WQ0023261_CEI Report 7-24-2020

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0023261 Effective: 10/01/15 Expiration: 09/30/20 Owner: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Swansboro WWTF
County: Onslow 199 Williams Rd
Region: Wilmington
Swansboro NC 28584
Contact Person: Edward M Caron Title: Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
Approximately 0.25 miles southeast of the intersection of SR 1511 and SR 1512 at the Town of Swansboro WWTP site and also
northeast of the intersection of SR 1432 adn SR 1744
System Classifications: WW3.,
Primary ORC: Michael Keith Lutz Certification: 1005688 Phone: [phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
Ashley Randal Riggs 1003618 910-937-7539
Mark Curtis Young 1001105 910-937-7570
On -Site Representative(s):
On -site representative Michael K Lutz
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 07/24/2020 Entry Time 12:OOPM Exit Time: 03:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Tyler G Benson Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration
Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Treatment Treatment Barscreen
Use Records
Treatment Filters Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge
Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection
End Use -Infiltration Treatment Flow Measurement Treatment Return pumps
Standby Power Coastal Requirements
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 7

Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 07/24/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
A compliance inspection was conducted on the Swansboro WWTF on July 24, 2020. The evaluation was to verify that the
facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit WQ0023261 for the purpose of the
2020 renewal process. The primary ORC, Mike Lutz, was present during the inspection and was extremely knowledgeable
and helpful during this time.
The facility is currently treating an average of approximately 500,000gpd for the month of June, 2020, of the permitted flow of
600,000gpd. The facility utilizes a dual oxidation ditch treatment process with disposal consisting of four (4) infiltration
basins located off site. The Operation and Maintenance logs are extremely organized, with activities well documented and is
much appreciated. The facility is compliant with the non -discharge permit W00023261.
However, there are some things needed to address in the near -term:
1. The freeboard gauge in the 5-day upset pond was not installed due to a storm knocking it down and needs to be
reinstalled.
2. There is vegetation growing in the infiltration basins that is obstructing view of the freeboard gauges.
Page 2 of 7

Permit: WQ0023261
Inspection Date: 07/24/2020
Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Reuse (Quality)
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Lagoon Spray, LR
❑
Single Family Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
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Activated Sludge Drip, LR
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Recycle/Reuse
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Single Family Drip
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Activated Sludge Spray, HR
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Infiltration System
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Oxidation ditch #1, as well as the 32' clarifier, are operational though only used during peak -flow
events such as hurricanes.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: This flowmeter is not used to calculate flow. The flowmeter was calibrated on December 13,
2019 by Carolina Technical Services.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records
Is water use metered?
Are the daily average values properly calculated?
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
Is flowmeter operating properly?
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
Does flowmeter record flow?
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately?
Comment: The flowmeter was calibrated on December 13, 2019
Yes No NA NE
Yes No NA NE
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Carolina Technical Services.
Page 3 of 7

Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 07/24/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The generator is tested under load every Monday and runs for approximately 1 hour each test.
Results are recorded in the maintenance log, along with generator fuel capacity.
Treatment Barscreen Yes No NA NE
Is it free of excessive debris? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is disposal of screenings in compliance? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the bars spaced properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: This process involves a 1.5 mgd mechanical screen with a screw conveyor and a vortex grit
chamber manufactured by Lakeside Raptor, accompanied by a high-level float system. There is
a bypass channel with a manual barscreen available in times of need.
Treatment Activated Sludge Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration mechanism operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is activated sludge an acceptable color? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: This process involves the use of variable frequency drives to control the rotor brushes and DO
levels inside of the two 300,000 gallon oxidation ditches, with a sluice gate connecting the two.
Oxidation ditch #1 is only used in peak -flow events.
Treatment Clarifiers Yes No NA NE
Are the weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the weirs free of solids and algae? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system accessible? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The three clarifiers are peripheral feed, two at 22' diameter with the 32' diameter clarifier being -
used during peak -flow events. The sludge blanket is frequently measured and the clarifiers are
cleaned once a week and documented each time.
Treatment Return pumps Yes No NA NE
Are they in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 4 of 7

Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 07/24/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Are they operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Filters
Yes No NA NE
Is the filter media present?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter media the correct size and type?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the air scour operational?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is the scouring acceptable?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the clear well free of excessive solids?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media?
❑
❑ ❑
Does backwashing frequency appear adequate?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: This Drocess consists of two. dual rotatina cloth disk filters with a timed/hiah-level automatic
backwash. These basins are cleaned using bleach when needed to help control algae growth.
Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration pattern even? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The sludge is hauled off by Lewis Farms, loaded at the designed truck loading station where
sludge is either pumped directly into a tank or filled overhead. There is a drain at the truck loadin
station to catch any sludge spilled during loading and re -treated.
Treatment Disinfection
Yes No NA NE
Is the system working?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is there adequate detention time (-30 minutes)?
❑
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Is the system properly maintained?
❑ ❑ ❑
If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe?
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Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable?
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Is the chlorinator accessible?
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❑ 0 ❑
If tablets, are tablets present?
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Are the tablets the proper size and type?
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Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth?
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If UV, are extra UV bulbs available?
❑ ❑ ❑
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Is it a dual feed system?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)?
❑
❑ ❑
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site?
❑
❑ ❑
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000-
Page 5 of 7

Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 07/24/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment:
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of current permit available?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
❑ ❑ ❑
NDAR?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are application rates adhered to?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
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Are annual soil reports available?
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# Are PAN records required?
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# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
❑
❑ ❑
If so, has it been applied?
❑
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Are operational logs present?
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Are lab sheets available for review?
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Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
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Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s?
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Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
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Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
❑ ❑ ❑
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Comment: There is minor groundwater exceedance concerning
pH and Nitrate, Total N in March of 2020.
End Use -Infiltration
Yes No NA NE
# Is the application High Rate or Low Rate?
Low Rate
Are buffers maintained?
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❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within the CB?
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❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB?
❑
❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells required?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Page 6 of 7

Permit: WO0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 07/24/2020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB?
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval?
Is a usable green area maintained?
Is the disposal site acceptable?
Is the distribution equipment acceptable?
Is the disposal site free of ponding?
Is the disposal site free of breakout?
Are the disposal sites free of solids, algae, etc.?
Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained?
Are the disposal sites free of vegetation?
Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge?
No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation, solids, algae, etc.?
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Comment: A couple of the basins do have vegetation growing inside of them, which some vegetation is
covering up the visibility of the freeboard gauge. This vegetation should be removed in order to
have accurate readings.
Coastal Requirements
Are essential treatment units provided in duplicate?
Is an adequately sized aerated equalization basin present?
If so, is it operable?
If present, are diffusers cleaned regularly?
Is the equalization capacity adequate?
Comment: EQ Basin capacity of 123,000 gallons.
Yes No NA NE
Page 7 of 7