NC0026352_Inspection_20000921

NORTH CAROLINA DEFARTIrIENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE'S
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
September 21, 2000
The Honorable Livingston Lewis
Mayor, Town of Bladenboro
PO Box 445
Bladenboro, NC 28320
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Town of Bladenboro
Wastewater Treatment Plant
NPDES Permit No. NC0026352
Bladen County
Dear Mr. Lewis:
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection conducted
September 12.2000.
During the inspection a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was conducted.
The observations and recommendations from the inspection are in Part D. Summary
of Findings/Comments of this inspection report. The objective we should all be
striving for is NPDES permit compliance which in turn will provide preservation of
our receiving stream for generations to come.
Please review the attached report. If you or your staff have any questions
do not hesitate to contact me at 910-486-1541.
Sincerely,
JJ�� /� /� j
Y �.t Nit Lc) l . " 42 fly-tc,,
Belinda S. Henson
Environmental Chemist
/bsh
Enclosures
225 GREEN STREET, SUITE 714 / SYSTEL BLD. FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28301-5043
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER - 50% RECYCLED/10% POST -CONSUMER PAPER

NPDES COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Fayetteville Regional Office
Section A. National Data System Coding
Transaction Code: N NPDES NO. NC0026352 Date: 000912 Inspection Type: C
Inspector: S Facility Type: 1 Reserved:
Facility Evaluation Rating: 3 BI: N QA: N Reserved:
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected:
Town of Bladenboro WWTP
Entry Time: 9:10am Permit Effective Date: 950101
Exit Time/Date: 3:30pm/000810 Permit Expiration Date: 991231
Name(s), Title(s) of On -Site Representative(s):
Curlie Locklear (Certified Grade IV) - "ORC"
Raven Phelps (Certified Grade II) - "Backup Operator"
Phone Number(s): [phone]
Name, Title and Address of Responsible Official:
Mr. Livingston Lewis, Mayor
PO Box 445
Bladenboro, NC 28320
Contacted: no
Section C: Areas Evaluated Durin. Inspection
(S = Satisfactory, M = Marginal, U = Unsatisfactory, N = Not Evaluated, N/A = Not Applicable)
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Section D: Summary of Findings/Comments:
1. The wastewater stream is made up of 100% domestic. The facility is operated by the contract company
"Hydromanagement" as of December 1, 1999 for the Town.
2. Time (3) constant speed influent pumps areused to bring wastewater into the plant. One (1) pump
normally handles day to day flow.
The manual bar screen was operational. A suggestion is to construct the bar screen with racks that have
less space between them to enhance the screening of the wastewater to assist in proper treatment. The
screenings are cleaned from the headworks daily and placed in a container which is disposed of through
the county landfill.
4. The two (2) aeration basins contain two (2) aerators in each. The aerators appeared to be operating
adequately. Floatable plastic products were notable in the aeration basins.
5. In Clarifier #1 the sludge depth was one (1) foot with a tank depth of ten (10) feet. The trough area
appeared to have some algae growth not excessive but be reminded cleaning these areas are part of
maintaining the facility.
6. In Clarifier #2 the sludge depth was seven (7) feet with a tank depth of ten (10) feet. As stated in
comment #5 the trough area contained algae growth. Sludge wasting did not appear to be balanced in
the system with the amount of solids only three (3) feet from the top in this clarifier. Consistency with
wasting could eliminate NPDES permit violations.
7 The polishing clarifier appeared to have a sludge depth of six (6) feet with a tank depth of thirteen (13)
feet. The skimmer arm used to remove skimmings from the surface of the wastewater appeared to be
operating properly.
8. The effluent flows from the polishing clarifier to the aerated polishing pond before chlorination. The
influent pipe to the pond appears to be at the same end as the effluent pipe to the chlorination area. It
appears the location of the pipe could reduce the quality of treatment. Facility staff did not know when
solids had been removed from the polishing pond. The inspection revealed a few feet of solids located
in the bottom of the pond. A recommendation would be to remove solids from the bottom of this pond
to assist with treatment of the wastewater as well as assisting with NPDES permit compliance.
9. The chlorine contact tank was monitored during the inspection for sludge depth and it appeared to be less
than one (1) foot. The effluent is chlorinated by a flow paced system. The effluent is dechlorinated
which is not required by the NPDES permit. The facility staff commented that the system was put in
place to assist with elimination of toxicity in the effluent.
10. The effluent flow meter was calibrated August, 2000 by "Carolina Technical Co.. Please be reminded
that all records should be retained for three (3) years. It is advisable that the flow meter calibration
document contain the % error before and after calibration in the future by the technician.
11. The effluent appeared to be free of solids.
12. The effluent is discharged to a 2.5 acre wetland area. Over the years the wetland area has formed a
channel to the stream. The channel is easily accessible.

-continued-
13. Sludge is treated in a aerated sludge holding basin (thickener) and a aerobic digester. The .17 acre
aerated lagoon is used as the aerobic digester presently. The facility has 63.1 acres of land permitted for
sludge disposal under permit # WQ0014452. The facility has not disposed of sludge through land
application since 1997. In the past they have been experimenting with composting but have not met the
proper criteria. Drying beds are on site as a backup for sludge disposal.
14. The Backup Power for this facility is manually operated.
15. The NPDES permit expired December 31, 1999 and a new permit will be issued as soon as possible
from our pennitting staff. Your facility will operate under the expired permit until a new permit has been
issued.
16. The -following NPDES permit required parameters are analyzed on site: pH, Temperature, Dissolved
Oxygen, and Chlorine Residual. All otherrequired parameters are analyzed by the commercial
laboratory "Environment 1" with the exception of Toxicity which is analyzed by "Burlington Research".
17. Laboratory records were reviewed for the months December 1999 through February 2000 and compared
to Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs). All records reviewed appeared to be adequate.
18. A compliance evaluation analysis report for the period August 1999 through July 2000 revealed the
following violations:
July 1999 - toxicity
August 1999 - Flow
October 1999 Flow and Toxicity
June 2000 - Toxicity.
19. The following Notice of Violations (NOVs) have been sent to the permittee;
August 1999 - Fecal Coliforin (weekly)
October 1999 - Flow and Toxicity (monthly)
November 1999 - Fecal Coliform (weekly)
January 2000 - Fecal Coliform (weekly). • .
20. As a reminder the date that data from a composite sampler should be reported on your DMR should be
per the following Administrative Code Section: 15A NCAC 2B .0506(b)(3)(F)(i) -.the date on which
collection of composite samples is commenced or data shall be entered onto the monitoring report form
on the date that has the greater number of hours in it. The following examples will assist you in
understanding the reporting date:
A. If the composite sample is started on Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 9:OOAM and the sample
is withdrawn from the composite sampler Wednesday, September 13, 2000 at 9:OOAM; the day
with the greater number of hours in it is Tuesday, September 12, 2000.
B. If the composite sample is started on Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 6:OOPM and the sample
is withdrawn from the composite sampler on Wednesday, September 13, 2000 at 6:OOPM; the
day with the greater number of hours in it is Wednesday, September 13, 2000.

1
Name and Signature of Inspector Agency/Office/Telephone Date
��
Belinda S. Henson 13QL" ...1
4'me->0 DENR/Fayetteville/[phone]
t-.1I-oo
Name and Signature of Reviewer Agency/Office/Telephone Date
Paul E. Rawls--.1 • ) ;,- \ DENR/Fayetteville/[phone]
r• 3
Action Taken
Regulatory Office Use Only
Compliance Status
Noncompliance
_Compliance
Date

Section D: Summary of Findings/Comments
Brief Facility Description:
Town of Bladenboro continues to operate a 0.5 MGD WWTP consisting of an influent pump
Btation, manual bar screen, comminutor, Parshall Flume, effluent flow recording equipment, dual
aeration basins, dual clarifiers, aerated sludge holding basin. dual sludge drying beds, a .17 acre
aerobic digester, 42 feet diameter final clarifier. .36 acre polishing pond and discharging to a 2.5
acre wetland area,
FACILITY SITE REVIEW
No N/A • 1. Treatment units properly operated and maintained.
es No N/A 2. Standby power or other equivalent provision provided.
Yes N/A 3. Adequate alarm system for power or equipment failure. available.,
4. Sludge disposal procedures appropriate:
es No N/A a. Disposal of sludge according to regulations
es No N/A b. State approval for sludge disposal received.
ie No N/A. 5. All treatment units other than backup units in service.
Yes No N/A 6. Sufficient sludge disposed of to maintain treatment process equilibrium.
es No N/A 7. Adequate number of qualified operators on staff.
es No N/A 8. Established procedures available for training new employees.
YesNo N/A 9. Adequate spare parts and supplies inventory maintained.
Cif No N/A 10. a. Hydraulic "overflows and/or organic overloads experienced
Yes RD N/A • b. Untreated bypass discharge occurs during power failure
Yes N/A c. Untreated overflows occurred since last inspection.
No N/A 11. Plant has general safety structures such as rails around or covers over
tanks, pits, or wells.
No N/A 12. Plant is generally clean, free from open trash areas.

Page 2
13. Screening:
No N/A a. Manual
Yes No b. Mechanical )
Yes N/A c. Buildup of debris
No N/A d. Screenings properly disposed of.
14. Grit Removal:
Yes No %A a. Excessive organic content in the grit chamber
Yes No N/A b. Excessive odors
Yes No N/A c. Grit properly disposed of.
a
15. Primary clarifier:
Yes No % a. Excessive gas bubbles
Yes No N/A b. Black and odorous wastewater
Yes No N/A c. Poor suspended solids removed
Yes No N/A d. Excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier
Yes No N/A e. Weirs level
Yes No N/A f Weir blockage
Yes No N/A g. Evidence of short circuiting
Yes No N/A h. Lack of adequate scum removal
Yes No . N/A I. Excessive floating sludge
Yes No N/A j. Brokensludge scraper.
Yes No N/
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No . N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A.
Yes No N/A
16. Trickling Filter:
a. Trickling filter ponding(indicating, clogged media)
b. Leak at center column of trickling, filter's distribution arms
c. Uneven distribution of flow on trickling filter surface
d. Uneven or discolored growth
e. Excessive sloughing, of growth
f. : Odor
g. Clogging of trickling filter's distribution arm orifices
h. Filter flies, worms, or snails.
17. Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC):
a. Development of white biomass on rotating biological contactor
media
b. Excessive sloughing of growth
c. Excessive breakage of rotating disks or shafts in RBC units
d. Excessive breakage of paddles on brush aerators
e. Shaft, bearing, drive gear, or motor failure on disk or brush aerators.

Yes N/A
Yes N/A
Yes IN N/A
Yes N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No(RV
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No . N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes vo N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes c N N/A
Yes dT7N/A
Yes No N/A
es No N/A
Yes To N/A
YesN/A
Yes fT `2 N/A
Yes N/A
Yes No (
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes. No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes Q:]► N/A
Yes()) N/A
Yes N/A
Yes No T7
Yes . No; Criiv
NCIes No N/A
tes,No N/A
(Yes) No N/A
18. Activated Sludge Basins/Oxidation Ditches:
Dead spots
Failure of surface aerators
Air rising in clumps
Dark foam or bad color
Thick billows of white, sudsy foam
Air rising unevenly
Excessive air leaks in compressed air piping.
19.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Page 3
Stabilization Ponds/Lagoons:
a. Excessive weeds including duckweed in stabilization ponds
b. Dead fish or aquatic organisms
c. Buildup of solids around influent pipe
d. Excessive scum on surface. •
20. . Secondary Clarifier:
Excessive gas bubbles on surface
Unlevel overflow weirs
Weir blockage
Evidence of short circuiting
Excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier
Pin floc in overflow 5° e r1 ` t r x e e s s
Ineffective scum rake
Floating sludge on surface
Excessive high sludge blanket
Clogged sludge withdrawal ports on secondary clarifier.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g-
h.
j.
21. Filtration: -
a. Filter surface clogging
b. Short filter run
c. Gravel displacement, of filter media
d. Loss of filter media during backwashing
e. Recycled filter backwash water in excess of 5 percent
f. Formation of mudballs in filter media.
22. Chlorination Unit:
a. Sludge buildup in contact chamber
b. Gas bubbles
c. Floating scum and/or solids
d. Adequate ventilation of chlorine feeding room and storage area
e. NIOSH-approved 30 minute air pack - ,
f. All standing chlorine cylinders chained in place
g. All personnel trained in the use of chlorine
h. Proper chlorine feed, storage, and reserve supply.

Yes No &1 L) 23. Ultraviolet radiation disinfection present and in use.
- No N/A
CYes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Page 4
24. Dechlorination:
a. Proper storage of sulfur dioxide cylinders
b. Adequate ventilation of sulfur dioxide feeding room
c. Automatic sulfur dioxide feed or feedback control not operating
properly.
25. Aerobic Digester:
Yes ( N/A a. Excessive foaming in tank
Yes �. N/A. b. Noxious odor
Yes fttv N/A c. Mechanical aeration failure
Yes No TT d. Clogging of diffusers.
26. Anaerobic Digester:
Yes No U % a. Floating cover tilting
Yes No N/A b. Gas burner operative
Yes No N/A c. Supernatant has a sour odor.
27. -- Sludge Drying and/or disposal: n ci. ` "'' y V 1
Yes No 1jZ' a. Poor sludge distribution on drying beds
Yes No N/A b. Vegetation in drying beds
Yes No N/A c. Dry sludge remaining in drying beds
Yes No. N/A d. Dry sludge stored on site
Yes No N/A e. Filtrate from sludge drying beds returned to front of plant
No N/A f. Approved disposal site for the sludge
No.. N/A g. Sludge land applied.
28. Filter Press:
Yes No ) a. High level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters
Yes No N/A b. Thin filter cake caused by poor dewatering
Yes No N/A c: Sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press
Yes No. N/A d. Excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake.
Yes
No
N/A
Yes% No N/A
Yes N/A
29. Polishing Ponds or Tanks:
a. Objectionable odor, excessive foam, floating solids, or oil sheens on
water surface
b. Solids or scum accumulations in tank or at side of pond
c. Evidence of bypassed polishing ponds or tanks because of low
capacity.

YesN/A
Yes N/A
No N/A
'es7 No N/A
es No N/A
Yes CON/A
Yes CN)) N/A
Yes No
Yes No
Yes CEO N/A
des% No N/A
Yes No N/A
es./‘To N/A
es No N/A
Yes No N/A
( e. No 1N/A
Yes CO N/A
30. Plant Effluent:
a. Excessive suspended solids, turbidity, foam, grease, scum,' color, and
other macroscopic particulate matter present
b. Potential toxicity (dead fish, dead plant at discharge)
c. Outfall discharge line easily accessible.
Page 5
31. Flow Measurement:
a. Proper placement of flow measurement device
b. Flow meter calibrated
c. Buildup of solids in flume or weir
d. Broken or cracked flume or weir
e. Properly functioning magnetic flowmeter
f. Clogged or broken stilling wells
g. Weir plate edge corroded or damaged
h. , System capable of measuring maximum flow
i. Flow measurement error less than 10%.
32. Sampling:
a. Sampling and analysis completed on parameters specified by permit
b. Samples refrigerated during compositing :J c e LtS r cc
c. Composite sample temperatures maintained at.0 to 4 degrees Celsius
during sampling
d. Contract laboratory used for sample analysis
e. Composite samples obtained are flow proportional..
No N/A
CZ.ess, No N/A ,
'e, No N/A
6e No N/A
Cai) No N/A
No N/A
No N/A
No N/A
CXes� No N/A
RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING
1. Records and reports maintained as required by permit.
2. All required information available, complete, and current.
3. Records maintained for 3 years and all sludge records maintained for 5-
years. ,
4. Analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs.
5. Sampling and analyses data adequate and include:
a. Dates, times, and location of sampling
b. Name of individual performing sampling
c. Results of analyses and calibration
d. Dates of analyses
e. Name of person performing analyses.

•
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No
Yes No g
Page 6
6. Monitoring records adequate and include:
a. Monitoring charts kept for 3 years
b. Flowmeter calibration records kept for 3 years.
(
7. Laboratory equipment calibration and maintenance records adequate:
8. BOD incubator temperature maintained at 20 +/- 1 Degrees Celsius
and the temperature maintained in a log for every day of operation.
9. Fecal coliform incubator maintained. at 44.5 +/- 0.2 Degrees
Celsius and the temperature maintained in a log for every day of
operation.
10. Plant records adequate and include:
Yes No N/A a. 0 & M Manual
Yes No N/A b. "As -built" engineering drawings
Y No N/A c. Schedules and dates of equipment maintenance repairs
Yes No ISM d. Equipment data cards.
Yes (&.--2 N/A
CUip No N/A
(ttr...-No N/A
No N/A
No N/A
Yes (0) N/A
aii) No N/A
Revised 7/11/00
by Belinda Henson
11. Permittee is meeting compliance schedule.
12. DMRs complete and include all NPDES permit required parameters.
13. ORC visitation logs available and current.
14. ORC certified at a level equal to or greater than the classification of
the wastewater facility.
15. Backup Operator certified at One level less than the classification of
the wastewater facility or greater.
16. Current copy of the complete NPDES permit on site.
17. Facility description verified as contained in NPDES permit.

INSPECTION REPORT
UPDATE ' OPTION: TRX: 5IF KEY: NC0026352INSCEI 000912
SYSMSG: *** DATA ADDED SUCCESSFULLY ***
PERMIT--- NC0026352 REG/COUNTY-- 06 BLADEN
FACILITY-- BLADENBORO (TOWN) - WWTP LOC-- BLADENBORO
INS TYPE
CEI
NEXT PLANNED
INSPECTION INSPECTED BY:
DATE: 000912 HSB
J
REPORT INSPECTION DMR RESPONSE RECEIVED
DATE STATUS STATUS DUE DATE DATE
000921 C C
COMMENTS: