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Home My WebLink AboutNC0021369_CEI_20210216 February 16, 2021 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED Timothy Barth, Town Manager Email: manager@columbusnc.com Town of Columbus SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Columbus WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021369 Polk County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Columbus WWTP on 1/28/2021. This inspection was conducted to determine what steps have been taken to bring the system back into compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0021369, since the follow-up inspection in 2019. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". Please respond, in writing (email is preferred), to this office within 30 days of your receipt of this letter regarding the following issue:  Biosolids Removal Plan has not been received by the Asheville Regional Office per Part I.A(4) of your permit effective February 1, 2020. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mikal Willmer with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4686 or via email at mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report EC: Chris Cochran, ORC LF DocuSign Envelope ID: AD24F1E7-9FF5-4434-B4EA-15DE852D116D EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency 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 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 N 52 NC0021369 21/01/28 C S31112171819 20 21 66 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- N67707172 73 74 75 80 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) Columbus WWTP 355 Levi Rd Columbus NC 28722 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 12:00PM 21/01/28 20/02/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Christopher C Cochran/ORC// Other Facility Data 02:00PM 21/01/28 23/07/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Robert K Rosseter,515 Forest Ave Landrum SC 293569406//864-848-5527/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Compliance Schedules Effluent/Receiving Waters Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) (See attachment summary) Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s)Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Lauren E Armeni DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Mikal Willmer DWR/Division of Water Quality/828-296-4686/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 DocuSign Envelope ID: AD24F1E7-9FF5-4434-B4EA-15DE852D116D 2/17/2021 2/17/2021 2/17/2021 NPDES yr/mo/day 21/01/28 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Mikal Willmer and Lauren Armeni, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Columbus WWTP on January 28, 2021. This inspection was conducted to determine what steps have been taken since the follow-up inspection in 2019. Chris Cochran, ORC, was present and assisted in the inspection. Columbus has been taking steps over the past year to address the solids issues and structural concerns at the facility. Columbus' permit was reissued in 2020 with a special condition to generate a Biosolids Removal Plan and have the sheet pile wall assessed within 180 days of permit issuance. Mr. Cochran indicated the Biosolids Removal Plan had been submitted to Town Management for approval. Please submit this as soon as possible as we are past 180 days from permit issuance. Updates on the status of the sheet pile wall assessment have been submitted. Our office is aware of some of the causes of the delays. Continue to keep our office informed of the assessment progress as the integrity of sheet pile wall is a major concern. The aeration basin has been partially dredged and the solids are currently drying in six geotubes onsite that drain back to the WWTP. The geotubes will be disposed of in an approved landfill in South Carolina. The solids closest to the sheet pile wall were left in place due to concern with their impact on the wall should they be removed. The ORC reports he can maintain adequate DO levels within the AB now that there is additional treatment capacity. He also indicated less solids are passing through to the clarifiers. Clarifiers: No apparent pin floc exiting the clarifier. The ORC had plans to draw down clarifier #1 for maintenance. The blanket was elevated in clarifier #2 as #1 was being taken offline. Solids wasting frequency has improved; however, it is still not optimal. This has partially been due to wet conditions limiting land application events and excess solids still in the aeration basin. Aerobic Digester/Solids removal: The cable on the surface aerator was broken at the time of the inspection and was in the process of being repaired. Synagro collected samples in preparation for a spring application event. The Town may switch to geotubes for disposal of their residuals. Chlorine Contact Chamber: An AtoC was issued for a second contact basin. This is currently on hold. ORC reports they have had adequate contact time and have not had an issue with excessive solids in the contact chamber since dredging the aeration basin. Staff have a vacuum setup to periodically cleanout any settled solids from the chamber. Chlorine/Dechlor Building: Staff rerouted the drain near the dechlor carboy to the contact chamber. Please keep in mind, should a leak from the calcium thiosulfate tank occur, staff should attempt to limit the release to the contact chamber to ensure there is adequate chlorine residual and the pH is not adversley affected. NC0021369 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: AD24F1E7-9FF5-4434-B4EA-15DE852D116D Permit:NC0021369 Inspection Date:01/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Columbus WWTP Compliance Evaluation Compliance Schedules Yes No NA NE Is there a compliance schedule for this facility? Is the facility compliant with the permit and conditions for the review period? Facility has a compliance schedule for a corrective action plan for metals compliance and a Wastewater management plan requirement. Comment: 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 Judge, and other that are applicable? ORC monitors DO and utilizes a sludge judge.Comment: Permit Yes No NA NE (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? Required to submit wastewater management plan.Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE 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: 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 Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: AD24F1E7-9FF5-4434-B4EA-15DE852D116D Permit:NC0021369 Inspection Date:01/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Columbus WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE 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 operator 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? 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? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # 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? Calibrated by Ken Street 11-19-20. New Isco 5700 installed for influent and effluent sampling. Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE 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? Synagro collected samples for a spring application event. Columbus is exploring long term solids disposal options. Potentially use geotubes moving forward. See summary for additional details. Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: AD24F1E7-9FF5-4434-B4EA-15DE852D116D Permit:NC0021369 Inspection Date:01/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Columbus WWTP Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE 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? Old screens on screw auger are still in operation. ORC still plans to have these replaced. ORC reports this has not caused an issue at the headworks. Comment: Grit Removal Yes No NA NE 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? Vortex grit removal system.Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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 ¼ of the sidewall depth) No solids were noted exiting the clarifier at the time of the inspection. The ORC was going to draw down Clarifier #1. ORC is still limited by aerobic digester capacity. Limited application events due to wet weather. See summary for details. Comment: Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: AD24F1E7-9FF5-4434-B4EA-15DE852D116D Permit:NC0021369 Inspection Date:01/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Columbus WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Surface 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? Is the DO level acceptable? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) ORC states he can maintain adequate DO levels within the aeration basin since it was partially dredged. See summary for additional details. Comment: Disinfection-Gas Yes No NA NE Are cylinders secured adequately? Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? 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? Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 lbs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000-____-____) If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Chlorine gas is used. Installation of second contact basin is on hold. Town has an approved AtoC. Flow proportional dosing. Comment: De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ?Liquid 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? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Facility utilizes calcium thiosulfate. Drain has been routed back to the WWTP.Comment: Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: AD24F1E7-9FF5-4434-B4EA-15DE852D116D Permit:NC0021369 Inspection Date:01/28/2021 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Columbus WWTP Compliance Evaluation De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Number of tubes in use? Liquid Dechlor- flow proportional dosing.Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: AD24F1E7-9FF5-4434-B4EA-15DE852D116D Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: AD24F1E79FF54434B4EA15DE852D116D Status: Completed Subject: Please DocuSign: NC0021369 CEI ltr.docx, NC0021369 CEI report.pdf Source Envelope: Document Pages: 8 Signatures: 4 Envelope Originator: Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 0 Mikal Willmer AutoNav: Enabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) 217 W. Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27699 Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Record Tracking Status: Original Feb 17, 2021 | 07:12 Holder: Mikal Willmer Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Location: DocuSign Security Appliance Status: Connected Pool: StateLocal Storage Appliance Status: Connected Pool: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Location: DocuSign Signer Events Signature Timestamp Mikal Willmer mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Environmental Specialist North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: Feb 17, 2021 | 07:18 Viewed: Feb 17, 2021 | 07:18 Signed: Feb 17, 2021 | 07:18 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign Lauren Armeni lauren.armeni@ncdenr.gov North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None)Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: Feb 17, 2021 | 07:18 Viewed: Feb 17, 2021 | 07:28 Signed: Feb 17, 2021 | 07:29 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign Daniel Boss daniel.boss@ncdenr.gov Environmental Specialist North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: Feb 17, 2021 | 07:29 Viewed: Feb 17, 2021 | 09:04 Signed: Feb 17, 2021 | 11:14 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp Editor Delivery Events Status Timestamp Agent Delivery Events Status Timestamp Intermediary Delivery Events Status Timestamp Certified Delivery Events Status Timestamp Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp Witness Events Signature Timestamp Notary Events Signature Timestamp Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted Feb 17, 2021 | 07:18 Certified Delivered Security Checked Feb 17, 2021 | 09:04 Signing Complete Security Checked Feb 17, 2021 | 11:14 Completed Security Checked Feb 17, 2021 | 11:14 Payment Events Status Timestamps