WQCS00056_2024 CEI - Response to Inspection Letter_20240827

Tobin ®i 6fler (fitp
Public Works and Utilities
08/22/2024
Vanessa Manuel, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Siler City Collection System
WWCS Permit WQCS00056
Chatham County
Dear Ms. Manuel:
Please consider this our written response to items 2,8, 10, 11, 12 and 16 mentioned in the inspection
letter on June 26, 2024.
2. Fats, Oils and Grease Program. The permittee has developed and implemented a full educational fats,
oils and grease program that includes at least bi-annual distribution of DocuSign Envelope ID:
6BOD53DA-411F-482B-89C2-CDOC13OD2EDA Permittee, WQCS00056 6/20/2024 Page 2 of 4 educational
material targeted at both residential and non-residential users. Distribution of educational material has
been implemented and included distributed information on the town's website as well as a twice a year
mailing. During the inspection the ORC indicated that inspections have not taken place since January
due to one staff member leaving the position. These requirements are covered in 15A NCAC 02T .0108
We have been down several staff members, including the one that performed this task. We are back to
full staff and are looking to get this scheduled in the very near future.
8.Pump Stations Automatic Polling Feature. Each of the pump stations visited had a one-way telemetry
auto -dialer communication installed to notify the permittee/town staff in case of emergency. During the
inspection, the auto -dialer at the Basic Machinery pump station did not dial out when the high-water
Chris McCorquodale
Director of Public Utilities
PO Box 769.311 N Second Avenue
Siler City, NC 27344.0769
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone] e Fax: [phone]
www.silercity.org
To advance a frarnework for oursuccess throggh halancedgovernnnce, dynamic pdroierships, and an engaged community.

float was pulled up. The permit states that the permittee shall develop and implement a routine pump
station inspection and maintenance program which shall include "verifying the proper operation of
alarms, telemetry system, and auxiliary equipment." These requirements are covered in 15A NCAC 02T
.0305.
The auto dialer was believed to have failed, and we are in the process of getting it replaced. However,
on June 241h we installed a monitoring system called Streametric, that gives us consent monitoring
access along with alarms. Once the new auto dialer arrives, we will have it installed.
10. Pump Station Inspection Program. The permittee has developed and implements a routine
inspection of each pump station that includes the following maintenance activities: cleaning and
removing debris from the pump station area and wet well; inspecting all valves; inspecting pumps and
other mechanical equipment; telemetry system and auxiliary equipment. The inspector reviewed the
inspection logs of the pump stations visited and observed adequate entries of the date and time of the
operator's inspection, observations made, and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken. At
the time of inspection, the backup ORC was unable to test the high-water level alarm through
simulating high-water conditions of "bubbler" system due to system setup at the Blood Run Pump
Station. The permit states that the permittee shall develop and implement a routine pump station
inspection and maintenance program which shall include "verifying the proper operation of alarms,
telemetry system, and auxiliary equipment." These requirements are covered in 15A NCAC 02T .0305
Maintenance has put a valve on all systems that have bubbler level control to test the level control in
the wet wells. We are now able to test all pump stations by closing the valve, building up the pressure
and this initiates the alarm. They have been tested and all are in working order.
11. High Priority Line Inspection. During the inspection, the following high priority lines were inspected:
Behind Cape Carnes, Behind Justice MHP, Behind Jordan Matthews High Schook, Behind Walmart, and
Behind U-Auto Wash III. The ORC indicated that inspections of High Priority Lines had not been
completed in the past six months due to a staff member leaving the position. The permit states that it
is required that all high priority lines be inspected at least once per every six-month period of time.
These requirements are covered in 15A NCAC 02T .0108 (b).
We have been down several staff members, including the one that performed this task. We are back to
full staff and are looking to get this scheduled in the very near future.
12. Copy Of Permit The system permit states that the permittee shall have available a copy of the
system permit to present upon request by any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of
the division. During the inspection a copy of the permit was not available to be viewed by the
inspector. These requirements are covered in 15 A NCAC 025 .0104.
Looking back through email I do not see where an updated permit was ever issued to the Town. The
inspector looked on Laserfiche and I as well looked on Laserfiche once the inspector left and was not
able to find a permit. Could you send the updated permit at your earliest convenience.
Chris McCorquodale
Director of Public Utilities
PO Box 769.311 N Second Avenue
Slier City, NC 27344-0769
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.silercity.org
To advance a/'rtunework for our success through balancedgovernonce, dynamic partnerships, and an engaged community.

16. Comprehensive Sewer Map. The permittee maintains an up-to-date comprehensive map of its
sewer collection system. The map includes pipe type, pipe size, and force main air release valve location.
The map did not include pipe material, approximate pipe age, flow direction, pump station ID, and
pump station location and capacity. These requirements are required as covered in 15A NCAC O2T
.0108 (b).
We have entered a contract with WithersRavenal to update our Sewer AIA, in which these missing
requirements will be addressed.
Thank you,
Town of Siler City`" ---
Chris McCorquodale
Cc: Jack Meadows, Interim Town Manager
Collection permit file
Chris McCorquodale
Director of Public Utilities
PO Box 769 • 311 N Second Avenue
Siler City, NC 27344-0769
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.sifercity.org
To advance a Frarneworktor ocir success through hala i iced go vern on ce, dyaonlic partnerships, and an engaged community.