NC0073318_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230203

ROY COOPER
Governor
EMABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Mr. Joel Clarke
Clark Utilities, Inc.
223 US Highway 70 E, Suite 115
Garner, NC 27529
Dear Mr. Clarke:
NORTH CAROLINA
EnWron tentdQuality
February 3, 2023
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Whippoorwill Valley WWTP
NPDES Permit NCO073318
Wake County
On February 2, 2023, Mitch Hayes of the Raleigh Regional Office conducted the subject inspection
with your assistance. Your assistance was greatly appreciated. Below is a list of findings developed
from the inspection and review of the permit.
1. The current permit was reissued and became effective January 6, 2018 and expired January
31, 2023. A permit renewal application is currently under review. Please continue to
operate under the last issued permit until a new permit is issued.
2. The 0.05 MGD facility consists of the following units: Influent pump station; influent bar
screen; surge basin; aeration basin; sludge holding tank; dual clarifiers; chemical
phosphorus removal and pH adjustment; tablet chlorination; tertiary filter; tablet
dechlorination and post aeration.
3. All units were present and operation during the inspection. The sludge holding tank was
full. Granville Farms Inc. was expected to haul sludge this week. Mixed liquor in the
aeration appeared chocolate brown in color. All blowers were operational with minimum
foaming. Effluent in the secondary and tertiary filters appeared clear. The audible and
visual alarms were functional when the high water float was lifted at the influent pump
station. Telemetry acknowledged the high wet well. Effluent at the discharge appeared
clear with no negative impact on the creek.
4. Clark Utilities Inc. Laboratory is certified for pH, DO, and TRC. ETT Labs analyses
chronic toxicity. All other parameters are analyzed by Environment 1 in Greenville.
5. Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) were reviewed for compliance and monitoring
requirements for the period December 2018 through December 2022. A flow exceedance
was noted for December 2022. This violation will be addressed in future correspondence.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Dnve I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
�� 919.791.4200

A BOD daily maximum violation was noted for November 30, 2022. This violation will
be addressed in future correspondence. Ammonia daily and monthly permit limit was noted
for August 2022. Ammonia monthly permit limit exceedance was noted for July 2022.
BOD daily maximum violation was noted for February 9, 2022. Fecal coliform limit daily
maximum was exceeded November 23, 2021. Phosphorus quarterly average for the quarter
ending September 30, 2020 was noted. Fecal coliform daily maximum was noted for
August 12, 2020. Monthly average exceedance for ammonia nitrogen was noted for March
2019.
I would like to thank you for your time and assistance with this inspection. If you have any
questions about this inspection or this letter, please contact Mitch Hayes at 919.791.4261 or at
mitch.hayes(a7,ncdennizov .
Sincerely,
Vanessa E. Manuel, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NC DEQ
Laserfiche
DNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Droston of Water Resources
IEQ� 512 North Salisbury Street 1 16l I Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
�\ __I/ 919.707.9000

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Form Approved.
EPA Washington, D.C. 20460
OMB No. 2040-0057
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr/molday inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 IN I 2 15 I 3 I NCO073318 I11 12 23/02/02 17 181 � j 191 S f 201
211 I I 1 I I I I I I LLI l l_ L 1 l l l 11 l l l l l l l 1 l l 1,_ I l l l l l-I I I f 6
Inspection Work Days Facility Seff-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved
67
70Li 71 Lj 72 Lj N 731 I 174 7 LLU80
I — I I t
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
Entry Time/Date
Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
09:30AM 23/02/02
18/02/01
Whippoorwill Valley WWTP
5634 Chimney Swift Dr
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Wake Forest NC 27587
10:15AM 23/02/02
23/01/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s) Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Ill
Joel McRay Clarke//919-662-045719196621207
Joel McRay Clarke/ORC1919-662-0457/
Walter Kenneth WaIIIORC/919-291-63001
Name, Address of Responsible OfficialfTitle/Phone and Fax Number
Joel McRay Clarke,223 Hwy 70 E Ste 115 Gamer NC 2752940621/919-662-0457/ Contacted
Yes
Section C. Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar 0 Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Wate
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) AgencylOifice/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Mitchell S Hayes DWRIRRO WQ1919-791-42001
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Data
�w•a-3R Z�Z.3
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page##

NPDES
yrlmolday
NCO073318 ill 1 23/02/02 17
Inspection Type
18 U
(Cont.)
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
The current permit was reissued and became effective January 6, 2018 and expired January 31,
2023. A permit renewal application is currently under review. Please continue to operate under the
last issued permit until a new permit is issued.
The 0.05 MGD facility consists of the following units: Influent pump station; influent bar screen; surge
basin; aeration basin; sludge holding tank; dual clarifiers; chemical phosphorus removal and pH
adjustment; tablet chlorination; tertiary filter; tablet dechlorination and post aeration.
All units were present and operation during the inspection. The sludge holding tank was full. Granville
Farms Inc. was expected to haul sludge this week. Mixed liquor in the aeration appeared chocolate
brown in color. All blowers were operational with minimum foaming. Effluent in the secondary and
tertiary filters appeared clear. The audible and visual alarms were functional when the high water
float was lifted at the influent pump station. Telemetry acknowledged the high wet well. Effluent at the
discharge appeared clear with no negative impact on the creek.
Clark Utilities Inc. Laboratory is certified for pH, DO, and TRC. ETT Labs analyses chronic toxicity. All
other parameters are analyzed by Environment 1 in Greenville.
Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) were reviewed for compliance and monitoring requirements for
the period December 2018 through December 2022. A flow exceedance was noted for December
2022. This violation will be addressed in future correspondence. A BOD daily maximum violation was
noted for November 30, 2022. This violation will be addressed in future correspondence. Ammonia
daily and monthly permit limit was noted for August 2022. Ammonia monthly permit limit exceedance
was noted for July 2022. BOD daily maximum violation was noted for February 9, 2022. Fecal coliform
limit daily maximum was exceeded November 23, 2021. Phosphorus quarterly average for the quarter
ending September 30, 2020 was noted. Fecal coliform daily maximum was noted for August 12, 2020.
Monthly average exceedance for ammonia nitrogen was noted for March 2019.
Page# 2

Permit: NCO073318 Owner - Facility: whippoorwill Valley WWTP
Inspection date: 02/02/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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?
Comment:
Permit
Yes
No
NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
0
❑
❑
❑
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?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
■
❑
110
Comment: Permit expired Janua 31 2023. Renewal permit is under review.
Record KeMino
Yes
No
NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is all required information readily available, complete and current?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs?
0
❑
❑
❑
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?
M
❑
❑
❑
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ?
M
❑
❑
❑
(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 2417 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

Permit: NC0073318 Owner - Facility: whippoorwill Valley WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/02/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluailon
Record Keepina Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ M ❑
Comment:
Effluent Pipe
Yes
No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
M
❑
❑
❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: Effluent appeared clear with no negative -impact upon creek.
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes
No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is the flow meter operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Ultra sonic flow meter used for reportina.
Pump Station - Influent
Yes
No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is the wet well free of excessive grease?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all pumps present?
❑
❑
❑
Are all pumps operable?
❑
❑
❑
Are float controls operable?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
❑
❑
❑
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
❑
❑
❑
Comment:
Bar Screens
Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
❑
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the screen free of excessive debris?
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 4

Permit: NC0073318
Inspection Date: 02102/2023
Owner - Facility: Whippoorwill Valley WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Bar Screens
Yes
No
NA NE
Is disposal of screening in compliance?
0
❑
❑ ❑
Is the unit in good condition?
❑
❑ ❑
Comment:
Primary Clarifier
Yes
No
NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
❑
❑
0
❑
Are weirs level?
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of weir blockage?
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is scum removal adequate?
N
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the drive unit operational?
❑
❑
❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable?
0❑
❑
❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately % of the sidewall depth)
❑
❑
❑
M
Comment:
Secondary Clarifier
Yes
No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
❑
❑
0
❑
Are weirs level?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of weir blockage?
0
❑
❑
❑
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?
❑
❑
M
❑
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately % of the sidewall depth)
❑
❑
❑
Comment:
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE
Type of operation: Down flow
Page# 5

Permit: NCO073318
Owner - Facility: Whippoorwill Valley WWTP
Inspection Date: 02IO2l2023
Inspection Type. Compliance Evaluation
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
Yes
No
NA NE
Is the filter media present?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is the filter surface free of clogging?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is the filter free of growth?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is the air scour operational?
❑
❑
❑
Is the scouring acceptable?
❑
❑
❑
■
Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media?
■
❑
❑
❑
M - i�7'iTMMI;,
Disinfection -Tablet
Yes
No
NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
M
❑
❑
❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
■
❑
❑
❑
Number of tubes in use?
2
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
❑
❑
❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
❑
❑
❑
Comment:
Effluent Sampling
Yes
No
NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
0
❑
❑ ❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
0
❑
❑ ❑
Is proper volume collected?
0111311
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 M ❑ ❑ ❑
representative)?
Comment:
Upstream 1 Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, ❑ ❑ ❑
and sampling location)?
Comment:
De -chlorination Yes No NA NE
Page# 6

Permit: NCO073318
Inspection Date: 02/02t2023
De -chlorination
Type of system ?
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
Owner - Facility: whippoorwill Valley WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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?
Comment:
Aeration Basins
Mode of operation
Type of aeration system
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/1)
Comment:
Yes
No
NA NE
Tablet
■
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
■
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
■
❑
❑
❑
N
Yes No NA NE
Ext. Air
Diffused
■
❑
❑
❑
■
❑
❑
❑
■
❑
1--][]
■❑❑❑
■❑❑❑
S
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
Page# 7