NC0023337_NOV-2020-PC-0115 Update Response_20200406

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TOWN OF SCOTLAND NECK
P.O. Box 537
1310 MAIN STREET
SCOTLAND NECK, NC 27874
April 6, 2020
Charles W. Baisey
Administrator
PO Box 537
Scotland Neck, NC 27874-0537
Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section,
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
1628 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1628
NC Dept of Environmental Quality
APR 2020
Raleigh Regional Office
Subject: Updated Response to Scott Vinson Letter dated February 28, 2020, NOTICE OF
VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY, NOV-2020-PC-01 I5
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Dear Mr. Vinson: N�a 37
I am writing today to provide you an update on the status of the Town of Scotland Waste Water
Treatment Plant. As I noted in my letter of March 17, 2020 the Official Responsible -In -Charge
(ORC) has been facing a plant overrun by solids with many mechanical issues that prevent [lie
proper operation of the plant,
In our initial presentation to the Board they responded with unanimous support of the ORC's
efforts to fix the plant. The following items have been funded and completed:
1. A new controller at the Deep Well capable of supporting two Returned Activated Sludge
(RAS) pumps
2. The installation of a single RAS pump as requested by the ORC, instead of two, so we
could do more with the limited finances available to the Board. Second RAS pump is
budgeted for next fiscal year.
3. Contracted with Granville Farms to pump and land -apply 350,000 gallons of sludge,
primarily from the Digester
"This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer"
www.townofscotiand neck.com
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone] - email: [e-mail]

4. Replaced the internal rotating assemblies for both Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)
Tertiary Filter Gorham -Rupp pumps
5. Replaced the heater and the ventilation fan in the Tertiary filter pump station
6. Repaired the failed Contact Chamber Chlorine pump and replaced the clogged chlorine
supply hose. We also repaired the Chlorine Pump that serves to pre -treat the influent
from the Tertiary Filter pump station.
7. We replaced the failed Caustic pump located in the Main Influent Pump Station, and new
hoses were installed, and the new pump was relocated for better access.
8. We installed a new 40OKW Tier 4 Backup Generator and new Transfer Switch
9. Placed Clarifier ##2 online
10. Reconnected the Influent Pump Station alarm system, though adjustments are still
needed.
In addition, during the inspection by Cheng Zhang, it was noted the Oxidation Ditch was black in
color and septic. After the RAS pump was installed the ORC was able to run the Aerator for
sufficient time to bring the plant back into conformance. The Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was .3
mg/l initially and is now steady at 1.3 mg/l. The Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS),
initially at 16,000 mg/1 are now 5,400 mg/I and the plant is brown and is not septic. At this point
we believe the plant has recovered and we are now in control of the plant dynamics.
Initially, our weekly testing was failing Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Fecal Coliform,
and Ammonia/Nitrogen. However, in our most recent tests we have passed Fecal, but still are
failing BOD and Ammonia, although we are closer to meeting the required limits.
-MC Dw1% ofEvean matntal 1,JaYfty
APR 15 2020
Plan of Action Rtleigh RegioW Office
The ORC has determined a course of action to return the plant to proper operational capability:
1. Brief the Town's Board of Commissioners on the status of the WWTP and receive
funding to achieve the following steps — COMPLETED 2/25/2020
2. Schedule a WWTP evaluation with Dwight Lancaster of the Rural Water Authority —
COMPLETED 3/4/2020
3. Identify source of Chlorine piping leak and replace piping to the pump inlet to support
proper dichlorination process operation. LEAK IDENTIFIED AND REPAIRED,
ADDITIONAL LINE INSTALLED FROM CHLORINE TANK TO PUMP,
OPERATION NORMAL. COMPLETED 3/5/2020
4. Request Charles Underwood & Associates, as the nearest dealer for our brand of Grit
Chamber, investigate design changes and/or repairs to bring it into an operational status.

5. Contract with Charles Underwood & Associates to install at least one RAS pump and
replace the controller and wiring — CONTROLLER AND ONE RAS PUMP
INSTALLED 3/30/2020
6. Contact Jason Smith of Granville Farms for the removal of 100 - 200,000 gallons of
sludge—350,000 GALLONS OF SLUDGE BEING LAND APPLIED 4/5/2020
7. Contract with Charles Underwood & Associates to rebuild Tertiary Filter Pumps 1 & 2 —
COMPLETED 3/31/2020
8. Contract with Charles Underwood & Associates to remove the Skimmer Box piping and
submersible pump from Clarifier 41 and return to pumping activated sludge through the
RAS pump
9. Return Clarifier #2 to service — RETURNED TO SERVICE 3/10/202
10. (Priority #2) Contract with Charles Underwood & Associates to repair Tertiary Filter
#Eland remove, or valve, the bypass piping around the Tertiary Filters. AWAITING
PROPOSAL FROM UNDERWOOD, EXPECT FUNDING FROM BOARD ON 4/7
11. Town personnel will replace/repair the Heater and Exhaust fan in the Influent Pump
Room — COMPLETED 3/7/2020
12. Remove sludge buildup in the Contact Chamber. COMPLETED AND WILL BE AN
ONGOING OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT
13. Replace the missing blower unit on #1 Post Aeration Blower, there is currently no blower
installed.
14. (New Item Priority #1) Install new rotating assembly in Main Influent Pump #1 and
install a new motor. QUOTE RECEIVED, SEEKING FUNDING 4/7 FROM BOARD.
The Board has previously okayed the purchase, we just needed a proposal.
Future Actions
Modify the Town's permit to allow use of the Drying Beds for removal of sludge from
the PIant.
2. ORC, Collections and Administrator investigate lift stations to identify abnormal flows.
Once identified, if any, obtain services from the Rural Water Association to smoke test
the area in an effort to identify intrusion and infiltration sources.
As can be seen from the items above in the Plan of Action, the Town is moving forward to
provide the services and equipment needed to stabilize the plant operations. We have added a
new item, which is currently our priority number one to complete, the repair of the # 1 Main
Influent pump, which has been out of commission for some years. Recently, during a high flow
situation, Main Influent Pump ##3 experienced loss of all 3 drive belts. The flow could not be
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handled by only one Main Influent pump, and a Bypass occurred. The 4RC immediately
contacted Mitch Hays, and a Bypass, 5-Day Reporting Form was submitted. This event required
us to add Main Influent pump #E1 as our number 1 priority to decrease the chance of future
Bypass incidents.
If you have any questions regarding this update, please do not hesitate to contact me at
252.826.3152.
Sincerely,
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Charles Bailey
Administrator
NC Dept of Environmental Quality
APR i i 2o2o
Raleigh Regional Office
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