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Home My WebLink AboutNC0066362_NOD2023PC0276_CEI_20231221DocuSign Envelope ID: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 ROY COOPER ca'erna' ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RJCHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director srA%m NORTH CAROUNA Environmental Quality SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONL Y. NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED December 21, 2023 Nathan D Benson, Owner Email: nathben@juno.com SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY Tracking Number: NOD-2023-PC-0276 Permit No. NCO066362 Benson Apartments Henderson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Benson Apartments on November 29, 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. NC0066362. 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 deficiency(s) was noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Deficiency Pump Station - Effluent Both audible and visual alarms need to be operational. D_E Q� NanhCarohaDegarrmrnl rE ;.aim taiQ alhV l DivlsW .fWarerRe.ar Ashr ilk Rr9ional Office 1 2090 US -Highway 70 1 Swannaraa, North Catalina 28778 wu.r.nwawa.0 � 62&296.9590 DocuSign Envelope ID: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 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 Rachel Rose with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500. ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Mark Jones (ORC, Jones Environmental) Sincerely, EPDocuSigned by: E397192DABFB4FF... Daniel J. Boss, Acting Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Asht ll aRtgio Degartc enl 090 U SaRghwai Qva1 DivisionNorih C-1hp 287 M1she'+ilk Regional Office 120'10 US -Highway 70 I Swannaraa, North Carolina 287I8 62&296.9590 DocuSign Envelope ID: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 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 NCO066362 I11 121 23/11/29 I17 18I � 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) 10:OOAM 23/11/29 22/10/01 Benson Apartments 161 Brookside Camp Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Hendersonville NC 28792 11:00AM 23/11/29 26/12/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Mark Brandon Jones/ORC/828-273-0760/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Nathan D Benson,PO Box 1090 Mountain Home NC 287581090//828-693-5493/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispo: Facility Site Review 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 Rachel Rose DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Duc�S;Gt 12/21/2023 C5ACE19D3940C494 Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date D—S;gneE by: "I 2/ 2 "1 / 2 0 2? 1L L 1 L J pia 156ss EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO066362 I11 12I 23/11/29 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Rachel Rose, with the ARO Regional Office (ARO), met with Mark Jones (ORC, Jones Environmental) to conduct a Compliance Evaluation Inspection on November 29, 2023 for the Benson Apartments WWTP. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0066362. The following item was noted during the inspection: Aerobic Digester: The aerobic digester is not currently used due to a leak in the pipe leading to the digester. It is suggested to repair the leaking pipe to help with current and future sludge handling of the facility. The following deficiency was noted during the inspection: Effluent Pump Station: Both audible and visual alarms need to be operational. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 Permit: NCO066362 Owner -Facility: Benson Apartments Inspection Date: 11/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit (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 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 ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The process controls analyzed are settleable solids, PH, DO, temperature, and chlorine. 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: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 Permit: NCO066362 Owner -Facility: Benson Apartments Inspection Date: 11/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping 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: Septic Tank (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? Are pumps or syphons operating properly? Are high and low water alarms operating properly? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ N ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The septic tanks are qravitv fed. There are two septic tanks - one for the influent and one for the effluent. The septic tanks are pumped annually. The last pumping service was done on August 16, 2023 by the ORC. 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The diffusers are set on an automatic timer cycle of 15 minutes on and 45 minutes off. The settleability was recorded at approximately 54% or 460 mL/1000 mL at the time of the inspection.The aeration basin is pumped every 3-4 months. The last pumping service was done on November 9, 2023 by Mike's Septic Tank Service. Secondary Clarifier 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 Permit: NCO066362 Owner -Facility: Benson Apartments Inspection Date: 11/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Comment: The sludge blanket measured to be at 3.5 ft out of 8.5 ft of water at the time of the inspection. The secondary clarifier is pumped when the aeration basin is 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The ORC no lonqer uses the digester because there is a leak in the pipe the leads to the digester. See summary for details. Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? M ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The chlorine contact chamber is pumped when the aeration basin is pumped 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 Permit: NCO066362 Owner -Facility: Benson Apartments Inspection Date: 11/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 1 Comment: Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? S ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Comment: At the time of the inspection, the audible alarm worked, but the visual alarm did not work and is positioned behind the WWTP building where it cannot easily be seen. There was no telemetry available for the pump station, but the facility is visited daily. 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? Comment: A bucket and timer is used to measure the effluent. 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)? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The permit requires grab samples. The samples are taken at the effluent pump station. Effluent Pipe Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: DE356DBA-EF04-4733-9FFB-398003618AA7 Permit: NC0066362 Owner -Facility: Benson Apartments Inspection Date: 11/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE 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: The right of way to the effluent pipe is on a different property and should be maintainted. 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? Comment: A backup portable generator is available as needed. Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Page# 7