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Home My WebLink AboutNC0063321_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230725 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. July 25, 2023 Stan D Bryson Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Email: sbryson@twsanc.us SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report TWSA Plant #3 NPDES WW Permit No. NC0063321 Jackson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the TWSA Plant #3 on 6/26/2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0063321. 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 Mara Chamlee with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4657 or via email at mara.chamlee@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, Mara Chamlee, Environmental Specialist I Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Ben Henson, ORC DocuSign Envelope ID: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E 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 NC0063321 23/06/26 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) TWSA Plant #3 852 Cashiers Lk Rd Cashiers NC 28717 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 12:30PM 23/06/26 22/11/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Ben L Henson/ORC/828-586-5189/ Other Facility Data 02:30PM 23/06/26 27/08/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Stan D Bryson,1246 W Main St Sylva NC 28779//828-586-9318/8286313135 Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Pollution Prevention 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 Lauren E Armeni DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Mara G Chamlee DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Rachel Rose DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ 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: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E 7/25/2023 7/25/2023 7/25/2023 7/25/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/06/26 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Mara Chamlee, Lauren Armeni, and Rachel Rose, with the Asheville Regional Office, met with Mr. Ben Henson (ORC) for a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the TWSA Plant #3 on June 26, 2023. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0063321. The following items were noted during the inspection: 1. Permit: The current permit has many outdated components of the facility and permitting will be notified to revise the components list. The following components need to be corrected or added: 1) Replace 15,100-gallon digester with a 56,000-gallon digester. 2) Replace clarifier #1 capacity with 49,700 gallons. Replace clarifier #2 capacity with 77,900 gallons. 3) Remove the 25,000-gallon digester. 4) Replace liquid chlorination/de-chlorination with tablet chlorination/de-chlorination. 5) Add manual bar screen. 6) Add effluent flow meter. 2. Equalization Basin: The equalization tanks were made from the original WWTP tanks and basins and were showing significant signs of rust that will need to be addressed in the near future. 3. Bar Screens: The bar screen grates are spaced too far apart and allow larger debris to pass through the plant. Mr. Henson indicated that an Authorization to Construct will be submitted for a new mechnical bar screen. NC0063321 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E Permit:NC0063321 Inspection Date:06/26/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: TWSA Plant #3 Compliance Evaluation 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? The permit lists several outdated components of the facility. See summary for details.Comment: 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? Process controls analyzed include MLSS, settleable solids, pH, DO, and a sludge judge is used to check the sludge blanket level. Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain-of-custody complete? Dates, times and location of sampling Name of individual performing the sampling Results of analysis and calibration Dates of analysis Name of person performing analyses Transported COCs Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E Permit:NC0063321 Inspection Date:06/26/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: TWSA Plant #3 Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Comment: Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected above side streams? 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 sampling performed according to the permit? Influent sampler reading was 5.5 degrees Celcius at the time of the inspection.Comment: 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? EQ basins are made from the original WWTP's basins and consist of 30,000 and 100,000 gallon tanks that flow in-series. The water level is controlled by a tranducer, and when the level in the EQ basin reaches a certain level, water is pumped to a splitter box and then to each of the aeration basins. EQ basins are continually aerated. There is significant rusting throughout EQ basins, and painting is recommeneded to help maintain them. Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E Permit:NC0063321 Inspection Date:06/26/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: TWSA Plant #3 Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Bar screens have grates that are spaced too far apart and allow larger debris to pass through the plant. Mr. Henson indicated that an Authorization to Construct will be submitted for a new mechnical bar screen. 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) Mr. Henson indicated that air is constantly run throughout the aeration basins. At the time of the inspection, the settleability was 21% after 30 minutes. 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) At the time of the isnpection, the sludge blanket level was 1 foot out of 13 feet for both clarifiers. Comment: Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E Permit:NC0063321 Inspection Date:06/26/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: TWSA Plant #3 Compliance Evaluation Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Type of operation:Cross 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? Backwash from the filters is pumped to the head of the plant.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? Aerobic digester tank is not aerated. Mr. Henson indicated that the aerobic digester works better as an anerobic digester. The return splitter's bar screen gets clogged regularly. Comment: Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use? 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? There are three points of chlorine contact throughout the plant: (1&2) chlorine tablets are dropped in weir troughs of both clarifiers, (3) in chlorine contact chamber. ORC uses tablets to create a liquid that goes in the v-notch discharge trough. Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E Permit:NC0063321 Inspection Date:06/26/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: TWSA Plant #3 Compliance Evaluation Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE 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? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Water is mixed with a powder for de-chlorination.Comment: Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? 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? Th effluent meter was last calibrated on 06/28/2022 by Instrumentation Services, Inc. Mr. Henson indicated they would be coming out soon to calibrate the meter. 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)? Effluent composite sampler fridge was at 5.5 degrees Celcius at the time of the inspection. 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? Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E Permit:NC0063321 Inspection Date:06/26/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: TWSA Plant #3 Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Comment: Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and sampling location)? 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? The generator automatically exercises weekly. Mr. Henson indicated that the facility has enough backup fuel to power the generator for 3-5 days. At the time of the inspection, the fuel level was 60%. Comment: Page#8 DocuSign Envelope ID: E642A2B1-B7CA-4932-9985-8E51CD86894E