NC0020656_Inspection_20100511

Z � O
NCDE [y? R
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
May 11, 2010
Robert Ellis, Treatment Plants Director
City of Laurinburg
P.O. Box 249
Laurinburg, NC 28379
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
The 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 April 29, 2010. A tour of the Wastewater Treatment
Plant was conducted as part of the inspection. All observations are in Part D: Summary of
Findings/Comments of this inspection report. It is recommended that flow paced dosage of
chlorine and sulfur dioxide be installed at the wastewater treatment plant. There may be
long-term cost savings realized by the Laurinburg Leith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
in the use of flow proportional dosage . equipment for chlorine and sulfur dioxide. The
reasoning is that during low flow conditions that occur during the evening hours, the
dosage of the chlorine and the sulfur dioxide would automatically be reduced (thus saving
with the cost of the chlorine disinfectant and the sulfurdioxide dechlorinating agent). An
additional benefit is that the optimum dosage for each agent would be maintained
throughout the day and night.
We 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 [phone].
'merely,
D2le Lopez
Environmental . ecialis
Enclosure: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
cc: Ricky Odum, City of Laurinburg, (Backup-ORC)
OFR7b+Ki1les
Central Files
225 Green St., Suite 714, Fayetteville, NC 28301-5043
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748
Internet: www.ncwaterquality,org
An Equai Opporiuni[y t Affirmative Action Employer
Dre.
ortl Carolina
Naturally

United States Environmental Protection Agency
E P n Washington, D.C. 20460
/`1 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 I NI 2 151 31 NC0020656 111 121 10/04/29 117
Type Inspector Fac Type
181CI 191SI 201
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 166
Remarks
21I I I I 1 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA — Reserved
671 2.0 169 791 31 711 I 721 NI 731
I 174 751 1 1 1 1 1 1 180
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 10/04/29
Permit Effective Date
09/11/01
Exit Time/Date
02:00 PM 10/04/29
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 Official/Title/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 • Facility Site Review • Effluent/Receiving Waters
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) antSlg a >(s) of Inspector(s) ) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Dale Lopez FRO WQ//910-433-3300 Ext.712/ r o/O
, e 5-/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
lat•GO/A) 11 ^ s // a// )
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page # 1

31
NPDES
NC0020656
111 121
yr/mo/day
10/04/29
Inspection Type
17 18ICI
(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 April 29, 2010. As part of the inspection a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was
conducted. One of the drying beds on Side 2 (the new side, or oxidation ditch side) was approaching
storage room capacity for holding dried sludge that was taken from the filter beds. Plans were to apply it to
the LMAC airbase within two months. The 503 Regulations for fecal coliform must still be met for sludge
disposal before the sludge will be allowed to be land applied. Generally, it takes approximately three and a
half years until capacity for this dried sludge holding bed to be reached. The automatic bar screen, the bar
screen hydraulic press appeared to be in good working order. It could be operated in automatic or manual
modes. The grit chamber unit was operational. When activated, the automatic dialer for the influent pump
station dialed the water treatment plant first, then the police station and the on -call person. 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 all of the pump stations, checked the WWTP, and did the lab work that
needed to be performed. Both influent pumps were operational during this inspection. The pumps were
automatically rotated each time that the influent wastewater switch was activated. The influent composite
sample refrigerator and 24-hour composite sampler were located near the two influent Parshall Flumes, and
each had an ultrasonic flow meter. All of the generators were exercised under load for approximately one
hour on the first Monday of each month. The generator diesel fuel tanks were maintained at % full. The
generator for the WWTP handled all of the wastewater treatment plant. Every morning, the auto dialer and
the EQ pumps were checked by shutting off all of the pumps at the influent pump station. The influent
wastewater level was allowed to go up, activating the float switch for the EQ pump station, the auto dialer,
and the EQ pumps, which resulted in transfering wastewater into the EQ basin. On each Friday, the EQ
was drained of the wastewater that was pumped in during week of daily testing. Both the oxidation ditch of
Side Two (the New Side) and the clarifier were operational and did not have an excessive amount of foam.
On the extended aeration side, the aerators were turned on and off by a timer. The DO was routinely
between 1.0 to 2.0 mg/L. There was a lot of foam present in the Side One aeration basin (the Old Side).
The excessive foam may be related to the weather changes and to the aerator run time changes. The scum
that was collected at clarifiers #1 and #2 flowed by gravity to the small sludge holding tank, and later went to
the sludge drying beds. The scum that was collected at clarifier #3 was pumped back to the splitter mixing
box near the head works, and was later flowed back into all three aeration basins. The clarifier weirs were
swept during routine daily cleaning. The chlorine contact chamber was cleaned whenever the sludge depth
approached a depth of approximately 10 inches. The total depth of the chlorine contact chamber was
thirteen feet. The automatic switchover units for chlorine and sulfur dioxide were both operational. As a
suggestion, please keep the security chains attached to the chlorine and dechlor cylinders that are on the
weighing scales. Neither the sulfur dioxide nor the chlorine were set up for flow paced dosing. It is
recommended that flow paced dosage of chlorine and sulfur dioxide be installed at the wastewater
treatment plant. There may be long-term cost savings realized by the Laurinburg Leith Creek Wastewater
Treatment Plant by the use of flow proportional dosage equipment for chlorine and sulfur dioxide. The
reasoning is that during low flow conditions that occur during the evening hours, the dosage of the chlorine
and the sulfur dioxide would automatically be reduced and thereby reduce the cost for the disinfectant and
dechlor agent. An additional benefit is that the optimum dosages would be maintained throughout the day
and night.
Page # 2

Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek VW TP
Inspection Date: 04/29/2010 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? BODO
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge V 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? n n ■ n
Is the facility as described in the permit? ■ n n n
# Are there any special conditions for the permit? • n n n
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? ■ n n n
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? ■ ❑ ❑ n
Comment:
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? ■ n n n
Is all required information readily available, complete and current? ■ n n n
Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? • ❑ ❑ n
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? ■ n ❑ n
Is the chain -of -custody complete? ■ .n n n
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? ■ n n n
(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator on each shift? n n ■ n
Is the ORC visitation log available and current? ■ n n n
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? ■ n n n
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? ■ n n n
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ■ n n n
Page # 3

Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek VVWTP
Inspection Date: 04/29/2010 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review'?
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:
Pump Station - Influent
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: Every morning, the auto dialer and the EQ pumps were checked by
shutting off all of the pumps at the influent pump station. Then, the influent wastewater
level was allowed to go up, the float switch activated the auto dialer and pumps for the
EQ pump station. On Fridays, the EQ was drained of the water that was pumped in
during the daily testing.
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?
Yes No NA NE
❑ ❑. ❑ ■
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
nnn■
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
Page # 4

Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility:. Leith Creek WVVTP
Inspection Date: 04/29/2010 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Pump Station - Effluent
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
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:
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?
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
nnn®
Yes No NA NE
n
■
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
n
■
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
onnn
■ nnn
nnn■
■ nnn
Page # 5

Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/29/2010 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Equalization Basins
Comment: Every morning, the auto dialer and the EQ pumps were checked by
shutting off all of the pumps at the influent pump station. Then, the influent wastewater
level was allowed to go up, the float switch activated the auto dialer and pumps for the
EQ pump station. On Fridays, the EQ was drained of the water that was pumped in
during the daily testing.
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 'A of the sidewall depth)
Comment:
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?
Is the DO level acceptable?
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I)
Comment: On the extended aeration side, the aerators were turned on by a timer.
The DO was routinely between 1.0 to 2.0 mg/L. The foam covered approximately 75%
of Side 1 (Old Side) aeration basin. The large amount of foam may be related to the
changes in the weather and to the changes in the aerator run times.
Yes No NA NE
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ ❑❑❑
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nn❑
Yes No NA NE
Ext. Air
Fixed
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
■ nnn
■ ❑■❑
■ nnn
■ nnn
Page # 6

Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/29/2010 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE
Are the aerators operational? ® n n 0
Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? • n n n
# Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? • n n n
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? ■ n n n
Is the DO level acceptable'? ■ n n n
Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? n n n i
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) ■ n n n
Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes) n n n •
Comment:
Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE
Are cylinders secured adequately? ■ n n n
Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? i n n n
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? ■ n n n
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? inn n
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? ■ n n n
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ■ n n n
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? n n i n
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? n n ■ n
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- - )
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: The sulfur dioxide and the chlorine gases were not flow paced dosing. It
is recommended that flow paced dosage of chlorine and sulfur dioxide be installed at
the wastewater treatment plant. There may be Tong -term cost savings realized by the
Laurinburg Leith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in the use of flow proportional
dosage equipment for chlorine and sulfur dioxide. The reasoning is that during low flow
conditions that occur during the evening hours, the dosage of the chlorine and the sulfur
dioxide would automatically be reduced, and the optimum dosage would be maintained
throughout the day and night.
De -chlorination
Type of system ?
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
Yes No NA NE
Gas
■ nnn
■ nnn
Page # 7

Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek VWVTP
Inspection Date: 04/29/2010 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
De -chlorination
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Comment: The security chains needed to be attached to the cylinders that were on the
weighing scales. Neither the sulfur dioxide nor the chlorine were flow paced dosing. It
is recommended that flow paced dosage of chlorine and sulfur dioxide be installed at
the wastewater treatment plant. There may be long-term cost savings realized by the
Laurinburg Leith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant -in the use of flow proportional
dosage equipment for chlorine and sulfur dioxide. The reason is that during low flow
conditions that occur during the evening hours, the dosage of the chlorine and the sulfur
dioxide would automatically be reduced, and the optimum dosage would be maintained
throughout the day and night.
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:
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Are. pumps in place?
Are pumps operational?
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
Comment:
Effluent Sampling
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
Is proper volume collected?
Is the tubing clean?
Yes No NA NE
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
n nn■
n nn■
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ rinn
n nn■
■ nnn
n nn■
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
Page # 8

Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek V VVTP
Inspection Date: 04/29/2010 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Sampling
# 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:
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
Page # 9