NC0025348_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20231019

ROY COOPER
Governor �3T - � ,
ELIZABETH S.BISER ^ten
Secretary
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
October 19, 2023
Jordan Hughes, Director of Water Resources
City of New Bern
PO Box 1129
New Bern, NC 28563-1129
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
New Bern WWTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NCO025348
Craven County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the New Bern WWTP on
9/19/2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0025348. The findings and comments
noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled
"Compliance Inspection Report".
There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this
inspection report is not required.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Water Quality Regional
Operations Section, in the Washington Regional Office at 252-946-6481 or via email at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
---
Scott Vinson, Environmental Engineer
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Washington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS —Water Compliance Inspection Report-09192023, NCO025348
Cc: Tony Hawkins, ORC
NCDWR Central Files, Laserfiche
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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/molday Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 Iti I 2 15 I 3 1 NCO025348 I11 12 23/09/19 j
17 18I C I 19 I c I 201 I
21L1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 f6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
671 70I I 711 I 72 73�74 71 1 1 1 1 1 1 180
LJ ty Section B: Facility Data l-J
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)
09:45AM 23/09/19 23l01l01
New Bern WWTP
307 Glenburnie Dr Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
New Bern NC 28560 12:15PM 23/09/19 27/06/30
Name(s)of Onsite Representative(s)Mtles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data
111
Tony Randall Hawkins/ORC/252-639-7556/
Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Walter B Hartman,PO Box 1129 New Bern NC 285631129/City
Manager/252-636-4014/2526361848 No
Section C:Areas Evaluated During Inspection(Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations&Maintenar Records/Reports
Self-Monitoring Progran E 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
ScottA mson DWRNVARO WQ/919-791-4252/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Raw TAIF." DWR/WQROS/WARD 252-948-3921 10/20/2023
EPA Form 3560-3(Rev 9-94)Previous editions are obsolete.
Page# 1

NPDES yrlmo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) 1
31 NG0025348 I11 1 23/09/19 117 18 I r'E
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On September 19, 2023 Scott Vinson with the Division of Water Resources from the Washington
Regional Offie conducted a compliance evaluation of New Bern WWTP. Plant ORC's Tony Hawkins
and Art Hough and Head Lab chemsist Cheryl King were present during the inspection and were
helpful by answering all questions and by providing access to the entire site. Thanks and
appreciation goes out these staff members for their assistance.
Records Review: July 2022 and February 2023 eDMRs and corresponding lab data was throughly
reviewed and compared to lab data and field bench sheets with no descrepacies. The 2021 &2022
annual reports were available as well as the ORC Visitation & Operation and Maintenance logs. All
were complete and met records requirements. All other required documents such as the Flow meter
calibrations, lab certifications, etc. were made available for review. Lab chemist, Ms. King, was
available to assist with providing lab records.
Lab chemist, Ms. King, was available to assist with providing lab records. A contract lab is used for
metals whie the on-site New Bern WWTP lab performs the majority of the parameter analysis.
Lord & Company provides the flow meter calibrations.
Influent Flow meter calibrated on 8/22/2023 at 99.96% Accuracy by Dan Griffin.
Effluent Flow meter calibrated on 8/22/2023 at 99,96%Accuracy by Dan Griffin.
Efffluent to Quarry flow meter calibrated on 8/22/2023 at 99,97%Accuracy by Thomas Jones.
Efluent sampler is flow proportional and samples are 450mL per sample. The thermometer within the
sampler read 4 degrees Celsius.
Influent sampler is flow proportional and samples obtained are 450mL per sample. The thermometer
within the sampler read 5 degrees Celsius.
The collected debris, sand, grit, etc. is hauled to a lined landfill on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays each week.
Both clarifiers#1 &#2 were in good working condition, free of excessive algae and grease. There
was very minor pin floc present. ORC, Tony Hawkins performed a sludge measurement (w/sludge
judge) on both Clarfiers resulting in:
Clarifier#1 = 3.00 feet of sludge Blanket
Clarifier#2 = 1.50 feet of sludge Blanket
The tertiary filters are typically backwashed twice a day around 11:OOam & 3:00pm.
The high-water alarms for the filter functions thrugh the plant's SCADA system.
At the time of this inspections the sludge press and storage areas were temporarily shut down for
maintenance. The whole shelter area was being painted. The solids were temporarily being stored
in the digesters until painting is finished. Pleanty of room available. Site looks clean and well kept.
Grade A solids are mainly haued daily to the City's landfill for topping material.
Generators are tested weekly under load and the facility has a monithly maintenance checklist that it
uses to maintain them. The fuel tanks for the generators were around 70%+ full.
Page# 2

Permit: NCO025348 Owner-Facility: New Bern MWID
Inspection Rate: 0 911 91202 3 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:
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:
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

Permit: NCO025348 Owner-Facility: New Bern VVVvTP
Inspection Date: 0911912023 Inspection Typo: 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment; July 2022 and February 2023 eDMRs and corresponding lab data was throughly
reviewed and compared_to lab data and field bench sheets with no descrepacies. The
2021 & 2022 annual_reports were available as well as the ORC Visitation &Operation
and Maintenance logs. All were complete and met records requirements. All other
required documents such as the Flow meter calibrations, lab certifications, etc. were
made available for review. Lab chemist, Ms. Kinq, was available to assist with providing
lab records.
Laboratory Yes No NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? M ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is the facility using a contract lab? N ❑ ❑ ❑
# 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Lab chemist, Ms. King, was available to assist with providing lab records. A contract
lab is used for metals whie the on-site New Bern WWTP lab performs the maiority of
the parameter analysis.
Flow Measurement - Influent Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually? N ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the flow meter operational? M ❑ ❑ ❑
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: Lord & Company provides the flow meter calibrations. Influent Flow meter calibrated
on 8/22/2023 at 99,96%Accuracy by Dan Griffin.
Influent sampler is flow proportional and samples obtained are 450ml-per sample. The
thermometer within the sampler read 5 degrees Celsius.
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps present? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps operable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are Float controls operable? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
Page# 4

Permit: NCO025348 Owner-Facility: New Bern VJWTP
Inspection Date: 09/1 91202 3 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Comment:
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: The collected debris, sand, grit, etc, is hauled to a lined landfill on Mondays.
Wednesdays and Fridays each week.
Grit Removal Yes No NA NE
Type of grit removal
a.Manual ■
b.Mechanical ■
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the grit free of excessive odor? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is disposal of grit in compliance? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The collected debris, sand, grit, etc. is hauled to a lined landfill on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays each week.
Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE
Are the aerators operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the DO level acceptable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/l in 30 minutes) ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Page# 5

Permit: NCO025348 Owner-Facility: New Bern VVVVTP
Inspection Date: 09/19/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE
Comment:
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? E ❑ ❑ ❑
Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? E ❑ ❑ ❑
Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
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 Y4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Both clarifiers#1 &#2 were in good working condition free of excessive algae and
grease. There was very minor pin floc present. ORC, Tony Hawkins performed a
sludge measurement w/sludge 'ud e on both Clarfiers resulting in:
Clarifier#1 = 3.00 feet of sludge Blanket
Clarifier_#2_= 1.50 feet_of_sludge Blanket
Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are pumps operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Sand Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the distribution box level and watertight? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is sand filter free of ponding? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
# Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment: The tertiary filters are typically backwashed twice a day around 11:00am & 3:00pm.
The high-water alarms for the filter functions thrugh the plant's SCADA system.
Page# 6

Permit: NCO025348 Owner.Facility: New Bern VdWTP
Inspection Date: 0 911 9/2 0 2 3 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
(Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) M ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ? Liquid
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:
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
Comment: Lord & Company provides the flow meter calibrations. Effluent Flow meter calibrated
on 8/22/2023 at 99.96%Accuracy by Dan Griffin. Efffluent to Quarry flow meter
calibrated on 8/22/2023 at 99.97%Accuracy by Thomas Jones.
Efluent sampler is flow proportional and samples are 450mL per sample. The
thermometer within the sampler read 4 degrees Celsius.
Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE
Is the capacity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the mixing adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 7

Permit: NCO025348 Owner-Facility: New 8ern WWfP
Inspection Date: 0911912023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE
# Is the odor acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Solids Handling Equipment Yes No NA NE
Is the equipment operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the chemical feed equipment operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is storage adequate? M ❑ ❑ ❑
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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: At the time of this inspections the sludge press and storage areas were temporarily
shut down for maintenance. The whole shelter area was being painted. The solids
were temporarily being stored in the digesters until painting is finished. Pleanty of
room available. Site looks clean and well kept. Grade A solids are mainly haued daily
to the City's landfill for topping material.
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
power?
Is the generator fuel level monitored? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Generators are tested weekly under load and the facility has a monithly maintenance
checklist that it uses to maintain them.
The fuel tanks for the generators were around 70%+ full.
Page# 8