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Home My WebLink AboutNC0071005_CEI_NOV-2023-PC-0368_20230718 July 18, 2023 Joan Beck Lynnbrook Estates Homeowners Association 43 Lynnbrook Way Columbus, NC 28722 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking Number: NOV-2023-PC-0368 Permit No. NC0071005 Lynnbrook Estates WWTP Polk County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Lynnbrook Estates WWTP on June 30, 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. NC0071005. 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 violation(s) were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Aeration Basins Both blowers/motors not operational. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Effluent Pipe Effluent pipe access blocked. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Secondary Clarifier Most solids washed out during a heavy rain event. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations & Maintenance Severe damage to plant resulted in damaged screens/coverings, missing and rusted walkways, and heavily damaged/down fencing. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the future. Please respond in writing to this office within 15 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. DocuSign Envelope ID: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444 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 melanie.kemp@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report, Photographs Ec: LF, Juanita James (ORC) DocuSign Envelope ID: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444 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 NC0071005 23/06/30 C S31112171819 20 21 66 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- 2 N 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) Lynnbrook Estates WWTP NCSR 1135 Columbus NC 28722 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 12:00PM 23/06/30 18/08/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Juanita Reed James/ORC/828-697-0063/ Other Facility Data 01:00PM 23/06/30 23/07/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Joan Beck,43 Lynnbrook Way Columbus NC 28722//828-859-6328/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review 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/ - - / 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: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444 7/18/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/06/30 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Inspector Melanie Kemp, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Lynnbrook Estates WWTP on June 30, 2023. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0071005. Juanita James (ORC) and Josh Ogle (Maintenance Supervisor) with James and James (J&J) were present and assisted with the inspection. Juanita James notified the ARO on Wednesday 6/21, that the facility had received over 11” of rain throughout Monday night (6/19) and Tuesday morning (6/20). J&J reported that the creek adjacent to the plant flooded resulting in a damaged fence, damaged equipment (electrical panel, motors, and blowers), and the loss of most/all solids from the plant. See photographs attached to this report. Typically, the facility serves approximately seven homes and receives around 2,000 gallons of flow daily, which is significantly under the permitted 9,000 GPD. The facility regularly meets permit limits; however they have historically had issues maintaining and upgrading the plant due to budgetary constraints. During the inspection, the following issues were noted: •The electrical panel for the plant was flooded and is inoperable. •Both blowers were offline and inoperable. •The covering for the clarifier was damaged and unutilized. •The fencing around the plant is in disrepair. •The grates over the plant are rusted. •Most of the solids were washed from the plant, and there are minimal left for treatment. The ORC is utilizing alum to rebuild solids. •Access to the discharge pipe is blocked. As these issues are being addressed, updates need to be provided to the ARO. Replacing the electrical panel at a higher elevation, returning the motors/blowers to service, and rebuilding solids at the plant are priority items. The following violations were noted: •Both blowers/motors were not operational. •The effluent access pipe was blocked. •Most solids washed out during a heavy rain event. •Severe damage to the plant resulted in damaged screens/coverings and down fencing around the WWTP. NC0071005 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444 Permit:NC0071005 Inspection Date:06/30/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Lynnbrook Estates 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? Severe damage due to recent heavy rainfalls. The ORC typically monitors solids and DO. Typically, leaves and plant material are kept out of the plant by keeping the clarifiers and contact chamber covered by a screen. 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? De-chlorination and two blowers are missing from the permit description. There is no skimmer. Gate surrounding the WWTP was down during the inspection. 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: 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444 Permit:NC0071005 Inspection Date:06/30/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Lynnbrook Estates WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Is the DO level acceptable? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) Both blowers/motors not functional during inspection.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)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately ¼ of the sidewall depth) Most/all solids washed out during a rainstorm and the facility is re-growing sludge blanket. Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?1 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? Chlorine tablets utilized.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? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444 Permit:NC0071005 Inspection Date:06/30/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Lynnbrook Estates WWTP Compliance Evaluation De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use?1 One tube installed and used.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? Is the generator fuel level monitored? Facility does not utilize standby power.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? Permit only requires instantaneous flow, which is collected as a grab measurement when the ORC is on site. 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)? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444 Permit:NC0071005 Inspection Date:06/30/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Lynnbrook Estates WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Samples are being collected from de-chlorination zone within chlorine contact chamber.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? Effluent pipe access blocked by recent storm/flooding activity.Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? The sludge holding tank is not currently being aerated due to power issues.Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444 Photographs – Lynnbrook Estates WWTP NPDES Permit NC0071005 Photo 1: Damaged fence a�er flooding event Photograph provided by Josh Ogle Photo 2: Damaged electrical control panel a�er flooding event Photograph provided by Josh Ogle Photo 3: Aera�on basin a�er flooding event Photograph taken by Melanie Kemp during inspec�on DocuSign Envelope ID: 02589794-005F-400C-81AD-C66543F68444