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Home My WebLink AboutNC0025542_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210119ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH NORTH CAROLINA Director Environmental Quality January 19, 2021 Shawn Pennell, Public Utilities Director City of Hickory Post Office Box 398 Hickory, North Carolina 28603-0398 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Hickory -Catawba WWTP NPDES Permit No. NC0025542 Catawba County Dear Mr. Pennell: Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on January 14, 2021, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. Please inform the facility's Operator -in -Responsible Charge (ORC) of our findings by forwarding a copy of the enclosed report. Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at (704) 235- 2192, or via email at wes.bell@ncdenr.gov. Enclosure: Inspection Report D_E NORTH CAROLINA Department el EnNrumimbl Qualpy Sincerely, -DocuSigned by: "-A14CC681AF27425... W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 704.663.1699 United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 Approval expires 8-31-98 Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS) Transaction Code 1 IN I 2 IL I 21 1 1 1 1 1 1 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection 3 I NC0025542 111 121 21/01/14 117 Type 1810I I I 1 1 1 Inspector Fac Type 191 S I 2011 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 I I I 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I I I I 1 11 1 1 1 I 1 P6 Inspection Work Days 67I2.0 Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved I 70I4 I 71IN I 72 I N I 73I 1 74 751 I I 1 I I I I I I I80 l Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES Dermit Number) Catawba WWTP End Of Sixth Ave Nw Catawba NC 28609 Entry Time/Date 09:25AM 21/01/14 Permit Effective Date 16/11/01 Exit Time/Date 12:05PM 21/01/14 Permit Expiration Date 20/04/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// David Archambault/ORC/828-234-7419/ Todd Atwell Bumgarner//828-322-5075 / Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Warren Wood,PO Box 398 Hickory NC 286010398/City Manager/828-323-7412/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran Sludge Handling DispoFacility Site Review 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) Wes Bell of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date —Docusigned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 144- B 1/19/2021 '-A61696D90CC3437... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date W. Corey Basinger DWR/Division of Water Quality/704-235-2194/ EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. DocuSigned by: 1/19/2021 A14CC681AF27425... Page# 1 NPDES yr/mo/day 31 NC0025542 111 121 21/01/14 I17 Inspection Type 18 [j 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# 2 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 01/14/2021 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new application? Is the facility as described in the permit? # Are there any special conditions for the permit? Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The Division received the facility's permit renewal application on 1/16/2020. The City implements a Division -approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 12/12/2018. 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 • 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? • El El El 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ ❑ • Page# 3 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 01/14/2021 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period December 2019 through November 2020. All monitoring frequencies were correct. Weekly average effluent ammonia violations were reported in March and April 2020. Monthly average effluent ammonia violations were reported in January, March and April 2000. These violations have been previously addressed by the Division through the issuances of Notice of Violations (NOVs) and/or civil penalty assessments. Laboratory Yes No NA NE Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? • ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the facility using a contract lab? • ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees • ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Comment: Influent and effluent analyses are performed under the City of Hickory's municipal laboratory certification #203. Pace Analytical Services, Blue Ridge Labs and ETT Environmental have also been contracted to provide analytical support. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite samples. Sampler aliquot checks are performed (and documented) multiple times per month. Filter backwash, plant drainage system and decant (sludge holding tanks) all discharge upstream of the influent sampling location; however, the ORC and staff do not decant during influent sampling events. The City is currently investigating a new influent sampling location above all side streams. Effluent Sampling Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 01/14/2021 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling 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: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples. Sampler aliquot checks are performed (and documented) multiple times per month. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, anc • ❑ ❑ ❑ sampling location)? Comment: Operations & Maintenance Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be properly operated and well maintained. The facility staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program with all measurements being properly documented and maintained on -site. In-depth operation and maintenance records were also being maintained on -site. The facility is also equipped with a SCADA System. Although not required, the facility is visited by certified operators seven days per week. 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? Comment: Grit Removal Type of grit removal a.Manual Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE Page# 5 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 01/14/2021 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal b.Mechanical Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? Is the grit free of excessive odor? # Is disposal of grit in compliance? Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at the County Landfill. Oxidation Ditches Are the aerators operational? Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? # Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? Is the DO level acceptable? Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes) Yes No NA NE • IN El El El Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: One of two oxidation ditch trains was in service due to low influent flows. Each oxidation ditch train is equipped with an anaerobic and anoxic basin. Soda ash is added to maintain alkalinity/pH levels and a microbial supplement is added to provide an additional carbon source. Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? • ❑ ❑ El Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? • ❑ El El Is the site free of weir blockage? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? • El El El 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'/ of the sidewall depth) • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Both secondary clarifiers were operational; however, only one clarifier was in service. Page# 6 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 01/14/2021 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Pumps-RAS-WAS Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE Down flow • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: All four tertiary filters were operational; however, only one filter was in service. Disinfection -Liquid Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? Comment: Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Liquid Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? • ❑ El El Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ • ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Number of tubes in use? Page# 7 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 01/14/2021 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The flow meter is calibrated twice per year and was last calibrated on 1/16/2020 by Diversified Integration, Inc. Effluent Pipe Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The receiving stream did not appear to be negatively impacted. Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with two aerated sludge holding tanks. Sludge is transported by City personnel to the Regional Compost Facility for continued processing/treatment. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 8 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 01/14/2021 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Yes No NA NE Comment: The backup generator is tested twice per month with one of these tests being under a load. The generator is serviced by City personnel and Cummings has also been contracted to perform repairs, etc. Page# 9