NC0021920_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20200218

DocuSign Envelope ID: 572306B9-2465-4lE5-8397-33F2C4CBOB03
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Darren L Currie
City of Whiteville
PO Box 607
Whiteville, NC 28472-0607
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
March 05, 2020
Tracking Number: NOD-2020-PC-0098
Permit No. NCO021920
Whiteville WRF
Columbus County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Whiteville WRF on February 18,
2020. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and
limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021920. A summary of the findings and comments noted
during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.
The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Wilmington
Regional Office. The following deficiency(s) was noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area
Description of Deficiency
Secondary Clarifier
Dispose of cleanings properly
Bar Screens
Manual screen plugged by debris
Record Keeping
No evidence found of Annual WW Performance Report submittal since 2017.
Effluent Sampling
Temperature issues with both samplers
NorthCaroLnsDepartmentoffnvironmeata3Quality I DWsion of Water ResoLE roes
r, Wilmington Reg •3oaIOffice 1127 CArd'InalDrive Extension I WINmington, North Caro -ms23405
z�"•• " a"• 910-796-7215

DocuSign Envelope ID: 572306B9-2465-41E5-8397-33F2C4CBOB03
Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the
future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of
State law. To prevent further action, carefully review these deficiencies and address the causes of
non-compliance to prevent the recurrence of similar situations.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dean Hunkele with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215.
Sincerely,
�TDocuSiggTnled by: .Y
l Oµ t Y�O.+fYlOA,
7F141E73B6F3456...
Tom Tharrington, Asst. Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENT
Cc: Upload to Laserfiche
NorthCaroLnsDepartmentoffnvironmeata3Quality I DWsion of Water ResoLE roes
r, Wilmington Reg •3oaIOffice 1127 Card'InalDAveExtension I WINmiogton, North Caro -ms23405
z�"•• " a"• 910-796-7215

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
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 NCO021920 111 12 I 20/02/18 I17 18 I S I 19 I G I 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 I5 I 71 I n I 72 I n, I 73 I I 174 751 I I I I I I I80
u 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 20/02/18
17/05/01
Whiteville WRF
1000 Nolan Ave
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Whiteville NC 28472
11:45AM 20/02/18
19/08/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Clint Ward//910-642-5818 ext 7001/9106423094
Daniel Clinton Ward/ORC/910-654-4148/
Newlyn L McCullen//910-642-5818 /9106423094
Newlyn Lee McCullen/ORC/910-642-5818/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Brandon S Rich,PO Box 607 Whiteville NC 284720607/Pretreatment
Coordinator/910-642-5818/9106423094 Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Compliance Schedules
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
DocuSigned by:
Bryan Lievre �j an �ir�v2ri DWR/WIRO WQ/910-796-7215/
DocuSigned by:
Dean Hunke DWR/WIRO WQ/910-796-7215/ 3�5�2020
74249ABED37443E... T o s«ao�1�
CEa929
.,DWR/WIRO
Tyler G Benson -9"140 WQ/910-796-7336/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
by: 3/5/2020
DWR/WIRO WQ/
Tom TharringtF;04,
T�ocuSigned
�
l 4.M 0A.
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev Mi� ' i�Nvious editions are obsolete.
Page#

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) 1
NCO021920 I11 12, 20/02/18 117 18 I C
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Overall the facility is operated and maintained well.
However, a few issues were noted that should be addressed:
1. Material removed from secondary clarifiers not disposed of properly.
2. Sampler temps or thermometer issues need to be addressed.
3. Manual bypass screen at headworks was plugged with leaves from last high flow event. This needs
to be kept clean & ready for use.
4. Need to ensure the facility's Annual Wastewater Performance Reports are submitted and received
by the Division; checking the Division's Laserfiche portal can confirm receipt. Last documented report
located was for collection system permit for CY 2017.
A Notice of Deficiency will be issued for the above.
Page# 2

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Inspection Date: 02/18/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit
Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
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application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
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# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
0
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Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
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Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
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Comment: Permit expired at end of 8-2019 and renewal app submitted in 2-2019; drafting
and issuance
likely months away. Currrent permit indicates that it has an influent flow meter, but it does
not; the effluent meter is being used to signal influent sampler to sample. Old
polishing
pond
special condition A(5) met.
Compliance Schedules
Is there a compliance schedule for this facility? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the facility compliant with the permit and conditions for the review period? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Condition A(5) had a schedule -- protect complete. No violations since last CEI in June
2018.
Record Keeping
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?
Yes No NA NE
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Inspection Date: 02/18/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Reviewed reports & data from 3-2019 and 9-2019 finding no issues. No recent Annual WW
Performance Reports could be located on DWR's laserfiche site nor in regional office files:
City needs to be sure these are being filed with DWR for the WWTP and the collection
system permits. Last report located was for CY 2017 and was only for collection system.
Laboratory
Yes No NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
0
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Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab?
0
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# Is the facility using a contract lab?
0
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
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Celsius)?
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees?
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Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees?
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Comment: Facility has in-house lab that handles some of the prima
with rest done by Environment 1 in Greenville NC.
Bar Screens
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?
rameters like bacti and TSS
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Comment: Automatic barscreen design could be better in that a good portion of collected debris drops
back down during the cleaning cycle. The manual bypass screen was completely plugged
by leaves from the last apparent very high flow event -- this needs to be kept clean for when
its needed.
Grit Removal
Type of grit removal
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
Yes No NA NE
Page# 4

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Inspection Date: 02/18/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Grit Removal
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
Is the grit free of excessive odor?
# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
Comment:
Influent Sampling
# 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?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The sampler is connected via wireless transmitter with the effluent flow meter to determine
when sampling occurs. The thermometer inside the sampler read -8C, but sample wasn't
frozen; the thermometer was either placed inside the unit or had its last annual calibration
check during 2018. Clearly, something wasn't correct or accurate between the unit's
setting/thermometer and the one placed inside.
Pump Station - Influent
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
Is the wet well free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
MIT-1111111►SMZF-MUM
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Comment: Triplex station with a temporary bypass connection; new pump on order for it. Connection
was used during Florence when on -site generator failed from flooding.
Oxidation Ditches
Yes No NA NE
Are the aerators operational?
0
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Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up?
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# Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
0
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Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface?
0
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Is the DO level acceptable?
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Page# 5

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Inspection Date: 02/18/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Oxidation Ditches
Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)?
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1)
Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes)
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Color and consistency of mixed liquor looked very good with little to no foam. The ditch
system is a BNR design with anoxic & anaerobic basins upfront.
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?
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'/4 of the sidewall depth)
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Weirs/baffles were a little dirtier than expected, but not bad. However, piles of previously
removed debris were observed laying on the ground beside at least 2 of the units: this
should be diposed of properly once removed, but definitely within 1-2 days.
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
Yes No NA NE
Type of operation:
Cross flow
Is the filter media present?
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Is the filter surface free of clogging?
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Is the filter free of growth?
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Is the air scour operational?
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Is the scouring acceptable?
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Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media?
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Comment:
Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility:
Inspection Date: 02/18/2020 Inspection Type:
Whiteville WRF
Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection -Liquid
Yes No NA NE
(Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational?
0
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Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains)
0
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Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
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Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
0
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Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
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Comment: Facility is currrently using small totes to dose as the main tank replaced after Florence
developed a leak. Leak has been fixed and iust waiting on new chemical delivery.
De -chlorination
Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?
Liquid
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
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Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
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# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
0 ❑
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Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Number of tubes in use?
Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
0
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
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Is the flow meter operational?
0
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
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Comment: Meter transmits signal to influent sampler to collect its sample. Last calibration done on
5-16-2019.
Effluent Sampling
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)?
Yes No NA NE
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Page# 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Inspection Date: 02/18/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
representative)?
Comment: Thermometer inside cabinet read 8C. but marked same as one inside influent samDler from
2018. Need to check these and write down temp when sampler is set up
for the day and
when samples removed next day.
Effluent Pipe
Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
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Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
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If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
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0
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Comment:
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
sampling location)?
Comment:
Standby Power
Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available?
0
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Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source?
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Is the generator tested under load?
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Was generator tested & operational during the inspection?
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Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site?
0
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Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power?
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Is the generator fuel level monitored?
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Comment: Generator was exercising during the visit.
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:
Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE
Is the capacity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 8

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1EF04FF1-C2EB-4242-AA74-5D3FCE6EFCB6
Permit: NC0021920
Inspection Date: 02/18/2020
Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aerobic Digester
Yes No NA NE
Is the mixing adequate?
0
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Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
0
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# Is the odor acceptable?
0
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# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
0
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Comment:
Page# 9