WQ0005790_Annual Report_20200915

TOWN OF OAK ISLAND
Annual Wastewater Treatment and Collection Report
July 1, 2019 — June 30, 2020
Oak Island Water Reclamation Facility Satellite Water Reclamation Facility
4600 Fish Factory Rd. 5209 E. Yacht Dr.
Oak Island, NC 28465 Oak Island, NC 28465
Permit # WQ0005790 Permit # WQ0031857
Expiration Date: 7-31-2021 Expiration Date: 8-31-2021
Kenneth VonVoigt (ORC) Steve Poarch (ORC)
The Oak Island Water Reclamation Facility is designed to treat 400,000 gallons per day, which
allows for growth within the system; average daily flow for this past FY was 105,102 gallons per
day with a max day of 227,200 on July 5th 2019. There are several options for treating
wastewater but this plant was built as what is known as an Activated Sludge plant. To provide you
with a general description of the plant, we will follow the path of the wastewater as it passes
through the plant.
When wastewater enters the plant, it flows through a splitter box; the box has a bar screen and
allows for some debris and grit removal. The water then flows into aeration tanks. Oxygen is
supplied by extreme mixing, and microorganisms are grown to feed on organic contaminants.
This is the Activated Sludge part, referred to as secondary treatment. As these microorganisms
grow, they form particles that clump together (called floc). As the water passes from the aeration
tanks into the secondary clarifier tanks, it is slowed down and allowed to settle. The floc falls to
the bottom and is removed and sent back to the beginning of the aeration process to do more
work, and the mostly clear water, free of organic matter and solids, is allowed to flow over and
out of the tanks. This process is highly efficient, with more than 98% removal of organic
material. The water then travels through the chlorine contact chamber which is used to provide
for disinfection to destroy any remaining bacteria; after about 30 minutes it then flows through
the weirs, which apply the flow evenly over a filter bed system; this allows further removal of the
remaining solids. From there it flows out of the plant and can be disposed of by placing it into a
rapid infiltration pond, which will allow the water to infiltrate back into the ground, or by placing
it into a lined storage pond which will be used to spray (irrigate) around the treatment plant and
also Bill Smith Park.
The operation of the plant's processes requires monitoring and testing on a continuous basis. The
plant maintains a laboratory for testing the quality of the water as it passes through each plant
process and the sludge quality. Contract laboratory testing is also used to assure compliance with
the stringent regulatory requirements of the Permit. The permit specifies the monthly average and
maximum levels of settleable solids, suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia
nitrogen, total kjeldahl nitrogen, residual chlorine, fecal coliform, chloride, temperature, flow,
and the pH of the effluent discharge. The Town performs more than 2,200 tests on an annual
basis. On 10/7/19 the treatment plant received a deficiency for fecal overage 345 out of a limit
value of 25. Re sampled, back in compliance. On 2/20 high fecal deficiency of 67 out of limit
value of 25. Deficiencies were due from a c12 pump failing. Repaired and have been back in
compliance 3/12/20. One other deficiency was MW#5 high TDS on 2/19/20 and 2/26/20.
Garbage dumpster was in proximity. It was relocated. MW#5 back in compliance on 3/12/20
The Town also has a 400,000 gallon per day Satellite Water Reclamation Facility which uses
membrane technology for its treatment process. The facility was placed online September 1,
2015. The disposal of the effluent from this facility is placed into rapid infiltration ponds on the
Oak Island Golf Course and then is utilized for irrigation. The facility has been in compliance

since July 1 2019. No violations were received from the State. The daily average for this facility
was 93,464, max day of 128,257 on the 14th of OCT 2019.
Town -wide Collection Permit
Permit # WQCS00334
Expiration Date: 1-31-26
Mark Moore Operator in Responsible Charge
The Town's collection system for Fish Factory Plant Treatment Facility is located in two sections
within the Town limits: 79t' St. eastward to Oak Island Dr. on the golf course and from 461 St. to
65' St. along E. Oak Island Dr. (Commercial Corridor). The collection system contains gravity
lines from 6" to 15", force mains from 2" to 6" and with service lines ranging from 4" and 6".
There are 16 duplex grinder pump lift stations within this system; each one is equipped with a
telemetry alarm system (SCADA). The Town of Caswell Beach has a connection point located at
the intersection of HWY 133/Yaupon Way to send wastewater to be treated at Fish Factory.
The remainder of the collection system is primarily the Vac System. The Vac System consists of
9 Vac Stations, 17 Duplex Grinder Pump Stations, 17 Dual Buffer Tanks, 2 Single Buffer Tanks,
4,025 Vacuum Pits, Vacuum Mains sizing from 4" to 10", and Force Mains from 6" to 24". The
Town has a main lift station located at 103 E. Oak Island Dr., which pumps the collected sewer to
the County's West Brunswick Regional Wastewater Plant for treatment and disposal.
The Town has equipment for videoing and cleaning of gravity sewer lines. The Town is required
to clean 10% of gravity lines annually. Within the Town, there are approximately 13 miles of
Gravity lines, 82 miles of Vacuum Main and 20 miles of Force Mains. The Town cleaned and
video inspected approximately 4.1 miles of gravity lines; along these lines the manholes and
service connections where inspected. Town staff cleans out debris and grease from the lift
stations monthly to help reduce odor problems.
The town purchased two (2) by pass pumps for the larger lift stations and vac stations to keep
them operational during power outages or mechanical failures. The odor control project for all
vacuum stations including the BIO-Trickling system for Middleton lift station has been
completed. The Town continues to wash down the wet well to break up the debris and scum
which is brought into station, which in turn introduces oxygen into the wet well; this should help
break down the microorganisms. As a reminder, this station handles 87% of all the raw sewage
from the Town before pumping it to Brunswick County for treatment. The flow for the Middleton
Station to the County was 253,065,460 gallons for a daily average of 693,330 gallons.
The Town also has an inventory of spare parts for lift stations, vac stations, and vacuum pits,
along with line repair items for gravity, vacuum and force mains of all sizes. The Utilities
Department has a five-year capital improvement plan that is reviewed annually by staff.
Many of you may see employees walking the streets and yards and wonder, "What are they
doing?" Well, the system requires bi-annual inspections and maintenance. If you are on a vacuum
system, you may have a vacuum pit in your lawn. Inside that pit, there is a vacuum valve. Twice a
year the valve is inspected and evaluated to ensure it is operating properly. The vacuum is
generated from our vacuum stations. The vacuum stations are equipped with three vacuum pumps
and two sewage pumps. The pumps are monitored and inspected on a daily basis. When a vacuum
valve fires, it makes a distinct sound through the vent pipe for three to four seconds. If you hear a
suction noise coming from the vent pipe at your home for a long period of time, the valve is
probably misfiring. A crew will be called in and will check vacuum pits until they fmd the
misfiring valve. Please, if you hear this sound, call us at [phone] or after hours at (910)
278-5595, and let us know as soon as possible. Your call is greatly appreciated.

If you are on the gravity system, you will see a control panel which is somewhat distinctive
because it is equipped with a red light and information sign. The red light is a warning light so if
you see the red light flashing or hear an alarm from the control panel, we ask that you call us
immediately. Why? Because that alarm means it needs immediate attention, and you can be of
great help to us by calling [phone] or after hours at [phone].
For this reporting cycle, the Town had approximately 50 vacuum pits malfunction for which
corrective measures were performed; some of the corrective items performed included
replacement on controllers, no -hubs and actuators.
The Town's "Fats, Oils, and Grease Program" (FOG) has been in effect for Eight years. The
purpose of the program is to prevent the accumulation of fats, oils, and grease in the sanitary
sewer system. We have 30 commercial facilities with 15 grease traps participating in the program.
Our FOG coordinator inspected 10 grease traps this year. Town staff continues to clean and video
the gravity portion of the collection system. All of us can work together to protect the
environment and maintain the sewer infrastructure. To educate the public on FOG, we sent out an
educational pamphlet in the June 2020 water bills. It is also posted on the website.
On 2/12/20 The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of Oak
Island Collection System. This inspection verified that the facility is operating in compliance with
the conditions and limitations specified in Collection Stem Permit.
Information on the Internet:
Visit the Town of Oak Island's website to view and print this report at (www.oakislandnc.com)
and for information on all town departments and departmental contacts. Also, the North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources has a Website
(hgp://deg.nc.gov/contact/regional-office/wilmipzton) that provides complete and current
information on water and wastewater issues in North Carolina.
Town of Oak Island Public Access Channel
Please view the Town of Oak Island's Public Access Channel on Time Warner Cable Channel 8
for coverage of Council meetings, information on sewer and water activities, street closings,
community announcements, and other information relevant to Town activities.
For more information about this report, copies, or any questions relating to the wastewater
treatment system, please call Mark Moore, Wastewater Superintendent, at [phone].
CERTIFICATION:
I certify under penalty of law that this report is complete and accurate to the best of my
knowledge. I further certify that this report has been made available to the users or customers of
the named system and that those users have been notified of its availability.
AWV,homz, Date 9/10/20
Mark Moore
Wastewater Superintendent
Town of Oak Island