NC0021211_Graham_CEI_Report_20240523

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 NCO021211 111 121 24/04/25 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 ni 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)
01:30PM 24/04/25
22/04/01
Graham WWTP
1204 E Gilbreath St
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Graham NC 27253
03:OOPM 24/04/25
26/05/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Victor Ray Quick,PO Drawer 357 Graham NC 272530357//336-570-6700/3365135502
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 Compliance Schedules
Effluent/Receiving Wate 0 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
Ron Boone Docusiyned by: DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9690/
o*%,Z& 2�oonel 5/23/2024
B20F8DD5F2A3460...
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Docusiyned by: 5/23/2024
L o- T. 5,,o r
EPA Form 3560-3 e 4V-'?h1 re44 Aus editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type
NCO021211 I11 12I 24/04/25 117 18 i c i
(Cont.)
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On April 25, 2024, Division of Water Resources staff, Ron Boone, conducted a routine compliance
evaluation inspection at the City of Graham's Wastewater Treatment Plant, NPDES permit
NC0021211. Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), Crispian Routh, was present during the
inspection. A review of records, lab data, treatment components, structures, and the outfall was
completed. This inspection reflected compliance with the subject permit.
The permit was issued in March 2022 and expires in May 2026. Outfall 001 for this plant discharges
to Haw River, a Class WS-V, NSW in the Cape Fear River Basin. Graham is a member of the Upper
Cape Fear River Basin Association, which performs all required instream monitoring.
Flow comes into the plant headworks where it is screened and grit is removed. Both the bar screen
and grit removal components appear to be in very good condition and functioning well. Influent flow is
measured and flow proportional composite samples are collected. The influent and effluent flow
meters are calibrated quarterly and were just calibrated in April. Influent flow is reported on the facility
eDMR .
From grit removal, wastewater is pumped to a splitter box that splits the flow between two 75' primary
clarifiers. The primary clarifiers were both fully operational during the inspection and appeared to be
in very good condition.
From the primary clarifiers, wastewater flows by gravity to the aeration basins. The city of Graham is
in the process of converting the plant to a biological nutrient removal (BNR) process with extended
aeration activated sludge. Some of the existing aeration basins are being converted to BNR basins
and new units are being constructed as well. All currently functioning units appear to be in good
condition and operating well. The mixed liquor appeared very healthy with a strong earthy odor and
very little foam.
From the activated sludge units, wastewater gravity flows to the secondary clarifiers. Secondary
effluent looks very clear and the clarifiers appear to be in good condition and very well maintained.
The wastewater is then chlorinated using sodium hypochlorite and then dechlorinated using sodium
bisulfite. All process units and equipment appear to be in very good condition and well maintained.
The disinfected water then flows to the outfall. No discharge of foam or solids was noted at the
discharge and the right-of-way to the discharge is well maintained and fully accessible.
Primary and secondary sludge is removed from the clarifiers and sent to the digesters for processing
The digesters appear to be in very good condition, well maintained, and operating well. Sludge
quality appears excellent. All sludge is either land applied or landfilled.
The plant has two generators. One 400KW generator is dedicated soley to the headworks and a
second 800KW generator operates the rest of the plant. They are exercised manually every month
under load and a contractor performs required maintenance. Fuel levels are constantly monitored.
The Graham WWTP laboratory performs much of the required testing including, but possibly not
limited to, pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, total residual chlorine, Fecal Coliform, ammonia,
phosphorus, total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and sludge analyses. The
remaining testing is contracted out, including toxicity, first and second species, metals, and nitrogen.
Some testing is done by Environmental Testing Solutions and some by Meritech Labs. Pollutant scans
were completed in the 1 st quarter of 2021, the 2nd quarter of 2022, and the 4th quarter of 2023.
All records, including, but not necessarily limited to DMRs, laboratory reports, chains of custody,
operator visitation logs, annual reports, operation and maintenance records, sludge records, and the
Page#

Permit: NCO021211
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024
Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
current permit and related documentation, were readily available, complete, and current and no
discrepancies or concerns were noted.
All operators have been properly designated. Crispian Routh is the Operator in Responsible Charge
(ORC) and Tonya Mann, Shelby Smith, and Tyler Trent are all designated backup operators. The
plant is a class IV facility.
All things considered, the plant seems very well managed, operated, and maintained. The operators
appear to be doing an excellent job. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ron
Boone by phone at 336.776.9690, or by email at [e-mail].
Page#

Permit: NCO021211
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024
Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit
(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: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Compliance Schedules
Is there a compliance schedule for this facility?
Is the facility compliant with the permit and conditions for the review period?
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
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?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page# 4

Permit: NCO021211 Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024 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: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Laboratory
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
0
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Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab?
0
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# Is the facility using a contract lab?
0
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
0
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❑
degrees Celsius)?
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees?
0
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❑
Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees?
■
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Influent Sampling
Yes
No
NA NE
# Is composite sampling flow proportional?
0
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Is sample collected above side streams?
■
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Is proper volume collected?
0
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Is the tubing clean?
0
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
■
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degrees Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit?
■
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Effluent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
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Is sample collected below all treatment units?
0
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Is proper volume collected?
0
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Is the tubing clean?
0
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
■
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degrees Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
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representative)?
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Page# 5

Permit: NC0021211
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024
Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Flow Measurement - Influent
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
❑
0
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
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Is the flow meter operational?
0
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
■
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
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Is the flow meter operational?
0
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
0
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Bar Screens
Yes
No
NA
NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
❑
b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
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Is the screen free of excessive debris?
0
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Is disposal of screening in compliance?
0
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Is the unit in good condition?
0
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Grit Removal Yes No NA NE
Type of grit removal
a.Manual ❑
b.Mechanical
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 6

Permit: NC0021211
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024
Grit Removal
Is the grit free of excessive odor?
# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
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?
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Equalization Basins
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?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Are audible and visual alarms operable?
# Is basin size/volume adequate?
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Primary 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?
Yes
No
NA
NE
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Yes
No
NA
NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Page# 7

Permit: NCO021211
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024
Primary Clarifier
Is the drive unit operational?
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable?
Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth)
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Nutrient Removal
# Is total nitrogen removal required?
# Is total phosphorous removal required?
Type
# Is chemical feed required to sustain process?
Is nutrient removal process operating properly?
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
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)
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
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?
Yes
No
NA
NE
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Yes
No
NA
NE
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Biological
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Yes No NA NE
Ext. Air
Diffused
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Yes No NA NE
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Page# 8

Permit: NC0021211 Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Secondary Clarifier
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the drive unit operational?
0
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Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
0
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Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
0
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Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth)
❑
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are pumps in place?
0
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Are pumps operational?
0
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Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
0
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Disinfection -Liquid
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
0
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(Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational?
0
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Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains)
■
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Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
0
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Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
0
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Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
0
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
De -chlorination
Yes
No
NA NE
Type of system ?
Liquid
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
EIN
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Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
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0
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# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
0
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Are the tablets the proper size and type?
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Number of tubes in use?
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Page# 9

Permit: NCO021211 Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Pipe
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
0
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Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
0
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If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
■
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Aerobic Digester
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the capacity adequate?
■
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Is the mixing adequate?
0
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Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
0
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# Is the odor acceptable?
0
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# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
■
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Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Solids Handling Equipment
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the equipment operational?
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Is the chemical feed equipment operational?
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Is storage adequate?
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Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters?
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Is the site free of sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press?
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Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake?
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The facility has an approved sludge management plan?
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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: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Standby Power
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is automatically activated standby power available?
0
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Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source?
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0
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Is the generator tested under load?
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Page# 10

Permit: NC0021211
Inspection Date: 04/25/2024
Owner -Facility: Graham WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Standby Power
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?
Comment: Please refer to the inspection summary section of this report.
Yes
No
NA
NE
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Page# 11