NC0032131_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20150722

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AVA
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory Donald R. van der Vaart
Governor Secretary
July 22, 2015
Mr. Chris Robbins, President
Tweetsie Railroad RECEIVED/DENRIDWR
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
JUL 2 7 2015
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection(CEI)
Water Quality
Tweetsie Railroad WWTP Permitting Section
NPDES Permit#NC0032131
Watauga County
Dear Mr. Robbins:
A Compliance Evaluation Inspection was performed on the subject facility by George Smith on July 17, 2015;
Mr. Brian Banner, ORC was present for the inspection. The inspection is comprised of an overall evaluation in
order to document compliance and noncompliance of: facilities equipment, capability to meet effluent limits,
and terms & conditions with the NPDES permit.
Permit
Your permit became effective April 1, 2011 and expires on March 31, 2016.
You should expect to receive a permit renewal letter with an application later this year.
Records & Reports
An Operators Log is maintained that records daily plant observations.
A Lift Station Log is maintained that records date of inspections and conditions.
A Flow Recording Log documents flow readings and the totalizer.
A Monthly Data Log records effluent measurements, such as: Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, and Total
Residual Chlorine.
The records and reports are organized and neatly kept.
Facility Site Review
The facility grounds are well kept. A secure fence surrounds the plant.
450 W.Hanes Mill Road,Winston-Salem,North Carolina 27105
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There are two treatment trains in the facility. The left train is not operated and has duckweed covering the `
surface.
There is an influent splitter. All the influent flow is directed to the treatment train on the right side of the plant.
The equalization basin appears to have sufficient aeration.
The right aeration basin mixed liquor is black in color. There was a slight septic odor. The plant is septic. The
course bubble diffusers are delivering aeration. There is foam covering less than 10% of the basin. On July 20,
2015 Mr. Banner reported that the aeration basin was a brown color.
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The blowet motors and electric panels are in very good condition.
The secondary clarifier effluent is cloudy and no odor. There is some straggler flock.
Chlorine tablets at+used iii the Sanuril 4-tube unit.
The chlorine contact basin appears to be maintained. The 30° v-notch weir is located at the end of this treatment
unit.
Norweco tablets are used for disinfection.
Norweco tablets are used for dechlorination, and are placed in 3-tubes of the unit, which is located at the
effluent aeration basin.
During the inspection, it was discussed that the lift station may be holding the wastewater too long. Mr. Banner
suggested that the floats be adjusted to pump the station on a more frequent basis.
This office recommends that the diffusers in the aeration basin be inspected during the winter months. Fine
bubble diffusers maywork well at this facility.
Effluent/Receiving Waters
The effluent to the Middle Fork South Fork New River, Class WS-W - Trout + waters was clear, no color, no
solids, and no odor.
Flow Measurement
The flow measuring device was calibrated by Don Williams Electric on July 20, 2015. This office recommends
that paper documentation be kept, which documents the calibration procedure. The flow is measured using an
Isco 3010 ultrasonic sensor to measure the head in front of a 30° v-notch weir.
Self-Monitoring Program
A review of the monthly self-monitoring reports from July 2014 through March 2015 showed no limit
violations.
An Isco Model 5800 composite sampler was installed. It samples flow proportion at 100 mL/ 500 gallons. The
plant does not receive much flow.

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Laboratory
Tweetsie Railroad is a field certified lab#5663.
The calibrations for pH and Dissolved Oxygen are recorded.
The Town performs the following field tests: pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Residual Chlorine, and
Temperature. These tests are recorded on the daily monitoring report and must be field certified.
A Hach DR1900 spectrophotometer is used for TRC analysis. The annual calibration curve was performed on
August 25, 2014.
A Hach SensIon 156 is used for pH, DO, and Temperature.
Operations & Maintenance
The facility was well maintained by the following contingent: Brian Banner, ORC, Grade II; Tim Everhart,
back-up ORC, Grade III.
The plant is operated by observation. There is no process tests performed at this time.
Sludge Handling/Disposal
The digester is approximately half full and residuals are hauled by A-One Services.
The compliance evaluation inspection is satisfactory. If you have any questions please contact George Smith or
me at(336) 776-9800.
Sincerely,
.,014t/ibrrACi'"c
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources,NCDENR
cc: Mr.Brian Banner,P.O.Box 2225,Blowing Rock,NC 28605
Water Quality Permitting—Charles Weaver
WSRO Files

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United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved.
EPA Washington,0.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 El 2 3 NC0032131 111 12 15/07/17 117 18 LI 19 [ j 2011
211111 l 11111111 jI I I I II I II I I I I 1111 1111111 ( l I I
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 GA -- Reserved
671 I 701,LJ it
I 71 Iti 1 72 I ti I 73 I 174 751 1 1 1 1 1 1 180
Section B:FacilityData
LJ [ `
Name and Location of Facility Inspected(For Industrial Users discharging to POTW,also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES permit Number) 09:48AM 15/07/17 11/04/01
Tweetsie Railroad
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
US Hwy 321 221s Boone
10:45AM 15/07/17 16/03/31
Blowing Rock NC 28605
Name(s)of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data
///
Brian Keith Banner/ORC/828-719-1061/
Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Chris B Robbins,PO Box 388 Blowing Rock NC 28605Np/828-264-9061/
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Section C:Areas Evaluated During Inspection(Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit II Flow Measurement • Operations&Maintenance El Records/Reports
di Self-Monitoring Program 1111 Facility Site Review al Effluent/Receiving Waters • 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
George S Smith WSRO WQ//336-776-9700/ �1 0)y..,�0IS
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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

Permit: NC0032131 Owner-Facility: Tweetsie Railroad
inspection Date: 07/17/2015 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? • 0 0 0
Does the facility analyze process control parameters,for ex: MLSS,MCRT, Settleable 0 • 0 0
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment: Operates visually
Permit Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new 0 0 • 0
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit? • 0 0 0
#Are there any special conditions for the permit? 0 • 0 0
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? U 0 0 0
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? • 0 0 0
Comment:
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? • 0 0 0
Is all required information readily available, complete and current? • 0 0 0
Are all records maintained for 3 years(lab. reg.required 5 years)? • 0 0 0
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? • 0 0 0
Is the chain-of-custody complete? • 0 0 0
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 0 0
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? 0 0 • 0
(If the facility is=or>5 MGD permitted flow)Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator 0 0 • 0
on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current? • 0 0 0
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? U 0 0 0
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? • 0 0 0
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? • 0 0 0
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Permit NC0032131 Owner-Facility: Tweetsie Railroad
Inspection Date: 07/17/2015 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑. 0 • 0
Comment:
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? • 0 0 0
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? • 0 0 0
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? 0 0 II ❑
Comment:
Flow Measurement-Effluent Yes No NA NE
#Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 0 0 0
Is flow meter calibrated annually? 0 0 0 0
Is the flow meter operational? 0 0 0 0
(If units are separated)Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? 0 0 0. 0
Comment:
Pump Station -Influent Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ 0 0
Is the wet well free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ 0 0
Are all pumps present? 0 0 0 0
Are all pumps operable? 0 0 0 0
Are float controls operable? 0 0 0 0
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? 0 0 0 0
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? 0 0 ❑ 0
Comment:
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual •
b.Mechanical 0
Are the bars adequately screening debris? • ❑ 0 0
Is the screen free of excessive debris? • ❑ ❑ 0
Is disposal of screening in compliance? • 0 0 0
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Permit: NC0032131 Owner-Facility: Tweetsie Railroad
Inspection Date: 07/17/2015 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Is the unit in good condition? • 0 0 0
Comment:
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? • 0 0 0
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? • 0 0 0
Are weirs level? • 0 0 0
Is the site free of weir blockage? • 0 0 0
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? • 0 0 0
Is scum removal adequate? • 0 0 0
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? • 0 0 0
Is the drive unit operational? 0 0 • 0
Is the return rate acceptable(low turbulence)? 0 0 0 0 •
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? • 0 0 0
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable?(Approximately 1/4 of the sidewall depth) • 0 0 0 •
Comment:
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation Ext.Air
Type of aeration system Diffused
Is the basin free of dead spots? • 0 0 0
Are surface aerators and mixers operational? 0 0 • 0
Are the diffusers operational? • 0 0 0
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 • 0 0
Does the foam cover less than 25%of the basin's surface? • 0 0 0
Is the DO level acceptable? 0 • 0 0
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) 0 0 0 •
Comment: basin is black in color, but does not have a strong septic odor. Possible that the lift station
was septic.
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational? • 0 0 0
Are the tablets the proper size and type? • 0 0 0
Number of tubes in use? 3
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Permit NC0032131 Owner-Facility: Tvaeetsie Railroad
Inspection Date: 07/17/2015 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? 0 0 0 •
Is the contact chamber free of growth,or sludge buildup? • ❑ ❑ 0
Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination? 0 0 0 •
Comment:
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional? • 0 0 0
Is sample collected below all treatment units? • 0 0 0
Is proper volume collected? • 0 0 0
Is the tubing clean? • 0 0 0
#Is proper temperature set for sample storage(kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees • 0 0 0
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit(frequency, sampling type • 0 0 0
representative)?
Comment:
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system? Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount(1 to 1)? • 0 0 0
Is storage appropriate for cylinders? 0 0 • 0
#Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 0 • 0
Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type? • 0 0 0
Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? • 0 0 ❑
Number of tubes in use? 3
Comment:
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