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Home My WebLink AboutNC0025496_NOD2018PC0154_20180420Water Resources ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER Interim Director April 20, 2018 Mr. Robert Pearson, Public Works Director City of Lincolnton P.O. Box 617 Lincolnton, NC 28093-0617 Subject: Notice of Deficiency NOD -2018 -PC -0154 Compliance evaluation Inspection City of Lincolnton WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO025496 Lincoln County Dear Mr. Pearson: Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on April 19, 2018, by Ori Tuvia. Donald Burkey's cooperation during the site visit was much appreciated. Please advise the staff involved with this NPDES Permit by forwarding a copy of the enclosed report. During the previous inspection conducted by DWR staff of the Mooresville Regional Office, it was noted that the drying bed sections currently being used contained excessive vegetation (including several trees) and require extensive maintenance. The problems have yet to be resolved and were still observed during the current inspection. Please be advised that the subject permit requires the facility be properly operated and maintained at all times [NPDES Permit Standard Condition Reference: Part II, Section C(2) — Proper Operation and Maintenance]. If the drying beds are no longer needed, they could be removed from the permit in the next renewal, but until such time they are required to be properly maintained. Additionally, please complete and send the attached name change form, currently Mr. Peeler is shown to be the Permitee. Mooresville Regional Office Location: 610 East Center Ave., Suite 301 Mooresville, NC 28115 Phone: (704) 663-16991 Fax: (704) 663-60401 Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 The report should be self-explanatory; however, should you have any questions concerning this report, please do not hesitate to contact Ori Tuvia at (704) 235-2190, or at ori.tuvia@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, EA DocuSigned by: wNP44. F161FB69A2D84A8... for W. Corey Basinger Regional Supervisor Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources Attachments: Compliance Evaluation Inspection, Name Change Form Cc: NPDES Unit, MRO Files (Laserfiche) Donald Burkey (E -Copy) 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 I 2 15 I 3 I NCO025496 111 12 I 18/04/19 I17 18 I S i 19 LG] 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 1 1 1 1 166 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- 67 1.0 70 Id I 71 73I i74 751 I I I 1 80 I—I I„t72I� 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 oermit Number) 09:30AM 18/04/19 16/11/01 Lincolnton WWTP 550 W Hwy 150 Bypass Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Lincolnton NC 28092 12:05PM 18/04/19 20/07/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Donald A Burkey/ORC/704-736-8960/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Stephen H Peeler,PO Box 617 Lincolnton NC 280930617/Public Works Director/704-736-8940/7047368959 No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review 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 DocuSigned by: Ori A Tuvia _-c MRO WQ//704-663-1699/ 4/20/2018 DocuSigned by: Date Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax NumEA"4tw Andrew Pitner MRO WQ//704-663-1699 Ext.21 H Nua4 4/20/2018 F161FB69A2D84A3... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO025496 111 121 18/04/19 1 17 18 JCJ Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# Permit: NCO025496 Owner - Facility: Lincolnton WWTP Inspection Date: 04/19/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 0 ❑ Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ application? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit expires on 7/31/2020. The City implements an approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all required information readily available, complete and current? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Dates, times and location of sampling COCs, ORC visitation lops, bench sheets, and calibration logs, were reviewed for the period Name of individual performing the sampling July 2017 through September 2017. 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. DMRs, COCs, ORC visitation lops, bench sheets, and calibration logs, were reviewed for the period July 2017 through September 2017. Laboratory Yes No NA NE Page# 3 Permit: NCO025496 Owner - Facility: Lincolnton WWTP Inspection Date: 04/19/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ 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 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Influent and effluent analvses (includina field Darameters) are Derformed under the Citv's on-site certified laboratory _(#153). The laboratory instrumentation used for field analyses appeared to be properly calibrated and documented. The following commercial laboratories (NC certified) have been contracted to provide analytical support: Prism Labs (COD, total nitrogen, total phosphorus Blue Ridge Labs (metals, cyanide, Oil and Grease, Phenols, Bis-Phalte, Hardness Two Rivers Utilities: Low level mercury) Meritech: toxicity pollutant scan Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Is sampling performed according to the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit requires influent composite BOD and TSS samples. The facility staff perform and document monthly aliquot verifications. 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 ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples. The facility staff perform and document monthly aliquot verifications on the sampler used for daily sampling. Page# 4 Permit: NCO025496 Owner - Facility: Lincolnton WWTP Inspection Date: 04/19/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE 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: 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 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: The facilitv appeared to be adeauatelv treatina wastewater at the time of the insDection. The facility staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program with all measurements being properly documented and maintained on-site. The facility is equipped with a SCADA system to assist the staff with the operation of the treatment units/processes. The audible and visual alarms are tested (and documented) on a monthly basis. 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: The influent passes through a muffin monster prior to entering the wet well. Flow Measurement - Influent # 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 ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The flow meter is calibrated annually and was last calibrated on 4/2/2018 by Clearwater, Inc Bar Screens Type of bar screen Yes No NA NE Page# 5 Permit: NCO025496 Inspection Date: 04/19/2018 Owner - Facility: Lincolnton WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Type of grit removal 0 ❑ Bar Screens Yes No NA NE a.Manual ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ b.Mechanical 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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: The bar screenings are disposed into an open dumpster equipped with a drain plug. Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ a.Manual ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ b.Mechanical 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the grit free of excessive odor? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is disposal of grit in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at the County Landfill. Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE Are the aerators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes) ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO025496 Inspection Date: 04/19/2018 Owner - Facility: Lincolnton WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? 0 ❑ Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE 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) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Three of four aeration basins 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/ of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Both secondary clarifiers were operational and in service. Pumps -RAS -WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The flow meter is calibrated annually and was last calibrated on 4/2/18 by Clearwater, Inc. Page# 7 Permit: NCO025496 Owner - Facility: Inspection Date: 04/19/2018 Inspection Type: Lincolnton WWTP Compliance Evaluation Type of system ? Liquid ❑ Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Liquid ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Aqueous sodium bisulfite is used for dechlorination. Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Number of tubes in use? Comment: Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Is containment adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are backup pumps available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive leaking? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 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 and trace foam (entrained air). The foam dissipated less than fifty (50) yards downstream of the outfall. Page# 8 Permit: NC0025496 Inspection Date: 04/19/2018 Owner - Facility: Lincolnton WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Anaerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Floating cover Is the capacity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 # Is gas stored on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the digester(s) free of tilting covers? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the gas burner operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the digester heated? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the temperature maintained constantly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with three anaerobic digesters and three storage tanks. Did not inspect in this inspection 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: Waste activated sludge (WAS) is thickened by a DAF unit prior to being pumped to the anaerobic digesters. Did not inspect in this inspection 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Page# 9 Permit: NCO025496 Inspection Date: 04/19/2018 Drying Beds Owner - Facility: Lincolnton WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Comment: Land application is the Drimary disposal of the bio -solids: however. the drvina beds are used during emergency situations when wet weather prevents land application (Last used on December 2017). The drying beds are also periodically used for the disposal of landfill leachate, tank cleaning/pump station maintenance, and septage (infrequent). The drying bed sections currently being used contained excessive vegetation (including several trees) and require extensive maintenance. If the facility continues to periodically use the drying beds, then the previously rehabbed sections should be placed into operation. Please be advised that the subject permit requires the facility be properly operated and maintained at all times rNPDES Permit Standard Condition Reference: Part ll, Section C(2) — Proper Operation and Maintenancel. If the drying beds are no longer needed, they could be removed from the permit in the next renewal, but until such time they are required to be properly maintained. Standby Power Is automatically activated standby power available? Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ 1:11:1 ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator fuel level monitored? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with two backup generators. Both generators are tested monthly (not under load) and serviced twice per year by a contracted company. The contracted company tests the generators under load during each servicing event. Page# 10