NC0025437_SOC_ 90 Day Evaluation Report_20250623

109 N Main Street Town of Rich Square Phone: [phone]
P.O Box 336 Fax: [phone]
Rich Square, NC 27869 Websitc: riclisquarcnc.org
Certified Mail No: 9589 0710 5270 2018 225168
Return Receipt Requested
June 17, 2025
Attn: Vanessa Manuel
Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Resources Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NPDES Program
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Dear Ms. Manuel:
RECEIVED
JUN 2 3 2025
NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES
Re: SOC 90 Day Evaluation
EMC SOC WQ S24-002
NPDES NCO025437
Town of Rich Square
Northampton County
Enclosed please find an original and two copies of the Town of Rich Square's SOC 90 Day
Evaluation Report prepared by Richard Davis of the North Carolina Rural Water Association.
Please do not hesitate to contact this office if you have any questions.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Siticerely,
I V�ee�
Victoria Newcombe
Mayor
Town of Rich Square
Enclosures

109 N Main Street
P.O Box 336
Rich Square, NC 27869
May 30, 2025
Town of Rich Square
Attn: Vanessa Manuel,
Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Resources Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NPDES Program
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Dear Ms. Manuel:
Phone: [phone]
Pax: 252-539-3945
Websitc: riclisquarenc.org
RECEIVED
JUN 2 3 2025
NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES
Subject: SOC 90 Day Evaluation
EMC SOC WQ S24-002
NPDES NCO025437
Town of Rich Square
Northampton County
The Town of Rich Square holds permit NPDES NCO025437 for the operation and maintenance of
the town's wastewater treatment system. The town entered a Special Order by Consent (SOC)
with the Environmental Management Commission on March 26, 2025, to address noncompliance
issues associated with the noncompliance with permit limits.
As required by the conditions of the SOC, the Town is submitting a required 90-day treatment unit
investigation to provide the Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental
Management Commission of an evaluation of improvements to the treatment facility. This
information was formulated by the Wastewater Training & Technical Assistance division of the
North Carolina Rural Water Association, with the assistance of representative Richard Davis, and
is based on his visits to the facility, discussions with the staff and review of construction progress
information and a review of laboratory data.
• Solids Management Plan: Solids removal efforts were completed and measurements of
sludge depths in the lagoon made with a total of 148 dry tons of solids removed. It is
estimated that this effort resulted in the removal of 10-15% of the lagoon solids.
Measurements of the remaining lagoon depths have been made, and priority is being
determined for future sludge removal. The town is planning to review sources and methods
for future sludge removal and instituting a preliminary program to address solids inventory
and removal.
• Headworks Improvements: Equipment identified as part of the headworks is nearing
completion of installation and start-up and testing. Initial staff training has begun on the

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equipment currently installed and will follow-up with the implementation of standard
operating procedures and related equipment maintenance service programs which will be
based on manufacturers guidance.
• Floating Aerators: Some aerators have been installed along with associated power cables.
Initial start-up testing and training has been completed along with the operations staff
involved in developing operations and maintenance procedures. Information obtained
from the equipment maintenance documents is being utilized to develop a written planned
program ensuring that documents maintenance history specific to each aerator are included
to provide for longevity and service life of the aerators. Presently, additional on -site
procedures to remove the accumulation of fibers the aerators, a major factor in service life
of the aerators is being developed to improve short term reliability and operation of the
floating aerators.
• Chemical Feed Systems and Chemical Storage: Evaluation of chemical storage tank
location is being considered along with plans to move two existing chemical tanks into
existing structures to mitigate climate effects. Strategies for developing a more constant
chemical purchase agreement are being evaluated to ensure continual chemical availability
without degradation to chemical quality. Initial training for the use of the equipment has
begun and operations staff are actively involved in adjusting chemical feed rates necessary
for adequate treatment and disinfection with flow changes. The town will partner with the
NC Rural Water Association for assistance and training in developing procedures to ensure
a strategic plan is created to address concerns related to safety, spill containment and
adequate chemical storage is attained on a continual basis.
Conclusion, this 90-day evaluation has evidenced the positive outcomes of construction planning
and operational activities needed to address deficiencies in the wastewater treatment facility.
Further completion of the current contract will provide an expected improvement to treatment
levels with a high level of confidence in meeting permitted performance. The Town of Rich
Square and its staff are dedicated to making progress and improving the performance of its
wastewater treatment and protection of public health.
If you have any questions regarding this evaluation, please contact Victoria Newcombe at 252-
539-2315 (o) or 252-518-1365 (c).
Sincerely,,
Victoria Newcombe, Mayor
Town of Rich Square