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Home My WebLink AboutNC0036277_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20220303ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director Joseph Lockler, Operations Chief Environmental Management Division Charlotte Water 5100 Brookshire Blvd. Charlotte, North Carolina 28216 Dear Mr. Lockler: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality March 3, 2022 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Charlotte Water/McDowell Creek WWTP NPDES Permit No. NC0036277 Mecklenburg County Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on February 23, 2022, 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: [teilttiti H Pui,c4 61 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 IL NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac I 3 I NC0036277 111 121 22/02/23 I17 18 i i 19 I S I 201 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 73I I I I Reserved 74 751 1 I I I I I I 180 l Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) McDowell Creek WWTP 4901 Neck Rd Huntersville NC 28078 Entry Time/Date 09:15AM 22/02/23 Permit Effective Date 19/12/01 Exit Time/Date 12:OOPM 22/02/23 Permit Expiration Date 24/06/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Darrell Victor Dewitt/ORC/704-361-0611/ Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Angela Charles,5100 Brookshire Blvd Charlotte NC 28216/Director/704-336-5911/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran Sludge Handling DispoFacility 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 -Docusiyned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 3/3/2022 '-A61696D90CC3437... Signature of Ma Andrew Pitn rmei4iDetiReviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date rA's4' H P'4":1WR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 3.3.22 F161 FB69A2D84A3... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 31 NPDES yr/mo/day N C0036277 111 121 22/02/23 117 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 Charlotte Water personnel were in attendance during the inspection: Mr. Darrell DeWitt, Mr. Daniel Matias, Mr. Joseph Lockler, Mr. Shannon Sypolt and Ms. Muriel Steele. Page# 2 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 02/23/2022 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek 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 ❑ ❑ ME application? Is the facility as described in the permit? • ❑ El El # 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: Charlotte Water implements a Division approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The last compliance inspection (bio-monitoring) at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 9/29/20. 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? • El ❑ ❑ 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? • ❑ El El Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? El El El • Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge monitoring reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period January 2021 through December 2021. No limit and/or monitoring violations were reported. Page# 3 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 02/23/2022 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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: Influent and effluent analyses (including field) are performed under Charlotte Water's Environmental Services Laboratory Certification #192. ETT and ETS (chronic toxicity) have also been contracted to provide analytical support. Influent Sampling # 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite samples. Facility staff perform periodic aliquot verifications on the sampler throughout the month. 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 composite and grab effluent samples. Facility staff perform periodic aliquot verifications on the sampler throughout the month. Operations & Maintenance Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 02/23/2022 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable MODE Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be properly operated and well maintained. Facility staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program with all measurements being properly documented and maintained on -site. In-depth operation and maintenance records are also maintained on -site. Approximately eight (8) SCADA stations are located throughout the treatment plant site. Bar Screens 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: Yes No NA NE • • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at a permitted landfill. Equalization Basins 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ • ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 02/23/2022 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins # Is basin size/volume adequate? Yes No NA NE Comment: The facility is equipped with two equalization basins (6 MG and 7 MG) and a 1.3 MG day tank. Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? • El El El Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Comment: The influent pump station and 1.3 MG day tank are connected to an odor control system. Primary 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 sludge blanket level acceptable? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) Comment: Two of five primary clarifiers were in service. Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Is containment adequate? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage adequate? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are backup pumps available? ■ El ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive leaking? • El El El Comment: Page# 6 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 02/23/2022 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Nutrient Removal Yes No NA NE # Is total nitrogen removal required? • ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is total phosphorous removal required? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Type Biological # Is chemical feed required to sustain process? • ❑ El El Is nutrient removal process operating properly? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Two -five stage BNR treatment trains were in service. A sugar water (cola syrup) and acetic acid blend is added as a carbon supplement. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the diffusers operational? • ❑ El El 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? ❑ • ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? • El El El Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) • El ❑ ❑ Comment: A lime slurry is added to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels. The foam was greater than 25% of the basin's surface; however, no foam carryover was observed in the final clarifiers. 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)? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 02/23/2022 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) Comment: Three of four final clarifiers were in service. Pumps-RAS-WAS Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Disinfection - UV 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: Flow Measurement - Effluent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE Page# 8 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 02/23/2022 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek 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 twice per year and was last calibrated on 1/25/22 by CITI, LLC. 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ • ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids and trace foam (entrained air). The receiving stream did not appear to be negatively impacted. Anaerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Fixed cover Is the capacity adequate? • ❑ El ❑ # Is gas stored on site? • El El El Is the digester(s) free of tilting covers? ■ ❑ El El Is the gas burner operational? • El El El Is the digester heated? • El ❑ ❑ Is the temperature maintained constantly? • El El El Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with five digesters (4-primary/fixed cover and 1-storage/floating cover). Solids Handling Equipment Is the equipment operational? Is the chemical feed equipment operational? Is storage adequate? Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters? Is the site free of sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press? Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake? The facility has an approved sludge management plan? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: One of two gravity belt thickeners and one of two belt presses were in service. Dewatered bio-solids are stored on a covered storage pad. The bio-solids are land applied by a contracted company (Synagro) under the authority of Permit No. WQ0000057. Page# 9 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 02/23/2022 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with two backup generators. The generators are serviced on a quarterly basis by a contracted company (Cummings). Page# 10