NC0030473_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20180723

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CERTIFIED MAIL 7013-1710-0002-1922-1791
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
July 23, 2018
Ms. Penny Hodge
Mill Ridge Property Owners' Association
229 Clubhouse Drive
Banner Elk, NC 28604
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection and Notice of Deficiency
NOD Tracking Number: NOD-2018-PC-0212
Mill Ridge Development WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0030473
Watauga County
Dear Ms. Hodge:
On June 27, 2018, Kelli Park and Gary Hudson, of this office, met with Brandon
Hughes, ORC, to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection on the Mill Ridge
Development wastewater treatment system. 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 EPA 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 January 1, 2018', and expires September 30, 2022.
The facility had a copy of the permit available during the inspection.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 West Hanes Mill Road,Suite 300 I Winston-Salem,North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800

a.
Mill Ridge Development WWTP,NPDES Permit No.NC0030473 -`„
Compliance Evaluation Inspection July 11,2018
II. Self-Monitoring Program
A review of the monthly discharge monitoring reports (DMR) for the period January 2017
through November 2017 showed that the facility was in compliance with all permit limits.
III. Flow Measurement
The flow meter was calibrated in July of 2017. It needs to be calibrated before August 1,
2018. Please provide Miss Park a copy of the calibration certification once it is completed.
IV. Operations and Maintenance
The wastewater treatment plant appeared to be very well maintained and operated.
V. Facility Site Review
•
Most of the components of the 0.052 million gallons per day facility appeared to be
functioning properly. The aeration basin had a light brown color and a good earthy odor.
Although the dissolved oxygen (DO) wasn't measured during the inspection, Mr Hughes
indicated the aeration basin (AB) normally runs at about 0.8 milligrams per liter (mg/I).
Please note a more preferable range for DO in the AB is 1.0-3.0 mg/I. The ultra violet
(UV) disinfection unit was out of operation, but Mr. Hughes had taken a fecal sample and
said that they are still in compliance. In the meantime, chlorination and dichlorination
tablets are being used. These tablets are being placed after the secondary clarifier and
before being discharged into the receiving river. The UV disinfection unit needs to be
repaired as soon as possible. Please send Ms. Park a verification email once it is online.
VI. Records/Reports
The permit and visitation log are located on site and show visitation times and plant
conditions. Chain of custody forms and calibration records are in good order. All required
monitoring was performed per the frequencies specified in the NPDES permit. Ms. Park
noted no data transcription discrepancies from bench sheets to DMRs in her
documentation review.
VII. Effluent/Receiving Waters
The effluent from the facility was clear the day of the inspection. Effluent was being
discharged into the Watauga River, class B; trout; high quality waters in the Watauga river
basin.
Please work to correct the deficiencies in paragraph 5.
Please reply in writing to this letter within 30 business days of receiving it. Your written
reply should address each of the noted,deficiencies and provide a corrective action plan
along with an implementation/completion schedule to remediate them.

A
+" Mill Ridge Development WWTP,NPDES Permit No.NC0030473
Compliance Evaluation Inspection July 11,2018
Please be aware that violations of your NPDES permit, or the NC statutes and regulations
under which it is promulgated, are subject to fines of up to$25,000 per day, per violation,
as set forth in NC General Statute (NCGS) 143-215.6A, Enforcement Procedures, Civil
Penalties. If we do NOT receive your written reply within 30 business days of your receipt
of this notice, we may.draft an enforcement case for the noted deficiencies/violations.
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
NPDES Unit