NC0003719_Technical Assistance_20021211

Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Coleen H. Sullins, Chairman
Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission
December 11, 2002
Lonnie Morris
3468 Cedar Creek Road
Fayetteville NC 28301
Subject: Technical Assistance Visit
Monsanto WVVTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0003719
Dear Lonnie:
A technical assistance visit was conducted at the Monsanto Wastewater Treatment Plant on December 9,
2002. The primary focus of the visit was to offer assistance in identifying potential operational actions
that may be taken to help correct the settling and loss of activated sludge activity currently being
experienced.
At present, two problems were most prevalent:
1) Loss of settling due primarily to filamentous bacteria
2) Loss of activated sludge activity
Problem No. 1 was being addressed aggressively through the use of flocculent and eventual combined use
of flocculent as well as coagulant proved by jar testing conducted by. Monsanto staff and Nalco Chemical.
Problem No. 2 was being addressed aggressively through the addition of nutrients (ammonia and
phosphorus). Ammonia will be started 12-10-2002 and the phosphorus will be started as soon as possible
and is on order along with more coagulant.
Also, heat has been added to the pHpit and plans are under way to add additional heat the aeration basin
which, from Monsanto staff, through OUR testing, has shown to be beneficial in re -growing the good
bacteria needed to "restart" the biological activity lost due to lack of nutrients as a result of the recent
reduction of chemical/organic load to the plant. Return VSS has been directed to the pHpit to combine
the volatile solids with the influent food to the plant in an attempt to take advantage of the healthy bug
activity exhibited in the OUR testing as stated above.
All of the above actions should eventually begin to correct the problems that are currently being
experienced. I suggest that this course of action is correct and should be continued.
Technical Assistance & Certification Unit
1618 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1618
DENR Customer Service Center
An Equal Opportunity Action Employer
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Internet http://h2o.enr.nc.state.us/tac
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If we can be of further assistance in the future, please feel free to contact this office or myself anytime. I
would like to schedule a follow-up visit in approximately 45 days (tentatively the week of January
20,2003), please let me know if this is a good time.
Sincerely,
John Allan Baldwin
Wastewater Treatment Plant Consultant
Cc: Mr. Manhar Patel, Monsanto
Hope Walters, TACU Supervisor
Fayetteville Regional Office
Central Files
TAC Files
NC DENR DWQ
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
1618 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1618
Phone [phone] Extension 312
[e-mail]