WQCS00077_Inspection_20230131

January 31, 2023

Eric J. Peterson, Town Manager
PO Box 428
Hillsborough, NC 27278-2131
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Hillsborough Wastewater Collection System
Permit No. WQCS00077
Orange County

Dear Mr. Peterson:

On January 11, 2023, Jason Robinson of the NC Division of Water Resource’s Raleigh Regional Office (RRO)
conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Town of Hillsborough’s Collection System. The
assistance provided by Mr. Alvin Robertson (Operator in Responsible Charge – ORC), Marie Strandwitz
(Utilities Director), Joel Lashley (bORC and Utility System Superintendent), Troy Miller (infrastructure System
Protection Supervisor) and Thomas Smith (bORC) was appreciated.

The inspection report is attached. The following observations were made:

1. According to the most recently issued permit, The Town of Hillsborough operates a wastewater collection
system consisting of approximately 77 miles of gravity sewer, approximately 16 miles of force main and 24
duplex pump stations that serves the Town of Hillsborough and any deemed permitted satellite
communities and the tributary wastewater collection systems serving Orange County Schools and Efland-
Cheeks subject to their own individual collection system permit (this description is from the permit). The
current permit expires on October 31, 2023. A renewal application should be submitted at least 180 days
prior to expiration of the current permit.

2. The collection system is classified as a CS-3. Alvin Robertson is the Primary ORC and is a certified CS-3
Operator. Joel Lashley and Thomas Smith are bORCs and are both certified CS-4 Operators. It was noted
that there was limited utility staff compared to the size of the Collection System.

During the inspection, the following documents were reviewed:

x Public Education Program for Fats, Oils & Grease
x Sewer Use Ordinance
x Grease Trap Ordinance
x Capital Improvement Plan
x Records for annual system-wide inspections
x Bi-annual High Priority line inspections
x Annual 10%+ cleaning records
x Right-of-way and Easement maintenance
x Maintenance and Repair records




  
  
Town of Cary’s Collection System
Permit No. WQCS00013
Compliance Evaluation

x Spill response Action Plan
x Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) record and related press releases and public notices
x Maps

The Town of Hillsborough’s collection system staff were well prepared for this inspection. The records
were readily available for review which greatly facilitated the inspection /review process. Further, all
permit required documents, records, and reports were available, found to be well organized and provided
excellent detail.

3. The Collection System Site Inspection:

Four of the Town’s pump stations were inspected: Emergency signs were observed, audible and visual
alarms and telemetry were tested by pulling the high-water floats, log books and spill responses plans
were reviewed, upstream manholes were opened and observed, etc. The following pump stations were
observed:

x Gatemore
x Elizabeth Brady
x Churton Grove
x Strouds Creek

All pump stations were well maintained and compliant with permit conditions.

Some Pump Stations utilize a Bubbler Control Systems instead of floats to trigger the alarm system.
Alarms are tested at these stations by turning off the pumps/power and allowing the water to rise to
trigger the alarms. This office recommends editing the Town’s list of pump stations in their next permit
renewal application to note whether each station utilizes floats or bubblers to trigger alarms.

Several Right-of-Ways/Easements and High-Priority lines were also observed and found to be maintained
and cleared.

The collection system was found to be compliant with permit conditions as a result of this inspection. The
system is well maintained, and documentation was found to be detailed, organized, and complete. The
Operators’ and other staffs’ attention to detail and documentation is commended. If you have any questions
regarding the attached reports or any of the findings, please contact Jason Robinson via email at
[e-mail].

Sincerely,

Vanessa E. Manuel
Assistant Regional Supervisor
Raleigh Regional Office

ATTACHMENTS
Inspection Checklist

Cc: Raleigh Regional Office w/attachment
NCDWR Laserfiche