WQ0000759_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20180910

NORTH CAROUNA
ROY COOPER ErrVfr "Fh#1ttd� Qrtorrry
Govwnw
MICHAEL S. REGAAI
54hT ary
LINDA CULPEPPER
lrrrerfm &'rea w
September 11, 2018
Mr. Michael Ferris, City Manager via Email
City of Albemarle
P.O. Box 190
Albemarle, North Carolina 28002-0190
Subject: Non -Discharge Permit Inspection
City of Albemarle—Tuckertown Water Treatment Plant
Land Application of Residuals - Permit #WQ0000759
Stanly County
Dear Mr. Ferris:
Staff of the Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) conducted a compliance inspection on August
28th 2018. The MRO would like to thank Michael Leonas, Shaun Whitley and Tom Johnson
for their time during the inspection. There were a couple if issues noted to maintain overall
compliance:
• Spray fields continue to show stress from uneven application patterns. 2-3 spray heads
at the east field were recommended for temporary removal from service, the heavy solids
removed and properly disposed to foster vegetation regrowth, with reseeding as needed.
This permit will expire on 09-30-2019. A renewal application is due 180 days prior to
expiration. The recurring topic of adding adjacent City/County owned land to this permit
was discussed. MRO staff recommends additional acreage be utilized to avoid permit
violations with over application on the existing fields; And, any permit modification for
additional acreage be coordinated with permit renewal, which, although not due until
March 2019, may be submitted early.
• MRO staff discussed the importance of timely submittal of the annual report, due by
March 1st, but received late the past two years. It was recommended Mr. Leonas clarify
with management and/or administrative staff to eliminate future issues. The option of
giving Mr. Leonas permit signature authority was also discussed and the appropriate form
included with this email.
All referenced forms are available on our website at the following link; however, please note new
revisions are in process to reflect changes with the recent issuance of the 15A NCAC 02T rule
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704.663.1699

updates. https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-
permits/wastewater-branch/non-discharge-permitting-unit/application
The attached report should be self-explanatory; however, please contact Maria Schutte by
phone [phone]) or email (maria.schutte(aD-ncdenr.gov) with questions.
Sincerely,
EA
DocuSigned by:
4•4w H P
F161FB69A2D84A3...
Andrew H. Pitner, P.G., Assistant Regional Supervisor
Mooresville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Attachment: WQ0000759 Inspection Report
Non -Discharge Signature Delegation Authority Letter
CC: Michael Leonas, Public Utilities Director, City of Albemarle (email)
Shaun Whitley, Plant Superintendent, City of Albemarle (email)
Tom Johnson, WTP Interim ORC (email)
Todd Robinson, WTP Interim LA-ORC (email)

State of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
Roy Cooper, Governor
Michael S. Regan, Secretary
Linda Culpepper, Interim Director
NON -DISCHARGE COMPLIANCE INSPECTION
GENERAL INFORMATION
Owner: City of Albemarle County: Stanly
Permit #: W00000759 Issued: 01/07/2014 Expiration: 09/30/2019
Permittee Contact: Michael Ferris (City Manager) Phone: [phone] or mferrisgci.albemarle.nc.us
Contact: Michael Leonas (Public Utilities Director) Phone: [phone] or mleonaska,ci.albemarle.nc.us
Contact: Shaun Whitley (Plant Superintendent) Phone: [phone] or swhitly(a),ci.albemarle.nc.us
WTP Contact: Tom Johnson, Envirolink (Contract ORC) Cell: 252-419-2199 or tjohnsonga,albemarlenc.gov
LA-ORC: Todd Robinson, Envirolink (Contract LA-ORC, Cert#998969) Email: robinson0784(a),bellsouth.net
LA-BUORC: Brandon Pl. l� er (WWTP ORC) Phone: [phone] or bplyler(kci.alblemarle.nc.us
Reason for Inspection
X ROUTINE COMPLAINT FOLLOW-UP OTHER
Type of Inspection
Collection System X Spray Irrigation X Sludge Other
Inspection Date(s): August 28, 2018
Inspection Summary: (additional comments may be included on attached pages)
This inspection was conducted in conjunction with the NPDES (NC0075701) inspection, for which a separate
report was sent by Roberto Scheller. Under this permit the residuals storage, spray application field(s) and on -
site monitoring wells were viewed. Records were discussed, but recently sampled residuals were still in
processing with the lab. Available data was reviewed in the 2017 annual report earlier this year. The
Tuckertown WTP also supplies water to Cabarrus County.
Please note the following items to maintain overall program compliance:
The Tuckertown WTP's Spray Application fields continue to show areas of uneven application
at some spray -heads which require attention as noted in the cover letter. Per conversation,
temporarily removing those spray -heads from service to facilitate plant regrowth is
recommended and reseeding may be necessary; however, long-term, additional acreage seems
the best solution to alleviate the stress on existing fields, whether the new acreage is added to this
permit or continues under the contracted Synagro permit (WQ0035207).
The permit renewal application will be due by March 31St, 2019 (also noted in the cover -letter).
Mr. Leonas proposed the O&M plan revision last year, which will need to be completed and
submitted, preferably before permit renewal.
The MRO should be informed of any changes to the contact information noted above.
Is a follow-up inspection necessary? yes, X no
Inspector Name/Title: Maria Schutte, Environmental Specialist I; Roberto Scheller, Environmental Specialist II
Telephone No.: 704-663-1699 Fax No. 704-663-6040
Date of Inspection: 08/28/2018

Residuals Inspection
WQ0000759 City of Albemarle Tuckertown WTP— Stanly County
pg. 2
Type of Residual
X Land Application (503 Exempt WTP Alum) Distribution and Marketing (class A)
Record Keeping
Y-yes N-no N/A -not applicable N/E-not evaluated
Y Copy of current permit available at residual generating site
*Y Current metals and nutrient analysis (see permit for frequency)
*Y TCLP analysis, *Y SSFA (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis)
*Y Nutrient and metals loading calculations (to determine most limiting parameter) YTD
*Y Hauling records (# gal and/or ton hauled during calendar year to date)
*Y Field loading records, Y Field site maps and information
NE Records of lime purchased
NA Pathogen & Vector Attraction Reduction
Comments: .*Available data was reviewed in the 2017 Annual Report. Recent sampling was still in process
with the contracted laboratory, at the time of inspection.
Pathogen & Vector Attraction Reduction records Not Applicable
Comments: The WTP Alum Residuals are 503 Exempt.
Sampling
Describe Sampling:
Is sampling adequate? NE Is sampling representative? NE Active sampling was not viewed, but should
be adequate if the sampling plan is followed. The O&M plan is currently in revision with Mr. Leonas to
adequately address recent plant procedure and personnel chance
Treatment
X Aerobic digestion Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion X Drying beds (may not meet 503's)
Alkaline Stabilization Lime Other -describe (Dewater via belt filter press)
Comments: Per previous inspection reports, the Long Creek WWTP drying beds are used for dewatered
material from the WTP lagoons until the material is ready to haul to the landfill.
Transport NA — There was no active application/transport at the time of inspection.
Spill control plan in transport vehicle? NA
Does transport vehicle appear to be maintained? NA
Storage
Number of days/months storage:
Storage: Per previous inspection reports, the storage was approximated at two weeks, but the facility
maintains a continuous process on a weekly basis to meet water needs. The Tuckertown plant is
sup lying water to Cabarrus County, which has increased residuals volume and is reducingsge
times. Residuals application is expected to remain within current permitted estimates.
Odors present? N Vectors present? N No odors or vectors were detected at the time of inspection.
Residuals from the backwash lagoons were the subject of an odor complaint received by MRO staff earlier this
year, when that material was applied under the Synagro distribution permit #WO0035207. The lagoons are not
aerated, so stagnation may result in odor generation.

Residuals Inspection
WQ0000759 City of Albemarle Tuckertown WTP— Stanly County
pg. 3
Field Sites (end use for class B biosolids) Only the WTP spray fields were viewed during this inspection.
Additional, ad
iacent City/CounU owned land utilized under the Synagro permit W00035207, was not viewed,
but discussed for potential transfer and use under this permit.
Field identification: On -site Spray
,fields were viewed, but there was no active application at the time o�
inspection.
Y Permit on site during application
Y Buffers adequate
N Documented exceedances of PAN limits
Y Signs of runoff / ponding
Y Spill plan on site
Y Cover crop specified in permit
N Site condition adequate
NE Rain Gauge on site during application
Are there any limiting slopes on fields?
N 10 % for surface application N 18% for subsurface application
Comment: Uneven spray distribution on these fields continues to be problematic as noted throughout this
report. Additional acreage through Albemarle's in-house program or with a contractor or hauling material to
a landfill are alternatives to avoid potential violations° or field mismanagement.
Odors/vectors Odors and vectors were not detected at the field site at the time of inspection.
Describe any nuisance conditions and any corrective actions needed. NA
Odors present N
Vectors present N
Monitoring well(s) Y/N: Y
If yes, location of well(s): These wells were permitted as part of the LA program years ago, so are unlikely
to be located at the review or compliance boundaries. External housing of all three MWs appeared maintained
at the time of inspection. Mr. Leonas assisted with collection oupdated MW coordinates utilizing his smart
phone.