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Home My WebLink AboutNC0039578_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20231002 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. October 02, 2023 Daniel Manring Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Email: dmanring@twsanc.us SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Jackson County WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0039578 Jackson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Jackson County WWTP on 8/22/2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0039578. 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, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60 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 NC0039578 23/08/22 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) Jackson County WWTP 1871 N River Rd Sylva NC 28779 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:00AM 23/08/22 19/08/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Stan D Bryson/ORC/828-586-9318/ Other Facility Data 12:00PM 23/08/22 23/10/31 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 Pollution Prevention Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters Laboratory 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 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: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60 10/2/2023 10/2/2023 10/2/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/08/22 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Mara Chamlee and Rachel Rose, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the TWSA Jackson County WWTP on August 22, 2023. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0039578. Mr. Stan Bryson (ORC) was present and assisted with the inspection. This facility is a dual Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) plant. Overall, it is very well maintained and being operated in compliance with the NPDES Permit. No major findings were noted during the inspection. The following items were noted during the inspection: 1) Pump Station-Influent: The facility primarily uses transducers as level alarms; however, floats are used as back-ups. Since the previous inspection report's recommendation of recording the routine float checks, Mr. Bryson has begun to document the routine checks for reference. 2) Influent Sampling: Mr. Bryson indicated that since the previous inspection, they have begun to check the aliquot volumes annually to ensure that the proper 100 mL volume is dispensed with each sample pull. 3) Effluent Sampling: The tubing for the composite sampler was dirty. It is recommended that the tubing be replaced regularly to maintain clean tubing. 4) Effluent Flow Measurement: As noted during previous inspections, the effluent flow is turbulent directly below the flow meter, which produces somewhat inaccurate measurements. This is due to an issue with the flume length and flow meter location which was noted after the prefabricated flume was installed during previous plant upgrades. TWSA is aware of the situation and it is not an issue that can be easily fixed. A stilling well would need to be installed and/or the length of the flume would need to be increased to allow for quiescent area flow measurements. This should be addressed in future plans for TWSA #1 to provide the facility and permitting unit with more accurate daily flows. NC0039578 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60 Permit:NC0039578 Inspection Date:08/22/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Jackson County 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? 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 control parameters analyzed include MLSS, MLVSS, ZSV, MCRT, and sludge age. 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: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60 Permit:NC0039578 Inspection Date:08/22/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Jackson County WWTP 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: 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? At the time of the inspection, one pump was not operational and was out for repair. SCADA system is the primary means of notification. A transducer is used for primary level control with float-backups. Mr. Bryson indicated that since the previous inspection, they have begun recording and documenting float checks as per the recommendations. 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? The influent composite sampling is time-based. At the time of the inspection, the refrigerated sample read 5 degrees Celsius. Mr. Bryson indicated that the flow meter is calibrated quarterly. He also stated that since the previous inspection, they have been checking the accuracy of the sample aliquot volumes annually as per the previous inspection recommendations. Comment: Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual b.Mechanical Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60 Permit:NC0039578 Inspection Date:08/22/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Jackson County WWTP Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? Is the grit free of excessive odor? # Is disposal of grit in compliance? Mr. Bryson stated that the grit debris is hauled away every two weeks.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 facility has an initial manual bar screen and a secondary mechanical bar screen.Comment: Sequencing Batch Reactors Yes No NA NE Type of operation:Duplex Is the reactor effluent free of solids? Does minimum fill time correspond to the peak hour flow rate of the facility? Is aeration and mixing cycled on and off during fill? The operator understands and can explain the process? There are two SBRs and one SBR is filling while the other is reacting. The cycling time consists of 75 minutes of filling and 75 minutes of settling. Both SBRs waste to the digesters at the end of a cycle. Each reactor cycles five times per day. Mr. Bryson indicated that SBR #1 was down for approximately one month earlier that year because the mixer was down. He also stated that they had sent out a quote for replacement of the variable frequency drive unit (VFD). 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? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60 Permit:NC0039578 Inspection Date:08/22/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Jackson County WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? These are post-EQ basins. The high level sensors are connected to SCADA.Comment: Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Mr. Bryson indicated that the WAS rates are estimated. They do not have spare parts on site. 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 facility has two digesters. One digester is used for thickening and the other digester is pumped out three times per week. Comment: Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) 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 two, 5,500-gallon chlorine tanks are maintained in a warehouse on site.Comment: De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ?Liquid 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#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60 Permit:NC0039578 Inspection Date:08/22/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Jackson County WWTP Compliance Evaluation De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Are the tablets the proper size and type? The 1,000-gallon dechlorination tank is maintained in a separate warehouse from the chlorine tanks. 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? The effluent flow meter is calibrated quarterly. The last calibration was performed on June 30, 2023 by Instrumentation Services Inc. The facility has had issues with accurate flow measurements. See summary for details. 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)? At the time of the inspection, the tubing appeared somewhat dirty. Mr. Bryson indicated that they replace the sampler tubing approximately every six months. The refrigerated sample was 3 degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection. Additionally, they have begun checking the sample aliquot volumes yearly as per the previous inspection recommendations. See summary for details. 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: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60 Permit:NC0039578 Inspection Date:08/22/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Jackson County WWTP Compliance Evaluation Solids Handling Equipment Yes No NA NE Is the equipment operational? Is the chemical feed equipment operational? Is storage adequate? Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters? Is the site free of sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press? Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake? The facility has an approved sludge management plan? The solids are aerobically digested before being fed to a belt filter press, sent to a rotary drum dryer, and distributed under their Class A Residuals Permit. 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 is tested weekly under load. At the time of the inspection, the fuel gauge read approximately 3/4 full. Mr. Bryson indicated that although they do not have an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor, they would easily be able to obtain fuel from a nearby vendor in case of an emergency. Comment: Page#8 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9A921B40-A054-4F85-8FC3-9145AF994A60