WQ0001953_Annual Performance_20240215

WASTEWATER COLLECTIONS/TREATMENT
SYSTEM
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
2023
January 1, 2023 -- December 31, 2023
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
TOWN OF SPINDALE, NORTH CAROLINA

System Performance Annual Report (SPAR) for the Year: 2023
As required by North Carolina General Statute § 143-215.1 C. Report to wastewater system
customers on system performance; publication of notice of discharge of untreated wastewater
and waste.
I. General Information
• Name of regulated entity and county: Town of Spindale
Rutherford County
• Responsible entity, persons, contacts,
phone numbers and address: PO Box 186; Spindale, NC 28160
828-286-1622 R. Mickey Bland, Mayor
828-286-2541 Scott Webber, Town Manager
828-286-2206 Alan Greene,
ORC(Operator in Responsible Charge)
828-286-2206 Charlie Keever, Collection System Supervisor
Back-up ORC
828-286-3407 Guy Peter O'Connor, Wastewater Treatment Plant, ORC
Pretreatment Coordinator
828-286-3407 Sibyl Brotherton Back -Up ORC
• Listing of applicable permit(s) Sewer Collection System WOCS00063
Wastewater Treatment Plant NCO020664
Land Application Permit WQ0001953
• Description of collection and wastewater treatment system or process:
Collection System: The sewer collection system is a class 2 system, based on
population. The Town of Spindale serves a population of 4500. There are 38
Town employees, including 13 Public Works Department maintenance and sewer
employees.
Sewer Service:There are — 10 industrial, 142 commercial & 1,664k residential and
commercial sewer customers. Most property inside the Town limits is served by the
Town's sewer collection system. Customers pay a monthly bill for sewer service, as
well as a yearly "availability fee" of $180.00
The sewer collection system consists of 61 miles of sewer lines: 53.83 miles of gravity
sewer (pipe sizes: 8 to 24 inch diameter); 7.17 miles of force main (pipe sizes: 4, 6983
& 12 inch diameter); and 1131 manholes. The sewer pipe materials consist of:

ductile iron pipe (DIP), cast iron, PVC, truss (plastic/cement core/plastic); and vitrified
clay pipe (VPC). The age of the sewer pipes ranges from the 1920's to the
present. There are 8 duplex pump stations with telemetry and dual high-water alarms.
The GIS mapping and sewer map were done and prepared by Kurt D Wright &
Associates in 2013.
Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) & Budget: The CIP covers 10 years
(2022 — 2032) and totals: $14,469,380.00 Preparation of the CIP was a required
permit condition (develop & implement CIP by 8-15-22) The Town of Spindale adopted
the current (CIP- 8/15/22.
Cleaning: 61 total miles x 10% min required = 6.1 miles = 32,208 feet are required to
be cleaned annually. In FY 12-13, asset management field work was performed,
locating sewer lines & manholes and gathering necessary information for the AMP.
FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) Reduction Program: The Town of
Spindale's FOG educational brochure is made available at City Hall to all residents. The
Town's staff inspects grease traps and provides guidance in writing and verbally.
Pretreatment Program: Consists of 4 SIUs (significant industrial users) / IUPs
(industrial user permit): 2 textile manufacturing & 1 metal finishing @ metal forming,
and 1 laundry service; namely:
IUP #03 Modern Woodworking and Weaving — dyed yarn, cutting & sewing.
tapestry fabrics (not categorical) — process: 0.16 MGD; non -
process: 1600 gpd
IUP #04 The Timken Co — manganese phosphating, tumbling & alkaline.
washing, grinding heat treatment & assembly of ball bearings &
bushings (categorical: metal finishing)— process: 9000 gpd; non -
process: 6000 gpd
IUP #08 Ultimate Textile, Inc. — dyeing of upholstery fabrics — process:
78,107 gpd; non -process: 3,703 gpd
IUP #10 Isothermal Textiles — Laundry Service — Process 65,000 GPD
Wastewater Treatment Plant (VWVTP):
The WWTP is a class IV facility consisting of a 3.0 MGD (million gallons per
day) extended aeration plant with the following components:
24-inch diameter influent line; inlet structure (septage is accepted); manual
by-pass bar screen; Vulcan Crawler mechanical screening equipment; grit
screw & removal equipment; flow splitter box; 2 each 1.5 million gallon aeration
basin capable of using 3 each blowers and small bubble diffusers and 1 each 4

million gallon equalization basin with four each floating aerators, two each 1
MGD pumps to move water from equalization basin to aeration basins, 110 ft
diameter circular clarifier with skimmer and sludge returns; dual 75 ft diameter
clarifiers with skimmer and sludge returns; four return activated sludge pumps;
dual dedicated WAS lines and pump; 100 ft
diameter (newest) 0.75 Mgal aerobic sludge digestor with floating
mechanical aerator; 75 ft dia 0.6 million gallon aerobic sludge digestor with
floating mechanical aerator; chlorine gas chlorination 2 (750 # cylinders)
equipment; baffled chlorine contact chamber; sulfur dioxide gas 2 (500 #
cylinders) dichlorination equipment;
post aeration 1 dichlorination chamber with dual blowers; 275 kilowatt
Caterpillar permanent diesel emergency generator with fuel tank (which self
tests weekly); ISCO refrigerated flow proportional composite sampler; Fisher
Porter ultrasonic flow measurement with totalizer; and > 1 mile of 36 inch
diameter gravity outfall line to Cathy's Creek (relocated from Holland's Creek).
Wastewater Treatment Plant Flow Data:
The annual average flows were: 0.842 MGD in 2014; 0.975 MGD in 2015 ; 0.91 in
2016; 0.68 MGD in 2017; 0.68 MGD in 2018; .057 MGD in 2019; .79 MGD in 2020; .62
MGD in 2021;.51 MGD in 2022; .51 MGD in 2023
The maximum daily flows were: 3.7 MGD in 2014; 6.0 MGD in 2015; 3.1 MGD in
2016; 2.5 MGD in 2017; 2.94 MGD in 2018; .81 MGD in 2019; 1 MGD in 2020:.62 MGD in
2021; 2.87 MGD in 2022; 4.81 MGD in 2023
Sludge Management: WQ0001953 Land Application of Sludge / Biosolids:
There are ~ 163.6 acres currently permitted. Solids are removed from the WWTP
digestors and then land applied by the Contractor, Dennis Keyes; US Biosolids
Stormwater: Municipal Stormwater permit NCG110107 (for the WWTP site)
11. Performance
• Description of overall 12-month performance, noting highlights and deficiencies.
• By month, list of the number and type of any violations of permit conditions, environmental
regulations or environmental laws, including (but not limited to):
Permit Limit Violations
Monitoring and Reporting Violations
(Illegal) Bypass of treatment facilities*
Sanitary Sewer Overflows* (*Note estimated total monthly volumes and
locations of events in which more than 1,000 gallons of waste reached surface
waters.)
In 2023, the Town of Spindale had the following violations of environmental regulations
or environmental laws.
Collection System:
There were 6 Collection System SSOs (Sanitary Sewer Overflows) in 2023. All

SSOs were reported to NC Division of Water Quality.
• (On 04-28-2023) we had a SSO at 141 Windchase LN we lost 2000 Gal due to a root blockage.
• (On 04-28-2023) we had a SSO at 683 Thunder Rd this is our Oak St lift station we lost 1,400
Gal due to extreme rain event.
• (On 08-28-2023) we had a SSO at 383 West St we lost 200 Gal due to a blockage in the sewer
line.
• (On 10-27-2023) we had a SSO at 330 Oakland Rd on our right of way we lost 200 Gal Due to
a pipe break.
• (On 12-26-2023 we had a SSO at 683 Thunder Rd we lost 3,500 Gal due to extreme rain event.
Collection System O&M:
Asset Management Plan (AMP): In March 2013, the Asset Management Plan report was
completed ($115,000) by Kurt D. Wright, P.E. (828-2454080). This Plan promotes
proper stewardship of municipality owned infrastructure and qualifies the Town of
Spindale for grant funds and/or low interest loans. 2012 Sanitary Sewer Replacement
Project: $ 882,000 (NCDENR Project No. CS370621-03) was done to replace aged lines
and reduce infiltration and inflow (I&I). The average rain event contributes 250,000
gallons per day of I&I. We are still in the process of updating this asset management
plan and updating our sewer system map with any changes or manhole findings. We
have also purchased a recycling container to collect mercury items from town
residents to prevent any mercury items being placed in the sewer system. The Town is
has finished (Main Street Spindale Rehab) We have replaced 885 feet of 8" sewer line
and four new manholes in this project from Main St Spindale and Nebraska St. We have
also presented to the Town of Spindale Board of Commissioners to do a rehab on our
Oak St Pump Station at 683 Thunder Rd Rutherfordton, NC 28139 and was granted the
funds to do so along with grants. in 2020 We started the rehab on our Oak St Pump
Station and work has been completed, we added two new dry pit submergible pumps
and two new control boxes, also new (PLC). We have received the funds and currently
in the process of Getting the permits to rebuild Oak St pump station and making it into
a tri-plex Submergible Station with new wet well. Oak St Pump station project has not
broken ground due to (NCDOT HWY 221) project that may have an effect on our 12"
Force Main and 10" Gravity line. We are in discussion with NCDOT and SDG
Engineering, inc on possible relocation and also in discussion with SDG, in regard to
adding the third pump and new electrical to the Oak St pump Station to Compensate
the time frame on the Relocation or rebuild of Oak St Pump Station.
,Sanitary Sewer System Flow Monitoring Study:
The Town of Spindale has Completed the flow monitoring study. We are currently
in the process of smoke testing and die testing in our Basins A-2 and subbasins (A2-4
and A2-6) also Basin A2-1. We are working Diligently to eliminate the inflow and
infiltration (1&1) in our system. The Town of Spindale is still in the process of smoke
and die testing currently.
Pipe Condition Assessment (PCAP)- (AIA) Study
The Town of Spindale received a (AIA) Grant for $150,000 from the NC Division of Water
Infrastructure under the asset inventory and assessment (AIA) Program (AIA GRANT

DWI # E-AIA-W-21-0232). The PCAP was conducted for the sanitary sewer basins
prioritized by the Town of Spindale's 2018 "Sanitary Sewer System Flow Monitoring
Study" (SSFM) In basin Al & A2. The goal of the project was to identify sources of
inflow and infiltration (III) within the targeted basins of the wastewater collection
system and to make recommendations for remediation and repairs. Smoke testing,
Closed circuit tv (CCTV), and visual Observations of the methods were utilized to
identify specific areas where groundwater or stormwater may be entering the sewer
system. The Town of Spindale has also received a $400,000 (AIA) grant to update the
Asset Management Plan and do more (CCTV) and Smoke Testing. This grant is from NC
Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI). The Town of Spindale also applied for a
Construction Grant for $5,390,260.00 in September 2022, this will be a result of our
(AIA) Pipe Condition Assessment (PCA) of basins Al & A2. The Town Of Spindale did
not receive the construction grant we
The Town of Spindale received an (AIA) Grant for $400,000 from the NC Division of
Water Infrastructure under the asset inventory and assessment (AIA) Program (AIA
GRANT). AIA Project # AIA-W-ARP-0054, The proposed project is for the condition
assessment of the Town of Spindale's sewer collection system (System) and is referred
to as the Pipe Condition Assessment Project (PCAP). The primary goal of the PCAP is
to develop an actionable plan to target and prioritize capital improvements to reduce
inflow and infiltration (1&I) in the System and the Town's wastewater treatment plant
(WWTP).
The Town's System contains five (5) drainage basins. Basins Al, A2, and A3 are
located north of the US-74 Business Highway, and Basins B1 and B2 are located to the
south. A previous $150,000 grant was used to develop the Town's June 30, 2022 PCAP
that targeted Basin Al and a portion of Basin A2, which were determined to have the
highest levels of I&I by the Town's July 2018 Sanitary Sewer System Flow Monitoring
Study.
The primary objective of this PCAP is to target the remaining drainage basins, Basins
A3, B1, and B2. The projected cost to fully evaluate the collection system located
within Basins A3, B1, and B2 is greater than the $400,000 grant funding will cover.
Thus, this PCAP will target the areas of these three basins that are suspected to have
the highest level of I&I to provide the Town the best return on this investment.
The Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) document, "Water and Wastewater Utility
Evaluation Guidance Document. Asset Inventory and Assessment, Capital Cost, and
Operating Cost Analyses" shall be used to guide efforts during the Project. This same
document was utilized for our June 30, 2022 PCAP.
PCAP: The key tools that will be used in this project to evaluate the System's condition
will be smoke testing machines, CCTV, and field visual inspection. Sources of III may
be identified by smoke testing, with CCTV pinpointing more direct areas of illicit
connections and broken infrastructure. Class I Manhole Inspections will be performed
for targeted areas.
GIS Database Updates and Cloud based Storage: This project will update the town's
existing geodatabase to ArcGIS Online, a cloud -based geodatabase. Collected field

data from the PCAP will be uploaded from cell phone enabled tablets to the ArcGIS
Online geodatabase to provide a dynamic mapping system that can be used by current
and future Town staff and officials. G1S data will be provided in an easily readable
format that can be readily updated with the Town's existing resources.
AMP Updates: In addition to the PCAP work, the grant funding will be used to update
the Town's Asset Management Plan (AMP), which was created in 2013. This work
includes the development of a 10-year CIP and a Rate Study.
Asset Management Equipment: The Town intends to use no more than 10% of the grant
funding towards the purchase of assets that will aid in the continued development and
use of our Asset Management Plan initiatives, which are anticipated to include the
following:
• ESRI ArcGIS Online and Pro subscription(s) with any required licensing to allow
the Town to own, host, and maintain our geodatabase (one-year subscription to be
grant funded, with subsequent annual renewals from Town funding).
• Up to two (2) cell phone enabled IPad(s)ITablet(s) and all required software to aid
in 811 utility field marking, self -collect field data, and more quickly assess emergency
call outs.
• Aid in purchase of CCTV equipment.
The Manager, Planner, and Public Works Director of the Town of Spindale will be
responsible for maintaining and updating electronic devices and the ArcGIS database,
with technical assistance from the selected consultant, the ESRI license ware support
desk, and NC Rural Water technical staff.
The Town will provide regular updates to DWI and submit reimbursement requests
every 2 months. DWI will be copied on draft and final deliverables, including GIS data
mapping.
REVISED PROJECT SCOPE, SCHEDULE, AND BUDGET
The revised Project Scope, Schedule and Budget is provided in Table 1. Please note
that the schedule and budget has been modified from our September 29, 2022
response letter. This is because the Notice to Proceed by the Town to the Engineer was
issued May 1, 2023. The Engineer has now had the opportunity to review and revise
these items. Note that updating the Asset Management Plan and Rate Study have been
added to the Project Scope.
Table 1: Revised Project Scope, Schedule, and Budget
No. Description Schedule and Budget

1.) Notice to Proceed 5/1/2023 NIA
2.) Project Scope, Planning, Budgeting & Scheduling5/1/2023 through 7/17/2023
$20,000
3.) GIS data migration and scrubbing; Standup Online ArcGIS System; ArcGIS
database management 7/17/2023 through 10131/2023 $50,000
4.) Purchase Capital Equipment (max. 10%) (Before Project Completion)
$40,000
6.) AIA/PCAP Field Investigation, Data Collection, and Reporting 7/17/2023 through
2118/2024 $1459000
6.) Update the Asset Management Plan & Complete the Rate Study. 7/17/2023 through
2/18/2024 $146,000
TOTAL: $400,000
DELIVERABLES
• Final Report on PCAP Portion
• Updated Asset Management Plan
• 10 Year CIP
• Rate Study
• New Online ArcGIS Database with integrate tablets (2) for ongoing field
collection
By following these recommendations, the Town will see a reduction of inflow at the
WWTP.
Scope and Purpose
SDG Engineering, inc. (SDG) has completed a sanitary sewer system flow
monitoring study for The Town of Spindale. The study, which encompassed 19 flow -
monitoring locations, was performed from April 2017 through March 2018. The study
was funded by Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) grant from the N.C. Department
of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Infrastructure. The Town of Spindale was
Granted $142,979.58 to this project, by (AIA), also The Town of Spindale also
contributed $7,020.42 of the cost also to make up a total of $150,000.00 toward the
project. Labella Associates HACH Preferred Data Delivery Services (PDDS) were major
contributors to this project.
The goal of the study is to help the Town of Spindale reduce the unusually high
peak rain induced flows the sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system (S.S.
System) is currently experiencing.
The report hereinafter discusses the purpose, process, and results of a nine -
month inflow and infiltration study. The study makes the following recommendations.
1. Field investigate Basin A-1 via smoke testing, dye testing, and closed circuit
television (CCTV) to determine the cause of the flow variance. Deficiencies
should be corrected.
2. Field investigate Basin A-2 and its subbasins (A2-4 and A2-6) using the same

techniques described above. A2-1 was major contributor of the total inflow and
infiltration (111) per inch of rain observed at the wastewater treatment plant
IATP)•
3. Purchase two flow monitors (and corresponding data viewer subscriptions) and
continue to study Mega Basin A-3 to begin isolating areas with the greatest
inflow within the Basin.
4. Reapply for another AIA grant in three years to do a follow up study to isolate
more problem areas and to check progress on previous rehabilitation projects.
Wastewater Treatment Plant:
There was one NPDES permit limit or monitoring violations in 2023.
The Town of Spindale has completed the rehabilitation project at the Wastewater
Treatment Plant.
The Town has developed and implementing a Mercury Minimization Plan (MMP);
required by NCDENR, DWQ.
Description of any known environmental impact of violations
1) We had one NOD for low Ph.
• Description of corrective measures taken to address violations or deficiencies
1) A lime slurry system has been installed to help adjust Ph.
2)
III. Notification
• Statement as to how users or customers have been provided access to the report.
Notification of the Town of Spindale's Collection System and Wastewater
Treatment Plant system performance will be conveyed to our customers through.
the SPAR (System Performance Annual Report) that is posted at the Town of
Spindale's Library and City Hall. A copy of the SPAR is also posted on the
Town's web site.
IV. Certification
• North Carolina Certified Operators In Responsible Charne (ORCs):
WWTP ORC: Guy Peter O'Connor, WW IV Cert. # 996051
WWTP Back-up ORC: Sibyl Brotherton, WW IV Cert #997931

Coll. Sys. ORC: Alan Greene, CS 2 Cert. # 1013073
Coll. Sys. Back-up ORC(s): Charlie Keever CS 2 Cert. # 1014318
Statement by a responsible official certifying the report is accurate and complete.
I certify under penalty of law that this report is complete and accurate to the best of my
knowledge. I further certify that this report has been made available to the users or
customers of the named system and that those users have been notified of its
availability.
Sewer Collection System WQCS00053
Report Certified by: Alan Greene Jr ,Asst Public Works Director, (ORC) Town of
Spindale
Signature
Date .2
Wastewater Treatment Plant NCO020664
Report Certified by: Guy Peter O'Connor, Wastewater Treatment Plant, ORC
Signature
-'—
Date
,2 /& /;? y
To satisfy the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources' reporting
requirement (NC General Statute § 143-215.1 C Report to wastewater system customers on
system performance; publication of notice of discharge of untreated wastewater and waste),
three copies of this report was submitted to the following address:
System Performance Annual Report
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617