The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutNC0030325_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20150727 ATA 0~ • NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Pat McCrory Donald R. van der Vaart Governor Secretary July 21, 2015 Mr. Aubrey L. Deaver A&D Water Service, Inc. RECEIVED/DENR/DWR P.O. Box 1407 Pisgah Forest,NC 28768-1407 JUL 2 7 2015 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation Compliance Evaluation Inspection(CEI) Water Quallty Buffalo Meadows WWTP Permitting Section NPDES Permit#NC0030325 Ashe County Dear Mr. Deaver: On July 16, 2015 George Smith performed a Compliance Evaluation Inspection. Mr. Gale D. Howell, ORC, Grade IV, was present for the inspection. The inspection is comprised of an overall evaluation in order to document compliance and noncompliance of: facilities equipment,capability to meet effluent limits,and terms&conditions with the NPDES permit. Permit Your permit became effective April 1,2011 and expires on March 31, 2016. Records & Reports Mr. Howell maintains a daily log that appears to be in good order. The log shows visitation times, process controls (settleability, alkalinity, residual chlorine before dechlorination), and documents plant observations. Laboratory results and chain-of-custody forms are kept on file. Facility Site Review The aeration basin had a good gentle rolling action, approximately 5% of the surface was covered with tan foam. There was no odor. Both blower motors appeared to be new and they are both operational. The electronics and alarms are working. The clarifier effluent was clear. The clarifier was covered with floating solids. The tablet chlorinator used four(4)tubes with Norweco tablets, and appeared to be working properly. The tablet de-chlorinator used four(4)tubes with Norweco(85%NaSO3), and appeared to be working properly. The housekeeping of the grounds is considered to be very good. 450 W.Hanes Mill Road,Winston-Salem,North Carolina 27105 P�nae Z_76_S11O1.11Qter_oRt.w-i w_..noriFeeacnov y' Flow Measurement Instantaneous flow is measured with a 221/2°V-notch weir. The height of the water in the weir is measured in inches, and it is converted to flow (MGD) by reading an Isco flow table. An ultrasonic device was installed that gives a direct flow reading. The flow was calibrated and documented during June 2015 by Butch Howell. Laboratory Field certification for pH,total residual chlorine,temperature was issued to A&D Maintenance, Inc. (lab#5339). Mr. Howell performs pH,total residual chlorine,temperature;and these tests are recorded on the daily monitoring report. The total residual chlorine is performed with a Hach Pocket Colorimeter II. The meter displays a digital readout in mg/L showing 0.00 mg/Ir. . , ,+, A Hach pH meter HQ 11 b is used. Mr. Howell uses 4 and 10 buffers for calibration and a check at 7.0 SU. The calibration records are well documented. The temperature is recorded against a MST traceable thermometer. Per the DWR Laboratory Certification Maintenance Inspection letter dated April 2, 2015,Total Residual Chlorine — Standard Methods, 4500 Cl G-2000, paragraph A, the Hach Pocket Colorimeter does not meet Division requirements. Therefore the TRC data generated is noncompliant with the NPDES Permit Part II, Section D. Monitoring and Records, Paragraph 4.,Test Procedures. Effluent/Receiving Waters At the time of the inspection the discharge to Buffalo Creek, Class C-trout waters were clear with no foam or solids. The receiving waters did not appear to be impacted.There were small minnows just below the discharge pipe 001. Operations & Maintenance Mr. Butch Howell, Grade IV is the current ORC. The back-up operator is Mr.Tim Church, Grade N. Mr. Howell indicated that the influent tank acts as an oil & grease trap and collects solids, which is pumped approximately once every six months. Mr. Howell uses Settleability(-50%)and the observed thickness of the Return Activated Sludge(RAS)as process control to operate the plant. Self-Monitoring Program A review of the monthly self-monitoring reports from July 2014 through March 2015 did reveal the following violation(s): • Case No. PC-2015-0004 in August 2014 for TRC violations. • Case No. PC-2015-0005 in September 2014 for TRC violations. • Case No. PC-2015-0022 in October, November, December 2014 for TRC violations. • Notice of Violation and Recommendation for Enforcement (NOV-2015-PC-0157) in January, February, March 2015 for TRC violations. • Sludge Handling Disposal Sludge is removed from the plant by contracting Myers Septic Service. Conclusion Mr. Howell continues to operate this plant in an excellent manner,and provide excellent technical knowledge. The compliance evaluation inspection is unsatisfactory, because the pocket colorimeter does not meet Division requirements. If you have any questions please contact George Smith or me at(336)776-9800. Sincerely, W. Corey Basinger,Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources,NCDENR cc: Mr.Gale D.Howell—283 Ernest Howell Rd.,West Jefferson,NC 28694 NPDES Unit—Charles Weaver WSRO Files f • • 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 Iti j 2 Li 3 I NC0030325 111 12 I 15/07/16 117 18 RLI., 19 W 20I I 211 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 111111111111111111111111111 r6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved- 67 1 eserved-671 I 7011 LJ I 71 I I L_ 72 I tiI 731 I 174 751 111111 18°1 l80 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) 09:05AM 15/07/16 11/04/01 Buffalo Meadows WWTP NCSR 1131 Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date West Jefferson NC 28694 10:15AM 15/07/16 16/03/31 I ' Name(s)of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data /// Gale Dean Howell/ORC/336-384-6917/ Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Thomas W Kilpatriak,P0 Box 679 Etowah NC 287290679/Administrator/826-890-4810/ No Section C:Areas Evaluated During Inspection(Check only those areas evaluated) id Permit • Flow Measurement II Operations&Maintenance II Records/Reports W Self-Monitoring Program of Facility Site Review II Effluent/Receiving Waters 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 George S Smith WSRO WQ//336-776-9700/ U ,2 00/3- 4./ • Signature t?/5- Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date ,/14-/, l - -- 4- P. � �� 4., EPA Form 3560-3(Rev 9-94)Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 Permit: NC0030325 Owner-Facility: Buffalo Meadows WWTP inspection Date: 07/16/2015 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Operations& Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? • ❑ 0 0 Does the facility analyze process control parameters,for ex: MLSS, MCRT,Settleable • 0 0 0 Solids,pH, DO, Sludge Judge,and other that are applicable? Comment: Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new 0 0 • 0 application? Is the facility as described in the permit? • 0 0 0 #Are there any special conditions for the permit? 0 II 0 0 Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? • 0 0 0 Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? • 0 0 0 Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? • 0 0 0 Is all required information readily available, complete and current? • 0 0 0 Are all records maintained for 3 years(lab. reg. required 5 years)? • 0 0 0 Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? • 0 0 0 Is the chain-of-custody complete? • 0 0 0 Dates, times and location of sampling U Name of individual performing the sampling Results of analysis and calibration U Dates of analysis U Name of person performing analyses U Transported COCs • Are DMRs complete:do they include all permit parameters? • 0 0 0 Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? 0 0 • 0 (If the facility is=or>5 MGD permitted flow)Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator 0 0 • 0 on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? • 0 0 0 Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? • 0 0 0 Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? • 0 0 0 Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? • 0 0 0 Page# 3 V • w Permit NC0030325 Owner-Facility: Buffalo Meadows WWTP Inspection Date: 07/16/2015 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? 0 0 • 0 Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? • 0 0 0 Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? • 0 0 0 If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? 0 0 • 0 Comment: Flow Measurement-Effluent Yes No NA NE #Is flow meter used for reporting? • 0 0 0 Is flow meter calibrated annually? • 0 0 0 Is the flow meter operational? • 0 0 0 (If units are separated)Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ 0 0 • Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? • ❑ 0 0 Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? ❑ 0 IN ❑ Are weirs level? • 0 ❑ 0 Is the site free of weir blockage? • 0 0 0 Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? • 0 0 0 Is scum removal adequate? • 0 0 0 Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? U ❑ ❑ 0 Is the drive unit operational? 0 0 • 0 Is the return rate acceptable(low turbulence)? 0 0 • 0 Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? U Cl 0 0 Is the sludge blanket level acceptable?(Approximately%of the sidewall depth) 0 0 0 • Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext.Air Type of aeration system Diffused Page# 4 mr Permit NC0030325 Owner-Facility: Buffalo Meadows VJwTP Inspection Date: 07/16/2015 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin free of dead spots? • 0 0 0 Are surface aerators and mixers operational? 0 0 • 0 Are the diffusers operational? U 0 0 0 Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? • 0 0 0 Does the foam cover less than 25%of the basin's surface? • 0 0 0 Is the DO level acceptable? • 0 0 0 Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) 0 0 0 • Comment: dissolved oxygen appears to be good.The color of the basins is brown. Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? • 0 0 0 Are the tablets the proper size and type? • 0 0 0 Number of tubes in use? 4 s.r. Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? 0 0 0 • Is the contact chamber free of growth,or sludge buildup? • 0 0 0 Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination? 0 0 0 • Comment: De-chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system? Tablet Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount(1 to 1)? • 0 0 0 Is storage appropriate for cylinders? 0 0 • 0 #Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 0 • 0 Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? • 0 0 0 Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? • 0 0 0 Number of tubes in use? 4 Comment: Page# 5