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Home My WebLink AboutNC0023981_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20191223DocuSign Envelope ID: 45C813BC-8200-45D5-9401-8E115872EI84 ROY COOPER rr- K41CHAEL S. REGAN Serrerrrr y LINDA CULPEPPER NORTH CARODNA awtor Environmental Quality December 20, 2019 Lisa Triplett City of Lenoir PO Box 958 Lenoir, NC 28645-0958 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Lower Creek WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NCO023981 Caldwell County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Lower Creek WWTP on 12/18/2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0023981. 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 during the inspection and therefore, a response to this inspection report is not required. The following items were noted: • The facility may wish to evaluate the use of liquid hypochlorite as an option during future plant upgrades. Elimination of the chlorine gas cylinders may reduce operator risk and EPA Tier 2 Notification requirements. • The north aeration basin is experiencing some short circuiting in the diffuser system and should be repaired. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at tim.heim@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, IDocuSigned by: fiKbVAI (6KA 082B1105A3CA418... Tim Heim, P.E., Environmental Engineer Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Ec: WQS-ARO Server, LF G:\WR\WQ\Caldwell\Wastewater\Municipal\Lower Creek WWTP 23981\Inspections\2019 CEI\20191220_NC0023981_CEI.Docx NarthCarot nsDepartmentafEnvironmerttalQuad rty I DimsbaofWater Resources Ashevdle Regonal Office 1 2090 V.S. 70 ft3 ay I Sw nanos, North Carolina 23773 wb.«..c.« 825—wj6A800 DocuSign Envelope ID: 45C813BC-8200-45D5-9401-8E115872E184 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 1 2 15 I 3 I NCO023981 111 12 I 19/12/18 I17 18 I S J 19 L G] 201 I 211111 I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I f6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 671 70 I I 71 I I 72 I r I 73 I I 174 751 I I I I I I I80 u ty I I i 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) 10:OOAM 19/12/18 17/01/01 Lower Creek WWTP 1905 Broadland Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Lenoir NC 28645 02:OOPM 19/12/18 20/02/29 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Donnie Robert Hawkins/ORC/828-757-2198/ Elisa Robbins Triplett/ORC/828-757-2198/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Monte L Wall,PO Box 958 Lenoir NC 286450958//828-757-2198/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Program 0 Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters Other 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 Timothy H Heim hD—S'g-dby: DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4665/ N6f{Rt,twt DWR/Division of Water Quality/828-296-4686/ 12/23/2019 Mikal Witmer D082B1 105A3CA418... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date D... S'g-d by: 12/23/2019 ---1 Y. 8� EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 45C813BC-8200-45D5-9401-8E115872E184 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO023981 I11 121 19/12/18 117 18 JCJ Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Tim Heim and Mikal Willmer of the Asheville Regional Office performed a routine Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the facility on December 18, 2019. Lisa Triplett and Donnie Hawkins (City of Lenoir) were present and assisted with the inspection. The facility appeared well maintained and operated at the time of the inspection. The following items were noted during the inspection: The facility may wish to evaluate the use of liquid hypochlorite as an option during future plant upgrades. Elimination of the chlorine gas cylinders may reduce operator risk and EPA Tier 2 Notification requirements. The north aeration basin is experiencing some short circuiting in the diffuser system and should be repaired. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 45C813BC-8200-45D5-9401-8E115872E184 Permit: NCO023981 Owner - Facility: Lower Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 12/18/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Other Yes No NA NE Comment: The facility will shortly begin installation of a new sludge drying system which is anticipated to significantly reduce sludge volume. 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: BOD, DO, TSS, pH, Temp Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ application? 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: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical 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: Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the grit free of excessive odor? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Page# 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 45C813BC-8200-45D5-9401-8E115872E184 Permit: NCO023981 Owner - Facility: Lower Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 12/18/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal # Is disposal of grit in compliance? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: Grit removal periodically experiences problems with freezing and was shutdown at the time of the inspection due to freezing temperatures. Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? 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 ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The north aeration basin is experiencing some short circuiting in the diffuser system and should be repaired. Secondary Clarifier Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? Are weirs level? Is the site free of weir blockage? Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? Is scum removal adequate? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 45C813BC-8200-45D5-9401-8E115872E184 Permit: NCO023981 Owner - Facility: Inspection Date: 12/18/2019 Inspection Type: Lower Creek WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑ 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: Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE Are cylinders secured adequately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Comment: The facility may wish to evaluate the use of liquid hypochlorite as an option during future plant upgrades. Elimination of the chlorine gas cylinders may reduce operator risk and EPA Tier 2 Notification reauirements. De -chlorination Type of system ? Yes No NA NE Gas Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 45C813BC-8200-45D5-9401-8E115872E184 Permit: NC0023981 Owner - Facility: Inspection Date: 12/18/2019 Inspection Type: Lower Creek WWTP Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Number of tubes in use? 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: Page# 6