NC0025461_NOV-2019-PC-0574 Response_20190823

Town of
Bakersville
Incorporated 1870
Mayor:
Charles E. Vines
August 20, 2019
G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office 2090 US Hwy 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Re: Bakersville WWTP, NOV-2019-PC-0574
Dear Mr. Davidson,
"Gateway to Roan Mountain"
Town Council:
Charles Nash
Jordon Baker
Beau Thomas
I'
AUG132019 ��
Water Quality Regional Operations
Asheville Regional Once
Concerning the above Notice of Violation, we do acknowledge that on the day in question, there
were issues with the discharge at the wastewater plant. However, according to the inspection
report, the State inspector arrived at 11:50 a.m., and our log sheets indicate that our operator
arrived at 1:30 p.m, so the operator was unable to deliver the proper notification as the State
inspector had arrived prior to the operator to observe the plant's conditions for that day.
As a supplement to the above, compliance samples at the plant were collected on July 2"d and
July 16`n, and both sets of samples were compliant. The conditions on the date of the inspection
were unfavorable due to the heavy volume of rain received in a short amount of time,
approximately 2 inches on the date of the inspection. We believe that the excess flow contributed
to the unfavorable conditions of the discharge for that day, as well as inflow and infiltration in
the collections system. The Town is exploring options to mitigate the inflow and infiltration to
lessen the flow during heavy rain events.
In support of the volume of flow concerning rain events, the flow at the plant on July 22"d, the
day prior to the inspector's visit, was 68,000 gallons per day. On the day of the inspection, July
23`d, the flow at the plant was recorded as 175,000 gallons and was 136,000 gallons on the 241h
However, after the rain subsided on the 251h of July, flow returned to a more representative level
of 54,000 gallons. We would also like to note that despite the higher flows on dates
corresponding with heavy rainfall, the average flow for the month at the plant was 76,000
gallons per day.
26 Mitchell Ave 0 PO Box 53 Bakersville NC 28705-0053 0 www.bakersvillenc.com
Phone-828.688-2113 0 Fax [phone] E-mail Address—[e-mail]

The Town does acknowledge that the wastewater plant is currently undergoing repair, and
sincerely apologizes for not notifying DEQ staff of the repairs prior to their inception. We do
intend to have the repairs completed as soon as possible so that both sides of the plant are fully
functional, and we will inform the DEQ of the completion as well. We also believe that once
both sides of the plant are operational, there will be no issues concerning solids discharge during
heavy rain events, We will be certain to inform DEQ staff as required as soon as possible if
similar conditions are observed and will be diligent in our observations since there is a known
issue with the plant in certain types of weather events at this time. As stated, we do not anticipate
that the issues will continue once the necessary repairs to the plant are complete.
I have ordered a part (Duff -Norton Actuator) from Motion Industries, delivery is 9/18/2019. Part
is to replace faulty part. See attached
I have had several conversations and meetings with Jadd Brewer the W WTP Plant Operator from
Water Quality Lab & Operations Inc., during the past two weeks. We have discussed all the
issue and concerns as addressed by Ms. Wiggs visit on July 23rd. I assure you that I will be
monitoring all that goes on at the W WTP in the future. I have been verifying the daily logs for
comments, time in & out to ensure enough time is being spent at the plant. I made it very clear
that the operator is not to depart the plant until he has observed the Effluent discharging from the
plant to ensure that solids are not being discharged.
Over the past two months we have had several high -volume rain events. The reason I ask for the
visit was the rain event on July 19d' was very heavy (3.85") in less than an hour which caused
flooding in town along with Honeycutt Creek and Cane Creek carrying a high volume of water
which caused deterioration of stream banks which we lost between 8-11 feet of stream bank
which uncovered about 80' of sewer line in the creek. WK Dickson Engineering firm is working
on an opinion of probable cost so an application for funding to replace/remove the sewer line. I
provided pictures of the line when Ms. Wiggs was here. We will be applying in the fall round of
funding thru State Water Infrastructure Authority for a CDBG Grant application because our
percentage of low to moderate income population is high than the state average which gives us a
better chance of getting federal funding. Bakersville has a population of 454.
I hired a young man Jamison Burleson about a year and half ago to begin working for
Bakersville and to be able to operate our wells, water system and wastewater plant. Thus far he
has completed the C-well school (2017), B-Distribution School (2019 and Cross Connection
School (2019), he has passed the assembly exam and will be taking the CC test in late 29 July
2019. He currently is working under Gary Hyatt for both C-Well and B- Distribution and Joe
Simmons for Cross Connection. My plan is to have him begin Wastewater School in 2020 so he
will be able to take over the complete operation of the water and wastewater operation here in
Bakersville.
26 Mitchell Ave 0 PO Box 53, Bakersville, NC 28705-0053 0 www bakersvillenc com
Phone-828-688-2113 0 Fax [phone] E-mail Address [e-mail] bakersvillenc.com

I do not like public health issues, and I will take care of the current situation and make sure all
corrections are made.
Thank you for your time and the opportunity to respond to the inspection occurring July 23,
2019. If I can address any further concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
N"'r- ✓�
Charles Vines
Mayor, Town of Bakersville
26 Mitchell Ave 0 PO Box 53 Bakersville NC 28705-0053 0 www.bakersvillencxoni
Phone-828-688.2113 0 Fax [phone] E-mail Address—[e-mail]