NC0026921_Technical Assistancce Inspection_19990709

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,AMES B;
GOVERNOR
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SECRETARY
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL. OFFICE
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
July 9, 1999
The Honorable Tim Parnell
Mayor, Town of Parkton
PO Box 55
Parkton, NC 28371
SUBJECT: Technical Assistance Inspection
Town of Parkton WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0026921
Robeson County
Dear Mr. Parnell:
Enclosed is a copy of the Technical Assistance Inspection conducted June 25,
• 1999 by Belinda Henson, Environmental Chemist and myself.
• As part of the inspection a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was
conducted. Also, as part of the inspection the operation of the wastewater- treatment
•facility was discussed with your staff. Please be advised that there are numerous
recommendations contained in Part D, Summary of Findings/Comments of this
inspection. It was very apparent that several of the items noted may have alone or in
combination with others caused NPDES violations. Further, it is the opinion of the
writer, that if the items noted are not, addressed further NPDES violations will occur.
Since the inspection this office has had several conversations with your staff and
acknowledges that work has begun to address the items noted during the inspection.
We ask that you respond to this office on or before July 20, 1999 outlining all action
that has been taken to date and provided a time schedule for addressing other action
deemed necessary to consistently maintain compliance.
• Please also note that the this office has contacted both the Operator Training
and Certification Unit [phone] and the Construction Grants Unit, MCI
Program [phone] to request additional technical assistance on behalf of the
Town.
225 GREEN STREET, SUITE 714, FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28301-5043.
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL -OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER - 50% RECYCLED/1 0% POST -CONSUMER PAPER

Mayor Parnell
Page 2 of 2
July 9, 1999
If you or your staff have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me at
[phone].
Sincerely,
Paul E. Rawls
Water Quality Regional Supervisor
Enclosure
cc: DWQ NPDES Compliance Unit
Dwight Lancaster, DWQ
Gene Johnson, Construction Grants & Loans (MCI Program)
Leonard Green, ORC
Belinda Henson, DWQ, FRO
DWQ Central Files
DWQ FRO NPDES Files

NPDES COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Fayetteville Regional Office
Section A. National Data System Coding
Transaction Code: N NPDES NO. NC0026921 Date: 990625 Inspection Type: C
Inspector: S Facility Type: 1 Reserved:
Reserved:
Facility Evaluation Rating: 3 BI: N QA: N
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected:
Town of Parkton W W TP.
Entry Time: 3:30pm
Exit Time/Date: 5:00pm/990625
Name(s), Title(s) of On -Site Representative(s):
Leonard Green(Cert. Grade IV) - "ORC"
Janet Peel(Operator in Training)
Phone Number(s):. ,[phone]
Name, Title and Address of. Responsible Official:
Mr. Tim Parnell, Mayor
PO Box.55
Parkton, NC 28371
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection
(S = Satisfactory, M = Marginal, U = Unsatisfactory, N = Not Evaluated, N/A '= Not. Applicable)
Permit Effective Date: 950101
Permit Expiration Date: 991231
Contacted: yes
Permit:
ecordseports:
Facility Site Review:
Laboratory:
Pretreatmeni
owIMeasurement:
`Effluent/Receiving Waters:'
Compliance ySchedule
A
Self -Monitoring Program:
Sludge Disposal:
Operation &.Maintenance':
Other:

Name and Signature of Inspector Agency/Office/Telephone Date
Belinda S. Henson ; e 1 �1 DENR/Fayetteville/[phone]
Name and Signature of Reviewer
Paul E. Rawl
k)\.
Action Taken
=7-12-�7
Agency/Office/Telephone Date
DENR/Fayetteville/[phone]
Regulatory Office Use Only
Compliance Status
_Noncompliance
_Compliance
Date

Section D: Summary of Findings/Comments:
The following is a list of items that this office feels that you should address immediately.
Chlorination Unit
-Solids
The level of solids in the chlorine contact chamber was determined as part of this
inspection.
The unit had a water depth of 2.5 feet.
Solids/sludge was measured at depths of up to 1 foot.
Chlorinator was equipped with a potable water pressure gauge. During the inspection
pressure fluctuated from a low of 35psi to a high of near 50psi.
It is recommended that the Town maintain a sludge depth of no more than six (6)
inches in this unit.
Drag out or discharge of solids from this unit can add to fecal col jorin. BOD and TSS
violations. Excessive solids could also cause anoxic conditions in the unit that could
potentially contribute to ammonia concentrations.
This unit needs cleaning immediately.
Due to the fluctuations of pressure in the water supply to the chlorinator it is suggested
that the pressure be monitored closely. Please refer to the manufacturer's
recommendations for pressure ranges to insure consistent and constant effluent
disinfection.
Based on comments from Mr. Green the chlorine is injected into the head of the
chlorination basin via a diffuser. The chlorine line appeared to be on the right side of the
influent box of the basin. A discussion of proper chlorine distribution was held with Mr.
Green the ORC.
It is recommended that the Town determine if chlorine is diffused evenly in the
influent box to the unit. If the unit does not have a chlorine diffuser it is recommended
that a chlorine diffuser be installed i ediately. Failure to evenly distribute chlorine
in this unit can result in inadequate chlorination on both sides of the basin and could
lead to violations of fecal coliform limit.
Mr. Green indicated that the facility still has considerable I/I that may be affecting
chlorination. Mr. Green relayed that he tries to adjust chlorine as best he can but with
varying flows the current mode of chlorination may not be the most accurate.
It is recommended that the Town install a flow paced chlorination system to allow the
system to quickly respond to flow changes. The installation of this unit inay also
save the Town money if the operator is turning the chlorine up if rain is predicted The
unit would also serve to protect the receiving stream from discharges of high
concentrations of chlorine during periods that flows decrease rapidly.

Flow Meter
The flow meter was last calibrated 1/28/99.
An inspection of the parshall flume (primary flow monitoring device) revealed solids
accumulation on the bottom and side walls of the unit.
The stilling well area of the flow meter could not be visibly inspected as the flow meter is
bolted to the cover of the well. A review of the last flow meter calibration information
indicated that the stilling well was not inspected.
It is the opinion of this office that the stilling well must be inspected each time the flow
meter is calibrated While we cannot say that problems exist in the stilling well or with
the float we cannot say they do not It is very important that the stilling well be
periodically cleaned and the float inspected to insure the unit is operating properly.
Based on a review of flow data contained in the DWQ data base and information
provided by the Town during the inspection it appears that peak flows are more than
TWICE the current permit limit. Town staff indicated that the municipal collection
system is plagued with Infiltration/Inflow and that I/I continues to cause problems
with the operation of the wastewater treatment facility. Please note that the current
flow meter nnay not be designed to read accurately at such peak flows. Peak flow
may actually be greater than those depicted on the flow charts currently used
If not already underway it is strongly suggested that the Town conduct a thorough Ill
study to identify and remove sources as soon as possible.
Clarifiers
- Side wall depth 8'
- Sludge depth at time of inspection 1-2 feet
No recommdations for these units at this time.
Oxidations Ditches
-Ditches have a water depth of,4fSfeet.
-Both rotors were in operation at the time of the inspection.
As part of the inspection and due to records indicating the presence of significant UI
the oxidation ditches were checked for excessive sand. This evaluation revealed that
the ditch has a water depth of 4.5 feet. Sand accumulations ranged from 10"'to up to
2'.
It is suggested that the Town remove the excess sand from these basins immediately. It
appears that the sand is occupying a considerable amount of the treatment volume of
each ditch. Excessive sand can cause a reduction of treatment system capabilities and
in some cases cause violations of NPDES limitations.

Pump Stations
No inspections of municipal pump stations were conducted as part of the inspection.
Mr. Green indicated that sand is removed from municipal pump stations from time to
time.
It is suggested that the pump stations be monitored closely and sand removed as
necessary to prevent accelerated wear of pumps and to prevent the sand from reaching
the WWTP. This action should be taken immediately.
Digester
The anaerobic digester was out of service.
Mr. Green indicated that it had not been in service since he has been ORC, some ten (10)
years.
Sand drying beds.
Overgrown with grass.
No sign that the units have been used.
The sand beds should be cleaned of vegetation and leveled to be ready for use.
General Comments.
WWTP records did not contain the average dissolved oxygen (DO) level in the oxidation
ditches.
It is suggested that a DO measurement be taken of the unit at least weekly to establish
trends for operational purposes.
WWTP records did not contain sludge age.
WWTP records did not contain MLSS levels.
WWTP did not contain F/M ratios.
It is suggested that the operators of this facility work with the Operator Training and
Certification Unit [phone] to develop a SOP for running this facility.
Also please be advised that this office has contacted the Construction Grants and Loan
Section of DWQ to request an evaluation of the niunicipal wastewater collection and
treatment works through the Municipal Compliance Initiative program and has also requested
a Technical Assistance visit with the Operator Training and Certification Unit.