NC0021423_NOV2024PC0289_CEI_Report_20240507

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
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.
May 7, 2024
Darlene J Butler, Manager Town
Town of Spruce Pine
Email: [e-mail]
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2024-PC-0289
Permit No. NCO021423
Spruce Pine WWTP
Mitchell County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Spruce Pine WWTP on April 18,
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. NC0021423. 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
Secondary Clarifier Only one clarifier was operational and the drive unit was not functioning properly
in clarifier #2 at the time of the inspection.
Operations & Maintenance The loading dock for the chlorine building was showing signs of being structurally
unsound and needs to be replaced or repaired.
De -chlorination The sulfur dioxide gas cylinders were kept outside at the time of the inspection which
leads to corrosion of the valve caps.
D_EQ firth[arolna 9egartmenl of Fm ronmrntal QualhV I N,1t1naFWm,,Pmu—
AO-11k"i—IMcc12090U.5.HVghwayX I1 wanna—. North C 11na 28776
w..r.nwawa.uo.i� 62&296.4500

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
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.
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:
UMAL b6sts
E397192DABFB4FF...
Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report
Ec: Laserfiche
Darrell Graham (ORC, Veolia)
D_EQ- North Carollw Department of En9ronmental OwlhV I NylsionofWater Res mes
2 Ashc+llk Rc9knalp cfl 2090U5.Htghway7U I Swanna—. North Carattna 25776
626.296.4WO

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-OBB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
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 NC0021423 111 121 24/04/18 I17 18 LC] 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 permit Number)
10:OOAM 24/04/18
21/08/01
Spruce Pine WWTP
909 Creed Pitman Rd
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Spruce Pine NC 28777
12:OOPM 24/04/18
26/02/28
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Darrell James Graham/ORC/828-765-3011/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Darrell Graham,PO Box 189 Spruce Pine NC 287770189//828-765-3011/8287653013
Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispo: Facility Site Review 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
DocuSigned by:
Rachel Rose �DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ 5/7/2024
Andrew W Moore ZCE,9D3940C494_. DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4684/
°, Signed by: 5/7/2024
meow
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
by: 5/7/2024
FD—Signed
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94)�Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.)
NCO021423 I11 12I 24/04/18 117 18 i c i
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Rachel Rose and Andrew Moore, with the Asheville Regional Office (ARO), met with Darrell Graham
(ORC, Veolia) to conduct a Compliance Evaluation Inspection on April 18, 2024 for the Town of
Spruce Pine WWTP. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being
operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0021423.
The following items were noted during the inspection:
1. Pump Station - Influent: The visual alarm was not working at the time of the inspection, but the
audible alarm was working. The bulb was replaced on May 4, 2024, but still wasn't working. A
technician was contacted to try to fix the visual alarm on May 4, 2024. Once the ORC is able, a video
of the visual alarm working will be sent to Rachel.
2. Secondary Clarifier: Clarifier #1 is currently only used for surge flows, #2 takes the main flow, and
#3 is inoperable. The scum removal in #2 was inadequate at the time of the inspection because the
drive unit wasn't operating correctly and hadn't been for some time. When the planned refurbishment
for clarifier #1 is done (planned for 2024), the drive unit in #2 needs to be fixed. The sludge blanket
for clarifier #2 was 1ft out of 10 ft of water at the time of the inspection.
3. De -chlorination: The sulfur dioxide gas cylinders are currently kept secured to the outside of a
small shed/building near the contact chamber. The cylinders need to be kept inside a building or
shed, away from sunlight. When the cylinders are left outside, it also leads to corrosion of the release
valves. The de -chlorination building must be at least a separate room from the chlorination cylinders.
The following violations were noted during the inspection:
1. Operations & Maintenance: The loading dock for the chlorine building was showing signs of being
structurally unsound. The loading dock needs to be replaced for the worker's safety.
2. Secondary Clarifier: Only one clarifier was fully operational. At least two clarifiers need to be fully
operational and the drive unit in clarifier #2 needs to be fully operational.
3. De -chlorination: The sulfur dioxide gas cylinders were kept outside at the time of the inspection
which leads to corrosion of the valve caps. The sulfur dioxide cylinders need to be kept inside a
building or shed.
Page#

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
Permit: NCO021423 Owner -Facility: Spruce Pine WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/18/2024 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
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application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
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# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
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Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
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Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
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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?
Comment: The process controls analyzed are PH, MLSS, and settleable solids. See summary for
details.
Record Keeping
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
■
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Is all required information readily available, complete and current?
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Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)?
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Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs?
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Is the chain -of -custody complete?
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Dates, times and location of sampling
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Name of individual performing the sampling
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Results of analysis and calibration
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Dates of analysis
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Name of person performing analyses
■
Transported COCs
■
Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters?
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Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ?
■
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(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified
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operator on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current?
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Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification?
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Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility
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classification?
Page# 3

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
Permit: NCO021423 Owner -Facility: Spruce Pine WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/18/2024 Inspection Type: 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:
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
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b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
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Is the screen free of excessive debris?
■
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Is disposal of screening in compliance?
■
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Is the unit in good condition?
0
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Comment: The bar screen turns on based on the level control from the influent
pump station.
Pump Station - Influent
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
0
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Is the wet well free of excessive grease?
0
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Are all pumps present?
■
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Are all pumps operable?
■
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Are float controls operable?
0
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Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
0
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Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
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■
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Comment: See summary for details.
Influent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is composite sampling flow proportional?
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0
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Is sample collected above side streams?
■
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Is proper volume collected?
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Is the tubing clean?
0
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
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degrees Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit?
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Comment: The sampler was 5 degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection.
Page# 4

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
Permit: NCO021423 Owner -Facility: Spruce Pine WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/18/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Grit Removal
Yes
No
NA
NE
Type of grit removal
a.Manual
❑
b.Mechanical
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
0
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Is the grit free of excessive odor?
■
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# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
0
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Comment:
Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE
Are the aerators operational?
Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up?
# 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?
Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)?
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1)
Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes)
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Comment: There was no foam present in the oxidation ditches at the time of the inspection. The
DO measurement was 0.7 mg/L for the 1 st oxidation ring, 2.2 mg/L for the 2nd oxidation
ring, and 1.0 mg/L for the 3rd oxidation ring at the time of the inspection. The
settleability was measured at 49% (510 mL/1000 mL) at the time of the inspection.
Secondary Clarifier
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
0
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Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
M
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Are weirs level?
0
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Is the site free of weir blockage?
■
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Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting?
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Is scum removal adequate?
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0
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Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
■
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Is the drive unit operational?
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0
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Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
■
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Page# 5

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
Permit: NC0021423
Inspection Date: 04/18/2024
Owner -Facility: Spruce Pine WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Secondary Clarifier
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
0
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Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4
of the sidewall depth) 0
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Comment: See summay for details.
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are pumps in place?
0
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Are pumps operational?
0
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Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
M
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Comment:
Aerobic Digester
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the capacity adequate?
0
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Is the mixing adequate?
0
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Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
M
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# Is the odor acceptable?
■
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# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
0
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Comment: The solids from the digester are sent to the belt
press as needed. The facility wastes to
the digester 1-2 times/week.
Solids Handling Equipment
Is the equipment operational?
Is the chemical feed equipment operational?
Is storage adequate?
Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters?
Is the site free of sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press?
Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake?
The facility has an approved sludge management plan?
Yes No NA NE
Comment: The dried solids from the belt press are hauled off to a landfill 2-3 times/week.
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Disinfection -Gas
Yes
No
NA NE
Are cylinders secured adequately?
0
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Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight?
■
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Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
0
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Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
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Page# 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
Permit: NCO021423 Owner -Facility: Spruce Pine WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/18/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection -Gas
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No.
7782-50-5)?
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site?
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- - )
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The loading dock for the chlorination building is structurally unsound and needs to be
replaced/fixed. See summary for details.
De -chlorination
Yes
No
NA NE
Type of system ?
Gas
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
0
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Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
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0
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# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
0
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Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Number of tubes in use?
Comment: See summary for details.
Effluent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
■
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Is sample collected below all treatment units?
0
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Is proper volume collected?
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Is the tubing clean?
0
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
■
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degrees Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
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representative)?
Comment: The sampler was 4.5 degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection.
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CAEB637-0BB2-43A7-8E74-09F242BC7931
Permit: NCO021423 Owner -Facility:
Inspection Date: 04/18/2024 Inspection Type:
Spruce Pine WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
❑
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Is the flow meter operational?
0
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
0
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Comment: The flow meter was calibrated by KDT Service Technologies on April 3, 2024.
Effluent Pipe
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
0
❑
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Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
0
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If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
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0
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Comment:
Standby Power
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is automatically activated standby power available?
0
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Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source?
0
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Is the generator tested under load?
■
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Was generator tested & operational during the inspection?
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■
Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site?
0
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Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up
0
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power?
Is the generator fuel level monitored?
M
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Comment: The generator is tested under load annually and is exercised monthly. There is an
emergency agreement with Tricounty Oil for fuel provision. The fuel level was full at the
time of the inspection.
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
and sampling location)?
Comment:
Page# 8