NC0024236_5 day report from incident 202100493_20210223

INiJiOH PUBLIC J rRlI�CES
Build ngs & G ounds, Business Office, Electric, Engineering, Environmental Services,
Fleet Maintenance, Meter Reading, Stormwater, Streets, Wastewater, and Water
Kinston, the right place ... Kinston Public Services, the right choice.
February 23, 2021
NC DWQ-Washington Regional Office
Attn: Robert Bullock
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
Re: Bypass of denitrification filters, February 13, 2021 & February 19, 2021 Incident #202100493
Dear Mr.Bullock:
Kinston
inciterg
2009
On February 13, 2021, the City of Kinston had to bypass part of its treatment process (the denitrification filters).
Severe weather dropped over 3.65 inches of rain in our area.
Flows escalated and began to effect plant operations. All basins remained in service. With flows over 14 MGD,
we began to experience solids loss from our clarifiers and at 3:48 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 (voicemail) around 4.30 pm.
Flows averaged between 12.0 MGD- 17.5 MHG most of that evening. The daily influent for the 13th was 9.19
MGD.
Flows continued to trend high on February 14, 2021 averaging between 10.5 and 17.5 MGD Daily Influent was
17.03 MGD.
On February 15, 2021, flows remained consistently between 14.0 and 17.5 MGD. Daily Influent was 16.98
MGD.
All filters were put back on line at 8:45 am, Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
Daily composite effluent TSS results for the event are as follows:
• February 8, 2021: <2.5 mg/L
• February 9, 2021: <2.5 mg/L
• February 10, 2021: <2.5 mg/L
• February 11, 2021: <2.5 mg/L
• February 12, 2021: <2.5 mg/L
• February 13, 2021: Start of bypass & composite sampler started
Average Effluent TSS for the week of February 8-12, 2021 was in compliance.
On February 19, 2021, the City once again had to bypass part of its treatment process (the denitrification filters).
Flows continue to remain high in association with both low area flooding and high groundwater....averaging
Johnnie Mosley Regional Water Reclamation Facility
2101 Becton Farm Rd Kinston, North Carolina 28501
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]

Influent was 24.15 MGD. The operator on duty began to see heavy pin flocking and at 4:00 am, we had to start
bypassing the filters.
The State (Mr. Bullock) was notified around 8:00 am that morning.
February 20, 2021, daily influent flow was 12.65 MGD.
All filters were put back on line at 1:00 am, Sunday, February 21, 2021.
Daily composite effluent TSS results for the event are as follows:
• February 14, 2021: 1697 mg/L
• February 15, 2021: 594 mg/L
• February 16, 2021: 6.6 mg/L
• February 17, 2021: <2.5 mg/L
• February 18, 2021: <2.5 mg/L
• February 19, 2021: 41 mg/L
• February 20, 2021: 35 mg/L
Rainfall from February 18, 2021-February 22, 2021 was 4.15 inches.
Average Effluent TSS for the week of February 14, 2021- February 20, 2021 is over the weekly limit of 45.0
mg/L (weekly average is 339.09 mg/L). The monthly Effluent average will be determined at the end of the
month though it is looking that we might exceed that as well. At this time, no other violations have been
observed.
The City continues to work at reducing the factors that attributed to these events. The high rain led to higher flow
with inflow and infiltration making it worse. We continue to work on the collection system to reduce inflow &
infiltration levels.
We continue to see flow increases at both the Briery Run and Forrest Street Lift Stations that discharge to the
plant, but the largest increase remains with Forrest Street. There are three sewer outfalls that flow to Forrest
Street, the Adkin Branch, Sunshine Street and Neuse Outfalls. With the vast majority of these outfalls still
flooded from previous rain events, crews have not been able to smoke test and flow monitor these outfalls to
identify sources of inflow that are contributing to this type of event. The Forrest Street sewershed includes
almost 10 square miles that does not flow through any lift stations, making it difficult to pinpoint
inflow/infiltration issues.
If I can be of any further assistance, please call me at 252-939-3375 or email at
Kenneth.Stevens a ci.kinston.nc.us.
Sincerely,
enneth R. Stevens, Jr.
Johnnie Mosley RWRF 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]