NC0059536_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230207

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/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 IN 1 2 u 3 I NCO059536 111 121 23/02/07 I17 18 LC] I 19 I s I 20L]
21111I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I r6
Inspection
Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved -------------------
67
I 72 I ni I 71 I 74 79 I I I I I I I80
701 I 71 I LL -1 I I
LJ
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 Dermit Number)
09:30AM 23/02/07
19/09/01
Hilltop Living Center WWTP
212 Plemmons Dr
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Linwood NC 27299
11:00AM 23/02/07
24/05/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Joseph Charles Shaffer/ORC/336-357-5090/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Tisha T Tuttle,212 Plemmons Dr Linwood NC 27299//336-853-7670/3368537671
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispo: Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Wate
Laboratory
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
Jesse Barnes Docusigned by: DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9701/
� 3/7/2023
E
41797473D3194ED...
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
by: 3/10/2023
FLD�ocuSigned
_ T. 5,,Ar
\-14 49E 21114
EPA Form 3560-3 (Wev 29-94) Frevious editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type
NCO059536 I11 12I 23/02/07 117 18 i c i
(Cont.)
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Jesse Barnes, of the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (DWR), Winston-Salem Regional
Office (WSRO), conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Hilltop Living Center WWTP on
February 7, 2023. Joseph Shaffer, Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), was present for the
inspection. The facility was found to be noncompliant with the subject permit. Inspection findings are
detailed in the attached Water Compliance Inspection Report.
NPDES permit NC0059536 was issued September 1, 2019 and expires May 31, 2024. The facility was
as described in the subject permit. No special conditions are included in the subject permit. The plant
is restricted to the public by a chain link fence. The inspector was granted access to all areas for
inspection.
Approximately the past 18 months of DMRs were maintained on site. Mr. Shaffer stated that he
maintains DMRs older than 18 months off site at his home, along with laboratory records and chains
of custody. He was advised to maintain all permit -required records on site in accordance with subject
permit Part I, Section 5. and Part Il, Section D. (6.). A copy of the subject permit was present on site
during the inspection. The November 2022 DMR was reviewed for completeness and all subject
permit -required parameters were reported. Mr. Shaffer maintains an ORC visitation log and other
operation records in a notebook kept in his vehicle, as he operates multiple facilities.
Field parameters have been performed by Mr. Shaffer, but no field laboratory certification was
present or able to be produced upon request by either Mr. Shaffer or the facility owner. Subject
permit Part ll, Section D. (5.) requires field laboratories to hold the appropriate field parameter
laboratory certifications. Parameters not analyzed in the field have been analyzed by Statesville
Analytical Holdings LLC, certified laboratory # 440.
The two septic tanks are gravity fed and appeared to be operating properly during the inspection.
Facility maintenance staff stated that the septic tanks are pumps approximately twice annually.
Both grease traps were located and visually inspected. Each grease trap has two access chambers,
one to monitor the amount of accumulated grease removed and the second immediately downstream
where wastewater should contain no visible grease. The grease traps appeared to be operating
properly during the inspection. Facility maintenance staff stated that the grease traps are pumped
approximately quarterly.
The sand filters were free of excessive algae and vegetation during the inspection. Pipes were
observed entering one side of the sand filter distribution box and appeared to drain stormwater from
the adjacent field into the filters. Mr. Shaffer raised concerns about flow limit exceedances during rain
events due to these stormwater drainage pipes feeding into the treatment system.
The tablet chlorinators and de -chlorinators both appeared to be operating properly during the
inspection. There were two chlorinator tubes and two de -chlorinator tubes in use, both contained
tablets during the inspection. Both chlorination and de -chlorination tablets were the correct type for
domestic wastewater treatment.
The effluent flow meter in use during the inspection was a Signature model by Teledyne ISCO. It had
been calibrated annually by Carolina Technical Services, most recently on October 10, 2022. The
effluent flow meter appeared to be operating properly during the inspection.
The effluent pipe was visually inspected and appeared to be well maintained. Effluent discharge and
receiving waters appeared free of foam and other debris.
Upstream sampling is rarely performed due to lack of flow. There was no flow upstream of the outfall
during the inspection. Mr. Shaffer typically grabs downstream samples approximately 10 feet
Page#

Permit: NCO059536
Inspection Date: 02/07/2023
Owner -Facility: Hilltop Living Center WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
downstream of the outfall due to the lack of a properly maintained and accessible right of way further
downstream. Subject permit Part I, Section A. (1.) requires downstream sampling to occur
approximately 300 feet from the outfall.
Page#

Permit: NCO059536 Owner -Facility: Hilltop Living Center WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/07/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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?
0
❑
❑ ❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
❑
0
❑ ❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
❑
❑ ❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
❑
❑ ❑
Comment: NPDES permit NCO059536 was issued September 1, 2019 and expires May 31, 2024.
The facility was as described in the subject permit. No special conditions are included
in the subject permit. The plant is restricted to the public by a chain link fence.
The
inspector was granted access to all areas for inspection.
Record Keeping
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?
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
Yes No NA NE
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Page# 4

Permit: NCO059536
Inspection Date: 02/07/2023
Record Keeping
Owner -Facility: Hilltop Living Center WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Comment: Approximately the past 18 months of DMRs were maintained on site. Mr. Shaffer stated
that he maintains DMRs older than 18 months off site at his home, along with
laboratory records and chains of custody. He was advised to maintain all
permit -required records on site in accordance with subject permit Part I, Section 5. and
Part Il, Section D. (6.). A copy of the subject permit was present on site during the
inspection. The November 2022 DMR was reviewed for completeness and all subject
permit -required parameters were reported. Mr. Shaffer maintains an ORC visitation log
and other operation records in a notebook kept in his vehicle, as he operates multiple
facilities.
Laboratory
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
❑
0
❑
❑
Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is the facility using a contract lab?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
❑
❑
❑
degrees Celsius)?
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees?
❑
❑
❑
■
Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees?
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Field parameters have been performed by Mr. Shaffer, but no field laborato
certification was present or able to be produced upon request by either Mr. Shaffer or
the facility owner. Subject permit Part II, Section D. (5.) requires field laboratories to
hold the appropriate field parameter laboratory certifications. Parameters not analyzed
in the field have been analyzed by Statesville Analytical Holdings LLC, certified
laboratory # 440.
Operations & Maintenance
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:
Septic Tank
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational?
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule?
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
Yes No NA NE
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❑ ❑ ❑
Yes No NA NE
❑ ❑ ❑ ■
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ■ ❑
❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Comment: The two septic tanks are gravity fed and appeared to be operating properly during the
inspection. Facility maintenance staff stated that the septic tanks are pumps
approximately twice annually.
Page# 5

Permit: NC0059536
Inspection Date: 02/07/2023
Owner -Facility: Hilltop Living Center WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Grease Removal Yes No NA NE
# Is automatic grease removal present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is grease removal operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Both grease traps were located and visually inspected. Each grease trap has two
access chambers, one to monitor the amount of accumulated grease removed and the
second immediately downstream where wastewater should contain no visible grease.
The grease traps appeared to be operating properly during the inspection. Facility
maintenance staff stated that the grease traps are pumped approximately quarterly.
Sand Filters (Low rate)
Yes
No
NA
NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational?
❑
❑
❑
■
Is the distribution box level and watertight?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is sand filter free of ponding?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio?
❑
❑
❑
# Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1)
❑
❑
❑
Comment: The sand filters were free of excessive algae and vegetation during the inspection
Pipes were observed entering one side of the sand filter distribution box and appeared
to drain stormwater from the adjacent field into the filters. Mr. Shaffer raised concerns
about flow limit exceedances during rain events due to these stormwater drainage
pipes feeding into the treatment system.
Disinfection -Tablet
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Number of tubes in use?
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?
Yes No NA NE
2
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Comment: The tablet chlorinators and de -chlorinators both appeared to be operating properly
during the inspection. There were two chlorinator tubes and two de -chlorinator tubes in
use, both contained tablets during the inspection. Both chlorination and de -chlorination
tablets were the correct type for domestic wastewater treatment.
De -chlorination
Yes No
NA
NE
Type of system ?
Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
❑ ❑
❑
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
❑ ❑
0
❑
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
M ❑
❑
❑
Page# 6

Permit: NCO059536
Inspection Date: 02/07/2023
De -chlorination
Comment:
Owner -Facility: Hilltop Living Center WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use? 2
Comment: The tablet chlorinators and de -chlorinators both appeared to be operating properly
during the inspection. There were two chlorinator tubes and two de -chlorinator tubes in
use, both contained tablets during the inspection. Both chlorination and de -chlorination
tablets were the correct type for domestic wastewater treatment.
Standby Power
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?
Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent
# 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?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The effluent flow meter in use during the inspection was a Signature model by
Teledyne ISCO. It had been calibrated annually by Carolina Technical Services, most
recently on October 10, 2022. The effluent flow meter appeared to be operating
properly during the inspection.
Effluent Sampling
Yes
No
NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is proper volume collected?
❑
❑
❑
Is the tubing clean?
❑
❑
0
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Page# 7

Permit: NCO059536 Owner -Facility: Hilltop Living Center WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/07/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
# 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: The ORC has routinely collected grab samples directly from the effluent discharge
point outfall 001.
Effluent Pipe
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?
Yes No NA NE
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■ ❑ ❑ ❑
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Comment: The effluent pipe was visually inspected and appeared to be well maintained. Effluent
discharge and receiving waters appeared free of foam and other debris.
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
and sampling location)?
Comment: Upstream samplinq is rarely performed due to lack of flow. There was no flow upstream
of the outfall during the inspection. Mr. Shaffer typically grabs downstream samples
approximately 10 feet downstream of the outfall due to the lack of a properly
maintained and accessible right of way further downstream. Subject permit Part I,
Section A. (1.) requires downstream sampling to occur approximately 300 feet from the
outfall.
Page# 8