NC0065307_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240912

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
SrAIZ
GOY COOPER _
Governor
ELIZABETH S.BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
September 16, 2024
Amanda Gapski
Gpm Southeast LLC
1410 Commonwealth Dr
Ste 202
Wilmington, NC 28403
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Scotchman 3303
NPDES WW Permit No. NCO065307
New Hanover County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Scotchman 3303 on
9/12/2024. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0065307. The findings and comments
noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled
"Compliance Inspection Report".
Please respond in writing to this office within 30 days of your receipt of with results to repair or replace the
wastewater treatment system flowmeter and provide calibration results, as appropriate. Also, as noted in the
inspection report, the wooden platform around the Aquapoint Biolclere unit is in need of attention. Please
provide proof that repairs to this structure have been completed within 90 days.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jordan Cocanower with the Water
Quality Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215 or via email at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
TOµ THa.�-1r,�Oti
7F141E731361`3456...
Tom Tharrington, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENT
Cc: Andrew Mulvey, ORC (via email)
Upload to Laserfiche
trw mof`m.D ��� North Carolina Department o(Emlrmmrntal Qualltyl DWW.nol Water Resources
Wilmington Regional onice 1127 Cardinal Drive Ulenslon I Wilmington,North Carolina 28405
910.79,7215

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
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 NCO065307 111 121 24/09/12 I17 18 LC]I 19 I G I 20U
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 70 J 71 Ity 72 L-J 73 1 74 79 I I I I 80
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) 01:OOPM 24/09/12 19/01/01
Scotchman 3303
1610 US Hwy 421 Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
Wilmington NC 28401 02:30PM 24/09/12 23/12/31
Name(s)of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data
Andrew Thomas Mulvey/ORC/910-798-4453/
Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Amanda Gapski,1410 Commonwealth Dr Wilmington NC 28403/Envi ron mental Inciden
Manager/910-796-2418/ No
Section C:Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement 0 Operations&Maintenar Records/Reports
Self-Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispo: 0 Facility Site Review Compliance Schedules
Multimedia 0 Effluent/Receiving Wate 0 Laboratory
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
Jordan Cocanower Docusigned by: DWR/WIRO WQ/910-796-4215/
^bdt (h�hww 9/16/2024
EJ E92CA3CD8FF64F7...
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Docusigned by: 9/16/2024
Tom Tharringto 'Cuµ R/WIRO WO/
7F141 3ME:3456
EPA Form 3560-3(Rev 9-94) revious editions are obsolete.
Page#

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) 1
31 NC0065307 I11 12I 24/09/12 117 18 i c i
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
A routine compliance inspection of the Scotchman #3303 wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)was
performed on September 12, 2024. The purpose of the inspection was to verify that the facility is
operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified within Permit NC0065307.
Andrew Mulvey, contract ORC for GPM Investments was present during the inspection.
The permit for the facility has Internal Outfall 001 A for a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as well
as Outfall 001 which has a mixture of the WWTP effluent as well as water softener backwash and
reverse osmosis reject water. The WWTP is a Grade III Biological WPCS, currently permitted to
receive up to 4,000 gpd of wastewater with the following components:
- Grease Trap
- One 5,000-gallon primary settling/septic tank with effluent filter
- One 3,000-gallon equalization tank with two 25 gpm submersible pumps
- One -2,150-gallon Aquacell moving bed biological reactor (MBBR) tank with coarse bubble
aeration, internal media (HDPE cylinders, -7/8" diam x 3/5" long) and effluent screen (stainless steel
with 3/8" openings)
- Aquapoint Bioclere 24/20 trickling filter with media (1-2" diam pieces of corrugated PVC pipe)
over 950 gal clarifier with hopper bottom, 50 gpm recycle pump and dual 50 gpm dosing pumps
- Dechlorination system tablet feeder(sodium sulfite)
- Effluent lift station with 1,225-gallon wet well with two 25 gpm submersible pumps and reaeration
grid with two 45 cfm blowers
- Two tertiary bag filters, 50 micron, 4-inch diameter by 18-inches long glazed polypropylene felt
- Enaqua UV system channel design with two banks and 4 lamps per bank
In 2023, the WWTF (i.e., Outfall 001A) had an average daily flow (ADF) of approximately 1,960 gpd
and the total flow (i.e., Outfall 001)was reported as 1,470 gpd. The ADF for the WWTP has been
relatively stable since approximately 2013, only increasing approximately 20 gpd/year. In the future,
flow for Outfall 001 should be the total of measured flow for the WWTP (i.e., Outfall 001 A), the RO
reject water and water softener backwash. A copy of repairs and calibration results for the WWTP
flowmeter needs to be provided.
The facility has not had any reportable violations since prior to the last compliance inspection which
was performed on 8/6/2019. The only other item of concern observed during the inspection, was
deterioration of the wooden walkway around the perimeter of the Bioclere unit. Many nails were
extruding out of the wood, which could cause personal injuries and numerous pieces of wood were
decayed to the point it seemed unsafe to handle an operator's weight.
The operator was knowledgeable of the facility and his assistance during the inspection was
appreciated. Records were reviewed and found to be detailed and complete. The facility is otherwise
compliant with the terms and conditions of the permit. Please review the comment sections of the
inspection report for more details.
Page# 2

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
Permit: NCO065307 Owner-Facility: Scotchman 3303
Inspection Date: 09/12/2024 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 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
#Are there any special conditions for the permit? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The current permit was issued 11/29/2018, became effective 1/1/2019 and expired
12/31/2023. A permit renewal application was received 7/6/2023. The current permit
mistakenly indicates the presence of two 3,000-gallon equalization tanks, each with 3/4
horsepower pumps; however, there has only been one EQ tank requested, permitted
and installed. Special conditions within the permit include quarterly acute toxicity
sampling of the effluent.
Compliance Schedules Yes No NA NE
Is there a compliance schedule for this facility? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Is the facility compliant with the permit and conditions for the review period? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No comment
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Is all required information readily available, complete and current? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 3

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
Permit: NCO065307 Owner-Facility: Scotchman 3303
Inspection Date: 09/12/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: On-line DMRs were viewed prior to the inspection and a check was performed of
information retained on-site. Log books were viewed while on-site. The facility has an
assigned classification of Biological Grade III and has at least two operators with Grade
III certifications (Andrew Mulvey, ORC #1002818 & Kevin Woodward, BORC
#1002827).
Laboratory Yes No NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is the facility using a contract lab? M ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
degrees Celsius)?
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: The facility contracts with Environmental Chemists, Certification #94 for non-field
parameters. The ORC is field certified (#5653) to perform total residual chlorine, DO,
PH and temperature.
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment: The ORC regularly checks pH at the MBBR to monitor the amount of sodium
bicarbonate needed for the treatment process to maintain microorganism growth.
Based on past performance, the system seems to be well regulated otherwise whereas
flow into the system is somewhat constant, the amount of storage within tanks is
enough to steady any sudden surges, and return and dosing rates are well
established. Other measurements are also taken, as needed.
Grease Removal Yes No NA NE
# Is automatic grease removal present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is grease removal operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 4

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
Permit: NC0065307 Owner-Facility: Scotchman 3303
Inspection Date: 09/12/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Grease Removal Yes No NA NE
Comment: Wastewater from the kitchen sinks enter the grease trap, located behind the building.
The structure is checked for grease content every 30 days and pumped out as needed
by Lewis Farms. Although some grease was present during the inspection, it did not
seem excessive as it did not cover the entire surface of the trap.
Septic Tank Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are pumps or syphons operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are high and low water alarms operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: Effluent from the grease trap flows interceptor manhole near the southeast corner of
the building where it mixes with effluent from the bathrooms. This combined flow then
enters a submerged 5,000 gallon septic tank which is first in line near the northeast
corner of the parcel. Manholes for the influent and effluent chamber of the tank are
present and block style coarse effluent filters can be accessed through the effluent
manway. Solids are reportedly pumped out every six months by Lewis Farms.
Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE
Is the basin aerated? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the basin free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps operable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are float controls operable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are audible and visual alarms operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is basin size/volume adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Flow from the septic tank gravity flows into a submerged 3,000-gallon equalization
basin with two effluent pumps and high level sensors. A high level float was raised in
the basin and the visual and audible alarms activated during the inspection.
Trickling Filter Yes No NA NE
Is the filter free of ponding? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter free of leaks at the center column of filter's distribution arms? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Is the distribution of flow even from the distribution arms? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter free of uneven or discolored growth? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter free of sloughing of excessive growth? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the filter's distribution arms orifices free of clogging? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Page# 5

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
Permit: NCO065307 Owner-Facility: Scotchman 3303
Inspection Date: 09/12/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Trickling Filter Yes No NA NE
Is the filter free of excessive filter flies, worms or snails? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Effluent from the EQ basin is pumped into an Aquacell moving bed biological reactor
(MBBR)tank with coarse bubble aeration, internal media (HDPE cylinders, -7/8" diam x
3/5" long) and effluent screen (stainless steel with 3/8" openings). Effluent from the
MBBR gravity flows into an above grade Aquapoint Bioclere 24/20 trickling filter with
media (1-2" diam pieces of corrugated PVC pipe) situated over a clarifier. The
Bioclere unit has a 50 qpm recycle pump to pump sludge to 5,000 gal septic tank and
dual 50 qpm dosing pumps. Based on trial and error, the ORC has set the dosing
pumps to operate on for-8 minutes and off for-2 minutes.
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately '/4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: As mentioned, the system is equipped with an Aquapoint Bioclere 24/20 trickling filter
which is situated over 950 gallon clarifier with hopper bottom, 50 qpm recycle pump (to
pump sludge to 5,000 gal septic tank) and dual 50 qpm dosing pumps. Based on trial
and error, the ORC has set the recycle pump to activate every 4 hours and is on for-2
minutes.
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ? Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
# Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No comment
Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use? 2
Page# 6

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
Permit: NCO065307 Owner-Facility: Scotchman 3303
Inspection Date: 09/12/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Comment: The facility is considered a Transient Non-Community Water System, with it's own water
supply well (PWSID #NC0465576). The well is located south of the entrances and east
of US Hwy 421. The well is four inches in diameter and installed to a depth of 345 feet
below grade. The water supply system is equipped with a water softener and a reverse
osmosis (RO) system. Backwash water from the softener as well as RO reject water
goes through a 2-tube tablet dechlorinator with sodium sulfite tablets.
Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
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: Effluent from the dichlorination system and the clarifier both gravity flow into a duplex
effluent pump station. A high level float was raised in the wet well and the visual and
audible alarms activated during the inspection.
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE
Type of operation: Down flow
Is the filter media present? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter surface free of clogging? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter free of growth? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The effluent pump station pumps liquid through two bag filters set up in series. The
bag filters were Pentair Model BP-420-50, measuring approximately 4-inches in
diameter by 18-inches long. The filters are constructed of glazed polypropylene felt
with 50 micron openings.
Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are UV bulbs clean? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Is transmittance at or above designed level? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Is there a backup system on site? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑
Page# 7

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
Permit: NCO065307 Owner-Facility: Scotchman 3303
Inspection Date: 09/12/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE
Is effluent clear and free of solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: From the bag filters, liquid then flows through an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system.
The UV system is a channel type with two banks and four bulbs per bank.
Approximately 14 spare bulbs and two spare lucite sleeves were present on-site.
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is proper volume collected? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the tubing clean? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
# 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)?
Comment: All required sampling for Outfalls 001 and 001A are grab samples. The samples for
Outfall 001 are collected from a sample spigot located right after UV and for Outfall
001A are collected at the effluent wet well, prior to mixing with water supply system filter
reject water.
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? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The current permit requires continuous flow measurements for the WWTP (Outfall
001 A) and estimated weekly estimates for the combined flow from the WWTP, softener
backwash and RO reject water (Outfall 001). An inoperative flow meter was observed
between the EQ tank and MBBR and this is where the operator typically obtains flow
measurements for Outfall 001A. In the past the operator has mistakenly been using
only flows from a flow meter which measures reject water from the RO system for
Outfall 001. The operator was advised that weekly estimates for Outfall 001 must
include flow from the WWTP, RO reject water as well as water softener backwash
water.
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? ❑ ❑ ❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Page# 8

Docusign Envelope ID:6F8268DE-OOB3-4B30-B939-3F90DD05E731
Permit: NC0065307 Owner-Facility: Scotchman 3303
Inspection Date: 09/12/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Comment: The discharge piping terminates in the Northeast Cape Fear River, north of the Isabel
Holmes Bridge. At the discharge location, the Northeast Cape Fear River [Stream
Index 18-74-(61)1, is currently classified SC-Swamp water within the Cape Fear River
Basin [HUC: 0303000708091. The actual discharge location could not be verified
during the visit due to it's remote location.
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑
Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Is the generator tested under load? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
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? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Although the facility was equipped with a generator, the unit was damaged during
Hurricane Florence (9/2018) and has not been repaired. Please be reminded, that it is
a permit requirement to maintain adequate safeguards to prevent the discharge of
untreated or inadequately treated wastes during electrical power failures (reference
Permit NC00653O7, Part ll, Section C, Item 7). This will be a greater concern if the
system gets municipal water from CFPUA in the future.
Page# 9