NC0024236_Incident #202200176_20220209

February 9, 2022
KINSTO'
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NC DWQ-Washington Regional Office
Attn: Robert Bullock
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
Kinston
ittillarucar
2009
Re: Bypass of denitriftcation filters, February 03, 2022. Incident #202200176
Dear Mr.Bullock:
On February 03, 2022, the City of Kinston had to bypass part of its treatment process (the denitrification filters).
We began to experience heavy pin flocking from clarifier #3 and by 1:00 am, we had to start bypassing the
filters. As you are aware, the filters are the last stage of treatment prior to UV disinfection and final discharge to
the Neuse River.
The State (Mr. Bullock) was notified around 8:00 am that morning.
Influent flows were normal.
The temporary polymer feed system pumped 600 gallons on the 3rd and 4d' trying to settle down the sludge
blanket in the clarifier.
All filters were put back on line at 9.00 am, Saturday, February 05, 2022.
Daily composite effluent TSS results for the week are as follows:
• January 31, 2022:
• February 01, 2022:
• February 02, 2022:
• February 03, 2022:
• February 04, 2022:
• February 05, 2022:
<2.5 mg/L
<2.5 mg/L
<2.5 mg/L
83.33 mg/L
55.95 mg/L
6 mg/L
The January 31- February 05, 2022 weekly average limit value of 45 mg/L was not exceeded for TSS. The
average for the week was 24.21 mg/L.
At this time, no other effluent violations have been seen.
Sludge wasting data from February 02- 04, 2022 was 335,603 gallons.
We made some adjustments to the RAS valves in front of the BNR which receives flow from the RAS pumps. In
front of each train there are 3 valves which allow us to send return sludge to 3 different locations in the pre -
aeration chambers. The 2 front ones are the pre -anoxic chambers and an anaerobic chamber. The third chamber
Johnnie Mosley Regional Water Reclamation Facility
2101 Becton Fann Rd Kinston, North Carolina 28501
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]

is also an anaerobic chamber which can receive returns of aerated mix liquor flow via the oxic recycle pump
When our influent flows were high the first 6 months of 2021, we needed all of these valves open to mix with the
high flows we were encountering. Since the flows have dropped off and some I & I problems have been repaired,
we closed off all the valves that were returning sludge to the anaerobic chambers on each train to try and
maintain a decent ratio of return sludge and influent flow. That's especially needed at night when the flows tend
to drop low. This leaves one valve open to send flow to the pre -anoxic chambers on each train which is mixing
constantly. As of the date of this letter, we have seen a drop in sludge levels with all three clarifiers since making
these adjustments.
We are not sure what truly caused the sludge blanket to rise so high in that one clarifier. We are hoping the above
mentioned changes, along with continued running of the Biosolids Press, will lower our solids levels within the
system. Solids remain higher than what we typically have for this time of year. Current levels are fluctuating
between 5000-6000 mg/L in the basin.
The City is working with biosolids company to remove and offset the daily loading of the dryer. We currently
are hauling 2-3 truckloads Tuesday -Friday as weather permits. The press will continue to be ran as we also
continue our growing use of the Biosolids Dryer. We have expanded the press run times to 7 days a week with a
minimum 10 hour run time.
We've also received Wastewater AIA grant funds... next week we have scheduled RFQ interviews to select a
firm that will be reviewing plant operations and biosolids processes to improve our efficiency.
The City will continue to aggressively work to keep the plant in compliance as we move forward.
If I can be of any further assistance, please call me at 252-939-3375 or email at
[e-mail].
Sincerel
Kenneth R. Stevens, Jr.
Johnnie Mosley RWRF Superintendent
C:
Rhonda Barwick- Director of Public Services
Steve Miller- Assistant Director of Public Services
File
Johnnie Mosley Regional Water Reclamation Facility
2101 Becton Farm Rd Kinston, North Carolina 28501
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]