NC0020656_Inspection_20010417

North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Fayetteville Regional Office
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
April 17, 2001
The Honorable Ann Slaughter
Mayor, City of Laurinburg
P.O. Box 520
Laurinburg, NC 28379
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION/
COMPLIANCE BIOMONITORING INSPECTION
City of Laurinburg Wastewater Treatment Plant
NPDES Permit No. NC0020656
Scotland County
Dear Ms. Slaughter:
AivirwA q/03/,,
APANPALa /841:
NCDENR
Enclosed you will find a copy of the Compliance Biomonitoring Inspection report for the
inspection conducted the week of March 26, 2001. The inspection included the same objectives as that of
a routine Compliance Evaluation Inspection (conducted on March 26, 2001) plus an Aquatic Toxicity
(AT) test to evaluate the biological effect of the facility's discharge on test organisms. 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. A 24-hour
001 effluent composite sample was collected at your facility on March 27 and on March 30. The aquatic
toxicity samples were sent to the Division of Water Quality Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory (located on
Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh). The chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia 31 % pass/fail toxicity test using these
samples resulted in a Pass, indicating that the effluent would not be predicted to have water quality
impacts on the receiving waters. Additionally, on March 27, the 24-hour Outfall 001 effluent was
sampled for the following parameters: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Ammonia as nitrogen, Total
Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Nitrite plus Nitrate as nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Copper, and Zinc. On Friday,
March 30, a TSS sample was collected from DWQ''s composite sample (collected from noon on March
29`'' to noon on March 30th and quickly processed by the DWQ Laboratory in Raleigh); the TSS result was
370 mg/L (which does not agree with the result of the TSS for the composite collected by your facility for
the approximate time period of 8:30 AM on March 29`'' to 8:30 AM on March 30t). That TSS result was
58 mg/L. On April 4`h the 24-hour composite sample collected by your facility during the time period of
8:30 AM on Tuesday, April 3d to 8:30 AM on Wednesday April 4th, was split. A TSS sample and a
BOD sample were sent to our DWQ laboratory. The laboratory results of the pending chemistry analyses
will be forwarded to you when they are completed by the Division of Water Quality Chemistry
Laboratory, located on Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh.
225 GREEN STREET- SUITE 714 / SYSTEL BUILDING / FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28301-5043
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone] WWW.ENR.STATE.NC.US/ENR/
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER- 50% RECYCLED/10% POST CONSUMER PAPER
DENR TOLL FREE HOTLINE: [phone]

Mayor Slaughter
Page 3
April 17, 2001
If you have any questions or comments concerning this report or require clarification on part(s) of
this report, please feel free to contact me at 910/486-1541.
,Sincerely,
Ai j
Pr l - --- —
aul Rawls
Water Quality Regional Supervisor
DL:PR/dl
Enclosures: Schematic of WWTP, FACILITY SITE REVIEW
cc: Kevin Bowden, DWQ, ESB, ATU,
Don Register, DWQ-FRO
Robert Ellis, City of Laurinburg, (ORC)
Ricky Odum, City of Laurinburg, (Backup-ORC)

Mayor Slaughter
Page 5
April 17, 2001
Laurinburg (Leith Creek) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
BIOMONITORING EVALUTATION INSPECTION
performed during the week of March 26, 2001
DESCRIPTION OF LAURINGBURG WWTP:
The Laurinburg WWTP is a 4 MGD wastewater treatment facility consisting of mechanical bar screen,
mechanical grit removal, influent Parshall Flume and ultrasonic flow monitoring device, aerated
equalization basin (E.Q. basin), influent pump station (overflow from the influent pump station goes to
the E.Q. pump station, and then to a 6 MG E.Q. basin with six floating aerators), flow splitter box divides
flow equally between dual 1-MGD extended aeration basins (both aeration basins with secondary
clarification), 2 MGD oxidation ditch with secondary clarification, dual chlorine contact basin, effluent
force main pumps treated wastewater approximately one mile to the effluent Parshall Flume (equipped
with ultrasonic flow monitoring device), cascade aeration, and discharge of treated wastewater into Big
Shoe Heel Creek (Lumber River Basin) Sludge is treated in two aerobic digesters and sludge drying
beds, then land applied at the Laurinburg Maxton Airport Commission land application site.
SECTION D: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS/COMMENTS:
PLANT TOUR---
1. The facility has influent and effluent flow meters. The effluent flow is used for reporting.
2. The effluent composite sampler is flow proportional (constant volume/variable time), sampling
every 50,000 gallons. It has been flow proportional for approximately five years.
3. The'automatic climber bar screen has not been operational for three to four weeks (waiting for woiiii
gear replacement items). Screenings go to the Scotland County Landfill.
4. The effluent composite sampler temperature was 5 degrees Celsius.
5. The grit removal system was operational. All grit goes to the Scotland County Landfill.
6. There is a workorder to replace the rails in the influent pump station.
7. The generator at the influent pump station is tested once per month.
8. Influent pumps are tested daily (each morning).
9. The ultrasonic flow -measuring device was installed in November 2000.
10. Land application .will occur next week, Monday April 2, at the LMAC land application site. They
will remove 700,000 gallons. Both of the aerobic digesters are full.
11. Launders of the clarifiers are cleaned daily.
12. • In the winter, it takes approximately 2 to 3 months to dry sludge in the drying beds. In the summer,
it takes approximately 1 month.
13. Solids from the large and small digesters are land applied; solids from the small digester are applied
to the drying beds.
14. Routine plant maintenance includes changing the oil in the aeratorsannually, and inspecting the
pump impellers once every 3 months.

Mayor Slaughter
Page 7
April 17, 2001
LABORATORY TOUR---
1. Laboratory parameters that are analyzed on site: pH, Total Residual Chlorine, Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Fecal Coliform, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity,
Ammonia Nitrogen, and temperature.
2 Metals (Hg, Cu, and Zn), Total Nitrogen (NH3, NO2, NO3, and TKN) and Total Phosphorus are sent
to Oxford Laboratories, Inc.
3. Chronic Toxicity is analyzed at Burlington Research.
4. The pH buffer expiration dates are:
HACH LOT #
EXPIRATION DATE
PH BUFFER
A0230
August 17, 2004
4
A0230
August 17, 2002
7
A0066
* March 6, 2001
10
* Expired
5. The millivolts of the 7 pH buffer is 21.2 mV.
6. TSS weights are Class S. A 1 mg, 10 mg, and 50 mg weight crosscheck is performed quarterly, and a
50 mg weight is crosscheck daily.
7. Laboratory temperatures:
Instrument
Temperature (degrees C)
BOD Incubator
20.7
Fecal Coliform
44.4
TSS Drying Oven
106
Sample Refrigerator
3
8. An NIST crosscheck of all of the thermometers is performed and documented annually.
9. The YSI Model 5100 is used for measuring the IDO and FDO of the BOD. The membrane is
changed every three weeks.
10. The BOD GGA standard is purchased from North Central Laboratory:
RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING:
1. Eighty-four DMR data points from December 2000 were crosschecked with the laboratory bench.
All data points were in agreement.

Mayor Slaughter
Page9
April 17, 2001
Action Taken
Regulatory Office Use Only
Compliance Status
Noncompliance
_Compliance
Date

SectionD: Summary of Findings/Comments
Brief Facility Description:
Lour )A)8L' (i
/LIE (2 av .rC
441
Yes
Yes
Yes
N/A
(c) N/A
N/A
Ye No N/A
g No N/A
Yes Co N/A
Yes N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes2 No N/A
Yes i _o� N/A
Yes
Yes
Yes
NUo N/A
N;�o} N/A
l� °1 N/A
&j'es) No N/A
FACILITY SITE REVIEW
1. • . Treatment units properly operated and maintained.
2. Standby power or other equivalent provision provided.
oN'Ly-:9T "' L.UFL vr:,c %"/
3. Adequate alarm system for power or equipment failure available.
4. Sludge disposal procedures appropriate:
a. Disposal of sludge according to regulations
b. State approval for sludge disposal received.
5. All treatment units other than backup units in service.(e.9if Sejt=cA/ /5
6. Sufficient sludge disposed of to maintain treatment process equilibrium.
7. Adequate number of qualified operators on staff.
8. Established procedures available for training new employees.
9. Adequate spare parts and supplies inventory maintained.
10. a. Hydraulic overflows and/or organic overloads experienced
b. Untreated bypass discharge occurs during power failure
c. Untreated overflows occurred since last inspection.
11. Plant has general safety structures such as rails around or covers over
tanks, pits, or wells.
es) No N/A 12. Plant is generally clean, free from open trash areas.
COO

Lys) No N/A
Yes 1 o N/A
Yes No L "7`
No N/A
Yes N/A
Yes No
Yes No (N/A 1
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
N/A
N/A
N/A
�N/A
Yes o) N/A
Yes N/A
Yes of N/A
Yes o N/A
Yes W N/A
Yes o) N/A
Yes i_9? N/A
Yes cod N/A
�e�s) No N/A
Yes g N/A
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
No N/A
s)No N/A
e0 No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N_
Yes No
Yes No N7A
Yes No N/A
18. Activated Sludge Basins/Oxidation Ditches:
Dead spots -
Failure of surface aerators
Air rising in clumps •
Dark foam or bad color
Thick billows of white, sudsy foam
Air rising unevenly
Excessive air leaks in compressed air piping.
a.
b.
cd.
e.
f.
g•
Page 3
19. Stabilization Ponds/Lagoons:
a. Excessive weeds including duckweed in stabilization ponds
b. Dead fish or aquatic organisms
c. Buildup of solids around influent pipe
d. Excessive scum on surface.
20. Secondary Clarifier:
Excessive gas bubbles on surface
Unlevel overflow weirs
Weir blockage
Evidence of short circuiting
Excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier
Pin floc in overflow
Ineffective scum rake
Floating sludge on surface
Excessive high sludge blanket
Clogged sludge withdrawal ports on secondary clarifier.
21.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
is
3.
Filtration:
a: ' Filter surface clogging
b. Short filter run
.c. Graveldisplacement of filter media
d. Loss of filter media during backwashing
e. Recycled filter backwash water in excess of 5 percent
£ Formation of mudballs in filter media.
22. Chlorination Unit:
a. Sludge buildup in contact chamber
b. Gas bubbles
c. Floating scum and/or solids
d. Adequate ventilation of chlorine feeding room and storage
e. NIOSH-approved 30 minute air pack
f. All standing chlorine cylinders chained in place
g. All personnel trained in the use of chlorine
h. Proper chlorine feed, storage, and reserve supply.
area

Page 5
30. Plant Effluent:
__
Ye No N/A a. (Excessive suspended soli s turbidity, foam, grease, scum, color, and
L_/
other macroscopic particulate matter present
Yes Y N/A b. Potential toxicity (dead fish, dead plant at discharge)
Yes o) N/A c. Outfall discharge line easily accessible.
31. Flow Measurement:
j No N/A a. Proper placement of flow measurement device
es No N/A b. Flow meter calibrated
Yes N-o% N/A c . Buildup of solids in flume or weir
Yes o') N/A d. Broken or cracked flume or weir
Yes No �l 11A> e. Properly functioning magnetic flowmeter
Yes No /A.) f. Clogged or broken stilling wells
Yes No /A` g. Weir plate edge corroded or damaged
No N/A h. System capable of measuring maximum flow
Yes No N/A i. Flow measurement error less than 10%.
32. Sampling:
No N/A a. Sampling and analysis completed on parameters specified by permit
No N/A b. Samples refrigerated during compositing
es No N/A c. Composite sample temperatures maintained at 0 to 4 degrees Celsius
during sampling
es-) No N/A d. Contract laboratory used for sample analysis
es No N/A e. Composite samples obtained are flow proportional.
Y p p p p
RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING
es No N/A 1. Records and reports maintained as required by permit.
es) No N/A 2. All required information available, complete, and current.
Yes No N/A 3. Records maintained for 3 years and all sludge records maintained for 5
years.
Ye No N/A 4. Analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs.
es�> No N/A
Ye-51 No N/A
es) No N/A
'Yes) No N/A
No N/A
5. Sampling and analyses data adequate and include:
a. Dates, times, and location of sampling
b. Name of individual performing sampling
c. Results of analyses and calibration
d. Dates of analyses
e. Name of person performing analyses.

INSPECTION REPORT
UPDATE OPTION: TRX: 5IF KEY: NC0020656INSBIO 010326
SYSMSG: *** DATA ADDED SUCCESSFULLY ***
PERMIT--- NC0020656 REG/COUNTY-- 06 SCOTLAND
FACILITY-- LAURINBURG, CITY-LEITHS CREEK LOC-- LAURINBURG
INS TYPE
BIO
NEXT PLANNED
INSPECTION INSPECTED. BY:
DATE: 010326 LD
REPORT INSPECTION DMR RESPONSE RECEIVED
DATE STATUS STATUS DUE DATE DATE
010417 C C
COMMENTS:
ti

ii9 of Caurithurg
May 4 2001
Mr. Paul Rawls
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Fayetteville Regional Office
225 Green Street- Suite 714
Systel Building
Fayetteville, NC 28301-5043
Subject: Notice of Violation
Dear Mr. Rawls:
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
WATER & WASTEWATER PLANT
Enclosed you will find responses and correction procedures for: the; recommendations your
office suggested due to the' Compliance Biomonitoring Inspection -report for the inspection
conducted the week of March 26, 2001. Weshare in your concernsaboutthe solids
inventory of our plant. We are diligently trying to get: our solids volume down. During the
week of April 2; 2001, we land applied 680,120. gallons' of biosolids at the Laurinburg
Maxton Airport; We have another ::land application of biosolids scheduled for the week of
May 21, 2001' and we are expecting to land apply another 800,000, gallons of biosolids.•
Actions taken to comply with youroffice's recommendations are as follows:
1. We will inform Mr. Jim Haven when he returns for the annual calibration of our
flow meters of the 15A NCAC 2B .0505 (b) (1) regulation.
2. The following -parameters are being run on grab samples: Chlorine, pH, Dissolved
Oxygen, and Fecal Coliform.
3. We are performing the analyses of the pH, dissolved -oxygen and chlorine within
the fifteen minute time frame according to the 40 'CFR 136,page 29, Table II.
4. The chlorine contact chamber is being checked weekly and being cleaned as
needed. Sludge depths are being recorded. We are obtaining bids to repair the
walls of the chlorine chamber and have requested the funds in the upcoming
budget.
5. We are working towards land applying on a quarterly basis. The next scheduled
haul is May 21, 2001.
603 LAUCHWOOD DRIVE • P.O. BOX 249 • LAURINBURG, N.C. 28353 • 910 / 277-0214

6. According to Scott Tucker Technical Consultant for Hach the pH buffers in
solution form has a shelf life of 48 months therefore the ph buffer 10 with lot #
A0066 was made in the year 2000 on the 66th day and would not expire until the
66th day of the year 2004. Therefore the buffer in question has not expired.
*Please see attached sheet
7. The temperature of the refrigerated sampler is being maintained in the range of 0
to 4 degrees Celsius.
On Friday March 20, 2001, Mr. Dale Lopez and Mr. Don Register made recommendations
on monitoring sludge depths in the chlorine contact chamber. We complied with this
request on that day, and have complied with the other recommendations that we received
from your office. Therefore we are requesting that the notice of violation be rescinded at
this time.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at 910-277-0214.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Ellis
Treatment Plants Director
Enclosures
Cc: Honorable Mayor Slaughter
Joseph Huffman, City Manager
Ricky Odom, Back-up ORC

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From: Scott Tucker <[e-mail]> Save Address - Block Sender
To: "'ric721 @hotmail.com"' <[e-mail]> Save Address
Subject: RE: online technical support request
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 13:57:35 -0600
Reply All Forward Delete Previous Ntext Close
MR. ODOM,
THE PH BUFFERS IN THE POWDER PILLOW FORM HAVE A SHELF LIFE OF 24 MONTHS. THE PH
BUFFERS IN SOLUTION FORM HAVE A SHELF LIFE OF 4B MONTHS. YOU CAN TELL THE DATE OF
MANUFACTURE BY THE LOT CODE. THE LOT CODE IS DONE BY THE JU LEAN DATING SYSTEM. FOR
EXAMPLE LOT A1120, MEANS THAT THE PRODUCT WAS MADE IN 2001 ON THE 1 2❑TH DAY OF
THAT YEAR. 1 = 2D01/1 20=1 2OTH DAY.
HOPE THIS HELPS,
SCOTT TUCKER
TECHNICAL CONSULTING SERVICES
ORIGINAL MESSAGE
FRO M:j 1ULSRANZA [MA!LTD:IU SRBO NA N ZR@BbNt NZA]
SENT: FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2001 1:55 PM
To: TECHHELP
SUBJECT: ONLINE TECHNICAL SUPPORT REQUEST
SENDTD: [e-mail] M
SERVER: SMTP.HACH.COM
SOURCE: IN ET
SUBJECT: TECHNICAL REQUEST
FIRSTNAME: RICKY
MIDDLENAME:
LASTNAME: ODOM
TITLE: OPERATOR
DEPARTMENT: WASTWATER TREATMENT
COMPANY: CITY OF LAURINBURG
ADDR:
POBox: 249
CITY: LAURINBURG
STATE: N C
Co UNTRY:
ZIP: 28353
HTTP://LW2FD.HOTMAIL.MSN.COM/CGI-BIN/GETMSG?CURMBOX=F000000.. 4/30/0 1

North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Fayetteville Regional Office
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
May 10, 200.1
The Honorable Ann Slaughter
Mayor, City of Laurinburg
P.O. Box 520
Laurinburg, NC 28379
ATAA,
NCDENR
Subject: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER
NOTICE OF VIOLATION/
COMPLIANCE BIOMONITORING INSPECTION
City of Laurinburg Wastewater Treatment Plant
NPDES Permit'No..NC0020656
Scotland County
Dear Ms. Slaughter:
The purposeiof thisletter is to acknowledge that on May 7, 2001, the Fayetteville
Regional Office received your response letter concerning the corrective actions taken for the
Notice of Violation cited in the Compliance Biomonitoring Inspection report for the inspection
conducted the week of March 26, 2001. Robert Ellis, Director of Water and Wastewater
Treatment, prepared the response letter for the City of Laurinburg.
We acknowledge the Town's efforts to address the items noted during the inspection but
have not found grounds to modify or retract the Notice of Violation. Please inform this office
when the contract to repair the chlorine contact chamber has been let. - Also, this office
recommends :that you request -a follow-up inspection when all of the deficiencies noted during
the inspection have been corrected. This will further document efforts and improvements put
forth by the Town.
Enclosed is a copy of the correspondence from Scott Tucker, Technical Consulting
Services, Hach (e-mail: [e-mail]) stating that the liquid 10 pH bufferhas a one year
shelf life. . Pleasereview it and make the necessary correction to the 10-pH buffer.
225 GREEN STREET - SUITE 714 / SYSTEL BUILDING / FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28301-5043
PHONE [phone]..FAX [phone] WWW.ENR.STATE.NC.US/ENR'
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER- 50% RECYCLED/10% POST CONSUMER PAPER
DENR TOLL FREE HOTLINE: [phone]

Mayor Slaughter
Page.2
May 10, 2001
If you have any questions or comments concerning this letter, please feel free to contact
me at 910/486-1541.
Water Quality Regional Supervisor
DL:PR/dl
Enclosures: Hach online technical support for shelf life of pH buffers
cc: Kevin Bowden, DWQ, ESB, ATU,
Don Register, DWQ-FRO
Robert Ellis, City of Laurinburg, (ORC)
Ricky Odum, City of Laurinburg, (Backup-ORC)

RE:. nli;ie technical support request
Subject: RE: online technical support request
Date: Mon, 7 May 2001 13:43:30 -0600
From: Scott Tucker <[e-mail]>
To: "'[e-mail]"' <[e-mail]>
Mr. Lopez,
The 4 buffer has a 4 year shelf life, the 7 buffer has a 2 year shelf life, and the 10 buffer has a 1 year shelf life. The lot codes
are based on the julean dating system, where the first digit is the year the buffer was made and the following three are the day of
that year the buffers were made. For example, 0230 was made in the year 2000 on the 230th day of that year.
Hope this helps,
Scott Tucker
Technical Consulting Services
Original Message
From: IUSR_BONANZA@bonanza [mailto:IUSR_BONANZAnbonanza]
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 1:38 PM
To: TechHelp
Subject: online technical support request
sendto: [e-mail]
server: smtp.hach.com
source: INET
subject: Technical Request
FirstName: Dale
MiddleName:
LastName: Lopez
Title: Environmental Specialist
Department:: Division of Water Quality
Company: North Carolina Dept. of Environment
Addr: Suite 714, 225 Green Street
PObox:
City: Fayetteville
State: NC
Country: USA
Zip: 28301
Phone: [phone]
Ext:
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Industry: Drinking Water
OtherDesc:
Parameter: pH
Beverage:
BoilerWater-HVAC:
BoilerWater-IndustrialHeat:
BoilerWaterPower:
CoolingWater:
1 nf2
05/07/2001 4:14 PM