HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQCS00010_Annual Report_20230814Public Services Department
Derrick Q. Boone
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
August 14, 2023
System Performance Annual Report
N.C. DEQ Water Resources
1617 Mail Services Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Reference: Annual Wastewater Report (FY 2022-2023)
Dear Sir or Madam:
NORTH CAROHNNS INTERNATIONAL
NC Department of
Environmental Qualify,
Received '
AUG 15 2023
Winston-Salem
Regional Of,,,:
Enclosed are three copies of the City of High Point Annual Wastewater Report (FY 2022-2023). Please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need any additional information.
Sincerely,
Derrick Q. Boone
Assistant Public Services Director
CC: N.C. DEQ Water Resources, Attn: Jenny Graznak, Winston-Salem Regional Office, 450 West Hanes Mill Road,
Suite 300, Winston-Salem, INC 27105;
File
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, NC 27261 USA
Fax:336.883.1675 Phone:336.883.3215 TDD:336.883.8517
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Wastewater Divisions
ANNUAL WASTEWATER REPORT
SEWER COLLECTION AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
Report for FY 2022-2023
(July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023)
CITY O
high
point
On July 21, 1999, North Carolina Governor James Hunt signed a law, House Bill 1160, that placed reporting
requirements on the owners or operators of wastewater treatment and wastewater collection facilities in North
Carolina. Part of the legislation was a requirement to provide the user or customers of the system with an
annual report of the past year's performance including a summary of violations.
The purpose of these reports is to provide an understandable and informative description of the wastewater
treatment facilities and sewage collection system, describe the regulations with which these facilities must
comply, and promote a general awareness of these facilities and their role in protecting the environment.
The City of High Point operates two wastewater treatment facilities and a wastewater collection system that
collects and transports the wastewater to each of the two facilities. The names and permit information for
these facilities are listed below as well as those professionals designated by the State of North Carolina as
Operators in Responsible Charge (ORC):
Eastside Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Westside Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Sewage Collection System
5898 Riverdale Road
Jamestown, NC 27282
1044 West Burton Road
Thomasville, NC 27360
816 East Green Street
High Point, NC 27260
Ph: 336-822-4732
Ph: 336-822-4767 Ph: 336-883-3691
NPDES Permit #: NCO024210
NPDES Permit #: NCO024228 Collection Permit #: WQCS00010
John Thomas, ORC
Dawn Molnar, ORC
Cody Johnson, ORC
This report is available for viewing at City Hall (Public Services) or by logging onto our web site at
www.highpointnc.gov. Customers will be notified of its availability by printed notice on water and sewer bills.
Questions, comments, or requests for additional copies of this report should be directed to the Public Services
Department at 336-883-3215. This report has been completed by the staff of the City's Public Services
Department and is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief.
`8-14-2023
Robily Stone, Director of Public Services
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices 0
CITY Of
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT high
Wastewater Divisions point
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The Public Services Department bears the responsibility for wastewater collection and treatment. The Divisions
in the Department that are involved in wastewater collection and treatment are: Water & Sewer Mains,
Laboratory Services, Maintenance Services, Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant, Eastside Wastewater
Treatment Plant and Residuals Management.
The City's wastewater collection and wastewater treatment facilities provide service to homes, commercial
establishments, and industries. During this reporting period, there were approximately 42,627 connections
through which an average of 16.79 million gallons of wastewater traveled each day. This wastewater was
collected, treated, and then discharged back into the receiving stream. The city also treats wastewater from
the Archdale, Jamestown, and Sedgefield communities.
Multiple state agencies assure that stringent standards are met before the treated wastewater can be released
into a receiving stream. These standards are listed in a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit. Each facility that releases treated wastewater into surface waters, a stream for example, must possess
one of these permits. These permits regulate the type and amounts of pollutants that a facility can discharge.
The discharge limits specified in these permits are based on the ability of the stream to withstand the addition
of pollutants without having any noticeable impact on the water quality of the stream. These NPDES permits
include monitoring requirements and discharge limits. Some vary with seasons and have different maximums
for daily values, weekly averages, monthly averages, and quarterly averages.
Wastewater treatment is a complex process that is often taken for granted. However, it requires expensive
equipment and skilled operations, maintenance, laboratory, solids handling and engineering personnel working
constantly to assure adequate treatment twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, and 365 days
throughout the year.
COLLECTION SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The City of High Point wastewater collection system consists of
approximately 677 miles of gravity wastewater lines, 18 miles of pressurized
force mains, 22 lift stations, and 17,458 manholes. On average, 16.79
million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater flowed through this system
from homes and businesses, to either the Eastside or Westside Wastewater
Treatment Plant during the 2022-2023 reporting period.
(Left) -New section of aerial wastewater line along the Richland Creek Sewer Outfoll
The collection system consists of both gravity lines and (pressurized) force
mains. Wastewater discharged in neighborhoods flows by gravity into the
collection system. The size of the collection system lines increases to handle
the higher flow as more and more wastewater is collected from outlying
areas. Once the gravity lines get too deep, the flow must be pumped or
pushed up, by the City's lift stations, to a higher elevation where use of the
gravity lines will be resumed. The largest of these collection lines route the
wastewater to the two wastewater treatment plants.
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices 0
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Wastewater Divisions
C IT Y OF
high
point,
The lift stations are monitored 24 hours a day for proper operation. The Water/Sewer Mains Division has four
crews that are responsible for line cleaning and emergency response to calls from the public dealing with
collection system problems.
A State mandated fats, oils, and grease (FOG) program is also in effect. The Collection System maintenance
crews work diligently to keep the lines clean and well -maintained.
A concerted effort is necessary between the
City and its citizens to reduce the grease -related
problems in the collection system. Despite the City's best > -
efforts, sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's) happen in High
Point, just as they do in every municipality in North
1 "
Carolina. An SSO is when wastewater escapes from the
wastewater collection system to the surrounding ground
or nearby surface waters. The North Carolina Division of
Water Resources defines a reportable SSO as any spill to
the ground more than 1000 gallons or any spill,
regardless of the amount, which reaches any surface
waters. During this reporting period, the City of High
Point had 22 reportable SSO's. Approximately 45% of
SSO's in the City were attributed to grease, 11%to Inflow
and Infiltration, 16% to sewer main breaks or pump
Y a
station failures, 26% to debris/other blockages, and 2%
to roots. The SSO's are summarized in the Appendix.
r
(Above) —Upgraded lift station at Registers Creek
What the Mains Division is doing to Prevent/Reduce Spills
■ Inspect, repair, rehabilitate or replace sewer lines and pump stations as needed to eliminate
leaks or to increase system capacity.
• Inspect and clear collection system lines with cutting and flushing equipment.
■ Educate customers about proper disposal of fats, Oils, and Grease.
• Educate customers about proper disposal of wipes and other non-flushable items.
• Increase inspection of commercial grease traps in problem areas.
■ Utilization of computer software to better track/monitor compliance with containing grease,
fats, and oils.
■ Maintain collection system easements to keep roots from growing into collection lines and
limit plantings allowed along easements.
• Operate and continuous monitoring alarm system at pump stations; maintain and repair
pumps; use generators for backup power; replace pump stations with gravity sewers when
practical; monitor and inspect pump stations to identify repairs needed.
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Paint, N.C. 27261 0
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices
C I T Y O F
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Wastewater Divisions
high
point
Corrective Actions
Follow-up actions depend on the cause and severity of the spill and may include:
• Clearing of mains.
■ Cleanup
■ Disinfection
■ Inspection
■ Repair, rehabilitate or replacement of pipes.
• Increased inspections or other maintenance as needed.
■ Replacement of sewers or pump equipment with larger capacity facilities, in some cases.
• Notify the public and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality as required by
the Collections System Permit.
We ask customers to contact the City if they see debris or trash being deposited
into the sewer collection system.
To report a problem, please call 883-3111.
Assistance from the Public is greatly appreciated.
EASTSIDE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
The Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant
(WWTP) is a 5-stage biological nutrient
removal (BNR) facility and is permitted to
treat 26 million gallons per day (MGD). The
BNR process is for phosphorus and nitrogen
removal from wastewater.
(Leff) —Aerial view of the Eastside WWTP
An environment is created using influent
waste and return sludge from the secondary
clarifiers that encourages the growth of
phosphorus removing bacteria. The
phosphorus removing bacteria consumes
phosphorous at higher -than -normal levels
thus removing it before the water is discharged. In the BNR process, nitrogen is removed in two ways: Ammonia
is converted to nitrate nitrogen by an anaerobic biological process known as nitrification; Nitrate is converted
to nitrogen gas in a process called denitrification. These processes reduce the amount of total nitrogen in the
effluent. The reduction of phosphorous and nitrogen in the plant's effluent helps reduce the potential for algae
growth in Randleman Lake, to which the treated effluent is discharged.
Other treatment processes include screening, grit removal, primary clarification, 5-stage activated sludge,
secondary clarification, alum for additional phosphorus precipitation, effluent filtration, ultraviolet (UV)
disinfection, Dissolved Air floatation (DAF) thickeners — to thicken sludge prior to dewatering, post aeration,
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices 0
C IT Y OF
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT high
Wastewater Divisions point,
solids handling (dewatering and incineration), and odor control. All these processes support the biological
treatment necessary to remove pollutants from the wastewater.
The Eastside WWTP treated and discharged an average of 13.98 million gallons per day (MGD) or a total of
5,100.53 million gallons (MG) during the reporting year 2022-2023. During this report period, the Eastside
WWTP received three Notice of Violations (NOVs) for the exceedance of total phosphorus for the months of
March, April, and May 2023.
The staff at the Eastside WWTP are committed to effectively and efficiently treating the incoming waste to
produce an effluent that meets or exceeds the standards outlined in the NPDES permit.
WESTSIDE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is
also a 5-Stage Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR)
Facility and is currently permitted to treat 10
million gallons per day (MGD).
The treatment processes include a coarse bar
screen, influent lift pumps, fine screening, and grit
removal for preliminary treatment; primary
clarification; 5-stage activated sludge basins, for
BNR; final clarification; alum addition, for further
phosphorus precipitation; tertiary filtration;
Rotary Drum Thickening (RDT), to thicken sludge
prior to dewatering; ultraviolet light (UV), for
disinfection; post -aeration; solids handling, via
centrifuge; and odor control. (Above) — Aerial view of Westside WWTP
An average of 2.81. million gallons per day (MGD) or a total of 1,024.18 million gallons (MG) were treated and
discharged during the reporting year 2022-2023. The Westside WWTP was compliant with the NPDES permit
for 2022-2023 reporting period.
The goal of the dedicated staff of Westside Wastewater Treatment plant is to prevent pollution by removing
contaminants from wastewater producing an effluent that meets or exceeds the standards outlined in its' NPDES
permit.
RESIDUALS MANAGEMENT
The City's Residuals Management Division has the task of disposing of the wastewater biosolids from the
Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the disposal of alum
sludge solids generated by the Ward Water Plant. In 2022-2023, Residuals Management processed 65.8
million gallons (MG) of sludge from the two wastewater plants. The Residual's operators use two high-speed
centrifuges to dewater the biosolids, producing a material referred to as "cake". The "cake" is about 25% dry
solids by weight and becomes the feedstock for the incinerator.
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices 0
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Wastewater Divisions
C I ' Y p
high
point.
The Incineration system at Eastside W WTP is
permitted to burn 2,750 dry pounds of
biosolids per hour or 33 dry tons of biosolids
per day. This is the equivalent of six tractor
trailer loads of biosolids per day. This
incineration system allows the City to manage
its biosolids disposal in house. The only
material left over after the incineration process
is an inert ash which is then able to be
landfilled. The volume reduction from
dewatered biosolids to ash is approximately
95%.
(Left) - Incinerator Facility
The Residuals Management Division is
responsible for maintaining compliance with
EPA and State air quality standards. Extensive upgrades to the Incineration system were undertaken to meet
the Federal Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MALT) emissions standards. Operating under a State Air
Quality Permit, this Division is also responsible for overseeing additional state air quality permits issued to the
City. The Residuals Management Division strives to carry out its mission of providing efficient and prompt service
with its staff of dedicated employees.
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
The Central Maintenance Division maintains the city's Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant, Westside
Wastewater Treatment Plant, Residuals Management equipment, and all lift stations. The centralized
maintenance department consists of a maintenance superintendent, two assistant maintenance
superintendents, mechanics, electricians, and electronics technicians. The
main maintenance shop is centrally located at the Ward Water Filtration
Plant, with satellite shops at the Eastside and Westside Wastewater
Treatment Plants. All the technicians are well trained with many combined
years of maintenance experience.
(Right) - Electronics Technician at the Eastside W WTP
The electronics technicians are qualified to perform technical and skilled
work in the maintenance, repair, and replacement of electrical, electronic,
and pneumatic equipment at the treatment and collection facilities. This
section consists of individuals who possess a thorough knowledge and
background in troubleshooting and programming program logic controller
(PLC) based systems, performing computer based technical assistance for
the wastewater treatment plants, lift stations and residuals management.
The electronics technicians can create graphic screens and program the
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. This allows the
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices 0
C IT Y OF
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT high
Wastewater Divisions point,
lift stations and equipment at the wastewater treatment plants to be monitored and controlled remotely and,
in some cases, controlled from a centralized location. They are also responsible for installing and repairing
hardware and software for computers and peripheral devices and creating data bases and spreadsheets so that
historical data can be maintained and accessed daily.
The electricians are qualified to repair electric motors, high and low voltage switching equipment, electrical
control systems, and, also, perform general skilled maintenance. The electrical control systems include but
are not limited to centrifuge and incinerator controls, circuits, lighting, heating and air conditioning electrical
components, LIV disinfection systems and diesel generator electrical systems.
The mechanics troubleshoot and repair complex pumping and wastewater treatment equipment. This includes,
but is not limited to the following: gearboxes, grit collection equipment, conveyors, mechanical grinders, various
types of pumps, blowers, compressors, mixers, centrifuges, fluidized bed incinerator, control valves and other
process equipment. They possess technical skills such as proper alignment techniques, welding, use of a cutting
torch and some limited machine shop skills.
The mission of the Water and Sewer Maintenance Division is to maintain the equipment at the Eastside
Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Frank L. Ward Water Filtration
Plant, the Residuals Management Division, and all Lift Stations in order that they remain in compliance with all
federal, state, and local regulations. An on -call maintenance team is available after hours, weekends and
holidays to respond to emergency equipment breakdowns at the wastewater plants, lift stations and residuals
management. Maintenance staff accomplished these goals through their timely response to corrective
maintenance work orders and by performing preventative maintenance as scheduled.
LABORATORY SERVICES
The City's state certified laboratory is centrally located at the Frank L. Ward Water Filtration Plant. The lab
provides comprehensive analytical monitoring and compliance support for the Public Services
Department/Plants Divisions. They ensure monitoring and reporting compliance with all permitted State,
Federal and local laws, and ordinances. The laboratory provides necessary
and required testing to ensure safe, clean drinking water, as well as
compliance testing for both wastewater treatment facilities, as stipulated
by their NPDES permits. On average, the lab reports over 13,000 permit
required tests to the state that aid in the safe and efficient operation of
the plants.
(Right) —Analysts collect samples at the Eastside WWTP
The Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) manages industrial,
commercial, and other types of non-residential wastewater discharges
into the City's sanitary sewer system with the intention of protecting the
system from pollutants that interfere with the treatment process, are
impervious to the treatment process or are harmful to the plant, sewer
lines or personnel. Industrial Pretreatment Program staff survey non-
residential facilities discharging into the sewer system and issue permits
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261 Q
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices
C I T Y O F
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT high
Wastewater Divisions point,
to those meeting certain criteria such as the type(s) of waste(s) discharged from their facility or discharge
volume. The issuance of
discharge permit limits are based on Federal categorical pretreatment regulations, local pollutant limits and
the ability of the treatment plant, either the Eastside WWTP or the Westside WWTP, to assimilate, treat and
remove substances from the incoming waste stream.
What is the City Response?
The City of High Point is committed to improving and maintaining compliance with all regulations regarding the
wastewater system. Below is a list of some of the major ongoing capital improvement projects:
• Estimated $9.3M for Registers Creek Lift Station and Force Main Project
• Estimated $5.5M for Whites Mill Lift Station and Force Main Project
• Estimated $10M for the Eastside WWTP UV Disinfection Upgrade Project
• Estimated $6.6M for the Westside WWTP Sludge Dewatering System Improvements
• Estimated $3.41M for Waterview Lift Station Force Main Extension Project
• Estimated $17.7M for Richland Creek Outfall- Aerial Replacement Project
Customer Responsibilities
The leading cause of overflows is debris and grease blockages in the lines. While the collection system is
designed to handle and safely transport sanitary waste to our treatment plants, too much grease or non -
biodegradable material placed into the system can cause clogs and result in sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
Dumping any fats, oils or grease derived from animal and vegetable sources, including meats, nuts, cereals and
beans, down any drain — home or business — can cause a stoppage that forces raw, untreated waste to spill into
our yards, streets, and streams. It is very important to help prevent all foreign materials, such as grease and
other household debris from entering the collection system, as these can cause blockages.
You can help the City of High Point reduce the number of overflows by following these simple steps:
• Collect grease, fats, and oils from cooking in a container and dispose of it in the garbage instead of
pouring it down the drain.
• Always scrape silverware, cookware, and dishes prior to washing.
■ Place food scraps in the garbage for disposal with your household solid waste.
• Remember "Wipes Clog Pipes" —so-called "Flushable Wipes" are NOT FLUSHABLE. Sanitizing wipes
should be disposed of in the garbage for disposal with your household solid waste.
Please call the City of High Point to report a water main break or sanitary sewer overflow.
To report a problem, please call 883-3111.
Assistance from the Public is greatly appreciated.
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices 0
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Wastewater Divisions
SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS (SSO'S)
APPENDIX 2022-2023
CITY Oi
hILh
point
DATE
LOCATION OF SSO
TOTAL SPILL
CAUSE
CORRECTIVE ACTION
13-Jul-22
1330 Old Jackson Lake Rd
250 gallons
Pipe Failure
New concrete pillar was
installed to encase and stabilize
the aerial pipe.
25-Jul-22
206 South Scientific Street
160 gallons
Grease
Flushed the line
31-Jul-22
3240 Bowers Ave
100 gallons
Grease
Flushed the line
2-Aug-22
'2355 Hickswood Road
350 gallons
Grease
Flushed and rodded line.
7-Aug-22
3300 Hillside Drive
18,920
Pump Station
Bubbler system was repaired,
gallons
Failure
and critical bulb was replaced.
7-Aug-22
511 Westwood Ave
200 gallons
Grease
Flushed and rodded line.
22-Oct-22
4701 Grandover Pkwy (*)
1808 gallons
Grease and
Flushed line and added
Debris
degreaser in lift station.
27-Oct-22
1700 Challock Way
40 gallons
Grease and
Removed grease,
Debris
flushed and rodded line.
15-Nov-22
2729 W English
355 gallons
Pipe Failure
Made repairs to main also
flushed the line.
5-Dec-22
507 N Lindsay St
100 gallons
Grease, Roots,
Flushed and rodded line also
and Debris
televised the line.
9-Dec-22
1601 Lazy Ln (*)
350 gallons
Grease and
Flushed and rodded line
Debris
13-Dec-22
4004 Premier Dr (**)
7000 gallons
Debris
Flushed line due to wipes also
televised line.
30-Jan-23
1629 Larkin St
5 gallons
Grease and
Flushed and Rodded line,
Roots
grease was removed from
main.
24-1an-23
1299 Kensington Dr
25 gallons
Grease and
Flushed and televised line.
Debris
2-Feb-23
1840 Blain St
15 gallons
Grease, Debris,
Replaced service line that was
and Pipe Failure
causing blockage.
8-Feb-23
206 Irbywood Dr
500 gallons
Pipe Failure
Contractors replaced the
damaged pipe. Pipe was
televised to ensure there was
no further damage.
7-Mar-23
1143 Robert Ln (*)
23000
Vandalism and
Removed 186 bricks from main,
gallons
Debris in line
flushed the line and installed
four lock down lids to prevent
further vandalism.
13-Mar-23
814 E Farriss Ave (*)
750 gallons
Debris in line
Flushed line
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261 Q
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices
PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Wastewater Divisions
C I T Y O F
high
point.
21-Mar-23
2359 Hickswood Rd (**)
2500 gallons
Grease
Flushed line with degreaser as
well as rodded line.
22-Mar-23
274 Dorothy St (**)
12600
Grease and
Flushed the line
gallons
Debris
12-Apr-23
1310 Kensington Dr
200 gallons
Grease
Flushed line
21-Apr-23
1709 Leonard Ave
410 gallons
Roots
Flushed and rodded line also
televised line.
*NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS
October 2022 December 2022 March 2023
4701 Grandover Parkway 1601 Lazy Lane 1143 Roberts Lane
814 E. Farriss Avenue
**NOTICE OF INTENT
December 2022
4004 Premier Drive
March 2023
2359 Hickswood Road
274 Dorothy St
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS —REPORTABLE STORMWATER SPILLS
EASTSIDE WWTP
N
TOTA L.)
£TINE Al
08-Sep-22
Ash Lagoon
60 gallons
Clogged
Plant maintenance unclogged the
Pump
ash decant pump and flushed the
discharge line to ensure blockage
was cleared.
WESTSIDE WWTP
— No reportable spills.
City of High Point, P.O. Box 230, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, N.C. 27261
Phone:336.883.3111 www.HighPointNC.gov/PublicServices