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Home My WebLink AboutNC0087602_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230718 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. July 18, 2023 Daniel Manring Executive Director, Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Email: dmanring@twsanc.us SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Whittier WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0087602 Jackson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Whittier WWTP on 6/20/2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0087602. 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. DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 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 Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Harvey Bingham, ORC DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 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 NC0087602 23/06/20 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) Whittier WWTP Jackson County Industrial Park Whittier NC 28789 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:00AM 23/06/20 22/12/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// George Harvey Bingham/ORC/828-586-9318/ Other Facility Data 12:00PM 23/06/20 27/08/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Daniel Manring,1246 W Main St Sylva NC 28779//828-586-5189/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports 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 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: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 7/20/2023 7/20/2023 7/20/2023 7/20/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/06/20 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, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Whittier WWTP on June 20, 2023. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0087602. Mr. Harvey Bingham (ORC) and Mr. Daniel Manring (Executive Director, Tuckaseegee Sewer and Water Authority) were present and assisted with the inspection. The following items were noted during the inspection: 1. Permit: The address listed on the permit for the facility is incorrect and should read 294 Clearwood Drive, Whittier, NC 28789. The permit should also be updated to include an aerobic digester on the components list. 2. Flow Measurement - Influent: A totalizer is used to record daily influent flow levels. The influent flow is approximately 10% of the permitted flow. Because of this low flow, Mr. Bingham performs batch sampling and the facility does not discharge Wednesday/Thursday through Sunday so that enough flow can be built up for sampling the following week. 3. Secondary Clarifier: As noted in the 2018 CEI report, there is still low water pressure at the facility, however Mr. Bingham cleans the weirs by filling a water tank and brings this up to the clarifiers to power wash the weirs. The weirs were clean at the time of the inspection. Additionally, one of the scum cups on clarifier #2 was broken. 4. Disinfection - UV: It was noted during the inspection that the Permitting Division had indicated the facility would not be able to have UV and tablet disinfection, therefore the facility does not have a backup disinfection method on site. The following compliance issues were noted during the inspection: 1. Secondary Clarifier: Of the two scum cups on clarifier #1, the one that was reported broken in the 2018 CEI report has been repaired. However, since the last inspection, one of the two scum cups on clarifier #2 has broken. It is recommended that the broken scum cup on clarifier #2 be repaired or replaced. 2. Disinfection - UV: The panel for the UV sensor is in need of repair in order to read intensity. It is recommended that the sensor panel be repaired or replaced. NC0087602 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 Permit:NC0087602 Inspection Date:06/20/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whittier WWTP 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 should be updated to include an aerobic digester on the components list. 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 DO, pH, temperature, and MLSS. The process control data and lab bench sheets are maintained at the TWSA #1 facility. 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 Permit:NC0087602 Inspection Date:06/20/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whittier WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Records are maintained at the TWSA #1 plant in Sylva.Comment: Flow Measurement - Influent 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? Mr. Bingham indicated that a totalizer is used to record the daily influent flow levels. The influent flow meter is not calibrated annually since it is not used for reporting. See summary for details. 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 sampling is time-based. At the time of the inspection, the refrigerator sample temperature read 3 degrees Celcius. 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? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 Permit:NC0087602 Inspection Date:06/20/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whittier WWTP Compliance Evaluation Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Mr. Bingham tests the influent pump station and alarms once a week. He also indicated that he checks the influent pump station daily because telemetry is not connected. At the time of the inspection, the visitation log was current and up-to-date. 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? Mr. Bingham indicated that he raises the floats on Wednesdays or Thursdays so that enough effluent will build up, as the plant recieves about 10% of its currently permitted flow volume. He also indicated that he continuously keeps pump #2 on in case of high flows from a rain event. 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? The bar screen grates are too large to effectively screen debris.Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Fixed 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? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 Permit:NC0087602 Inspection Date:06/20/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whittier WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE 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. Bingham indicated that during the summer he generally keeps the DO at approximately 5.0 mg/L and that the blowers run for one hour every three and a half hours. At the time of the inspection, the settleable solids were 190 mL out of 1000 mL in aeration basin #1 and 190 mL out of 1000 mL in aeration basin #2 after thirty minutes. Therefore, settleability was 81% in both basins. 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 inspection, the sludge blanket in clarifier #1 was 0.5 ft in the 16-foot deep clarifier. In clarifier #2, it was 0.75 ft in the 16-foot deep clarifier. At the time of the inspection, one of the scum cups on clarifier #1 that was reported broken in the previous CEI report was fixed, however one of the scum cups on clarifier #2 had broken the previous winter due to freezing. There are two scum cups on each clarifier, therefore the scum is still being skimmed from the surface. Mr. Bingham indicated that there is still low water pressure at the site, however he now has a mechanism for cleaning the weirs. See summary for details. 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? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 Permit:NC0087602 Inspection Date:06/20/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whittier WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Mr. Bingham indicated that decant from the digester goes to the influent prior to wasting. Because the influent flow is low, the digester has only been pumped twice since construction in 2017. 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: 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? The facility has redundant tertiary filters. Mr. Bingham indicated that he switches between tertiary filters #1 and #2 every six months, and then cleans the filters that are not in use. Filters are replaced as needed. The filters are automatically backwashed, and the backwash flows to the influent. At the time of the inspection, filter #2 was down but they are in the process of getting it repaired. Comment: Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? Are UV bulbs clean? Is UV intensity adequate? Is transmittance at or above designed level? Is there a backup system on site? Is effluent clear and free of solids? The UV bulbs are cleaned every 2 weeks. Mr. Bingham indicated that the panel for the UV sensor needs to be repaired in order to be able to read intensity. There is not a backup disinfection system onsite. See summary for details. Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 Permit:NC0087602 Inspection Date:06/20/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whittier WWTP Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE 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 on March 14, 2023 by Instrumentation Services, Inc.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)? Composite sampling has been converted to flow-proportional since the last Compliance Evaluation Inspection conducted in 2018. At the time of the inspection, the sample refrigerator was at 4.5 degrees Celsius. 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: 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? Page#8 DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15 Permit:NC0087602 Inspection Date:06/20/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whittier WWTP Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? Mr. Bingham indicated that the generator auto-exercises weekly under load. At the time of the inspection, the fuel level was 50% full. Mr. Bingham maintains the generators. Comment: Page#9 DocuSign Envelope ID: EFF26D55-2BAB-4686-ADDB-8B30DBFE6F15