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Home My WebLink AboutNC0087963_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240124ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS. JR. NORTH CAROLINA Director Environmental Quality January 24, 2024 James E. Harrill The Bluffs at Blowing Rock Property Owner's Association Inc 133 Echota Pkwy Boone, NC 28607 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Buckeye Creek WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NCO087963 Watauga County Dear Mr. Harrill: On January 05, 2024, Division of Water Resources (DWR) Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO) staff Jesse Barnes conducted a requested pre -startup compliance evaluation inspection at the Buckeye Creek WWTP for The Bluffs at Blowing Rock in reference to NPDES permit NC0087963. Operator Paul Isenhour was present during the inspection. A review of the subject permit, treatment components, planned sampling methods, outfall area, and planned operations was completed. Items of concern are listed below and should be addressed before the WWTP begins operation. Inspection findings are detailed in the attached Water Compliance Inspection Report. The following item(s) of concern were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Item of Concern Permit According to DWR records, the facility owner has not yet been registered for eDMR. Please complete and submit the attached eDMR registration form. Permit According to DWR records, the facility owner has not yet designated an ORC or backup ORC. Please complete and submit the attached ORC designation form. Facility Site Review During the inspection, access to the facility was not restricted but Mr. Isenhour stated that a locked fence was planned for installation soon. Access to the facility must be restricted to the general public. Bar Screen A leak was observed where the influent pipe connects to the bar screen, just before entering the package plant. Untreated influent wastewater was observed dripping onto the ground. Standby Power The standby power generator was programmed to automatically conduct a test run once a week. It was unknown if the primary power source to the facility would be automatically interrupted during that test. Mr. Isenhour stated that he may be able to manually interrupt the primary power source to test the generator. Effluent Sampling A permanent effluent composite sampler had not yet been installed. Mr. Isenhour stated that a permanent composite sampler had been ordered and that he has access to a portable composite sampler if needed. D_ E W:�North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 West Hanes Mitl Road, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem. North Carolina 27105 336,776.9600 Effluent Pipe The outfall area appeared to be accessible during the inspection, but the very steep slope is a safety concern and access may be difficult at times. An easily accessible right of way to the outfall may be needed to ensure operators are able to regularly inspect and maintain the effluent pipe and receiving waters. Plans or measures should be taken to address the indicated item(s) of concern. Please be aware that the Division may take enforcement action against any individual who fails to comply with the requirements of all applicable permits, regulations, and/or statutes. Pursuant to NC General Statute (NCGS) 143- 215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit, or applicable regulations, issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. If you have questions or concerns, contact Jesse Barnes by phone at 336-776-9701 or by email at iesse.barnes@deq.nc.aov. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: OD2D3CE3F167456... Jennifer F. Graznak, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Winston-Salem Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachments: 1. Water Compliance Inspection Report, NCO087963 2. ORC Designation Form 3. eDMR Registration Form 4. eDMR Registration Checklist North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem. North Carolina 27105 336 776.9600 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 NC0087963 I11 121 24/01/05 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 ni 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 Dermit Number) 01:OOPM 24/01/05 20/06/01 Buckeye Creek WWTP US Hwy 221 Near Knob Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Blowing Rock NC 28605 02:OOPM 24/01/05 25/02/28 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted James E Harrill,133 Echota Pkwy Boone NC 28607H828-963-7600/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement 0 Facility Site Review 0 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 Jesse Barnes Docusigned by: DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9701/ — 5. �azrve�a,1/24/2024 1Y41797473D3194ED ... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date DocuSigned by: f DWR/WSRo 336-776-9695 1/24/2024 "-0D2D3CE3F 1 B7456_. EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO087963 I11 12I 24/01 /05 117 18 i c i (Cont.) Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On January 05, 2024, Division of Water Resources (DWR) Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO) staff Jesse Barnes conducted a requested pre -startup compliance evaluation inspection at the Buckeye Creek WWTP for The Bluffs at Blowing Rock in reference to NPDES permit NC0087963. Operator Paul Isenhour was present during the inspection. A review of the subject permit, treatment components, sampling methods, outfall area, and planned operations was completed. Items of concern are listed below and should be addressed before the WWTP begins operation. Inspection findings are detailed in the attached Water Compliance Inspection Report. Items of Concern 1. According to DWR records, the facility owner has not yet been registered for eDMR. Please complete and submit the attached eDMR registration form. 2. According to DWR records, the facility owner has not yet designated an ORC or backup ORC. Please complete and submit the attached ORC designation form. 3. During the inspection, access to the facility was not restricted but Mr. Isenhour stated that a locked fence was planned for installation soon. Access to the facility must be restricted to the general public. 4. A leak was observed where the influent pipe connects to the bar screen, just before entering the package plant. Untreated influent wastewater was observed dripping onto the ground. 5. The standby power generator was programmed to automatically conduct a test run once a week. It was unknown if the primary power source to the facility would be automatically interrupted during that test. Mr. Isenhour stated that he may be able to manually interrupt the primary power source to test the generator. 6. A permanent effluent composite sampler had not yet been installed. Mr. Isenhour stated that a permanent composite sampler had been ordered and that he has access to a portable composite sampler if needed. 7. The outfall area appeared to be accessible during the inspection, but the very steep slope is a safety concern and access may be difficult at times. An easily accessible right of way to the outfall may be needed to ensure operators are able to regularly inspect and maintain the effluent pipe and receiving waters. Other observations: The Buckeye Creek WWTP has been constructed and permitted to treat wastewater from the Bluffs at Blowing Rock housing development. Facility staff requested an inspection by DWR to verify compliance with the subject permit. At the time of inspection, none of the residences in the development were occupied yet and the treatment facility had only received enough influent wastewater to fill the equalization basin. The aeration basins and clarifiers appeared to contain only a few inches of rainwater. Much of the water within the plant was frozen during the inspection. The facility is a traditional package plant with a single bar screen and equalization tank, dual tandem aeration basins and secondary clarifiers, a single gravity sand filter, and a single UV disinfection system. The facility appears to have been constructed in accordance with the subject permit. Mr. Isenhour stated that the facility plans to analyze field parameters using Water Quality Labs Inc. (NC lab #544) and non -field parameters will be analyzed by EnviroChem (NC lab #94). Float controls and audiovisual alarms for the equalization tank were present but not tested because power was not supplied to the treatment plant during the inspection. The disinfection system consists of a single train Aqua Azul UV system. Mr. Isenhour stated that he has immediate access to replacement bulbs when needed. The UV system is designed such that in the event of a system failure, a tablet chlorinator and de -chlorinator can be quickly installed into the existing flow chambers between the UV bulbs for temporary emergency means of disinfection. Mr. Page# Permit: NCO087963 Inspection Date: 01/05/2024 Owner -Facility: Buckeye Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Isenhour stated that he has immediate access to tablet chlorinators, tablet de -chlorinators, and tablets. A new Flow Motion Systems FM8000 effluent flow meter was installed and has not yet been calibrated. Please note that flow meters used for permit compliance must be calibrated at least once annually. An automatic propane standby power generator is present on site and can operate the entire facility. The generator is programmed to automatically run a test every Monday at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Barnes confirmed with Mr. Isenhour the permit -required upstream and downstream sampling parameters (weekly dissolved oxygen and temperature) and the locations (upstream: at least 100 ft upstream of the outfall, downstream: at least 300 ft downstream of the outfall) where in -stream sampling must be conducted once discharge begins, as listed in Part I. A. (1) of the subject permit. Please see the above -listed items of concern which should be addressed before treatment and discharge begins. Additionally, please notify the DWR WSRO when treatment and discharge begins, if any changes are made to the facility or the treatment process, and in the event of any permit noncompliance. Page# Permit: NC0087963 Owner -Facility: Buckeye Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 01/05/2024 Inspection Type: 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: During the inspection, access to the facility was not restricted but Mr. Isenhour stated that a locked fence was planned for installation soon. Access to the facility must be restricted to the general public. Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the flow meter operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: No effluent flow yet- a new flow meter has been installed and is ready for use Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 outfall area appeared to be accessible during the inspection, but the very steep slope is a safety concern and access may be difficult at times. An easily accessible right of way to the outfall may be needed to ensure operators are able to regularly inspect and maintain the effluent pipe and receiving waters. Page# 4