HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0037135_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240327ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
March 27, 2024
Delivered electronically via email to: zachkeV(d)_usbiosolids. com
Zach Key, President
US Biosolids, Inc.
958 Hoots Road
Roaring River, NC 28669
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
US Biosolids, Residuals Land Application Program
Permit No. WQ0037135
Wilkes County
Dear Mr. Key:
On February 7, 2024, Division of Water Resources staff Kristen Potwora and Caitlin
Caudle conducted a scheduled routine compliance inspection of the US Biosolids RLAP
permit. Zachery Key (U.S. Biosolids) was present for the entire inspection. A review of
the source generating facility (Thurman Street Wastewater Treatment Plant), available
records, and application fields was conducted. Land application was occurring at the time
of the inspection. This review reflected compliance with the subject permit.
As a reminder, a permit renewal application must be submitted by April 3, 2024.
Please refer to the enclosed inspection report for additional comments and observations.
If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Potwora at the letterhead address and
phone number, or by email at Kristen. potwora(a0eg.nc.gov.
Sincerely,
FDocu Siiggned by:
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145B49E225C94EA..
Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ — WSRO
Enc: Inspection Report
Cc: Wilkes County Environmental Health (electronic copy)
DffNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
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Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
M336.776.9800
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DocuSigned by:
Compliance Inspection Report Iti Cj-
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Permit: WQ0037135 Effective: 10/11/23 Expiration: 09/30/24 Owner: U S Biosolids Inc
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: U.S. Biosolids Class B Residuals Program
County: Wilkes 397 Riverside Dr
Region: Winston-Salem
Forest City NC 28043
Contact Person: Zachery D Key
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: LA,
Primary ORC:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Title: President
Certification:
Phone: 336-777-6909
Phone:
NC0031879 City of Marion - Corpening Creek WWTP
NC0006564 Baxter Healthcare Corporation - Baxter Healthcare Corporation
NC0025861 City of Lowell - Lowell WWTP
NC0025909 Town of Rutherfordton - Rutherfordton WWTP
NC0020761 Town of North Wilkesboro - Thurman Street WWTP
NC0025984 Town of Forest City - Forest City WWTP
NC0021181 City of Belmont - Belmont WWTP
NC0020567 Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority - Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority WWTP
NC0068888 Town of Dallas - Dallas WWTP
NC0020664 Town of Spindale - Spindale WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/07/2024 Entry Time 09:05AM Exit Time: 10:45AM
Primary Inspector: Kristen Potwora Phone: 336-776-9800
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Land Application of Residual Solids (503)
Facility Status: 0 Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions
Sampling
Transport
(See attachment summary)
Record Keeping
Land Application Site
Treatment
Storage
Page 1 of 4
Permit: WQ0037135 Owner - Facility: U S Biosolids Inc
Inspection Date: 02/07/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
On February 7, 2024, Division of Water Resources staff Kristen Potwora and Caitlin Caudle conducted a scheduled routine
compliance inspection of the US Biosolids RLAP permit. Zachery Key (U.S. Biosolids) was present for the entire inspection.
A review of the source generating facility (Thurman Street Wastewater Treatment Plant), available records, and application
fields was conducted. Land application was occurring at the time of the inspection. This review reflected compliance with the
subject permit.
• Requested Nutrients, Metals, Fecal and TCLP results on 2/5/24 and inquired on 2/16/24. Nutrient and metals, and TCLP
were provided on March 19, 2024. Fecal and the 30-day bench scale test were not provided. .
• As a reminder, you must submit your permit renewal application by April 3, 2024.
Other observations:
• Residuals were being hauled from the Thurman Street WWTP in North Wilkesboro.
• There is one 750,000 gallon storage tank with two mixers that stores residuals that come from the digester. The tank is
open to the atmosphere and has aeration. The tanks have up to 6 months of storage.
• A sludge judge is used to collect a composite grab for all sample parameters.
• Nutrients and metals were sampled on 2/8/2024.
• The trucks are top loaded on a paved parking lot.
• All drains go to the trench in between the drying beds that lead back to the WWTP.
• Drying beds are no longer in use.
• TCLP was sampled on 2/8/24.
• N&M was sampled on 2/8/24.
• Staff calculated PAN as 47.6 Ibs/dry ton.
Field Observations:
• Zachery Key notified DWR staff of land application within 24 hours.
BP3
- Applied on 2/6/24 and during the inspection.
- Access restriction signs were present.
- Corn, 208 Ibs/ac PAN
- The field was flagged with all buffers.
- Application was even with no ponding or runoff.
- Residuals were visible on the surface, surface application via broadcast is used.
B P4-2
- Applied on 2/6/24.
- Access restriction signs were present.
- Corn, 208 Ibs/ac PAN
- The field was flagged with all buffers.
- Application was even with no ponding or runoff.
- Residuals were visible on the surface, surface application via broadcast is used.
Page 2 of 4
Permit: WQ0037135 Owner - Facility: U S Biosolids Inc
Inspection Date: 02/07/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Distribution and Marketing
❑
Land Application
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are GW samples from all MWs sampled for all required parameters?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are there any GW quality violations?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is a copy of current permit on -site?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are current metals and nutrient analysis available?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are nutrient and metal loading calculating most limiting parameters?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
a. TCLP analysis?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
b. SSFA (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis)?
❑
❑ ❑
Are PAN balances being maintained?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are PAN balances within permit limits?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Has land application equipment been calibrated?
❑
❑ ❑
Are there pH records for alkaline stabilization?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are there pH records for the land application site?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are nutrient/crop removal practices in place?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on Residual Analysis Summary?
❑
❑ ❑
Are hauling records available?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are hauling records maintained and up-to-date?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Has application occurred during Seasonal Restriction window?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment
Yes No NA NE
Check all that apply
Aerobic Digestion
Anaerobic Digestion
❑
Alkaline Pasteurization (Class A)
❑
Alkaline Stabilization (Class B)
❑
Compost
❑
Drying Beds
❑
Other
❑
Comment:
Page 3 of 4
Permit: WQ0037135 Owner - Facility: U S Biosolids Inc
Inspection Date: 02/07/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Sampling Yes No NA NE
Describe sampling:
Is sampling adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is sampling representative? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Transport Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of the permit in the transport vehicle? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is a copy of the spill control plan in the vehicle? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the spill control plan satisfactory? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does transport vehicle appear to be maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Land Application Site
Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of the permit on -site during application events?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the application site in overall good condition?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of runoff/ponding?
❑ ❑ ❑
If present, is the application equipment in good operating condition?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are buffers being maintained?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are limiting slopes buffered?
10% for surface application
❑ ❑ ❑
18% for subsurface application
❑
❑ ❑
Are there access restrictions and/or signs?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the application site free of odors or vectors?
❑ ❑ ❑
Have performance requirements for application method been met?
For injection?
❑
❑ ❑
For incorporation?
❑
❑ ❑
Does permit require monitoring wells?
❑
❑ ❑
Have required MWs been installed?
❑
❑ ❑
Are MWs properly located w/ respect to RB and CB?
❑
❑ ❑
Are MWs properly constructed (including screened interval)?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the surrounding area served by public water?
❑
❑ ❑
If Annual Report indicates overapplication of PAN, are wells nearby that may be impacted?
❑
❑ ❑
Are soil types consistent w/ Soil Scientist report/evaluation?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the water table greater than 173' bls.
❑ ❑ ❑
Is application occurring at the time of the inspection?
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Page 4 of 4