WQ0012748_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20231127

DocuSign Envelope ID: 46878D34-BD3D-4357-B6DO-3C6EB6EAOE36
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0012748 Effective: 08/27/19 Expiration: 10/31/24 Owner: Brunswick County
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Sea Trail WWTP
County: Brunswick 1395 Angels Trace Rd Sw
Region: Wilmington
Sunset Beach NC 28468
Contact Person: Donald B Dixon Title: Deputy Utilities Director Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
The site is located on the south side of NCSR 1163 near Sunset Beach
System Classifications: SI, WW2,
Primary ORC: Jeffrey Scott Leonard
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Certification: 993816 Phone:[phone]
WQ0030987 Brunswick County - Southwest Brunswick Regional Pump Station @ Sea Trail
WQ0034468 Brunswick County - Brunswick County DCAR
WQ0023693 Brunswick County - West Brunswick Regional WRF
WQ0000783 S & B Maintenance Inc - S & B Maintenance Residuals Land Application
Program (D)
WQCS00284 Brunswick County - Brunswick County Collection System
Inspection Date: 08/29/2023 Entry Time 10:OOAM Exit Time: 12:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Tyler G Benson Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Reclaimed Water
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water
Use Records
Treatment Filters
Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment
Treatment Disinfection
Standby Power
(See attachment summary)
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Treatment Barscreen
Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge
Treatment Influent Pump Station Treatment Clarifiers
Treatment Flow Measurement Treatment Return pumps
Page 1 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 46878D34-BD3D-4357-B6DO-3C6EB6EAOE36
Permit: WQ0012748 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 08/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
On August 29, 2023, Tyler Benson (DWR) and Morella Sanchez -King (DWR) conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection
to determine the Sea Trail WWTP's compliance with Permit No. WQ0012748. Scott Lewis (ORC) was present during the
inspection. His time is very much appreciated by DWR Staff. The spray fields and irrigation ponds will be inspected later.
Permit
Permitted Flow: 300,000 gallons per day.
Average Daily Flow (August 2022 —August 2023): 142,132 gallons per day
Permit No. W00012748 will expire on 10/31/2024. Therefore, it is expected that the facility to send the renewal application
no later than May 4, 2024 (Ref. Schedule 1.1). For the renewal, the permit should reflect all the components that are in
place and operable. For example, the permit lists a static screen and grit removal system which has not been operable
since the previous inspection performed in June 2021. The County will need to indicate if a new grit and screening removal
system will be installed as it is currently listed in the Permit description.
Observations from Previous Inspection
The previous Compliance Evaluation Inspection, dated June 21, 2021, noted in the summary that extensive corrosion was
observed within the facility. In addition, it notes that this corrosion was going to be addressed at the time of future upgrades
such as a new screening and grit removal system.
Performance Standards
Non -Discharge monitoring reports (NDMR) and Non -Discharge application reports (NDAR1): The facility has not been issued
notices (NOD or NOV's) since 2020. However, NDMR and NDAR1 were submitted late for July 2021, December 2021, and
February through May of 2022.
Operation and Maintenance
The structural integrity of the facility is of concern. Upon walking the facility on inspection day, DWR Staff observed
corrosion in several areas, including grating and structural components (i.e. horizontal structural trusses, side wall
stiffeners). Some of these trusses were completely disconnected from the facility's support system. Deterioration and
corrosion represent a safety hazard for operators, inspectors, and any visitors since it could result in a facility failure. This is
a violation of the permit PERFORMANCE STANDARD (11.1) whose description prevents facility failure from lack of
maintenance. The facility is required to have an Operation and Maintenance Plan indicating the maintenance schedule of
the entire structure of the facility and will need to include remediation of the corrosion/deterioration (OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS (111.2) The enclosed Photo Sequence provides evidence that the facility has not received
adequate maintenance. In addition to this, diffusers throughout the facility were not operating and need to be replaced
(OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS 111.1)
A Notice of Violation with Intent to Assess will be issued.
Page 2 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 46878D34-BD3D-4357-B6DO-3C6EB6EAOE36
Permit: WQ0012748 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 08/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Infiltration System
❑
Lagoon Spray, LR
❑
Single Family Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
❑
Recycle/Reuse
❑
Single Family Drip
❑
Reuse (Quality)
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: The grit removal / screening is not operational.
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:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
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:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Yes No NA NE
Page 3 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 46878D34-BD3D-4357-B6DO-3C6EB6EAOE36
Permit: WQ0012748 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 08/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
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:
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:
Treatment Barscreen
Yes No NA NE
Is it free of excessive debris?
❑
❑ ❑
Is disposal of screenings in compliance?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are the bars spaced properly?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is the unit in good condition?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Treatment Activated Sludge
Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration mechanism operable?
❑
❑ ❑
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: The aeration pattern was not consistent, indicating that some of the diffusers are not
operational.
Treatment Clarifiers Yes No NA NE
Are the weirs level? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the weirs free of solids and algae? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 4 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 46878D34-BD3D-4357-B6DO-3C6EB6EAOE36
Permit: WQ0012748 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 08/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Is the scum removal system accessible? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Return pumps Yes No NA NE
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?
❑
❑ ❑
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?
❑
❑ ❑
Comment:
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? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
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?
❑
❑ ❑
Page 5 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 46878D34-BD3D-4357-B6DO-3C6EB6EAOE36
Permit: WQ0012748 Owner - Facility: Brunswick County
Inspection Date: 08/29/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
# Is it a dual feed system? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ ❑
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1 000-- )
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment:
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:
Page 6 of 6