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Home My WebLink AboutNC0021156_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230220ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Jonathan Wilson, Utilities Director City of Mount Holly Post Office Box 406 Mounty Holly, NC 28120 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection City of Mount Holly WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO021156 Gaston County Dear Mr. Wilson: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality February 20, 2023 Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on February 15, 2023, 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 Sincerely, DocuSigned by: A wNN,uft 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 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville. North Carolina 26115 704.663.1699 United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved. EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report 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 IN 1 2 u 3 I NCO021156 111 121 23/02/15 I17 18 LC] I 19 I s I 20L] 21111I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I r6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 67 2.0 701d I 71 I„ I 72 I r., I 71 I 74 79 I I I I I I I80 L—I ty L-1 I I Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES permit Number) 09:05AM 23/02/15 19/12/01 Mount Holly WWTP 165 Broome St Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Mount Holly NC 28120 12:30PM 23/02/15 24/02/29 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Douglas Eugene Shoutd/ORC/704-827-4261/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Miles Braswell,PO Box 406 Mt Holly NC 281200406/City Manager/704-827-3931/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispo: Facility 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) of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Wes Bell cusigned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 2/20/2023 2 r6& E�: 96D90=437... Signature of Man ea►ts@n�vrviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Andrew Pitn r A:ot4tW H P44tWRWRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 2/20/2023 F161 FB69A2D MA3.,. EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO021156 I11 12I 23/02/15 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# Permit: NCO021156 Owner -Facility: Mount Holly WWTP Inspection Date: 02/15/2023 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 ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ 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: The City implements a Division -approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The construction activities are ongoing for a new pump station and piping system to convey all wastewater to th City of Charlotte's sewer system. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 5/11/2021. 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO021156 Inspection Date: 02/15/2023 Owner -Facility: Mount Holly WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Comment: The records reviewed durinq the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed from January 2022 through December 2022. Effluent fecal coliform violations were reported in July 2022 (weekly average), August 2022 (weekly and monthly average) and December 2022 (weekly average). The Division has separately addressed these limit violations through the issuances of Notice of Violations (NOVs) and/or civil penalty assessments. Applicable eDMRs will be revised and resubmitted to report the flows measured during the holidays. Laboratory Yes No NA NE Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the facility using a contract lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # 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? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The City's on -site certified laboratory (#215) performs TSS analyses (influent and effluent) and all effluent field analyses (conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, total residual chlorine). Pace Analytical Services, Waypoint Analytical and ETT Environmental 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? Comment: The subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite samples. Effluent Sampling Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO021156 Inspection Date: 02/15/2023 Owner -Facility: Mount Holly WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling # 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 samples. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and sampling location)? Comment: Operations & Maintenance 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be properly operated and well maintained. The ORC and staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program with all measurements beina Drooerly documented and maintained on -site. 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with coarse bar screens at multiple locations. These screens perform satisfactorily at removing the larger debris but the smaller screenings accumulate in the equalization basin. The mechanical screen is not operational and has been taken out of service due to continued operational issues. Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual b.Mechanical ❑ Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NCO021156 Inspection Date: 02/15/2023 Owner -Facility: Mount Holly WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Is the grit free of excessive odor? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is disposal of grit in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Screenings and any grit are disposed by Waste Management at a permitted landfill. The facility staff should keep all dumpster lids closed and minimize the accumulation of liquids inside the dumpsters to prevent any wastewater discharges from entering the stormwater system during the emptying of the dumpsters' contents by the contracted company. Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The equalization basin is equipped with a gravity flow bypass to the aeration basin. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Surface Is the basin free of dead spots? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the diffusers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) E ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Two of the three aeration basins were in service. Each aeration basin is equipped with four platform aerators (all operational). The third aeration basin has been taken out of service for several years. Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO021156 Owner -Facility: Mount Holly WWTP Inspection Date: 02/15/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Are weirs level? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Both secondary clarifiers were in service. The clarifier weirs were not excessivel unlevel and no short-circuiting was observed. Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE Are cylinders secured adequately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. ❑ ❑ ❑ 7782-50-5)? If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Comment: Both chlorine contact chambers were in service. De -Chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Gas Page# 7 Permit: NCO021156 Inspection Date: 02/15/2023 De -chlorination Owner -Facility: Mount Holly WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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: The chlorine and sulfur dioxide gas cylinders are stored outside under cover. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The flow meter is calibrated twice per year and was last calibrated on 12/1/2022 b Clearwater, Inc. Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? M ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with trace suspended solids and no foam. The receiving stream did not appear to be negatively impacted. Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the mixing adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? M ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the odor acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with two aerated sludge holding tanks. Bio-solids are either land applied by Synagro under the authority of Permit No. WQ0001863 or dewatered and disposed at a permitted landfill (currently being performed by Bio-nomics). Page# 8 Permit: NC0021156 Inspection Date: 02/15/2023 Owner - Facility: Mount Holly WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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? Is the generator fuel level monitored? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The backup generator can power six of the eight platform aerators (3 per aeration basin) and all remaining treatment processes. The generator is tested monthly and placed under load semi-annually. The generator is also serviced bV a contracted company (Power Generation) semi-annually. Page# 9