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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0034367_Inspection_20191029DocuSign Envelope ID: 5A418037-2563-478D-9D4D-8E7F72627DF0 ROY COOPED 66crric+r K41C •fAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER arwfOr Edward M Caron Onslow Water and Sewer Authority 228 Georgetown Rd Jacksonville, NC 28540 NORTH CAROUNA Environmental Qual" October 24, 2019 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Northwest Regional WRF Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0034367 Onslow County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Northwest Regional WRF on 10/10/2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0034367. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this inspection report is not required. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Bryan Lievre with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215 or via email at bryan.lievre@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, EW DocuSigned by: mLt a, Sa t6,11141" FIABA14AC7DC434... Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENT Cc: Laserfiche Mark Young, email North Caro fns.DepartmentofEnviroomeatadQuality I DiAsion of Water Resources Wflrnington Feg•3r�a-Offw 1 127 Ca rdiasi D3ive Extension 1155irnington, North Caro ,ms23405 ° " a10-7 M-7215 Compliance Inspection Report Permit: WQ0034367 SOC: County: Onslow Region: Wilmington Effective: 07/11/17 Expiration: 06/30/22 owner: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Effective: Expiration: Facility: Northwest Regional WRF 189 Mills Field Rd Contact Person: Edward M Caron Title: Directions to Facility: Approx. 2200' south on Mills Field Rd, from int. of Gum Branch Rd. and Mills Field Road. System Classifications: WW4, Primary ORC: Mark Curtis Young Certification: 1001105 Secondary ORC(s): Michael Keith Lutz 1005688 On -Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Inspection Date: 10/10/2019 EntryTime: 10:OOAM Primary Inspector: Bryan Lievre Secondary Inspector(s): Reason for Inspection: Routine Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant Question Areas: Richlands NC 28574 Phone: 910-937-7523 Phone: 910-937-7570 907-539-8101 Exit Time: 01:45PM Phone: 910-796-7215 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Treatment Treatment Barscreen Use Records Treatment Filters Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Treatment Disinfection End Use -Infiltration Treatment Flow Measurement Storage Standby Power (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 7 Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 10/10/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Inspection Summary: A routine compliance inspection of the Northwest Regional WRF for Onslow Water and Sewer Authority (ONWASA) was conducted on October 10, 2019. The purpose of the evaluation was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit W00034367. Present during the inspection were Mr. Eddie Caron, Mr. Mark Young and Mr. David Mohr with ONWASA as well as Mr. Jimmy Holland with WK Dickson. The facility has a 2 MGD treatment plant with discharge to one of four infiltration basins which are permitted to receive up to a total of 1,272,973 GPD. The facility is also permitted for the operation of a non -potable reuse system for internal use within the treatment plant, the operation of a reclaimed water bulk distribution system with a water truck loading station as well as a 482,632 GPD groundwater lowering system. The treatment facility is currently operating in manual mode while upgrades are performed to repair damage due to flooding caused by Hurricane Florence on 9/14/2018 as well as a subsequent cyber attack. Proposed activities are being performed to provide additional layers of protection against cyber attacks and to enable protection two feet above the 500-year flood elevation. It should be noted that not all of these proposed activities will require modifications to the existing permit. The system is currently operating at 250,000 - 300,000 gpd, on average. During the inspection, the rotary screen grit removal systems were inoperative. Repairs to the units were already scheduled and grit removal was being conducted with manual raking of the coarse bar screen. Only one of the two SBRs remains in operation and the other unit serves as a equalization basin until needed. During the summer months the operator reported that it may take two to three days to obtain sufficient flow to release a batch of treated water from the SBR. In addition, the entire solids filtration/chemical feed building (including two disc filter units, memebrane filter skid unit and UV disinfection system) was off line and bypassed using a replacement temporary disc filter system (capable of 600,000 GPD) with sodium hypochlorite for disinfection. Plans have been completed for the proposed alterations to the solids filtration/chemical feed building which will include the removal of the membrane filter skid and former UV system. Equipment which will be placed in the physical location of the above units include an open trough with a different UV system and associated controls and appurtenances. The plans for these alterations reportedly just went out for bid. All things considered, the facility appeared clean and well -run with no signs of unusual or inappropriate odors nor significant layers of foam or scum and the effluent appeared to be very clear. During the inspection, topics of discussion included the infiltration basins and their construction into limestone and the fact that the groundwater lowering system only contains water with periods associated with high water elevations in the nearby tributary for the New River. The infiltration basins were inspected and were found to be in need of removal of vegetation along the sides of all basins and the base of Basins A & B. It was evident that the growth obseved during the last inspection performed on 4/15/2018 has been removed and ONWASA staff indicated that the yearly vegetation clearing for all basins has already been scheduled. Additional discussions were performed about possible 1/1 issues. Although the facility has more than sufficient storage for "typical" storm events, the concern is that potential future extreme events (which have become more often) could represent an issue for the facility. The facility is compliant with the non -discharge permit W00034367. The staff at the facility are very knowledgeable of the operations of the system and keep the facility well maintained. Please review the comment sections of the inspection report for more details. Page 2 of 7 Permit: WQ0034367 Inspection Date: 10/10/2019 Owner - Facility: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Type Yes No NA NE Lagoon Spray, LR ❑ Reuse (Quality) ❑ Single Family Spray, LR ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, LR ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, HR ❑ Activated Sludge Drip, LR ❑ Recycle/Reuse ❑ Single Family Drip ❑ Infiltration System Treatment Yes No NA NE Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Comment: The entire Solids Filtration/Chemical Feed Blda was off line for system repairs/uaarades Equipment taken off line included the two disc filter units, a filter membrane skid unit and the Trojan UV system as well as pumps and chemical feeds for sodium biosulfate and sodium hydroxide. A new temporary disc filter was piped to the effluent of the flow equalization basin and sodium hypochlorite was being provided for disinfection. As part of the current permit modification, the membrane filters and the existing UV system will be removed and an open trough will be installed along with a newer UV system. Also, like the inspection performed 4/5/18, only one of the sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) is being used for biological treatment (i.e. SBR #1). The other SBR (SBR #2) is being used as a temporary equalization basin. All - operating equipment appeared to be functioning well with no issues noted. Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Is flowmeter calibrated annually? Is flowmeter operating properly? Does flowmeter monitor continuously? Does flowmeter record flow? Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? Yes No NA NE ■❑❑❑ ■❑❑❑ Comment: All flowmeters are calibrated annually and a printed calbration record was available for each unit The last calibration was performed by Instrumentation Services, Inc, on 3/29/2019. Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Yes No NA NE Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: System does not meter recycled water. Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Is flowmeter calibrated annually? Yes No NA NE ■❑❑❑ Page 3 of 7 Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 10/10/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Is flowmeter operating properly? Does flowmeter monitor continuously? Does flowmeter record flow? Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? Reason for Visit: Routine ■❑❑❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■❑❑❑ Comment: Svstem has flow meters for each of the four infiltration basins (i.e. A. B. C & D) and each meter is calibrated annually with the most recent calibration performed by Instrumentation Services, Inc. on 3/29/2019. Printed copies of calibration results were readily available on -site. Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? Is generator operable? Does generator have adequate fuel? Comment: The facilitv has a 1500 kW diesel -powered aenerator available. As Dreviously mentioned as a result of the 4/5/18 inspection, the unit is tested every Monday but due to the process control system and requirements for sequential equipment starts (depending upon SBR phase), the generator is not tested by interupting incomming power. Most notably is the wet aeration system in the SBR, when power is interupted and the equipment restarts on the generator power, the aeration blower and the motive pump will restart at the same time. The compressed air infected into the motive pump discharge line cannot be released quickly enough and the pump will then experience an air lock resulting in lack of circulation and adequate aeration rates. Due to the manpower requirements to manually reset this and the other phase sequence issues, the generator is only manually tested. Treatment Barscreen Is it free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screenings in compliance? Are the bars spaced properly? Is the unit in good condition? Yes No NA NE Comment: Rotary screen units are tvaically used for debris and arit removal. However. at the time of the ■❑❑❑ inspection, the units were inoperative and screening was being performed with the manual bar screen and rake. The bar screen was relatively clean and clear of debris. Waste debris and grit is stored in rolling dumpsters until disposal is required. Treatment Activated Sludge Yes No NA NE Is the aeration mechanism operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is activated sludge an acceptable color? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 4 of 7 Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 10/10/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Comment: The SBR was beina aerated durina the visit and the unit aDDeared to be well mixed and no significant unusual odors were observed. The facility staff perform sveral process control tests each day to ensure proper performance of the SBR system and to make control adjustments if needed. Tests include nitrate, phosphate, ammonia and 30 minute settlometer test as well as screening for dissolved oxygen, pH and ORP and UV transissivity. Staff continue to waste 3000 - 3500 gpd on average from the SBR. Treatment Filters Yes No NA NE Is the filter media present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter media the correct size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does backwashing frequency appear adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Tertiary filtration is tvDically Derformed with dual disc filters followed by a membrane unit (four membrane units approved by only one ever installed). The entire solids filtration/chemical feed building (including two disc filter units, memebrane filter skid unit and UV disinfection system) was off line and bypassed using a replacement temporary disc filter system (capable of 600,000 GPD) with sodium hypochlorite for disinfection until completion of proposed upgrades. Plans have been completed for the proposed alterations to the solids filtration/chemical feed building which will include the removal of the membrane filter skid and former LIV system. Equipment which will be placed in the physical location of the above units include an open trough with a different LIV system and associated controls and appurtenances. The plans for these alterations reportedly lust went out for bid. The existing temporary disc filter seemed to be operating Properly with 20 micron panels. Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Is the aeration operational? Is the aeration pattern even? If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? Yes No NA NE ■❑❑❑ ■❑❑❑ ❑❑■❑ Comment: The southern sludae diaester tank was Operational durina th visit and aeration was observed to have been well distributed. Due to the lacvk of need, the northern sludge digester tank was almost empty and was not operational during the visit. The tanks and their contents seemed to be well maintained and were free of excessive scum and no unusual or elevated odors were observed. The facility typically has sludge removed every spring by Lewis Farms. Treatment Disinfection Yes No NA NE Is the system working? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there adequate detention time (-30 minutes)? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the system properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑ If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 5 of 7 Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 10/10/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is the chlorinator accessible? ❑ ❑ ❑ If tablets, are tablets present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If UV, are extra UV bulbs available? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If UV, is the UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is it a dual feed system? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? ❑ ❑ ❑ If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000 ) If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Comment: As mentioned. the system Dreviously used UV with sodium hvDochlorite for disinfection. The UV system is off line until the new UV system is installed and the system is using sodium hypo for disinfection. Infection is performed within the plant drain pump station iust north of and between the two 5-day ponds. Sodium hypo is being stored within a 2500 gallon plastic tank located within a building west of the solids filtration building and typically ordered in quantities of 1500 gallons. Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of current permit available? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are monitoring reports present: NDMR? ❑ ❑ ❑ NDAR? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are application rates adhered to? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there any 2L GW quality violations? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are annual soil reports available? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are PAN records required? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Did last soil report indicate a need for lime? ❑ ❑ ❑ If so, has it been applied? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are operational logs present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are lab sheets available for review? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 6 of 7 Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 10/10/2019 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Are Operational and Maintenance records present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Were Operational and Maintenance records complete? ❑ ❑ ❑ Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the SOC readily available? ❑ ❑ ❑ No treatment units bypassed since last inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: A review of the manual oDerations loabook was conducted. All information is uDdated reaularl and seemed to accurately reflect activities performed at the facility. Staff are very knowlegable of their facility and keep the system well maintained. End Use -Infiltration Yes No NA NE # Is the application High Rate or Low Rate? High Rate Are buffers maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are any supply wells within the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is municipal water available in the area? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are GW monitoring wells required? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RIB and CB? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a usable green area maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the disposal site acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the distribution equipment acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the disposal site free of ponding? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the disposal site free of breakout? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the disposal sites free of solids, algae, etc.? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the disposal sites free of vegetation? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge? ❑ ❑ ❑ No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation, solids, algae, etc.? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The infiltration basins were insDected and were found to be in need of removal of veaetation along the sides of all basins and the base of Basins A & B. It was evident that the growth obseved during the last inspection performed on 4/15/2018 has been removed and ONWASA staff indicated that the yearly vegetation clearing for all basins has already been scheduled. The presence of the vegetation did not appear to present any problems with infiltration and staff understood the need to keep vegetation growth to a minimum. The areas around the basins are well maintained to minimize problems to the basins (e.g. vector control, preventing increased sediments, etc.). Page 7 of 7