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Home My WebLink AboutNC0087106_NOD2023PC0104_20230331 April 4, 2023 Jim Atkinson, POA President Vice Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc 157 Chattooga Run Hendersonville, NC 28739 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY Tracking Number: NOD-2023-PC-0104 Permit No. NC0087106 Champion Hills WWTP Henderson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Champion Hills WWTP on March 29, 2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0087106. 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 Asheville Regional Office. The following deficiency was noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Deficiency _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Equalization Basin The equalization basin does not have working alarms. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In addition, the issues below must also be addressed: Compliance Issue: Excessive foam in the aeration basins is clogging the clarifier baffles and appears to be causing excess solids on the clarifier surface as well as some pin floc discharge from the clarifier. DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944 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, carefully review these deficiencies and address the causes of non-compliance to prevent the recurrence of similar situations. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Ec: Laserfiche DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944 EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460 Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 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 N 52 NC0087106 23/03/29 C S31112171819 20 21 66 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- N67707172 73 74 75 80 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) Champion Hills WWTP 1000 Indian Cave Rd Hendersonville NC 28739 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 09:30AM 23/03/29 20/12/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Danielle Ann Hunter/ORC/828-251-1900/ Other Facility Data 11:00AM 23/03/29 25/11/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Craig Galloway,1 Hagen Dr Hendersonville NC 28739/Director of Grounds & Facilities/828-696-1662/8286962097 Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Effluent/Receiving Waters 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 Melanie Kemp DWR/ARO WQ/ - - / Daniel J Boss DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4658/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944 4/4/2023 4/5/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/03/29 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On 3/30/2023, I (Daniel Boss) and Melanie Kemp conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Champion Hills WWTP. We met with Craig Galloway (Grounds Manager) and Danielle Hunter (ORC) for the inspection. The plant appeared to be running well overall, but there were a couple operational concerns. There was a dark greasy foam covering about 50% of the surfaces of the aeration basins. This foam was clogging baffles in the secondary clarifiers and there were excessive solids on the surface of the secondary clarifiers. The equalization basin doesn't have working alarms. The equalization basin has overflow channels that discharge to the aeration basins. If the equalization basin pumps failed it would not cause a wastewater spill, but it could disrupt the treatment process. The steel wall between the equalization and the digester is corroded and there is a possibility of eventual failure of that wall. The permittee is exploring different options for building a replacement to the current WWTP. NC0087106 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944 Permit:NC0087106 Inspection Date:03/29/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Champion Hills WWTP 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 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? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? Comment: 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? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? 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? Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Comment: Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944 Permit:NC0087106 Inspection Date:03/29/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Champion Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? Is the basin free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? The equalization basins do not have working alarms.Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused 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/l) The last time that the ORC checked the DO, one AB measured 3.1 mg/L and the other AB measured 4.5 mg/L. Settleability measured by the ORC was 30% in one AB and 40% in the other AB. Dark, greasy foam covered about 50% of the AB's surfaces. Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? Are weirs level? Is the site free of weir blockage? 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? Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944 Permit:NC0087106 Inspection Date:03/29/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Champion Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately ¼ of the sidewall depth) The scum baffles were filled with foam for both clarifiers.Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Type of operation:Down flow 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? The backwash pumps were turned on to demonstrate operability.Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?3 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? Comment: 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? # 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?4 Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944 Permit:NC0087106 Inspection Date:03/29/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Champion Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? 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 representative)? ORC stated that company that calibrated the flow meter also set up the sampler for flow proportional sampling. Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE 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? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # 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? The flow meter was last calibrated in May 2022.Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE 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? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944 Permit:NC0087106 Inspection Date:03/29/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Champion Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is the generator fuel level monitored? The generator on site is gas powered and tested weekly. Champion Hills hires a company to do the maintenance for the generator. Comment: Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: A702773C-6875-42D2-8F11-EA11E7E9E944