20230810_WQ0007103_INSP

DocuSign Envelope ID: CEDBCC52-5945-4A6F-996F-1081`1 FFOE730
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0007103 Effective: 06/01/21 Expiration: 08/31/27 Owner : Sound of the Sea Master Association Inc
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Sound of the Sea Condominiums WWTP
County: Carteret 8801 Reed Dr
Region: Wilmington
Emerald Isle NC 28594
Contact Person: Kathleen Cook
Title: Property Manager Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
From Kinston, take St. Rt. 58 South approx. 60 miles to the bridge across Bogue Banks into Emerald Isle. Turn right onto Coast
Guard Road, left onto Reed Road, then go 0.4 miles to the gated entrance on the right.
System Classifications: WW3.,
Primary ORC: Donald P Omara Certification: 7904 Phone: [phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 08/10/2023 Entry Time 10:OOAM
Primary Inspector: Morella Sanchez -King
Secondary Inspector(s): DocUsi9ned by:
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Reason for Inspection: Routine
Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration
Facility Status: 0 Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water
Use Records
Record Keeping
Treatment Influent Pump Station
End Use -Infiltration
Standby Power
(See attachment summary)
Exit Time: 11:30AM
Phone: [phone]
10/4/2023
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Treatment Filters
Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment
Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection
Treatment Flow Measurement Treatment Return pumps
Page 1 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: CEDBCC52-5945-4A6F-996F-1081`1 FFOE730
Permit: WQ0007103 Owner - Facility: Sound of the Sea Master Association Inc
Inspection Date: 08/10/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
A routine compliance evaluation was conducted on August 10, 2023, by Morella Sanchez King with the Wilmington Regional
Office, DWR Water Quality Regional Operations Section. The Division appreciates the assistance provided by Mr. Don
Omara during the inspection.
The purpose of the evaluation was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the requirements of permit
WQ0007103. The following items were reviewed:
1) Permit: A new permit was issued on June 01, 2021. Permit component description is in accordance with components on
site.
Permitted flow: 40,000 gpd; 100% domestic flow
Average flow: —9,000 gpd monthly average flow/year
2) Permit Schedules: The 2021 inspection report recommended that MW#5 and MW#6 be abandoned, and a new location
for monitoring wells MW#7 and MW#8 evaluated. MW#5 and MW#6 were not abandoned in the event that additional
monitoring is needed. MW#7 and MW#8 were installed in 2021.
3) Performance Standards:
a) Groundwater monitoring reports (GW59): MW#2 had a nitrate exceedance in July 2023. New monitoring wells (MW#7
and MW#8 have shown compliance with the 2L std's.
b) Non -Discharge monitoring reports (NDMR): The facility has not been issued notices (NOD or NOV's) since 2017.
c) Operation of the Facility: The facility looks well operated and maintained.
d) Maintenance of HR infiltration fields: Mr. O'Mara explained that it is difficult to control vegetation in the infiltration fields,
particularly in the summer months. To facilitate maintenance, the Permittee is planning to replace gravel with plastic media
but would propose to conduct a "pilot experiment" to evaluate its performance before proceeding with the total replacement
of the gravel. Please provide a plan for the proposed work to the Non -Discharge Section and cc'd the Regional Office before
starting the pilot project.
The facility was found compliant with the conditions and requirements of the permit (WQ0007103).
Page 2 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: CEDBCC52-5945-4A6F-996F-1081`1 FFOE730
Permit: WQ0007103
Inspection Date: 08/10/2023
Owner - Facility: Sound of the Sea Master Association Inc
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Reuse (Quality)
❑
Lagoon Spray, LR
❑
Single Family Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
❑
Recycle/Reuse
❑
Single Family Drip
❑
Infiltration System
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Influent Pump Station Yes No NA NE
Is the pump station free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the general housekeeping acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps present? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are floats/controls operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Are SCADA/Telemetry alarms required? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are SCADA/Telemetry available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are SCADA/Telemetry operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Influent pump station's audio and visual alarms (auto dialer) responded properly during the
inspection. Alarms are tested weekly.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Does flowmeter record flow?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Comment: Influent flow is not measured at this facilit
Page 3 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: CEDBCC52-5945-4A6F-996F-1081`1 FFOE730
Permit: WQ0007103 Owner - Facility: Sound of the Sea Master Association Inc
Inspection Date: 08/10/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records
Is water use metered?
Are the daily average values properly calculated?
Comment:
Yes No NA NE
❑❑■❑
❑❑■❑
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The flow meter burned and need replacement. ORC is measuring pumping times to calculate
flow. Flow was -14,000 gpd on inspection day
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Generator is exercised weekly. Facility is getting a new generator.
Treatment Activated Sludge
Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration mechanism operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is activated sludge an acceptable color? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Aeration tank diffuser drop valves are not easily accesible. DO = 3.31 mg/I on inspection day
Treatment Clarifiers
Yes No NA NE
Are the weirs level?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the weirs free of solids and algae?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system operational?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system accessible?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids?
❑
❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Return pumps Yes No NA NE
Page 4 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: CEDBCC52-5945-4A6F-996F-1081`1 FFOE730
Permit: WQ0007103 Owner - Facility: Sound of the Sea Master Association Inc
Inspection Date: 08/10/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Are they in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are they operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Filters Yes No NA NE
Is the filter media present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter media the correct size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the clear well free of excessive solids? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does backwashing frequency appear adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Filter media is backwashed automatically. The system has an internal float switch.
Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration pattern even? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment: A digester tank with mixing receives the sludge from an anaerobic sludge chamber. Barnes
Enviornmental handles the sludge 3 times in Sumer and every few months in winter.
Treatment Disinfection
Yes No NA NE
Is the system working?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is there adequate detention time (>=30 minutes)?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the system properly maintained?
❑ ❑ ❑
If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the chlorinator accessible?
❑ ❑ ❑
If tablets, are tablets present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth?
❑ ❑ ❑
If UV, are extra UV bulbs available?
❑
❑ ❑
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate?
❑
❑ ❑
# Is it a dual feed system?
❑
❑ ❑
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)?
❑
❑ ❑
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site?
❑
❑ ❑
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000-
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Page 5 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: CEDBCC52-5945-4A6F-996F-1081`1 FFOE730
Permit: WQ0007103 Owner - Facility: Sound of the Sea Master Association Inc
Inspection Date: 08/10/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: There have not been fecal coliform exceedances which indicates a proper disinfection
procedure.
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of current permit available?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
❑ ❑ ❑
NDAR?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are application rates adhered to?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
❑
❑ ❑
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are annual soil reports available?
❑
❑ ❑
# Are PAN records required?
❑
❑ ❑
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
❑
❑ ❑
If so, has it been applied?
❑
❑ ❑
Are operational logs present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are lab sheets available for review?
❑
❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
❑
❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s?
❑
❑ ❑
Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
❑ ❑ ❑
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
❑
❑ ❑
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
End Use -Infiltration
Yes No NA NE
# Is the application High Rate or Low Rate?
High Rate
Are buffers maintained?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within the CB?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells required?
❑ ❑ ❑
Page 6 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: CEDBCC52-5945-4A6F-996F-1081`1 FFOE730
Permit: WQ0007103 Owner - Facility: Sound of the Sea Master Association Inc
Inspection Date: 08/10/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval?
❑
❑ ❑
Is a usable green area maintained?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site acceptable?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the distribution equipment acceptable?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site free of ponding?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site free of breakout?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the disposal sites free of solids, algae, etc.?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the disposal sites free of vegetation?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation, solids, algae, etc.?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Mr. O'Mara explained that it is difficult to control vegetation in the infiltration fields. Permittee is
planning to replace gravel with plastic media but would propose to conduct a "pilot experiment"
to evaluate the plastic media performance. Please provide a plan for the proposed
work to the
Non -Discharge Section and cc'd the Regional Office before starting the pilot project.
Page 7 of 7