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Home My WebLink AboutNC0034754_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20211108ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director Jeff Phillips, EHS Manager CommScope, Inc. 6519 CommScope Road Catawba, North Carolina 28609 Dear Mr. Phillips: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality November 8, 2021 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection CommScope, Inc. WWTP NPDES Permit No. NC0034754 Catawba County Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on November 4, 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 (704) 235-2192, or via email at wes.bell@ncdenr.gov. Enclosure: Inspection Report NORTH Deparlmant of Environmental Ouallt Sincerely, DocuSigned by: 14.1444i, H Nut4 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 1 IN Code I 2 L NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac 3 I NC0034754 111 121 21/11/04 117 1810I 191S I 2011 Type 21IIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I IIIIII IIIIIIIIIII P6 Inspection 67I2.0 Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring I 70I4 Evaluation Rating I 71IN B1 I 72 QA I N I 731 1 I I Reserved 74 751 1 I I I I I I 180 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES oermit Number) Commscope WWTP NCSR 1931 Sherrills Ford NC 28673 Entry Time/Date 09:23AM 21/11/04 Permit Effective Date 18/12/01 Exit Time/Date 12:15PM 21/11/04 Permit Expiration Date 22/04/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Mark David Carpenter/ORC/828-241-6249/ Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Terry Richardson,6519 Commscope Rd Catawba NC 28609//828-241-6195/ 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 —Docusigned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 11/8/2021 ioe d1 '-A61696D9OCC3437... Signature of Management Andrew Pitn Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date DocuSigned by: r agr4uw , p WR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 11.8.21 F161FB69A2D84A3... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 31 NPDES yr/mo/day NC0034754 111 121 21 /11 /04 117 Inspection Type 18 [j 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On -site Representatives: The following CommScope staff were in attendance during the inspection: Mr. Jeff Phillips, Ms. Nicole Johnston (consultant), Mr. Mark Carpenter and Mr. Ricky Elder. Page# 2 Permit: NC0034754 Inspection Date: 11/04/2021 Owner - Facility: Commscope 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ # 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 5/16/19. 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 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: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge monitoring reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period October 2020 through September 2021. No effluent limit and/or monitoring violations were reported. The November and December 2020 and January 2021 eDMRs will be revised/resubmitted to incorporate flows (continuously recorded) during the holidays. Page# 3 Permit: NC0034754 Inspection Date: 11/04/2021 Owner - Facility: Commscope WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE 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: On -site effluent field analyses (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature and total residual chlorine) are performed under the CommScope's field laboratory certification #5020. Statesville Analytical has (Certification #440) also been contracted to provide analytical support. Facility staff will incorporate the time samples were placed on ice (in cooler) to verify samples are being preserved within 15-minutes of sample collection (40 CFR 136.3, Table II). Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE 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: The subject permit requires effluent grab samples. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, • ❑ ❑ ❑ and sampling location)? 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 ME101=1 Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Page# 4 Permit: NC0034754 Inspection Date: 11/04/2021 Owner - Facility: Commscope WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be properly operated and well maintained. The facility staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program with measurements being documented and maintained on -site. Bar Screens Yes No NA NE 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 at the County Landfill. Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? ■ ❑ El El Is the basin free of excessive grease? • El El El Are all pumps present? • El ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? ■ El El El Are float controls operable? • El El El Are audible and visual alarms operable? • El El El # Is basin size/volume adequate? ■ El ❑ ❑ Comment: Both equalization tanks were operational and in service. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? ■ El ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? El El • El Are the diffusers operational? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? ■ El El El Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? • El ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? • El El El Page# 5 Permit: NC0034754 Inspection Date: 11/04/2021 Owner - Facility: Commscope WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) • Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Both aeration basin trains (two basins per train) were operational; however, only one train was in service due to low influent flows. Magnesium hydroxide is added to maintain appropriate pH/alkalinity levels. Microbial supplements are also added to both aeration basins. 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? Is scum removal adequate? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? Is the drive unit operational? Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) Comment: Both clarifiers were operational: however, only one clarifier was in service. Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ • Is the air scour operational? El El • ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? • El El El Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ El • ❑ Comment: Both tertiary filters were operational and in service. Flow Measurement - Effluent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NC0034754 Inspection Date: 11/04/2021 Owner - Facility: Commscope WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement - Effluent (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Yes No NA NE • ❑ • ❑ Comment: The flow meter is calibrated annually and was last calibrated on 7/31/21 by Kemp, Inc. Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are UV bulbs clean? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is UV intensity adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is transmittance at or above designed level? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a backup system on site? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent clear and free of solids? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Tablet chlorinator and dechlorinator are available as a backup to the UV system. 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? Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ ▪ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with three sludge stabilization/holding tanks. Rick's Septic Service has been contracted to remove and transport the sludge to an approved treatment facility. Page# 7