NC0081370_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210806

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Jason Brown, City Manager
City of Claremont
Post Office Box 446
Claremont, North Carolina 28610-0446
Dear Mr. Brown:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
August 6, 2021
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
City of Claremont/McLin Creek WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0081370
Catawba County
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject
facility on July 29, 2021, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. Please advise the facility's Operator -in -Responsible Charge
(ORC) of our findings by forwarding a copy of the enclosed report.
Should you have any questions concerning this report, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at [phone],
or via email at [e-mail].
Enclosure: Inspection Report
NORTH
Dep®rlmont of Environmental Onolit
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
14.1444i,HNut4
F161 FB69A2D84A3...
fo r
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1 Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704.663.1699

United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPA 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
1 IN I 2 I5
21IIIIII
I
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection
3 I NC0081370 111 121 21/07/29 117
Type
18110
IIIIIIIIIII
Inspector Fac Type
19 I S I 201
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I IIIIII
P6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved
67I2.0 I 70I4 I 71IN I 72 I N I 731 I 74 751
I I 1
I I I I I I 180
l
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
McLin Creek WWTP
NCSR 1728
Claremont NC 28610
Entry Time/Date
10:06AM 21/07/29
Permit Effective Date
21/06/01
Exit Time/Date
12:38PM 21/07/29
Permit Expiration Date
26/03/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Kenneth Joseph Twardzik/ORC/828-228-9638/
Other Facility Data
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Jason A Brown,PO Box 446 Claremont NC 286100446/City
Manager/828-466-7255/8284667185 No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Progran Sludge Handling Dispo: Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Wate
Laboratory
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) and Signature(s)
Wes Bell
of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
-Docusiyned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 8/5/2021
e Belt
'-A61696D90CC3437...
Signature of Ma
Andrew Pit
Ilaerffie0tReviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
rA's4'4' H P 3WR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 8.6.21
F161 FB69A2D84A3...
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page# 1

NPDES yr/mo/day
31 NC0081370 111 121 21/07/29
I17
Inspection Type
18 [j
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Page# 2

Permit: NC0081370
Inspection Date: 07/29/2021
Owner - Facility: McLin Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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? • ❑ El El
# 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: The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff
on 10/24/2018.
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
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?
Yes No NA NE
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• ❑ ❑ ❑
•
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Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained.
Discharge monitoring reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period June 2020
through May 2021. No effluent limit violations were reported and monitoring
frequencies were correct.
Page# 3

Permit: NC0081370
Inspection Date: 07/29/2021
Owner - Facility: McLin Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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?
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ • ❑
Comment: Influent and effluent analyses are performed under the City of Hickory's Regional
Laboratory certification #203. Effluent total residual chlorine measurements are
performed on -site. The TRC meter calibrations were adequate and being maintained
on -site.
Influent Sampling
# Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected above side streams?
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 sampling performed according to the permit?
Comment: The subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite samples.
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
▪ El El El
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional? • El El El
Is sample collected below all treatment units? • El El El
Is proper volume collected? • ❑ El El
Is the tubing clean? • El El El
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 • El El El
degrees Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type • El El El
representative)?
Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples.
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, El El ❑
and sampling location)?
Page# 4

Permit: NC0081370
Inspection Date: 07/29/2021
Owner - Facility: McLin Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
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 MODE
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be properly operated and well
maintained. A comprehensive process control program was being implemented with all
measurements being documented and maintained on -site.
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?
Comment: Screenings are disposed by a contracted company to a permitted landfill.
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: The grit removal system has not been operational for several years.
Flow Measurement - Influent
# 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?
Yes No NA NE
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• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
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Yes No NA NE
Yes No NA NE
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❑ ❑ • ❑
Page# 5

Permit: NC0081370
Inspection Date: 07/29/2021
Owner - Facility: McLin Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Flow Measurement - Influent Yes No NA NE
Comment: The flow meter is calibrated twice per year and was last calibrated on 7/7/21 by
Diversified Integration.
Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the wet well free of excessive grease? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps present? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps operable? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are float controls operable? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The high water alarm and notification system operated properly during the on -site
inspection.
Sequencing Batch Reactors
Type of operation:
Is the reactor effluent free of solids?
Does minimum fill time correspond to the peak hour flow rate of the facility?
Is aeration and mixing cycled on and off during fill?
The operator understands and can explain the process?
Yes No NA NE
Duplex
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ • ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Both SBR trains were operational and in service. The mixed liquor suspended solids
appeared to be adequately mixed and oxygenated. Magnesium hydroxide and/or soda
ash are added on an as -needed basis to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels.
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE
Type of operation: Down flow
Is the filter media present? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter surface free of clogging? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter free of growth? ■ ❑ El ❑
Is the air scour operational? • El El El
Is the scouring acceptable? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? • El El El
Comment: All three tertiary filters were operational and in service.
Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE
Page# 6

Permit: NC0081370
Inspection Date: 07/29/2021
Owner - Facility: McLin Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection -Gas
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 Ibs 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?
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:
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?
Yes No NA NE
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❑ ❑ • ❑
Yes No NA NE
Gas
• ❑ ❑ ❑
▪ El El El
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ■ ❑
❑ ❑ • ❑
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ • ❑
Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The receiving stream did
not appear to be negatively impacted.
Aerobic Digester
Is the capacity adequate?
Is the mixing adequate?
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 7

Permit: NC0081370
Inspection Date: 07/29/2021
Owner - Facility: McLin Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE
Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
# Is the odor acceptable?
# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
• ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Both aerated sludge holding tanks were operational and in service. Wastewater solids
are transported by City of Hickory staff to the Hickory Regional Compost facility for
additional treatment/disposal (Class A Compost).
Standby Power
Is automatically activated standby power available?
Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source?
Is the generator tested under load?
Was generator tested & operational during the inspection?
Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site?
Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up
power?
Is the generator fuel level monitored?
Yes No NA NE
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❑ • ❑ ❑
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Comment: The backup generator only powers the influent pump station. The generator is tested
under load (automatically) weekly. The generator is also serviced annually by Carolina
Generator.
Page# 8