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Home My WebLink AboutNC0036196_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230213ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director James Wentz, Public Works Director City of Newton P.O. Box 550 Newton, NC 28658 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality February 13, 2023 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection City of Newton/Clark Creek WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO036196 Catawba County Dear Mr. Wentz: Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on February 9, 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.bellgncdenr. gov. Enclosure: Inspection Report Cc: NPDES Program Files - Laserfiche Sincerely, EDocuSigned by: A wN p4ff .F161 F669A2D84A3... 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 NCO036196 111 121 23/02/09 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) 08:55AM 23/02/09 21/08/01 Clark Creek WWTP 1407 McKay Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Newton NC 28658 01:20PM 23/02/09 26/07/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data James Eric Jones/ORC/828-695-4370/ Stacy E Rowe//828-695-4337 / Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted James D Wentz,PO Box 550 Newton NC 286584321//828-695-4310/8284657422 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 DocuSigned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 2/13/2023 2 re& A61696D90CC3437... Signature of Mana 4$®n�iQwer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Andrew Pitne aps•�uM' H P'+'(fAR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 2/13/2023 F161FB69A2D84A3- EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO036196 I11 12I 23/02/09 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# Permit: NCO036196 Owner -Facility: Clark Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/09/2023 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The City implements a Division -approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The centrifuges (sludge thickeners) have been taken out of service for several years. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 1 /6/2021. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO036196 Inspection Date: 02/09/2023 Owner -Facility: Clark Creek 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. No effluent limit and/or monitoring violations were reported. The ORC and staff must ensure all operation and maintenance records (including flow meter calibrations, screening/grit disposal, chlorine/sulfur dioxide gas cylinder receipts, generator service records, etc.) are accessible and maintained for a period of three years. 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: Influent and effluent analyses are performed by the City's on -site certified laborator (#143). Meritech, Inc. (low level mercury, metals, total phosphorus and nitrogen, cyanide, toxicity) and ETS (toxicity) have also been contracted to provide analytical support. The laboratory staff must ensure to verify (and document) the mid -range TRC standard during the annual TRC meter verifications. 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: NCO036196 Inspection Date: 02/09/2023 Owner -Facility: Clark Creek 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 Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0036196 Owner -Facility: Clark Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/09/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical ❑ Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the grit free of excessive odor? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is disposal of grit in compliance? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at the County Landfill. Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Is containment adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are backup pumps available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive leaking? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: A lime slurry is added prior to the primary clarifiers. Primary 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Both primaries were in service. Page# 6 Permit: NCO036196 Owner -Facility: Clark Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/09/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Surface Is the basin free of dead spots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the diffusers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Two of four aeration basins were in service due to low influent flows. 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 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) ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Comment: Two of three secondary clarifiers were in service. The sludge blanket levels were measured at 8.5 ft. in both secondary clarifiers: however, no evidence of short-circuiting was observed. The ORC and staff must ensure the solids inventory and sludge blanket levels are properly maintained to prevent solids washout during high flow periods. Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Page# 7 Permit: NCO036196 Owner -Facility: Inspection Date: 02/09/2023 Inspection Type: Clark Creek WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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: Both tertiary filters were in service. Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE Are cylinders secured adequately? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 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 cylinders are stored outside under cover. Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Number of tubes in use? Comment: Page# 8 Permit: NCO036196 Owner -Facility: Clark Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/09/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The flow meter is calibrated annually and was last calibrated on 9/21/2022 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The receiving stream did not appear to be negatively impacted. Solids Handling Equipment 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with four qravitv thickeners (with mixinq). One of the qravit thickeners is dedicated to the City of Conover. The City of Conover transports approximately four loads per week to the Regional Compost facility for final treatment/disposal. Lime stabilization is provided in the three remaining gravity thickeners for land application (by Synagro) under the authority of Permit No. WQ0003902. Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 9 Permit: NCO036196 Owner -Facility: Clark Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/09/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Yes No NA NE Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The backup generator is tested monthly (at a minimum) and serviced by Carolina CAT twice per year. Page# 10