WQ0000185_Inspection_20190903

DocuSign Envelope ID: C46DAA7F-8C44-4FA5-B8F1-357F32933A83
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental quality
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director September 3, 2019
Ben Stikeleather - County Manager
Currituck County
153 Courthouse Rd. — Suite 302
Currituck, NC 27929-0039
SUBJECT: 8/28/2019 Compliance Inspection
Ocean Sands WWTP High -Rate Infiltration System
Permit No: WQ0000185 (Expires 6/30/2024)
Currituck County
Dear Mr. Stikeleather:
Attached to this letter please find a copy of the Compliance Inspection Report form for the
inspection conducted on August 28, 2019. The Compliance Inspection was conducted by Randy
Sipe of the Water Quality Regional Operations Section, Washington Regional Office. Also present
and providing assistance during the inspection were Mr. Donnell Orgsbon (ORC), Mr. Glenn
Vance, and Mr. Rod Holley all with Currituck County.
During the inspection, all the wastewater treatment and disposal components of the facility
described in Permit No. WQ0000185 were toured. The inspection also included a review of
monthly reports/recordkeeping.
While the facility is experiencing intermittent exceedances of effluent limits causing it to be in
non-compliance with Permit No. WQ0000185; the Washington Regional Office recognizes that
this is related to the startup of the new Phase II and III WWTP that came online in June 2019.
__7
iaT�ls Q �'
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality IDivision of Water Resources - Washington Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall, Washington, North Carolina 27889
252-946-6481

DocuSign Envelope ID: C46DAA7F-8C44-4FA5-B8F1-357F32933A83
Mr. Ben Stikeleather
September 3, 2019
Page 2 of 2
Please refer to the attached inspection summary for additional comments and observations.
If you or your staff have any questions, please contact me at 252-948-3849.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
'L 154t
3ASADD4B6DD54F2...
Dwight Randy Sipe, P.G., Hydrogeologist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Cc: Glenn Vance - Currituck County Wastewater Superintendent (electronic copy)
WaRO
Attachments
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality IDivision of Water Resources - Washington Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall, Washington, North Carolina 27889
252-946-6481

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0000185 Effective: 04/30/19 Expiration: 06/30/24 Owner : Ocean Sands Water and Sewer District
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Ocean Sands WWTP
County: Currituck 741 Ocean Trail Blvd
Region: Washington
Corolla NC 27927
Contact Person: Eric Weatherly Title: Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: WW3.,
Primary ORC:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 08/28/2019 Entry Time: 10:30AM
Primary Inspector: Dwight R Sipe
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine
Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration
Facility Status: Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Certification:
Phone:
Exit Time: 12:OOPM
Phone:
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Treatment Treatment Barscreen
Use Records
Record Keeping Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Treatment Disinfection
End Use -Infiltration Treatment Flow Measurement Standby Power
Coastal Requirements
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6

Permit: WQ0000185 Owner - Facility: Ocean Sands Water and Sewer District
Inspection Date: 08/28/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
On 8/28/19, a compliance inspection was performed by R. Sipe & S. Toppen w/ WQROS-WaRO. The wastewater treatment
and disposal components covered by Permit # WQ0000185 were inspected and a review was performed of onsite record
keeping and monthly monitoring reports. Also present during the inspection were Donnell Orgsbon (ORC), Glenn Vance, and
Rod Holley, all w/ Currituck County.
The facility is considered non-compliant with Permit # WQ0000185 because of occasional exceedances of effluent limits
(BOD, ammonia, and nitrate) and GW limits (ammonia and nitrate). However; the new Amphidrome WWTP just began
operation in June 2019 and is still considered to be in startup mode. The ORC stated that he has been working through
some equipment and operational issues. WaRO will continue to monitor the operation of the new VVWTP.
Demolition of the old WWTP is proceeding and is expected to be completed in October 2019.
Sludge is stored in unaerated tanks. The ORC is keeping the level of the tanks low to help keep odors down, but it was still
noticable.
Effluent and flow monitoring results reported for April and June 2019 were spot checked and found to be consistent with lab
reports and operational logs.
Page 2 of 6

Permit: WQ0000185
Inspection Date: 08/28/2019
Owner - Facility: Ocean Sands Water and Sewer District
Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
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Reuse (Quality)
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Activated Sludge Spray, LR
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Single Family Spray, LR
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Lagoon Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
❑
Recycle/Reuse
❑
Single Family Drip
❑
Infiltration System
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 1:11:1 ❑
Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The facility is considered non-compliant because of occasional exceedances of effluent limits
(BOD, ammonia, and nitrate) and GW limits (ammonia and nitrate). However; the new
Amphidrome WWTP must began operation in June 2019 and is still considered to be in startup
mode. The ORC stated that he has been working through some equipment and operational
issues. WaRO will continue to monitor the operation of the new WWTP.
Demolition of the old WWTP is proceeding and is expected to be completed in October 2019.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately?
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Flow meter was last calibrated on 7/26/19
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Yes No NA NE
Is water use metered? ❑ 1:10 ❑
Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ M ❑
Comment: Not required by the permit.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
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Permit: WQ0000185 Owner - Facility: Ocean Sands Water and Sewer District
Inspection Date: 08/28/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Flow meter was last calibrated on 7/26/19.
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does generator have adequate fuel? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: no issues noted.
Treatment Barscreen Yes No NA NE
Is it free of excessive debris? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is disposal of screenings in compliance? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the bars spaced properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The mechanical screw screen was operating during the inspection.
Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration pattern even? ❑ ❑ ❑
If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? ❑ ❑ M ❑
Comment: Sludge is stored in unaerated tanks. The ORC is keeping the level of the tanks low to help keep
odors down. but it was still noticable.
Treatment Disinfection
Is the system working?
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection?
Is there adequate detention time (-30 minutes)?
Is the system properly maintained?
If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe?
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable?
Is the chlorinator accessible?
If tablets, are tablets present?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth?
If UV. are extra UV bulbs available?
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate?
# Is it a dual feed system?
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 lbs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)?
Yes No NA NE
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Permit: WQ0000185 Owner - Facility: Ocean Sands Water and Sewer District
Inspection Date: 08/28/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site?
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000-
If
1000
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: The liquid chlorine disinfection system appeared to be operating adequately.
Record Keeping
Is a copy of current permit available?
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
NDAR?
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
Are application rates adhered to?
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW -59s submitted)?
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
Are there any 21- GW quality violations?
Is GW -59A certification form completed for facility?
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
Are annual soil reports available?
# Are PAN records required?
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
If so, has it been applied?
Are operational logs present?
Are lab sheets available for review?
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW -59s?
Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
Comment: Effluent and flow monitorina results for ADril and June 2019 were s
consistent with lab reports and operational logs.
End Use -Infiltration
# Is the application High Rate or Low Rate?
Are buffers maintained?
Are any supply wells within the CB?
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Yes No NA NE
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checked and found to be
Yes No NA NE
High Rate
Page 5 of 6

Permit: WQ0000185 Owner - Facility: Ocean Sands Water and Sewer District
Inspection Date: 08/28/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells required?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a usable green area maintained?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the disposal site acceptable?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the distribution equipment acceptable?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site free of ponding?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal site free of breakout?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the disposal sites free of solids, algae, etc.?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the disposal sites free of vegetation?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge?
❑
❑ ❑
No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation, solids, algae, etc.?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The infiltration field appeared to be operating adequately. The ORC stated that he is operating
half of the field one day at time and rotating sides each day.
Coastal Requirements Yes No NA NE
Are essential treatment units provided in duplicate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is an adequately sized aerated equalization basin present? ❑ ❑ ❑
If so, is it operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
If present, are diffusers cleaned regularly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the equalization capacity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: no issues noted.
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