Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0033770_NOV-2023-SP-0001_20230418DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Certified Mail # 7021 2720 0002 3808 2628 Return Receipt Requested NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality April 26, 2023 John L McDonald Old North State Water Company LLC PO Box 10127 Birmingham, AL 35202-0127 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking Number: NOV-2023-SP-0001 Permit No. WQ0033770 Carolina Plantation WWTP Onslow County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Carolina Plantation WWTP on April 18, 2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0033770. A summary of the findings and comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report. The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Wilmington Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Violation End Use -Infiltration A protective vegetative cover needs to be established and maintained on the infiltration basin embankments to prevent erosion (Permit Section III.12). Permit Schedule Piezometers were not permanently abandoned within 60 days of effective date of permit (Permit Section I.3) DE Q�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Wilmington Regional Office 1 127 Cardinal Drive Extension I Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 IAIIrl 910.796.7215 DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of State law. To prevent further action, please respond in writing to this office within 30 days upon your receipt of this Notice of Violation regarding your plans or measures to be taken to address the indicated violations and other identified issues, if applicable. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Perez with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215. Sincerely, D7F DocuSO141E73B6F3456... for Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Wilmington Regional Office - Enforcement File Chip White — electronic copy Jeff Jarman — electronic copy Upload to Laserfiche D_E QNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Wilmington Regional Office 1 127 Cardinal Drive Extension I Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 910.796.7215 DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 Compliance Inspection Report Permit: WQ0033770 Effective: 04/06/22 Expiration: 10/31/28 Owner : Old North State Water Company LLC SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Carolina Plantation WWTP County: Onslow 419 Old Towne St Region: Wilmington Jacksonville NC 28546 Contact Person: Jeffrey A Jarman Title: Contract ORC Phone: 910-330-8167 Directions to Facility: Traveling north on Ramsey Rd. (SR 1324), entance to the site is the first road on the right past (north of) Carolina Elementary school, which is on the left. System Classifications: WW3, Primary ORC: Jeffrey A Jarman Certification: 13491 Phone: 910-330-8167 Secondary ORC(s): On -Site Representative(s): Related Permits: WQCS00374 Old North State Water Company LLC - Carolina Plantation Collection System Inspection Date: 04/18/2023 Entry Time 10:20AM Exit Time: 11:20AM Primary Inspector: Helen I Perez D�RQe' db . Phone: 910-796-7387 Secondary Inspector(s): DocuSigned by: 1D645B4A39694BE... [7F141E73B6F3456.. oµ 'T�n���,,�coti . Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration Facility Status: ❑ Compliant 0 Not Compliant Question Areas: Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Treatment Filters Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment End Use -Infiltration Standby Power (See attachment summary) Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Treatment Barscreen Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection Treatment Flow Measurement Treatment Return pumps Page 1 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 Permit: WQ0033770 Owner - Facility: Old North State Water Company LLC Inspection Date: 04/18/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Inspection Summary: A routine compliance inspection of the Carolina Plantation WWTF was conducted on April 18, 2023. The purpose of the evaluation was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit WQ0033770. Jeff Jarman, Chip White and additional Old North State Water Company (ONSWC) staff were present during the inspection. This 150,000 gpd wastewater treatment plant averaged 149,221 gpd in 2022. According to ONSWC, there are no plans to expand the plant capacity and Phase 11, specified in past permits, has been removed from the current permit. There are plans to replace the barscreen with a fabricated, custom barscreen this year, instead of constructing the static fine screen listed in the permit modifications. A review of files show no NDMR/NDAR monitoring report violations since the fall of 2020. GW-59s were available for review during the inspection but many reports have not been submitted. There have been issues with electronic submittal and acceptance. Please contact the non -discharge administrator on how to best submit these missing reports. The four infiltration basins continue to have embankment erosion issues. This was part of the violation issued for the inspection on 3/10/2021. A protective vegetative cover needs to be established and maintained on all the earthen embankments (Section 111.12). In addition, the piezometers PZ-1, PZ-2, PZ-3, PZ-4, PZ-5, and PZ-6 were required to be permanently abandoned and GW-30 forms completed and submitted for each within 60 days of the effective date of the current permit (Section 1.3). This will need to be completed as soon as possible. The faciity is noncompliant with Non -Discharge Permit WQ0033770. A Notice of Violation will be issued. Please respond in writing to this office within 30 days of your receipt of this inspection report regarding plans or measures to be taken to address the above issues. Page 2 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 Permit: WQ0033770 Inspection Date: 04/18/2023 Owner - Facility: Old North State Water Company LLC Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Type Yes No NA NE Reuse (Quality) ❑ Lagoon Spray, LR ❑ Single Family Spray, LR ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, LR ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, HR ❑ Activated Sludge Drip, LR ❑ Recycle/Reuse ❑ Single Family Drip ❑ Infiltration System Treatment Yes No NA NE Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: No comment. Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Yes No NA NE Is flowmeter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Yes No NA NE Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Yes No NA NE Is flowmeter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The effluent flowmeter, used for reporting, was calibrated in March 2023 by Delta Systems as well as the groundwater lowering system flowmeter. Standby Power Yes No NA NE Page 3 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 Permit: WQ0033770 Owner - Facility: Old North State Water Company LLC Inspection Date: 04/18/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is generator operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The generator is automatically tested every Tuesday and a complete inspection is performed quarterly by Old North State staff. Treatment Barscreen Yes No NA NE Is it free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screenings in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the bars spaced properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The manual barscreen is located after the EQ basin which causes staff to perform more EQ maintenance. In addition, the force of the influent through the screen causes some solids to escape to the clarifiers. Staff indicated that the construction of the static fine screen with an auger and dewatering press assembly listed in the permit modifications will not be completed. Instead, a custom bar screen will be fabricated this year. Treatment Activated Sludge Yes No NA NE Is the aeration mechanism operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is activated sludge an acceptable color? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Influent is split to dual trains consisting of anaerobic, pre -anoxic, aeration and post -anoxic chambers. Alum is added in the pre -anoxic chambers and Mico-C is added to the post -anoxic chambers. DO and MLSS is monitored by portable meters. Treatment Clarifiers Yes No NA NE Are the weirs level? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the weirs free of solids and algae? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scum removal system operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scum removal system accessible? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Maintenance is performed often to keep the floatinq solids that escape the barscreen at a managable level. Treatment Return pumps Yes No NA NE Are they in place? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are they operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 4 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 Permit: WO0033770 Owner - Facility: Old North State Water Company LLC Inspection Date: 04/18/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Comment: No comment. Treatment Filters Yes No NA NE Is the filter media present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter media the correct size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does backwashing frequency appear adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Dual media tertiary filters are backwashed daily. 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: Lewis Farms removes solids twice a week. Treatment Disinfection Yes No NA NE Is the system working? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there adequate detention time (-30 minutes)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the system properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the chlorinator accessible? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If tablets, are tablets present? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If UV, are extra UV bulbs available? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If UV, is the UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is it a dual feed system? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- - ) If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Comment: The facility switched to liquid chlorine instead of tablets for disinfection. Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Page 5 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 Permit: WQ0033770 Owner - Facility: Old North State Water Company LLC Inspection Date: 04/18/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is a copy of current permit available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are monitoring reports present: NDMR? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ NDAR? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are application rates adhered to? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there any 2L GW quality violations? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are annual soil reports available? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Are PAN records required? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Did last soil report indicate a need for lime? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If so, has it been applied? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are operational logs present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are lab sheets available for review? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are Operational and Maintenance records present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Were Operational and Maintenance records complete? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the SOC readily available? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ No treatment units bypassed since last inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: There are GW-59 reports missing. The operator stated that _groundwater monitoring has been conducted as required, but there has been issues with electronic submittal and acceptance. Please contact the non -discharge administrator on how to best submit these missing reports. The 6 piezometers need to be permanently abandoned and a GW-30 needs to be completed and submitted for each one. End Use -Infiltration Yes No NA NE # Is the application High Rate or Low Rate? High Rate Are buffers maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are any supply wells within the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is municipal water available in the area? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are GW monitoring wells required? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 6 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 64411074-9ABF-4D14-85D7-450FBBA1 EAE9 Permit: WO0033770 Owner - Facility: Old North State Water Company LLC Inspection Date: 04/18/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a usable green area maintained? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the disposal site acceptable? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the distribution equipment acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the disposal site free of ponding? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the disposal site free of breakout? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the disposal sites free of solids, algae, etc.? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the disposal sites free of vegetation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation, solids, algae, etc.? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Erosion on the embankments of the 4 infiltration basins is still an issue. A protective vegetative cover needs to be established and maintained. The #2 Infiltration Basin is currently not being used so that the water level can be lowered to start the removal process of any deposited mn+nrinlc Page 7 of 7