NC0024236_Response to 202100331_20210204

Kinston
i p ' SiCEISINIST
Buildings & Grounds, Business Office, Electric, Engineering, Environmental Services, 2009
Fleet Maintenance, Meter Reading, Stormwater, Streets, Wastewater, and Water
Kinston, the right place— Kinston Public Services, the right choice.
February 3, 2021
NC DWQ-Washington Regional Office
Attn: Robert Bullock
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
Re: Bypass of denitrifacation falters, January 27, 2021. Incident 41202100331
Dear Mr.Bullock:
On January 27, 2021, the City of Kinston had to bypass part of its treatment process (the denitrifacation
filters). High flows and solids have continued to hinder our recovery from our recent past bypasses of
the filters.
Flows have remained high for weeks and they finally began to effect plant operations. All basins
remained in service. With flows around 10 MGD, we began to experience heavy pin flocking from our
clarifiers and at 2:00 pm, we had to start bypassing the filters. As you are aware, the filters are the last
stage of treatment prior to UV disinfection and final discharge to the Neuse River.
The State (Mr. Bullock) was notified shortly after.
Average influent flows fluctuated between 8-11 MGD over the event with a rainfall total of 2.9 inches.
Average Total Suspended Solids within the basins averaged between 3,833- 4,599 mg/L.
Total gallons wasted from the clarifiers from January 14- February 2, 2021 is 763,182.
All filters were put back on line at 8:09 am, Tuesday, February 02, 2021.
Daily composite effluent TSS results for the event are as follows:
• January 25, 2021:
<2.5 mg/L
• January 26, 2021:
<2.5 mg/L
• January 27, 2021.
<2.5 mg/L
• January 28, 2021:
164 mg/L
• January 30, 2021:
251.5 mg/L
• January 31, 2021:
7.25 mg/L
• February 1, 2021:
99.5 mg/L
• February 2, 2021:
82.67 mg/L
Johnnie Mosley Regional Water Reclamation Facility
2101 Becton Farm Rd Kinston, North Carolina 28501 Phone [phone] Fax [phone]

The January 25, 2021 weekly average limit value of 45 mg/L, was exceeded at an average value of
80.08 mg/L and the monthly average limit value of 30 mg/L, was exceeded at the monthly average
value of 68.76 mg/L.
Solids within the basin remain constant with where we should be at this time of year. Unfortunately the
consistently high flows have kept our clarifiers at near capacity and unable to settle out properly. Under
normal conditions, flows average 3-5 MGD a day with sludge levels 4- 6 ft. in the clarifiers. With the
continued inflow and infiltration from these constant rain events, flows have doubled and tripled
therefore pushing more solids into the clarifiers. We simply have not been able to waste and process
enough of those solids out under these conditions.
If I can be of any further assistance, please call me at 252-939-3375 or email at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
Kenneth R. Stevens, r.
Johnnie Mosley R WRF Superintendent
C:
Rhonda Barwick- Director of Public Services
Steve Miller- Assistant Director of Public Services
File
Johnnie Mosley Regional Water Reclamation Facility
2101 Becton Farm Rd Kinston, North Carolina 28501 Phone [phone] Fax [phone]