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Home My WebLink AboutNC0062383_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20221208ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director CERTIFIED MAIL #: 7018 3090 0001 2322 9045 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED: Gary M. Peacock II, Director, State Operations Carolina Water Service Inc of NC PO Box 240908 Charlotte, NC 28224 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation Compliance Evaluation Inspection Queens Harbor WWTP NPDES Permit No. NC0062383 Mecklenburg County Tracking #: NOV-2022-PC-0741 Dear Mr. Peacock: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality December 8, 2022 Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on December 1, 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. This report is being issued as a Notice of Violation (NOV) due to the failures to both properly operate and maintain the WWTP and have a properly designated operator operate/visit the wastewater treatment plant (several occasions) which are violations of the subject NPDES Permit and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1. Please note that G.S. 143-215.6A provides for a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), or twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per day when the violation is of a continuing nature, against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. Penalties may also be assessed for any damage to surface waters of the State that may result from the violation. D_E 111.•rhworkt el G. rOrmloalal Oat,' 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 It is requested that a written response be submitted to this Office by December 30, 2022, detailing the actions taken to address all violations that are discussed in more detail in the Record Keeping/Summary, Disinfection -Tablet, De -chlorination and Pump Station -Effluent Sections of the attached report. In responding, please address your comments to the attention of Mr. Wes Bell. Should you have any questions concerning this Notice, 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 D_E o,.mworkt G.ed o � Sincerely, DocuSigned by: 1444.1.4V H Paw.). 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 1 IN Code I 2 IL NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac I 3 I NC0062383 111 121 22/12/01 I17 1810I 191 S I 2011 Type 21 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 I I I 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I I I I I I 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 I 1 P6 Inspection 67I2.0 Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring I 70I4 Evaluation Rating I 71IN B1 I 72 QA I N I 73I 1 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) Queens Harbor WWTP 13818 Queens Harbor Rd Charlotte NC 28278 Entry Time/Date 09:25AM 22/12/01 Permit Effective Date 20/12/01 Exit Time/Date 11:25AM 22/12/01 Permit Expiration Date 25/06/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Kenneth Wayne Knopf/ORC/704-525-7990/ Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Gary Mack Peacock,PO Box 240908 Charlotte NC 282240908/State Operations Director/828-242-7588/ 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/ 12/8/2022 '-A61696D9OCC3437... Signature of Mana Andrew Pitner RtcetsPwRgfiewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date E.S.41441 H P R/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 12/8/2022 F161FB69A2D84A3... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 3I NPDES yr/mo/day N C 0062383 111 121 22/12/01 17 Inspection Type 18 [j (Cont.) 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) RECORD KEEPING SECTION cont'd: The wastewater facility had not been properly visited (on several occasions) throughout the November 2021 through October 2022 review period by either the designated ORC and/or one of the designated Backup ORCs. The ORC was the only properly designated operator to visit the wastewater facility; however, the ORC only performed visitations three to four times during each week for several weeks during the review period. A non -designated operator performed the remaining visitations. Please be advised that the subject permit requires that either the designated ORC or a designated backup ORC must visit the wastewater facility five days per week excluding holidays [Permit Condition Reference: Part II, Section C(1) Certified Operator]. Please also note that the visitations performed by the designated Backup ORC(s) (in lieu of the ORC) cannot exceed 40% of the system visitations required per calendar year [15A NCAC 08G .0205 (1)(a)]. Page# 2 Permit: NC0062383 Inspection Date: 12/01/2022 Owner - Facility: Queens Harbor 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 El El ❑ application? Is the facility as described in the permit? • El El El # Are there any special conditions for the permit? El El • El Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? • El El El Comment: The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 8/27/2020. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed from November 2021 through October 2022. No effluent limit violations were reported. See "Summary" Section for additional comments. Page# 3 Permit: NC0062383 Inspection Date: 12/01/2022 Owner - Facility: Queens Harbor 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: On -site field analyses (pH, temperature and total residual chlorine) are performed under Carolina Water Service of NC's laboratory certification #5228. K&W Labs has also been contracted to perform all permit -required analyses (excluding filed). 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 sampling. The ORC and staff must ensure that the sampler tubing has minimal dips/loops (from sampler to effluent sampling point) to allow for adequate flushing of the tubing prior to sampling. The wastewater staff should also perform monthly (at a minimum) aliquot verifications to document a minimum of 100 mis. per aliquot is being collected. 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: Process control measurements were being performed and documented. Bar Screens Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NC0062383 Inspection Date: 12/01/2022 Owner - Facility: Queens Harbor WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Comment: Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? El El • El Are the diffusers operational? • El 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? • El El El Is the DO level acceptable? • El El El Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) • ❑ El El Comment: Lime is added on an as -needed basis to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels. 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: Disinfection -Tablet Are tablet chlorinators operational? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0062383 Inspection Date: 12/01/2022 Owner - Facility: Queens Harbor WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Tablet Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use? 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? Yes No NA NE El El El El • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: A chlorine odor could be detected in the effluent. The effluent total residual chlorine level measured during the inspection was significantly above the effluent permit limit. See "Dechlorination" Section for additional comments. De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Tablet Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? • ❑ El El Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ • ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? • ❑ El El Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? • El El El Number of tubes in use? 2 Comment: The dechlorination tablets had wedged in the sleeve that prevented adequate dechlorination of the chlorinated wastewater. The ORC and staff must ensure all tablets are properly installed in the sleaves. Please be advised that the subject permit requires the permittee to properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment at all times [Permit Condition Reference: Part II, Section C(2) Proper Operation & Maintenance]. 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 6/17/2022 by B.W. Allen. Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? El El • El Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? El El El • Page# 6 Permit: NC0062383 Inspection Date: 12/01/2022 Owner - Facility: Queens Harbor WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The effluent is discharged into the receiving stream via submerged outfall. Yes No NA NE • ❑ • ❑ Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ El • El Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? El • El El Comment: The telemetry alarm system (high water) was operational during the on -site test. The audible/visual alarm system did not activate when the high-water float was lifted. In addition, the visual alarm (light assembly) had been previously removed. The visual alarm must be re -installed and both alarms (audible and visual) properly connected to the high-water alarm system. Please be advised that the subject permit requires the permittee to properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment at all times [Permit Condition Reference: Part II, Section C(2) Proper Operation & Maintenance]. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Wastewater solids are removed by a contracted company (Liquid Waste, Inc.) on an as -needed basis. 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NC0062383 Inspection Date: 12/01/2022 Owner - Facility: Queens Harbor WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Is the generator fuel level monitored? • Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The backup generator is tested weekly and serviced by Kraft Power twice per year. Page# 8