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Home My WebLink AboutNC0068918_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20181231 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources 2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-296-4500 December 31, 2018 Cody S Jones Cedar Beach Investment Group LLC PO Box 20670 Charleston, SC 29413 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Cedar Hill WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0068918 Jackson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Cedar Hill WWTP on 12/17/2018. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0068918. Based on the site visit and discussions with the ORC, the facility was determined to be in-compliance. The following items were noted during the inspection and should be addressed:  Permit: The current permit lists the facility as a 0.1 MGD plant; however, a 0.026 MGD plant is installed. Please make sure during permit renewals the facility description is accurate and up-to-date.  Contact Information: NPDES staff in the ARO and Central Office should be notified of any changes in ownership or responsible official.  Auto-Sampler: The current auto-sampler is inoperable. A portable auto-sampler is being provided by RPB Systems. A working auto-sampler onsite is recommended to help maintain consistent sampling conditions. DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources 2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-296-4500 If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 828-296-4500 or via email at mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist I Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report EC: WQS-ARO Server LF Bob Barr, RPB Systems G:\WR\WQ\Jackson\Wastewater\Minors\Cedar Hill (Resources Planning) 68918\Inspections\Inspect. Dec. 17, 2018\20181231_NC0068918_CEI DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 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 NC0068918 18/12/17 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) Cedar Hill WWTP Cedar Hill Cashiers NC 28717 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 09:30AM 18/12/17 17/10/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Michael Dwayne Beck/ORC/828-545-7724/ Other Facility Data 10:30AM 18/12/17 22/08/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Cody S Jones,PO Box 20670 Charleston SC 29413//843-224-7260/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal 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 Mikal Willmer Division of Water Quality//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: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 12/31/2018 12/31/2018 NPDES yr/mo/day 18/12/17 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Inspector Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Cedar Hill WWTP. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0068918. Mike Beck, ORC RPB Systems, was present and assisted in the inspection. Overall the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance. The facility only receives approximately 2000 GPD of flow. There are only 4-5 homes currently connected to the sewer system. Two more will be connected when construction is complete. Items of note. 1. The Permit currently lists the facility as being rated for 0.1 MGD of flow; however, the installed package plant is only rated for 0.026 MGD. Please make sure during permit renewals the facility description is accurate and up-to-date. 2. Contact Information: Please notify NPDES staff in the Asheville Regional Office or Central Office of any changes in ownership or responsible officials to ensure all correspondence is received. 3. Auto-sampler: The current auto-sampler is inoperable. A portable sampler is brought in once a week for sampling. A permanent composite sampler helps ensure sample temperatures are held and helps aid in consistent and correct sampling. NC0068918 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 Permit:NC0068918 Inspection Date:12/17/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cedar Hill WWTP 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 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 current permit lists the facility as a 0.10 MGD wastewater treatment plant. This should be corrected to 0.026 MGD. Expansion of the facility never occurred. 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? Small manual bar screen at the head of the facility.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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 Permit:NC0068918 Inspection Date:12/17/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cedar Hill WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE EQ basin pumps are controlled by a bubbler system. There is currently only a visual alarm; however, current flows are approximately 2000 GPD and the EQ basin has an 8,325-gallon capacity. ORC visits the facility five days a week. Recommend adding an audible alarm or connecting the EQ basin to the telemetry system. 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) ORC reports DO levels are higher than he would like due to low flow and minimal bacteria within the system. 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 few solids present in the treatment plant due to low flow conditions. Mr. Beck stated he has not had to waste since he took over operations of the facility. Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 Permit:NC0068918 Inspection Date:12/17/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cedar Hill WWTP Compliance Evaluation Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use?4 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 facility has had a several fecal exceedances over the past year. The contact chamber was recently rebuilt due to damage caused by a tree. 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?2 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 checks and calibrates flow meter annually. Calibration is due this month.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 location of the effluent pipe was not evaluated. The effluent pipe is located a quarter of a mile away from the facility and down a steep drop-off above the river. Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 Permit:NC0068918 Inspection Date:12/17/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cedar Hill WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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)? ORC reports the composite sampler onsite stopped working. A portable sampler is being used in the interim. Recommend replacement to help maintain temperature and consistent compositing. 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? There is currently only water in the digester.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? Propane generator onsite. ORC checks generator almost daily due to the internal heater being inoperable. Generator is tested weekly underload. RPB performs routine maintenance. 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? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 Permit:NC0068918 Inspection Date:12/17/2018 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cedar Hill WWTP Compliance Evaluation Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? Auto dialer installed on effluent pump station.Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C53FB95-B255-4896-AD98-2F59C4FE9282 Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: 8C53FB95B2554896AD982F59C4FE9282 Status: Completed Subject: Please DocuSign: 20181231_NC0068918_CEI.ltr.docx, 20181231_NC0068918_CEI.draft.pdf Source Envelope: Document Pages: 9 Signatures: 2 Envelope Originator: Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 1 Mikal Willmer AutoNav: Enabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) 217 W. Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27699 Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Record Tracking Status: Original Dec 31, 2018 | 07:52 Holder: Mikal Willmer Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Location: DocuSign Signer Events Signature Timestamp Mikal Willmer mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Environmental Specialist North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Drawn on Device Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: Dec 31, 2018 | 07:54 Viewed: Dec 31, 2018 | 07:54 Signed: Dec 31, 2018 | 07:55 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign G. Landon Davidson landon.davidson@ncdenr.gov Asheville Regional Office, Regional Supervisor DEQ, Division of Water Resources, Water Quality Regional Operatoins Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Uploaded Signature Image Using IP Address: 174.196.132.97 Signed using mobile Sent: Dec 31, 2018 | 07:55 Viewed: Dec 31, 2018 | 08:09 Signed: Dec 31, 2018 | 08:09 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp Editor Delivery Events Status Timestamp Agent Delivery Events Status Timestamp Intermediary Delivery Events Status Timestamp Certified Delivery Events Status Timestamp Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp Notary Events Signature Timestamp Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted Dec 31, 2018 | 07:55 Certified Delivered Security Checked Dec 31, 2018 | 08:09 Signing Complete Security Checked Dec 31, 2018 | 08:09 Completed Security Checked Dec 31, 2018 | 08:09 Payment Events Status Timestamps