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Home My WebLink AboutNC0020656_Inspection_20121002*VA NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Charles Wakild, P. E. Dee Freeman Governor Director Secretaly October 2, 2012 Robert Ellis, Treatment Plants Director City of Laurinburg P.O. Box 249 Laurinburg, NC 28379 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) City of Laurinburg Leith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant NPDES Permit No. NC0020656 Scotland County Dear Mr. Ellis, Enclosed you will find a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection report for the inspection that was conducted on September 19, 2012. A tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was conducted as part of the inspection. All observations were recorded in Part D: Summary of Findings/Comments of this inspection report.. The following -three items that were noted in the March 9,-2011 CEI report were repaired: 1) the holes in the walls of the chlorine, contact chamber, 2) the Extended Aeration Basin #2 weir bracket, and 3) the influent grit pump. During the recent CEI, the Aeration Basin #1 weir bracket was observed as needing repair. Please repair the bracket at your first available opportunity. On the day of this CEI, the facility was found to be in compliance with the NPDES permit NC0020656. I appreciate the time and professional courtesy that was extended by you and Ricky Odum (Back -Up ORC) during the inspection. If you have any questions or comments concerning this report, please contact me at (910) 433-3312. incerely, 4 Dale Lopez Environmental Specialist Enclosure: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report Regional Field Inspectors Check List for Field Parameters Digital photographs (four of contact chamber repair, one of visual quantity of dried sludge in storage, and one of the Aeration Basin #1 weir bracket in. need of repair) cc: Ricky Odumm,_Back-Up ORC Laurinburg Leith Creek WWTP FRO _Ei1es `(Mark Brantley] 225 Green Street -Suite 714 —Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043 Phone: 910-433-33001 FAX: 910-486-0707 Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 Internet: www.ncwaterquality.orq An Equal Opporlu nity i Affirmative Action Employer No th.Carolina Naturally United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 Approval expires 8-31-98 Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS) Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection 1 1 N 1 2 1 51 31 NC0020656 1 11 121 12/09/19 117 Type Inspector Fac Type 181 C 1 191 S 1 20I 11 1111 1111 III111I66 Remarks 211111 1111 111111111111 11111111 1111 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---- ------ ---- Reserved-------------- 671 3.0 ' 169 70I 31 711 I 721 N 1 731 1 1 74 751 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 80 Section B: Facility Data ' Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) Leith Creek WWTP Hall St Extension Laurinburg NC 28352 Entry Time/Date 10:00 AM 12/09/19 Permit Effective Date 09/11/01 Exit Time/Date 02:00 PM 12/09/19 Permit Expiration Date 14/08/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Ricky Todd Odom/ORC/910-291-1718/ Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible OfficialfTitle/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Robert A. Ellis,PO Box 249 Laurinburg NC 28353//910-277-0214/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit • Flow Measurement • Operations & Maintenance • Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Program • Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters Laboratory Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) (See attachment summary) Name(s) aRa'Signature(s) of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers \ Dale Lopez \ ' FRO WQ//910-433-3300 Ext.712/ Date /0/✓1R Val Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date I6/3/,1a EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page # NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type 31 NC0020656 111 121 12/09/19 1 17 181 CI (cont.) 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Enclosed you will find a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection report for the inspection that was conducted on September 19, 2012. A tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was conducted as part of the inspection. All observations were recorded in Part D: Summary of Findings/Comments of this inspection report. The following three items that were noted in the March 9, 2011 CEI report were repaired: 1) the holes in the walls of the chlorine contact chamber, 2) the Extended Aeration Basin #2 weir bracket, and 3) the influent grit pump. During the recent CEI, the Aeration Basin #1 weir bracket was observed as needing repair. On the day of this CEI, the facility was found to be in compliance with the NPDES permit NC0020656. I appreciate the time and professional courtesy that was extended by you and Ricky Odum (Back -Up ORC) during the inspection. If you have any questions or comments concerning this report, please contact me at (910) 433-3312. The following notes were taken during a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant on September 19, 2012 as part of the inspection. The automatic bar screen and hydraulic press appeared to be in good working condition. The automatic bar screen could be operated in either the automatic or the manual modes. The grit chamber unit was operational. When the automatic dialer for the influent pump station was activated, the water treatment plant was dialed first, then the police station, and finally the on -call operator. The wastewater treatment plant operators were on -site from 7 AM until 4 PM, Monday through Friday. On weekends, the on -call operator routinely checked the pump stations, the WWTP, and performed the weekend laboratory work. Four influent pumps were operational. The pumps were automatically rotated each time that the influent wastewater switch was activated. The influent 24-hour composite sampler and refrigerator were located near the two influent Parshall Flumes; and, each flume had an ultrasonic flow meter. Both the influent pump station generator and the WWTP generator were exercised under -load for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours by means of the manual switchover on the first Monday of each month. The influent generator was capable of automatic switchover if the electrical power failed. The generator fuel tanks were at the full level. The generator for the WWTP was capable of handling all of the wastewater treatment plant. Every morning, the auto dialer and the EQ pumps were checked by shutting off all of the influent pumps at the influent pump station, thereby allowing the influent wastewater level to increase. This activated the float switch for the EQ pump station, and it also activated the auto dialer. This daily test resulted in the transfer of approximately 1,000 gallons of raw wastewater into the EQ basin. The EQ basin was drained at least every ten days of the raw wastewater that had accumulated during the week of daily testing. The oxidation ditch and the clarifier #3 were both operational. On the extended aeration side of the WWTP, the aerators were turned on and off by a timer. The DO was routinely between 1.0 to 2.0 mg/L. The scum that was collected at clarifiers #1 and #2 flowed to the head of Side 1. The scum that was collected at clarifier #3 (on Side Two) was pumped back to the splitter mixing box near the headworks, and was later pumped back into all three aeration basins. Clarifier weirs were swept during routine daily cleaning. On "Side One", the chlorine contact chamber was pumped out whenever the solids depth in the chlorine contact chamber was between 10 to 12 inches; according to Mr. Odum, this occurred approximately every three days. During the cleaning procedure, the contents of the chlorine contact chamber flowed to the wet well, and then the solids were pumped to the head of the plant. The total depth of the chlorine contact chamber was thirteen feet. The sodium hypochlorite disinfectant and the sulfur dioxide dechlor were not set up for flow paced dosage, because the flow meter was located at the cascade aerator and there is not a line of communication from that flow meter back to the WWTP. Page # 2 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 09/19/2012 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation communication from that flow meter back to the WWTP. Page # 3 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 09/19/2012 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ■ n n n Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge • n n n Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: Permit Yes No NA NE (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: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE 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 operator 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? nn■n ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ nnn ■ nnn nn■n ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn Page # 4 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 09/19/2012 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE 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? ❑ n ■ ❑ 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: Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? Is the wet well free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? Comment: When the automatic dialer for the influent pump station was activated, the water treatment plant was dialed first, then the police station, and finally the on -call operator. Pump Station - Effluent Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Yes No NA NE ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn • nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn Yes No NA NE ■ nnn N unn ■ nnn ■ nnn n nn■ Page # 5 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 09/19/2012 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Pump Station - Effluent Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? Comment: Bar Screens Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Comment: Grit Removal Type of grit removal a.Manual b.Mechanical Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? Is the grit free of excessive odor? # Is disposal of grit in compliance? Comment: 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ■ ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn Yes No NA NE n ■ ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn Yes No NA NE ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ ❑❑n. ■ nnn Page # 6 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 09/19/2012 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/ of the sidewall depth) Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No- NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Fixed 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? Ninon Is the DO level acceptable? ■ ❑ n n Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) ■ ❑ n ❑ Comment: Oxidation Ditches Are the aerators operational? Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? # Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? Is the DO level acceptable? Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes) Comment: 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 ■ ❑ ❑. ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑❑❑ ■ ❑❑❑ ■ nnn ■ .n❑n ■ ❑❑❑ ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn Yes No NA NE ■ ❑❑❑ ■ ❑❑❑ ■ ❑❑❑ ■ n❑n ■ n❑n nnn■ Page # 7 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 09/19/2012 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE Comment: 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? Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? Comment: 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? Comment: 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)? Comment: Laboratory Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? Yes No NA NE Gas ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn n n■n n n■n Yes No NA NE ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn n nn■ ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn Yes No NA NE ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn Yes No NA NE ■ nnn Page # 8 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 09/19/2012 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Laboratory Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? # Is the facility using a contract lab? # 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? Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? Comment: Equalization Basins Is the basin aerated? Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? Is the basin free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable'? Are float controls operable? Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? Comment: The,contents of the EQ Basin was drained every ten days. Drying Beds Is there adequate drying bed space? 'Is the sludge distribution on drying beds appropriate? Are the drying beds free of vegetation? # Is the site free of dry sludge remaining in beds? Is the site free of stockpiled sludge? Is the filtrate from sludge drying beds returned to the front of the plant? # Is the sludge disposed of through county landfill? # Is the sludge land applied? (Vacuum filters) Is polymer mixing adequate? Comment: Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑❑a ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn Yes No NA NE ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn nnn ■ ■ n..nn Yes No NA NE ■ nnn ■ nnn. ■ n n n ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ nnn ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ nnn■ Yes No NA NE ■ n n n ■ nnn Page # 9 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 09/19/2012 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? ■ n n n # Is the odor acceptable? ■ n n n # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? ■ n n n Comment: Page # 10 Regional Inspectors' Checklist for Field Parameters Facility Name: Laurinburg WWTP Regional Plant Inspector: Dale Lopez \Y,C_ NPDES #: NC0020656 Regional Inspector Contact #: (910) 433-3312 Field Lab Certification #: 133 Region: Fayetteville Lab Contact: (910) 276-3522 Date: 09/19/2012 I. Check the parameter(s) performed at this site for reporting purposes. ® Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) ® Temperature (TEMP) ❑ Specific Conductivity (SC) ® pH ® Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ❑ Settleable Residue (SETT) II. General Laboratory (note any exceptions in section XI Are instruments, meters, probes, photometric cells, etc. maintained in good condition? ' Yes ❑ No Are standards, reagents and consumables used within manufacturer expiration dates? ►4 Yes ❑ No [TRC gel standard is exempt.] Are the following items documented ( where :applicable) Item Date of sample collection* Time of sample collection* TRr J TEMP< 4.1 SC "SETT, Sample collector's initials or signature Date of sample analysis* Time of sample analysis* Analyst initials or signature Sample location J J J J J J *Date and time of sample collection and analysis may be the same for in situ or on -site measurements. III , : „Total Residual Chlorine Total Residual Chlorine meter make and model: HACH DR2400 Is a check standard analyzed each day of use? (Circle one: gel or liquid standard) /1 Yes ❑ No What is the assigned/observed value of the daily check standard? 10 & 300 pg/L Is a 5-point calibration verification performed? Note date of last verification: 02/17/2012 ►1 Yes ❑ No Alternatively, does the lab construct a linear regression, using 5 standards, to calculate results? Note date of last calibration curve constructed: ❑ Yes ❑ No True values: /1 pg/L ❑ mg/L 10 50 100 300 500 Obtained values: ❑ pg/L ❑ mg/L 9 49 101 309 510 What program are samples analyzed on? Are results reported in proper units? Check one: a pg/L ❑ mg/L /1 Yes ❑ No Are results reported between the facility's' permit limit and the compliance limit of 50 pg/L? If value is less than the low standard, report as "<x", where x=low standard conc. Yes ❑ No Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection? i1 Yes ❑ No IW.' ' _ pH pH meter make and model: FYSI 60 Is the pH meter calibrated with at least 2 buffers per mfg's instructions each day of use? Note buffers used: I Yes ❑ No Is the pH meter calibration checked with an additional buffer each day of use? Note check buffer used: /1 Yes ❑ No Does the check buffer read within ±0.1 S.U. of the known value? // Yes ❑ No Are the following items documented: Meter calibration? Yes ❑ No Check buffer reading? /1 Yes ❑ No Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection? i1 Yes ❑ No Are sample results reported to 0.1 pH units? i1 Yes ❑ No V. : Temperature What instrument(s) is used to measure temperature? Check all that apply: ® pH meter ❑ DO meter ❑ Conductivity meter ❑ Digital thermometer ❑ Glass thermometer Is the instrument/thermometer calibration checked at least annually against a NIST traceable or NIST certified thermometer? ® Yes No Are temperature corrections (even if zero) posted on the instrument/thermometer? Are samples measured in situ or on -site? [REQUIRED - there is no holding time for temperature] Are sample results reported in degrees C? Dissolved Oxygen. DO meter make and model: Is the air calibration of the DO meter performed each day of use? Are the following items documented: ®Yes El No ® Yes El No ® Yes ❑No fYS 1550 ®Yes ❑No Meter calibration? ®Yes No Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection? Are results reported in mg/L? V Conductivity ®Yes 10 No ® Yes ❑ No Conductivity meter make and model: Is the meter calibrated daily according to the manufacturer's instructions? Note standard used (this is generally a one -point calibration): Is a daily check standard analyzed? Note value: Are the following items documented: ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No Meter calibration? ❑ Yes ❑ No Are samples analyzed within 28 days of collection? Are results reported in pmhos/cm (some meters display equivalent pS/cm units)? VIII.: Settleable Residue Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No Does the laboratory have an Imhoff Cone in good condition? Is the sample settled for 1 hour? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No Is the sample agitated after 45 minutes? Are the following items documented: Volume of sample analyzed? Note volume analyzed: Date and time of sample analysis (settling start time)? Time of agitation after 45 minutes of settling? Sample analysis completion (settling end time)? Are samples analyzed within 48 hours of collection? Are results reported in ml/L? as a paper trail jco_rnparing contract. lab and on'site data to DIV erformed? If so, hst months reviewer ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑. No Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Yes .❑No Is follow-up by the Laboratory Certification;' program recommended? XI. Additional comments: pH buffers expiration dates --- 7 pH = June 2013 10 pH = March 2013 4 pH = July 2013 Conductivity standards expiration dates --- 1413 pS = October 2012 100 pS = October 2012 12.9 pS = November 2012 Please submit a copy of this completed form to the Laboratory Certification program at: DWQ Lab Certification, Chemistry Lab, Courier # 52-01-01 Electronic copies may be emailed to linda.chavis(a ncdenr.gov. Revision 04/20/2012