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Home My WebLink AboutNC0024333_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240813ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Scott Clark, Water Resources Director City of Monroe Post Office Box 69 Monroe, North Carolina 28111-0069 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection City of Monroe WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO024333 Union County Dear Mr. Clark: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality August 13, 2024 Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection of the City of Monroe's WWTP on August 1, 2024, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. This Office would like to thank all wastewater staff for the assistance and cooperation provided throughout this inspection. Should you have any questions concerning this report, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at (704) 235-2192 or at wes.bellkdeq.nc. gov. Sincerely, EA DocuSigned by: w N p4ff . F161 F669A2D84A3... Andrew H. Pitner, P.G. Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Enclosure: Inspection Report Cc: Scott Clark, City of Monroe (via eCopy) Kyle Edwards, City of Monroe (via eCopy) NPDES Program Files - Laserfiche D_E Q�� North Carolina Department of Environmental quality I Divisionof Water Resources Mooresville Regional Office 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 a;k c-u+ci 704.6631699 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 NCO024333 111 121 24/08/01 I17 18 LC] I 19 I s I 20L] 21111I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I 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 permit Number) 09:OOAM 24/08/01 20/08/01 Monroe WWTP 775 Treeway Dr Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Monroe NC 28110 12:20PM 24/08/01 25/01/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Robert Kyle Edwards/ORC/704-282-4630/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Mark Watson,PO Box 69 Monroe NC 28111//704-282-4501/ 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 Wes Bell signed by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-235-2192/ 8/13/2024 2 re& E�Docu`,','�96D90=437 ... eme�stbQAPeviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Signature of MP0(4w Andrew Pit4-H P4"DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 8/13/2024 EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO024333 I11 12I 24/08/01 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# Permit: NCO024333 Owner -Facility: Monroe WWTP Inspection Date: 08/01/2024 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 ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ 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: The City of Monroe implements a Division -approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 3/1/2022. 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO024333 Inspection Date: 08/01/2024 Owner -Facility: Monroe WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Comment: The records reviewed durinq the inspection were organized and well maintained. In-depth operation and maintenance records including process control measurements were being documented and maintained on -site. Discharge monitoring reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period July 2023 through June 2024. Effluent BOD and TSS weekly average limit violations were reported in December 2023 and January 2024. Monthly average limit violations were also reported in December 2023 (BOD) and January 2024 (flow). The Division has Previously addressed these limit violations through the issuance of a Notice of Violations (NOVs). 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 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: Influent and effluent (including field) analyses are performed under the City's laboratory certification #206. Pace Analytical Services and ETS (chronic toxicity) have also been contracted to provide analytical support. Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ degrees Celsius)? Is sampling performed according to the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite samples. The sampler oDeration is checked dailv and Deriodically calibrated. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO024333 Owner -Facility: Monroe WWTP Inspection Date: 08/01/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples. The sampler operation is checked daily and periodically calibrated. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ and sampling location)? Comment: The Division has conditionally waived the instream monitorinq requirements due to the City's membership in the Yadkin -Pee Dee River Basin Association. 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 appeared to be properly operated and well maintained. The operations staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program. The facility is equipped with a SCADA system that assists the wastewater staff in plant operations including alarm notifications. Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical Page# 5 Permit: NCO024333 Inspection Date: 08/01/2024 Owner -Facility: Monroe WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE 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: Both rotary drum screens were operational and in service. Screenings are disposed at a permitted landfill by a contracted company. 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 ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with two equalization basins including a new 15 MG basin that was recently placed into service during first full week of August 2024. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the diffusers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: All five aeration basins (fine bubble) were in service. Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NC0024333 Inspection Date: 08/01/2024 Owner -Facility: Monroe WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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'/4 of the sidewall depth) ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: All four secondary clarifiers were in service. Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Down flow Is the filter media present? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 six tertiary filters were in service. Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE Are cylinders secured adequately? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NCO024333 Owner -Facility: Monroe WWTP Inspection Date: 08/01/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ 7782-50-5)? If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Comment: The chlorine and sulfur dioxide gas systems (including scales) are serviced one to two times per year by a contracted company. De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Gas Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? 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? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: Both effluent flow meters are calibrated twice per year and were last calibrated in January 2024 by Carotek. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 did not appear to be negatively impacted. Page# 8 Permit: NCO024333 Inspection Date: 08/01/2024 Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Owner -Facility: Monroe WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Comment: The facility is equipped with five aerobic digesters (all operational). Solids Handling Equipment Is the equipment operational? Is the chemical feed equipment operational? Is storage adequate? 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The belt press is operational: however, the treatment unit was not in service at the time of the inspection. Bio-solids are transported to the designated field by a contracted company (Red Stone) and land applied by the City's Residuals Coordinator under the authority of Permit No. WQ0001346. 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The sludge drying beds are only used for the disposal of wastewater debris from pump station maintenance, etc. Standby Power Yes No NA NE Page# 9 Permit: NC0024333 Inspection Date: 08/01/2024 Owner - Facility: Monroe WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: All generators were operational and are periodically serviced bV a contracted company (Catepillar) and tested including being placed under load. Page# 10