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Home My WebLink AboutNC0059421_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240305 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. March 5, 2024 Brian Shelton, Mayor Town of Rosman Email: rosmantown@comporium.net SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Sapphire Lakes Plant WWTP #1 NPDES WW Permit No. NC0059421 Transylvania County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Sapphire Lakes Plant WWTP #1 on 2/27/2024. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0059421. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this inspection report is not required. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mara Chamlee with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at mara.chamlee@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, Mara Chamlee, Environmental Specialist I Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche DocuSign Envelope ID: D47D6C55-F2B1-40ED-8855-FC4D4FFA5809 EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460 Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 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 N 52 NC0059421 24/02/27 C S31112171819 20 21 66 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- N67707172 73 74 75 80 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) Sapphire Lakes Plant WWTP #1 1600 US Hwy 64 W Sapphire NC 28774 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:00AM 24/02/27 23/01/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// William Wesley Royal/ORC/828-506-5572/ Other Facility Data 12:00PM 24/02/27 27/08/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Brian Shelton,PO Box 636 Rosman NC 287720636/Mayor/828-884-6859/8288844159 Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters 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 Mara G Chamlee DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 DocuSign Envelope ID: D47D6C55-F2B1-40ED-8855-FC4D4FFA5809 3/5/2024 3/5/2024 NPDES yr/mo/day 24/02/27 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Mara Chamlee, with the Asheville Regional Office, performed a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Sapphire Lakes WWTP #1 on February 27, 2024. This inspection was completed in order to determine if the facility is being operated and maintained according to NPDES Permit Number NC0059421. Mr. William Royal (ORC, Royal Water Works Inc.) was present and assisted with the inspection. Overall, the facility appears to be well maintained and operated. The following items were noted during the inspection: Operations & Maintenance: In 2022, a line in the collection system was clogged from grease originating from the clubhouse restaurant. It is required that the grease trap from the restaurant be pumped regularly in order to avoid blockages and treatment issues for the WWTP. Equalization Basin: At the time of the inspection, there was not a high level alarm for the EQ basin. The ORC indicated that if the EQ basin were to reach high levels, then the flow would bypass to the aeration basin. It is recommended that a high level alarm system that includes an audible and visual alarm be installed. Secondary Clarifier: At the time of the inspection, the right side return pump had been inoperable for about four months. The ORC is currently using a submersible pump for the return sludge. In order to repair this, the air line in the clarifier will need to be repaired. The ORC noted that there are plans to repair the return pump within the coming months following the inspection. Disinfection: The chlorine and dechlorination tubes were not covered. It is recommended to add lids to these tubes. NC0059421 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: D47D6C55-F2B1-40ED-8855-FC4D4FFA5809 Permit:NC0059421 Inspection Date:02/27/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sapphire Lakes Plant WWTP #1 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? # 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 Yes No NA NE 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? Process controls analyzed include pH, temperature, DO, MLSS, and chlorine residual. Mr. Royal stated that the MLSS usually runs between 2500 mg/L and 4000 mg/L. Comment: 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: D47D6C55-F2B1-40ED-8855-FC4D4FFA5809 Permit:NC0059421 Inspection Date:02/27/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sapphire Lakes Plant WWTP #1 Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Mr. Royal stated that the current permit is kept at the Rosman Town Hall Office, as the Town owns the facility. The ORC will still need to keep a copy of the permit on site at the facility. Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Debris from the bar screen is hauled to the Transylvania County Landfill.Comment: Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? Is the basin free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? Mr. Royal indicated that the EQ basin is aerated continuously during the summer months. The EQ basin does not have a high level alarm system. See summary for details. Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? Are surface aerators and mixers operational? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: D47D6C55-F2B1-40ED-8855-FC4D4FFA5809 Permit:NC0059421 Inspection Date:02/27/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sapphire Lakes Plant WWTP #1 Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE 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? Is the DO level acceptable? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) The settleability in the aeration basin was 71% after 30 minutes. Mr. Royal indicated that the typical DO is 0.8-1.2 mg/L. Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? Is the drive unit operational? Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately ¼ of the sidewall depth) Mr. Royal indicated that the clarifier and aerobic digester are pumped three times per year and the solids are hauled to the Brevard WWTP. At the time of the inspection, the right side return pump had been inoperable for about four months. The ORC is currently using a submersible pump for the return sludge. In order to repair this, the air line in the clarifier will need to be repaired. Due to the broken return line, the sludge blanket was high. The sludge blanket was 6 ft. of solids out of 9 ft. of water. See summary for details. Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Mr. Royal indicated that the digester is pumped 3 times annually and solids are hauled to the Transylvania County Landfill. Comment: Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: D47D6C55-F2B1-40ED-8855-FC4D4FFA5809 Permit:NC0059421 Inspection Date:02/27/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sapphire Lakes Plant WWTP #1 Compliance Evaluation Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?2 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? Mr. Royal indicated that the solids from the chlorine contact chamber are pumped back to the head of the plant. The chlorine and dechlorination tubes did not have lids. See summary for details. Comment: 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? # Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use?2 The dechlorination tubes will need lids as well.Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # 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? The flow meter was last calibrated on May 26, 2023 by Laboratory Instrument Services.Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: D47D6C55-F2B1-40ED-8855-FC4D4FFA5809 Permit:NC0059421 Inspection Date:02/27/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sapphire Lakes Plant WWTP #1 Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE # 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)? Grab samples are required by the permit.Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? 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: Standby Power Yes No NA NE 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? The ORC indicated that a portable generator is available for use in the case of a power outage. Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: D47D6C55-F2B1-40ED-8855-FC4D4FFA5809