The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutNC0023965_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20200728DocuSign Envelope ID: BB5BBDB6-D39D-4F25-A518-41 FF31 DF32A5 ROY COOPER Covemof MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Dlreetor NORTH CAROLINA Envrranrtrerrtal Quality August 11, 2020 Milton Van, Wastewater Treatment Superintendent Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 235 Government Center Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Wilmington Northside WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NCO023965 New Hanover County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Wilmington Northside WWTP on 7/28/2020. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0023965. 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 noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this inspection report is not required. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Perez with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215 or via email at helen.perez@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: O I NE �Aarrl Oti for 7F141 E73B6F3456... Morelia Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: Geoff Cermak — electronic copy Upload to Laserfiche NorthCaToEnaDepartmentofEnvironmentadQuadity I DiuisionofWater Resmuces Wilmington Reg oraIOffw 1127Card inaiDfiveExtension I Wora,ngton, North ;ar•ors28405 "•• 91D-7%6 7215 DocuSign Envelope ID: BB5BBDB6-D39D-4F25-A518-41 FF31 DF32A5 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 u 3 I NCO023965 I11 121 20/07/28 I17 18I � I 19 I s I 201 I 211IIIII 111111III II III III1 I I IIIII IIIIIIIII II r6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 67 70 I I 71 I n LI 72 I Ln, I 71 I 74 79 I I I I I I I80 LJ -1 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 permit Number) 10:OOAM 20/07/28 18/12/01 Wilmington Northside WWTP 2311 N 23rd St Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Wilmington NC 28401 11:30AM 20/07/28 23/11/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Geoffrey D Cermak/ORC/910-332-6562/ Tristin Kendall Rickabaugh/ORC/910-332-6697/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Geoffrey D Cermak,235 Govenment Ctr Dr Wilmington NC 28403/ORC/910-332-6562/9103326731 Yes Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran Sludge Handling Dispo: 0 Facility Site Review Compliance Schedules Effluent/Receiving Wate 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 Helen I Perez Docusigned by: DWR/WIRO WQ/910-796-7387/ 8/10/2020 E 1 D645B4A39694BE... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Tom Tharringto rr DocuSignedby:DWR/WIRO WQ/ - - / 8/12/2020 'Coµ —NAM 0& EPA Form 3560-3 (R"--94)FV@W66@9Zditions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: BB5BBDB6-D39D-4F25-A518-41 FF31 DF32A5 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO023965 I11 12I 20/07/28 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) A routine compliance inspection of the James A. Loughlin (Northside) WWTP was conducted on July 28, 2020. The purpose of the evaluation was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with thi conditions and limitations specified in Permit NC0023965. Geoff Cermak, ORC, and Tristin Rickabaugh, BORC, were present during the inspection. To minimize the spread of COVID-19, records were not reviewed during this inspection. This facility continues to be well maintained and operated. The plant is permitted for a flow of 16 MGD and is currently averaging 10-11 MGD. Staff operates the number of repetitive treatment units based or what is needed for the treatment of the flow coming into the plant. A file review shows no violations have been issued in the last four years. Upcoming improvements planned for the facility include: replacing the older generator; recoating the two large clarifiers, #3 and #4; adding catwalks on top of each tertiary filter and a nearby water supply for easier cleaning. This evaluation included a visit to the section of the Cape Fear River where the two outfalls are located approximately 2.3 miles southwest of the plant. Outfall pipes and diffusers cannot be seen, but this area of the river had no signs of floating solids or foam. The facility is compliant with NPDES Permit NC0023965. Please review the comment sections of the inspection report for more details. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: BB5BBDB6-D39D-4F25-A518-41 FF31 DF32A5 Permit: NCO023965 Owner -Facility: Wilmington Northside WWTP Inspection Date: 07/28/2020 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 ❑ ❑ 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: Special conditions include tertiary filter bypass prohibition to minimize TSS concentrations due to discharging into a Primary Nursery Area of the lower Cape Fear River. The facility continues to operate under reduced effluent monitoring for BOD, TSS, NH3-N and Enterococci. Compliance Schedules Is there a compliance schedule for this facility? Is the facility compliant with the permit and conditions for the review period? Comment: No comment. Standby Power 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility has two generators. The older and smaller generator (1996) will be replaced soon with one to match the size of the larger generator. 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 ❑ Page# 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: BB5BBDB6-D39D-4F25-A518-41 FF31 DF32A5 Permit: NCO023965 Owner -Facility: Inspection Date: 07/28/2020 Inspection Type: Wilmington Northside WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE 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 operatc ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: To minimize the spread of COVID-19, records were not reviewed during this inspection. Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? M ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility has two influent samplers, one collects influent from the City of Wilmington and one collects influent from New Hanover County. Staff calculates and combines samples based on flow into a representative influent sample. 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: The facility on -site lab, as well as the centralized CFPUA lab, analyze many parameters for process control to include MLSS, MLVS, TSS, ammonia and microscopic "bug" counts. Sludge blanket levels, pH and DO are checked during each shift. Primary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: BB5BBDB6-D39D-4F25-A518-41 FF31 DF32A5 Permit: NCO023965 Inspection Date: 07/28/2020 Owner -Facility: Wilmington Northside WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Primary 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 sludge blanket level acceptable? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/ of the sidewall depth) Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: Sludge blanket levels are checked during every shift. Wasted sludge from the primary clarifiers tranfers directly to the anaerobic digesters. 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/I) ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility has four aeration basin trains. Two trains were off-line to make repairs to mixer blades and to maintain the diffusers. DO probes are located throughout each train and set at 1.0 mg/I coming into the basin and 3.5 mg/I going out. Currently, staff tries to maintain a MLSS of 2200-2300 mg/I. 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# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: BB5BBDB6-D39D-4F25-A518-41 FF31 DF32A5 Permit: NCO023965 Owner -Facility: Wilmington Northside WWTP Inspection Date: 07/28/2020 Inspection Type: 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) ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility has four secondary clarifiers, 1 and 2 are 90ft refurbished original clarifiers and 3 & 4 are 130ft clarifiers constructed during the last plant upgrade. Sludge blankets are checked during each shift. Wasted sludge from clarifiers runs through gravity belt filters before beina transferred into the anaerobic diaesters. Solids Handling Equipment Is the equipment operational? Is the chemical feed equipment operational? Is storage adequate? Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters? Is the site free of sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press? Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake? The facility has an approved sludge management plan? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: CFPUA no longer contracts Synagro Inc. to operate the sludge processing facility. Northside staff runs the dewatering equipment and contracts out the sludge hauling. Currently, all solids are beina transported to the landfill. Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Type of operation: Is the filter media present? Is the filter surface free of clogging? Is the filter free of growth? Is the air scour operational? Is the scouring acceptable? Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? Yes No NA NE Down flow ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: All four filters were operational during the inspection. There are plans to build catwalks across all the filters and add a water supply for easier cleaning. Disinfection - UV Are extra UV bulbs available on site? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: BB5BBDB6-D39D-4F25-A518-41 FF31 DF32A5 Permit: NCO023965 Inspection Date: 07/28/2020 Owner -Facility: Wilmington Northside WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are UV bulbs clean? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is UV intensity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is transmittance at or above designed level? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a backup system on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent clear and free of solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Two of the four UV channels were operating during the inspection. UV system is cleaned monthly. 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)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Sampler temperature was 5 degrees Celsius. There is a second sampler available when a greater volume is needed, such as long term monitoring or toxicity sampling events. 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? M ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facilitv has two Darallel outfalls aDDroximately 400ft aDart. but the discharae is reaulated as a single outfall due to proximity and sampling regime conducted prior to split. The outfalls are located -2.3 miles southwest of the plant, in the approximate area of the Cape Fear River between Red Cross Street and Walnut Street. There were no signs of floating solids or foam in the area. Outfall pipes/diffusers are not visible. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, an( 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ sampling location)? Comment: CFPUA is a member of the monitoring coalition, Lower Cape Fear River Program. Page# 7