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Home My WebLink AboutNC0089095_Inspection_20190319EPA 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 NC0089095 19/03/15 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) High Vista Falls WWTP Creasman Hill Rd Mills River NC 28759 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 01:45PM 19/03/15 15/11/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Vincent L Edwards/ORC/828-697-3077/ Other Facility Data 03:45PM 19/03/15 20/10/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Patty Carland,117 Kira Ln Hendersonville NC 28739//828-890-4810/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal 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 Beverly Price ARO WQ//828-296-4500/ 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: 2BC52E0D-D59D-4E6C-81F5-54329C10EE2D 3/21/2019 3/22/2019 3/22/2019 NPDES yr/mo/day 19/03/15 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On March 15, 2019 I (Daniel Boss) and Beverly Price conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection at High Vista Falls WWTP. The ORC, Vincent Edwards was onsite for the inspection. Mr. Edwards mentioned that this facility is greatly affected by I&I, bringing flows from dry period volumes of 20-30,000gpd up to 90-120,000 gpd during a period of high rain. This facility is only permitted for 45,000 gpd. The flow average for February according to Mr. Edwards was 60,000 gpd. Mr. Edwards told us that he cannot meet the permit limits for ammonia when the detention time for the facility is reduced by high flows. The aeration levels and settleability are maintained at appropriate levels. It seems clear that Mr. Edwards is putting forth a good faith effort toward optimizing operation of the facility. But with flows almost triple the permitted flow value, it would be exceedingly difficult to meet the permit limits which require a high degree of nitrification and well-functioning tertiary filtration. For the purpose of nitrification, either the I&I or the plant capacity needs to be addressed for this facility. The bar screen is in good condition with bars spaced about 1/2 in apart, however the EQ wet well is getting debris in it and clogging pumps. Mr. Edwards said that it appears to be the result of "flushable" wipes. This facility is required to do flow proportional composite sampling but they are only doing timed composite samples. The tertiary filters are damaged, have large holes in the media, and need to be replaced. Two of them are also bowing/warped which has created a gap that allows unfiltered effluent to pass through. One tertiary filter is being held in place with a ratchet strap. The clarifiers had sludge blankets of 3' and 1.5' out of 12' of depth which is acceptable. They also only had about 1' of clear water from the surface, despite the settleability of the sludge being quite good. This suggests the plant is running near hydraulic capacity. The permit for this facility requires the use of the electronic Discharge Monitoring Reporting system. To date the permittee has not submitted reports using this system. The permittee has outstanding fines at this facility of over $10,000. These fines should be paid as soon as possible. NC0089095 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2BC52E0D-D59D-4E6C-81F5-54329C10EE2D Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:03/15/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls 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? 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? The bar screen is in good condition with bars spaced about 1/2 in apart. The EQ wet well is getting debris in it though and clogging pumps. 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: 2BC52E0D-D59D-4E6C-81F5-54329C10EE2D Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:03/15/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE The EQ wet well contained a lot of built up grease and rags.This plant was previously equipped with airlift pumps, but due to them clogging up, 2 of the 3 pumps have been converted to electrical pumps. 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) AB #1- 3.1 D.O., 6.8 pH, 30% settleability AB #5- 4.59 D.O., 6.8 pH, 30% settleabilityComment: 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) The clarifiers had sludge blankets of 3' and 1.5' out of 12' of depth which is acceptable. They also only had about 1' of clear water from the surface, despite the settleability of the sludge being quite good. This suggests the plant is near hydraulic capacity. Comment: Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2BC52E0D-D59D-4E6C-81F5-54329C10EE2D Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:03/15/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls WWTP Compliance Evaluation Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE 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? Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Type of operation:Up flow Is the filter media present? Is the filter surface free of clogging? Is the filter free of growth? Is the air scour operational? Is the scouring acceptable? Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? The filters are damaged, have large holes in the media, and need to be replaced. Two of them are also bowing/warped which has created a gap that allows unfiltered effluent to pass through. One filter is broken and in an attempt at repair, has been secured with a ratchet strap. The filters are backwashed once per week according to Mr. Edwards. 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? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2BC52E0D-D59D-4E6C-81F5-54329C10EE2D Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:03/15/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls WWTP Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? 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? 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? 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? 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)? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2BC52E0D-D59D-4E6C-81F5-54329C10EE2D Permit:NC0089095 Inspection Date:03/15/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: High Vista Falls WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? Flow proportional composite sampling is not being performed.Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2BC52E0D-D59D-4E6C-81F5-54329C10EE2D