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Home My WebLink AboutNC0085294_Inspection_20180403 State of North Carolina | Environmental Quality | Water Resources 2090 US 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-296-4500 April 03, 2018 Tara Hamlin Pavillon International 241 Pavillon Pl. Mill Springs, NC 28756 SUBJECT: Compliance Sampling Inspection Report Britten Creek WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0085294 Polk County, NC Dear Ms. Hamlin: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted a Compliance Sampling Inspection of the Britten Creek WWTP on March 7, 2018. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NDPES WW Permit No. NC0085294. Based on the on-site visit, split samples and discussions with plant staff, the facility was determined to be in compliance. The following additional items were noted during the inspection:  Flow Meter: The ultrasonic flow meter is being calibrated annually by Laboratory Instruments; however, the ORC's logbook indicates grab flows do not match the flow meter. The permittee may wish to replace or have the flow meter calibrated more frequently, if it is to be used for reporting.  Safety: Currently the ORC climbs into a wet well to collect effluent samples. Recommend considering an adjustable swing bottle sampler.  Solids Management: The clarifier's sludge blanket is over 2/3's of the clarifier depth. A high clarifier sludge blanket can lead to septic conditions, discharge of solids over the weir and inadequate settling and detention time within the clarifier. The addition of a larger digester was discussed with James and James and the Facilities Director at the time of the inspection. If solids storage capacity is not increased, the digester should be pumped more frequently to allow for solids wasting when needed. DocuSign Envelope ID: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D Please refer to the enclosed inspection report for additional observations and recommendations. Your assistance and the assistance of Juanita James and James Lanstra was greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4686 or by email at mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Enclosure: Inspection Report Ec: James & James, Contract Operator WQS-ARO Server NPDES-LF 20180403_NC0085294_CSI DocuSign Envelope ID: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D 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 NC0085294 18/03/07 S 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) Britten Creek WWTP Lake Adger Rd NCSR 1238 Mill Spring NC 28756 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:30AM 18/03/07 13/09/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Juanita Reed James/ORC/828-697-0063/ Other Facility Data 11:30AM 18/03/07 18/07/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Tara Hamlin,241 Pavilon Pl Mill Spring NC 28756//828-694-2300/Contacted Yes Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Pollution Prevention 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 Daniel J Boss ARO WQ//828-296-4658/ 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: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D 4/3/2018 4/3/2018 NPDES yr/mo/day 18/03/07 Inspection Type S3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Inspectors Mikal Willmer and Dan Boss, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Britten Creek WWTP on March 7, 2018. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0085294. Juanita James, James Lanstra (James and James) and Tara Hamlin, Pavillon facilities Director, were present and assisted in the inspection. The facility was being maintained in operating condition at the time of the inspection. DWR staff split TSS, BOD and Fecal grab samples with James and James during the inspection. Results are below. Fecal:130 CFU/100 mL BOD: 6.1 mg/L TSS: 12 mg/L TRC: 3 µg/L There were also a few items noted during the inspection. Flow Meter: The ultrasonic flow meter is being calibrated annually by Laboratory Instruments; however, the ORC's logbook indicates grab flows do not match the flow meter. It appears the flow meter is reading higher than the actual flow. The permittee may wish to replace or have the flow meter calibrated more frequently if it is to be used for reporting. Solids Management: The clarifier's sludge blanket is over 2/3's of the clarifier depth. Ms. James reports the ORC ideally wastes a little daily; however, there appears to be inadequate digester capacity to waste as much as needed. A high clarifier sludge blanket can lead to septic conditions, discharge of solids over the weir and inadequate settling and detention time within the clarifier. The addition of a larger digester was discussed with James and James and the Facilities Director at the time of the inspection. If solids storage capacity is not increased, the digester should be pumped more frequently to allow for solids wasting when needed. Safety: Currently the ORC climbs into a wet well to collect effluent samples. Recommend considering an adjustable swing bottle sampler. The effluent pipe is inaccessible. NC0085294 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D Permit:NC0085294 Inspection Date:03/07/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Britten Creek WWTP Compliance Sampling 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? ORC tests settleability on daily visits.Comment: 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? Plant was upgraded to an extended aeration plant in 2014 and reclassified as a Class II facility. The permit was never updated to reflect major modification. Engineer Certification is in the file. Sampling frequency will be updated to reflect those required for Class II facilities. See summary for additional details. 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? Are float controls operable? Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? Basin is continually aerated. No signs of excessive grease. Pavillon has a grease trap and septic tank installed by the building to allow for primary treatment before entering the WWTP. 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D Permit:NC0085294 Inspection Date:03/07/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Britten Creek WWTP Compliance Sampling Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE 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) Measurements taken during the inspection ranged from <1 mg/L to 3 mg/L. This may have been due to the blowers turning on while measurements were being taken. Blowers are set to cycle on for 30 and off for 30 minutes. Settleability recorded by ORC, Shannon James, was 70% on 3/7/2018. 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) Very little flow was leaving the clarifier at the time of the inspection. There were visible solids and pin floc on the surface of the clarifier. Ms. James reported they had not turned the scum skimmer on for the day. Inspectors were unable to determine the effectiveness of the scum skimmer. Ms. James stated the clarifier was approximately 9' deep. Sludge Judge measurements showed a 6.5' sludge blanket within the clarifier. Ms. James reports they attempt to waste a little daily; however, the digester does not have the capacity to waste as much as needed. Inspectors discussed the possibility of installing an additional or larger digester to improve solids management. Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?1 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? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D Permit:NC0085294 Inspection Date:03/07/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Britten Creek WWTP Compliance Sampling Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Very little flow at this facility. Only one tube is needed for disinfection.Comment: De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ?Tablet 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? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use?1 Dechlorination unit is in a manhole/wet well downstream of the WWTP. The TRC sample taken during the inspection was 3 µg/L. 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? Currently there is no on-site generator or quick-connect. Inspectors suggested installation of standby power. Pavillon does have a portable generator on-site that could be used in the event of an extended power failure. Ms. James requested possible installation of a quick-connect during the inspection. Comment: 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? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D Permit:NC0085294 Inspection Date:03/07/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Britten Creek WWTP Compliance Sampling Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? The outfall is in the spill way for the Lake and appears to only be accessible by boat. James & James confirmed the location using dye tablets. 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? ORC logbook indicates the flow meter is still reading high. Grab flow measurements indicate the flow is less than what is being reported by the flow meter. Grab measurements are averaging between 2,100 and 3,500 GPD flow meter is reading between 5,000 and 6,000 GPD. See summary for recommendations. Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? # 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)? Samples are taken from a manhole/wet well that houses the dechlorination unit.Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D Permit:NC0085294 Inspection Date:03/07/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Britten Creek WWTP Compliance Sampling Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Ms. James reports there is not adequate capacity to waste as needed and a pumper truck comes approximately once every six weeks. A larger digester should be installed or a pump truck needs to come more frequently to prevent excessive build-up of solids in the clarifier. Comment: Septic Tank Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? Are pumps or syphons operating properly? Are high and low water alarms operating properly? Maintained by Pavillon, not a part of the WWTP.Comment: Grease Removal Yes No NA NE # Is automatic grease removal present? Is grease removal operating properly? Maintained by Pavillon, not a part of the WWTP.Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: D4122A57-C66F-425A-8C7F-AC986BDB9E1D