NC0020737_Report_20190715

City of Kings Mountain WWTP
Pilot Creek
PO Box 429
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
March 14, 2019 RECEIVED/NCDEQ/DWR
Derek Denard JUL 16 nig
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Water Quality
Water Quality Division Permitting Section
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Subject: July 2019 Status Report for Pilot Creek WWTP
Mr. Denard,
The City of Kings Mountain holds NPDES Permit NC0020737. After receipt of the extended
Special Order of Consent (SOC) by the Environmental Management Commision, Pilot Creek has
submitted quarterly Status Reports; informing the State, of ongoing efforts made to reduce
thallium in the collection system for the City of Kings Mountain. These reports will be
submitted quarterly until May 31, 2020, as stated in the Scheduled Activity section, Section 2.
(b).
Coremetech and Cfty of KM TI data to date:
The following monthly data has been collected from December 2017 until January 2019 regarding
testing results for Cormetech and the POTW's effluent sampling events:
0.1
0.09
0.08
0.07
J 0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
11
13p

.r
Coremetech Progress Reports:
Cormetech continues to submit monthly status reports to the City which contains their plans in reducing
thallium at the facility. All reports have been received by the Pretreatment Department on -time.
March 2019 Status Report: (received 3/18/19) Describes the pH optimization treatment for Cormetech.
This covers ranges of pH from 5 to 11 to study the effect on thallium, arsenic and other metals including
particle size formation and settling. The peroxide treatment section states they are studying the effects
on removal of arsenic and thallium. FeC13 treatment (coagulant) is being studied to see how far it can be
used to improve total removal of metals and evaluate effect on chloride levels. Fe2(SO4)3 Treatment:
Coagulant widely used for metal removal with no chloride effect. Studying efficiency versus FeC13
coagulant, effect on thallium removal, particle size formation and sludge building characteristics.
Coremetch is using J&T Technology to provide further polishing T9/T8 water to address day deviation
plus controlling further level of almost all controlled metals and improving clarity of final effluent to
provide consistent minimum TSS. Evaluation of flocculant/clarifier options for solids removal are also
underway in the laboratory.
April 2019 Status Report: (received 4/17/19) This report describes the pH optimization treatment is
complete and pH range has been optimized for arsenic and thallium removal. Peroxide treatment: Work
is complete and use of peroxide does not improve arsenic or thallium removal. FeC13 treatment study is
still in progress. Operations is currently working to determine removal efficiencies across several
different catalyst jobs with varying contaminant profiles and expects to have initial conclusions early
June. Fe2(So4)3 study is complete and shows that ferric chloride is more effective in the Cormetech
process for contaminant removal.
May 2019 Status Report (received 5/17/19) FeC13 Treatment (current coagulant): Study is in progress to
determine use of FeC13 for improved removal of metals and to evaluate impact on Chloride levels in
effluent. Operations is currently working to determine removal efficiencies across several different
catalyst jobs with varying contaminant profiles and expects to have initial conclusions in early June.
Solids Removal Treatment: A continuous process designed jointly by J&T technology and CORMETECH
to provide further polishing T9/T8 water to address day-to-day deviation plus controlling further levels
of almost all controlled metals and improving clarity of final effluent to provide consistent minimum TSS.
Evaluation of flocculant/clarifier options for solids removal are also underway in the lab. Operations to
discuss path forward the week of May 20.
June 2019 Status Report (received 6/18/19): FeC13 Treatment (current coagulant): Study is complete.
FeC13 is the most efficient available option for improved metals removal in CORMETECH wastewater.
Chloride levels in effluent is managed by varying the FeC13 level as needed for various catalyst jobs with
high Arsenic and Chlorides. Solids Removal Treatment: The system designed by J&T Technology
presented numerous challenges on the pilot scale. Therefore, we have tabled this technology for now
with the intention of putting our efforts towards a more generic filtering technology. We have narrowed
the focus to selecting between various media filters and/or screens. Quotes and specifications have
been obtained from more than 6 vendors. Lab scale trials to ensure effectiveness are beginning, and lab
results will be reviewed to determine the path forward for further evaluation and selection of
appropriate solids removal equipment.

Pilot Creek WWTP continues to operate the belt press as much as possible to remove metals in the
system(s). The City of Kings Mountain is in the process of installing a bigger generator. By doing so, this
will provide the amount of power needed to install mixers in all three of the aeration basins. We
strongly believe by putting mixers in the basins, effluent metals will be reduced in the final effluent.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Richelle Meek
City of Kings Mountain
WWTP Superintendent/ORC/Pretreatment Coordinator
[e-mail]
Office #: [phone]