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Home My WebLink AboutNC0022985_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240807 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED August 07, 2024 Stacy Adcock Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina Email: james.adcock@nexuswg.com SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0022985 Jackson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP on 7/23/2024. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0022985. 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 Mikal Willmer with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at mikal.willmer@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Docusign Envelope ID: 41432680-6A73-42A7-B04D-981EC0C1388E 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 NC0022985 24/07/23 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) Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP 3500 US Hwy 64 W Sapphire NC 28774 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 09:00AM 24/07/23 23/04/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// James Stacy Adcock/ORC/828-230-4809/ Other Facility Data 12:30PM 24/07/23 27/08/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Drake Robert, /Regulatory Compliance Manager//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 Richard Eguino DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Mikal Willmer DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4686/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Daniel J Boss DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4658/ EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 Docusign Envelope ID: 41432680-6A73-42A7-B04D-981EC0C1388E 8/8/2024 8/9/2024 8/9/2024 NPDES yr/mo/day 24/07/23 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Mikal Willmer and Richard Eguino, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP on July 23, 2024. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit # NC0022985. Stacy Adcock and Alex Hutchins, with Carolina Water Service (CWS), were present and assisted in the inspection. Overall, the facility appeared to be operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit #NC0022985, but the treatment plants continue to show signs of age-related wear. At the time of the inspection, the two 0.075 MGD plants (#1 & #2) were temporarily offline for repairs. Plant #3, rated at 0.125 MGD, was online. Because of the age of the treatment plants, CWS is in the process of assessing costs for a new facility and the best option for maintaining treatment during construction due to the limited footprint. Bar Screen: the screen is cleaned daily. Aeration basin: staff attempt to keep the DO around 2.5 mg/L and pH around 6. Airlines run through the catwalk and cannot be easily repaired when there are leaks. The scum suction is manually turned on as needed. Some dense foam remaining from filamentous bacteria. Secondary Clarifier: some bulking in clarifier due to filamentous bacteria. The sludge blanket was approximately 3.5’ out of 15’. Noticeable pin floc throughout the water column. ORC reported they have wasted and are trying several additives to aid in removing the filamentous bacteria and improve settling. Weirs are cleaned regularly during the summer months to reduce algal growth. Staff field-check the secondary effluent and final effluent ammonia to determine if adjustments are needed. Solids Management: Solids are hauled from the digester by ACL Pumping and are typically brought to Brevard or Rosman WWTP. Approximately four loads a month. Settling Ponds: Two of the three ponds were in use at the time of the inspection. Secondary effluent was flowing into the middle pond, chlorine contact chamber and then into the final settling pond before being discharged. Duckweed was covering the surface of the third settling pond; however, a PVC baffle near the pond effluent seems to prevent the duckweed from discharging through the dechlorinator and effluent weir. Chlorine/Dechlor: Chlorine is dosed at a set amount. The hypochlorite container is stored in a building between the settling ponds. Dechlorination tablets are stored behind the building. Staff have added a third dechlor tube just upstream of the effluent weir to ensure adequate chlorine removal. Staff report they have not experienced issues with BOD demand due to the increased dechlor tabs. Effluent: The ORC reported the weir overtops when the creek level rises during flood events, due to the proximity to the stream and size of the effluent channel. This prevents accurate effluent flow measurements during these events. This is being assessed during the planning for the facility upgrade. Effluent Sampler: Facility utilizes a portable sampler. Tubing is covered from the sampler to the sampling location. The sampler is filled with ice during sample collection. Temperatures are checked when samples are poured. NC0022985 17 (Cont.) Page#2 Docusign Envelope ID: 41432680-6A73-42A7-B04D-981EC0C1388E Permit:NC0022985 Inspection Date:07/23/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Annual average flows are less than 200,000 gallons. See summary for recommendations. 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? DO, pH, setteable solids, sludge judge and NH3.Comment: 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? Page#3 Docusign Envelope ID: 41432680-6A73-42A7-B04D-981EC0C1388E Permit:NC0022985 Inspection Date:07/23/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP Compliance Evaluation Permit Yes No NA NE Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 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? Manual bar screen and comminutor.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) Some foaming due to filamentous see summary for details.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? Page#4 Docusign Envelope ID: 41432680-6A73-42A7-B04D-981EC0C1388E Permit:NC0022985 Inspection Date:07/23/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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) Some filamentous affecting settling within the clarifier. Pin floc throughout the water column. 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? Sludge holding tank was settling during the inspection.Comment: Lagoons Yes No NA NE Type of lagoons? # Number of lagoons in operation at time of visit?2 Are lagoons operated in?Series # Is a re-circulation line present? Is lagoon free of excessive floating materials? # Are baffles between ponds or effluent baffles adjustable? Are dike slopes clear of woody vegetation? Are weeds controlled around the edge of the lagoon? Are dikes free of seepage? Are dikes free of erosion? Are dikes free of burrowing animals? # Has the sludge blanket in the lagoon (s) been measured periodically in multiple locations? # If excessive algae is present, has barley straw been used to help control the growth? Is the lagoon surface free of weeds? Is the lagoon free of short circuiting? Page#5 Docusign Envelope ID: 41432680-6A73-42A7-B04D-981EC0C1388E Permit:NC0022985 Inspection Date:07/23/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP Compliance Evaluation Lagoons Yes No NA NE There are three settling ponds in series. See summary for details.Comment: Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) 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? 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?3 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? Facility utilizes their SCADA system for reporting and maintains a chart recorder. Flow meter last calibrated on 1/5/24 by ISI. 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? Page#6 Docusign Envelope ID: 41432680-6A73-42A7-B04D-981EC0C1388E Permit:NC0022985 Inspection Date:07/23/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Fairfield Sapphire Valley WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? 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)? Facility utilizes a portable sampler.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? A portable generator is located at the WWTP and extra fuel is maintained onsite.Comment: Page#7 Docusign Envelope ID: 41432680-6A73-42A7-B04D-981EC0C1388E