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Home My WebLink AboutNC0020656_Inspection_20090220ATA NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly.Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman Governor Director Secretary February 20, 2009 Robert Ellis, Treatment Plants Director City of Laurinburg P.O. Box 249 Laurinburg, NC 28379 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection City of Laurinburg 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 February 18, 2009. As part of the inspection a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was conducted. All observations and recommendations are in Part D: Summary of Findings/Comments of this inspection report. On the day of this inspection, a sludge spill that was contained on site occurred near the small sludge holding tank. Verbal plans were to put the sludge back into the nearby manhole that flowed to the aeration basin, clean the ground area, and apply lime to the contaminated ground area. The sludge spill may have occurred as a result of approaching the capacity of the sludge holding tanks, and it may follow that the sludge capacity for the wastewater treatment plant may be inadequate because .of the following: 1) the .sludge holding tanks were approaching capacity, and 2) the clarifiers had sludge blankets that were approximately 10 feet in depth (with a clarifier sidewall depth of 13 feet). Please send this office a iwritten Plan -of -Action, due by March 24, 2009, concerning how to reduce the sludge in the holding tanks and clarifiers, and avoid a sludge -spill. Please also send a written report of the status of the February 18th sludge spill clean up. 225 Green St, Suite 714, Fayetteville, NC 28301-5043 Phone: 910-433-3300 \ FAX: 910-486-07071 Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 Internet www.ncwaterquality,org One NorthCarol.7..na An Equal Opportunity 1;;;firmatve Action Employer Mr. Ellis Page 2 February 20, 2009 We appreciate the time and professional courtesy that was extended by you and . your staff during the inspection. If you have any questions or comments concerning this report, please contact me at (910) 433-3312. Sincerely, Dale Lopez Enviromnental Specialist /dl Enclosures: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report Regional Field Inspectors Check List for Field Parameters Schematic of WWTP cc: Central Files Fayetteville Regional Office Files Ricky Odum, City of Laurinburg, (Backup-ORC) United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA- Washington, D.C. 20460' Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 App-roval expires 8-31-98 • • Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS) Transaction Code NPDES ' yr/mo/day Inspection 1 I NI 2 15I 31 NC0020656 111 121 09/02/18 117 Type Inspector Fac Type 18I CI . 19I SI 201 I IIII II.II II188 Remarks 21IIII IIIII.1IIIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Inspection Work Days . Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved 671 • 2.0 169 70 131 71 I_I 72 I NI 73.1 I 174 781, I I I I 1 I 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 10:30 AM 09/02/18 Permit Effective Date 04/11/01 Exit Time/Date 02:00 PM 09/02/18 Permit Expiration Date 09/08/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Robert A. Ellis/ORC/910-277-0214/. Other Facility Data 1 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number, Contacted Robert A. Ellis,POBox 249 Laurinburg NC 28353//910-277-0214/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Waters as necessary) Permit Flow Measurement. • Operations & Maintenance ' ' Records/Reports II Self -Monitoring Program ' ' Sludge Handling Disposal ::" Facility Site Review `` Effluent/Receiving I Laboratory . Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists (See attachment- summary) Name(snignat� e(s) of lnspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Dale FRO WQ//910-433-3300 Ext.712/ Lopez'',... . IN,,....t) Date y Signature of Management Q A Reviewer ' Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers • Date 1• Cileitia;07.(D 0/,1s!®9 EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are, obsolete. Page # 1 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type 3I NC0020656 I11 121 09/02/18 I17 18ICI (cont.) 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On the day of this inspection, a spill of sludge occurred near the small sludge holding tank. The spill was contained on site. Verbal plans were to put the sludge into the nearby manhole that flows to the aeration basin, and the ground area cleaned up and lime applied to the area. It appeared that there was inadequate sludge capacity, because the sludge holding tanks were near capacity and the clarifiers had sludge blankets that were approximately 10 feet in depth (with a clarifier sidewall depth of 13 feet). In addition, a sludge spill occurred on the day of this inspection that may be related to the depth of the sludge in the sludge holding tanks. Please send this office a written Plan -of -Action, due by March 24, 2009, concerning how to reduce the sludge in the sludge holding tanks and clarifiers, and avoid a sludge spill. Please also send a written report of the status of the February 18th sludge spill clean up. Please begin testing and recording the amount of chlorine, sampled immediately before dechlorination in the chlorine contact chamber. Please note that the flow paced 24-hour effluent composite sampler was set to pull 150 mL of sample for each 100,000 gallons of 'effluent flow (the frequency of grab samples that make up the composite appeared to be approximately once per hour). Page # 2 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/18/2009 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? p n Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge p 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? IU n n n Is the facility as described in the permit? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? p ❑ n ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? m ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? - 12 ❑ n ❑ Comment:• Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? E2 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all•required information readily available, complete and current? all ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? 125❑ ❑ n Are analytical results consistent with.data reported on DMRs? ° ❑ ❑ n Is the chain -of -custody complete? ' n ❑ 0 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 MOD 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? Page # 3 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/18/2009 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: Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Comment: Because of the sludge spill that occurred on the day of this inspection, it appeared to this inspector that there was too much sludge inventory in the sludge holding tanks and the clarifiers (10 feet of sludge blankets in 13 feet of sidewall clarifiers) . 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? Yes No NA NE n nn Yes No NA NE u nnn annn n nun Yes No NA NE unnn u nnn Einnn o nnn Yes No NA NE n nn Ennn o nnn nnn n nn Yes No NA NE nnn o nnn rannn o nnn nnn Eonnn 'nLinn Page # 4 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/18/2009 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Drying Beds # Is the sludge' land applied? (Vacuum filters) Is polymer mixing adequate? Comment: Facility utilizes sludge drying beds as storage for up to two (2) years prior to disposal. Facility has a contract with a disposal firm. 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? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? 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: On the day of this inspection, one of the four influent pumps was out of service. The.repair has been made but the pump was not yet reinstalled. An alarm is activated when there is high. water, if a pump goes out, seal failure, or if there is a power failure. The alarm calls the water plant, if no-one answers, then the call goes to the • police station with an automated message to indicate the problem, and the police station will phone the on -call person.. All the lift stations have this ability of Scada alarms. Bar Screens Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Yes No NA NE nnri n n n Yes No NA NE nnn • n n n • n n'El • nnn � . n El n n El Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE nnn Page # 5 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/18/2009 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Comment: At one of two influent pump stations (the old Leith Creek facility) it appeared that the pipe leading from the hydraulic press to the dumpster needed to be shortened because the screenings were presently being manually placed in the dumpster by means of five gallon buckets. The automatic bar screen was kept in the automatic mode, as was the hydraulic press. An ultrasonic sensor controled when the bar screen and hydraulic press operated. 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: One of two grit pumps was out of service at the time of this inspection, a complete assembly was on order. A second one has also been requisitioned as a back-up. 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: 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? Yes No NA NE onnn onnn 2nnn Yes No NA NE n to nnn® onnn nnn Yes No NA NE onnn gannn EAnnn Ennn .onnn nnn nnn2 onnn Yes No NA NE r0nnn onnn Page # 6 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/18/2009 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary 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'/< of the sidewall depth) • Comment: On the day of this inspection, the clarifiers sludge blankets were 10 feet, in a total clarifier sidewall depth of 13 feet. The target clarifier depth was 2 to 5 feet of sludge blanket depth. After the results of the Whole Effluent Toxicity from the week of :February 9, 2009 are received, plans are to take down Clarifier #2 and Aeration Basin #2 for repair of a bracket on the effluent. side•of Aeration Basin #2, and repair -the rubber part of the skimmer arm. A sludge judge measurement was routinely performed and recorded once per day. - 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: After the results of the Whole Effluent Toxicity test (from the week of February 9, 2009) are received, there are plans to take down Clarifier #2 (to repair the rubber part of the skimmer arm) and the Aeration Basin #2 (to repair a bracket on effluent side 'of Aeration Basin #2). The fixed surface aerators were set on a timer. Disinfection -Liquid Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Yes No NA NE • nn n n n I Finn E. n n • nnn • nnn • Elnn azinnn. nLai nn Yes No NA NE Ext. Air Fixed t nrin • nnn ninon h n•nn ,• nnn nnnu El El gPi Yes No NA NE boo n Page # 7 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/18/2009 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Liquid 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? Comment: The chlorine residual has not been checked prior to de -chlorination. During this inspection, the ORC Back -Up said that he would begin frequent testing of the chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination and document the results each time. 15% sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach) was utilized for disinfection. The chlorine contact chamber sludge judge measurement was performed and recorded once per day. 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 Yes No NA NE DODO t DDD W OOD ODD. Yes No NA NE Gas ODDS ::ODD :,DOD n n D DDEiD Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ D D Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? r4 n n D Is the generator tested under load? n n n Was generator tested « operational during the inspection? ElD D D Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? RED n n Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? Elnnn Is the generator fuel level monitored? o n D n Page # Permit: NC0020656 Owner = Facility: Leith Creek VVVVI-P Inspection Date: 02/18/2009 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Comment: On the day of this inspection, the generator for the influent pump station at the old WWTP was tested under load. This VVVVfP facility participates in the load management program in which, approximately once per month, the power will be turned off and the generators with automatically come on. This POTW did not have a routine schedule for running the generators. At the pump station site, the generators are run once per month. The readings for the generators were read and recorded approximately every other day to keep track of the time that the generators were run. Scada will also show and record whether or not a generator comes on.- : On the day of this inspection, each of the two large generators had at ,least three-quarters full capacity • of diesel in the tanks. Pumps-RAS-WAS Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: On the day of this inspection, one of the three sludge recirculation pumps was out -of -service and was being repair at the Charles Underwood facility. Laboratory Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or 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 (BOP) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? Comment: Influent Sampling # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 'Is sample collected above side streams? 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 sampling performed according to the permit? Comment: Effluent Sampling Is composite sampling flow proportional? Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE Ninnn O n.nn n nn Yes No NA NE n nn • •n n n ® nnn n nn:. n nn. n nn Yes No NA NE n nmin ® nnn n nn n nn Enna n nn Yes No NA NE grnnn Page # 9 Permit: NC0020656 Owner - Facility: Leith Creek VV VTP Inspection Date: 02/18/2009 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling 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: Each 150 mL grab sample in the 24-hour composite was collected at a frequency of one per 100,000 gallons of effluent flow. Yes No NA NE l ❑ ❑ ❑ Rannn onnn nnn nnnn Page # 10 egional Field Inspectors Check List for Field Parameters Name of site to be Inspected: Laurinburq WWTP Date:February 18, 2009. . Field certification # (if applicable): NPDES #:NC0020656 Inspector:Dale Lopez Region: FRO 1. Circle the parameter or parameters perfor: ;ed at this site. Residual Chlorine , Settleable Solids, li. Instrumentation: pH DO , Conductivity, Temperature A. Does the facility have the equipment necessary to analyze field parameters as circled above? 1. A pH meter NYS 160 A Residual Chlorine meter DO meter HACH DR 2400 YSI 550 4. A Cone for settleable solids 5. A thermometer or meter that measures temperature. YSI 60 6. Conductivity meter BIB. Calibration/Analysis: Orion 3 Star 1. Is the pH meter calibrated with 2 buffers and checked with a third buffer each day of use? ' 2. For Total Residual Chlorine, is a check standard analyzed each day of use? 3. Is the air calibration of the DO meterperformed. each day of use? 4. For Settleable Solids, is 1 liter of sample • settled for 1 hour? 5. Is the temperature measuring device calibrated annually against a certified thermometer? 6. For .Conductivity, is a calibration standard analyzed each day of use? Yes Yes Yes Yes fres Yes N`'es fYes Yes Yes Mes 'Yes No No No No No No No No Documentati;. n: 1. Is the date and time that the sample was collected documented? 2. Is the sample site documented? 3. Is the sample collector documented? 4. Is the analysis date and time documented? 5. Did the analyst sign the documentation? 6. Is record of calibration documented? 7. For Settleable Solids, is sample volume and 1 hour time settling time documented? 8. For Temperature, is the annual calibration of the measuring device documented? Comment: Please submit a copy of this c • mpleted form to the Laboratory Certification Program. FYes hies Yes fY.es 'Yes !'es Yes !Yes DWQ Lab Certification Chemistry Lab Courier # 52-01-01 FIELD INSPECTOR CHECKLIST REV:04/23/2002 No No No No No No No SCr; E 1`;:A71C pF WPST_WATt`e Flog, • L`--toeDf N?,)_S-Nsccc o6S 6. n15c1;Ara 57P1pL hb;OD! SAY "r4F tlwAtT 5'C 1 _Yk"�T1 a.p P6 DAY L_ 1'ri T LL.t GAL Lc . Eck‘-vL.z.zATLx.I SrnJ DtFW G£IT FLOW Pump co1.t., r. r TEZ 5T1:710U Pr-Cs-3 j S.O n��t`• Nor -To A / SSA L� NZ, 5T'fD-3Y CN rcit_ pump. STA rz 1 A rig !hi cos !130X z-M 1> r?IX146 BoX ELA71c4 . 0 !sic . 2. SIN AEPATIGN B S!'1 0 .. 0 0 No. 1 rI . P DS J P t lA 77c4 P. urnP' EEC' ):cULF;TI J Pump yowl_ SLUG L TA Z sO,C00 CA Li Stvt-S D INE, 2-DS E F ►i T 11) U F SI !J 1,10 . -3 egult & conrxcr �-5A:•IN ,JrrP 0 Q TAtNO—l; G 2A-To2 130M P A"J OFFICE OF THE TREATMENT PLANTS DIRECTOR March 20, 2009 Dale Lopez Environmental Specialist, NCDENR 225 Green Street, Suite 714 Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report City of Laurinburg Wastewater Treatment Plant NPDESJPermit No. NC0020656 Scotland County___", Dear Mr. Lopez:• Enclosed please find the response tovourxins 2009. 6urg°"" 1=6" &IJ of aUriOAli-America City '1111' DEMR—Ra4 2 31967 VAR 2 3 26[19 j 4rt; x�. ection:that was conducted February 18 The plan of action to reduce the solids concentration at Leith Creek -Plant is as follows: 1. EMA Resources will be on site March 30, 2009 to begin removing the bio= solids from the two digesters and land,applying it on our designated sites at the Laurmburg Maxton Airport ,Approximately 800,000 gallons of bio-solids will be rem6Qed fronrtne{-piant� t ' z t3 i, 1P al 'i . t i 2. When the digesters reach 75% of their capacity we will begin the sampling process to prepare for a land application event: We feel this will allow adequate space to continue daily wasting of solids that will prevent any future sludge issues. 3. The bio-solids on the drying beds are in the process of being cleared and they will continue to be utilized as efficiently as the weather will allow. We have cleaned the three beds on the extended aeration side of the plant and have reapplied sludge to these drying beds that has enabled us to have the capacity to waste sludge to the small digester. 4. Continue regular land application process. 603 LAUCHWOOD DRIVE • P.O. BOX 249 • LAURINBURG, N.C. 28353 • PHONE: 9101277-0214 • FAX: 9101277-3633 In reference to Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments: In reference to the bio-solids clean up, we diverted as much as we could back to the manhole and applied lime to the spill area. All bio-solids were kept on site. We have started testing the chlorine level at the chlorine contact chambers before dechlorination and documenting the results in our daily log book. The flow meter at the effluent composite sampler was calibrated on March 5, 2009 and was found to be working correctly. The flow paced 24-hour effluent composite sample is set to pull 150 ml of sample for each 62,500 gallons of effluent flow. If you have any questions concerning these matters please give me a call at (910) 277- 021 4. Sincerely, 6L Robert A. Ellis City of Laurinburg Treatment Plants Director Cc: Mr. Craig Honeycutt, City Manager