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Home My WebLink AboutNC0025909_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20191216 December 16, 2019 Doug Barrick Town of Rutherfordton 129 N Main St Rutherfordton, NC 28139 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Rutherfordton WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0025909 Rutherford County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Rutherfordton WWTP on 12/10/2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0025909. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4686 or via email at mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist II Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report EC: WQS-ARO Server & LF Suez G:\WR\WQ\Rutherford\Wastewater\Municipal\Rutherfordton WWTP 25909\Inspections\Inspect. Dec. 10 2019\20191216_NC0025909_CEI DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460 Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 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 N 52 NC0025909 19/12/10 C S31112171819 20 21 66 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- N67707172 73 74 75 80 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) Rutherfordton WWTP NC Hwy 221 Rutherfordton NC 28139 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:00AM 19/12/10 16/07/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Phillip E Reynolds/ORC/828-287-2141/ Other Facility Data 12:00PM 19/12/10 20/07/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Doug Barrick,129 N Main St Rutherfordton NC 28139/Town Manager/828-287-3520/Contacted 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 Mikal Willmer DWR/Division of Water Quality/828-296-4686/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 12/17/2019 12/17/2019 NPDES yr/mo/day 19/12/10 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Rutherfordton WWTP. This inspection conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0025909. Phillip Reynolds and Jenny Faulkner were present and assisted in the inspection. Overall the facility appeared to be operated and maintained in compliance. The following items were noted at the time of the inspection. SCADA: Installed at all lift stations and the WWTP is scheduled to have SCADA installed by the end of January. Secondary Clarifier: Both clarifiers have now been sand blasted and epoxy coated and had their weirs leveled. Headworks: The screw auger is rated for 1.5 MGD, which is adequate during normal flows; however, due to I&I within the system, the auger has trouble managing flows and debris during rain events. Additionally, the facility's next tier is for 3MGD. Should the facility receive regular flows above 1.5 MGD, the current headworks would be undersized at normal flow. Some of the current debris & grit build up could be managed with an initial screen and or an additional grit system. Currently grit fills the small influent trough quickly reducing the flow capacity before flow overtops auger weirs. Staff have adjusted the high level float to notify them before it bypasses the auger to the manual screen. Aeration Basin: The damaged liner in the second aeration basin is still in need of repair, as noted in the previous inspection. It is recommended the solids levels within the basins be monitored periodically since valving does not exist to waste from the aeration basins. Aerobic Digester: Wasting is limited due to time needed for settling within the current digester. Staff have increased application events to twice a year to provide additional wasting capacity. A second digester or aerated sludge holding tank in future upgrades would allow flexibility in managing system solids. Contact Chamber: The second contact chamber was not rehabilitated in 2017/2018. NC0025909 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 Permit:NC0025909 Inspection Date:12/10/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Rutherfordton WWTP Compliance Evaluation Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Staff collect mlss from aeration basin, regurlarly check solids within clarifier and routinely check free chlorine in contact chamber. Comment: Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new application? Is the facility as described in the permit? # Are there any special conditions for the permit? Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? No special conditions in permit.Comment: Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected above side streams? 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 sampling performed according to the permit? The influent sampler is set to time composite every 15 minutes. Recommend staff check sample pull volume to ensure a minimum 100 mL sample volume. Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 Permit:NC0025909 Inspection Date:12/10/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Rutherfordton WWTP Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Facility has a screw auger rated for 1.5 MGD and a manual back-up screen. The Town should continue to assess long-term plans for the headworks. Currently, during rain events, influent flow exceeds the auger's rating. See summary for additional details. Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain-of-custody complete? Dates, times and location of sampling Name of individual performing the sampling 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? All calibration documentation and monitoring data is available on-site. Logbooks appear to complete and contain all maintenance activities, sampling, and chemical delivery. Comment: Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? Is the basin free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 Permit:NC0025909 Inspection Date:12/10/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Rutherfordton WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? EQ basin is not currently in use and primarily contains rain water.Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Surface Is the basin free of dead spots? Are surface aerators and mixers operational? Are the diffusers operational? Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin’s surface? Is the DO level acceptable? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) ORC reports the DO is maintained about 3 mg/L in the AB. One or two aerators are run during the winter and three to four in the summer. Second AB is not in use and is still in need of repairs. See summary for details. Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? Is the drive unit operational? Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately ¼ of the sidewall depth) Both clarifiers were recently rehabilitated. Secondary effluent appeared free of solids.Comment: Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 Permit:NC0025909 Inspection Date:12/10/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Rutherfordton WWTP Compliance Evaluation Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Tank is approximately 441,000 gallons. At current flows, ORC is able to adequately maintain solids; however, he would like to have digester capacity to waste a little daily. See summary for details. Comment: Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Is containment adequate? Is storage adequate? Are backup pumps available? Is the site free of excessive leaking? Staff maintain a spill kit within the chemical feed room and have a storm drain mat in the event chemical exits the building. Comment: Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination? ORC checks free chlorine in contact chamber and adjust feed rates as needed.Comment: De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ?Liquid Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? Is storage appropriate for cylinders? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 Permit:NC0025909 Inspection Date:12/10/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Rutherfordton WWTP Compliance Evaluation De-chlorination Yes No NA NE # Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Sodium hypochlorite and sodium bisulfite are within same chemical room in HDPE chemical carboys. Comment: Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? Is the generator tested under load? Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? Generator was recently replaced. By warranty the generator is tested under load weekly. Suez maintains fuel for the generator. Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE 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)? Flow meter was calibrated on 12/9/19 by Delta Systems. ORC regularly checks flow in between calibrations. Sampler is set to flow proportional. Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 Permit:NC0025909 Inspection Date:12/10/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Rutherfordton WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE No visible solids noted entering Cleghorn Creek. Staff have the ability to aerate the effluent if needed. Comment: Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and sampling location)? Facility samples at the modified upstream location below the confluence with Stonecutter Creek. Comment: Page#8 DocuSign Envelope ID: B649F549-9A60-4665-BCC1-B5102F6DB836 Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: B649F5499A604665BCC1B5102F6DB836 Status: Completed Subject: Please DocuSign: 20191216_NC0025909_CEI.ltr.docx, 20191216_NC0025909_CEI.inspect.pdf Source Envelope: Document Pages: 9 Signatures: 3 Envelope Originator: Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 0 Mikal Willmer AutoNav: Enabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) 217 W. Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27699 Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Record Tracking Status: Original Dec 17, 2019 | 07:35 Holder: Mikal Willmer Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Location: DocuSign Signer Events Signature Timestamp Mikal Willmer mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Environmental Specialist North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Drawn on Device Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: Dec 17, 2019 | 07:36 Viewed: Dec 17, 2019 | 07:36 Signed: Dec 17, 2019 | 07:36 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign G. Landon Davidson landon.davidson@ncdenr.gov Asheville Regional Office, Regional Supervisor DEQ, Division of Water Resources, Water Quality Regional Operatoins Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Uploaded Signature Image Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: Dec 17, 2019 | 07:36 Viewed: Dec 17, 2019 | 08:05 Signed: Dec 17, 2019 | 08:07 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp Editor Delivery Events Status Timestamp Agent Delivery Events Status Timestamp Intermediary Delivery Events Status Timestamp Certified Delivery Events Status Timestamp Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp Witness Events Signature Timestamp Notary Events Signature Timestamp Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted Dec 17, 2019 | 07:36 Certified Delivered Security Checked Dec 17, 2019 | 08:05 Signing Complete Security Checked Dec 17, 2019 | 08:07 Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Completed Security Checked Dec 17, 2019 | 08:07 Payment Events Status Timestamps