NC0088722_Inspection_20231109

ROY COOPER
Cavern or
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Andrew Bryant, Director, Development Services
Lincoln County
It 5 W Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
November 9, 2023
Lincoln County/Killian Creek WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NCO088722
Lincoln County
Dear Mr. Bryant:
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject
facility on October 31, 2023, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. This Office would like to thank all WWTP staff for their
cooperation and assistance that was provided throughout this inspection. 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 [phone] or at
we s.bellgdeq.nc. gov.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
A w N Nl-ft
F161 FB69A2D84A3...
Andrew H. Pitner, P.G.
Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosure: Inspection Report
Cc: NPDES Program Files - Laserfiche
DEQ�
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 28115
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 NCO088722 111 121 23/10/31 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)
09:15AM 23/10/31
20/03/01
Killian Creek WWTP
7085 Old Plank Rd
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Stanley NC 28164
01:05PM 23/10/31
25/02/28
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
James Timothy Simmons/ORC/704-748-2314/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Andrew C Bryant,115 W Main St Lincolnton NC 28092//704-736-8495/
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 ocusignedby: DWR/MROWQ/704-235-2192/ 11/8/2023
Be&
E�D:,,,
96D90=437...
t'€1 * fewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Signature of MaCrAos-4
Andrew Pitn u`' H P44ftR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 11/9/2023
1FB69A2D84A3...
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type
NCO088722 I11 12I 23/10/31 117 18 i c i
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Page#

Permit: NCO088722 Owner -Facility: Killian Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 10/31/2023 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
0
❑
❑
❑
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Construction activities on the new treatment facilities are close to being completed
and
upgrades to the older treatment units have been initiated.
The last compliance evaluation inspection (Bioassay) at this facility was performed
by
DWR staff on 10/12/2021.
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
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Page# 3

Permit: NCO088722
Inspection Date: 10/31/2023
Owner -Facility: Killian 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 for the period October 2022
through September 2023. All monitoring frequencies were correct. A weekly average
fecal coliform effluent violation was reported in February 2023. The Division has
Previously addressed this limit violation through the issuance of a civil penalty.
Laboratory
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
0
❑
❑
❑
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
■
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degrees Celsius)?
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees?
0
❑
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❑
Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees?
■
❑
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Comment: Influent and effluent analyses (including field) are performed under the County's
laboratory certification #558. Meritech, Inc. has also been contracted to
provide
analytical support.
Influent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is composite sampling flow proportional?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is sample collected above side streams?
0
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Is proper volume collected?
0
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Is the tubing clean?
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
0
❑
❑
❑
degrees Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: The subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite samples.
The sampler
tubing should be replaced within the near future.
Effluent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is proper volume collected?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the tubing clean?
0
❑
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❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
■
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degrees Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
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representative)?
Page# 4

Permit: NCO088722
Inspection Date: 10/31/2023
Effluent Sampling
Owner -Facility: Killian Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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?
Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be properly operated and well
Yes No NA NE
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
maintained. The ORC and staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program
with all measurements being properly documented and maintained on -site.
The facility is equipped with a SCADA system to assist the on -site staff with the
operation of the treatment processes/units.
Bar Screens
Type of bar screen
Yes No NA NE
a.Manual
❑
b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
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Is the screen free of excessive debris?
0
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Is disposal of screening in compliance?
M
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Is the unit in good condition?
0
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Comment: Both mechanical screens are operational; however, only
one train was in service.
Grit Removal
Type of grit removal
Yes No NA NE
a.Manual
❑
b.Mechanical
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
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Is the grit free of excessive odor?
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# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
0 ❑
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Comment: The facility has two grit removal trains; however, the new grit removal unit is in the
process of being repaired. Screenings and
grit are disposed at the County Landfill.
Page# 5

Permit: NC0088722 Owner -Facility: Killian Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 10/31/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Grit Removal Yes No NA NE
Sequencing Batch Reactors
Yes
No
NA
NE
Type of operation:
Duplex
Is the reactor effluent free of solids?
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0
❑
Does minimum fill time correspond to the peak hour flow rate of the facility?
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0
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Is aeration and mixing cycled on and off during fill?
0
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❑
The operator understands and can explain the process?
0
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Comment: The wastewater facility will utilize a quadraplex treatment system (four SBR treatment
trains) once upgrades are completed. The facility is currently
using the two new SBRs
while the two original trains are being upgraded. The mixed liquor
suspended solids
appeared to be well mixed and adequately oxygenated.
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Yes No
NA
NE
Are pumps in place?
0 ❑
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❑
Are pumps operational?
0 ❑
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Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
0 ❑
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Comment:
Equalization Basins
Is the basin aerated?
Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment?
Is the basin free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Are audible and visual alarms operable?
# Is basin size/volume adequate?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The SBR's effluent is conveyed into a post equalization basin prior to the downstream
treatment processes. Excessive suspended solids were not observed.
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
Yes
No
NA NE
Type of operation:
Cross
flow
Is the filter media present?
0
❑
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Is the filter surface free of clogging?
0
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Is the filter free of growth?
0
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Page# 6

Permit: NCO088722
Inspection Date: 10/31/2023
Owner -Facility: Killian Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the air scour operational?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is the scouring acceptable?
■
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Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media?
0
❑
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Comment: The facility is equipped with five trains of rotary
disc filters (12 discs per train).
Disinfection - UV
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site?
■
❑
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❑
Are UV bulbs clean?
0
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Is UV intensity adequate?
0
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Is transmittance at or above designed level?
■
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Is there a backup system on site?
0
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Is effluent clear and free of solids?
0
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Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
❑
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❑
Is the flow meter operational?
0
❑
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
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0
❑
Comment: The flow meter is calibrated annually and was last calibrated on 1/18/2023 b
Clearwater, Inc.
Effluent Pipe
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
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Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
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If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
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0
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Comment: The facility was not discharqinq at the time of the inspection; however, the treated
wastewater being recirculated during the inspection (for proper
UV operation) during
facility upgrades, was clear with no floatable solids or foam.
Aerobic Digester
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the capacity adequate?
■
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Is the mixing adequate?
0
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Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
0
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Page# 7

Permit: NC0088722
Inspection Date: 10/31/2023
Aerobic Digester
# Is the odor acceptable?
# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
Owner -Facility: Killian Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Comment: The facility has four aerobic digesters and two sludge holding basins.
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
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Yes
No
NA
NE
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Comment: The facility is equipped with rotary drum thickeners and rotary sludge dewaterinq
presses. The wastewater staff were not dewaterinq sludge at the time of the
inspection. Bio-solids are either land applied by Synagro or disposed at the County
Landfill.
Chemical Feed
Is containment adequate?
Is storage adequate?
Are backup pumps available?
Is the site free of excessive leaking?
Comment:
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?
Is the generator fuel level monitored?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Both generators are tested weekly (automatically) and placed under load multiple times
throuahout the vear. The aenerators are also serviced by Clark Power every vear.
Page# 8

Permit: NC0088722
Inspection Date: 10/31/2023
Owner -Facility: Killian Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Page#