NC0071323_NOV2024PC0433_CEI_Report_20240715

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
ROY COOPER
Co,ernor
~
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
a`D1ro
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
NORTH CAROLINA
Director
Environmental Quality
Certified Mail # 9589 0710 5270 0475 7194 73
Return Receipt Requested
July 15, 2024
Ken Deaver
Etowah Sewer Company
2905 Wood Rd
Mooresboro, NC 28114-0063
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2024-PC-0433
Permit No. NCO071323
Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
Henderson County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
on June 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. NC0071323. 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
Operations & Maintenance The 95% settleable solids along with the sludge blanket levels of 9' out of 11' of water
& Tout of 11' of water for WWTP #1 and 10' out of 12' of water & 8.5' out of 11' of water
for WWTP #2 are out of the standard operating range and the solids level need to be
reduced throughout the facility.
��' D Iwrlh Carolina Oegarrmen2090 Ulronmental QuiIh Di—. N.rth c Resources
Ashc+llk Rc9knal Officc 205p U.S. Highway 70 Swannanoa, North Camllna 2876
62&2%45C0

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
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:
VE397192DABFB4FF...
Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report
Ec: Laserfiche
Vincent Edwards (ORC)
oA.tiE'µD Norlh Carolllgnpl rrmenlof0U S. Mgh-1 Qua1 DivlskmN.rth Cr Resources
Ashc+llk Rc9knal Officc 205p U.S. Hlghv+ay 70 Swannanoa, North Camllna 28776
62&2%4500

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
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 NC0071323 I11 121 24/06/27 I17 18I � I 19 I s I 201 I
211IIIII 111111III II III III1 I I IIIII IIIIIIIII II 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)
10:OOAM 24/06/27
21/07/01
Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
Hwy 64
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Etowah NC 28729
12:OOPM 24/06/27
25/11/30
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Vincent L Edwards/ORC/828-674-2680/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Ken Deaver,2905 Wood Rd Mooresboro NC 281140063//828-657-1810/8286574664
No
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
Rachel Rose Docusigned by: DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ 7/15/2024
E'v
5ACE19D3940C494...
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
by: 7/ 15 / 2 0 2 4
FD—Signed
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.)
NCO071323 I11 12I 24/06/27 117 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 Vincent Edwards (ORC) to conduct a
Compliance Evaluation Inspection on June 27, 2024 for the Etowah Sewer Company WWTP. This
inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in
compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0071323.
The facility consists of two package plants (WWTP #1 & WWTP #2). WWTP #1 is the original
package plant with a smaller capacity and WWTP #2 has a larger capacity and includes the
equalization basin.
The following items were noted during the inspection:
1. Operations & Maintenance: There were significantly rusted grates throughout the facility. The
rusted grates need to be replaced for the ORC's safety. Additionally, the structure of both package
plants were showing signs of rusting with more rusting observed in WWTP #1.
2. Equalization Basin: There are corded floats that control the flow, but there were no high level floats
or alarms at the time of the inspection. It is recommended to install high level alarms for the
equalization basin.
3. Effluent Pipe: It is recommended to maintain the right-of-way to the effluent pipe to ensure the
ORC's safety when checking on the outfall. The adjacent road is where the outfall was observed
during the inspection was a dangerous road
The following violation was noted during the inspection:
1. Operation & Maintenance: the 95% settleable solids along with the sludge blanket levels of 9' out
of 11' of water & 7' out of 11' of water for WWTP #1 and 10' out of 12' of water & 8.5' out of 11' of
water for WWTP #2 are out of the standard operating range and the solids level need to be reduced
throughout the facility.
Page#

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
Permit: NCO071323
Inspection Date: 06/27/2024
Owner -Facility: Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit
(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
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?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The process controls analyzed are settleable solids, PH, and DO. 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
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Transported COCs
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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: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
Permit: NC0071323 Owner -Facility: Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
Inspection Date: 06/27/2024 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? ❑ ❑ M ❑
Comment:
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
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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 is after the influent
pump station and directly before the equalization
basin.
Pump Station - Influent
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
Is the wet well free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
Comment:
Equalization Basins
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?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page# 4

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
Permit: NCO071323
Inspection Date: 06/27/2024
Equalization Basins
# Is basin size/volume adequate?
Owner -Facility: Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The equalization (EQ) basin is located in the WWTP #2 and it has an overflow
which flows into the aeration basin. See summary for details.
Aeration Basins
Mode of operation
Type of aeration system
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/1)
Yes No NA NE
Ext. Air
Diffused
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Comment: The flow splits evenly between the two WWTP units after the EQ basin into each
aeration basin. The DO in WWTP #1 was 2.6 mq/L at the time of the inspection. The
settleability for WWTP #1 was 5% (950mL/1000mL) and 25% (750mL/1000mL) for
WWTP #2. The diffusers are on 24/7 for WWTP #1 and are on for 30 minutes and off
for 1 hour for WWTP #2.
Secondary Clarifier
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'/4 of the sidewall depth)
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The sludge blanket for WWTP #1 was 9' out of 11' of water & 7' out of 11' of water and
the sludge blanket for WWTP #2 was 10' out of 12' of water & 8.5' out of 11' of water
at the time of the inspection.
Page# 5

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
Permit: NC0071323
Inspection Date: 06/27/2024
Owner -Facility: Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aerobic Digester
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the capacity adequate?
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0
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Is the mixing adequate?
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Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
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# Is the odor acceptable?
0
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# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
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0
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Comment: The facilitv wastes every 1-2 weeks and the solids are pumped every 5-6 weeks. The
aerobic digester was not aerating at the time of the inspection.
It is recommended to
either increase capacity of the aerobic digesters or to pump
out the digesters more
often to maintain the solids level throughout the facility.
Disinfection -Tablet
Yes No
NA
NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
0 ❑
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Are the tablets the proper size and type?
0 ❑
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Number of tubes in use? 3
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The contact chambers are pumped as needed and were pumped about a month prior
to the inspection.
De -chlorination
Yes No
NA
NE
Type of system ?
Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
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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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use? 2
Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
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Is the flow meter operational?
0
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Page# 6

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
Permit: NCO071323 Owner -Facility: Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
Inspection Date: 06/27/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
Comment: There is a flow meter on each WWTP unit and the combined flow is used for reporting.
Both flow meters were calibrated on June 7. 2024.
Pump Station - Effluent
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
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Are all pumps present?
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Are all pumps operable?
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Are float controls operable?
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Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
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Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
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Comment:
Effluent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
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Is sample collected below all treatment units?
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Is proper volume collected?
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Is the tubing clean?
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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 composite sampler was 0 degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection.
Standby Power
Yes
No
NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available?
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Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source?
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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?
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Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up
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power?
Is the generator fuel level monitored?
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Page# 7

Docusign Envelope ID: F8AF562B-A8D5-4C65-A3C7-7B027B3ECCE5
Permit: NC0071323 Owner -Facility: Etowah Sewer Company WWTP
Inspection Date: 06/27/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Comment: The generator is automatically exercised regularly, but it does not interrupt the primary
power source or test under load when it's exercised. It is suggested to test the
generator under load by interrupting the primary power source when the generator is
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: The right-of-way to the effluent pipe was not maintained at the time of the inspection.
However, the outfall can be observed from the road adjacent to the stream.
See
summary for details.
Page# 8