NC0049174_Complaint Investigation_20180807

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ROY COOPER NORTH CAROLINA
Governor Environmental Quality
MICHAEL S.REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER -
Interim Director
August 7, 2018
Ms. Amy Burnette
Smoketree Lodge RECEIVED/DENR/DWR
P.O. Box 3407 AUG 14 2018
' Boone, NC 28607
Water Resources
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Permitting Section
Smoketree Lodge
NPDES Permit No. NC0049174
Watauga County
Dear Ms. Burnette,
On August 2, 2018, Kelli Park and Gary Hudson, of this office met with Josh Cagle
to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection on the Smoketree Lodge wastewater
treatment system. Mr. Cagle was filling in for the operator in responsible charge (ORC);
Steve Taylor. This type of inspection consists of two basic parts: an in-office file review
and an on-site inspection of the treatment facility. The attached Environmental Protection
Agency inspection form notes the areas that were evaluated for this inspection. The
findings and observations are outlined below:
I. Permit
The NPDES permit became effective October 1, 2012, and expired on September 30,
2017. A permit renewal application was sent in on May 10, 2017. Water Quality Labs sent
a copy of the application to Miss Park after the inspection to show that the proper actions
were taken. It was received by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
on May 19, 2017. The facility had a copy of the previous permit available during the
inspection.
II. Self-Monitoring Program
A review of the monthly discharge monitoring reports (DMR) for the period January 2017
through August 2018 showed that the facility was in compliance with all permit limits other
than one fecal coliform daily maximum violation on November 21, 2017. This violation
was previously addressed before this letter.
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DePanneat of Emrfronmffltal W�
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 Hanes Mill Road,Suite 300 I Winston-Salem,North Carolina 27103
336.776.9800

Smoketree Lodge,August 2,2018
Flow proportionate composite samples are taken at this plant to monitor water quality
parameters. These samples are put on ice and analyzed by Water Quality Labs in Banner
Elk. Approximately 200 milliliters are taken every hour.
Ill. Records/Reports
The permit and visitation log are located on site and show visitation times and plant
conditions. Chain of custody forms are in good order. All required monitoring was
performed per the frequencies specified in the NPDES permit. Miss Park noted no data
transcription discrepancies from bench sheets to DMRs in her documentation review.
Water Quality Labs maintains the documentation.
IV. Flow Measurement
The flow is measured continuously by a v-notch weir with an ultrasonic sensor. The device
was calibrated in July 2018.
V. Operations and Maintenance
The wastewater treatment plant appeared to be well maintained and operated. The ORC
and backup ORC are sufficiently qualified to be running the plant.
VI. Facility Site Review
All components of the 0.010 million gallons per day facility appeared to be functioning
properly. The aeration basin had a light brown color and a good earthy odor. All blowers
were functioning properly and there were no dead spots. The secondary clarifier looked
clean and was discharging clear effluent. Effluent is disinfected by ultraviolet radiation.
The meter appeared to be in good working order, and was reading 13.7 mW/cm2. There
is an old in ground plant next to the working plant that is used as a digester.
VII. Effluent/Receiving Waters
The effluent from the facility was clear the day of inspection. Effluent was being
discharged into an unnamed tributary to the Watauga River, class B; trout waters in the
Watauga river basin. There was no odor associated with the effluent.
VIII. Sludge Maintenance and Handling
Sludge was reported to be pumped about once a year due to low flow in the plant. Triple
T Plumbing pumps the sludge and the time, date, and how much was pumped is recorded
into the operator log on site. It is also documented at Water Quality Labs.
2

Smoketree Lodge,August 2,2018
IX. Conclusions
The compliance evaluation inspection is satisfactory. Mr. Cagle maintains and operates
the facility in a good manner. His efforts to comply with the permit are appreciated. If you
have any questions regarding the inspection or this report, please contact Kelli Park or
me at [phone].
Sincerely,
Sherri V. Knight, P.E.
Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations
Division of Water Resources
Attachments: BIMS EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
cc: Central Files
WSRO
ICEPDES-Unit
3

United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved
E PA 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
2 Li 3 I NC0049174 111 121 18/08/02 117 18 1 2 I 19 I S I 201
21111111111111111II111111111111111111111II1 � p6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA — -Reserved-
67I I 70 I
I 711 I 72 LI i,i Ji 731
I 174 75J I I I I I 1180
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 permit Number)
12 30PM 18/08/02 12/10/01
Smoketree Lodge
11914 NC Hwy 105 S Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
Banner Elk NC 28691 01 OOPM 18/08/02 17/09/30
Name(s)of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data
///
Joshua Kenneth Cagle/ORC/828-898-6277/
Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Amy Burnette,PO Box 1998 Banner Elk NC 28604/1/
No
Section C Areas Evaluated During Inspection(Check only those areas evaluated)
• Permit • Flow Measurement • Operations&Maintenance • Records/Reports
▪ Self-Monitoring Program • 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
Gary Hudson Division of Water Quality//336-776-9694i
Kell!A Park ip // WSRO WQ//336-776-9689/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3(Rev 9-94)Previous editions are obsolete -
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NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type 1
31 NC0049174 111 121 18/08/02 117 18
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Section D Summary of Finding/Comments(Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
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Permit NC0049174 Owner-Facility: Smoketree Lodge
Inspection Date: 08/02/2018 Inspection Type: 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'?
Comment -
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 0 0
#Are there any special conditions for the permit'? ❑ • 0 ❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection'? • ❑ 0 ❑
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'? • 0 0 0
Are all records maintained for 3 years(lab reg required 5 years)? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? • 000
Is the chain-of-custody complete'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Dates, times and location of sampling E
Name of individual performing the sampling E
Results of analysis and calibration IN
Dates of analysis •
Name of person performing analyses II
Transported COCs U
Are DMRs complete do they include all permit parameters'? MI ❑ ❑ ❑
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 ❑ ❑ II ❑
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'? • ❑ 0 ❑
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site'? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 3

Permit NC0049174 Owner-Facility. Smoketree Lodge
Inspection Date: 08/02/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review'? 0 ❑ H El
Comment
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual •
b.Mechanical ❑
Are the bars adequately screening debris'? • 0 0 0
Is the screen free of excessive debris'? • 0 ❑ El
Is disposal of screening in compliance'? • 0 ❑ El
Is the unit in good condition'? • ❑ 0 El
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 El
Are surface aerators and mixers operational'? • 0 El El
Are the diffusers operational'? • 0 ❑ ❑
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the foam cover less than 25%of the basin's surface'? • ❑ El El
Is the DO level acceptable'? • ❑ ❑ El
Is the DO level acceptable?(1 0 to 3 0 mg/I) • ❑ El ❑
Comment -
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater'? • 0 El El
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in canter well of circular clarifier'? • El ❑ 0
Are weirs level? • 0 El ❑
Is the site free of weir blockage'? • El El ❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? • El El ❑
Is scum removal adequate'? • ❑ ❑ 0
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge'? • ❑ ❑ ❑ '
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Permit. NC0049174 Owner-Facility Smoketree Lodge
Inspection Date* 08/02/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the drive unit operational'? • ❑ 0 ❑
Is the return rate acceptable(low turbulence)' • 0 0 0
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc'? • 0 0 ❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable'? (Approximately Y4 of the sidewall depth) • 0 0 0
Comment _
Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site? • ❑ 0 ❑
Are UV bulbs clean'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is UV intensity adequate'? • 0 0 0
Is transmittance at or above designed level'? • 0 0 ❑
Is there a backup system on site'? • 0 ❑ ❑
Is effluent clear and free of solids'? • ❑ 0 0
Comment UV bulbs not on site but they have extra at Water Quality Labs 10 minutes up the road if they
need to switch out bulbs.
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? • ❑ ❑ El
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly'? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Comment:
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