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Home My WebLink AboutNC0075612_NOD2024PC0054 & CEI Report_20240326 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. March 26, 2024 Danny Parr, III, Director of Facilities Wildcat Community Services Inc Email: Property@wildcatccc.com SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY Tracking Number: NOD-2024-PC-0054 Permit No. NC0075612 Wildcat Cliffs WWTP Macon County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of Wildcat Cliffs WWTP on March 12, 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. NC0075612. 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 deficiencies were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Deficiency _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) At the time of the inspection, the high level visual and audible alarms were not working. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disinfection - Tablet At the time of the inspection, the sludge blanket in the contact chamber was 1.5' out of 3.25’ feet of water. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Effluent Sampling At the time of the inspection, there was no thermometer in the sampling fridge. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DocuSign Envelope ID: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595 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, carefully review these deficiencies and address the causes of non-compliance to prevent the recurrence of similar situations. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lauren Armeni with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4667. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Tyler Easterly (ORC, Environmental Inc.) DocuSign Envelope ID: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595 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 NC0075612 24/03/12 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) Wildcat Cliffs WWTP Birchwood Dr Highlands NC 28741 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:00AM 24/03/12 23/10/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Tyler Jarrett Easterly/ORC/828-586-5588/ Other Facility Data 11:30AM 24/03/12 27/11/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Leroy D Parr,770 Country Club Dr Highlands NC 28741//828-200-3419/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 Lauren E Armeni 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: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595 3/26/2024 3/26/2024 NPDES yr/mo/day 24/03/12 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Lauren Armeni, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of Wildcat Cliffs WWTP on March 12, 2024. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0075612. Mr. Tyler Easterly (ORC, Environmental Inc.) was present and assisted in the inspection. The facility consists of two system trains that run parallel - one has a 15k capacity and one a 35k capacity. Mr. Easterly indicated that they no longer use the 15k plant, except for extra digester capacity. The following items were noted during the inspection: 1. Aeration Basins: At the time of the inspection, settleability was 73% after thirty minutes in AB #1 and 70% after thirty minutes in AB #2. The supernate above the settled sludge appeared to have pin floc and/or grease. Flow to this system is less during the winter months and picks up from spring on, and at the time of the inspection it was the off season. 2. Secondary Clarifier: At the time of the inspection, the sludge blanket was 1' out of 13' water, with 9' of pin floc/grease and 3' of clear water. The scum trough is too high up and should be cut back to allow the scum to enter it. Additionally, the trough needs to be cleaned out where flow from the AB enters the clarifier. It appears that the sludge throughout this system is older based on settleability and sludge blanket results. The visible pin floc is most likely from a low food source for the bacteria due to it being the off season, and extra wasting and reseeding may be needed. 3. Filtration (High Rate Tertiary): The wet well for the tertiary filters has a high level float with an audible and visual alarm. At the time of the inspection, the audible and visual alarms did not work. These alarms will need to be repaired. 4. Disinfection - Tablet: At the time of the inspection, the sludge blanket in the contact chamber was 1.5' out of 3.25' feet of water. The contact chamber will need to be pumped out. 5. Effluent Pipe: There is excess vegetation around the effluent pipe that should be removed. The right of way to the outfall should be properly maintained at all times. 6. Effluent Sampling: The sampling tubing is dirty and should be replaced. At the time of the inspection, there was no thermometer in the sampling fridge. A thermometer should be kept in the sampling fridge. The following deficiencies were noted during the inspection: 1. Filtration (High Rate Tertiary): At the time of the inspection, the high level visual and audible alarms were not working. 2. Disinfection - Tablet: At the time of the inspection, the sludge blanket in the contact chamber was 1.5' out of 3.25' feet of water. 3. Effluent Sampling: At the time of the inspection, there was no thermometer in the sampling fridge. NC0075612 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595 Permit:NC0075612 Inspection Date:03/12/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Wildcat Cliffs WWTP 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? Both the 15k plant and 35k plant have equalization basins, which is currently not listed in the permit components list. This will be added to the permit components list during the next renewal. 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, DO, sludge judge to measure the sludge blanket, settleable solids, and temperature. There is visible rust throughout both the 15k and 35k plants, and it is recommended to paint them. 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595 Permit:NC0075612 Inspection Date:03/12/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Wildcat Cliffs WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? 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? 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? 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) At the time of the inspection, DO was 10.3 mg/L in aeration basin #1 and 8.04 mg/L in aeration basin #2. It has still been cold at night, so it's possible the aeration basins are getting too much air at night. Mr. Easterly indicated that the blowers alternate on for 15 minutes, then off for 1.5 hours during the day and 2 hours during the night. See summary for details. Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595 Permit:NC0075612 Inspection Date:03/12/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Wildcat Cliffs WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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) At the time of the inspection, there was some excess algae along the weirs. This algae should be cleaned off. See summary for details. Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Type of operation:Down flow Is the filter media present? Is the filter surface free of clogging? Is the filter free of growth? Is the air scour operational? Is the scouring acceptable? Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? The filter media could not be seen because it was under water. The filters are backwashed daily. The mud well collects the backwash water, which goes to the return line to the aeration basin. The wet well for the filters has a high level float, but the audible and visual alarms do not work. These alarms should be repaired. 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? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595 Permit:NC0075612 Inspection Date:03/12/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Wildcat Cliffs WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Mr. Easterly stated that they use the decant line to decant from the 35k plant digester to the 15k plant splitter box. The 15k plant is used as extra digester capacity. Sludge from the digester and contact chamber from the 35k plant, and the 15k plant are pumped out annually. Mr. Easterly indicated that sludge was last pumped from the plants in November 2023. Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?1 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? At the time of the inspection, the sludge blanket in the contact chamber was 1.5' out of 3.25' of water. Solids in the contact chamber should be pumped out. 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?1 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 by Laboratory Instrument Service on May 10, 2023. There is a chart recorder but it is not used. Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595 Permit:NC0075612 Inspection Date:03/12/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Wildcat Cliffs WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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? The effluent pipe was visible, but vegetation is growing up around it. The right of way to the outfall should be properly maintained throughout the year. See summary for details. 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? # 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)? At the time of the inspection, the sampling tubing was dirty and should be replaced. See summary for details. 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 generator was installed one year ago and it automatically exercises weekly. Allan Dearth & Sons refuels the generator as needed. Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 559833B4-FE0E-4AC9-9B36-DABA451F5595