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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0004270_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20181205NORTH CAROUNA ROY COOPED Errs M"Fh#rttd� Qrtorrry Go++xrrrw MICHAEL S. REGAAI 54hT ary LINDA CULPEPPER lrrrerfm &'rsa w December 5, 2018 Mr. Lee Pennington via Email Environmental and Finishing Manager AB Carter Post Office Box 518 Gastonia, North Carolina 28053-0518 Subject: Non -Discharge Permit Inspection AB Carter —Wastewater Irrigation System Permit #WQ0004270 Gaston County Dear Mr. Pennington, Attached you will find the report for the compliance inspection conducted on November 21It 2018. 1 would like to thank you for your time during the inspection. Records were in very good order and the treatment system appeared to be operating adequately at the time of inspection. Please note the following conditions or concerns to maintain overall compliance: This permit will expire on March 31st, 2020. A renewal application, due September 30th 2019, 6 months prior to expiration. A renewal application form is attached, but may also be located on our website via this link: https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water- resou rces/water-resources-Dermits/wastewater- bran ch/non-discharae-Dermittina- unit/application. Scroll to the "Wastewater Irrigation Systems" table and select form "NDSR". Please contact Nathan iel.Thornburg (a)_ncdenr.gov, supervisor of Non - Discharge permitting at our Central Office in Raleigh with specific questions related to your renewal process. • MRO staff discussed the following items, which should be addressed with the upcoming renewal: Installation of water level gauge, meeting program required inch or tenths of a foot increments and appropriately installed at the lowest point of the berm, for free -board measurement. Q North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Mooresville Regional Office 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 704.663.1699 Effluent sampling results technically do not meet the "within 15 minutes" hold time for field parameters, such as pH. Per conversation with Mr. Pennington, samples are collected and immediately driven to nearby Par Labs for analysis. Furthermore, obtaining field certification seems unrealistic given the limited twice per year sampling requirement. Upon reflection, MRO staff suggests discussion with your groundwater monitoring contracted company, as they already have equipment and personnel on -site; and, adding one effluent sample for required field parameters during their regularly scheduled sampling events, may be a cost-effective way to meet the analytical hold time. NOTE: the 15-minute hold -time concern only applies to field parameters, the remaining samples can still be delivered to your contract lab as routine_ The attached inspection report should be self-explanatory; however, please contact Maria Schutte at maria.schutte(cDncdenr.gov or (704) 663-1699, with any questions. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: E 1 C H Mo." F161 FB69A2D84A3... Andrew H. Pitner, P.G., Assistant Supervisor Mooresville Regional Office Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachments(s): WQ0004270 Inspection Report CC: Al Abedi, Vice President (email) State of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources Roy Cooper, Governor Michael S. Regan, Secretary Linda Culpepper, Director NON -DISCHARGE COMPLIANCE INSPECTION SURFACE IRRIGATION GENERAL INFORMATION Owner: AB Carter County: Gaston Permit #: W00004270 Project Name: AB Carter Issuance Date: 04/23/2015 Expiration Date: 03/31/2029 Permittee Contact: Al Abedi (Vice President) Main Ph: 704-865-1201 Direct Line: 704-874-2745 Email: abedi&abcarter.com Facility Contact and ORC: Lee Pennington (Environmental and Facility Manager) Cert: SI987583 Main Ph: 704-865-1201 Direct Line: 704-874-2745 Cell: 704-860-0277 Email: 112enningtongabcarter.com Backup ORC: Charles E. Parker Cert: SI19607 Main Ph: 704-865-1201 Reason for Inspection X ROUTINE COMPLAINT FOLLOW-UP Facility Start-up Inspection Date(s): November 21, 2018 Inspection Summary: (additional comments may be included on attached pages) The Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) conducted a facility inspection, which included the irrigation and treatment systems, application fields and records review. The treatment system appeared to be functioning adequately, at the time of inspection. The irrigation equipment was not assessed as the permittee had irrigated recently, but the fields are well manicured and monitoring wells maintained. Records are up-to-date and files well organized. Please note the following issues to maintain overall compliance: • Items noted in the cover -letter. • 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 Telephone No.: 704-663-1699 Fax No. 704-663-6040 Date of Inspection: 11/21/2018 Surface Irrigation — AB Carter — Gaston County Permit #WQ0004270 Page 2 Type Activated Sludge Spray, low rate Activated Sludge Drip, low rate X Lagoon Spray, Low Rate Lagoon Drip, Low Rate Treatment Y Are treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit. Y Do all treatment units appear to be operational? If no, note below. Treatment — extended aeration X All pumps present, operational Bypass structure present X Bar screen, maintained Free of excessive debris Bars evenly spaced Bars excessively corroded Back-up power Comments: There is a residuals processing plant and a pre-treatment plant for effluent to Crowder's Creek. Both facilities are well maintained for their age but show signs of corrosion. MRO staff recommended sanding/re-painting to keep peeling paint and rust form enteringether plant. Flow Measurement — Influent NA Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is flow meter operating properly? Does flow meter operate continuously? Does flow meter record flow? Does flow meter appear to monitor accurately? Disinfection Y Is the system working? Y Is the system properly maintained? X Tablets Gas Liquid UV NE If tablets, proper size? Present in Cylinder(s)? If gas/liquid, does cylinder/tank storage seem safe? If bulbs, are replacement bulbs on hand? Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids and growth? Flow Measurement — Effluent Flowmeter appears to be working but is not a calibrated meter. NA Is the flowmeter calibrated annually? Y Is the flowmeter operating properly? Flow Measurement — Water -Use Records Use time to estimate application. NA Is water use metered? Y Are the daily average values properly calculated? Effluent Storage X LAGOON SEPTIC TANK(s) ABOVE GROUND TANK OTHER Number of month's storage NE Spill control plan on site NA This is an industrial acility with a spill plan to cover all products utilized. In the unlikely event any wastewater or residuals were transported under this permit, an incident would be handled in accordance with their existing facility spill elan and the conditions of this vermit. Hauling would most likelv be conducted under a Division of Waste Management certified contractor. Surface Irrigation — AB Carter — Gaston County Page 3 Permit #WQ0004270 Storage Lagoons Check any/all that apply Y Influent structure (free of obstructions) N Banks/berms (are there signs of seepage, overtopping, down cutting or erosion) N Vegetation (is there excessive vegetation on the lagoon bank) NA Liner (if visible, is it intact) NA Baffles/curtains (in need of repair) *Y Freeboard (>2 feet from overtopping) *Y Staff gauge (clearly marked) N Evidence of overflow (vegetation discolored or laying down/broken) N Unusual color (very black, textile colors) N Foam (are antifoam agents used) N Floating mats (sludge, plants, inorganics) NE Excessive solids buildup (from bottom) — unable to view bottom of lagoon. NA Aerators/mixers operational (if present) ORC and Back-up ORC recently set-up an in-house design utilizing a paddle boat attached to lines for control, so they can achieve some mixing throughout the lagoon. The in-house design should not a, f ect lagoon intent. Y Effluent structure (free of obstructions, easily accessible) Comments: *Attached to side ofixed pier, but not located to adequately assess lowest point of lam berm. As with all facilities this year, AB Carter has seen unprecedented rainfall this year, elevatin��lagoon levels beyond normal and limiting irrigation opportunities. Residuals Management Recommended permittee assess plant and septic tank residuals and pump as needed. Disposal (final end use) Y Is the application equipment present and operational? N Is application equipment in need repair? N Spray heads calibrated this past year? These are low -profile spray -heads. Calibration is difficult. Y Are cover crops the type specified in permit? N Is cover crop in need of improvement? N Signs of runoff? N Signs of ponding? N Signs of drift? Y Are buffers adequate? Y Is the acreage specified in the permit being utilized? N Are there any limiting slopes in disposal fields? NA Are restrictions for use of these areas specified? Restrictions are specified in the permit lane Y Is permit being followed? Y Is site access restricted in accordance with permit? Site is isolated and WWTP and Lagoon fenced. NE Are there any water supply wells within the compliance area? NE Is the area served by municipal water? Comments: Fields are well manicured. Recordkeeping Y Is permit available upon request? Y Are flow rates less than permitted flow? Y Are monitoring reports present: NDMR Y NDAR Y Y Are application rates adhered to? Y Are the operation logs present? Y Complete? Y Are lab sheets available for review? Surface Irrigation — AB Carter — Gaston County Page 4 Permit #WQ0017912 Y Do lab sheets support data represented on NDMR or NDAR? Y Are all samples analyzed for the required parameters? *Y Is field parameter certification required? NE Are annual soil reports available? NE Did the last report indicate a need for lime? NE Was it applied? N Are there any 2L GW quality violations? NE Is operation and maintenance manual available? The MRO did not view the manual. Reviewed entries in maintenance logbook and WWTP logbook. N Has DWQ received any complaints regarding the facility in the last 12 months? Comments: Facility requirements are to submit all repairs to maintenance for proper work orders, tracking and safb�purposes. Maintenance has a separate written logbook and staff maintains a separate data base. Mr. Pennington is copied on maintenance spreadsheets. This facility also participates in ISO certification. MRO discussed error in 12-month floating total to be corrected with next NDAR submission. Groundwater Monitoring Y Does the permit require monitoring wells? If so, Y are the monitoring wells properly installed according to the permit? Y are the wells properly identified? N are the wells damaged? Comments: There were large ant hills around one monitoring well. MRO cautioned NOT to treat hill concern of potential pesticide impact to groundwater. Additional Comment(s): Unable to assess high water alarms. ORC was to have maintenance determine functionality of alarm system.