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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0026646_NOV-2020-PC-0545_20201218 (2)United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved. EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report Approval expires 8-31-98 Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS) Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 IN 1 2 15 1 3 I NC0026646 I11 121 20/12/15 I17 18 n 19 L G j 201 2111111�-1111111111111111111111111111111111111 f6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 CA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 67 I 71 I I 72 L n, � 73 LLI74 71 I I I I I I I80 70 Iu ty LJ Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES permit Number) 10:OOAM 20/12/15 20/12/01 Pilot Mountain WWTP Lynchburg Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Pilot Mountain NC 27041 01:OOPM 20/12/15 25/02/28 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Edwin K Scott/ORC/336-368-4041/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Michael Boaz,124 W Main St Pilot Mtn NC 27041//336-444-3000/3363689532 No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispos Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Wate Laboratory Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) (See attachment summary) Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Justin L Henderson Docusigned by: DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9701/ 12/18/2020 US{tta hu' t,Vs&' 1 5F352596F81B496... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date ocusigned by: - -T Snicttr 12/21/2020 EL -145B49t22SC:94EA-. EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) 31 NCO026646 I11 12I 20/12/15 117 18 ICI Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On December 15, 2020, North Carolina Division of Water Resources (DWR) staff persons Justin Henderson, and Alex Lowe performed a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the subject facility. Mr. Kent Scott, ORC, and Mr. Mark King, Back -Up ORC were present during this inspection. This type of inspection consists of two basic parts: an in -office review of the facility files and self -monitoring data and an on -site inspection of the facility. This inspection reflects non-compliance with Permit No. NC0026646. The following violations require your attention and action: 1) An unreported bypass was discovered and ongoing during this inspection. Wastewater was observed leaking from a crack, located in the wall of the outer oxidation ditch. The observed discharge point was located approximately 180 degrees adjacent to where the influent pump station discharged into the oxidation ditch. This bypass persisted during the entire inspection, and reportedly as of the dat( of this letter is still ongoing. The ORC reported that leakage from this location had been noticed approximately six weeks prior to this inspection. Permit Condition Part II. Section C (4.) (c) (1) states: bypass from the treatment facility is prohibited and the Permit Issuing Authority may take enforcement action against a Permittee for bypass. 2) Failure to report the occurrence of an unanticipated bypass within 24-hour notice. Permit Condition Part II. Section C. (4) (b) (2) states The Permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as required in Part II.E.6. (24-hour notice). As noted above, the ORC acknowledged that a bypass had been observed occurring at this location as early as six weeks, prior to the inspection that was conducted on December 15, 2020. 3) Failure to conduct appropriate maintenance with respect to the oxidation ditch to prevent the growtr of excessive vegetation. Woody vegetation was consistently present and overgrown in the outer ring of the oxidation ditch. Permit Condition Part II. Section C. (2.) states: the permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control which are installed or used by the Permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. 4) Failure to conduct flow proportional composite sampling (both influent and effluent) in accordance with Permit Condition Part II. Composite Sampling. Mr. Scott, ORC indicated that composite samples currently were being collected via the constant time/constant volume method however, use of this method requires prior approval by the Director, and may only be used in situations where effluent flow rates vary less than 15 percent. 5) Failure to ensure the composite sample is maintained at or below six (6) degrees Celsius during the entire compositing period per CFR part 136.3 Table II. There were no thermometers present in either the effluent or influent composite samplers nor were any records available to demonstrate the sample compartment cooling was maintained in accordance with CFR part 136.3. The current influent composite sampler was not capable of mechanical cooling, and the ORC acknowledged that the sample is not cooled with ice during the compositing period. 6) The effluent composite sampler was collecting aliquots prior to final treatment of effluent. Permit Condition Part II. Section D (1.) states: samples collected, and measurements taken shall be representative of the permitted discharge. All samples shall be taken at the monitoring points specified in the permit. 7) Failure to maintain appropriate quality assurance procedures associated with the pH meter calibration requirements. The high range pH buffer (pH 10 buffer), utilized to calibrate the pH meter for per event sampling, had been expired since March 2020. Permit Condition Part II. C states: proper Page# Permit: NCO026646 Inspection Date: 12/15/2020 Owner -Facility: Pilot Mountain WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation operation and maintenance also includes adequate laboratory controls and appropriate quality assurance procedures. 8) Failure to maintain records of sewage sludge removal for a period of at least five years. Permit Condition Part II. Section D (6) states: records of the Permittee's sewage sludge use and disposal activities shall be retained for a period of at least five years (or longer as required by 40 CFR 503). 9) Failure to conduct and/or maintain documented logs for the calibration of meters utilized to monitor and report effluent temperature analysis in accordance with Permit Condition Part II. Section C (2.), Permit Condition Part II Section D. (6.), and the North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification Approved Procedures. 10) Failure to properly maintain the clarifier's surface scum basin to prevent the discharge of floating solids. The scum basin within the one operating clarifier was clogged to the degree that floating solids/trash was observed discharging across the clarifier's weir, during this inspection. Permit Condition Part II. Section C. (2.) states: The Permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control. 11) Failure to properly maintain the "brush" rotors and their associated motors, designed to provide aeration within the oxidation ditch to promote nitrification. Three of the five "brush" rotors were inoperable. Two were missing motors altogether and the other motor had fallen into the oxidation ditch. Permit Condition Part II. Section C. (2.) states: The Permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control. Along with the above described violations the following items of concern warrant your attention: a) The clarifier weir appeared to be unlevel, as various rates of discharges were observed at multiple locations along the weir. Design specifications would be expected to call for uniform discharge rates across the entire weir. b) The facilities treatment equipment included the presence of 2 clarifiers, however only one of the tw( clarifiers is currently operable. The "out of service" clarifier reportedly has been off-line in excess of three years and significant rust was present on nearly all mechanical components of the treatment unit. Permit Condition Part II. Section C. (2.) states: The Permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control. Should the Permittee allege that treatment equipment is unnecessary to achieve compliance with the subject permit, based upon an engineering design evaluation, then the equipment deemed unnecessary should be requested to be removed from the Permittee's treatment equipment description contained in the permit. c) Permit Condition Part II. Section C (7.) states: The Permittee is responsible for maintaining adequate safeguards (as required by 15A NCAC 02H .0124) to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes during electrical power failures either by means of alternate power sources, standby generators, or retention of inadequately treated effluent. The facility had an on -site generator that was only capable of providing power to the influent pump station. Reportedly, the facility does not have the capacity nor any effluent storage equipment present to ensure retention of inadequately treated effluent should the facility be subject to an extended period of power failure. d) The effluent pump station was visited as part of this inspection. While not listed as part of the treatment equipment authorized by this permit, it was noted that effluent pump #2 had a significant leak and needed maintenance/repair. Page# Permit: NCO026646 Owner -Facility: Pilot Mountain WWTP Inspection Date: 12/15/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: Proper maintenance of all facilities has been neglected to the point that excessive vegetativE growth was present in the oxidation ditch. Brush rotor motors were missing and had not been replaced. One motor had fallen into the oxidation ditch and been allowed to remain there. Permit (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new application? Is the facility as described in the permit? # Are there any special conditions for the permit? Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? Comment: Effluent Pipe Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Comment: Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ I0m. ill r•7ill rim ill 1:1 ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO026646 Inspection Date: 12/15/2020 Aerobic Digester # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Owner -Facility: Pilot Mountain WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: Reportedly the facility has not wasted any solids in over two years as all solids are "recycled" in the plant. The ORC attributed this operation to the low influent TSS values received by the Dalnt due to the decreased flows. Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: SCADA is not available. Effluent Pump #2 had a significant leak and was needed maintenance/repair. Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical ❑ Are the bars adequately screening debris? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: trash and solids that had bypassed this screeninq unit was seen in the clarifier. Page# 5 Permit: NCO026646 Inspection Date: 12/15/2020 Owner -Facility: Pilot Mountain WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? Are weirs level? Is the site free of weir blockage? Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? Is scum removal adequate? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? Is the drive unit operational? Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Scum basin was clogged prevent adequate removal of floating solids. Trash and other solids were observed crossing the weir. Varying rates of discharge was oberved at muiltiple locations along the weir sugguesting that the weir is unlevel or that blockage is not prevente( as is necessary. Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE Are the aerators operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes) ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 3 of the 5 brush rotors are inoperable due to failure to repair/replace/maintain the motors. Aeration is only provided by the two remaining operable rotors. De -chlorination Type of system ? Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? Is storage appropriate for cylinders? # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Yes No NA NE Gas ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO026646 Inspection Date: 12/15/2020 De -chlorination Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? Comment: Owner -Facility: Pilot Mountain WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Is automatically activated standby power available? Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? Is the generator tested under load? Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The stand-by generator is only capapble of providing power to the influent pump station. Thi: generator provides notification of power failure to the ORC, but requires manual activiation during power failures. Laboratory Yes No NA NE Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the facility using a contract lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Influent composite sample is not maintained at proper temperature as it is not cooled unitl after collection per the ORC. The effluent composite sampler did not have a thermometer to confirm cooling was properly achieved during entire compositing period. Disinfection -Liquid Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NCO026646 Inspection Date: 12/15/2020 Disinfection -Liquid Comment: Influent Sampling # Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected above side streams? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? Owner -Facility: Pilot Mountain WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Is sampling performed according to the permit? Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Sampler does not include mechanical coolinq and per ORC is not cooled by any other means during the compositinq period. Sample collection is not flow proportionally collected. Effluent Sampling Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Comment: Effluent composite sampler was not collected sample below all treatment. Effluent composite sampler did not have a thermometer. Tubing was discolored and needed to be replaced. Page# 8