NC0020427_Inspection_20001221

L
NORTH CARDLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
FAYE7TEVILLE, REGIONAL OFFICE
December 21, 2000
Mr. Monty.R. Crump, City Manager
City of Rockingham
POBox520
Rockingham, NC 28379
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
City of Rockingham WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0020427
Richmond County
Dear Mr. Crump:
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection conducted
December 6.2000.
As part of the inspection a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was
conducted. All observations and recommendations 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,
Belinda S. Henson
Environmental Chemist
/bsh
Enclosures
225 GREEN STREET, SUITE 714 / SYSTEL BLD. FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28301-5043
PHONE [phone] FAX 9I O-48S-0707
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER - SO% 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. NC0020427 Date: 001206 Inspection Type: C
Inspector: S Facility Type: 1 Reserved:
Facility Evaluation Rating: 4 BI: N QA: N Reserved:
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected:
City of Rockingham WWTP
Entry Time: 10:15am _ Permit Effective Date: 990601
Exit Time/Date: 1:45pm/001206 Permit Expiration Date: 040229
Name(s), Title(s) of On -Site Representative(s):
Larry Cobler (Certified Grade IV Operator) - "ORC"
Phone Number(s): [phone]
Name, Title and Address of Responsible Official
Mr. Monty R. Crump, City Manager
PO Box 520
Rockingham, NC 28379
Contacted: no
Section C: Areas Evaluated During 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. As of December 1, 2000 the Yadkin Pee Dee Association completes all NPDES permit required stream
monitoring.
2. A backup generator is on site to operate the entire plant during power failure with the exception of the
biosolids composting system.
3. An alarm system monitors pump failures, inoperable clarifiers, power failure and etc. If any of these
occur the operator on call will be phoned to supply the assistance needed to repair the. item.
4. The City has 24 pump stations which are monitored each day as per Mr. Cobler. All main pump stations
have telemetry. -
5. The incoming wastewater is made up of 85% - 90% of industrial.
6. The influent and effluent flow meter were calibrated December 8, 1999 by Nix, Purser and Associates.
The influent flow meter readings are recorded on the Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs). The
influent flow meter was installed within the last year. Documentation was; noted on the calibration
records of the % error before and after calibration as suggested in a previous report.
7. The automatic bar screen and the grit removal system appeared to be operational. These areas appeared
to have paint worn from the surfaces. Maintaining these areas in the near future could eliminate major
costs in the future. All screenings and grit are loaded in containers on a daily basis and lime is added and
disposal occurs through the Uwharrie Environmental Landfill located in Montgomery County. The area
located around the bar screen appeared to have some paper products on the ground. As per Mr. Cobler
this area is raked on Friday of each week. A recommendation is to clean this area more frequently
to assist with maintaining facility grounds.
8. The primary clarifiers and trickling filter appeared to be operating adequately.
9. Two (2) aeration basins are operational but only one (1) is necessary for proper treatment of wastewater.
Four (4) aerators and two (2) floating mixers are operational in the basin. The Mixed Liquor Suspended
Solids (MLSS) results were 3000 mg/L. The Dissolved Oxygen analysis is done twice a day and
documented. The most recent result was 1.7 mg/L. Polymer is added to .the MLSS at the end of the
aeration basin before it enters the clarifiers. It is added to assist with the settling of solids in the
clarifiers. A 6000 gallon polymer storage tank is located on site. Approximately 2000 gallons are
utilized monthly.
10. The sludge depths of Clarifier #1, #2, and #3 appeared to be 2'/2 feet with tank depths of ten (10) feet
in # 1 and #2 and twelve (12) feet in #3. As per Mr. Cobler repairs of weirs and internal mechanical
components are to be completed in next year's budget for Clarifier #2. Wasting from the clarifiers
occurs twice a week with approximately 350,000 gallons wasted.
11. Two (2) variable and two (2) constant speed effluent pumps are located at the effluent pump station.
Under normal flow conditions one pump is utilized.
-continued-

12. The chlorine contact tanks are cleaned every 2-3 weeks as per Mr. Cobler. The effluent appeared to be
free of solids. Chlorine is used to disinfect the effluent. It is added by a flow paced system called Regal
Smart Valve which doses the effluent as the flow increases. Sulfur dioxide is used to dechlorinate the
effluent before it is discharged.
13. Effluent sample collection is completed at the. wet well area located at the effluent pump station. The
effluent discharge pipe was relocated at the end of April 2000. It travels directly to the Pee Dee River.
14. The influent and effluent composite samplers' temperature was within 0 - 4 degrees C required for
proper preservation. As a reminder all major facilities should incorporate flow proportional
sampling for the effluent composite sampler by March 15, 2001.
15. The biosolids handling facility appeared to be operating adequately. Biosolids travel to the belt press
at 2 - 3 % solids and at the completion of the dewatering process solids are 19 - 20 % solids. The belt
press is utilized twice weekly. Biosolids are composted for a Class A Biosolids and is used by various
landscaping companies and etc. The land application permit is WQ0004477.
16. Sand drying beds are no longer used to dry biosolids. Plans are to remove all drying beds with the
exception of one which will be used to dry waste material collected from the collection system by vac
trucks. When the drying beds are removed an expanded concrete pad will be constructed to store
biosolids during the composting process.
17. The `Backup Operator" for this facility is Tommy Campbell. He is a NC certified Grade II Wastewater
Treatment Operator.
18. The certified laboratory on site analyzes all NPDES permit required parameter with the exception of the
following: Metals, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus and Chronic Toxicity which is completed by
"Burlington Research".
19. Laboratory records were reviewed for the months February and March 2000 and compared to Discharge
Monitoring Reports (DMRs). On the date March 7, 2000 a Total Nitrogen was reported as 2.5 mg/L
on the DMR but laboratory records revealed the result was 5.0 mg/L. The following procedure should
be followed in submitting a corrected copy for the month of March 2000:
A. All corrected data should be written in red ink or hi -lighted.
B. At the top to the Effluent Page, the words "Corrected Report" or "Amended Report" should be
written in red ink on all copies. This will differentiate between originally submitted report and
corrected report.
C. Two (2) copies of the corrected report should be submitted to this Division and one (1) copy
must be retained by the pern ittee. Submit corrected DMR for the month of March 2000 by
January 31, 2001 to our Division.
D. A brief explanation for the correction should be written either on the back side of the Effluent
page or in a cover letter accompanying the reports.
-continued-

20. A compliance evaluation analysis report for the period November 1999 through September 2000 did not
reveal any monthly violations. There were not any Notice of Violations (NOVs) sent to the facility
during this period.
21. As a reminder according to our 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, November 7, 2000 at 9:OOAM and the sample
is withdrawn from the composite sampler on Wednesday, November 8, 2000 at 9:OOAM; the
day with the greater number of hours in it is Tuesday, November 7, 2000.
B. If the composite sample is started on Tuesday, November 7, 2000 at 6:OOPM and the sample
is withdrawn from the composite sampler on Wednesday, November 8, 2000 at 6:OOPM; the
day with the greater number of hours in it is Wednesday, November 8, 2000.
Name and Signature of Inspector Agency/Office/Telephone Date
Belinda S. Henson �DENR/Fayetteville/[phone]
Name and Signature of Reviewer Agency/Office/Telephone
Action Taken
DENR/Fayetteville/[phone]
Regulatory Office Use Only
Compliance Status
Noncompliance
_Compliance
Date
Date

Section D: Summary of Findings/Cbmments
Brief Facility Description:
A 6.0 MGD WWTP consisting of influent pumps, mechanical bar screen, grit removal, magnetic
flow meter. primary clarifiers_ trickling_filter. secondary clarifier, dual extended aeration basins,
three final clarifiers. three chlorine contact chambers, sulfur dioxide dechlorination, aerobic sludge
digester, sludge drying beds, belt filter press, composting system effluent pump station, and a post
aeration cascade aerator.
FACILITY SITE REVIEW
No N/A 1. Treatment units properly operated and maintained.
Yes No N/A 2. Standby power or other equivalent provision provided.
es No 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
Yes No N/A b. State approval for sludge disposal received.
es 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.
No N/A 7. Adequate number of qualified operators on staff.
Gres j No N/A 8. Established procedures available for training new employees.
e ' No N/A 9. Adequate spare parts and supplies inventory maintained.
Yes No N/A 10. a. Hydraulic overflows and/or organic overloads experienced
Yes (go) N/A b. Untreated bypass discharge occurs during power failure
Yes S 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.
es' No N/A 12. Plant is generally clean, free from open trash areas.

Tes>No N/A
�Yes� No N/A
Yes 1CVo; N/A
3Yej No N/A
Yes ()N/A
Yes (No )N/A
Yes -)No • N/A
Yes a N/A
Yes gii:NN/A
Yes ( N/A
Yes N/A
Yes log N/A
Yes Vo> N/A
Yes moo' N/A.
Yes N/A
Yes N/A
Yes N/A
Yes 07 N/A
Yes No .N/A
Yes al. N/A
Yes N/A
Yes (NO) N/A
Yes CI\Ta N/A
Yes ffo N/A
Yes CND N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Page 2
13. Screening:
a. Manual
b. Mechanical
c. Buildup of debris
d. Screenings properly disposed of.
14. Grit Removal:
a. Excessive organic content in the grit chamber
b. Excessive odors
c. Grit properly disposed of.
15. Primary clarifier:
a. Excessive gas bubbles
b. Black and odorous wastewater
c. Poor suspended solids removed
d. Excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier
e. Weirs level
f. Weir blockage
g. Evidence of short circuiting
h. Lack of adequate scum removal
i. Excessive floating sludge
j. Broken sludge scraper.
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 ofwhite 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 No ; N/A
Yes l ) N/A
Yes N/A
Yes NO N/A
Yes C i N/A
Yes No
Yes No t /A)
18. Activated Sludge Basins/Oxidation Ditches:
a. Dead spots
b. Failure of surface aerators
c. Air rising in clumps
d. Dark foam or bad color
e. Thick billows of white, sudsy foam
f. Air rising unevenly
g. Excessive air leaks in compressed air piping.
Page 3
19. Stabilization Ponds/Lagoons:
Yes No 04.) a. Excessive weeds including duckweed in stabilization ponds
Yes No N/A b. Dead fish or aquatic organisms
Yes No N/A c. Buildup of solids around influent pipe
Yes No N/A d. Excessive scum on surface.
Yes N/A
Yes (So N/A
Yes LNg; N/A
Yes (RIO) N/A
Yes joy N/A
Yes Eo: N/A
Yes (Nd N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes go) N/A
Yes ( N/A
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
20. Secondary Clarifier:
a. Excessive gas bubbles on surface
b. Unlevel overflow weirs
c. Weir blockage
d. Evidence of short circuiting
e. Excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier
f. Pin floc in overflow
g. Ineffective scum rake
h: Floating sludge on surface 5c : n z cal 4( #
i. Excessive high sludge blanket
j. Clogged sludge withdrawal ports on secondary clarifier.
21.
No(N[ .)
No N/A
No N/A
No N/A
No N/A
No N/A
Yes Icio, N/A
Yes N/A
Yes No N/A
CY:a No N/A
Yes)No N/A
Yes No C�NIA)
No N/A
CYe-s) No N/A
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 l ac° i to cAl 1; A (& (' )
g. All personnel trained in the use of chlorine 564°tY
h. Proper chlorine feed, storage, and reserve supply.

Yes No N/A...) 23. Ultraviolet radiation disinfection present and in use.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
24.
No (WA—)
No N/A
No N/A
No
No
No
No
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
No N/
No N/A
No N/A
Yes No N/
Yes No (N/A.-)
Yes No (WAD
Yes No _/A)
Yes No N/A)
ryes ) No N/A
(Yes No N/A
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
r�
Yes No (N/A'
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Page 4
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:
a. Excessive foaming in tank
b. Noxious odor
c. Mechanical aeration failure
d. Clogging of diffusers.
26. Anaerobic Digester:
a. Floating cover tilting
b. Gas burner operative
c. Supernatant has a sour odor.
27. Sludge Drying and/or disposal:
Poor sludge distribution on drying beds
Vegetation in drying beds
Dry sludge remaining in drying beds
Dry sludge stored on site
Filtrate from sludge drying beds returned to front of plant
Approved disposal site forthe sludge
Sludge land applied.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g•
28. Filter Press: no t` o (' -�' n �� z z s e to , t ; L ,
a. High level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters
b. Thin filter cake caused by poor dewatering
c. Sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press
d. Excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake.
29. Polishing Ponds or Tanks:
a. Objectionable odor, excessive foam, floating solids, or oil sheens on
water surface
Solids or scum accumulations in tank or at side of pond
Evidence of bypassed polishing ponds or tanks because of low
capacity.
b.
c.

Yes N/A
Yes ( N/A
Yes No N/A
es) No N/A
Ye No N/A
Yes id) N/A
Yes Noy N/A
Yes No N/A
Yes No
Yes (Na) N/A
. es No N/A
(Yes) No N/A
Yes No N/A
CYes) No N/A
es No N/A
Yes -::No N/A
Yes No N/A
30. Plant Effluent:
Excessive suspended solids, turbidity, foam, grease, scum, color, and
other macroscopic particulate matter present
Potential toxicity (dead fish, dead plant at discharge)
Outfall discharge line easily accessible.
a.
b.
c.
Page 5
31. Flow Measurement:
Proper placement of flow measurement device
Flow meter calibrated
Buildup of solids in flume or weir
Broken or cracked flume or weir
Properly functioning magnetic flowmeter
Clogged or broken stilling wells
Weir plate edge corroded or damaged
System capable of measuring maximum flow
Flow measurement error less than 10%.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g•
h.
32. Sampling:
a. Sampling and analysis completed on parameters specified by permit
b. Samples refrigerated during compositing
c. Composite sample temperatures maintained at 0 to 4 degrees Celsius
during sampling
Contract laboratory used for sample analysis
Composite samples obtained are flow proportional.
d.
e.
•
es) No
LXe No
Yes) No
N/A 1.
N/A 2.
N/A 3.
(Yes) No N/A
Cam% No N/A
1Ye�Js No N/A
/ No N/A•
ems. No N/A
Yes; No N/A
RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING
Records and reports maintained as required by permit.
All required information available, complete, and current.
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.

No N/A
Yes No N/A
()No N/A
—es ;No N/A
Yes No N/A
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
es) No N/A b. "As -built" engineering drawings
s�No N/A c. Schedules and dates of equipment maintenance repairs
&s_)No N/A d. Equipment data cards.
Yes No OK) 11. Permittee is meeting compliance schedule.
(Y,s> No N/A 12. DMRs complete and include all NPDES permit required parameters.
7No N/A 13. ORC visitation logs available and current. '. K f t m e ,ski r - f u
Ye-s--)No N/A 14. ORC certified at a level equal to or greater than the classification of
the wastewater facility.
es) No N/A 15. _ Backup Operator certified at one level less than the classification of
the wastewater facility or greater.
Ye No N/A 16. Current copy of the complete NPDES permit on site.
N/A 17. Facility description verified as contained in NPDES permit.
Revised 7/11/00
by Belinda Henson

INSPECTION REPORT
UPDATE OPTION: TRX: 5IF KEY: NC0020427INSCEI 001206
SYSMSG: ADFE191 *** NO MODIFICATIONS MADE TO SCREEN ***
PERMIT--- NC0020427 REG/COUNTY-- 06 RICHMOND
FACILITY-- ROCKINGHAM, CITY -•WWTP LOC-- ROCKINGHAM ).
INS TYPE
CEI
NEXT PLANNED
INSPECTION INSPECTED BY:
DATE: 001206 HSB
REPORT INSPECTION DMR RESPONSE RECEIVED
DATE STATUS STATUS DUE DATE DATE
001221 C C
COMMENTS: