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Home My WebLink AboutNC0022900_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240807 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED August 21, 2024 Tony Konsul Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina Email: tony.konsul@nexuswg.com SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Sugar Mountain WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0022900 Avery County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Sugar Mountain WWTP on 8/07/2024. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0022900. 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 Richard Eguino with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at richard.eguino@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, Richard Eguino, Environmental Specialist I Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfische Travis Thomas (ORC), travis.thomas@nexuswg.com Docusign Envelope ID: 29CA07AD-5F86-4691-920B-249002A30320 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 NC0022900 24/08/07 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) Sugar Mountain WWTP 291 Norwood Hollow Rd Banner Elk NC 28604 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 08:30AM 24/08/07 24/05/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Travis Shane Thomas/ORC/828-559-6032/ Other Facility Data 11:30AM 24/08/07 27/09/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Tony Konsul,PO Box 240908 Charlotte NC 282240908/Vice President of Operations/704-576-1685/ Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports 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/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 Docusign Envelope ID: 29CA07AD-5F86-4691-920B-249002A30320 8/21/2024 8/21/2024 NPDES yr/mo/day 24/08/07 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Richard Eguino, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Sugar Mountain Wastewater Treatment Plant on August 7, 2024, to verify compliance with Permit No. NC0022900. Travis Thomas (ORC) with Carolina Water Service was present and assisted in the inspection. This site consists of three separate plants operating in parallel (one 0.3 MGD plant and two 0.1 MGD plants). Each plant consists of an aeration basin, a secondary clarifier, sludge holding tank, liquid chlorine disinfection, liquid dechlorination, and post aeration. The facility utilizes one shared equalization basin and one shared effluent flow meter, and discharges into Flattop Creek. Overall, the facility appeared well maintained and to be operating in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0022900. The following items were noted during the inspection: Records/File Review: Records were available for review and appeared organized and complete. The Annual Performance Reports for 2022 and 2023 were not available—a review of eDMRs shows that average annual flows were approximately 179K GPD for 2022 and approximately 165K GPD for 2023 which is below the 200K GPD requirement for preparing Annual Performance Reports. Aeration Basins/Secondary Clarifiers/Digesters: All three plants appeared to be operating properly and producing visibly clear effluent . Mr. Thomas explained that the sludge blanket is maintained at approximately 1/2 the height of the clarifier. It was discussed that the sludge blanket should not exceed 1/4 the height of the clarifier to reduce the risk of carryover and effluent limit violations. Mr. Thomas explained that they have not been experiencing any bulking and that sludge is wasted as needed. It is recommended that the wasting practice is adjusted to maintain a better sludge blanket depth. Sludge is pumped out of the digesters and hauled off to Boone WWTP by Appalachian Pumping and TTT Pumping. Chlorination/Dechlorination: The previous inspection report noted that the chlorine contact chambers and the dechlorination chambers had deteriorating concrete lids. During this inspection it was noted that these chambers had all been repaired and appeared in good condition. Post aeration occurs in the dechlorination chambers. Standby power: The site employ’s an emergency generator with a sub-based diesel tank. The generator auto tests once per week on Wednesdays, which occurred during this inspection. When the generator auto started for the weekly test, it tripped the blower that feeds one of the smaller plants. Mr. Thomas explained he has notified the electrician so this issue can be resolved. NC0022900 17 (Cont.) Page#2 Docusign Envelope ID: 29CA07AD-5F86-4691-920B-249002A30320 Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/07/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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? Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? Comment: 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? The most recent annual performance report on file is representative of the 2021 calendar year--eDMRs were reviewed for 2022 and 2023 and annual average flows are less than 200K GPD, below the threshold requiring annual performance reports for these years. See summary for details. Comment: Page#3 Docusign Envelope ID: 29CA07AD-5F86-4691-920B-249002A30320 Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/07/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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? Process Controls analyzed include pH, DO, sludge judge, settleable solids, and ammonia. Comment: Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE 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? Influent pump station was inspected and floats, alarms, and SCADA all worked satisfactorily. There were no visible signs of overflows and grease accumulation was minimal. 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? Screenings are allowed dry on grating that drips liquids back into the bar screens before being added to the dumpster, which goes to landfill. Comment: Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE 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? Page#4 Docusign Envelope ID: 29CA07AD-5F86-4691-920B-249002A30320 Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/07/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Are float controls operable? Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? 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) Mr. Thomas explained the plant runs best with the DO between 1 and 2 and settleability is satisfactory. One blower tripped when the emergency generator ran its weekly test. 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? 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) Mr. Thomas explained that the sludge blanket depth is kept at about 1/2 the clarifier sidewall depth--it was discussed that this should be at about 1/4th the sidewall depth. It is recommended that the wasting practice is adjusted to maintain an acceptable sludge blanket depth. See summary for details. Comment: Page#5 Docusign Envelope ID: 29CA07AD-5F86-4691-920B-249002A30320 Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/07/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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? Liquid chlorine is stored in its own building in the southeast section of the facility. There is one 250 gal and one 300 gal tank . See summary for further details. Comment: De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ?Liquid 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? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Sodium bisulfite is used for dechlorination. It is stored in its own building in the northwest section of the property. There is one 250 gal and one 300 gal tank . See summary for further details. Comment: Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? 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? The most recent permit was modified to change the flow monitoring influent to effluent. The flow meter is less than a year old. It was discussed with Mr. Thomas that flow meter calibration will be needed annually. Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Page#6 Docusign Envelope ID: 29CA07AD-5F86-4691-920B-249002A30320 Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/07/2024 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? 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? The facility has their own trailered diesel dispenser tank for filling up their emergency generator. If needed they will have Gouge Oil deliver fuel. See comments for further details. Comment: Page#7 Docusign Envelope ID: 29CA07AD-5F86-4691-920B-249002A30320