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Home My WebLink AboutNC0023876_CEI_Letter_20230919ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director City of Burlington Attn: David Cheek, Interim City Manager P.O. Box 1358 Burlington, NC 27216-1358 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality September 21, 2023 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant NPDES Permit Number: NCO023876 Alamance County Dear Mr. Cheek: On September 6th, 2023, Division of Water Resources staff, Ron Boone, conducted a routine compliance evaluation inspection at the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant, NPDES permit NC0023876.Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), Rick Asher, was present during the inspection. A review of records, data, treatment components, structures, and the outfall was completed. This inspection reflected compliance with the subject permit. The attached inspection report reflects the detailed findings of the inspection. No concerns, deficiencies, or violations were noted. Please feel free to contact Mr. Boone by phone at 336.776.9690, or by email at ron.boone@deg.nc.gov, with any questions or concerns you may have. Attachments: Water Compliance Inspection Report cc: Rich Asher, ORC, via email Sincerely, �-�'ME225CMEA... uSiTgned by: E l 5m1tr Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Winston-Salem Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 NoanicaaouNn 336.776.9800 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 NCO023876 I11 121 23/09/06 I17 18I � I 19 I s I 201 I 211IIIII 111111III II III III1 I I IIIII IIIIIIIII II r6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 67 I 72 I ni I 71 I 74 79 I I I I I I I80 701 I 71 I LL -1 I I LJ 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 Dermit Number) 10:00AM 23/09/06 14/07/01 Southside WWTP 2471 Boy Wood Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Burlington NC 27215 12:OOPM 23/09/06 19/06/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Richard Brian Asher/ORC/336-227-6261/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Robert C Patterson,PO Box 1358 Burlington NC 272161358//336-222-5130/3365706175 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 Ron Boone Docusigned by: DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9690/ o*%,Z& Boom 9/25/2023 This is the second version of this inspection report. B20F8DD5F2A3460... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Docusigned by: 9/25/2023 FLam - -T. 15 ,,dcr F6359( EPA Form v 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO023876 I11 12I 23/09/06 117 18 i c i (Cont.) Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On September 6th, 2023, Division of Water Resources staff, Ron Boone, conducted a routine compliance evaluation inspection at the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant, NPDES permit NC0023876. Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), Rick Asher, was present during the inspection. A review of records, data, treatment components, structures, and the outfall was completed. This inspection reflected compliance with the subject permit. The facility takes flow from both Burlington and Swepsonville. Wastewater from both towns flows into the equalization basin and influent flow is measured post -equalization basin. The city collects time composite influent samples and flow proportional composite effluent samples. Effluent flow is reported. Meters are calibrated quarterly by Carolina Technical Services, Inc. Discharge monitoring reports (DMR), laboratory reports, and chain of custodies from December 2022 and June 2023 were reviewed. No mistakes or transcription errors were noted. The city's lab conducts all monitoring except low-level mercury, inorganics, and bioassays, which they contract to Meritech Labs, and PFAS and 1,4-dioxane, which they contract to a lab located in Wilmington. The permittee is a member of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association and there are no in -stream monitoring requirements. Operator's visitation logs and operation and maintenance records were also reviewed. The city uses HACH's computer -based Water Information Management Solution to manage many aspects of the operation and maintenance of the facility. All documentation appears to be maintained on site at the plant as required by the permit. The plant appears to be well maintained and operated. The level of the equalization basin was about 8 feet at the time of the inspection, but it still had plenty of available capacity remaining. All mixers and the aerator were/was present and operational. There was not a large amount of floating material. The structure itself appears to be in very good condition. The bar screen and grit removal processes are in good condition and operating effectively. There appears to be little organic matter in the grit. Both the screenings and grit are landfilled. The structures themselves appear to be in good condition. Only one of the two primary clarifiers is currently in operation. The other is down for repair. The one in operation appears to be functioning well and no concerns were noted. There is very little, if any carryover, and the weirs appear level. The structure itself is in good condition, but Mr. Asher stated it will be undergoing refurbishment after the other is finished. The throats are being replaced along with the drive units and the bridges, scrapers, and skimmers are being repaired/maintained as needed. Mr. Asher stated that the biological nutrient removal process is operating very well. It operates completely biologically with no chemical supplementation. It appeared to be operating well, and no concerns were noted. The structures themselves appear to be in good condition. The mixed liquor in the aeration basins appears very healthy and imparts a pungent earthy odor. Air is very well diffused throughout the basins with no dead spots and foam is nominal. The structures themselves appear to be in very good condition. The secondary clarifiers also appear to be operating well and no concerns were noted. There is very little floating scum/solids and weir carryover. The weirs appear level. The structures themselves appear to be in good condition. The tertiary sand filters are deep bed denitrifying filters. No issuesor concerns were noted, and they appeared to be operating very well. Filter effluent was very clear. Page# Permit: NCO023876 Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation The plant converted in January 2023 from using chlorine gas for disinfection to Sodium Hypochlorite. Sulfur Dioxide is still used for dechlorination at this time but a conversion to Sodium Bisulfite is underway. No issues were noted with either system. Sludge is thickened in one of two dissolved air floatation thickeners and then stored in one of four storage tanks. No chemical conditioning of the sludge is used at this time. The lime stabilization process has been decommissioned. The plant now presses the sludge into cake, and it is then hauled off by McGill Environmental Systems to be composted. The plant's 2,250 KW generator operates the entire plant and it comes on automatically upon power loss. The outfall was inspected. The outfall and the right-of-way to the outfall are well maintained. The effluent is very clear and odor free and appears even cleaner than the creek water. There was no foam of floating solids detected in the stream. The plant is well secured, clean, and no hazards were detected during the inspection. The entire plant appears very well operated and maintained. No concerns, deficiencies, or violations were noted during this inspection. Page# Permit: NCO023876 Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 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: Facility is transitioning from chlorine and sulfur dioxide gases to sodium hypochlorite and sodium bisulfite. 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None Laboratory Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NCO023876 Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: None 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None 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: None Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ and sampling location)? Comment: Member of Upper Cape Fear River basin association. Page# 5 Permit: NC0023876 Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of excessive grease? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None Primary 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO023876 Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Primary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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) ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The east clarifier is down for repair at this time. Nutrient Removal Yes No NA NE # Is total nitrogen removal required? ❑ N ❑ ❑ # Is total phosphorous removal required? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Type Biological # Is chemical feed required to sustain process? EIN ❑ ❑ Is nutrient removal process operating properly? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the diffusers operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 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) ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NC0023876 Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None 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: None Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 8 Permit: NCO023876 Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE Comment: Fully transitioned to sodium hypochlorite in January 2023. De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Gas Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: None Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Number of tubes in use? Comment: None 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: Meter reports to SCADA. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: None 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the odor acceptable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 9 Permit: NCO023876 Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Aerobic Digester Comment: None Solids Handling Equipment Is the equipment operational? Is the chemical feed equipment operational? Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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 Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is not lime stabilizing sludge at this time. It has converted to pressing sludge. Chemical Feed Is containment adequate? Is storage adequate? Are backup pumps available? Is the site free of excessive leaking? Comment: None Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: PH, DO, settleable solids, MLSS, temperature, etc. 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? • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 10 Permit: NC0023876 Inspection Date: 09/06/2023 Standby Power Is the generator fuel level monitored? Comment: None Owner -Facility: Southside WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 11