WQ0023261_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240220

DocuSign Envelope ID: 86DA8CC6-3F5B-43CC-AC4C-6471142A7F6E
Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0023261 Effective: 10/01/20 Expiration: 10/31/26 Owner: Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Swansboro WWTP
County: Onslow 199 Williams Rd
Region: Wilmington
Swansboro NC 28584
Contact Person: Seth Adam Brown Title: Treatment Facilities Administratc Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
Approximately 0.25 miles southeast of the intersection of SR 1511 and SR 1512 at the Town of Swansboro WWTP site and also
northeast of the intersection of SR 1432 adn SR 1744
System Classifications: WW3.,
Primary ORC: Mark Curtis Young Certification: 1001105 Phone: [phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
On -site representative Seth Adam Brown 910-355-0267
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 02/20/2024 Entry Time 10:OOAM Exit Time: 12:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Helen I Perez D�RQexg ed by. Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s): 1IwJ
1 D645B4A39694BE...
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: High Rate Infiltration
Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water
Use Records
Treatment Filters
Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment
End Use -Infiltration
Standby Power
(See attachment summary)
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Treatment Barscreen
Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge
Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection
Treatment Flow Measurement Treatment Return pumps
Page 1 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: 86DA8CC6-3F5B-43CC-AC4C-6471142A7F6E
Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 02/20/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
A routine compliance inspection of the Swansboro WWTF was conducted on February 20, 2024. The purpose of the
evaluation was to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit
WQ0023261. Mark Young, Seth Brown and Dakota Marston were present during the inspection.
This 600,000 gallon facility consists of dual oxidation ditch wastewater treatment with a high -rate infiltration disposal
system. The average flow reported for the month of December 2023 was 434,693 gallons. The facility appears to be well
maintained and records were detailed and well organized. Staff is currently building up the spare part inventory for the aging
plant. There are plans to paint the entire plant this year. Field parameter bench sheets and calibrations were available for
review and found complete. ONWASA has a centralized laboratory, Certification #539, that analyzes the remaining
parameters.
A review of records since the last inspection in April 2022, shows an NOV issued in June 2023 for fecal limit exceedances
and in November of 2022, there was a bypass at the effluent pump station and basin located downstream of the UV
disinfection system.
The facility is compliant with Non -Discharge Permit WQ0023261. Please review the comment sections of the inspection
report for more details.
Page 2 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: 86DA8CC6-3F5B-43CC-AC4C-6471142A7F6E
Permit: WQ0023261
Inspection Date: 02/20/2024
Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Reuse (Quality)
❑
Lagoon Spray, LR
❑
Single Family Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
❑
Recycle/Reuse
❑
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
❑
Single Family Drip
❑
Infiltration System
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No comment.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The flowmeter was calibrated on 01/09/2024 by Carolina Technical Services.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Yes No NA NE
Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The effluent flowmeter, used for reporting, was calibrated on 01/09/2024 by Carolina Technical
Services.
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 86DA8CC6-3F5B-43CC-AC4C-6471142A7F6E
Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 02/20/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Is automatically activated standby power available?
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source?
Is generator operable?
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑❑❑■
Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Normally, the generator is tested under load every Monday. Recently, an electrical issue was
discovered when running under load and is in the process of being repaired.
Treatment Barscreen Yes No NA NE
Is it free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is disposal of screenings in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the bars spaced properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Influent flows through a mechanical semi -cylindrical screen with a screw conveyer and a vortex
grit removal system. A manual barsceen is located in a bypass channel if needed. The
high-level alarm was activated and found operational during the inspection. An alarm
notification was received by the operator through a cell phone call.
Treatment Activated Sludge Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration mechanism operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is activated sludge an acceptable color? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: There are dual, 300,000 gallon oxidation ditches with DO monitoring. Only Oxidation Ditch #2
was in operation. Oxidation Ditch #1 is used for peak flow events. Process control consists of
daily TSS and settleometer tests. Staff is currently building up the spare part inventory for the
aging ditches.
Treatment Clarifiers
Yes No NA NE
Are the weirs level?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the weirs free of solids and algae?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system operational?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system accessible?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids?
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No comment.
Treatment Return pumps Yes No NA NE
Are they in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are they operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Operators analyze TSS on the RAS and WAS daily for process control.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 86DA8CC6-3F5B-43CC-AC4C-6471142A7F6E
Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 02/20/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Treatment Filters Yes No NA NE
Is the filter media present? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter media the correct size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the clear well free of excessive solids? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does backwashing frequency appear adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Tertiary treatment consists of dual cloth disc filters. The control panal and transducer for one of
the disc filters was replaced this past year. Backwashing occurs automatically every 120
minutes or through high levels.
Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration pattern even? ❑ ❑ ❑
If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The 46,900 gallon sludge digester has a mechanical aeration system. Solids are transferred to
the 315,000 gallon sludge holding tank until they are removed by Triple S three times a year
for land application. The four drying beds, listed in the permit, appear to not be used.
Treatment Disinfection
Yes No NA NE
Is the system working?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is there adequate detention time (-30 minutes)?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the system properly maintained?
❑ ❑ ❑
If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the chlorinator accessible?
❑
❑ ❑
If tablets, are tablets present?
❑
❑ ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
❑
❑ ❑
Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth?
❑
❑ ❑
If UV, are extra UV bulbs available?
❑ ❑ ❑
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate?
❑
❑ ❑
# Is it a dual feed system?
❑
❑ ❑
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs 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?
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 86DA8CC6-3F5B-43CC-AC4C-6471142A7F6E
Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 02/20/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: UV disinfection consists of 3 banks in series. The UV bulbs were replaced and sleeves cleaned
recently after a daily limit fecal exceedance. Staff checks the UV transmittance daily.
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of current permit available?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
❑ ❑ ❑
NDAR?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are application rates adhered to?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
❑
❑ ❑
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are annual soil reports available?
❑
❑ ❑
# Are PAN records required?
❑
❑ ❑
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
❑
❑ ❑
If so, has it been applied?
❑
❑ ❑
Are operational logs present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are lab sheets available for review?
❑
❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
❑
❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s?
❑
❑ ❑
Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
❑ ❑ ❑
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
❑
❑ ❑
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: There have been sporatic Nitrate and pH groundwater exceedances in the Monitoring Wells.
The facility is not designed to denitrify. Operators use daily task sheets, weekly
data sheets
and bi-weekly maintenance logs that get entered into a computer software program.
In
addition, this program tracks lab results and the monthly reports. The effluent composite
sampler cabinet was -1 degrees Celcius when checked during the inspection.
End Use -Infiltration Yes No NA NE
# Is the application High Rate or Low Rate? High Rate
Are buffers maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB? ❑ ❑ ❑
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 86DA8CC6-3F5B-43CC-AC4C-6471142A7F6E
Permit: WQ0023261 Owner - Facility:Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Inspection Date: 02/20/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Is municipal water available in the area?
Are GW monitoring wells required?
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB?
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval?
Is a usable green area maintained?
Is the disposal site acceptable?
Is the distribution equipment acceptable?
Is the disposal site free of ponding?
Is the disposal site free of breakout?
Are the disposal sites free of solids, algae, etc.?
Do the records show that the fields are properly maintained?
Are the disposal sites free of vegetation?
Do any surface water features appear to be adversely impacted by GW discharge?
No chemicals or rototiller used to eliminate vegetation, solids, algae, etc.?
Comment: There are some small trees qrowinq on the bottom of the 5-acre Infiltration Basin #1. The
removal of vegetation is on the agenda.The spillways, where effluent enters the basin, and the
berms of all the basins were in good condition. All the monitoring wells were locked and
appeared to be in good condition as well. Freeboard in all basins was at least 8 feet.
Groundwater from each basin is discharged by gravity to Pasture Branch, which flows across
Hwy 24 to Queen's Creek.
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