NC0034932_Reconnaissance Inspection Report_20180305

State of North Carolina | Environmental Quality | Water Resources
2090 US 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778
828-296-4500

March 5, 2018

Zach Ollis, Town Manager
Town of Tryon
301 N Trade St.
Tryon, NC 28782

SUBJECT: Reconnaissance Inspection Report
Tryon Middle School WWTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NC0034932
Polk County, NC

Dear Mr. Ollis:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources (DWR) conducted a Reconnaissance Inspection
of the Tryon Middle School’s WWTP on February 22, 2018. This inspection was conducted to
gather additional information about the facility for the NPDES permit renewal and temporary
pump and haul extension request.

Please refer to the enclosed inspection report for a summary of the facility’s DWR history and the
Town’s wastewater disposal options. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
me at 828-296-4686 or by email at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosure: Inspection Report

Ec: Deborah Bradley, ORC
WQS-ARO Server
NPDES-LF

201800305_NC0034932_RI
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 NC0034932 18/02/22 R 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)
Tryon Middle School
147 Harmon Field Rd
Tryon NC 28782
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
11:35AM 18/02/22 13/10/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
11:50AM 18/02/22 18/07/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Deborah Bradley,1526 E Howard St Tryon NC 28782/ORC/828-859-5626/Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit
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
Beverly Price ARO WQ//828-296-4500/
Mikal Willmer ARO WQ//828-296-4686/
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: EB845915-14C6-46FF-B638-69198DBD05E4
3/5/2018
3/5/2018
NPDES yr/mo/day
18/02/22
Inspection Type
R3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Inspectors Mikal Willmer and Beverly Price, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a
Reconnaissance Inspection on February 22, 2018. This inspection was conducted to gather additional
information about the facility for the permit renewal and P&H extension request.
The facility appears to be used daily. The converted middle school is now used for the Tryon Arts and
Crafts School. Classes are held here multiple times a week throughout the year. The website indicates
summer youth camp activities also take place at the school. During the Inspection, there appeared to
be staff on-site throughout the week. There is also a dedicated gift shop open to the public.
The facility's history and disposal options are summarized below:
Tryon Middle School closed in 2005 when a new school was opened. The building was not used again
until 2006 when the Town purchased the building and the Tryon Arts and Crafts School moved into the
space. Since 2006, the ORC reports there has been inadequate flow to properly operate and maintain
the 0.005 MGD extended aeration package plant. The valve to the package plant was closed and the
town began pumping and hauling from the influent wet well. Records indicate the Division has been
aware of pump and haul activities since 12-13-2006. All subsequent inspections document pump and
haul activities as the facilities only means of wastewater disposal due to low flow conditions. During
the 2013 permit Renewal the Town requested a reduction in visitation frequency from daily to weekly
and the ARO agreed to a reduction if they continued to pump and haul all wastewater. The ARO
required the Town to apply for a temporary pump and haul in 2017 while a more permanent solution
was explored. As of 2/22/2018 pump and haul activities are still occurring. The town is requesting a
P&H extension and has been made aware of the following permanent disposal options moving forward:
1.Rehabilitate and operate the current extended aeration plant.
2.Modify and operate the current system to accommodate lower flow.
3.Install a conventional/innovative/alternative subsurface system permitted through the LHD.
4.Discontinue use of the building and close out the wastewater treatment plant (unlikely).
NC0034932 17 (Cont.)
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DocuSign Envelope ID: EB845915-14C6-46FF-B638-69198DBD05E4
Permit:NC0034932
Inspection Date:02/22/2018
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Tryon Middle School
Reconnaissance
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?
The system's treatment units do not appear to be maintained in operating condition. The
facility would need to be rehabilitated to adequately treat incoming wastewater. The current
permit does not have special conditions listed; however, visitation has been reduced to
weekly and the WWTP has no flow. The Town is currently pumping and hauling wastewater
from the influent wet well. See summary for additional details.
Comment:
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DocuSign Envelope ID: EB845915-14C6-46FF-B638-69198DBD05E4