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Home My WebLink AboutNC0036277_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240529ROY 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 McDowell Creek WRRF NPDES Permit No. NCO036277 Mecklenburg County Dear Mr. Lockler: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality May 29, 2024 Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on May 17, 2024, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. This Office would like to thank all Water Resources Recovery Facility (WRRF) 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, DocuSigned by: A w N P-Lu" 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 NCO036277 111 121 24/05/17 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) 09:06AM 24/05/17 19/12/01 McDowell Creek WWTP 4901 Neck Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Huntersville NC 28078 11:26AM 24/05/17 24/06/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Daniel Joseph Matias/ORC/704-547-0680/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Angela D Charles,5100 Brookshire Blvd Charlotte NC 282163371 /Di rector/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 �� e& DWR/MRO WQ/704-235-2192/ 5/29/2024 A61696D90=437... Signature of Man WQA&viewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Andrew Piro(4w H P440WR/MRO WQ/704-663-1699 Ext.2180/ 5/29/2024 EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NC0036277 I11 12I 24/05/17 117 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: Ms. Katie Vivas and Messrs. Darrell DeWitt, Daniel Matias, Doug Wise, AZ Williams, and Mike Christiansen. Page# Permit: NCO036277 Owner -Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 05/17/2024 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 Division received Charlotte Water's permit renewal package on 1/2/24. Charlotte Water implements a Division -approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. The last compliance evaluation inspection at this facility was performed by DWR staff on 2/23/22. 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: NCO036277 Inspection Date: 05/17/2024 Owner -Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Comment: The records reviewed durinq the inspection were organized and well maintained. In-depth operation and maintenance records including process control measurements were being documented and maintained on -site. Discharge monitoring reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period April 2023 through March 2024. No effluent limit and/or monitoring violations were noted. 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Influent and effluent analyses (including field parameters) are performed by Charlotte Water's Environmental Services Laboratory (Certification #192). Waypointe Analytical, ETT Environmental (chronic toxicity) and Environmental Testing Solutions (chronic toxicity) have all been contracted to provide analytical support. 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 subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite samples. The sampler operation is checked daily by on -site staff and calibrated monthly. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ degrees Celsius)? Page# 4 Permit: NCO036277 Inspection Date: 05/17/2024 Owner -Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples. The sampler operation is checked daily by on -site staff and calibrated monthly. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ and sampling location)? Comment: 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 appeared to be properly operated and well maintained. The operations staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program. The facility is equipped with a SCADA system that is accessible at thirteen (13) locations throughout the plant site. An Odor control system is connected to the influent pump station/screening & grit removal facility and 1.3 million gallon day tank. 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: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 05/17/2024 Owner -Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Is the grit free of excessive odor? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is disposal of grit in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at the CMS Landfill located in Concord, N.C. by Republic Services. 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with a twelve (12) million gallon (MG) equalization basin (2 — 6 MG cells) and a 1.3 MG day tank. Primary 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO036277 Inspection Date: 05/17/2024 Owner -Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Primary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Two of the five primary clarifiers were in service Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Is containment adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are backup pumps available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive leaking? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Nutrient Removal Yes No NA NE # Is total nitrogen removal required? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is total phosphorous removal required? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Type Biological # Is chemical feed required to sustain process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is nutrient removal process operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Both 5-stage BNR trains (anaerobic, anoxic, oxic, post anoxic and re -aeration zones were in service. Sugar water and micro -seed (glycerin) are added as carbon supplements. Alum can also be added prior to the secondaries if needed. 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NC0036277 Owner -Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 05/17/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Comment: Aqueous lime is added in the primary clarifier effluent to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels. Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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: Three of the four secondary clarifiers were in service. Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Down flow Is the filter media present? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter surface free of clogging? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter free of growth? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Nine of ten tertiary filters were in service. Page# 8 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 05/17/2024 Owner -Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are UV bulbs clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is UV intensity adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is transmittance at or above designed level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a backup system on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent clear and free of solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 1/18/24 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The receiving stream did not appear to be negatively impacted. Anaerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Fixed cover Is the capacity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is gas stored on site? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the digester(s) free of tilting covers? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the gas burner operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the digester heated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the temperature maintained constantly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility was using four anaerobic digesters (fixed cover) and one for storage (floating cover). Page# 9 Permit: NC0036277 Inspection Date: 05/17/2024 Solids Handling Equipment Is the equipment operational? Is the chemical feed equipment operational? Owner -Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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 ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with two gravity belt thickeners and two belt filter presses. All units were operational: however, only one of each was in service. Dewatered bio-solids are land applied by Synagro under the authority of Permit No. WQO000057. 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: The facility is equipped with two generators that are serviced quarterly by Cummings. Page# 10