NC0086550_Bioassay Inspection_20061116

William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and NaturalResources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director.
Division of Water Quality
November 16, 2006
Jeffrey Lewis
Town of Fairmont
421 South Main St
Fairmont NC 28340
SUBJECT: Bioassay Compliance Inspection
Town of Fairmont
Fairmont Regional WWTP
Permit No: NC0086550:
-Robeson County
Dear Mr. Lewis:
Enclosed you will find a copy of the Bioassay Compliance Inspection form for the inspection
conducted by Dale Lopez, Environmental Specialist, during the week of October 16, 2006. 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 tourof the Wastewater Treatment Plant was conducted. All
observations and recommendations are in Section D. Summary of Findings/Comments of this
inspection report. The following laboratory test parameters were performed on aliquot samples that
were collected by DWQ from a 24-hour DWQ composite sampler on October 17, 2006. These
chemistry parameters are required in the Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant NPDES permit.
Analyses Parameters
Outfall 001 results
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
4.2 rng/L
NH3 as N
0.28 mg/L
TKN as N
1.7 mg/L
NO2 plus NO3 as N
3.9 mg/L
Total Phosphorus as P ..
3.2 mg/L
BOD
2.6 mg/L
In addition, on October 17 and October 20, 2006, whole effluent toxicity samples (WET)
were collected by the DWQ-Fayetteville Regional Office for use in a chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia
pass/fail toxicity test. The test using these samples resulted in a "pass". The results for these
samples indicated that the effluent would not be predicted to have water quality impacts on the
receiving water. The wastewater treatment plant appeared to be in compliance with the NPDES
permit requirements. However, additional information is needed; please send a written response
to this office by January 2, 2007 concerning the status of the following listed items:
1) The leaking Sulfur Dioxide dechlorination must be repaired immediately.
2) Please send this office a Plan -of -Action for the repair of the diffuser line and diffusers in
the Aeration Basin #2.
1
1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 [phone]
Customer Service 1 800 623-7748

Mr. Lewis
Page 2
October 16, 2006
3) At least one working sludge judge must be kept on site for sludge blanket measurements
and for chlorine contact chamber sludge depth measurements.
4) The dumpster that contained the bar screen debris was leaking onto the ground from the
cement pad in two locations. Please do any or all of the following: unclog the drain, seal
the dumpster, and/or put containment around the cement pad that would prevent any
leakage onto the ground of untreated wastewater.
5) The liquid bleach containment area had an adequate wall, however, the drainpipe's valve
was not kept in the "closed position" so that any rainwater that accumulated in the
containment .wall area may first be evaluated for bleach tank leakage before being
released into the headworks of the WWTP. This suggestion is made to prevent a large
bleach tank leak from draining directly to the headworks of the WWTP at a time when no
one is present at the WWTP, such as during the night, weekend, etc. According to the
ORC, a couple of hundred gallons of bleach had at one time leaked into the WWTP from
this containment area. However, no NPDES violations occurred as a result.
6) Please send this office a copy of the two most recent flow meter calibrations for the plant
effluent 001 flow meter because no documentation of the most recent flow meter
calibrations was provided during this inspection.
7) The generator run time must be documented, and the date recorded.
If you have any questions or comments concerning this report, please contact me at (910) 433-
3312.
Sincerely,
Dale Lopez
Environmental Specialist
/di
Enclosures: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
Regional Field Inspectors Check List for Field Parameters
cc: Johnny J. Britt, ORC
Central Files
4yelteNiiil 'elRegi &O.ffiTee Files

United States' Environmental Protection Agency
E P ^/� 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 I N1 2 15I 31 NC00865S0. 111 121 06/10/ 20 1 17
Type • Inspector Fac Type
181 B1 191 sI , 201
I I I I I I I I I' 1 I I I I 1 166
Remarks
211 I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I
Inspection Work Days . Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---- • --Reserved--- ------ ---- -----
671 4.0 169 . 701 2 1 711 1 72111 731 1 174 751 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 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)
Fairmont Regional' 1]HTI%
Off US Hwy 74
Fairmont NC 28340
Entry Tinie/Date
11:30 A14 06/10/20
Permit Effective Date
04/ 10/01
Exit Time/Date
04:30 PM. 06/10/20
Permit Expiration Date
09/07/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Johnny J Britt/ORC/910-628-0084/
Other Facility Data
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
,Johnny J Britt,90 Box 248 Fairmont NC
283400248/Supe,-:int:endent/9i.0-628-0064/ No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance • Records/Reports • Self -Monitoring Program
Facility Site Review
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
:t0t0fimbers12.
Lopez FRO WW/91v-433-3300 �xt.712/
/161/4 6
Signature of Ma Bement Q A R viewer L ^ ' Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
11 /1770,
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page #

NPDES
NC0086550
yr/mo/day
06/10/20
Inspection Type
17 18IBI
(cont.) 1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Please respond to this office concerning the status of the following listed items. 1) The leaking Sulfur
Dioxide dechlorination must be repaired immediately.. 2) Please send this office a Plan -of -Action for the
repair of the diffuser line and diffusers in Aeration Basin #2. 3) At least one working sludge judge must be
kept on site for sludge blanket measurements and for chlorine contact chamber sludge depth
measurements. 4) The dumpster that contained the bar screen debris was leaking onto the ground from the
cement pad in two places. Please downy or all of the following: unclog the drain, seal the dumpster, and/or
put containment around the cement pad that would prevent any leakage onto theground of untreated
wastewater. 5) The liquid bleach containment area has an adequate wall, however, the drainpipe's valve
was not kept in the "closed position" so that any rainwater that accummulated in the containment wall area
may first be evaluated for bleach tank leakage beforeit is released into the headworks of the WWTP. This
suggestion is made to prevent a large bleach tank leak from draining directly to the headworks of the
WWTP at a time when no one is present at the WWTP, such as during the night, etc. According to the ORC
a couple of hundred gallons of bleach hasat one time leaked into the WWTP from this containment area. 6)
Please send this office a copy of the two most recent flow meter calibrations for the plant effluent 001 flow
meter because no documentation of the most recent flowmeter calibration was provided during this
inspection. 7) The generator run time must be documented and the date recorded.
Page # 2

Permit: NC0086550 Owner - Facility: Fairmont Regional WWTP
Inspection Date: 10/20/2006 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
OEerations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ■ n n n
Does the facilityanalyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge II ❑ ❑ ❑
Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting? ■ ❑ n ❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually? ❑ ■ ❑ Q
IS the flow meter operational? ■ n n n
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Comment: The ORC will send this office copies of the two most recent flow meter
calibrations. Documentation is needed to verify calibration.
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual ■
b.Mechanical ■
Are the bars adequately screening debris? ■ ❑ n ❑
Is the screen free of excessive debris? ■ n n n
Is disposal of screening in compliance? ■ n n n
Is the unit in good condition? ■ n n n
Comment:
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? • ❑ n n
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? ❑ ■
Are weirs level? ■ n n
Is the site free of weir blockage? ■ ❑ n n
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? ■ n ❑ ❑
Is scum removal adequate? ■ n ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? • ■ n ❑ n
Is the drive unit operational? ❑ ❑
11
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? ■ n ❑ n
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? ■ fl ❑ n
Page # 3

Permit:. NC0086550 Owner- Facility: Fairmont Regional WWTP
Inspection Date: 10/20/2006 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Secondary Clarifier
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/< of the sidewall depth)
Comment: The center well of the clarifier had an excessive build-up of solids, and
small plant life with chlorophyll. The ORC said that he would hose the centerwell down
in the future. The ORC was not able to. accurately check the sludge blanket because
the sludge judge was broken. There was only 15 feet of sludge judge (note that the
clarifier was 18 feet deep), and the PVC pipe extension had a cracked coupling that
could not be connected together with the sludge judge. The ORC said that he would
requisition a sludge judge the following week.
Aeration Basins
Mode of operation
Type of aeration system
Is the basin free of dead spots?
Are surface aerators and mixers operational?
Are the diffusers operational?
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface?
Is the DO level acceptable?
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I)
Comment: The air piping that enters aeration basin #2 was broken since before May
2006. The leaking air from the air pipe resulted in aeration in certain areas of the
aeration basin but not in other areas (dead spots and coarse aeration occurred). The
dissolved oxygen was maintained in the range of 0.5 mg/L to 0.7 mg/L. The ORC
intends to repair the leaking air during this coming Spring season.
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?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Comment: One of the Sulfur Dioxide units leaked. The ORC intends to repair the
leak soon. At this time there is not a redundance nor automatic switchover of the
sulfur dioxide. This must be repaired immediately.
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational?
Number of tubes in use?
Yes No NA NE
D DD
Yes No NA NE
Ext. Air
Diffused
n■nn
n n■n
n ■Dn
■ Dnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
n■nn
Yes No NA NE
Gas
nnn■
■ D D D
■ n n D
nn.n
n ❑■❑
Page # 4

Permit: NC0086550 Owner- Facility: Fairmont Regional WWTP
Inspection Date: 10/20/2006 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
De -chlorination
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: The containment around the bleach tank had a drainpipe that was routinely
left in the "open position" to allow rainwater to flow to the headworks of the WWTP.
This pipe must be put into the "closed position" and opened to release the rainwater
only after the bleach tank has been evaluated for unexplained loss of volume, such as a
spill.
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 1.0 to 4.4 degrees Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)?
Comment:
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
Yes No NA NE
Yes No. NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
• nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ n.nn,
■ nnn
■ n n
■ nnn
Yes No NA NE
■
■
■
n n
n n
n n
n n
n n
Page # 5

Permit: NC0086550 Owner - Facility: Fairmont Regional WWTP
Inspection Date: 10/20/2006 Inspection Type: Bioassay Compliance
Record Keeping
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?
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: The ORC did not have any written log for the generator run time for all of
this year (2006). Record of the generator run time must be maintained. The generator
is a Spectrum Detroit Diesel. There was not a written emergency agreement with the
vendor.
Yes No NA NE
■
■
■ nnn
■ nnn
n n■ n
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
nnn ■
Yes No NA NE
■ nnn
■ nnn
■ nnn
n■nn
■ nnn
n■nn
■ nnn
Page # 6

Regional Field Inspectors Check List for Field Parameters
Name of site to be Inspected: _ Fairmont Date: 10/20/06
Field certification # (if applicable): 5148
NPDES #: NC0086550
Inspector: Dale Lopez
Region: FRO
I. Circle the parameter or parameters performed at this site.
Residual Chlorine
, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Conductivity,
II. Instrumentation:
A. Does the facilityhave the equipment necessary to analyze field parameters as circled above?
Temperature
1 A pH meter
2 A Residual Chlorine meter
3. DO meter
Spectra Chor + Plus
YSI 550 DO Meter
. A Cone for settleable solids
5. A thermometer or meter that measures temperature.
Digital Thermometer
6. Conductivity meter
III. Calibration/Analysis:
1. Is the pH meter calibrated with 2 buffers and
checked with a third buffer each day .of use?
2. For Total Residual Chlorine, is a check standard
analyzed each day of use?
3. Is the air calibration of the DO meter performed
each day of use?
4. For Settleable Solids, is 1 liter of sample
settled for 1 hour?
5. Is the temperature measuring device calibrated
annually against a certified thermometer?
6. For Conductivity, is a calibration standard
analyzed each day of use?
fres
Yes
fYes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No

IV. Documentation:
1. Is the date and time that the sample was collected documented?
2. Is the sample site documented?
3. Is the sample collector documented?
4. Is the analysis date and time documented?.
5. Did the analyst sign the documentation?
6. Is record of calibration documented?
7. For Settleable Solids, is sample volume and
1 hour time settling time documented?
8. For Temperature, is the annual calibration of
the measuring device documented?
Comments:
!Yes
1Yes
'(es
Yes
iYes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes No
Yes
No
Please submit a copy of this completed form to the Laboratory Certification Program.
DWQ Lab Certification
Chemistry Lab
Courier # 52-01-01
FIELD INSPECTOR CHECKLIST REV. 04/23/2002

Town of Fairmont
P.O. Box 248
Fairmont, NC 28340
[phone]
RECEIVED
DEC272006
DENR - FAYET►E ALLE REGIONAL OFFICE
December 4, 2006
Mr. Dale Lopez.
Surface Water Protection
Division of Water Quality
Fayetteville Regional Office
225 Green Street, Suite 714
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Subject: Response to Bioassay Compliance Inspection - October 2006
NPDES Permit No. NC0086550
Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant
Robeson County
Dear Mr. Lopez:
Please find below the response from the Town of Fairmont on how it will address the
following listed items on concern:
1) The leaking Sulfur Dioxide dechlorination must be repaired immediately.
➢ The leaking sulfur Dioxide was repaired the week following the
inspection(week of October 23rd). It was repaired by J.S. Dismuke
Company. All problems have been corrected.
2) Please send this office a Plan -of -Action for the repair of the diffuser line and
diffusers in the Aeration Basin #2.
➢ This problem has been discussed with Hobbs and Upchurch the
Town's Engineer's. It was decided that the Town would wait
until dry conditions when the flow was low and then repair the
diffuser line and diffusers. During low flows Aeration Basin #2
will not be needed and the, Town won't end up in an emergency
situation and needtoutilize the aeration basin for high flow
conditions. Sam Booth with Hobbs and Upchurch will evaluate
the situation and suggest the best plan of action to address the
repairs.

Page Two
NPDES Permit No. NC0086550
Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant
Robeson County
3) At least one working sludge judge must be kept on site for the sludge blanket
measurements and for chlorine contact chamber sludge depth measurements.
> Ordered the parts and repaired the broken sludge judge and
ordered a new sludge judge as a back up.
4) The dumpster that contained the bar screen debris was leaking onto the ground
from the cement pad in two locations. Please do any .or all of the following:
unclog the drain, seal the dumpster, and/pr put containment around the cement
pad that will prevent any leakage onto the ground of untreated wastewater.
> Have ordered the materials necessary to place containment
around the cement pad that will prevent any leakage onto the
ground of untreated wastewater. This should be completed bythe
end of December.
5) The liquid bleach containment area had an adequate wall, however, the
drainpipe's valve was not kept in the "closed position" so that any rain water that
accumulated in the containment wall area may first be evaluated for bleach tank
leakage before being released into the headworks of the WWTP. This suggestion
is made to prevent a large bleach tank leak from draining directly to the
headworks of the WWTP, such as during the night, weekend, etc. According to
the ORC, a couple of hundred gallons of bleach had at one time leaked into the
WWTP from this containment area. However, no NPDES violations occurred as
a results.
The drainpipe valve will be -kept in _.theclosed position at all times.
It will be monitored during the visits to the plant to insure that it
is always in the closed position. Bleach is too costly to the town to
be lost into the headworks of the WWTP. Also, the town does not
wish to incur any NPDES violations.
6) Please send this office a copy of the two most recent flow meter calibrations for
the plant effluent 001 flow meter because no documentation of the most recent
flow meter calibrations was provided during this inspection.
> Attached you will find a copy of the two most recent flow meter
calibrations.

Page Three
NPDES Permit No. NC0086550
Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant
Robeson County
7) The generator run time must be documented, and the date recorded.
> The generator run time and date will be recorded in the log book.
Also a Monthly Generator checklist has been implemented. See
the attached form.
If you have any questions, or you need further assistance please contact Johnny Britt,
ORC at [phone].
Sincerely,
H. Blake Proctor
Town Manager

December 5, 2006 8:23 AM From: Clayton Wright Fax Number: 704-541-5711 Page 1 of 2
C. WRIGHT INSTRUMENTS, INC.
3820 Foxridge Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 704-542-7020 fax[phone]
Date: 7/20/2005
Submitted to: Town of Fairmont WWTP
Attn: Mr. Johnny Britt
PO Box 248
Fairmont, NC 28340
CERTIFICATE of CALIBRATION
Application: Effluent Flowmeter #1
Type: MILLTRONIC'S, Inc,
Model #: Hydroranger
Notes:
Parameters:
Set parameters and did flow calculations using ISCO Flow Measurement Handbook.
90° V-notch weir
ABB 1900 Chart Recorder - 7 day - 0'to 2 MGD
P1 4
P2 5
P3 22.00
P4 5.580
P5 11.81
P6 2
P7 3
P8 1
P9 0.60
P10 0.10
P40 1
P41 4
P42 1.550
P43 36.00
P45 5.580
P46 2.000
P48 0.01
P49 3
P50 2
P52 -3
P53 0
Result: Calibration Complete. Clayton L. Wright
C. WRIGHT INSTRUMENTS, INC. Confidential
Effluent 1 (7202005) Page 1

' December 5, 2006 8:19 AM From: Clayton Wright Fax Number: 704-541-5711 Page 1 of 2
C. WRIGHT INSTRUMENTS, INC.
3820 Foxridge Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 704-542-7020 fax[phone]
Date: 10/26/06
Submitted to: Town of Fairmont WWTP
Attn: Mr. Johnny. Britt
PO Box 248
Fairmont, NC.28340
CERTIFICATE of CALIBRATION
Application: Effluent Flowmeter #1
Type: MILLTRONIC'S, Inc.
Model #: Hydroranger
Notes:
Parameters:
Set parameters and did flow calculations using ISCO Flow Measurement Handbook.
90° V-notch weir.
ABB 1900 Chart Recorder - 7 day - 0 to 2 MGD.
P1 4
P2 5
P3 22.00
P4 5.580
P5 11.81
P6 2
P7 3
P8 1
P9 0.60.
P10 0.10
P40 1
P41 4
P42 1.550
P43 36.00
P45 5.580
P46 ' 2.000
P48 0.01
P49 3
P50 2
P52 -3
P53 0 '
Result: Calibration Complete. Clayton L. Wright
C. WRIGHT INSTRUMENTS, INC. Confidential
Effluent 1 (7202005) Page 1

Town of Fairmont
Generator Maintenance
Monthly Checklist
Month:
Year:
Fuel Level: (circle the one that applies)
1A
1/2 3/4 FULL FILLED
Oil Level: (circle the one that applies)
OK
Low Added GALS.
Coolant Level: (circle the one that applies)
OK
Low Added GALS.
Battery/Charger:
VOLTS: AMPS:
Block Heater: (circle the one that applies)
On
Off (heater should always be warm)
Belts: (circle the one that applies)
OK
Loose Cracked Broken
Engine Startup: (circle the one that applies)
OK
Failed(comment)
Generator Outputs:
VOLTS: AMPS: Hz:
Oil Pressure:
Alternator:
H2O Temp.:
No. of Pumps Running at Load Current:
Hour Meter Reading:
Comments:
Date: Initials: