NC0060194_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20220624

SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED.
June 24, 2022
Ronnie Thompson
City of Morganton
Email: [e-mail]
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Catawba River WTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NC0060194
Burke County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Catawba River WTP on
6/23/2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0060194. 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 828-296-4500 or via email at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
Stephanie Williams, Environmental Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report
Ec: Laserfiche, Bobby Joyce (ORC)
DocuSign Envelope ID: AD9928AB-C367-465A-8AA5-DCE351FB8CC6
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 NC0060194 22/06/23 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)
Catawba River WTP
100 Coulter St
Morganton NC 28655
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
09:00AM 22/06/23 20/07/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
09:30AM 22/06/23 25/02/28
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Ronnie Thompson,305 E Union St Morganton NC 28655/Mayor/828-437-6994/Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Operations & Maintenance Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters
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
Lauren E Armeni DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/
Stephanie A Williams DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AD9928AB-C367-465A-8AA5-DCE351FB8CC6
6/23/2022
6/23/2022
6/23/2022
NPDES yr/mo/day
22/06/23
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Stephanie Williams and Lauren Armeni, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance
Evaluation Inspection of the Morganton WTP Wastewater disposal system on June 23, 2022. This
inspection was conducted to determine if the system is being operated and maintained in compliance
with NPDES permit no. NC0060194. Bobby Joyce (WW ORC) and Michael Griffin (WTP BORC) were
present during the inspection.
The discharge permit is not currently in use, as wastewater is discharged to the collection system.
The city keeps the discharge permit for future use if needed.
Backwash water from the 9 filters is stored in an equalization tank that releases water to the collection
system at a controlled rate. On average, two filters per day are washed at the plant, which ultimately
results in approximately 120,000 gpd being discharged into the collection system. This tank is
connected to the discharge pipe, which is valved off and locked. Mr. Joyce stated that the valve has
not been exercised in at least 18 years. Should the discharge permit ever be used in the future, it
should be considered that this valve may need repair or replacement. Additionally, flow measurement
equipment may need repair or replacement. The pipe was discharging a small amount at the time of
the inspection. Mr. Joyce and Mr. Griffin stated that the discharge has been tested and is likely
groundwater. Stormwater drains are tied into the same discharge line, but conditions were dry at the
time of the inspection.
The plant has 6 small sedimentation basins and 3 large sedimentation basins. The smaller basins are
washed twice per year and the larger basins are washed once per year. The wash water is stored in
a holding tank that does not have the ability to discharge. The mixture is allowed to settle, then
dewatered, and the remaining solids are processed through the belt press. The sludge cakes are
disposed of at a landfill in Lenoir. Chemical overflows also drain to this tank and chemicals are
disposed of according to type of chemical.
NC0060194 17 (Cont.)
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AD9928AB-C367-465A-8AA5-DCE351FB8CC6
Permit:NC0060194
Inspection Date:06/23/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Catawba River WTP
Compliance Evaluation
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?
The permit expires on 2/28/2025.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?
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?
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
Comment:
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AD9928AB-C367-465A-8AA5-DCE351FB8CC6