The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutNC0030783_NOV2024PC0142_CEI_Report_20240229DocuSign Envelope ID: 17AA6C28-1558-45BF-9014-BAEE5C29D9DE ROY COOPER Co,ernor ELIZABETH S. B1SER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONL Y.- NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. February 29, 2024 Jeff Church, Assistant Auxiliary Services Superintendent Caldwell County Schools Email: jeffchurch@caldwellschools.com SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking Number: NOV-2024-PC-0142 Permit No. NCO030783 Baton Elementary School Caldwell County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Baton Elementary School on January 31, 2024. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0030783. 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 violation(s) were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Violation Flow Measurement - Effluent The effluent flow was not being measured by an approved method. Proper flow measurement is required. Disinfection - UV The UV bulbs need to be cleaned at least annually & extra UV bulbs need to be kept onsite or be available at the ORC's lab. 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, please respond in writing to this office within 30 days upon your receipt of this Notice of Violation regarding your plans or measures to be taken to address the indicated violations and other identified issues, if applicable. o D Iwrlh Carolina OI Mc cn209Q Ulronmental X IR w D a—. North C Resources Ashc+llk Rc9knal Officc 209p U.S. Highway 70 Swannanoa, North Camllna 25776 62&296.45C0 DocuSign Envelope ID: 17AA6C28-1558-45BF-9014-BAEE5C29D9DE 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. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: E3971921DABF134FF... Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Josh Greene (Water Tech Labs) D_EQ� firth[arollna9egartmenlofFm9ronmrntalQualhVlDivlsWnaFWaterResaurcrs AO-llkR l—IO CCI 2090U.5.Mghway70 I Swanna—. North Cara11na 28776 wu.wnwoiw—..woin� 62&296.4500 DocuSign Envelope ID: 17AA6C28-1558-45BF-9014-BAEE5C29D9DE 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 NC0030783 I11 121 24/01/31 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 Dermit Number) 11:OOAM 24/01/31 20/07/01 Baton Elementary School 1400 Baton School Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Granite Falls NC 28630 12:OOPM 24/01/31 25/02/28 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Joshua Steven Greene/ORC/828-396-4444/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Jeff Church,1914 Hickory Blvd Lenoir NC 28645//828-728-8407/8287280012 Yes Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar 0 Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran 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 Rachel Rose 'Signedby: DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ ^��n 2/29/2024 Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Docusigned by: 2/29/2024 LAan It �j-SS EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 17AA6C28-1558-45BF-9014-BAEE5C29D9DE NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO030783 I11 12I 24/01 /31 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Rachel Rose, with the Asheville Regional Office (ARO), met with Joshua Greene (ORC, Water Tech Labs) to conduct a Compliance Evaluation Inspection on January 31, 2024 of the Baton Elementary School WWTP. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0030783. The following items were noted during the inspection: 1. Septic Tank: It is recommended to check the solids level of the septic tank at least annually and to pump the tank at least once every five years. 2. Pump Station - Effluent: It is suggested to install a telemetry system. 3. Effluent Pipe: The right-of-way to the effluent pipe needs to be maintained. It is suggested to work with the property owner to be able to maintain the right-of-way. The following violations were noted during the inspection: 1. Disinfection - UV: The UV bulbs need to be cleaned at least annually & extra UV bulbs need to be kept onsite or be available at the ORC's lab. 2. Flow Measurement - Effluent: The effluent flow was not being measured by an approved method. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 17AA6C28-1558-45BF-9014-BAEE5C29D9DE Permit: NCO030783 Owner -Facility: Baton Elementary School Inspection Date: 01/31/2024 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 ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ 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: Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all required information readily available, complete and current? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chain -of -custody complete? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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: 17AA6C28-1558-45BF-9014-BAEE5C29D9DE Permit: NC0030783 Owner -Facility: Inspection Date: 01/31/2024 Inspection Type: Baton Elementary School Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Septic Tank Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are pumps or syphons operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are high and low water alarms operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: See summary for details Sand Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the distribution box level and watertight? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is sand filter free of ponding? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ # Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The sand filter is a subsurface sand filter. Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are UV bulbs clean? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is transmittance at or above designed level? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a backup system on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent clear and free of solids? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: At the time of the inspection, the UV bulbs are cleaned every three years. There are no extra UV bulbs on site or available at Water Tech Labs. See summary for details. 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? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 17AA6C28-1558-45BF-9014-BAEE5C29D9DE Permit: NCO030783 Inspection Date: 01/31/2024 Pump Station - Effluent Owner -Facility: Baton Elementary School Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? Comment: There was no telemetry system at the time of the inspection. 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The flow was not being measured with an approved method at the time of the inspection. The flow needs to be measured by an approved method. It is recommended to use the bucket and timer method. See summary for details. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? E ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ representative)? Comment: The permit requires grab samples. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The effluent pipe is over a mile away from the school and did not have the right-of-way maintained at the time of the insDection. See summary for details. Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 17AA6C28-1558-45BF-9014-BAEE5C29D9DE Permit: NC0030783 Inspection Date: 01/31/2024 Standby Power Is the generator tested under load? Owner -Facility: Baton Elementary School Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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 portable generator is available as needed through Water Tech Labs. Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6