NC0027103_Biomonitoring Inspection_20120831

ATA
.NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Charles Wakild, P. E.
Governor Director
August 31, 2012
Mr. Oryan Lowry, Town Manager
Town of Pembroke
P.O. Box 866
Pembroke, NC 28372
Subject: COMPLIANCE BIOMONITORING INSPECTION
Town of Pembroke Wastewater Treatment Plant
NPDES Permit No. NC0027103
Robeson County
Dear Mr. Lowry,
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Enclosed you will find a copy of the Compliance Biomonitoring Inspection report
for the inspection conducted on August 21st & 23rd, 2012. The inspection included the
same objectives as that of a routine Compliance Evaluation Inspection plus an Aquatic
Toxicity (AT) test to evaluate the biological effect of the facility's discharge on test
organisms. 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. I collected samples from Pembroke's 24-
hour composite sampling equipment on August 21 and August 23 for a chronic
Ceriodaphnia dubia pass/fail toxicity test. The samples were sent to the Division of
Water Quality Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, located on Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh.
The Whole Effluent Toxicity test resulted in a "Pass", and that indicated that the effluent
would not be predicted to have water quality impacts on the receiving water..
Additionally, on August 21st, the above mentioned 24-hour composite was analyzed by
the Division of Water Quality Chemistry Laboratory (located on Reedy Creek Road. in
Raleigh) for the following parameters (that are on the NPDES permit): Biochemical
Oxygen Demand (BOD) = 3.2 mg/L, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) = 6.2 mg/L,
Ammonia as nitrogen = 0.23 mg/L, Nitrite plus Nitrate as nitrogen = 2.2 mg/L, and Total
Phosphorus =. 2.9 mg/L. On the days of this inspection, this facility was found to be in
compliance with the NPDES Permit NC0027103, and it appeared to be well operated and
well maintained.
225 Green Street -Suite 714 —Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5043
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] Customer Service:1-877-623-6748
Internet: www.ncwaterquality.orq
An Equal Opporlunity i Affirmative Action Employer
One
NorthCarolina
,naturally

Mr. Lowry
Page 2
August 31, 2012
If you have any questions concerning this report or require clarification on part(s)
of this report, please feel free to contact me at [phone].
Sincerel
Dale Lopez
Environmental Specialist
/dl
Enclosures: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
Regional Field Inspectors Check List for Field Parameters
cc: Rhonda Locklear, Town of Pembroke (ORC)
FRQ. Files :(Mark; Brantley). ,

United States Environmental Protection Agency
E PA Washington, D.C. 20460
Water C:mmnlience 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
1 INI 2 15 I 31 NC0027103 111 121 12/08/23 117
Type Inspector FacType
18I B I 19I S I 201 I
Remarks
21IIIIIIIIIIIl1lll1_III IIIlIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII16�
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA — — — — — Reserved----------------
67I 3.0 169 70 14 I 711 I 72I N I 731 I 174 79 I I I I III 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)
Pembroke WWTP
NCSR 1339
Pembroke NC 28372
Entry Time/Date
10:00 AM 12/08/23
Permit Effective Date
11/04/01
Exit Time/Date
03:00 PM 12/08/23
Permit Expiration Date
14/07/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Rhonda Hagan Locklear/ORC/910-521-2989/•
Other Facility Data
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
McDuffiue Cummings,P Box 866 Pembroke NC 283720866//910-521-9758/9105210472 No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Program • Facility Site Review • Effluent/Receiving Waters Laboratory
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) an.%'-.ature(s) of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Dale Lopez FRO WQ//910-433-3300 Ext.712//.j e 4;2--
of Management QrOA Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers DateI1 14,41A-d,'L1gr,t- `�- i g.
SignatureLiIT
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page # 1

31
NPDES
NC0027103
111 121
yr/mo/day
12/08/23 117
Inspection Type
1810
(cont.) 1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Enclosed you will find a copy of the Compliance Biomonitoring Inspection report for the inspection
conducted on August 21 st & 23rd, 2012. The inspection included the same objectives as that of a routine
Compliance Evaluation Inspection plus an Aquatic Toxicity (AT) test to evaluate the biological effect of the
facility's discharge on test organisms. 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 DWQ-Fayetteville Regional Office collected Outfall 001 effluent 24-hour
composite samples on August 21 and August 23 for a chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia pass/fail toxicity test.
The samples were sent to the Division of Water Quality Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, located on Reedy
Creek Road in Raleigh. The Whole Effluent Toxicity test resulted in a "Pass", that indicated that the effluent
would not be predicted to have water quality impacts on the receiving water. Additionally, on August 21 st,
the above mentioned 24-hour composite was analyzed by the Division of Water Quality Chemistry
Laboratory (located on Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh) for the following parameters (that are on the NPDES
permit): Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) = 3.2 mg/L, •Total Suspended Solids (TSS) = 6.2 mg/L,
Ammonia as nitrogen = 0.23 mg/L, Nitrite plus Nitrate as nitrogen = 2.2 mg/L, and Total Phosphorus = 2.9
mg/L. On the days of this inspection, this facility was found to be in compliance with the NPDES Permit
NC0027103, and it appeared to be well operated and well maintained.
Page # 2

Permit: NC0027103
Owner - Facility: Pembroke wWTP
Inspection Date: 08/23/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? • 0 n n
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge ■ n n n
Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
Permit Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new application? n n ■ n
Is the facility as described in the permit? ■ n n n
# Are there any special conditions for the permit? ■ n n n
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? ■ n n n
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? ■ n n n
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:
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?
Comment: The calibration was performed on 09/07/2011. Another calibration was
performed on 08/23/2012 (the day of this inspection), because a new flow was being
installed during this inspection. The influent primary measuring device was a 9"
Parshall Flume.
Pump Station - Influent
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?
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page # 3

Inspection Date: 08/23/2012
Permit: NC0027103 Owner - Facility: Pembroke WWTP
Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Pump Station - Influent
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
Comment:
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:
Grit Removal
Type of grit removal
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
Is the gritfreeof excessive organic matter?
Is the grit free of excessive odor?
# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
Comment:
Grease Removal
# Is automatic grease removal present?
Is grease removal operating properly?
Comment:
Secondary Clarifier
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?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page # 4

Permit: NC0027103 Owner - Facility: Pembroke WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/23/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Secondary Clarifier Yes No ' NA NE
Is scum removal adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the drive unit operational? ■ n n n
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? ■ n ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately' of the sidewall depth) • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: There was approximately 5-feet of sludge blanket in the 14-feet clarifiers.
Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE
Are the aerators operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? ■ ❑ n n
# Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? ■ n n ❑
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? ■ n n ❑
Is the DO level acceptable? ■ ❑ n n
Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? ■ n n n
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) ■ ❑ ❑ n
Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/1 in 30 minutes) • ❑ ❑ fl
Comment: Continuous dissolved oxygen meters in the oxidation ditches would be an
improvement. The MLSS was 2,400 mg/L on the day of this BIO inspection. During
the summer, caustic was added to the splitter box immediately before the oxidation
ditches, and during the winter, lime was added.
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- - i
Yes No NA NE
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Page # 5

Permit: NC0027103 Owner - Facility: Pembroke WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/23/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Disinfection -Gas
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:
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?
Comment:
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Are pumps in place?
Are pumps operational?
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
Comment:
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?
Yes No NA NE
Yes No NA NE
Gas
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page # 6

Permit: NC0027103 Owner - Facility: Pembroke WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/23/2012 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Laboratory
# 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?
Comment:
Effluent Sampling
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
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 the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)?
Comment:
)?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page # 7

Regional Inspectors' Checklist for Field Parameters
1
Facility Name: Pembroke
Regional Plant Inspector: Dale Lopez
NPDES #: NC0027103
Regional Inspector Contact #: [phone]
Field Lab Certification #: 552
Region: Fayetteville
Lab Contact: Rhonda Locklear
Date: 08/23/2012
Check the parameter(s) performed at this site for reporting purposes.
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) I1 Temperature (TEMP) ❑ Specific Conductivity (SC)
pH i1 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ❑ Settleable Residue (SETT)
II. General Laboratory (note any exceptions in section XI)
Are instruments, meters, probes, photometric cells, etc. maintained in good condition?
Are standards, reagents and consumables used within manufacturer expiration dates?
[TRC gel standard is exempt.]
Yes ❑ No
Yes ❑ No
Are the following items documented (4 where applicable):
Item
Date of sample collection*
Time of sample collection*
Sample collector's initials or signature
Date of sample analysis*
Time of sample analysis*
Analyst initials or signature
Sample location
TRC
J
J
pH
J
J
TE
P_
1
J
J
*Date and time of sample collection and analysis may be the same for in situ or on -site measurements.
SC
SETT'
"-
_III. - = Total Residual Chlorine
Total Residual Chlorine meter make and model:
HACH DR-2800
Is a check standard analyzed each day of use? (Circle one: gel or liquid standard)
1 Yes ❑ No
What is the assigned/observed value of the daily check standard?
64 and 200 pg/L
Is a 5-point calibration verification performed? Note date of last verification:
I/ Yes ❑ No
Alternatively, does the lab construct a linear regression, using 5 standards, to calculate
results? Note date of last calibration curve constructed:
1 Yes ❑ No
True values: iI pg/L ❑ mg/L 20 50 100 200 400
Obtained values: A/ pg/L ❑ mg/L 19 49 95 217 402
What program are samples analyzed on?
Program 86
Are results reported in proper units? Check one: I1 pg/L ❑ mg/L
/1 Yes ❑ No
Areresults reported between the facility's permit limit and the compliance limit of 50 pg/L?
If value is less than the low standard, report as "<x", where x=low standard conc.
// Yes ❑ No
Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection?
/1 Yes ❑ No
11/.`' pH_
pH meter make and model:
Accumet XL25
Is the pH meter calibrated with at least 2 buffers per mfg's instructions each day of use?
Note buffers used:
/1 Yes ❑ No
Is the pH meter calibration checked with an additional buffer each day of use? Note check
I Yes ❑ No
buffer used: pH 7 buffer is used as the check
Does the check buffer read within ±0.1 S.U. of the known value?
Yes ❑ No
Are the following items documented:
Meter calibration?
/1 Yes ❑ No
Check buffer reading?
i1 Yes ❑ No
Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection?
/1 Yes ❑ No
Are sample results reported to 0.1 pH units?
►1 Yes ❑ No

:Temperature.
What
II1
instrument(s) is used to measure temperature? Check all that apply: ❑ pH meter
DO meter ❑ Conductivity meter ❑ Digital thermometer ❑ Glass thermometer
Is the instrument/thermometer calibration checked at least annually against a NIST
'1 Yes ❑ No
traceable or NIST certified thermometer?
04/05/2012
Are temperature corrections (even if zero) posted on the instrument/thermometer?
'
Yes
❑
No
Are samples measured in situ or on -site? [REQUIRED - there is no holding time for
temperature]
►1
Yes ❑ No
Are sample results reported in degrees C?
/1 Yes
❑ No
VI Dissolved Oxygen `' = =
DO meter make and model:
HACH 550A
Is the air calibration of the DO meter performed each day of use?
/1 Yes ❑ No
Are the following items documented:
Meter calibration?
/1 Yes ❑ No
Are samples analyzed within 15 minutes of collection?
a Yes ❑ No
Are results reported in mg/L?
' Yes ❑
No
Vil ... Conductivity - �..
Conductivity meter make and model:
Is the meter calibrated daily according to the manufacturer's instructions? Note standard
used (this is generally a one -point calibration):
❑ Yes ❑ No
Is a daily check standard analyzed? Note value:
❑ Yes ❑ No
Are the following items documented:
Meter calibration?
❑ Yes ❑ No
Are samples analyzed within 28 days of collection?
❑ Yes ❑ No
Are results reported in pmhos/cm (some meters display equivalent pS/cm units)?
❑ Yes
❑
No
V11I ' Settleable Residue,
Does the laboratory have an Imhoff Cone in good condition?
❑ Yes ❑ No
Is the sample settled for 1 hour?
❑ Yes ❑ No
Is the sample agitated after 45 minutes?
❑ Yes
❑ No
Are the following items documented:
Volume of sample analyzed? Note volume analyzed:
❑ Yes ❑ No
Date and time of sample analysis (settling start time)?
❑ Yes ❑ No
Time of agitation after 45 minutes of settling?
❑ Yes ❑ No
Sample analysis completion (settling end time)?
❑ Yes ❑ No
Are samples analyzed within 48 hours of collection?
❑ Yes ❑ No
Are results reported in ml/L?
❑ Yes ❑ No
iX Was a paper trail {comparing contract`Iab and on -site data to DMR)
pe'rforme t? if so, hst months rev iewed`• 3
X is= follow -pup by:the Laboratory program recommended? .,.E
;❑Yes _,
No_
XI. Additional comments:
pH buffer expiration dates:
pH 4 = September 2012
pH 10 = April 2013
pH 7 = December 2012
pH 7 = -9.2 mV
Please submit a copy of this completed form to the 'Laboratory Certification program at:
DWQ Lab Certification, Chemistry Lab, Courier # 52-01-01
Electronic copies may be emailed to linda.chavis a(�ncdenr.gov.
Revision 04/20/2012