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Home My WebLink AboutWQCS00108_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20190206 February 06, 2019 Dan Harbaugh Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority 1246 W Main St Sylva, NC 28779 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Tuckaseigee Collection System Collection System Permit No. WQCS00108 Jackson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Tuckaseigee Collection System on 2/01/2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Collection System Permit No. WQCS00108. Based on the site visit and discussions with collection system staff, the facility was determined to be in compliance and therefore no response is required; however, the following items were noted by DWR for consideration by TWSA.  Pump Station Reliability: 7 of the 13 pump stations within the collection system tributary to TWSA #1 and TWSA #2, do not have permanent generators. TWSA currently no longer owns or maintains a portable generator. It is highly recommended TWSA maintain at least one portable generator for use in the event of an extended power failure.  Staff: Currently 9 staff operate and maintain approximately 54 miles of collection system and 100 miles of distribution system. Recommend additional staffing as budget allows to help maintain the systems in compliance with all permit requirements.  FOGs Education: Door hangers and flyers are used as educational materials. TWSA should ensure educational materials are distributed to customers twice a year. Additionally, recommend adding FOGs material to TWSAs website for customer accessibility. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to me at 828-296-4686 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 Troy Ammons, CS ORC G:\WR\WQ\Jackson\Collection Systems\TWASA # 1 Collection System\Inspections\Inspect. Feb. 1, 2019\20190206_WQCS00108_CEI Compliance Inspection Report Permit:WQCS00108 Effective:04/01/17 Expiration:03/31/25 Owner :Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority SOC: Contact Person: Region: County: Directions to Facility: Jackson Asheville Troy Ammons Effective:Expiration:Facility:Tuckaseigee Collection System PO Box 1051 Sylva NC 28779 Title:Phone:828-586-5189ORC Anthony Craig Farmer 1001176 828-586-5189 Secondary ORC(s): 828-586-5189Phone:995178Certification:Troy Eugene AmmonsPrimary ORC: CS2,System Classifications: On-Site Representative(s): Related Permits: NC0020214 Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority - TWSA WWTP#2 NC0039578 Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority - Jackson County WWTP Secondary Inspector(s): Primary Inspector: Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time: Phone: 02/01/2019 10:00AM 12:40PM Mikal Willmer 828-296-4686 Facility Status: Permit Inspection Type: Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type: Not CompliantCompliant Routine Collection system management and operation Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Question Areas: Miscellaneous Questions Performance Standards Operation & Maint Reqmts Records Monitoring & Rpting Reqmts Inspections Pump Station Manhole Lines (See attachment summary) Page:1 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQCS00108 02/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Routine Inspection Summary: Inspector Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the TWSA collection system that is tributary to TWSA #1 and #2. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the system is being operated and maintained in compliance with non-discharge permit No. WQCS00108. Troy Ammons, CS ORC was present and assisted in the inspection. Overall the system is being operated and maintained in compliance. The following items were noted for further consideration at the time of the inspection: Pump Station Reliability: Currently 7 of the 13 lift stations maintained as part of the WQCS00108 collection system permit do not have a permanant generator. Additionally, according to collection system staff and the previous inspection, TWSA no longer owns a portable generator. Even though the lift stations may have 24-hour storage capacity and TWSA has two pump trucks available, it is highly recommnended at least one portable generator is kept and maintained in the event of a prolonged power-failure. Staff: Currently 9 staff are responsible for operation and maintenance of approximately 54 miles of collection line and 100 miles of distribution line. Recommend additional staffing as budget allows to help maintain all systems in compliance with all permit requirements. FOGs Education: Ensure educational materials are being distributed to customers twice a year. Recommend posting this on TWSAs website for customer accessibility. Page:2 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQCS00108 02/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Routine Performance Standards Yes No NA NE Is Public Education Program for grease established and documented? What educational tools are used? Currently use flyers and door hangers. TWSA should make sure these are distributed twice a year. Recommend posting public educational information on TWSA's webpage for ease of access. Is Sewer Use Ordinance/Legal Authority available? Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced? Is Grease Trap Ordinance available? Is Septic Tank Ordinance available (as applicable, i.e. annexation) List enforcement actions by permittee, if any, in the last 12 months Mr. Ammons reports they have not had to move to enforcement within the past twelve months. Notices have been sent to problem customers, but TWSA has not had to take any further action. Has an acceptable Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) been implemented? Does CIP address short term needs and long term \"master plan\" concepts? Does CIP cover three to five year period? Does CIP include Goal Statement? Does CIP include description of project area? Does CIP include description of existing facilities? Does CIP include known deficiencies? Does CIP include forecasted future needs? Is CIP designated only for wastewater collection and treatment? Approximate capital improvement budget for collection system? Total annual revenue for wastewater collection and treatment? CIP Comments The CIP includes water and sewer. Line items specifically addresses wastewater collection and treatment. Several projects are underway for lift station improvements. Jackson LS will be upgraded and will remove a downstream LS. Is system free of known points of bypass? If no, describe type of bypass and location No reported or known points of bypass. Is a 24-hour notification sign posted at ALL pump stations? # Does the sign include: Instructions for notification? Pump station identifier? 24-hour contact numbers If no, list deficient pump stations # Do ALL pump stations have an "auto polling" feature/SCADA? Number of pump stations 13 Page:3 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQCS00108 02/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Routine Number of pump stations that have SCADA 0 Number of pump stations that have simple telemetry 13 Number of pump stations that have only audible and visual alarms 0 Number of pump stations that do not meet permit requirements 0 # Does the permittee have a root control program? # If yes, date implemented? Describe: Roots are removed during routine line cleaning and/or as discovered. There are 13 lift stations maintained under Permit #WQCS00108. TWSA collection system staff also maintain an additional 10 lift stations that service Cashiers and Whittier (Deemed Permitted). Comment: Inspections Yes No NA NE Are maintenance records for sewer lines available? Are records available that document pump station inspections? Are SCADA or telemetry equipped pump stations inspected at least once a week? Are non-SCADA/telemetry equipped pump stations inspected every day? Are records available that document citizen complaints? # Do you have a system to conduct an annual observation of entire system? # Has there been an observation of remote areas in the last year? Are records available that document inspections of high-priority lines? Has there been visual inspections of high-priority lines in last six months? HPLs are inspected twice a year and photographed. Right-of-ways and remote areas are also checked at this time. All pump stations have remote telemetry. Comment: Operation & Maintenance Requirements Yes No NA NE Are all log books available? Does supervisor review all log books on a regular basis? Does the supervisor have plans to address documented short-term problem areas? What is the schedule for reviewing inspection, maintenance, & operations logs and problem areas? ORC reviews issues submitted by work order daily. Problem areas are assessed throughout the year to determine which major projects are needed for the new fiscal year. Are maintenance records for equipment available? Is a schedule maintained for testing emergency/standby equipment? What is the schedule for testing emergency/standby equipment?once per week Do pump station logs include: Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal? Inspecting and exercising all valves? Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment? Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment? Page:4 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQCS00108 02/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Routine Is there at least one spare pump for each pump station w/o pump reliability? Are maintenance records for right-of-ways available? Are right-of-ways currently accessible in the event of an emergency? Are system cleaning records available? Has at least 10% of system been cleaned annually? What areas are scheduled for cleaning in the next 12 months? Generally clean approximately five miles of line and areas with issues throughout the year. TWSA maintains a VAC truck, camera and jetter. Is a Spill Response Action Plan available? Does the plan include: 24-hour contact numbers Response time Equipment list and spare parts inventory Access to cleaning equipment Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers Source of emergency funds Site sanitation and cleanup materials Post-overflow/spill assessment Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel? Is the spare parts inventory adequate? Comment: Records Yes No NA NE Are adequate records of all SSOs, spills and complaints available? Are records of SSOs that are under the reportable threshold available? Do spill records indicate repeated overflows (2 or more in 12 months) at same location? If yes, is there a corrective action plan? Is a map of the system available? Does the map include: Pipe sizes Pipe materials Pipe location Flow direction Approximate pipe age Number of service taps Pump stations and capacity If no, what percent is complete? Page:5 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQCS00108 02/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Routine List any modifications and extensions that need to be added to the map TWSA utilizes ArcGIS software to maintain their collection system map. # Does the permittee have a copy of their permit? One SSO in 2018 but was under the press release threshold amount of 1000 gallons to surface waters. Comment: Monitoring and Reporting Requirements Yes No NA NE Are copies of required press releases and distribution lists available? Are public notices and proof of publication available? # Is an annual report being prepared in accordance with G.S. 143-215.1C? # Is permittee compliant with all compliance schedules in the permits? If no, which one(s)? Performance information for the collection system and WWTP is combined and posted in the local paper. A previous Annual Report can be found on TWSA's website. Comment: 1 - Jackson Paper Pump Station Pump Station Yes No NA NE Pump station type Duplex Are pump station logs available? Is it accessible in all weather conditions? # Is general housekeeping acceptable? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are wet wells free of excessive debris? Are upstream manholes free of excessive debris/signs of overflow? Are floats/controls for pumps/alarms operable? Is "auto polling" feature/SCADA present? Is "auto polling" feature/SCADA operational? Is simple telemetry present? Is simple telemetry operational? Are audio and visual alarms present? Are audio and visual alarms operable? Is the Pump station inspected as required? Are backflow devices in place? Are backflow devices operable? Are air relief valves in place? Are air relief valves operable? # Is an emergency generator available? Can the emergency generator run the pumps? Page:6 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQCS00108 02/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Routine Is the pump station equipped for quick hook-up? Is the generator operable? # Is fuel in tank and sufficient? Is the generator inspected according to their schedule? Is a 24-hour notification sign posted? Does it include: Instructions for notification? Pump station identifier? Emergency phone number Is public access limited? Is pump station free of overflow piping? Is the pump station free of signs of overflow? Are run times comparable for multiple pumps? PS #1 receives the highest flows. Dedicated back-up Diesel generator onsite. Fuel tanks are maintained on trucks in the event refueling is needed. PS currently has dry well pumps in a confined space. This pump station is scheduled to be replaced, fast-track has been approved. PS will be completely revamped. New submersible pumps will remove the confined space and the wet well be redesigned to increase accessibility for maintenance. A fence will also be installed around the perimeter of the PS, currently lids are locked. Comment: S233BH01 - Below Sylva Town Hall Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aeriel Lines Yes No NA NE Is right-of-way accessible for emergency? Is right-of-way free of sinkholes or depressions? Is line/right-of-way free of evidence of leakage? # Are there areas of exposed line? # Is any exposed line constructed of ductile iron or other approved material? Are water crossing and supports in good condition? # Is right-of-way free of non-utility motorized traffic? Is line free of visible damage? # Are there siphons in this system? If yes, are they maintained and documented? Yes, siphon near the Cullowhee lift station is checked when the PS is checked. Cleaned once a year. This aerial crossing is the most vulnerable during flood events. Collection system staff and Sylva Town personnel work together to remove and prevent debris from lodging on the pipe. No issues with breaks in line since flooding in 2004. Comment: 1 - Upstream PS #1 Manhole Yes No NA NE Is manhole accessible? Page:7 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQCS00108 02/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Routine # Is manhole cover/vent above grade? Is the manhole free of visible signs of overflow? Is the manhole free of sinkholes and depressions? Is manhole cover present? # Is manhole properly seated? # Is manhole in good condition? # Is invert in good condition? Is line free-flowing and unrestricted in manhole? Is manhole free of excessive amounts of grease? Is manhole free of excessive roots? Is manhole free of excessive sand? Is manhole's extended vent screened? Are vents free of submergence? Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes? Manhole immediately upstream of PS#1. No obstructions and appeared to be good condition.Comment: 19 - Dillardtown Pump Station Pump Station Yes No NA NE Pump station type Duplex Are pump station logs available? Is it accessible in all weather conditions? # Is general housekeeping acceptable? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are wet wells free of excessive debris? Are upstream manholes free of excessive debris/signs of overflow? Are floats/controls for pumps/alarms operable? Is "auto polling" feature/SCADA present? Is "auto polling" feature/SCADA operational? Is simple telemetry present? Is simple telemetry operational? Are audio and visual alarms present? Are audio and visual alarms operable? Is the Pump station inspected as required? Are backflow devices in place? Are backflow devices operable? Are air relief valves in place? Page:8 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQCS00108 02/01/2019 Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Routine Are air relief valves operable? # Is an emergency generator available? Can the emergency generator run the pumps? Is the pump station equipped for quick hook-up? Is the generator operable? # Is fuel in tank and sufficient? Is the generator inspected according to their schedule? Is a 24-hour notification sign posted? Does it include: Instructions for notification? Pump station identifier? Emergency phone number Is public access limited? Is pump station free of overflow piping? Is the pump station free of signs of overflow? Are run times comparable for multiple pumps? PS is approximately six years old, receives very little flow. Generators self-test once a week under load for 30 minutes. Comment: Page:9 Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: 48C649E85FCD41099F9803EAC5734FB3 Status: Completed Subject: Please DocuSign: 20190206_WQCS00108_CEIltr.docx, 20190206_WQCS00108_CEI.draft.pdf Source Envelope: Document Pages: 11 Signatures: 1 Envelope Originator: Certificate Pages: 1 Initials: 1 Mikal Willmer AutoNav: Disabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Disabled 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 Feb 6, 2019 | 11:18 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: Feb 6, 2019 | 11:19 Viewed: Feb 6, 2019 | 11:19 Signed: Feb 6, 2019 | 11:20 Freeform Signing 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 Feb 6, 2019 | 11:19 Certified Delivered Security Checked Feb 6, 2019 | 11:19 Signing Complete Security Checked Feb 6, 2019 | 11:20 Completed Security Checked Feb 6, 2019 | 11:20 Payment Events Status Timestamps