on Connelly Rd. Go approx. 4 mi. to Foreman St., turn right. Facility approx. 1 mi. on rt. Secondary ORC(s): 828-438-6974Phone:992943Certification:Cindy Howard McGinnisPrimary ORC: SI,System Classifications: On-Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Secondary Inspector(s): Primary Inspector: Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time: Phone: 12/15/2022 10:00AM 10:45AM Melanie Kemp Facility Status: Permit Inspection Type: Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type: Not CompliantCompliant Routine Wastewater Irrigation Compliance Evaluation Question Areas: Treatment Flow Measurement-Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement-Influent Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Flow Measurement-Water Use Records Treatment Record Keeping Treatment Lagoons Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment End Use-Irrigation Treatment Flow Measurement (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 429043D4-AF8D-4047-A9E1-6999CC936046 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033677 12/15/2022 Compliance Evaluation Case Farms LLC Routine Inspection Summary: Melanie Kemp, with the ARO, performed a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Case Farms Hatchery on December 15, 2022 to ensure the facility was operating in compliance with non-discharge permit WQ0033677. Cindy McGinnis (site ORC) was present and assisted with the inspection. Darryl Bryan, the Hatchery Manager, was also on site. Overall, the facility appeared to be operating in compliance with the permit. The facility modified the permit in 2019 when they were planning on expanding operations and subsequently adding 2 new irrigation fields (5 and 6) and associated infrastructure. During the inspection, the ORC indicated that they are longer planning on expanding, and therefore unlikely to establish these additional fields. The permit should be updated to reflect the facility operations during the next renewal. The current permit expired on 12/31/21 – the ORC indicated that permit renewal documents/fees have been submitted. Treated effluent from the facility flows into the aerated lagoon where it is stored until being pumped to irrigate fields 1-4. A digital in-line effluent irrigation flow meter was in the pump house. The ORC indicated that the pumps, spray heads, and lagoon aerators are all functional. The flow meter has not been calibrated since being installed in 2019. The irrigation sprayheads were calibrated in 2019. The lagoon liner was replaced in summer 2022 after a tear was discovered. The lagoon has slowly been refilling since being replaced. The lagoon does not have an appropriate freeboard marker. Currently freeboard measurements are collected weekly by estimating the level relative to the minimum 2-foot marking located on the southeast corner of the lagoon liner (see photograph attached to this report). The condition of the spray heads and irrigation areas could not be thoroughly evaluated during the inspection due to wet conditions. No severe ponding was observed on the fields, and the cover crop seems to be in moderate condition. A follow-up inspection will be performed in spring 2023 to observe irrigation and evaluate the condition of the irrigation fields. Photographs of the irrigation fields are attached to this report. Recordkeeping was mostly in order during the inspection. Freeboard (checked weekly) and rain gauge (checked daily) logs were available, an operations log was present, NDAR/NDMR’s were available for review, and the O&M Plan was present. The contact info for the DWR-ARO should be updated in the O&M Plan. Groundwater and soil fertility samples were submitted in November 2022 and lab results are still pending but will be submitted to the ARO for review. The following actions need to be taken to fully comply with the permit: -The digital in-line flow meter needs to be calibrated annually per permit condition III.16. -The irrigation equipment (spray heads) needs to be calibrated once per permit cycle, per permit condition III.7. -The lagoon should have a gauge to monitor freeboard with readily visible permanent markings at the inch or tenth of a foot increments per permit condition III.14. Page 2 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 429043D4-AF8D-4047-A9E1-6999CC936046 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033677 12/15/2022 Compliance Evaluation Case Farms LLC Routine Type Yes No NA NE Reuse (Quality) Infiltration System Single Family Spray, LR Activated Sludge Spray, LR Activated Sludge Spray, HR Activated Sludge Drip, LR Recycle/Reuse Single Family Drip Lagoon Spray, LR 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.) Due to rain, irrigation was not running during inspection. The spray fields (5 and 6) added to the permit during the 2019 modification have not been established. According to site representatives, the facility does not plan on expanding operations and it is therefore unlikely they will be adding these fields in the future. These fields and associated groundwater monitoring wells should be removed from the permit during the next renewal. Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement-Influent Yes No NA NE Is flowmeter calibrated annually? Is flowmeter operating properly? Does flowmeter monitor continuously? Does flowmeter record flow? Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? No influent flow meter.Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement-Water Use Records Yes No NA NE Is water use metered? Are the daily average values properly calculated? Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement-Effluent Yes No NA NE Is flowmeter calibrated annually? Is flowmeter operating properly? Does flowmeter monitor continuously? Does flowmeter record flow? Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? Page 3 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 429043D4-AF8D-4047-A9E1-6999CC936046 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033677 12/15/2022 Compliance Evaluation Case Farms LLC Routine A digital in-line flow meter was installed in the pump house and needs to be calibrated annually. See summary for additional details. Flow measurements are recorded when irrigation is occuring. Comment: Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE Is the aeration operational? Is the aeration pattern even? If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? 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? # 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? GW and soil samples collected in November by Watertech Labs and results haven't been received yet. O&M Plan present, but needs minor updates (see summary). January 2022 complaint investigated by ARO on 1/12/22 and facility determined to be compliant. Comment: Page 4 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 429043D4-AF8D-4047-A9E1-6999CC936046 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033677 12/15/2022 Compliance Evaluation Case Farms LLC Routine End Use-Irrigation Yes No NA NE Are buffers adequate? Is the cover crop type specified in permit? Is the crop cover acceptable? Is the site condition adequate? Is the site free of runoff / ponding? Is the acreage specified in the permit being utilized? Is the application equipment present? Is the application equipment operational? Is the disposal field free of limiting slopes? Is access restricted and/or signs posted during active site use? Are any supply wells within the CB? Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB? How close is the closest water supply well? Is municipal water available in the area? # Info only: Does the permit call for monitoring wells? Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB? Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval? Are monitoring wells damaged? Irrigation not on during inspection due to heavy rain. MW-4 is within the Review Boundary. Some weeds present in the spray field but will reevaluated in the spring. Comment: L1 - Treatment Lagoons Yes No NA NE Lagoon Type Aerated Primary/Secondary Primary Influent structure Banks/berms (seepage and erosion) Vegetation (excessive vegetation on banks/berms) Liner Liner Type Full, synthetic Baffles/curtains Freeboard Marker Required freeboard 2 Feet Actual freeboard 13.5 Page 5 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 429043D4-AF8D-4047-A9E1-6999CC936046 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0033677 12/15/2022 Compliance Evaluation Case Farms LLC Routine Feet Are increments clearly marked on gauge at adequate intervals? Has the water level gauge been surveyed w/ respect to lowest point on dike? wall? No Evidence of overflow Acceptable color Floating mats Excessive solids buildup Aerators/mixers Effluent structure Lagoon cover Page 6 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 429043D4-AF8D-4047-A9E1-6999CC936046 Lagoon 2-ft Freeboard Marker Irrigation Areas 2.8 MG Storage Lagoon DocuSign Envelope ID: 429043D4-AF8D-4047-A9E1-6999CC936046