HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0086550_Inspection_20151222Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
December 22, 2015
Johnny) Britt
Town of Fairmont
PO , Box 248
Fairmont, NC 28340
SUBJECT: 11/17/2015 Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Town of Fairmont
Fairmont Regional WWTP
Permit No: NC0086550
Robeson. County
Dear Mr Britt:
PAT MCCRORY
Governor
DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
Secretary
S. JAY ZIMME.RMAN
Director
Enclosed please find a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection form from the inspection
conducted on 11/17/2015. The Compliance Evaluation Inspection was conducted by Mark Brantley,
Environmental Program Consultant, of the Fayetteville Regional Office. The facility was found to be in
Compliance with permit NC0086550: The cooperation' of Mr. Britt, facility ORC, and Mr. Kevin Taylor,
facility back-up ORC was greatly appreciated. As.a reminder, preservation of the Waters of the State can
only be achieved through consistent NPDES Permit compliance.
Comments
e Facility was clean and neat in appearance at the time of the inspection.
• A Whole Effluent Toxicity test was collected at Outfall 001 from the Fairmont's 24-hour
composite equipment on November 17 and 19, 2015 for use in.a chronic Ceriodaphnia Dubia
pass/fail toxicity test. These samples were sent to the Division of Water Resources (AT)
Laboratory (located on Reedy Creek Road. in Raleigh). The laboratory classified this test as an
invalid test due to problems with the laboratory test. A test will be rescheduled for February
2016..
• Operators Togs and maintenance Togs are well kept.
• Laboratory records for the month of July 2015 were compared to the monthly discharge report
and no transcription errors were found.
Fayetteville Regional Office
225 Green Street, Suite 714, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-5095
Main Phone: 910-433-3300 1 Internet:., http:/Iwww.ncdenr.gov
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer — Made in part by Recycled Paper
Mr. Britt
- Page 2
December
Deficiency
It was noted during the review that the effluent sampler was not set up for flow proportional sampling
as required by North Carolina Administrative Code. Below is the. North Carolina Administrative Code
concerning the flow proportional sampling:
15A NCAC 02B .0503 DEFINITIONS
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms used herein shall be as defined in G.S. 143-213 and as
follows:
(1) "Biological monitoring" shall mean the sampling or testing of the biological integrity of
surface waters and measurements of impacts including accumulations of pollutants in
tissue, toxicity monitoring, and characterization of instream biological populations.
(4) "Composite sample" means: a sample gathered over a 24 hour period by continuous
sampling or combining grab samples in such a manner as to result in a total sample which is
representative of the wastewater discharge during the sample period. This sample may be
obtained by methods given below, however, the Director may designate the most
appropriate method, number and size of aliquots necessary and the time. interval between
grab samples on a case -by -case basis. Samples may be collected manually or automatically:
(a) Continuous - a single, continuous sample collected over a 24 hour period proportional to
the rate of flow.
(b) Constant time/variable volume - a series of grab samples collected at equal time
intervals over a 24 hour period of discharge and combined proportional to the rate of flow
measured at the timeof individual sample collection, or
(c) Variable time/constant volume - a series of grab samples of equal volume collected over
a 24 hour period with the time intervals between samples determined by a preset number
of gallons passing the sampling point. Flow measurement between sample intervals shall be
determined by use of a flow recorder and totalizer, and the preset gallon interval between
sample collection fixed at no greater than 1/24 of the expected total daily flow at the
treatment system, or
(d) Constant time/constant volume - a series of grab samples of equal volume collected over
a 24 hour period at a constant time interval. This method may be used in situations where
effluent flow rates vary less -than 15 percent: -The grab -samples shall be taken at intervals -of -
no greater than 20 minutes apart during any 24 hour period and must be of equal size and
of no less than 100 milliliters. Use of this method requires prior approval by the Director.
It does appear that the town has the necessary equipment to begin flow proportional sampling. The
Fayetteville Regional Office recommends that the town contact the instrumentation company that
calibrates the effluent flow meter for assistance in setting up the equipment.
Mr. Britt
Page 2
December
Please respond in writing with a Plan. of Action on how the town plans to accomplish flow proportional
sampling within 30 days of receipt of this letter.
Please refer to the enclosed inspection report for additional observations and comments. If you or your
staff have any questions, please call me at 910-433-3327.
Sincerely,
Mark Brantley
Environmental Program Consultant
Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
cc: Central Files
kFayetteville Files
Mr. Britt
Page 2
December
a
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 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection
1 _Li 2[ I 3 I NC0086550 I 1 1 12 I 15/11/17 117
Type
18 Lir.
I I I' I I
Inspector Fac Type
19 I S I 201
211
I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I 1 1 I I I I I. I I 'I I
I I I
I I I I I p6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA
67 I•I 70 I3 I 711I 72 L_1 ti I
—Reserved-------
751
I I I I I I 180
--
73 74
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
Fairmont Regional WWTP
Off US Hwy 74
Fairmont NC 28340
Entry Time/Date
10:OOAM 15/11/17
Permit Effective Date
15/11/01
Exit Time/Date
01:OOPM 15/11/17
Permit Expiration Date
19/07/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Johnny J Britt,PO Box 248 Fairmont NC 283400248/Superintendent/910-628-0064/
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 ,,
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary) .
•
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Mark Brantley FRO WQ//910-433-3300 Ext.727/ a. I 5
Signature of Management Q Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
celeintat_ii ►a-.2Q -is
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page# 1
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type
N C 0086550 111 121 15/11 /17 17 18
(Cont.)
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Comments
Facility was clean and neat in appearance at the time of the inspection.
A Whole Effluent Toxicity test was collected at Ouffall 001 from the Fairmont's 24-hour composite
equipment on November 17 and 19, 2015 for use in a chronic Ceriodaphnia Dubia pass/fail toxicity test.
These samples were sent to the Division of Water Resources (AT) Laboratory (located on Reedy
Creek Road in Raleigh). The laboratory classified this test as an invalid test due to problems with the
laboratory test. A test will be rescheduled for February 2016.
Operators logs and maintenance logs are well kept.
Laboratory records for the month of July 2015 were compared to the monthly discharge report and no
transcription errors were found.
Deficiency
It was noted during the review that the effluent sampler was not set up for flow proportional sampling as
required by North Carolina Administrative Code. Below is the North Carolina Administrative Code
concerning the flow proportional sampling:
15A NCAC 02B .0503 DEFINITIONS
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms used herein shall be as defined in G.S. 143-213 and
as follows:
(1). "Biological monitoring" shall mean the sampling or testing of the biological integrity of surface
waters and measurements of impacts including accumulations of pollutants in tissue, toxicity
monitoring, and characterization of instream biological populations.
(4) "Composite sample" means: a sample gathered over a 24 hour period by continuous sampling or
combining grab samples in such a manner as to result in a total sample which is representative of the
wastewater discharge during the sample period. This sample may be obtained by methods given
below, however, the Director may designate the most appropriate method, number and size of aliquots
necessary and the time interval between grab samples on a case -by -case basis. Samples may be
collected manually or automatically.
(a) Continuous - a single, continuous sample collected over a 24 hour period proportional to the rate of
flow.
(b) Constant time/variable volume - a series of grab samples collected at equal time intervals over a 24
hour period of discharge and combined proportional to the rate of flow measured at the time of
individual sample collection, or
(c) Variable time/constant volume - a series of grab samples of equal volume collected over a 24 hour
period with the time intervals between samples determined by a preset number of gallons passing the
sampling point. Flow measurement between sample intervals shall be determined by use of a flow
recorder and totalizer, and the preset gallon interval between sample collection fixed at no greater than
1/24 of the expected total daily flow at the treatment system, or
(d) Constant time/constant volume - a series of grab samples of equal volume .collected over a 24 hour
period at a constant time interval. This method may be used in situations where effluent flow rates vary
Tess than 15 percent. The grab samples shall be taken at intervals of no greater than 20 minutes apart
during any 24 hour period and must be of equal size and of no less than 100 milliliters. Use of this
Page# 2
Permit: NC0086550
Inspection Date: 11/17/2015
Owner - Facility: Fairmont Regional WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
method requires prior approval by the Director.
It does appear that the town has the necessary equipment to begin flow proportional sampling. The
Fayetteville Regional Office recommends that the town contact the instrumentation company that
calibrates the effluent flow meter for assistance in setting up the equipment.
Please respond in writing with a Plan of Actionon how the town plans to accomplish flow proportional
sampling within30 days of receipt of this letter.
Page# 3
Permit: NC0086550
Inspection Date: 11/17/2015
Owner - Facility: Fairmont Regional VW/TP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance
Is the plaht generally clean with acceptable housekeeping?
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
Yes No NA NE
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Permit Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new 0 0 II 0
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit? - ® 0 ❑ ❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ ❑ ® ❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? IS 0 0 0
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? ®' ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
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 DM Rs 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?
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Page# 4
Permit: NC0086550
Inspection Date: 11/17/2015
Owner -Facility: Fairmont Regional VVWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
Comment:
Yes No NA NE
El El 111 El
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
# 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:
Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps present? ®, ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps operable? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Are float controls'operable? ❑ ❑ II ❑
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ 1 ❑
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ® 0 0 0
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
Yes No NA NE
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11000
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Yes No NA NE
Page#
Permit: NC0086550
Inspection Date: 11/17/2015
Owner - Facility: Fairmont Regional WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Grit Removal Yes No NA NE
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? 1 ❑ ❑ 0
Is the grit free of excessive odor? ® 0 ❑ ❑
# Is disposal of grit in compliance? ® ❑ 0 0
Comment:
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? it 0 ❑ 0
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? ® ❑ 0 ❑
Are weirs level? ® 0 ❑ 0
Is the site free of weir blockage? II 0 ❑ 0
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? ® 0 ❑ 0
Is scum removal adequate? IN 0 0 0
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? ® 0 ❑ ❑
Is the drive unit operational? ® ❑ 0 0
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? ® 0 ❑ 0
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? ® 0 ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately %4 of the sidewall depth) ® ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: Some water is flowing out from under the wier plate not over it as designed.
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation Ext. Air
Type of aeration system Diffused
Is the basin free of dead spots? NI ❑ ❑ 0
Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ 0 ® ❑
Are the diffusers operational? ® 0 ❑ ❑
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? ® ❑ 0 ❑
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? IN 0 0 ❑
Is the DO level acceptable? ® 0 0 ❑
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) ® 0 0 ❑
Comment:
De -chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ? Liquid
Page# 6
Permit: NC0086550
Inspection Date: 11/17/2015
Owner - Facility: FairmontRegional W WTP
. Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
De -chlorination
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:
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place? ® ❑ 0 ❑
Are pumps operational? 01 0 0 ❑
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ IN
Comment:
Disinfection -Liquid
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
(Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational?
Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains)
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?
Comment:
Yes No NA NE
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I • .
Permit: NC0086550
Owner - Facility: Fairmont Regional WWTP
Inspection Date: 11/17/2015 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE
Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE
# Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ ® 0
Is sample collected above side streams? ® ❑ 0 ❑
is proper volume collected? El 0 ❑ 0
Is the tubing clean? le ❑ 0 0
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees MI ❑ 0 0
Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit? IN 0 0 ❑
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)?
Yes No NA NE
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Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type ® ❑ 0 ❑
representative)?
Comment: Sampler is set up to take a 100 ml sample every 20 min. Please see cover letter for more
information concerning flow proportional reequirements.
Upstream / Downstream Sampling
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and
sampling location)?
Comment:
Yes No NA NE
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