NC0021407_Bioassay Compliance Inspection Report_20230502

SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED.

May 2, 2023

Lamar Nix
Town of Highlands
Email: [e-mail]

SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Highlands WWTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021407
Macon County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted a Bioassay Compliance Inspection of the Highlands
WWTP on March 14, 2023 and March 16, 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. NC0021407.
The test resulted in a pass and the facility appeared to be in compliance with NPDES WW Permit No.
NC0021407.

There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this
inspection report is not required.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lauren Armeni with the Water
Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at
[e-mail].

Sincerely,

Lauren Armeni, Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report

Ec: Laserfiche
Dale Wike (ORC, Environmental Inc.)
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 NC0021407 23/03/14 B S31112171819 20
21 66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
D 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)
Highlands WWTP
Arnold Rd
Highlands NC 28741
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
10:00AM 23/03/14 21/02/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Dale Howard Wike/ORC/828-586-5588/
Other Facility Data
11:00AM 23/03/14 25/08/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Lamar Nix,PO Box 460 Highlands NC 287412063//828-526-2118/8285262595 Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Other
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
Lauren E Armeni DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/
Mara G Chamlee DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/
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.
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5/2/2023
5/2/2023
5/2/2023
5/2/2023
NPDES yr/mo/day
23/03/14
Inspection Type
B3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On March 14, 2023 and March 16, 2023, Lauren Armeni, Mara Chamlee, and Dan Boss, with the
Asheville Regional Office conducted Bioassay Compliance Inspections at Highlands WWTP. Whole
Effluent samples were split with the assistance of Mr. Dale Wike (ORC, Environmental Inc.) for use in
a chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia pass-fail toxicity test. The toxicity test passed for both the Division's
sample (analyzed by Environmental Testing Solutions, Inc. (ETS) on behalf of the DEQ Aquatic
Toxicology Branch (ATB)) and Highland's sample (analyzed by ETT Environmental). Toxicity test
information follows:
Test Type: 3-Brood Ceriodaphnia dubia chronic pass-fail
Test Result: Pass
Test Concentrations: 24%
Control Survival: 100%
Control Mean Reproduction: 32.1 neonates
Test Treatment Survival: 100%
Treatment Mean Reproduction: 33.1 neonates
First Sample pH: 8.04 SU
First Sample Conductivity: 253 micromhos/cm
First Sample Total Residual Chlorine: <0.1 mg/L
Second Sample pH: 8.03 SU & 7.96 SU
Second Sample Conductivity: 244 micromhos/cm
Second Sample Total Residual Chlorine: <0.1 mg/L
Test results for the above samples indicate that the effluent would not be predicted to have water
quality impacts on the receiving water. No violations of permit requirements or applicable regulations
were observed during this inspection.
NC0021407 17 (Cont.)
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9DD6DF6A-0145-4E77-9E56-5FEA94405AFE
Permit:NC0021407
Inspection Date:03/14/2023
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Highlands WWTP
Bioassay Compliance
Other Yes No NA NE
See summary for inspection details.Comment:
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