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Home My WebLink AboutNC0025542_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20221205ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Shawn Pennell City of Hickory P.O. Box 398 Hickory, NC 28603-0398 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection City of Hickory/Catawba WWTP NPDES Permit No. NC0025542 Catawba County Dear Mr. Pennell: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality December 5, 2022 Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on November 30, 2022, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. Please advise the facility's Operator -in -Responsible Charge (ORC) of our findings by forwarding the enclosed report. Should you have any questions concerning this report, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at (704) 235-2192 or at wes.bell@ncdenr.gov. Enclosure: Inspection Report Cc: NPDES Program Files - Laserfiche DILLORIN _E Sincerely, DocuSigned by: LI 4,144w H P4s.14 F161 FB69A2D84A3... Andrew H. Pitner, P.G. Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue. Suite 301 1 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 Code 1 IN I 2 21 1 1 1 IL 1 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection I 3 I NC0025542 111 121 22/11/30 I17 Type 1810I I I 1 1 1 Inspector Fac Type 191 S I 2011 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 I I I 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I I I I 1 11 1 1 1 I 1 P6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved 67I2.0 I 70I4 I 71IN I 72 I N I 73I 1 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) Catawba WWTP End Of Sixth Ave Nw Catawba NC 28609 Entry Time/Date 09:22AM 22/11/30 Permit Effective Date 21/07/01 Exit Time/Date 12:20PM 22/11/30 Permit Expiration Date 26/04/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// David Archambault/ORC/828-234-7419/ Todd Atwell Bumgarner//828-228-3021 / Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Warren Wood,PO Box 398 Hickory NC 286010398/City Manager/828-323-7412/ 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 —Docusigned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 12/5/2022 "-A61696D90CC3437... Signature of M Andrew Pit ag8f1901Vl `AReviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date er".41`", H t bWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 12/5/2022 F161 FB69A2D84A3... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 NPDES yr/mo/day 31 NC0025542 111 121 22/11/30 I17 Inspection Type 18 [j 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# 2 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 11/30/2022 Owner - Facility: Catawba 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: The City of Hickory implements a Division -approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 1/14/2021. 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 El El Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? • El El El 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 El Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? El El El • Page# 3 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 11/30/2022 Owner - Facility: Catawba 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 from November 2021 through October 2022. A monthly average effluent ammonia violation was reported for February 2022. The Division has previously addressed this limit violation through the issuance of a civil penalty assessment. 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 sampling and analyses are performed under the City of Hickory's Regional Laboratory Certification #203. Pace Analytical Services and ETT Environmental (chronic toxicity) have also been contracted to provide analytical support. Effluent total residual chlorine analyses are performed on -site by the wastewater staff. 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? • El El El # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 • El El El degrees Celsius)? Is sampling performed according to the permit? • ❑ El El Comment: The subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite sampling. The composite sampler is checked and calibrated twice per month (at a minimum). Effluent Sampling 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)? Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 11/30/2022 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type • ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent sampling. The composite sampler is checked and calibrated twice per month (at a minimum). Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, ME101=1 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 MODE Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be properly operated and well maintained. Process control measurements are being performed and documented. The facility is equipped with a SCADA system to assist the wastewater staff in the operation of the treatment units/processes. 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 11/30/2022 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed (by contracted company) at the County Landfill. Oxidation Ditches 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/I) Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes) Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Both oxidation ditch trains were operational; however, only one train was in service due to low influent flows. Each oxidation ditch train is equipped with anaerobic and anoxic cells. Soda ash is added on an as -needed basis to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels. A microbial supplement is also added to the biological process. 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) Comment: One of two secondary clarifiers was in service. Pumps-RAS-WAS Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 11/30/2022 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Comment: 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: Two of the four tertiary filters were in service. 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: 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)? • ❑ El ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? El El • El # 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? Comment: • ❑ ■ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 11/30/2022 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Is containment adequate? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage adequate? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are backup pumps available? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive leaking? • ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 7/20/2022 by Diversified Integration, Inc. 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? Comment: The effluent appeared clear with trace suspended solids and no foam. Aerobic Digester 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with two aerated sludge holding tanks. Sludge is transported (by City personnel) to the Regional Compost Facility for further treatment and disposal. 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 8 Permit: NC0025542 Inspection Date: 11/30/2022 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power 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 backup generator is placed under load monthly and tested weekly. The City has contracted Kraft Power to service the generator. Page# 9