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Home My WebLink AboutNC0067326_NOD2023PC0224 & CEI Report_20230828 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. August 28, 2023 James A Vanderwoude Country Bear LLC Email: jvw@dr.com SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY Tracking Number: NOD-2023-PC-0224 Permit No. NC0067326 Whistle Stop WWTP Macon County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Whistle Stop WWTP on August 17, 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. NC0067326. 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 deficiencies were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Deficiency _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Equalization Basins The EQ basin does not have a functioning audible alarm. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Effluent Pipe The effluent pipe could not be located during the inspection. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DocuSign Envelope ID: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145 Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of State law. To prevent further action, carefully review these deficiencies and address the causes of non-compliance to prevent the recurrence of similar situations. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lauren Armeni with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4667. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Wanda Ladd (ORC, Earth Environmental Services) Mark Bentley (BORC, Earth Environmental Services) DocuSign Envelope ID: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145 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 NC0067326 23/08/17 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) Whistle Stop WWTP 145 River Rd Franklin NC 28744 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:30AM 23/08/17 18/07/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Wanda G Ladd/ORC/828-644-6586/ Other Facility Data 11:45AM 23/08/17 22/11/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number James A Vanderwoude,145 River Rd Franklin NC 28734//828-399-0088/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program 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/ 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: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145 8/28/2023 8/28/2023 8/28/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/08/17 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Lauren Armeni (ARO Environmental Specialist II) and Rachel Rose (ARO Environmental Specialist I), with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Whistle Stop WWTP on August 17, 2023. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintainted in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0067326. Mark Bentley (Backup ORC, Earth Environmental Services) was present at the time of the inspection. The following items were noted during the inspection: Permit: Several components are not listed or need to be updated in the permit. The permit currently lists a 2,000-gallon primary clarifier tank. This needs to be replaced in the permit components list as a secondary clarifier. A manual bar screen also needs to be added to the permit components list. Permitting will be notified of these changes. Operations & Maintenance: There is a considerable amount of rusting in the grating throughout most of the facility that needs to be replaced or painted. In particular, the grating above the aeration basin and the grating below the distribution box that is above the EQ basin need to be replaced. Equalization Basin: The EQ basin has two pumps that alternate. The audible alarm has never worked; however, the visual alarm properly functions. Effluent Pipe: The effluent pipe has not been located since at least the 2016 inspection. ARO inspectors were not able to locate it during the inspection because the stream bank is steep and overgrown. The following deficiencies were noted during the inspection: 1. Equalization Basin: The audible alarm does not work. 2. Effluent Pipe: The effluent pipe could not be located. NC0067326 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145 Permit:NC0067326 Inspection Date:08/17/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whistle Stop 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? Several components are not listed or need to be updated in the permit. 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? The process controls analyzed are settleable solids, pH, and DO. There are considerable amounts of rusting throughout the grating on the facility's components that need to be painted or replaced. See summary for details. 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: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145 Permit:NC0067326 Inspection Date:08/17/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whistle Stop 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? 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 is not currently listed in the permit, but permitting will be notified that the permit components list needs to be updated. 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? The EQ basin has two pumps that alternate. The audible alarm has never worked; however, the visual alarm functions properly. See summary for details. 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? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145 Permit:NC0067326 Inspection Date:08/17/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whistle Stop WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE 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) Aeration is on a timed cycle. At the time of the inspection, settleability was 25%.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) The ORC had just sprayed down the clarifier before the inspection, which stirred up the solids, making the sludge judge reading less accurate. The sludge blanket was 3 feet out of 4 feet at the time of the inspection. Mr. Bentley indicated that solids were high throughout the plant, but the sludge from the clarifier was scheduled to be pumped out. Comment: Sand Filters (Low rate)Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? Is the distribution box level and watertight? Is sand filter free of ponding? Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? # Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation? # Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145 Permit:NC0067326 Inspection Date:08/17/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whistle Stop WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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? The chlorine contact chamber was rusted and needs to be painted.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? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use?1 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? Flow is estimated due to low flow.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? The effluent pipe could not be located during the inspection. See summary for details.Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145 Permit:NC0067326 Inspection Date:08/17/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Whistle Stop WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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)? The permit requires grab samples.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? Wastewater to the facility is gravity-fed, but the owner has a portable generator that can power the WWTP as needed. Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: E432095F-12C9-4401-A1AF-FB5EA7EE0145