HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0025909_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20211215
SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED
December 15, 2021
Doug Barrick
Email: dbarrick@rutherfordton.net
Town of Rutherfordton
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Rutherfordton WWTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NC0025909
Rutherford County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Rutherfordton WWTP
on 11/24/2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with
the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0025909. 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 me at 828-296-4686 or via email at
mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report
Ec: LF
Phillip Reynolds, ORC
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
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 Type Inspector Fac Type
1 N 52 NC0025909 21/11/24 C S31112171819 20
21 66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
N67707172 73 74 75 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)
Rutherfordton WWTP
NC Hwy 221
Rutherfordton NC 28139
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
10:00AM 21/11/24 16/07/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Phillip E Reynolds/ORC/828-287-2141/
Other Facility Data
12:00PM 21/11/24 20/07/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Doug Barrick,129 N Main St Rutherfordton NC 28139/Town Manager/828-287-3520/Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Compliance Schedules
Pretreatment Effluent/Receiving Waters Laboratory Storm Water
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
Stephanie A Williams DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/
Mikal Willmer DWR/Division of Water Quality/828-296-4686/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#1
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
12/15/2021
12/15/2021
12/15/2021
NPDES yr/mo/day
21/11/24
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Mikal Willmer and Stephanie Williams, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance
evaluation inspection of the Rutherfordton WWTP on November 24, 2021. This inspection was
conducted in conjunction with the facilities pretreatment Audit. Suez personnel were present and
assisted in the inspection.
Overall, the facility appeared to be maintained in compliance with the requirements of the permit.
Headworks: The current screw auger is only rated for 1.5 MGD. While average daily flows remain
under 1.5 MGD, the screen cannot handle wet weather flows. Currently there is no separate grit
removal system. Grit removal may reduce pass-through debris to the aeration basins. There is a
manual bar screen that is used when flows bypass the auger during rain events. The grating is
spaced too far apart and contributes to additional debris passing into the system. Debris from the
screw auger is removed from the headworks by Republic once a week. Rutherford plans to include a
new mechanical bar screen sized for the 3 MGD tier and grit removal during upgrades.
EQ Basin: Staff indicate there is adequate capacity in the EQ basin during heavy flow events.
Operators hope to install a permanent pump to aid in transfer of wastewater back into the system.
AB’s: The ORC attempts to keep the DO at approximately 3 mg/L. Rutherford is running staged
aeration to maintain pH’s within the system. The #2 liner has not been repaired but is slated for
repair in the upcoming fiscal year. Liner #1 will be replaced once #2 is operational.
Solids Handling: Budgeted to install new loading station and thickener to aid in solids management.
Approximately 56 loads were hauled during the most recent land application event. No new land has
been added to the facility RLAP Permit WQ0032855, which is currently in renewal.
Chlorine Contact Chamber: The second half of contact chamber has been rehabilitated.
Permit Renewal: The facility’s permit is currently in renewal. Permits that go to public notice after
April 6, 2016, will require site-specific effluent hardness data to implement the new dissolved metals
standard. The permittee can anticipate quarterly hardness sampling of the effluent and the facility's
upstream monitoring location.
NC0025909 17 (Cont.)
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
Permit:NC0025909
Inspection Date:11/24/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Rutherfordton WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Compliance Schedules Yes No NA NE
Is there a compliance schedule for this facility?
Is the facility compliant with the permit and conditions for the review period?
No compliance schedules in 2016 permit.Comment:
Laboratory Yes No NA NE
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?
Certificate of analysis displayed in office. pH and temperature are analyzed in-house.
All other parameters are analyzed by Environmental one.
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
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
MLSS is analyzed once a week by Environmental One. Sludge judge readings are
monitored in clarifiers.
Comment:
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?
Permit is renewal and under review.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)?
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
Permit:NC0025909
Inspection Date:11/24/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Rutherfordton WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
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:
Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE
# Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected above side streams?
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 sampling performed according to the permit?
Set to time composite. Thermometer is replaced annually, and sample volume is
checked monthly and set to 100 mL.
Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
Is the flow meter operational?
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
Permit:NC0025909
Inspection Date:11/24/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Rutherfordton WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
Calibrated annually by Delta.Comment:
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?
The auger is screening most debris and pass-through has not caused significant
issues to date; however, the spacing on the manual screen is oversized and the
mechanical screw auger is only rated for 1.5 MGD. No separate grit system
downstream of bar screens and auger.
Comment:
Grit Removal Yes No NA NE
Type of grit removal
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
Is the grit free of excessive odor?
# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
No separate grit removal. Facility currently utilizes a screw auger.Comment:
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
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?
Page#5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
Permit:NC0025909
Inspection Date:11/24/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Rutherfordton WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Contract with Lutz Petroleum for fuel. Camp Electric and Nixon service the generator.
The generator exercises automatically every Monday and is tested under load once a
month.
Comment:
Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE
Is the basin aerated?
Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment?
Is the basin free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Are audible and visual alarms operable?
# Is basin size/volume adequate?
EQ basin is used primarily during storm events. Currently a portable pump is used to
transfer diverted flow to the aeration basins.
Comment:
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation Ext. Air
Type of aeration system Surface
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/l)
Only one of the two 1 MG basins are currently in use due to a tear in basin #2's liner.
Slated for repair this fiscal year. Facility receives dye from textile mill. ORC reported
he attempts to maintain an MLSS of 2900 to 3000 mg/L.
Comment:
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
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?
Page#6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
Permit:NC0025909
Inspection Date:11/24/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Rutherfordton WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
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 ¼ of the sidewall depth)
Only running one clarifier due to average daily flows. Facility staff monitor the sludge
blanket and attempt to keep a one-foot blanket in the clarifier.
Comment:
Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place?
Are pumps operational?
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
Comment:
Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE
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?
Facility plans to install a sludge thickener and new loading station. The Town has land
application events twice a year on their permitted fields under their Class B permit.
Comment:
Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE
Is containment adequate?
Is storage adequate?
Are backup pumps available?
Is the site free of excessive leaking?
Tubing is replaced as needed. Double-walled chemical storage tanks are utilized. Spill
control kit located in building with sodium hypochlorite and sodium bisulfite. Storm drain
mats are also available if needed; however, any spills would drain to the old sludge
loading station which drain back to the plant.
Comment:
Page#7
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
Permit:NC0025909
Inspection Date:11/24/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Rutherfordton WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE
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:
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?Liquid
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?
Chlorination and dechlor chemicals are stored in same room; however, they are in
double walled HDPE chemical bulk storage carboys.
Comment:
Are tablet de-chlorinators operational?
Number of tubes in use?
See above. Liquid chemicals used.Comment:
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)?
Flow paced composite sampler. Delta was scheduled to come out on November 30th to
calibrate all meters. Mag meters are utilized and calibrated onsite.
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?
Page#8
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38
Permit:NC0025909
Inspection Date:11/24/2021
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Rutherfordton WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
Comment:
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type,
and sampling location)?
Comment:
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A14044E-C9C1-4F48-949A-8E94E0386F38