WQCS00240_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240731

Docusign Envelope ID: 5A7B0383-6CFB-4FF6-B28E-B51A1773AC89
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQCS00240 Effective: 07/09/21 Expiration: 06/30/29 Owner : Aqua North Carolina Inc
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: The Cape Collection System
County: New Hanover 5717 Carolina Beach Rd
Region: Wilmington
Wilmington NC 28412
Contact Person: Joel A Mingus Title: Coastal Area Manager Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS2,
Primary ORC: Christian Cameron McDonald
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
On -site representative
Related Permits:
Certification: 1014312
Joel A Mingus
NC0057703 Aqua North Carolina Inc - The Cape WWTP
Phone: [phone]
910-270-1412
Inspection Date: 07/25/2024 Entry Time 09:OOAM Exit Time: 12:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Helen I Perez
ZDocuSig. el y: Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
1D645B4A39694BE...
Kaitlyn Hudso DocuSigned by:
Reason for Inspection: Routine 2C437 �
EC437.Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
ED3C752AB..
Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
Facility Status: 0 Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions
Capital Improvement Plan
Inspections
Lines
(See attachment summary)
General Sewer & FOG Ordinances
Map Reporting Requirements
Spill Response Plan Spills
Pump Stations
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Docusign Envelope ID: 5A7B0383-6CFB-4FF6-B28E-B51A1773AC89
Permit: WQCS00240 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 07/25/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
A routine inspection of The Cape Collection System was conducted on July 25, 2024. The purpose of the
evaluation was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit
WQCS00240. Joel Mingus, Katie McLean, Christian McDonald (ORC) and Jon Fox with Aqua of North Carolina, Inc. were
present during the inspection.
The Cape Collection System flow averages approximately 250,000 GPD and is treated at The Cape WWTP, NPDES Permit
NC0057703. There are currently 30 pump stations. All pump stations inspected were secured, 24-hour notitfication signs
posted, and alarms functional. Stations were free of excessive grease and generators tested were operable. Records of
inspections and maintenance were organized and readily available.
The facility is compliant with Collection System Permit WQCS00240. Please review the comment sections of the report for
more details.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 5A7B0383-6CFB-4FF6-B28E-B51A1773AC89
Permit: WQCS00240 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 07/25/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
General Yes No NA NE
Is there a properly designated primary ORC and at least one back-up of proper grade? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are logs being reviewed by the system management or owner on a regular basis? ❑ ❑ ❑
# What is that frequency? daily
# Are there any issues being addressed currently or any in the planning stages? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a specific pump failure plan available for all pump stations? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does plan indicate if pump parts/new pumps are in spare parts/equipment inventory? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are new/significantly upgraded pump stations equipped with anti -corrosion materials? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the permittee have a copy of their permit? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is permit expiring within the next 6 months? ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, has the Permittee applied for renewal? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: The facility has 6 portable generators and spare pumps are currently located at the old Beau
Rivage Plantation WWTP site.
Sewer and FOG Ordinances Yes No NA NE
Is Sewer Use Ordinance (SUO) or other Legal Authority available? ❑ 1:10 ❑
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is there a Grease Control Program that legally requires grease control devices? ❑ ❑ ❑
What is the standard grease trap cleaning requirement in the FOG ordinance?
Is Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is action taken against violators? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
# Have satellite systems adopted an equivalent or more stringent ordinance? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, what are they? (This can reduce mailing to annual.)
Website, Facebook, Blog
Comment: Aqua customers receive FOG educational material twice a year in the mail. In addition, FOG
information is available on Aqua's website, blog and Facebook account. Facilities with grease
traps are inspected semi-annually.
Capital Improvement Plan Yes No NA NE
Has a Capital (CIP) or System Improvement Plan been developed and adopted? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is it designated for wastewater only or does it have a dedicated section? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP cover three to five year period of earmarked improvements? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include description of project area? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include description of existing facilities? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include known deficiencies? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include forecasted future needs? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
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Docusign Envelope ID: 5A7B0383-6CFB-4FF6-B28E-B51A1773AC89
Permit: WQCS00240 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 07/25/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: The CIP includes a rolling, 3-year average budget for maintenance of all the pump stations and
a 5-year plan for bigger projects such as adding permanent pump station generators and
relocating generators that are in flood zones.
Map Yes No NA NE
Is there a overall sewer system map? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the map include:
Pipe Type (GS/FM)
Pipe sizes
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc)
Pipe location
Flow direction
Approximate pipe age
Pump station ID, location and capacity
# Force main air release valve location & type
# Location of satellite connections
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation?
Comment: The map includes all manhole locations.
Reporting Requirements
# Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years?
If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria?
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued?
Is an Annual Wastewater Performance Report being filed with the Division, if required?
Is the report being made available to all its sewer customers?
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Yes No NA NE
# How is it being made available?
Comment: One SSO, located at a manhole on Pompano Lane in August 2021, occurred in the past 3
years.
Inspections
Are adequate maintenance records maintained?
Are pump stations being inspected at the required frequency?
# Is at least one complete functionality test conducted weekly per pump station?
Is there a system or plan in place to observe the entire system annually?
Is the annual inspection documented?
# Does the system have any high -priority lines/locations?
Are inspections of HPL documented at least every 6 months?
Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created?
Yes No NA NE
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Docusign Envelope ID: 5A7B0383-6CFB-4FF6-B28E-B51A1773AC89
Permit: WQCS00240 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 07/25/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: The system has 2 high -priority lines. They are cleared and inspected annually. A workorder will
be created to tripper an inspection twice a year as required. Weekly pump station inspections
are recorded electronically on tablets which can be easily accessed and reviewed. Pump run
time trends are tracked routinely for any issues.
Spill Response Action Plan Yes No NA NE
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the plan include:
24-hour contact numbers
Response time
Equipment list and spare parts inventory
Access to cleaning equipment
Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers
Source of emergency funds
Site sanitation and cleanup materials
Post-overflow/spill assessment
Does the Permittee appear to respond within 2 hours of first knowledge of a spill?
Comment: No comment.
Spills
Is system free of known points of bypass?
If No, describe type of bypass and location
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented?
# Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location?
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan?
Comment: All sewer related issues are tracked through the facilities work order system.
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Are right-of-ways/easements maintained for full width for access by staff/equipment?
If No, give details on temporary access:
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Is maintenance documented? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are gravity sewer cleaning records available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Has at least 10% of lines older than 5 yrs been cleaned annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Were all areas/lines inspected free of issues? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Aqua is still in the process of cleaning 10% of gravity lines for this year. A color -coded map of
lines cleaned each vear was available for review.
Pump Stations Yes No NA NE
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Docusign Envelope ID: 5A7B0383-6CFB-4FF6-B28E-B51A1773AC89
Permit: WQCS00240 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 07/25/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Mainsail (at WWTP)
Sedgly Abbey
Capeside
Soundside
Dolphin Bay (old WWTP site)
Sanctuary
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system
30
# Number of vacuum stations in system
0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system
0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building
0
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
0
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed?
30
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes?
0
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Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris?
0
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# Do they all have telemetry installed?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the communication system functional?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Pump station identifier?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Address?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Instructions for notification?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
0
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Are audio and visual alarms present?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
0
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# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
0
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If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
0
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Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
0
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# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator?
0
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# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage?
0
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# If Yes, is there a distribution plan?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
The facility has 6 portable generators available. Most of the pump stations without permanent generators
have quick connect hook ups.
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
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Docusign Envelope ID: 5A7B0383-6CFB-4FF6-B28E-B51A1773AC89
Permit: WQCS00240 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 07/25/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal? ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting and exercising all valves? ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment? ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: All high level visual and audible alarms were operable and the telemetry system notified
operator. There is also a back-up emergency notification system available. The permanent
generators tested were functional. All generators are auto -tested weekly and a comprehensive
major preventive maintenance is contracted annually. In addition to the permanent generator,
the Mainsail and Dolphin Bay Pump Stations have a portable by-pass pump on -site. All pump
stations were secured and 24-hour notification signs posted. Grease is pumped out 2/year, or
more if needed. All maintenance/repairs are tracked through a work order system.
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