WQCS00324_NOV and Intent to Assess_20190807

DocuSign Envelope ID: 28C99229-4761-4B84-B52A-058D1D4ABBD6
ROY COOPER
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IMI HAEL S. RECAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
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Certified Mail # 7019 0700 0000 8867 5763
Return Receipt Requested
Kenneth Steen, County Manager
Burke County General Services
PO Box 219
Morganton, NC 28655
NORTH CAROUNA
Environmental Quality
August 07, 2019
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0572
Permit No. WQCS00324
Burke County Collection System
Burke County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Burke County Collection System
on July 24, 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. WQCS00324. A summary of the findings and
comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.
The Collection System Non -sampling inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the
Asheville Regional Office. The following violations were noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Pump Stations Indian Hills Pump Station Telemetry/Alarms are not working properly.
Pump Stations Indian Hills Pump #2 has not worked since at least December 2018.
Inspections No documentation for maintenance, annual inspection nor high priority lines were
available.
Spill Response Action Plan No Spill Response Plan was available.
Nortl: Caro l!naDepart rnentofEnv: ronrnenta;Quairty i DiuisionofWater Resources
D, E 0! Ashev.;e Regnna-Off.ce 1 2090 U.S. 70 Highway i Swannanos, North Csro:aka 2377S

DocuSign Envelope ID: 28C99229-4761-4B84-B52A-058D1D4ABBD6
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Sewer and FOG Ordinances No documentation for FOG educational materials delivered bi-annually.
Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the
future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of
State law.
Please submit a written response to this Notice of Violation. Your response is to be received by the regional office
within 10 business days following receipt of this violation. The submittal will be considered in determining
whether the Division will assess a civil penalty for the cited violations.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Linda Wiggs with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
r-� 7E617A38285848C...
G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Ec: ARO Server, LF
G:\WR\WQ\Burke\Collection Systems\Burke County Collection System WQCS00324\Inspections\July 24, 2019 Inspection\20190807_WQCS00324_NOVNOI2019PC0572.rtf
North Caroi!na Department of Environrnenta; Q¢a:rty I Diustn of Water ResoL roes
Ashev.; a Regnna-Off:ce 120090 U.S. 70Hghway I Swannsnos, North Caro:irs 2577-S

DocuSign Envelope ID: 28C99229-4761-4B84-B52A-058D1D4ABBD6
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQCS00324 Effective: 06/01/13 Expiration: 05/31/21 owner: Burke County General Services
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Burke County Collection System
County: Burke
PO Box 219
Region: Asheville
Morganton NC 28655
Contact Person: Kenneth Steen Title: County Manager Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS1,
Primary ORC: Certification: Phone:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0040797 City of Hickory - Henry Fork WWTP
NC0041696 Town of Valdese - Lake Rhodhiss WWTP
Inspection Date: 07/24/2019 EntryTime: 10:OOAM
Primary Inspector: Linda S Wiggs Ds
Secondary Inspectors):
Exit Time: 02:30PM
Phone: [phone] Ext.4653
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions General Sewer & FOG Ordinances
Map Reporting Requirements Inspections
Spill Response Plan Spills Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 28C99229-4761-4684-1352A-058D1D4ABBD6
Permit: WQCS00324 Owner - Facility: Burke County General Services
Inspection Date: 07/24/2019 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Linda Wiggs met with Miles Champion and Brian Tart (new staff).
Required documentation was not available.
FOG not implemented, no bi-annual distribution. Permit I. 5.
Records are not maintained to document compliance with Permit Conditions — 111.1.
Annual Report has not been prepared nor submitted. Permit IV. 3.
Inspections are not taking place, nor being documented. Permit V. 1-5. Note: Any Pump Station should be inspected daily
until the telemetry is fully functional.
Indian Hill Pump Station (PS):
According to the Indian Hill Pump Station Logs reviewed, Pump #2 at Indian Hills PS has not operated since at least
December 2018. During the inspection, Telemetry was also not operational and none of the high-level floats were operational
- Permit 1. 2. 8.
Indian Hills Pump Station Logs do not indicate any problems; however, ORC is documenting by a check mark that the
alarms and telemetry have been verified operational. The Permittee is not reviewing documentation. Permit 11. 1. 2. 4.
Page 2 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 28C99229-4761-4B84-B52A-058D1D4ABBD6
Permit: WQCS00324 Owner - Facility: Burke County General Services
Inspection Date: 07/24/2019 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Reason for Visit: Routine
General
Yes No NA NE
Is there a properly designated primary ORC and at least one back-up of proper grade?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are logs being reviewed by the system management or owner on a regular basis?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
# What is that frequency?
Will start monthly.
# Are there any issues being addressed currently or any in the planning stages?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a specific pump failure plan available for all pump stations?
❑
❑ ❑
Does plan indicate if pump parts/new pumps are in spare parts/equipment inventory?
❑
❑ ❑
Are new/significantly upgraded pump stations equipped with anti -corrosion materials?
❑
❑ ❑
Does the permittee have a copy of their permit?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Is permit expiring within the next 6 months?
❑
❑ ❑
If Yes, has the Permittee applied for renewal?
❑
❑ ❑
Comment: Inspector gave staff cc of permit
Sewer and FOG Ordinances Yes No NA NE
Is Sewer Use Ordinance (SUO) or other Legal Authority available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a Grease Control Program that legally requires grease control devices? ❑ ❑ ❑
What is the standard grease trap cleaning requirement in the FOG ordinance? 6 month
Is Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is action taken against violators? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Have satellite systems adopted an equivalent or more stringent ordinance? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc? ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, what are they? (This can reduce mailing to annual.)
Want to add to website.
Comment: Staff did not have documentation of FOG educational materials distributed.
Map
Yes No NA NE
Is there a overall sewer system map?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the map include:
Pipe Type (GS/FM)
❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe sizes
❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc)
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe location
❑ ❑ ❑
Flow direction
❑ ❑ ❑
Approximate pipe age
❑ ❑ ❑
Pump station ID, location and capacity
❑ ❑ ❑
Page 3 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 28C99229-4761-4B84-B52A-058D1D4ABBD6
Permit: WQCS00324 Owner - Facility: Burke County General Services
Inspection Date: 07/24/2019 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
# Force main air release valve location & type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Location of satellite connections 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Reporting Requirements Yes No NA NE
# Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years? ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria? ❑ ❑ ❑
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is an Annual Wastewater Performance Report being filed with the Division, if required? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the report being made available to all its sewer customers? ❑ ❑ ❑
# How is it being made available?
Comment: Annual Performance Report was not available.
Inspections Yes No NA NE
Are adequate maintenance records maintained? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Are pump stations being inspected at the required frequency? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is at least one complete functionality test conducted weekly per pump station? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a system or plan in place to observe the entire system annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the annual inspection documented? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the system have any high -priority lines/locations? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are inspections of HPL documented at least every 6 months? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No documentation for maintenance, annual inspection or high priority lines were available.
Spill Response Action Plan
Yes No NA NE
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
❑
❑ ❑
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
❑
❑ ❑
Does the Permittee appear to respond within 2 hours of first knowledge of a spill?
❑
❑ ❑
Page 4 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 28C99229-4761-4B84-B52A-058D1D4ABBD6
Permit: WQCS00324 Owner - Facility: Burke County General Services
Inspection Date: 07/24/2019 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: No Spill Response Plan was available.
SpIIIS Yes No NA NE
Is system free of known points of bypass? ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, describe type of bypass and location
Unknown
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
# Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment:
Pump Stations
Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Indian Hills
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system
# Number of vacuum stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed?
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access?
❑ ❑ ❑
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes?
❑ ❑ ❑
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Do they all have telemetry installed?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the communication system functional?
❑
❑ ❑
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
❑ ❑ ❑
Pump station identifier?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Address?
❑ ❑ ❑
Instructions for notification?
❑ ❑ ❑
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
❑
❑ ❑
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
❑ ❑ ❑
If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
❑
❑ ❑
Page 5 of 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 28C99229-4761-4B84-B52A-058D1D4ABBD6
Permit: WQCS00324 Owner - Facility: Burke County General Services
Inspection Date: 07/24/2019 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage? ❑ ❑ ❑
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan? ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Do pump station logs include at a minimum
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? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment: Logs available onsite were from 12/2018 thru 7/2019. Pump #2 has not been working since
12/2018.
Alarm and high level float lights were activated upon arrival. Staff could not get high level floats to
activate after system was reset. The telemetry did not work, audio and visual were ineffective.
Wet well and influent flume (muffin monster) both have high level floats, staff could not get
neither to contact telemetry. There was signs of overflow (debris) on apperatures and exterior at
the influent flume area.
Page 6 of 6