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Home My WebLink AboutNC0024252_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20201221ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director Brian Bradshaw, Utility Director City of Conover Post Office Box 549 Conover, North Carolina 28613 Dear Mr. Bradshaw: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality December 21, 2020 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Conover/Northeast WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO024252 Catawba County Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on December 16, 2020, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at (704) 235-2192, or via email at wes.bellgncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Docu Signed by: �" 4tV Ei PU4,f . for F161FB69A2D84A3... W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Enclosure: Inspection Report D Q � North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Mooresville Regional Office 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 NOR7H ORROLINA i kmrl l m EnNromi W -'; � 704.663.1699 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 u 3 I NCO024252 I11 121 20/12/16 I17 18I � I 19 I s I 201 I 211IIIII 111111III II III III1 I I IIIII IIIIIIIII II r6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 67 2.0 701d I 71 I„ I 72 I r., I 71 I 74 79 I I I I I I I80 L—I ty L-1 I I 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 Dermit Number) 09:OOAM 20/12/16 16/12/01 Northeast WWTP 3680 Hillview Dr Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Conover NC 28613 12:25PM 20/12/16 21/11/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Brian Robert Bradshaw/ORC/828-464-4808/ Eric Williams/Operator/828-465-2279 / Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Donald E Duncan,PO Box 549 Conover NC 286130549/City Manager/828-464-4808/ 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 Dispo: 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 c uSigned by: c DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 12/21/2020 Wes Bell E�: 96D90CC3437... &RS��IY�U*Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Signature of M CeP4-� Andrew Pit H P WR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 12.21.2020 F161FB69A2D84A3... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO024252 I11 12I 20/12/16 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# Permit: NCO024252 Owner -Facility: Northeast WWTP Inspection Date: 12/16/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ application? Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The City implements a Division -approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on Record Keeping Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain -of -custody complete? Dates, times and location of sampling Name of individual performing the sampling Results of analysis and calibration Dates of analysis Name of person performing analyses Transported COCs Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operatc on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO024252 Owner -Facility: Northeast WWTP Inspection Date: 12/16/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period September 2019 through Octobel 2020. A weekly average effluent BOD violation was reported in May 2020. The Division haE Previously addressed these violations through the issuance of a Notice of Violation (NOV). The ORC will modify the internal chain of custody form to include the time effluent samples are placed in the refrigerator to verify proper preservation within 15-minutes of sample collection (Reference: 40 CFR 136.3 Table II). The permittee and ORC must ensure the wastewater treatment facility is visited [by designated ORC and/or Backup ORC(s)1 five days per week excluding legal holidays. 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? M ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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: On -site field analvses (dissolved oxvaen. DH. total residual chlorine. temDerature) are performed under the City's field laboratory certification #5904. Water Tech Labs, Inc. (all permit parameters except field and metals) and Pace Analytical (metals and toxicity) have also been contracted to provide analytical support. The ORC and staff must ensure to document the annual verification between the dissolved oxygen meter's temperature measuring device and NIST traceable thermometer. Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Is sampling performed according to the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subiect Dermit reauires influent BOD and TSS comDosite samples. The samDler aliquot verifications are performed quarterly: however, this Office recommends monthly. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO024252 Owner -Facility: Northeast WWTP Inspection Date: 12/16/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: The subiect Dermit reauires composite and arab effluent samDles. The sampler aliauot verifications are performed quarterly: however, this Office recommends monthly. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, an( 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ sampling location)? Comment: 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: The wastewater treatment facilitv aDDeared to be DrODerIv operated and well maintained. The ORC and staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program with all measurements being documented and maintained on -site. The facility is equipped with a dialer type alarm notification system for selected alarm conditions. 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: Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0024252 Inspection Date: 12/16/2020 Grit Removal Owner -Facility: Northeast WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE b.Mechanical Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the grit free of excessive odor? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is disposal of grit in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at the Catawba County Landfill by Republic Services. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The audible/visual alarms and the dialer type alarm notification system all operated properly during the on -site test. Sequencing Batch Reactors Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Quadraplex Is the reactor effluent free of solids? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Does minimum fill time correspond to the peak hour flow rate of the facility? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is aeration and mixing cycled on and off during fill? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ The operator understands and can explain the process? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: All four SBR trains are continuous fill and were operational and in service. The SBR decant/effluent was free of excessive solids. Aeration Basins Mode of operation Type of aeration system Is the basin free of dead spots? Are surface aerators and mixers operational? Are the diffusers operational? Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? Yes No NA NE Diffused ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO024252 Owner -Facility: Northeast WWTP Inspection Date: 12/16/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Is the DO level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Down flow Is the filter media present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter surface free of clogging? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter free of growth? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: All five tertiary filters were operational and in service. Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? M ❑ ❑ ❑ (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The ORC increased the sodium hypochlorite feed rate to increase the residual chlorine levels in the contact chamber durina the insDection. De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Liquid Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Number of tubes in use? Page# 7 Permit: NC0024252 Inspection Date: 12/16/2020 De -chlorination Comment: Owner -Facility: Northeast WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The receiving stream was significantly turbid due to recent rainfall events; therefore, no instream evaluation was performed. Solids Handling Equipment Yes No NA NE Is the equipment operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chemical feed equipment operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake? ❑ ❑ ❑ The facility has an approved sludge management plan? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facilitv is eauiDDed with a aravitv belt thickener (GBT) and WAS and thickened sludae storage tanks. The gravity belt thickener was operational; however, not in service. The GBl is operated two days per week. City staff transports thickened sludge (2-3 times per week) to the Regional Compost facility (located in Catawba County) for further treatment/disposal. City staff also transports sludge (4 loads per week) to the Regional Compost facility from a dedicated thickener located at the City of Newton's WWTP. Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator fuel level monitored? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The backup generator is tested weekly and placed under load monthly. A contracted company (Rob Roy) services the generator annually. The generator will not power the GBT and filter pumps. Page# 8 Permit: NC0024252 Inspection Date: 12/16/2020 Standby Power Owner -Facility: Northeast WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Page#