WQCS00015_Annual Performance_20240830

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UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
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26 Aug 24
Mr. Michael Montabello RECEIVED
NC Division of Water Resources
NPDES Compliance and Expedited AUG 30 2024
NPDES Permit Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES
Dear Mr. Montabello:
To comply with House Bill 1160 of the Clean Water Act of 1999,
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCB CAMLEJ) is providing the public
with an annual report that summarizes its collection system' s
performance. Enclosure (1) is the July 2023 through June 2024 Camp
Lejeune Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant System and Wastewater
Collection System Performance Report. This letter certifies that the
report is accurate and complete.
The report was distributed via the Base Facebook and Twitter sites
(which also cover Marine Corps Air Station New River) , Base Housing e-
mail, and Base Wide Area Network (WAN) Mail notifying residents of the
availability of the report. The report document is available on the
Camp Lejeune website:
http://www.lejeune.marines.mil/OfficesStaff/EnvironmentalMgmt/
AnnualReports/
If you require additional information or need clarification of the
information provided, please contact Mr. Travis Voorhees,
Environmental Quality Branch, Environmental Management Division, G-F,
at [phone] .
Sincerely,
LOWDER.ROBERT Digitally signed by
LOW DER.ROBERT.A.1074303303
.A.1074303303 Date:2024.08.26 09:17:04-04'00'
ROBERT A. LOWDER, P.E.
Director, Environmental Management
By direction of
the Commander
Enclosure: 1 . 2023-2024 Camp Lejeune Advanced Wastewater Treatment
Plant System and Wastewater Collection System
Performance Report (1 copy)
Copy to:
ODI (File# 28296)
Steven Whited

Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant
Permit No. NC0063029
Wastewater Collection System
Permit No. WQCS00015
Annual Performance Report
July 2023 - June 2024
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Page 1

Terms and Definitions
mg/L(milligrams/Liter) -the units of concentration used to express environmental measurements.
1 mg/L is equivalent to 1 part per million. You can think of 1 ppm as 1 cent in $10,000.
Influent-wastewater entering the treatment plant
Effluent-treated water leaving the treatment plant
BOD(Biochemical Oxygen Demand) - is a pollution indicator. It is a measurement of the dissolved oxygen needed by
microorganisms to biologically degrade pollutants. The normal BOD test is conducted during a 5 day laboratory period and
denoted BOD5 . Raw domestic sewage typically has a BOD5 of about 200 mg/L whereas a typical BOD5 of unpolluted surface
water would be less than 5 mg/L. If discharged to the environment, water with an elevated BOD could deplete (use up)the
dissolved oxygen in rivers and streams due to the biological degradation of the pollutants by naturally occurring
microorganisms. This can cause fish kills and septic conditions.
T55(Total Suspended Solids) - is a pollution indicator. It is simply a measurement of undissolved solids. Similar to BOD, raw 1
domestic sewage typically has a TSS of about 200 mg/L. If discharged to the environment, elevated levels of TSS can produce
sludge deposits and cause septic conditions.
Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3-N) - represents the concentration of nitrogen bound in the ammonia form. Raw domestic sewage
typically has an NH3-N of about 15 to 20 mg/L. If discharged to the environment, elevated levels of NH3-N can cause three
problems. These include: (1) depletion of dissolved oxygen in rivers and streams because the biological degradation of
ammonia is an oxygen consuming process, (2) impairment and death to fish and other aquatic organisms due to the direct
toxicity of ammonia, and (3) increased growth of algae due to the nutrient effects of nitrogen.
Phosphorous- is an essential nutrient for all biological growth. However, if discharged to the environment, elevated levels can
cause excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants. The subsequent decay of these plants can result in a depletion of
dissolved oxygen.
Treatment Plant Diagram
A20 Biological Processes
O O 11
Nitrogen Nitrogen Ultra-Violet
Gas Gas tight
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Gt', aerobic Anoxic Aeration I Anoxic Aeration Solids Filtration Re- W
i settling Aeration Disinfection
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Bio-Solids Recycle
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Waste phosphorous
Enriched Bio-Solids
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2,000 gallon ill TREATED
5,000 gallon
application EFFLUENT TO
tanker tanker Land Application NEW RIVER
RAW INFLUENT Sites
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GENERALIZED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (WWTP) PROCESS DESCRIPTION
The Camp Lejeune Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWWTP) is an advanced biological process that consists of three
different microbial environments.The combined environments are called the A20 process for Anaerobic,Anoxic and Oxic.
These three zones cultivate a special mix of beneficial microorganisms that absorb phosphorous and convert chemically
bound nitrogen to harmless and inert nitrogen gas. Residual phosphorous not absorbed by the microorganisms is removed by
chemicals added by the WWTPs operations staff. Other microorganisms (primarily in the oxic zone) degrade wastewater
pollutants by using organic material as food and converting it to new microbes, carbon dioxide and water. All of the three
A20 zones consist of mixed slurries of wastewater and microorganisms. After treatment,the water and microbes are
separated by gravity settling in large tanks.The clean water is skimmed from the surface,filtered, disinfected with ultra-violet
light and returned to the New River.The microbes are continuously collected from the bottom of the tanks and returned to
the three A20 zones using recycle pumping systems. This recycling provides a continuous source of microbes to degrade
incoming pollutants.As pollutants are removed,the microorganisms grow and multiply. This growth results in the production
of excess microorganisms.These excess microbes are continuously removed in a process called wasting to maintain a
consistent and optimal balance between available microbes and the amount of food (pollutants) entering the WWTP.The
excess microorganisms (called residuals or biosolids) are treated at an elevated temperature (+/- 150° F)to kill disease-
causing organisms,to reduce odors, and for further treatment of biodegradable pollutants.The treated residuals are applied
to agriculture and forested areas for their beneficial nutrients and soil conditioning characteristics.The flow of water into and
out of the WWTP is a continuous operation -the WWTP operates 24 hours per day and 365 days per year.
Descriptions of the WWTP processes are summarized below:
1-Preliminary Treatment is merely a screening process that removes large, inorganic debris such as sticks, rags,grit and
sand.The removal of these constituents protects downstream equipment.
2-Primary Clarification consists of large tanks where suspended solids settle to the bottom.The settled solids are
transferred to the solids treatment process. In general,this process removes about S0%of the TSS entering the WWTP
influent. The remaining fraction is either degraded (solubilized) in the biological processes or removed in the WWTP's
secondary clarifier.
3-The Anaerobic Zone is a mixed tank void of dissolved oxygen. The absence of all oxygen is conducive to the growth of
special bacteria (Acinetobacter)that consume organic acids and release stored phosphorous in the anaerobic tank. However,
these same organisms uptake high levels of phosphorous when they enter the aerobic (oxic) zone of the WWTP. Thus,the
cycling of the microbes between the anaerobic and oxic environments is the mechanism responsible for enhanced
phosphorous uptake.This cycling is accomplished by the normal flow of water and the recycle system that returns the
microbes to the anaerobic zone after they have been oxygenated in the oxic zone of the WWTP. Phosphorous (an algae
causing nutrient) is ultimately removed from the WWTP by wasting excess microbes after the oxygenated cycle and when
stored phosphorous levels are greatest.
4-The Anoxic Zone consists of mixed tanks that have essentially no dissolved oxygen. However, these tanks do contain
oxygen that is chemically bound to nitrogen in a molecule called nitrate (NO3-N).This nitrate nitrogen is a by-product from
the biological treatment of ammonia and is introduced to the anoxic zone through the recycle from the outlet of the aeration
tank. In the absence of dissolved oxygen, bacteria in the anoxic zone break the chemical bond between the oxygen and
nitrogen.The oxygen is used by the microbes to produce new bacteria,water and carbon dioxide. More importantly,the
nitrogen (a nutrient responsible for the growth of excess algae) is removed from the water and is released to the atmosphere
as a harmless and inert gas.
5 -The Oxic(Aerobic) Zone consists of mixed and oxygenated tanks. Oxygen is supplied from the atmosphere using
mechanical agitators located on the surface of the tanks. In this process, aerobic (oxygen using) and other microorganisms
perform the following:
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Reduce BOD:This is the biological degradation of wastewater pollutants. Simply stated, microorganisms consume organic
material for food and convert it to new microbes, carbon dioxide and water.
Nitrify Ammonia: This is the biochemical oxidation of ammonia nitrogen to the much more stable and benign form called
nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N).The benign NO3-N can be biologically degraded to nitrogen gas when recycled to the anoxic zone
of the WWTP.
Uptake of Phosphorous:The special bacteria (Acinetobacter) cultivated in the anaerobic zone absorb a significant amount
of phosphorous in the aerobic tank.This absorbed phosphorous is ultimately removed from the water when excess
microorganisms are wasted from the WWTP.
6-The Post Aerobic Anoxic Zone uses the same mechanisms as previously described to convert nitrate to nitrogen gas. This
particular zone is simply another location to cultivate special microbes and provide an additional opportunity for these
organisms to convert nitrate to nitrogen gas.
7-The Second Stage Aeration Zone consists of small aerated tanks.This particular zone is simply used to return dissolved
oxygen to the water following the anoxic (oxygen free) process.
8-Secondary Clarification consists of large tanks where the suspended biosolids (microorganisms) are separated from the
water,the biosolids simply settle to the bottom of the tank. As a general rule of thumb, approximately 97 to 98% of the
biosolids entering the secondary clarifier are recycled back to the anaerobic zone so they can treat incoming waste products.
About 2 to 3% of these "phosphorous enriched biosolids" are due to the growth of excess microbes and are wasted to the
solids treatment process.
9- Filtration is a polishing process that removes the trace levels of suspended solids that do not settle in the secondary
clarifier.This process employs a layer of sand that removes the solids by straining and absorbing the material.
10-The Reaeration Process is a small aerated tank used to increase the level of dissolved oxygen in the treated water just
before it is discharged.This helps maintain higher oxygen content in the New River in the vicinity of the WWTP's discharge
line.
11-Disinfection is the final process in the WWTP. It is used to kill microorganisms. It is important to note that no chemicals
are used in the disinfection process at this WWTP-disinfection is accomplished using environmentally benign ultraviolet (UV)
light.
12-Solids Thickening is used to remove some of the water from the slurry of waste biosolids. Thickening is used to reduce
the volume of waste solids and increase the capacity of the WWTP's residuals processing tanks. As a general rule,thickening
reduces this volume by about 65 to 75%.
13-Solids Treatment is used to kill disease causing organisms, reduce odors and for further treatment of the biodegradable
pollutants in the biosolids. The process consists of mixed and aerated tanks operated at about 150°F. The heat is generated
internally from the biological decomposition of the biosolids by special bacteria that flourish in this type of environment.This
process is similar to composting.
Wastewater Collection System:
The MCB Camp Lejeune Wastewater Collection System includes: 193 lift stations, approximately 148 miles of in-service gravity
sewer lines and 130 miles of in-service force main lines.
Contacts
For additional copies of this report, more information, or questions concerning the MCB Camp Lejeune Wastewater
Treatment System please contact the Director of Utilities for Water and Wastewater at 910-451-7190 ext. 223.
For questions concerning the North Carolina Wastewater Annual Performance Program contact the Water Quality Permitting,
Compliance and Expedited Permitting Unit of the NCDEQ, Division of Water Resources, Mr. Michael Montabello at 919-707-
3624.
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AWWTP Permit Limits and Performance Data
Permit Limits on AWWTP Effluent Volume of Wastewater Treated
Monthly Average Limits(mg/L) Daily Average 5.00 million gallons per day
Parameter April 1 to November 1 Total Gallons Treated for the Year 1.8 billion gallons
October 31 to March 31
BOD5 5.0 10.0 Biosolids Production During 12 Month Period
TSS 30.0 30.0 Gallons of liquid containing 3.11 %solids 4,764,000
NH3-N 2.0 4.0 Dry Tons (Excluding Water) 626.45
Phosphorous 0.5 1.0
Daily Maximum Limits(mg/L)
BOD5 7.5 15.0
TSS 45.0 45.0
NH3-N 10.0 20.0
Recently completed improvements and current and future projects include: Sewer force main air release valve location study,
hydrogen sulfide remediation at major lift stations, lightning protection installation, Ongoing-water/wastewater Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition system upgrades, Consolidated Drinking Water Plant discharge study, wastewater data
management-database, purchased a filter press,warehouse modernization- inventory management, replaced backup diesel
bypass pumps at several locations, replaced automatic transfer switches on 3 AWWTP generators, installed debris removal
systems at 6 additional lift stations, and recently completed repairs on the effluent sand filters.
AWWTP Overall Performance
Overall operation of the MCB Camp Lejeune AWWTP has met specifications.
Summary of Violations
MCB Camp Lejeune received no Notice of Violation (NOV)for the 12 month period July 2023 -June 2024
Wastewater Collection System - Public Reportable Spills
The North Carolina Clean Water Act of 1999,which became effective October 1, 1999, and as revised on September 20, 2014,
requires that wastewater owners or operators must notify the public of wastewater spills.Wastewater owners or operators must
issue a press release after a discharge to surface waters of 1,000 gallons or more within 24 hours of first knowledge of the spill by
the owner/operator. The press release must be issued to "all print and electronic news media that provide general coverage
within the county where the discharge occurred". For inadvertent discharges of wastewater reaching surface waters exceeding
15,000 gallons, a public notice is required in addition to a press release. During the monitoring period of record there were three
(3) reportable sewage overflows (spills).A summary of each is listed below:
Reportable Sewage Overflows (Spills)
Date Estimated Surface Water Location of Spill Reason For Spill
Volume(gal) Reached
8/22/2023 12,000 NO Lift Station TT99 Pump Station turned off for force
main repair
8/31/2023 10,000 NO Lift Station P3TC Hurricane Idalia
11/5/2023 8,000 YES Lift Station TT99 Lift Station PLC Failure
Page 5

Proper Disposal of FOG and Domestic Garbage
FOG
Did you know that cooking grease is the main cause of most residential pipeline and the Base's wastewater collection system
blockages?Grease is the leading cause of sewer overflows. NEVER pour grease down any drain. The proper disposal of Fats,
Oil, and Grease (FOG) into a trash or garbage container helps prevent wastewater overflows in our community. Sewer
backups can cause damage to homes, health hazards, and threaten the environment. Sewer pipes blocked by grease are an
increasing cause of overflows.
Cooking grease coats the inside walls of sewer pipes,similar to the way fatty foods can clog your arteries.The grease that
clings to the inside of the pipes builds up over time and acts as a host for other materials to cling to, restricting the size of the
pipe even more. Eventually the pipe becomes completely clogged and wastewater will backup either in the resident's yard or
through a manhole into the street and possibly into waterways.
FOG comes from a wide range of residential, commercial, and industrial sources. Residences, restaurants, school cafeterias,
commissaries, and hospitals are all FOG generators. FOG is a natural consequence of cooking- it comes from butter, lard,
meats, nuts,vegetable fats and oils, and is found on pots, pans,grills, and deep fat fryers. With the large number of FOG
sources on Base,the Camp Lejeune Advanced Wastewater Treatment System can experience increased difficulty with grease
clogging pipes and pump stations and affecting wastewater treatment operations at the plant. Sewer backups caused by the
accumulation of FOG are completely preventable.
MCB Camp Lejeune prohibits the intentional release of FOG into the wastewater system. Under no conditions should FOG,
or FOG components, be poured, scraped, or otherwise disposed of into sinks,toilets, or any other wastewater system
component.
Remember,the best way to manage FOG is to keep it out of the system. Here are some helpful tips on making this possible:
1. Dry wipe all cooking supplies and equipment. Use a paper towel or napkin to remove greasy leftovers from pots
and dishes prior to washing in the sink or dishwasher. Place leftover foods,fat trimmings from meat, etc. in a
trash can. Do not dispose of scrapings in a sink,toilet,floor drain, or any other component of the wastewater
system.
2. All cooking oils (including salad oil, cooking oil, bacon grease, butter, and marinades) need to be poured into a
container.The container can be an old milk carton,frozen juice container or other recyclable container and
disposed of in the garbage.
3. Don't use chemicals to remove grease clogs. Chemicals damage the piping system and just move the problem into
a different location further down the collection system.
Followingthese simple tips will allow CampLejeune's Advanced Wastewater Treatment System to functionproperly,
p P Y
therefore providing a healthy environment for us all.
Household Garbage
Domestic garbage also should not be disposed of in the sanitary sewer system. Sewer pipes and wastewater treatment plant
equipment can be damaged by improperly disposed of household items. Do NOT flush baby wipes, even if they say they are
"flushable".
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