NC0026352_Biomonitoring Inspection_20120803

NCDENR
North ,Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue • Charles Wakild, P. E. Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
August 30, 2012
Delane Jackson, Manager
Town of Bladenboro
Post Office Box 455
Bladenboro, NC 28320
SUBJECT: BIOMONITORING INSPECTION
Town of Bladenboro
Wastewater Treatment Plant
NPDES Permit No. NC0026352
Bladen County
Dear Mr. Jackson,
Enclosed you will find a copy of the Compliance Biomonitoring Inspection report
for the inspection conducted during August 7th and August 9th. The inspection included
the same objectives as that of a routine Compliance Evaluation Inspection plus a
sampling inspection and a Whole Effluent Toxicity test to evaluate the biological effect
of the facility's discharge on test organisms. The Whole Effluent Toxicity samples for
Aquatic Toxicity testing were tested by the DWQ Aquatic Toxicity Laboratory, located
on Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh. The DWQ test using these samples resulted in a
"Pass". Test results for these samples indicated that the effluent would not be predicted
to have water quality impacts on receiving water. The plant effluent composite sample
that was collected by the Bladenboro 24-hour sample composite, equipment at the Outfall
001 on August 7th was analyzed for the following parameters (which are currently in your
NPDES Permit): total suspended solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD),
Ammonia Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, and Total Nitrogen (NO2+ NO3 + TKN). The
chemistry analyses were sent to the Division of Water Quality Chemistry Laboratory
(located on Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh), and the results of these parameters were as
follows: Biochemical Oxygen Demand = 4.4 mg/L, NH3 as N = 0.08 mg/L, Total
Kjeldahl N = 0.2 mg/L, NO2 + NO3 = 12 mg/L, Phosphorus = 1.6 mg/L, and Total
Suspended Solids = 6.2 mg/L.
As part of the inspection a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was conducted.
All observations and a requirement are in Part D. Summary of Findings/Comments of this
inspection report.
225 Green Street -Suite 714 —Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748
Internet: www.ncwaterquality.orq
An Equal opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
No thCarolina
Natiurally

Mr. Jackson
Page 2
August 30, 2012
During the week of this inspection, the facility was found to be in compliance
with permit NC0026352. The cooperation and courtesy of Lynn Brisson (WWTP ORC)
was greatly appreciated. If you have any questions about this report, please do not
hesitate to contact me at [phone].
Dale Lopez
Environmental Specialist
Enclosure: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
Regional Field Inspectors Check List for Field Parameters
cc: Lynn Brisson (ORC)
C"`FR�Files; (Mar-k�Brarrtley

•
United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Washington, D.C. 20460
Water Cnmplianne Insper tinn Report
Form Approved.
OMB No. 2040-0057
Approval expires8-31 98
- Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection
1 I N I 2 15 I 31 NC0026352 111 121 12/08/09 117
Type Inspector Fac Type
181 1 I 19I S I 20I
J i
Remarks
21I1111111IIIIIIII 1 1 1 1 IIII1_III11111l11111111I111I66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---- ----- --------Reserved----------
67I 3.0 169 701 31 7111, 72I N I 731
1174 791 1 1 1 1 1 180
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
Bladenboro WWTP
W Bladen St
Bladenboro NC 28320
Entry Time/Date
10:00 AM 12/08/09
Permit Effective Date
11/06/01
Exit Time/Date
02:00 PM 12/08/09 •
Permit Expiration Date
14/07/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Alton Lynn Brisson/ORC/910-863-0102/ -
Other Facility Data
-
.
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Delane Jackson,PO Box 455 Bladenboro NC 283200455//910-863-3655/9108633738 No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit • Flow Measurement • Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Program Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters Laboratory
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary) -
Name(s) Signature(s) of Inspector(s) ) • Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers
40/
Dale Lopez , , , FRO WQ//910-433-3300 Ext.712/
Date
b 30 IA
Signature of Man gement Q A Revi wer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers h -
- 2J/a
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page # 1

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (cont.) 1
31 NC0026352 1
11 121
12/08/09 117 181BI
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
During the week of this inspection, the facility was found to be in compliance with permit NC0026352. The
cooperation and courtesy of Lynn Brisson (WWTP ORC) was greatly appreciated. If you have any
questions about this report, please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone].
Slip lining was in progress in the Eastern side of Bladenboro: The effluent filter transfer pump that was out
of service at the time of the last inspection (May 18, 2011) was repaired and was back in service. The ORC
said that the status of the solids in the aeration basins was the same as was noted in the last inspection:
approximately 2.5 to 3 feet where aeration was not in use. The sludge blanket in the clarifiers was four feet
deep in one clarifier and three feet deep in the other clarifier.
Page # 2

Permit: NC0026352 Owner - Facility: Bladenboro WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/09/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping?' ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge ■ n ❑ n
Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
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?
Comment:
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?
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?
Comment:
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?
Yes No NA NE
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Page # 3

Permit: NC0026352 Owner - Facility: Bladenboro WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/09/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Comment:
Grit Removal
Type of grit removal
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
Is the grit free of excessive odor?
# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
Comment:
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?
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:
Aeration Basins
Mode of operation
Type of aeration system
Is the basin free of dead spots?
Are surface aerators and mixers operational?
Are the diffusers operational?
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
Ext. Air
Fixed
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Page # 4

Permit: NC0026352 Owner - Facility: Bladenboro WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/09/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Aeration Basins
Is the DO level acceptable?
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I)
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?
Comment:
De -chlorination
Type of system ?
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
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?
Comment:
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Are pumps in place?
Are pumps operational?
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
Comment:
Disinfection -Liquid
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
(Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational?
r
Yes No NA NE
■ 0 0 0
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
Down flow
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Yes No NA NE,
Liquid
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page # 5

Permit: NC0026352 Owner - Facility: Bladenboro WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/09/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Disinfection -Liquid
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:
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)?
Comment:
Laboratory
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:
Record Keeping
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
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA -NE
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Page # 6

x
I
Permit: NC0026352
Owner - Facility: Bladenboro VWVfP
Inspection Date: 08/09/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Dates of analysis
Name of person performing analyses ■
Transported COCs ■
Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? • n n n.
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? n n n •
(If the facility is = or> 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator on each shift? n ❑ ■ n
Is the ORC visitation log available and current? ■ n n n
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? • n n n
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? ■ n n n
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ■ n n n
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? n n n •
Comment:
Page # 7

Regional Inspectors' Checklist for Field Parameters
Facility Name: Bladenboro
NPDES #: NC0026352
Field Lab Certification #:
Lab Contact: Lynn Brisson
Regional Plant Inspector: Dale Lopez
Regional Inspector Contact #: [phone]
Region: Fayetteville
Date: 08/09/2012
I. Check the parameter(s) performed at this site for reporting purposes.
® Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) ® Temperature (TEMP) ['Specific Conductivity (SC)
® pH ® Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ❑ Settleable Residue (SETT)
II.
General Laboratory (note any exceptions in section XI
Are instruments, meters, probes, photometric cells, etc. maintained in good condition?
01
Yes ❑ No
Are standards, reagents and consumables used within manufacturer expiration dates?
01
Yes ❑ No
[TRC gel standard is exempt.]
,Ace the; followiti .items documented, wheee:a li
-Item • .. _
TRC.'
pHi' '
,TEMP
0Oa
<SC,.°. --
SETT:
Date of sample collection*
,1
4
4
4
Time of sample collection*
4
.f
4
4
Sample collector's initials or signature
4
4
.J
.J
Date of sample analysis*
4
4
4
J
Time of sample analysis*
.4
4
.J
,J
Analyst initials or signature
.1
4
.]
4
Sample location
4
.]
4
.J
ate and time of sample collection and analysis may be the same for in situ or on -site measurements.
111.:2- Totalesi� 'aI�CNI ri - - -
du one>�_, �,� - - -
-
Total Residual Chlorine meter make and model:
HACH DR-2800
Is a check standardanalyzed each day of use? (Circle one: gel or liquid standard)
►1 Yes ❑ No
What is the assigned/observed value of the daily check standard?
200 pg/L
Is a 5-point calibration verification performed?Note date of last verification: 02/15/2011
/1
Yes ❑ No
Alternatively, does the lab construct a linear regression, using 5 standards, to calculate
results? Note date of last calibration curve constructed:
❑ Yes ❑ No
True values:
01
pg/L ❑ mg/L 20 50 100 250 490
Obtained values:
01
pg/L ❑ mg/L 21 45 102 266 529
What program are samples analyzed on?
Are results reported in proper units? Check one:
01
pg/L ❑ mg/L
01
Yes ❑ No
Are results reported between the facility's permit limit and the compliance limit of 50 pg/L?
If value is less than the low standard, report as "<x", where x=low standard conc.
01
Yes ❑ No
Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection?
01 Yes
❑ No
Iv, pH;
pH meter make and model:
YSI 60
Is the pH meter calibrated with at least 2 buffers per mfg's instructions each day of use?
Note buffers used:
1 Yes . ❑ No
Is the pH meter calibration checked with an additional buffer each day of use? Note check
buffer used:
01 Yes ❑ No
Does the check buffer read within ±0.1 S.U. of the known value?
0 Yes ❑ No
Are the following items documented:
Meter calibration?
01
Yes. ❑ No
Check buffer reading?
01
Yes ❑ No
Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection?
//
Yes ❑ No
Are sample results reported to 0.1 pH units?
01
Yes
❑ No

Is the instrument/thermometer calibration checked at least annually against a NIST
traceable or NIST certified thermometer?
i1 Yes LII No i.
.
Are temperature corrections (even if zero) posted on the instrument/thermometer?
Yes
LI
No
Are samples measured in situ or on -site? [REQUIRED - there is no holding time for
temperature]
0 Yes LI No
Are sample results reported in degrees C?
Yes LI No
VI.,:' ..:'-Dissolved30xyge
DO meter make and model:
YSI 55
Is the air calibration of the DO meter performed each day of use?
ii Yes LI No
Are the following items documented:
Meter calibration?
i4 Yes LI No
Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection?
1 Yes LI No
Are results reported in mg/L?
i1 Yes LINo
VII: :.V Conductivity,
Conductivity meter make and model:
Is the meter calibrated daily according to the manufacturer's instructions? Note standard
used (this is generally a one -point calibration):
LI Yes LI No
Is a daily check standard analyzed? Note value:
LI Yes LI No
Are the following items documented:
Meter calibration?
LI Yes 1111 No
Are samples analyzed within 28 days of collection? •
LI Yes LI No
Are results reported in pmhos/cm (some meters display equivalent pS/cm units)?
LI
Yes LI
No
Vill:!'-4‘-- Settleable Residue
Does the laboratory have an Imhoff Cone in good condition?
Lil Yes LI No
Is the sample settled for 1 hour?
LI Yes LI No
Is the sample agitated after 45 minutes?
LI Yes
No
Are the following items documented:
Volume of sample analyzed? Note volume analyzed:
LI Yes LI
No
Date and time of sample analysis (settling start time)?
LI Yes LI
No
Time of agitation after 45 minutes of settling?
Lil Yes LI
No
Sample analysis completion (settling end time)?
L
Yes LI
No
Are samples analyzed within 48 hours of collection?
LI
Yes LI
No
Are results reported in ml/L?
1111
Yes
Lul
No
1X.'.? ,''':1,140,,ia''.00: 0#011,(6Ortitiaiiiig;'aiihtia* lab and on -site data to- OM ' ' ,="';''' '''
performed7itswlistinon s:reviewed:--,;-,,.. ,,-..5-,',, :,...; ,,r-,;,-'-..,%.;:,-,- , ,
;4E1
-•'.,,,',:,--,-,
Yes -- ,
l'i----",- ,
'No-
,, ' ,',-:
: )('• 7 ' --Is_f011OWAlp?1*the,•,LabbratOrkQertificatici)i'prokleat*recOnimOnded7,::'[.;i: ' : '-'-*:::
.'' Et ,Yes'-'1', !: 0
,'1\lo ..-
XI. Additional comments:
Please submit a copy of this completed form to the Laboratory Certification program at:
DWQ Lab Certification, Chemistry Lab, Courier # 52-01-01
Electronic copies may be emailed to linda.chavisncdenr.qov.
Revision 04/20/2012