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Home My WebLink AboutNC0020800_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230425EPA 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 NC0020800 23/04/25 C J31112171819 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) Andrews WWTP Reagan Ave Andrews NC 28901 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:30AM 23/04/25 19/09/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Timothy Brian Wood/ORC/828-557-8630/ Other Facility Data 12:30PM 23/04/25 23/08/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Michael Ladd,PO Box 1210 Andrews NC 289011210//828-321-3113/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program 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 Melanie Kemp DWR/ARO WQ/ - - / Daniel J Boss DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4658/ 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: 53CC77D0-FE32-4D6C-8FB9-18D5CEF4FE81 5/9/2023 5/10/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/04/25 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On April 25, 2023, Tristan Odekirk (EPA), Melanie Kemp, and I (Daniel Boss) conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Andrews WWTP. Tim Wood (ORC) and Zachary Mills (BORC) were present for the inpsection. The influent sampler measured 10C, the temperature of the sampler should be between 0C and 6C. The influent pump station has only 2 of 3 pumps installed and operating at the moment. The pumps can only be run one at a time in manual mode because the control panel doesn't work. This presents a risk for a sewage overflow since a back up pump will not turn on in the event that the operating pump has a failure. This is also causing difficulty for the plant to treat ammonia. Because they can only run one pump at a time, it's limiting their ability to recirculate the trickling filter effluent back to the pump station, which limits the ammonia removal (conversion to nitrate). The construction for a new influent pump is scheduled to begin in early summer. This is a critical repair/upgrade for this facility. The South trickling filter distribution arm-rotator is now also broken (North trickling filter distributor has been broken since 2021), so neither trickling filter is receiving proper distribution or recirculation. The chlorine contact chamber had a 2-2.5' sludge blanket out of 4' depth. This is unacceptable. The chlorine contact chamber needs to be pumped out more frequently to prevent solids from discharging throught the outfall. The chlorine contact chamber had overflowed just a few days prior to this inspection and it was not reported to the State. Any overflow of any process in the WWTP is considered a bypass and needs to be reported to the State under Part II (E)6.a. of the NPDES Permit Standard Conditions. According to Tim Wood the overflows at the contact chamber are caused by an under-sized effluent line. NC0020800 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 53CC77D0-FE32-4D6C-8FB9-18D5CEF4FE81 Permit:NC0020800 Inspection Date:04/25/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Andrews WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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: 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: 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? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 53CC77D0-FE32-4D6C-8FB9-18D5CEF4FE81 Permit:NC0020800 Inspection Date:04/25/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Andrews WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? The ORC log needs to include signature of the ORC or BORC for the daily visits and checks. 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? Comment: Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? Is the wet well free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? The influent PS can only run one pump at a time in manual mode. The active pump is alternated. This is a precarious situation because if the active pump trips out, the plant will have an overflow. Also this greatly limits the amount of recirculation through the trickling filters, which is important for reducing ammonia in the effluent. 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? The sampler temperature was 10 degrees C. The temperature should be between 0-6 degrees C. Comment: Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 53CC77D0-FE32-4D6C-8FB9-18D5CEF4FE81 Permit:NC0020800 Inspection Date:04/25/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Andrews WWTP Compliance Evaluation 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: Trickling Filter Yes No NA NE Is the filter free of ponding? Is the filter free of leaks at the center column of filter’s distribution arms? Is the distribution of flow even from the distribution arms? Is the filter free of uneven or discolored growth? Is the filter free of sloughing of excessive growth? Are the filter’s distribution arms orifices free of clogging? Is the filter free of excessive filter flies, worms or snails? The distribution arms for both trickling filters don't rotate, causing uneven distribution. There were a lot of filter flies on the trickling filters. The lack of controls at the influent pump prevents staff from increasing the recirculation of the trickling filter effluent. 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) The sludge blanket was only about 1' of 17' depth.Comment: Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 53CC77D0-FE32-4D6C-8FB9-18D5CEF4FE81 Permit:NC0020800 Inspection Date:04/25/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Andrews WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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 lbs 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? There was a 2-2.5' sludge blanket out of 4' depth in the contact chamber. The contact chamber needs to be pumped more frequently to keep the solids low. Comment: De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? 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? 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)? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 53CC77D0-FE32-4D6C-8FB9-18D5CEF4FE81 Permit:NC0020800 Inspection Date:04/25/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Andrews WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 53CC77D0-FE32-4D6C-8FB9-18D5CEF4FE81