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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0001953_CEI_20230525 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED May 25, 2023 Scott Webber, Town Manager Email: gswebber@spindalenc.net SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Town of Spindale RLAP Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0001953 Rutherford County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Town of Spindale RLAP on 5/8/2023 and 5/23/2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0001953. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". 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 Melanie Kemp with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at melanie.kemp@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Melanie Kemp, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Photographs Ec: LF CC: Guy O’Connor, WWTP ORC Zach Key, US Biosolids Compliance Inspection Report Permit:WQ0001953 Effective:05/01/20 Expiration:04/30/26 Owner :Town of Spindale SOC: Contact Person: Region: County: Directions to Facility: Rutherford Asheville Zach D Key Effective:Expiration:Facility:Town of Spindale RLAP 101 Ecology St Spindale NC 28160 Title:Phone:336-957-8909 From ARO: I-40 E to Hwy. 221 South in Marion. Follow Hwy. 221 to Hwy. 64/74. Turn right on 74 to Spindale to Ledbetter Road (left). Go approx. 1.5 miles to Ecology St. on right. WWTP is located at end of street. Secondary ORC(s): 336-957-7878Phone:15704Certification:Dennis KeyPrimary ORC: LA,System Classifications: On-Site Representative(s): Related Permits: NC0020664 Town of Spindale - Spindale WWTP Secondary Inspector(s): Primary Inspector: Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time: Phone: 05/23/2023 10:00AM 11:30AM Melanie Kemp Facility Status: Permit Inspection Type: Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type: Not CompliantCompliant Routine Land Application of Residual Solids (503) Compliance Evaluation Question Areas: Miscellaneous Questions Record Keeping Treatment Sampling Land Application Site Pathogen and Vector Attraction Storage Transport (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0001953 05/23/2023 Compliance Evaluation Town of Spindale Routine Inspection Summary: Melanie Kemp, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a field and facility inspection of the Town of Spindale’ s Land Application Program. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the program is being operated and maintained incompliance with non-discharge permit WQ0001953. Overall, the facility and land application event appeared to compliant with the permit. The Spindale WWTP was inspected on May 8, 2022 in tandem with the NPDES inspection (permit NC0020664). Guy O’Connor (ORC), Sybil Brotherton (Spindale WWTP), Earl Wyss (Spindale WWTP), Lauren Armeni (DEQ – ARO), and Mara Chamlee (DEQ – ARO) were all present for the inspection. The WWTP has two aerobic digestors in use. Solids are decanted prior to the application events. Spindale currently contracts US Biosolids to collect samples and land apply to the permitted fields. Solids were being prepared from the smaller digestor for land application during the inspection. The land application event was inspected by Melanie Kemp, with the ARO, on May 23, 2023. David Key (US Biosolids) was present and assisted with the inspection. US Biosolids was applying to fields M4 and M5 (McFadden Farm) during the time of the inspection. The seasonal high- water table is not field verified by a piezometer; however, Mr. Key indicated the fields are inspected and weather is monitored before land application occurs. There is an on-site rain gauge to check localized rain accumulation prior to events. Fields appeared to be appropriately flagged and the closest well is located behind the owner’ s property. Keep in mind that the figure depicting Fields M4 and M5 has not been updated to reflect changes in setback rules. The shaded area in the southern central part of this field (which was previously unutilized) is being used for land application based on a reduction in setback requirements. The fescue crop appeared healthy (see photographs). The 2022 residuals annual report, recently reviewed, indicated that lime was applied to fields M1, M3, M4, M5, and M6 in December 2022 based on soil pH. Signs were visible and placed on the application field at the point of entry. Spreaders appeared to be maintained and free of leaks. While not required by permit, it is recommended the application rate of the vehicle be verified annually. As a reminder, all livestock are to be kept off the field for 30 days immediately following a land application event. As a reminder, the farmer needs to consider land application rates if they plan on applying additional fertilizers to the fields throughout the year. Page 2 of 5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0001953 05/23/2023 Compliance Evaluation Town of Spindale Routine Type Yes No NA NE Distribution and Marketing Land Application Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required? Are GW samples from all MWs sampled for all required parameters? Are there any GW quality violations? Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility? Is a copy of current permit on-site? Are current metals and nutrient analysis available? Are nutrient and metal loading calculating most limiting parameters? a. TCLP analysis? b. SSFA (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis)? Are PAN balances being maintained? Are PAN balances within permit limits? Has land application equipment been calibrated? Are there pH records for alkaline stabilization? Are there pH records for the land application site? Are nutrient/crop removal practices in place? Do lab sheets support data reported on Residual Analysis Summary? Are hauling records available? Are hauling records maintained and up-to-date? # Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months? Has application occurred during Seasonal Restriction window? Recordkeeping mostly managed by US Biosolids. TCLP samples were collected in 2022 and lime was applied to the fields in December 2022 based on pH. PAN reeords for 2022 in order. Comment: Pathogen and Vector Attraction Yes No NA NE a. Fecal coliform SM 9221 E (Class A or B) Class A, all test must be <1000 MPN/dry gram Geometric mean of 7 samples per monitoring period for class B<2.0*10E6 CFU/dry gram Fecal coliform SM 9222 D (Class B only) Geometric mean of 7 samples per monitoring period for class B<2.0*10E6 CFU/dry gram b. pH records for alkaline stabilization (Class A) c. pH records for alkaline stabilization (Class B) Temperature corrected Page 3 of 5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0001953 05/23/2023 Compliance Evaluation Town of Spindale Routine d. Salmonella (Class A, all test must be < 3MPN/4 gram day) e. Time/Temp on: Digester (MCRT) Compost Class A lime stabilization f. Volatile Solids Calculations g. Bench-top Aerobic/Anaerobic digestion results Comment: Treatment Yes No NA NE Check all that apply Aerobic Digestion Anaerobic Digestion Alkaline Pasteurization (Class A) Alkaline Stabilization (Class B) Compost Drying Beds Other Facility has two aerobic digestors.Comment: Sampling Yes No NA NE Describe sampling: US Biosolids collects samples for Town of Spindale. Grab samples are combined and sent to Waypoint Analytical, Pace, and/or Statesville Analytical. VAR is achieved by the 30-day bench scale method. Soil samples are sent to NCDA lab for soil fertility analysis. Is sampling adequate? Is sampling representative? Comment: Transport Yes No NA NE Is a copy of the permit in the transport vehicle? Is a copy of the spill control plan in the vehicle? Is the spill control plan satisfactory? Does transport vehicle appear to be maintained? Spill control plan, O&M plan, and permit kept in trucks. Not required to calibrate equipment or verify application by permit. Comment: Land Application Site Yes No NA NE Is a copy of the permit on-site during application events? Is the application site in overall good condition? Is the site free of runoff/ponding? Page 4 of 5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0001953 05/23/2023 Compliance Evaluation Town of Spindale Routine If present, is the application equipment in good operating condition? Are buffers being maintained? Are limiting slopes buffered? 10% for surface application 18% for subsurface application Are there access restrictions and/or signs? Is the application site free of odors or vectors? Have performance requirements for application method been met? For injection? For incorporation? Does permit require monitoring wells? Have required MWs been installed? Are MWs properly located w/ respect to RB and CB? Are MWs properly constructed (including screened interval)? Is the surrounding area served by public water? If Annual Report indicates overapplication of PAN, are wells nearby that may be impacted? Are soil types consistent w/ Soil Scientist report/evaluation? Is the water table greater than 1'/3' bls. Is application occurring at the time of the inspection? Only noted water supply well is Mr. McFadden's and sits outside of the mapped area. Fields M4 and M5 were being applied to during the inspection. Keep in mind that the figure depicting this field was not updated during the last permit renewal when setbacks were altered. The southern central shaded area within the property boundary is being utilized. Comment: Page 5 of 5 Photographs – WQ0001953 Taken 05/23/2023 Truck actively spreading residuals Spreader trucks on site Signs present at field access point