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Home My WebLink AboutNC0024970_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20220304ROY 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 4, 2022 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Charlotte Water/McAlpine Creek WWTP NPDES Permit No. NC0024970 Mecklenburg County Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on February 25, 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 Dep®rlmont of Environmental Onolit Sincerely, DocuSigned by: [tei4toH P st4 61FB69A2D84A3... 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 E PA 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 1 IN I 2 IL 21IIIIII NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection I 3 I NC0024970 111 121 22/02/25 I17 Type 18 i i IIIIIIIIIII Inspector Fac Type 19 I S I 201 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I IIIIII P6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved 67I2.0 I 70I4 I 71IN I 72 I N I 73I I 74 751 I I 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) McAlpine Creek WWTP 12701 Lancaster Hwy Pineville NC 28134 Entry Time/Date 09:15AM 22/02/25 Permit Effective Date 17/10/01 Exit Time/Date 01:35PM 22/02/25 Permit Expiration Date 21/06/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Keith Allen Purgason/ORC/704-542-0736/ 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 1/ '-A61696D90CC3437... Signature of Ma FORstFiPitiMIlkeviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Andrew Pitn rA's. u`' H P44s WR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 3.4.22 F161 FB69A2D84A3... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 31 NPDES yr/mo/day N C0024970 111 121 22/02/25 117 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. Keith Purgason, Mr. Reid Smith, Mr. Joseph Lockler and Mr. Shannon Sypolt. Page# 2 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine 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 MODE 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: Charlotte Water implements a Division approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The Division received Charlotte Water's renewal package on 1/4/20. Construction activities associated with the approved Reliability and Process Improvements projects are ongoing. The last compliance inspection (bio-monitoring) at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 9/22/20. Record Keeping 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE 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. 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 check the sampler aliquot volumes on a daily basis. 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)? Page# 4 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples. Facility staff check the sampler aliquot volumes on a daily basis. 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 MP ❑ ❑ 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 Fourteen (14) SCADA stations are located throughout the treatment plant site. Odor control systems are connected to the influent pump station, primary clarifiers, sludge thickening/dewatering and bio-solids storage facility. 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: Grit Removal 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? Yes No NA NE • • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE Page# 5 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at a permitted landfill. 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑ 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with an eighty-five (85) million gallon equalization basin. Primary 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Primary Clarifier Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) • Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: All eight (8) primary clarifiers (4 — North Train and 4 — South Train) were in service. 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? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Is nutrient removal process operating properly? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility continues to operate two converted aeration basins (North Train) as fermenters to enhance nutrient reductions. Ferric chloride can also be added into the final clarifier effluent to reduce nutrient levels. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? • ❑ El El Are surface aerators and mixers operational? • El El El Are the diffusers operational? • 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? El • El El Is the DO level acceptable? • El El El Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) • El ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with twenty-six (26) aeration basins (10 — North Train and 16 — South Train). All aeration basins were in service except two aeration basins being rehabbed in the South Train. Magnesium hydroxide 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. Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Is containment adequate? • El El El Is storage adequate? • El ❑ ❑ Are backup pumps available? • El El El Is the site free of excessive leaking? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Comment: 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) Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with sixteen (16) final clarifiers (6 — North Train and 10 — South Train). All final clarifiers were in service except for one clarifier per train being rehabbed. Pumps-RAS-WAS Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: 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? ■ ❑ El ❑ Is the air scour operational? • El El El Is the scouring acceptable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? ■ El El El Comment: All nineteen (19) tertiary filters were in service. Page# 8 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Liquid 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: Both chlorine contact chambers were in service. Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Comment: Aqueous sodium bisulfite is used for dechlorination. Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑ Number of tubes in use? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (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 1/24/22 by CITI, LLC. Facility staff must ensure effluent flows account for the non -potable flows used on -site. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Page# 9 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids and foam (entrained air). The foam dissipated prior to the Lancaster Highway bridge. 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is gas stored on site? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the digester(s) free of tilting covers? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the gas burner operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the digester heated? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the temperature maintained constantly? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with eight (8) digesters and two (2) storage tanks (floating cover). Seven (7) digesters and one storage tank were in service. The facility continues to use the Combine Heat & Power facility using methane gas as the fuel source. Solids Handling Equipment Yes No NA NE Is the equipment operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chemical feed equipment operational? • ❑ El El Is storage adequate? • El El El 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? • El El El The facility has an approved sludge management plan? • El El El Comment: The facility is equipped with four (4) gravity thickeners (three in service) and six (6) centrifuges (3 — thickening and 3 — dewatering). All thickening centrifuges and two (2) dewatering centrifuges were in service. The primary and waste activated sludges from the Sugar Creek WWTP are processed at this facility. Dewatered bio-solids are stored under cover and are land applied by a contracted company (Synagro) under the authority of Permit No. WQ0000057. Standby Power Is automatically activated standby power available? Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? Is the generator tested under load? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 10 Permit: NC0024970 Inspection Date: 02/25/2022 Owner - Facility: McAlpine Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power 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? Comment: Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ The facility is equipped with six (6) backup generators. The generators are on a quarterly basis by a contracted company (Cummings). serviced Page# 11