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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0034367_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20211117DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC8DAAE-8F8C-48D8-A2AE-5D2552AB83AF ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director David Mohr, PE Onslow Water and Sewer Authority 228 Georgetown Rd Jacksonville, NC 28540 rcSTATE r NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality November 29, 2021 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Northwest Regional WRF Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0034367 Onslow County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Northwest Regional WRF on 11/17/2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0034367. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this inspection report is not required. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Perez with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215 or via email at helen.perez@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, E1DocuSigned by: I O,K — Natr1 OA, 7F 1E7 6F34 6 More a anc ez-King, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: Mark Young — electronic copy Upload to Laserfiche DE North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Wilmington Regional Office 1 127 Cardinal Drive Extension I Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 910.796.7215 DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC8DAAE-8F8C-48D8-A2AE-5D2552AB83AF Compliance Inspection Report Permit: WQ0034367 Effective: 03/20/20 Expiration: 06/30/22 Owner: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Northwest Regional WRF County: Onslow 189 Mills Field Rd Region: Wilmington Richlands NC 28574 Contact Person: Edward M Caron Title: Phone: 910-937-7523 Directions to Facility: Approx. 2200' south on Mills Field Rd, from int. of Gum Branch Rd. and Mills Field Road. System Classifications: WW4, Primary ORC: Mark Curtis Young Certification: 1001105 Phone: 910-937-7570 Secondary ORC(s): On -Site Representative(s): On -site representative Mark C Young 910-938-7574 Related Permits: Inspection Date: 11/17/2021 Entry Time 09:30AM Exit Time: 12:30PM Primary Inspector: Helen I Perez D ' d b Phone: 910-796-7387 Secondary Inspector(s): ElD645B4A39694BEEDocuSigned by: Jennifer C Ryan �(� rtj0jA' Reason for Inspection: Routine oa9BFOBAz1s5thrpection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant Question Areas: Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Treatment Treatment Barscreen Use Records Treatment Filters Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Treatment Disinfection End Use -Infiltration Treatment Flow Measurement Standby Power (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC8DAAE-8F8C-48D8-A2AE-5D2552AB83AF Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 11/17/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Inspection Summary: A routine compliance inspection of the Northwest Regional WWTF was conducted on November 17, 2021. The purpose of the evaluation was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit WQ0034367. This 2 MGD sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treatment plant discharges into one of four high -rate infiltration basins permitted for 1,272,973 GPD. This year, the facility has treated an average of 450,000 GPD. The permitted reclaim water bulk distribution system has never been put into operation and the non -potable reuse system for internal use within the treatment plant is no longer in operation. Only potable water is used throughout the plant. The groundwater lowering system continues to only have flow when the levels of the adjacent New River and Cowhorn Swamp are unusually high. This system does not seem to be associated with draining the naturally occurring groundwater table, as proposed and sampling cannot be performed most months due to no flow. The decommissioning and abandonment of the membrane filtration and closed -channel UV system have been completed, as well as the construction and start-up of the new disc filters and open -channel UV system. The treatment facility is still operating in manual mode since Hurricane Florence and the subsequent cyber attack. Full operation of the upgrades to the electrical and control systems should be completed by summer 2022. The plant operates on a 14-hour day and the SBR is set up to treat two batches a day. Currently, staff only needs to treat one batch. A review of GW-59s since 2018 shows no groundwater violations in the four monitoring wells. A review of NDMR and NDARs since 2018 show some daily exceedances for fecal coliform, most during the operation of the previous UV system, and some TSS exceedances during the operation of the temporary disc filter assembled and used after Hurricane Florence. There were also random ammonia, BOD and total phosphorus exceedances. Staff has been performing several daily procesE control tests to ensure proper performance of treatment units to decrease the number of violations. A reminder that the current permit expires on June 30, 2022 and a renewal application is due no later than January 1, 2022. The facility is compliant with non -discharge permit WQ0034367. Please review the comment sections of the inspection report for more details. Page 2 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC8DAAE-8F8C-48D8-A2AE-5D2552AB83AF Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 11/17/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Type Yes No NA NE Single Family Spray, LR ❑ Lagoon Spray, LR ❑ Reuse (Quality) ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, HR ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, LR ❑ Activated Sludge Drip, LR ❑ Recycle/Reuse ❑ Single Family Drip ❑ Infiltration System Treatment Yes No NA NE Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Comment: The membrane filtration and UV disinfection systems has been decommissioned and removed as part of the current permit modifications. In addition, the open -channel, 3 bank UV disinfection system has been constructed and in operation since December 2020, after notification to the Wilmington Regional Office. Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) #2 continues to be used as an equalization basin due to low flows. The fine screen, -grit removal system has been off-line since damages from Hurricane Florence. The bypass manual barsceen is being used until repairs are made next spring. The entire plant is operated manually while the new electronics and controls continue to be installed. Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Is flowmeter calibrated annually? Is flowmeter operating properly? Does flowmeter monitor continuously? Does flowmeter record flow? Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? Comment: The influent flowmeter was calibrated on 10-26-2021 by Carolina Technical Services. Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Is water use metered? Are the daily average values properly calculated? Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Is flowmeter calibrated annually? Is flowmeter operating properly? Does flowmeter monitor continuously? Yes No NA NE ■❑❑❑ ❑❑❑■ ■❑❑❑ ■❑❑❑ ■❑❑❑ Yes No NA NE ❑❑■❑ ❑❑■❑ Yes No NA NE ■❑❑❑ ❑❑❑■ ■❑❑❑ Page 3 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC8DAAE-8F8C-48D8-A2AE-5D2552AB83AF Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 11/17/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Does flowmeter record flow? Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? • • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: There are flowmeters for each of the four infiltration basins for monitorinq the effluent flow. These flowmeters were calibrated on 10-26-2021 by Carolina Technical Services along with the turbidity meter. Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The generator is manually tested weekly and tested quarterly by interupting power. The concrete generator pad has been elevated since Hurricane Florence. Treatment Barscreen Is it free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screenings in compliance? Are the bars spaced properly? Is the unit in good condition? Yes No NA NE Comment: The fine screen, grit removal system has not been in operation since the damage from Hurricane Florence. Plans are in place to repair the system next year. The manual barscreen is currently being use for screening. Waste debris is removed twice a day and stored in dumpsters until disposal is required. Treatment Activated Sludge Yes No NA NE Is the aeration mechanism operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is activated sludge an acceptable color? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: SBR #1 was in settle mode during the inspection. The SBRs have DO, ORP and pH monitoring and several process control tests are performed by staff with each batch to ensure proper performance. Tests include TSS, nitrate, ammonia and phosphorus. Mix liquor was 2200 mg/I. Chemical addition includes Micro-C and alum. SBR is set up to operate two batches a day but is currently only running one. Treatment Filters Yes No NA NE Is the filter media present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter media the correct size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 4 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC8DAAE-8F8C-48D8-A2AE-5D2552AB83AF Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 11/17/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Does backwashing frequency appear adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The dual disc filters, damaged by Hurricane Florence, were replaced and put on-line in December 2020. They are backwashed with potable water that is stored in a repurposed membrane feed tank located adjacent to the filters. The non -potable reuse system for internal use within the treatment plant is no longer used. Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE Is the aeration operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the aeration pattern even? ❑ ❑ ❑ If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Staff alternates the use of the dual aerobic sludge digesters. Approximately 8000 gallons per day of sludge is wasted to the digesters from the SBR during the decant phase. Lewis Farms removes 300,000 to 400,000 gallons of sludge once a year. Treatment Disinfection Yes No NA NE Is the system working? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there adequate detention time (>=30 minutes)? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the system properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑ If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chlorinator accessible? ❑ ❑ ❑ If tablets, are tablets present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth? ❑ ❑ ❑ If UV, are extra UV bulbs available? ❑ ❑ ❑ If UV, is the UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is it a dual feed system? ❑ ❑ ❑ 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- If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Comment: The new open -vessel, three -bank in series UV disinfection system was put in operation in December 2020 to replace the closed -vessel UV system. A sodium hypochlorite feed system is available for back-up and is currently being used after UV disinfection. Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of current permit available? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are monitoring reports present: NDMR? ❑ ❑ ❑ NDAR? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 5 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC8DAAE-8F8C-48D8-A2AE-5D2552AB83AF Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 11/17/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are flow rates less than of permitted flow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are application rates adhered to? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there any 2L GW quality violations? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are annual soil reports available? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Are PAN records required? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Did last soil report indicate a need for lime? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If so, has it been applied? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are operational logs present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are lab sheets available for review? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are Operational and Maintenance records present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Were Operational and Maintenance records complete? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the SOC readily available? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ No treatment units bypassed since last inspection? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Comment: Operation and maintenance records were detailed and complete. Operators record daily plant operations/readings on tablets connected to the Cloud which is linked to a master list. The on -site lab was organized and used for the daily process control analyses and permit field parameters. The central ONWASA lab analyzes effluent for most of the other permit required monitoring (Certification #539). A NIST thermometer needs to be place in the effluent compositor for proper temperature monitoring. End Use -Infiltration # Is the application High Rate or Low Rate? Are buffers maintained? Are any supply wells within the CB? Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB? Is municipal water available in the area? Are GW monitoring wells required? Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB? Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval? Is a usable green area maintained? Yes No NA NE High Rate Page 6 of 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC8DAAE-8F8C-48D8-A2AE-5D2552AB83AF Permit: WQ0034367 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Inspection Date: 11/17/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is the disposal site acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the distribution equipment acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the disposal site free of ponding? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the disposal site free of breakout? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the disposal sites free of solids, algae, etc.? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the disposal sites free of vegetation? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation, solids, algae, etc.? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Yearly vegetation removal from the four infiltration basins and the groundwater detention pond is scheduled for December of this year. The groundwater lowering system has not been sampled when there is no flow which is most months. There is flow only when the levels in the New River and Cowhorn Swamp are unusually high. Page 7 of 7