The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutNC0065749_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240219ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Joseph Lockler, Operations Chief Environmental Management Division Charlotte Water 5100 Brookshire Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28216 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Ashe Plantation WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO065749 Mecklenburg County Dear Mr. Lockler: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality February 19, 2024 Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on February 15, 2024, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. This Office would like to thank all Charlotte Water 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 (704) 235-2192 or at wes.bell(a,deq.nc. gov. Sincerely, EA DocuSigned by: �•�Guw 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 el- DEQ�� North Carolina Department of Environmental quality I Divisionof Water Resources Mooresville Regional Office 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 704.6631699 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 NCO065749 111 121 24/02/15 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 Dermit Number) 09:15AM 24/02/15 22/01/01 Ashe Plantation WWTP 8634 Quarters Ln Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Mint Hill NC 28227 11:30AM 24/02/15 26/04/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Jeremy David Nance/ORC/704-634-3389/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Angela D Charles,5100 Brookshire Blvd Charlotte NC 282163371//704-336-5911/ 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 DocuSigned by: Wes Bell �� 6& DWR/MRO WQ/704-235-2192/ 2/19/2024 A61696D90CC3437... Signature of M @fliqe�itaQ§fi)Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Andrew Pit j'*'d4W H P4--%WR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 2/19/2024 F161FB69A2D84A3... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NC0065749 I11 12I 24/02/15 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On -site Representatives: The following Charlotte Water staff were in attendance during the inspection: Mr. Darrell DeWitt, Mr. Jeremy Nance, Mr. Shannon Sypolt and Mr. A.Z. Williams. Page# Permit: NCO065749 Owner -Facility: Ashe Plantation WWTP Inspection Date: 02/15/2024 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 Division issued an Authorization -to -Construct WC) to Charlotte Water (April 2023 for the installation of a new 100,000 gpd WWTP that includes flow equalization, extended aeration basin, circular mechanical clarifiers, aerobic sludge holding tank and a 2,500 gallon double -walled storage tank. Construction activities will be initiated within the near future. The existing WWTP that includes flow equalization, extended aeration basin, hopper -type clarifiers, aerobic digester and granular media filters will be demolished. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 10/15/2022. 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? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO065749 Owner -Facility: Ashe Plantation WWTP Inspection Date: 02/15/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were orqanized and well maintained. Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period January 2023 through December 2023. No limit and/or monitoring violations were reported. In -de operation & maintenance records (including process control measurements) were beina maintained on -site. 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the facility using a contract lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ degrees Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: Effluent analyses (including field) are performed by Charlotte Water's Environmental Services Laboratory (Certification #192). Field analyses (PH and temperature) are also performed under Charlotte Water's Ashe Plantation field laboratory certification #5720 . Effluent Sampling 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)? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples. Sampler aliquot calibrations/verifications are performed (and documented) on a weekly basis. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, M ❑ ❑ ❑ and sampling location)? Comment: Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NCO065749 Inspection Date: 02/15/2024 Owner -Facility: Ashe Plantation WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 was being properly operated and well maintained. The facility staff incorporate an in-depth process control program. The facility is equipped with a SCADA system to assist the wastewater staff in alarm notifications and treatment oDerations. Pump Station - Influent Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? Is the wet well free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The high water alarm notification system was tested and operated properly during the inspection. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NCO065749 Inspection Date: 02/15/2024 Owner -Facility: Ashe Plantation WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the diffusers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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/I) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Aaueous lime is added to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels. The 30-minute settleability test performed during the inspection was 290 ml/L with a clear supernate. 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? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? Is the drive unit operational? Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Type of operation: Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE Cross flow Page# 6 Permit: NC0065749 Owner -Facility: Ashe Plantation WWTP Inspection Date: 02/15/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Is the filter media present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter surface free of clogging? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter free of growth? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with four -disc media type filters. Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are UV bulbs clean? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is UV intensity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is transmittance at or above designed level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a backup system on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent clear and free of solids? M ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 twice per year and was last calibrated on 1/19/24 by CITI LLC. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The receiving stream did not appear to be negatively impacted. Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NC0065749 Inspection Date: 02/15/2024 Aerobic Digester Owner -Facility: Ashe Plantation WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Is the mixing adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ # Is the odor acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The aerated sludge holding tank was temporarily not in service due to repairs being made to the wall structure (by a contracted company). Wastewater sludge is removed and disposed at Charlotte Water's McAlpine Creek WWTP by a contracted company (Wind River Environmental). Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The backup generator is fueled by propane and is tested (automatically) under load on a weekly basis. The generator is serviced annually (at a minimum) by a contracted company. Page# 8