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Home My WebLink AboutNC0003450_Compliance Inspection Report_20160916Water Resources ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Gerald F James, Town of Wallace PO Box 849 Wallace, NC 284660849 Dear Mr James: PAT MCCRORY (..:bCernor DONALD R. VAN DER VAART .Seeman S. JAY ZIMMERMAN September 16, 2016 RECEIVFDIK1DF_0JD\NR SEP 2016 �U4et Quality �eceon 1p.T ,,,I;t►ng Subject: NPDES Compliance Inspection Report Wallace Regional WWTP NPDES Permit No. NC0003450 Duplin County A Compliance Evaluation inspection of the Wallace Regional WWTP was conducted by Helen Perez from this office on August 25, 2016. This inspection was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES Permit No. NC0003450. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the "Water Compliance Inspection Report". Notice that there is an ongoing problem with the vortex grit removal system. Short-term plans should be made to conduct repairs or modifications to the system to avoid further operational/maintenance problems or negative effects to the plant's treatment efficiency. If you have any questions concerning this report, you may contact the inspector at the letterhead contact or via email at helen.perez@ncdenr.gov. ncerely, Morel ch z -King, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Qua ' egional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Enclosure Cc: Wilmington Regional Office —Yellow Inspection File Central Files, Water Quality Section 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 Phone: 910-796-7215\ Internet: www.ncdenr.gov An Fnual Onnnrtunitv \ Affirmative Action Emolover — Made in cart by recvcled oaoer ' United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved. EPA Washington, D.0 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report Approval expires B-31-98 Section A: National Data System Coding (Le , PCS) Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 IN 1 2 15 I 3 I NC0003450 I11 121 16/06/25 I17 18 LC] I 19 1 G I 201 I 211111 1 1 1 1 1 111 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 111 1 l l 1 1 166 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA -----------------Reserved------------ 67I L 70I, I 71 J 72 LNJ 73l_LJ74 751 I I I I I 80 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) I 10.00AM 16/08/25 13/02/01 Wallace Regional WWTP 851 Old Wilmington Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Wallace NC 28466 11:25AM 16/08/25 17/01/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)rritles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Brent McCoy Dean/ORC/910-285-5927/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Gerald F James,PO Box 849 Wallace NC 284660849/Public Works Yes Director/910-285-2812/9102855135 Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) 0 Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports 0 Self -Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Compliance Schedules 0 Effluent/Receiving Waters 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 Helen Perez WIRO WQ//910-796-7387/ ,�YA RF Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Off/Phon and Numbers Date Morella Sanchez -King WIRO WQ//910-796-7218/ N // lip EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont) 1 31 NCo003450 111 121 96/08/25 117 18 ICI Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) A compliance inspection was conducted on 8/25/16. The facility was clean and well maintained. A review of records included log books, lab records, CDCs, field parameter bench sheets and calibrations. All records were organized and complete. The vortex grit removal system continues to cause operational problems for the staff as indicated in the report section. The Town of Wallace and operations staff should address this Issue in a timely manner. The facility is still receiving pump and haul waste from the Pender Industrial Park (Acme Smoked Fish). They receive 3 loads a day and it is stored in one of the facility's sludge thickeners before it is added to the SBRs. This wastewater has not caused any operation issues to date The ORC indicated that the Pender County WWTP should be on-line soon to handle the waste. Page# Permit: NC0003450 Owner -Facility: Wallace Regional WWTP Inspection Date: 08/25/2016 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 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ application? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ ❑ M ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: No comment. Compliance Schedules Yes No NA NE Is there a compliance schedule for this facility? ❑ M ❑ ❑ Is the facility compliant with the permit and conditions for the review period? ❑ M ❑ ❑ Comment: There were two BOD limit violations and four ammonia limit violations that had penalty assessments since the last inspection on 03/04/2015. Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all required information readily available, complete and current? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ is the chain -of -custody complete? 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 CDCs Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator M ❑ ❑ ❑ on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? - 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 0 Permit: NC0003450 Owner - Facility: Wallace Regional VWVrP Inspection Date: 08/25/2016 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: No comment 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 (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? Comment: Envirochem is the facility's contract lab. 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 M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Yes No NA NE M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The generator was not tested during the inspection but last test was performed on Tuesda 08/23/16 for 30 minutes according to the facility's log book. Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable M ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: MLSS and MLVS parameters are analvzed in the lab. MLSS levels are maintained between 2100-2500. The facility is currently using a Thermo Scientific pH meter and bench sheets and calibrations were kept and maintained. 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Page# 4 Permit: NC0003450 Owner -Facility: Wallace Regional WVVfP Type of bar screen Inspection Date: 08/25/2016 - Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation a.Manual ❑ Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ S Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: SCADA is available but not evaluated. Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical 0 Are the bars adequately screening debris? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The spiral mechanical screen appears to operate adequately and screenings are dumped Into a dumpster located on the influent concrete pad. Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical 0 Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? ❑ ❑ ❑ M Is the grit free of excessive odor? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is disposal of grit in compliance? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facilitv's staff continues to have operational issues with the vortex grit removal system The backwash water and the grit withdrawal pump cannot remove all of the settled grit in the bottom chamber which causes the chamber paddles to bind . When it rains, grit acculmulates faster due to stormwater. They continue to use the services of Triple S's vacuum truck to remove the solids every 2 weeks to a month. This is expensive and time consuming. The town should address this ongoing problem. Flow Measurement - Influent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? 1 -MIN.7►/_MMM • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0003450 Owner -Facility: Wallace Regional WWTP Inspection Date: 08/25/2016 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement - Influent Yes No NA NE (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ N ❑ Comment: The flow meter was calibrated on 5-19-16 by Glover Instruments and Controls Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? i ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? ❑ ❑ ❑_ ■ Is the tubing clean? The operator understands and can explain the process? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6 0 degrees N ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sampling performed according to the permit? ® ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: No Comment Sequencing Batch Reactors Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Duplex depending on utility costs. Is the reactor effluent free of solids? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Does minimum fill time correspond to the peak hour flow rate of the facility? ❑ ❑ ❑ N Is aeration and mixing cycled on and off during fill? ❑ ❑ ❑ The operator understands and can explain the process? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The ORC has a good understandinq of the SBR operation. Currently the plant runs two of the three batch reactors efficiently, but the third reactor might be put on-line this winter depending on utility costs. Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the mixing adequate? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive foaming In the tank? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the odor acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Solids from the sludge thickener is disposed of off site by subsurface infection by Triple S Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NC0003450 Inspection Date: 08/25/2016 Owner -Facility: Wallace Regional WWrP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Type of operation: Cross flow ❑ Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float -controls operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ S Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Comment: Decanted effluent is stored in an 2 3 MG above ground aerated tank before it is processed through the tertiary drum filters. Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Cross flow ❑ ❑ Is the filter media present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter surface free of clogging? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is the filter free of growth? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? 0 ❑ • ❑ ❑ Comment: Algae has built up in the effluent storage tank and sometimes causes problems as it passes through to the tertiary disk filter system. The weight of the algae puts a strain on the drive belt of the disk filters and sometimes makes it inoperable. Facility is planning on removinq algae in the effluent storage tank manuallV. Disinfection,- UV Are extra UV bulbs available on site? Are UV bulbs clean? Is UV intensity adequate? Is transmittance at or above designed level? Is there a backup system on site? Is effluent clear and free of solids? Comment: No comment. Yes No NA NE M ❑ 1:11:1 M ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ M ❑ Comment: The effluent flow meter was calibrated on 5-19-16 by Glover Instruments and Controls. Page# 7 Permit: NC0003450 Owner - Facility: Wallace Regional WWTP Inspection Date: 08/25/2016 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement- Effluent Yes No NA NE 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)? Yes No NA NE M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ® ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment. The effluent sampler is located at the effluent discharge point approximately 1 mile away from the VWVfF but very secured. The sampler has a lock on the control panel the tubing connection and the sampler door. In addition there's a lock on the gate of the fenced area and a lock on the gate at the beginning of the dirt road that leads to site Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ sampling location)? Comment: No 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: No comment Page# 8