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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0021181_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240304ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Jonathan Wilson, Public Works Director City of Belmont Post Office Box 431 Belmont, NC 28012 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection City of Belmont WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO021181 Gaston County Dear Mr. Wilson: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality March 4, 2024 Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on February 27, 2024, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. This Office would like to thank all of the City's wastewater 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 a copy of the enclosed report. Should you have any questions concerning this report, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at (704) 235-2192 or at wes.bell(a,deq.nc. gov. Enclosure: Inspection Report Cc: NPDES Program Files - Laserfiche Sincerely, DocuSigned by: v 4*tAw _ _ ,, 27DF9ACF858043F... Brandy Costner Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ 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 26115 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 NCO021181 I11 121 24/02/27 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 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 Dermit Number) 09:30AM 24/02/27 19/12/01 Belmont WWTP 298 Parkdale Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Belmont NC 28012 01:45PM 24/02/27 24/06/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Tanya S Carter/ORC/704-825-3791/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Miles Braswell,PO Box 431 Belmont NC 28012/City Manager/704-825-5586/ 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 Docusigned by: DWR/MRO WQ/704-235-2192/ �� Be& 3/4/2024 A61696D90CC3437... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Brandy Costner DWR/MRO WQ/704-235-2185/ Docusignedby: 3/4/2024 EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. `27DFMCF858043F.. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NC0021181 I11 12I 24/02/27 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On -site Representatives: The following City of Belmont staff were in attendance during the inspection: Mr. Jonathan Wilson, Ms. Tanya Carter and Mr. Anthony Bain. Page# Permit: NCO021181 Owner -Facility: Belmont WWTP Inspection Date: 02/27/2024 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 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: The City implements a Division -approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The Division received the City's permit renewal package on 12/6/23. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 2/28/23. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO021181 Inspection Date: 02/27/2024 Owner -Facility: Belmont 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 January 2023 through December 2023. Effluent TSS limit violations were reported from May through July 2023. In addition, effluent fecal coliform violations were reported from January through July 2023. Upstream and downstream fecal coliform, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and temperature monitoring violations were reported in September 2023. The Division has previously addressed these violations through the issuances of either a NOV or NOV/civil penalty assessment. The units of measurement of the quarterly metals results will be corrected and the applicable eDMRs will be revised/resubmitted startina January 2022. 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 ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: Influent and effluent analyses (including field) are performed by Pace Analytical Services. 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? Comment: The subject permit requires influent composite BOD and TSS samples. Effluent Sampling Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO021181 Inspection Date: 02/27/2024 Owner -Facility: Belmont WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling # 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 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The wastewater treatment facility appeared to be adequately treatinq wastewater at the time of the inspection. In-depth operation and maintenance records (including process control measurements) were being performed and documented on -site. The City contracted a company last year to reduce the solids inventory (via dewatering and landfill disposal) at the WWTP. Additional dewatering to reduce the solids inventory will be initiated within the near future. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NCO021181 Inspection Date: 02/27/2024 Grit Removal Is the grit free of excessive odor? # Is disposal of grit in compliance? Owner -Facility: Belmont WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at a permitted landfill. Chemical Feed Is containment adequate? Is storage adequate? Are backup pumps available? Is the site free of excessive leaking? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Sodium hydroxide is added (via gravity) into the influent waste stream prior to the aeration basin. The sodium hvdroxide tank is double -walled. Aeration Basins Mode of operation Type of aeration system Is the basin free of dead spots? Are surface aerators and mixers operational? Are the diffusers operational? 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? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) Yes No NA NE Ext. Air Surface ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The City contracted a company in June 2023 to reduce the solids inventory in the aeration basin. The contracted company used a belt press to dewater solids for disposal at the CMS landfill. The City has re -hired the contracted company to reduce the solids inventory due to limited storage capacity. The 30-minute settleabilty test performed during the inspection revealed a high solids inventory (960 ml/L). Secondary Clarifier Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? Are weirs level? Is the site free of weir blockage? Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? Is scum removal adequate? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO021181 Owner -Facility: Belmont WWTP Inspection Date: 02/27/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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: Both secondaries were operational and in service. The unlevel weirs did not create short-circuiting conditions. The sludge blanket levels in the secondaries were measured at seven and four feet. Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Disinfection -Gas Are cylinders secured adequately? Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? 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? 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? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The accumulated sludqe levels in the chlorine contact chamber were measured between 3.5 ft. to 4 ft. The level of settleable solids should be kept at less than one foot. De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Gas Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NCO021181 Owner -Facility: Belmont WWTP Inspection Date: 02/27/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 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 is calibrated quarterly and was last calibrated on 1/1/24 by Experienced Water Solutions, Inc. 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with trace suspended solids and no foam. The effluent is discharged into the receiving stream via submerged outfall. Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the mixing adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the odor acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Both aerobic digesters were operational and in service. Bio-solids are land applied by a contract company under land application permit No. WQ0003281. Dewatered sludge from the aeration basin is disposed at a permitted landfill. Standby Power Is automatically activated standby power available? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 8 Permit: NC0021181 Inspection Date: 02/27/2024 Owner -Facility: Belmont WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Standby Power 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: The backup generator can power the entire plant with the exception of the blowers in the aerobic digesters and three surface aerators in the aeration basin. The generator is tested (automatically) under load weekly and serviced annually by City staff. The City also participates in a Load Management program. Page# 9