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Home My WebLink AboutNC0004464_CEI_20230925DocuSign Envelope ID: 8EC442CD-OD92-4277-9EE4-E855516FF86C ROY COOPER Co,ernor ELIZABETH S. B1SER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director o-`"` sreve4 l��QWM'�a NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONL Y.• NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. September 25, 2023 D Marche Pittman Polk County Email: mpittman@polknc.org SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Woodland Mills WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0004464 Polk County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Woodland Mills WWTP on 9/06/2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0004464. 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 Rachel Rose with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at rachel.rose@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, DocuSi�g/ne�d by - [IV G�3 SACE19D3940C494... Rachel Rose, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Juanita James, (ORC, James & James Environmental) D_EQ� firth[arollna9egartmenlofFm9ronmrntalQualhVlDivlsWnaFWaterResaurcrs Ashcvllk Rc9ianal Mcc 1 2090 U.S. Highway 70 1 8wanna—. North Carallna 25776 o�n.mixnno....i o.iNJ-� 62&296.45C0 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8EC442CD-OD92-4277-9EE4-E855516FF86C United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved. EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report 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 IN 1 2 u 3 I NC0004464 111 121 23/09/06 I17 18 LC] I 19 I s I 20L] 21111I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I r6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 67 I 72 I n, I 71 I 74 79 I I I I I I I80 701 I 71 I LL -1 I I LJ Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES permit Number) 09:30AM 23/09/06 19/01/01 Woodland Mills WWTP 4021 NC Hwy 108 Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Mill Spring NC 28756 11:00AM 23/09/06 23/07/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Juanita Reed James/ORC/828-697-0063/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted D Marche Pittman,PO Box 308 Columbus NC 287220308//828-894-3301/8288942263 No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar 0 Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispo: Effluent/Receiving Wate 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 s o Mara G Chamlee —.Sis any: DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ 9/25/2023 [AA4697633A650J5A- Rachel Rose DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ DocuS 9/25/2023 Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date oo..sis�ea by: 9/ 2 2 /2 02 3 Fau,ia EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 8EC442CD-OD92-4277-9EE4-E855516FF86C NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NC0004464 I11 12I 23/09/06 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Rachel Rose and Mara Chamlee, with the Asheville Regional Office (ARO), met with Ms. Juanita James (ORC, James & James Environmental) and Hannah Turner (General Manager, James & James Environmental) for a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Woodland Mills WWTP on September 6, 2023. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0004464. Overall, the facility is well -maintained and in good condition. The average flow of the facility is approximately 600 GPD in summer and 2,000-3,000 GPD during the school year. The local mill is now part of the regular flow of the facility. The following items were noted during the inspection: Operations & Maintenance: The ORC mentioned that the low lighting for the facility makes it difficult to evaluate the facility, especially in the spring/summer months. It is suggested to install additional lighting to help with proper maintenance and evaluation of the facility. Standby Power: The control panel for the WWTP does not have the correct connection requirements to be powered by a generator. A water tower is available for the school allowing for flow to still reach the plant if the power went out, so updating the control panel to be able to connect to the backup generator is suggested if funds are available. Disinfection & De -Chlorination: The solids at the beginning of the chlorine contact chamber were high. It was scheduled to have the solids wasted to the head of the plant the week after the inspection. It is suggested to have the contact chamber pumped or wasted soon if it is not already done. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 8EC442CD-OD92-4277-9EE4-E855516FF86C Permit: NC0004464 Owner -Facility: Woodland Mills WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Inspection Type: 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The permit had some missing components of the facility and permitting was contacted about the discrepancy. The new permit will have an updated list of components. Operations & Maintenance 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The process controls analyzed include pH and TSS. The lighting for the facility could be improved. See summary for details. 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: 8EC442CD-OD92-4277-9EE4-E855516FF86C Permit: NC0004464 Owner -Facility: Woodland Mills WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ classification? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical ❑ Are the bars adequately screening debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The lift station has a comminutor that also screens for grit and debris. Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the diffusers operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8EC442CD-OD92-4277-9EE4-E855516FF86C Permit: NC0004464 Owner -Facility: Woodland Mills WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The diffusers are set on an automatic timer cycle of 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off. The settleability was recorded at approximately 90% at the time of the inspection. Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The sludge blanket measured to be at 2 ft. out of 8 ft. of water at the time of the inspection. The weirs are sprayed weekly and the facility pumps the sludge on an as -needed basis. The facility was last pumped in May of 2023 by Mike's Setpic Service. When a pumping service comes, the secondary clarifier, the chlorine contact chamber, and the aerobic digester are all pumped. Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the mixing adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the odor acceptable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The aerobic digester is aerated, however, the diffusers were not on at the time of the inspection because the facility was wasting at the time of the inspection. Disinfection -Tablet Are tablet chlorinators operational? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8EC442CD-OD92-4277-9EE4-E855516FF86C Permit: NC0004464 Owner -Facility: Woodland Mills WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 1 Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? S ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The solids level in the contacts chamber were high, however, it was scheduled to have the solids wasted to the head of the plant the next week after the inspection. Whenever a pumping service is scheduled, the contact chamber is usually pumped along with the aerobic digester and secondary clarifier. De -chlorination Type of system ? 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? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent # 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? Yes No NA NE Tablet ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ 1 Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: The meter was last calibrated on September 19, 2022 by Laboratory Instrument Service and the next calibration service has been scheduled. Effluent Pipe 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Page# 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8EC442CD-OD92-4277-9EE4-E855516FF86C Permit: NC0004464 Owner -Facility: Woodland Mills WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Comment: The effluent pipe is still tied into a storm drain for the storm water coming from the parking lot of the school. Standby Power 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: A backup portable generator is available at the school, however, it can only connect to the pump station. See summary for details. Effluent Sampling 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)? Comment: The permit requires grab samples. Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7