The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutNC0021547_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20221130 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. November 30, 2022 Amanda W Owens Town of Franklin Email: aowen@franklinnc.com SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Franklin WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021547 Macon County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Franklin WWTP on 11/17/2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021547. 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 Lauren Armeni with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at lauren.armeni@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Lauren Armeni, Environmental Specialist II Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Bill Deal, ORC Jason Hopkins, BORC/Plant Supervisor DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 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 NC0021547 22/11/17 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) Franklin WWTP Sierra Dr Franklin NC 28734 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:30AM 22/11/17 19/10/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// William Logan Deal/ORC/828-524-2516/ Other Facility Data 12:30PM 22/11/17 23/11/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Amanda W Owens,PO Box 1479 Franklin NC 287441479/Town Manager/828-524-2516/ 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 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/ 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: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 11/30/2022 11/30/2022 NPDES yr/mo/day 22/11/17 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Lauren Armeni, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Franklin WWTP on November 17, 2022. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0021547. Mr. Bill Deal (ORC) and Mr. Jason Hopkins (Plant Supervisor/Backup ORC) were present and assisted in the inspection. Overall, the plant was well-maintained and operated. All paperwork was very organized and easily accessible. No deficiencies or violations were found during the inspection. NC0021547 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 Permit:NC0021547 Inspection Date:11/17/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Franklin WWTP 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 facility has grit removal, but it is not listed under the components in the current permit. Remember to note this on the permit renewal application that will be submitted next year. 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? Process controls include MLSS, sludge judge for blanket depth, and pH. DO is monitored by in-line DO probes. Mr. Deal indicated that all WWTP components are connected to SCADA, except the aerators in the oxidation ditch and the RAS/WAS pumps. 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)? 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 Permit:NC0021547 Inspection Date:11/17/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Franklin WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE 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: Flow Measurement - Influent Yes No NA NE # 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? The influent flow meter records the flow from the EQ Basin into the plant. This meter was last calibrated on August 10, 2022 by Carolina Technical Services, Inc. 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? Flow-proportional composite sampling is not required for influent sampling. Mr. Deal indicated that the influent composite sampling is time-based. 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? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 Permit:NC0021547 Inspection Date:11/17/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Franklin WWTP Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Debris is hauled to the landfill twice a week. The last inspection indicated that a separate bar screen was ordered that catches debris from septage haulers prior to entering the WWTP. This bar screen was installed in May 2021 and has fixed previous issues with screen backups. Septage haulers are only allowed to dump between 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. 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? As with the debris from the bar screens, solids are hauled to the landfill twice a week.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? The EQ basin is 21' deep, and the float is set at 15'. Mr. Deal indicated that it generally takes around three days of rain to get up to that depth since the EQ basin generally stays around 4.5'. The basin is connected to SCADA. Comment: Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE Are the aerators operational? Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? # 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? Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 Permit:NC0021547 Inspection Date:11/17/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Franklin WWTP Compliance Evaluation Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/l in 30 minutes) The oxidation ditch uses floating brush aerators that are conntected to three new Chemtrac in-line DO probes. These probes are placed in various locations throughout the oxidation ditch. DO levels are kept between 0.5 mg/L to 1.0 mg/L. These new probes were installed in May 2021. At the time of the inspection, settleability was 650 mL after 30 minutes. 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? 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) From the oxidation ditches, flow is split between the two clarifiers. At the time of the inspection, the sludge blanket in Clarifier #1 was measured at 3', and in Clarifier #2 was measured at 5'. Both clarifiers are approximately 12' deep. Clarifier #2 had a slightly high sludge blanket, but this has caused no issues in the effluent quality or with exceeding permit limits. Mr. Deal indicated that the Town is planning on replacing the fiberglass around the weirs. Comment: Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? The RAS pumps are rotated once a week.Comment: 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) Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 Permit:NC0021547 Inspection Date:11/17/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Franklin WWTP Compliance Evaluation Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE 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? The chorine contact basin is pumped out yearly.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? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? Mr. Deal indicated that Captor was previously used as the disinfectant, but sodium thiosulfate is now being used. Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # 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? The original chart recorder is no longer used because the flow meter is connected to the SCADA system, and the monthly flow is printed from this system. The meter was last calibrated on August 10, 2022 by Carolina Technical Services, Inc. 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)? Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 Permit:NC0021547 Inspection Date:11/17/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Franklin WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE At the time of the inspection, the sampler was set to 417 gallons/pulse. At 25 pulses, a 100-mL aliquot sample is taken. 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: 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? A coarse bubble diffuser supplies air to the digester, and rotates on/off for two hours in the winter, and approximately 14 hours in the summer. Mr. Deal indicated that they use MLSS values to determine when they supernate and pump from the digester to the belt press. Comment: Solids Handling Equipment Yes No NA NE 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? At the time of the inspection, the belt press was not in operation. The belt press and surrounding area were kept very clean. The press is used to dry sludge before it's hauled to the landfill. 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? Page#8 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99 Permit:NC0021547 Inspection Date:11/17/2022 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Franklin WWTP Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Yes No NA NE 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? One generator is located at the headworks and another is used for the WWTP and on-site buildings. The generators have dipsticks to check the fuel levels. They do not let the fuel tanks get below 33%. The generators automatically exercise once a month and are serviced semi-annually by Nixon Power. Comment: Page#9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78F63099-BB91-48A6-A4A4-4A435233DA99