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Home My WebLink AboutNC0023736_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240306DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 ROY COOPER Co,ernor ELIZABETH S. B1SER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director o-`"` sreve4 l��QWM'�a NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONL Y.' NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. March 6, 2024 Elisa Robbins Triplett City of Lenoir Email: Irtriplett@CI. LENOIR. NC. US SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Gunpowder Creek WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NCO023736 Caldwell County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Gunpowder Creek WWTP on 2/13/2024. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0023736. 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, DocuSi�g/ne�d bye: I/VG�3 SACE19D3940C494... Rachel Rose, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Donnie Hawkins (CIRC) D_E Q firth[arolna9egartmenlofFm ronmrntalQualhV I N,1ti .MtrrRemu— Ashc+llk Rc9ianal Mcc 1 2090 U.S. Highway 70 1 8wanna—. North Caraltna 25776 ou.smixnno....io.iNJ-� 62&296.45C0 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 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 NC0023736 111 121 24/02/13 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 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 24/02/13 21/04/01 Gunpowder Creek WWTP 450 Pine Mtn Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Hudson NC 28638 12:OOPM 24/02/13 26/03/31 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 D 5 g d by: Mara G Chamlee hwx (LA*�- DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ 3/6/2024 [AA46g7633A65o45A Rachel Rose DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ 01.-Sig3/6/2024 Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date 3/6/2024 FpD—S19"Idby: EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO023736 I11 12I 24/02/13 117 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 13, 2024 of the Gunpowder Creek WWTP. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0023736. The following items were noted during the inspection: 1. Influent Pump Station: Ultrasonic flow transmitters are used to measure the level in the wet well with a backup float system available. The SCADA telemetry system adequately monitors and alerts for the level of the pump station. 2. Sequence Batch Reactors: The SBR system consists of 5 basins that flow in a train system. The flow starts in SBR tank #5 (train #1), then flows to SBR tanks #1 & #3 (train #2), and then flows to SBR tanks #2 & #4 (train #3). Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 Permit: NCO023736 Owner -Facility: Gunpowder Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/13/2024 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: The permit was under renewal at the time this inspection was conducted, and the most recent final permit was issued on February 22, 2024. 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 ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The process controls analyzed are settleable solids, DO, chlorine residual, and MLSS. 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: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 Permit: NC0023736 Owner -Facility: Gunpowder Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/13/2024 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: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: A new mechanical bar screen has been ordered. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # 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 being looked into. Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? M ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 ❑ Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 Permit: NCO023736 Inspection Date: 02/13/2024 Pump Station - Influent Owner -Facility: Gunpowder Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Comment: The influent pump station consists of four pumps that cycle in usage. See summary for details. Influent Sampling # 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The temperature of the composite sampler was 3 degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection. Flow Measurement - Influent 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 Technologies. The flow meter is calibrated every six months. Sequencing Batch Reactors Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Simplex, Multiple Is the reactor effluent free of solids? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Does minimum fill time correspond to the peak hour flow rate of the facility? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is aeration and mixing cycled on and off during fill? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ The operator understands and can explain the process? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: At the time of the inspection, SBR basin #5 was in the settling mode and settleability of SBR basin #5 was measured to be 51 % (490/1000mL). See summary for details. Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 Permit: NC0023736 Inspection Date: 02/13/2024 Equalization Basins Owner -Facility: Gunpowder Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Are all pumps operable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Ultrasonic flow transmitters are used to measure the level of the EQ basin. The SCADA telemetry system adequately monitors and alerts for the level of the EQ basin. Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE 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: Solids are transported to the Lower Creek WWTP 5 days/week to be used in the belt press. 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? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? Comment: The contact chamber is pumped out every three months. De -chlorination Type of system ? 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? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Yes No NA NE Gas ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The excess sulfur dioxide gas cylinders were stored in the same room that the liquid hypochlorite was stored but were on opposite sides of the room. Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Page# 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 Permit: NCO023736 Inspection Date: 02/13/2024 De -chlorination Number of tubes in use? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Owner -Facility: Gunpowder Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: Only the influent flow meter is used for reporting. The flow meter was calibrated on January 30, 2024 by KDT Service Technologies. The flow meter is calibrated every six months. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: The analoq thermometer measured the temperature to be 4 degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection. 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Page# 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8C38AD4E-F69C-44F9-9759-6B62EE414745 Permit: NCO023736 Owner -Facility: Gunpowder Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/13/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power Yes No NA NE 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The generator is manually exercised monthly. Bumqarner Oil is the emergency fuel vendor for the facility. The fuel level was full at the time of the inspection. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ and sampling location)? Comment: All required instream sampling from Section A.(2.) of the permit was confirmed. Page# 8