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Home My WebLink AboutNC0022900_Inspection_20180821EPA 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 18/08/16 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 01:00AM 18/08/16 17/10/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Christian Alexander Montgomery/ORC/828-260-7936/ Other Facility Data 02:30PM 18/08/16 22/09/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Matthew Klein,PO Box 240908 Charlotte NC 28224/President/704-525-7990/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Self-Monitoring Program 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/ 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: 4439653E-48D4-41CE-BCF0-984D2FE2D78C 8/21/2018 8/21/2018 NPDES yr/mo/day 18/08/16 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) I (Daniel Boss) conducted an inspection of the Sugar Mountain WWTP on 8/16/2018. I met with Christian Montgomery (ORC) and Neil Reece (Backup ORC) for the inspection. Overall the plant appeared to be functioning well, but there were a few maintenance needs. The wasting lines were not functional for both small plants. The concrete needs to be repaired for the chlorine contact chambers and dechlorination chambers. There were holes in the top concrete slabs of a couple of those chambers. The skimmer for one of the small plants needs to be extended to be more effective. The air valve was broken for the aerobic digester of the big plant. Mr. Montgomery said that the post equalization splitter box is not effective for high flows, and therefore it should be improved or replaced. The influent pump station at this facility occasionally overflows and most of the overflow from the pump station wet well flows right into an aeration basin. Mr. Reece had asked about constructing a concrete trough to direct this overflow directly into the aeration basin during an overflow. This would require a permit modification and it is unlikely to be approved. Temporary measures/structures can be considered for use during an overflow to keep the sewage off the ground and contained in the facility's treatment units. NC0022900 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 4439653E-48D4-41CE-BCF0-984D2FE2D78C Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/16/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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? This pump station overflows very occasionally. Most of the overflow goes right into the aeration basin next to it. Comment: 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 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: 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? Comment: Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 4439653E-48D4-41CE-BCF0-984D2FE2D78C Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/16/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE 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? 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) 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? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 4439653E-48D4-41CE-BCF0-984D2FE2D78C Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/16/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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) Skimmer of the clarifier for one of the little plants is too short and needs to be extended to the wall of the center well to be more effective. Comment: 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? The concrete is deteriorating and holes are developing in the contact tanks. This is a safety risk. 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? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? The concrete of the tanks is deteriorating and should be addressed.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? Comment: Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 4439653E-48D4-41CE-BCF0-984D2FE2D78C Permit:NC0022900 Inspection Date:08/16/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Sugar Mountain WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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? 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)? The facility uses a portable ISCO sampler. Long term, it may be worth installing a permanent refrigerated sampler. 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? This is a new generator, installed about 1 year ago.Comment: Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 4439653E-48D4-41CE-BCF0-984D2FE2D78C