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Home My WebLink AboutNC0023981_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240228DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C ROY COOPER Co,ernor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS,]R. Director o-`"` sreve4 l��QWM'�a NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONL Y.' NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. February 28, 2024 Elisa Robbins Triplett City of Lenoir Email: Irtriplett@CI. LENOIR. NC. US SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Lower Creek WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NCO023981 Caldwell County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Lower Creek WWTP on 2/06/2024. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0023981. 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 Rachel Rose with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at rachel.rose@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: Ev GL��i� SACE19D3940C494... Rachel Rose, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Form Ec: Laserfiche Donnie Hawkins (ORC) D_EQ� firth[arollna9egartmenlofFm9ronmrntalQualhVlDivlsWnaFWaterResaurcrs Ashcvllk Rc9ianal Mcc 1 2090 U.S. Highway 70 1 8wanna—. North Caral1na 25776 ou.smixnno....i o.iNJ-� 62&296.45C0 DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C 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 NC0023981 I11 121 24/02/06 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 n, 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 permit Number) 10:OOAM 24/02/06 21/08/01 Lower Creek WWTP 1905 Broadland Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Lenoir NC 28645 11:OOAM 24/02/06 26/02/28 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Donnie Robert Hawkins/ORC/828-757-2198/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Elisa Robbins Triplett,PO Box 958 Lenoir NC 286450958H828-757-4462/ Yes 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 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 o Sig - Mara Mara G Chamlee M..va DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ 2/28/2024 CA469]633A65045A- Rachel Rose DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ ooa� 2/28/2024 Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Sig— by: 2/28/2024 Fooa yAAn.iU 156SS EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO023981 I11 12I 24/02/06 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Rachel Rose and Mara Chamlee, with the Asheville Regional Office (ARO), met with Donnie Hawkins (ORC, City of Lenoir) and Lisa Triplett (Superintendent, City of Lenoir) to conduct a Compliance Evaluation Inspection on February 06, 2024 of the Lower Creek WWTP. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0023981. The following items were noted during the inspection: 1. Influent Pump Station: The influent pump station consists of two larger pumps and two smaller pumps. The smaller pumps are used for regular flow and the larger pumps are used when there are high influent flow events. The system currently doesn't have high water floats, but instead uses an air compressor sensor to measure the level in the wet well. The SCADA telemetry system adequately monitors and alerts for the level of the pump station. 2. Influent Sampling: The temperature is currently being measured by the composite sampler thermometer. It is suggested to have a separate thermometer inside the composite sampler to measure the temperature. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C Permit: NCO023981 Owner -Facility: Lower Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/06/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit (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 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The process controls analyzed are MLSS, settleable solids, PH, DO, sludge fudge, and volatile solids. 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 DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C Permit: NCO023981 Owner -Facility: Lower Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/06/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: See summary for details. Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is proper volume collected? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the tubing clean? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # 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 thermometer from composite sampler measured 2.85 degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection. See summary for details. Flow Measurement - Influent 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: The flow meter was calibrated on January 30, 2024 by KDT Service Technologies. Bar Screens Type of bar screen Yes No NA NE Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C Permit: NCO023981 Owner -Facility: Lower Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/06/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: During high influent events, some of the flow diverts the mechanical bar screen and is screened by the backup manual bar screen which is spaced too far apart and does not adequately screen for debris. A new manual bar screen is planned to be installed. Grit Removal Type of grit removal Yes No NA NE 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The current grit removal system is obsolete and is after the influent pump station. Grit removal would serve better before the influent pump station to protect the pumps. A new grit removal system is currently budgeted for. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the diffusers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The DO was measured to be at 2.11 mg/L and the settleability was measured at 17% (830mL/1000mL) for basin #1 and 28% (720mL/1000mL) for basin #2 at the time of the inspection. Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C Permit: NC0023981 Owner -Facility: Lower Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/06/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The weirs are cleaned weekly. The sludqe blanket in each clarifier was measured to be at 2' out of 15' of water for clarifier #1 and 3' out of 15' of water for clarifier #2. The weirs are being budgeted for to be replaced. 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: Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Comment: Disinfection -Liquid Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Page# 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C Permit: NCO023981 Owner -Facility: Inspection Date: 02/06/2024 Inspection Type: Lower Creek WWTP Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Gas 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: Sulfur dioxide gas is used for de -chlorination. Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: The flow meter was calibrated on January 30, 2024 by KDT Service Technoloqies. 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: The digital thermometer inside the composite sampler measured the temperature to be 5.8 degrees Celsius. Page# 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 89E33771-70A3-4671-A16D-7C5DD931206C Permit: NCO023981 Owner -Facility: Lower Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/06/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Comment: 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The sludge handling equipment is operated 24/7. The facility has been operating the sludge handling equipment for the past three years. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: There are two generators for the facility and both are manually exercised monthly. Bumqarner Oil is the emergency fuel vendor for the facility. The fuel level was full for both generators at the time of the inspection. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and sampling location)? Comment: Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 8