WQ0002127_CEI_20180517

State of North Carolina | Environmental Quality | Water Resources
2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778
828-296-4500

May 17, 2018

Brad E Boris
City of Morganton
PO Box 3448
Morganton, NC 28655-9850

SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
City of Morganton DCAR
Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0002127
Burke County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the City of
Morganton DCAR on 4/24/2018. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is
operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit
No. WQ0002127. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the
enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report".

There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a
response to this inspection report is not required. However, the following infrastructure issues
should be considered as the City moves through the annual budget process:

1. Facility staff are currently using a front-end loader to mix residuals and wood chips.
This method of mixing does not allow for the most efficient or effective way to get a
uniform product for composting. The facility would benefit from a mixing box to allow
for more thorough mixing.

2. Additional cover for finished product would be beneficial. The volume of final product
currently produced will not fit under the available storage. Coverage provides for better
housekeeping and helps ensure the finished product is free from possible fecal coliform
bacteria from bird droppings.

3. The shed roof over the wood chip mixing/storage area has several leaks. A heavy
downpour was occurring at the time of inspection and standing water was observed in
that area. This situation also allows for the possibility of contamination of finished
product.

The facility exceeded the fecal coliform bacteria limits in 2016 and twice in 2018. The above
conditions could have contributed to product not meeting requirements due to improper

State of North Carolina | Environmental Quality | Water Resources
2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778
828-296-4500

mixing/contamination. The result of noncompliance results in additional costs for landfill
disposal/additional sampling.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4500 or
via email at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Beverly Price, Environmental Senior Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report

Ec: WQS ARO Server
Laserfiche

20180517_WQ0002127_CEI.rtf
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQ0002127 Effective:03/01/18 Expiration:02/28/23 Owner :City of Morganton
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Burke
Asheville
Brad E Boris
Effective:Expiration:Facility:City of Morganton DCAR
1000 Vine Arden Rd
Morganton NC 28655
Title:Phone:[phone]Director Water Resources
I-40 to Exit 105 to Hwy. 18N. Turn rt. on Hwy. 70 By-Pass, turn left @ light to Hwy. 70 W. Turn right on Kirksey Dr. Go approx. 1.25
miles to Vine Arden Road on right.
Secondary ORC(s):
Phone:Certification:Primary ORC:
System Classifications:
24 hour contact name Tim Corpening 828-438-5375
On-site representative Shane Roper 828-438-5375
On-site representative Tim Corpening 828-438-5375
On-site representative Roney Parker 828-438-5375
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
NC0026573 City of Morganton - Catawba River Pollution Control Facility
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
04/24/2018 10:00AM 01:00PM
Beverly Price 828-296-4500
Linda S Wiggs Phone :[phone] Ext.4653
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Routine
Distribution of Residual Solids (503)
Compliance Evaluation
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions Record Keeping Treatment
Sampling Pathogen and Vector Attraction
(See attachment summary)
Page:1
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQ0002127
04/24/2018 Compliance Evaluation
City of Morganton
Routine
Inspection Summary:
The facility inspection was conducted by Beverly Price of the Asheville Regional Office. This inspection was in conjunction
with the NPDES (NC0026573) inspection conducted by Linda Wiggs. Tim Corpening, Roney Parker and Shane Roper
assisted with the inspection.
The NC0026573 report will be sent under separate cover.
The following infrastructure issues were noted during the inspection:
1.Facility staff are currently using a front-end loader to mix residuals and wood chips. This method of mixing does not
allow for the most efficient or effective way to get a uniform product for composting. The facility would benefit from a mixing
box to allow for more thorough mixing.
2.Additional cover for finished product would be beneficial. The volume of final product currently produced will not fit under
the available storage. Coverage provides for better housekeeping and helps ensure the finished product is free from possible
fecal coliform bacteria from bird droppings.
3.The shed roof over the wood chip mixing/storage area has several leaks. A heavy downpour was occurring at the time of
inspection and standing water was observed in that area. This situation also allows for the possibility of contamination of
finished product.
The facility exceeded the fecal coliform bacteria limits in 2016 and twice in 2018. The above conditions could have
contributed to product not meeting requirements due to improper mixing/contamination. The result of noncompliance results
in additional costs for landfill disposal/additional sampling.
4.The gutter downspouts from the wood chip mixing area should extend down to the drains. The current situation allows
for woods chips to wash into and clog the drains.
The stormwater drains are tied to the WWTP with one exception. The drain on the NE corner of the compost pad appeared
to be clogged, however there was no evidence of compost leachate at that drain.
Page:2
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQ0002127
04/24/2018 Compliance Evaluation
City of Morganton
Routine
Type Yes No NA NE
Land Application
Distribution and Marketing
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required?
Are GW samples from all MWs sampled for all required parameters?
Are there any GW quality violations?
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
Is a copy of current permit on-site?
Are current metals and nutrient analysis available?
Are nutrient and metal loading calculating most limiting parameters?
a. TCLP analysis?
b. SSFA (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis)?
Are PAN balances being maintained?
Are PAN balances within permit limits?
Has land application equipment been calibrated?
Are there pH records for alkaline stabilization?
Are there pH records for the land application site?
Are nutrient/crop removal practices in place?
Do lab sheets support data reported on Residual Analysis Summary?
Are hauling records available?
Are hauling records maintained and up-to-date?
# Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
Has application occurred during Seasonal Restriction window?
Comment:
Pathogen and Vector Attraction Yes No NA NE
a. Fecal coliform SM 9221 E (Class A or B)
Class A, all test must be <1000 MPN/dry gram
Geometric mean of 7 samples per monitoring period for class B<2.0*10E6 CFU/dry gram
Fecal coliform SM 9222 D (Class B only)
Geometric mean of 7 samples per monitoring period for class B<2.0*10E6 CFU/dry gram
b. pH records for alkaline stabilization (Class A)
c. pH records for alkaline stabilization (Class B)
Temperature corrected
d. Salmonella (Class A, all test must be < 3MPN/4 gram day)
Page:3
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQ0002127
04/24/2018 Compliance Evaluation
City of Morganton
Routine
e. Time/Temp on:
Digester (MCRT)
Compost
Class A lime stabilization
f. Volatile Solids Calculations
g. Bench-top Aerobic/Anaerobic digestion results
Fecal coliform samples collected in January and April were not compliant. Both compost piles
were resampled; the second analysis for both piles was compliant.
Comment:
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Check all that apply
Aerobic Digestion
Anaerobic Digestion
Alkaline Pasteurization (Class A)
Alkaline Stabilization (Class B)
Compost
Drying Beds
Other
Residuals are centrifuged after digestion.Comment:
Sampling Yes No NA NE
Describe sampling:
15-20 grab samples are collected from the screened compost pile. The grab samples are composited for
alanyses.
Is sampling adequate?
Is sampling representative?
Comment:
Page:4