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Home My WebLink AboutNC0024325_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20170203tv February 3, 2017 Mr. Steven Drew, Director Water Resources Department City of Greensboro P.O. Box 3136 Greensboro, NC 27402-3136 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection City of Greensboro - North Buffalo WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO024325 Guilford County Dear Mr. Drew: ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. JAY ZIMMERMAN Director RECE EU140UE0jD\VR FEB 14 2017 vvateT O ality®'l On January 26, 2017, Min Xiao and Ron Boone of this office met with Mr. Ed Osborne to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the NPDES wastewater discharge from the North Buffalo WWTP. The treatment facility was found to be compliant with the NPDES permit. The inspection findings are detailed below and an inspection checklist is attached. I. Permit The NPDES permit expires June 30, 2016. A renewal application was submitted in December 2015. At renewal, the permit will require that the monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) for North Buffalo be submitted electronically per new EPA rules. H. Self -Monitoring Program The DMRs were reviewed for the period November 2015 through October 2016. This review found the North Buffalo facility to be compliant with the effluent permit limit. In addition, it was noted that all sampling was performed per the frequencies specified in the permit. III. Flow Measurement An ultrasonic meter with parshall flume is used for reporting effluent flow values on the DMR. The meter is calibrated once per year. The recorded calibration date was March 14, 2016. In addition, flow proportional composite samples are collected from the effluent as required by the permit. IV. Sludge Handling and Disposal Solids generated at the North Buffalo facility are stored in a single holding tank prior to pumping to the T.Z. Osborne facility via a 54 -inch line for dewatering and incineration (the 10 -inch line used before was abandoned). V. Operations and Maintenance Observations did not indicate any concerns with the operation and maintenance of the North Buffalo facility. State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality 450 W. Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 Phone: 336-776-98001 FAX: 336-776-9797 I* VI. Facility Site Review Please see the attached inspection checklist for specific comments regarding system components. Additionally, the City of Greensboro is proceeding with plans to decommission the North Buffalo treatment facility. It's scheduled to be demolished by a contract company in November 2017. VII. Records/Reports A comparison of the September 2016 DMR with laboratory data for pH, dissolved oxygen, CBOD, total phosphorus and total mercury found that these parameters were accurately transcribed onto the monitoring report. The 2015 Annual Report was available for review. VIII. Effluent/Receiving Waters The system discharges into North Buffalo Creek, class "WS -V; NSW" waters in the Cape Fear River Basin. The effluent was clear on the day of inspection. Our office appreciates the efforts by the City of Greensboro staff to comply with the NPDES permit. Should you have any questions concerning this report, please contact Min Xiao or me at (336) 776-9800. Sincerely, herri V. Knight, PE Regional Supervisor _ Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources cc: Elijah Williams (elijah.williams@greensboro-nc.gov) Ed Osborne (ed.osborne@greensboro-nc.gov) Martie Groome (martie.groome@greensboro-nc.gov) Central Files NPDES Unit WSRO 9W United Slates Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved. EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report. Approval expires a-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 15 I 3 I NCO024325 I11 12 17/01/26 17 18 I C I 19 I G I 201 I 211 1 1 1 1 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 166 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating 131 QA -----Reserved --- 67 70 I___.I 71 u 72 L-1 I I N 731 LLJ74 75 80 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 17/01/26 12/10/01 North Buffalo Creek WWTP Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 2199 White St 04:OOPM 17/01/26 16/06/30 Greensboro NC 274057461 Name(s) of Onsite Representabve(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data /// Nathan Edward Osborne/ORC/336-373-5913/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Steven Drew,PO Box 3136 Greensboro NC 274023136//336-373-2055/3364126305 No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenana N Records/Reports N.Self-Monitoring Program 0 Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review N 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 Ron Boone WSRO WQ//336-776-9690/ 21311/ � Min Xiao �WSRO6769800/ 6/// '/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type 31 NCO024325 I11 12 17/01/26 17 18 JCJ Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# Permit: NCO024325 Owner - Facility: North Buffalo Creek yWVTP Inspection Date: 01/26/2017 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? M Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new M ❑ ❑ ❑ application? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? M ❑ ❑ Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ M ❑ ❑ 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 Citv of Greensboro is proceedinq with plans to decommission the North Buffalo treatment facility. The expected time would be the end of 2017. Around July 2017, the staff will conduct a pilot test of taking more wastewater from North Buffalo Creek VW TP to ensure the effluent limits will still be in compliance with the permit. Aeration basin #5 is being converted to a 2 MGD equalization basin, which will be used after decommissioning. 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: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all required information readily available, complete and current? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chain -of -custody complete? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator M ❑ ❑ .❑ on each shift? Is the ORO visitation log'available and current? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is. the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO024325 Owner -Facility: North Buffalo Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 01/26/2017 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ❑ ❑ M ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: A comparison of the September 2016 DMR with laboratory data for PH, dissolved oxygen, CBOD, total phosphorus and total mercury found that these parameters were accurately transcribed onto the monitoring report. The 2015 Annual Report was available online and in local library. Bar Screens Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Comment: Three new mechanical bar screens. Collected debris are sent to landfill. 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? Yes No NA NE M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE * ❑ ❑ ❑ * ❑ ❑ ❑ * ❑ ❑ ❑ * ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: North Buffalo treats approximately 7 MGD. The remainder of the wastewater is transferred to TZO for treatment. Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical M Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the grit free of excessive odor? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO024325 Owner - Facility: North Buffalo Creek VNNfP Inspection Date: 01/26/2017 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal Yes No NA NE # Is disposal of grit in compliance? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 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? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately %< of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Two rectangular primary clarifiers. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air ❑ ❑ Type of aeration system Diffused 0 ❑ Is the basin free of dead spots? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the diffusers operational? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? N ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment:' Three retangular aeration tanks. The DO level observed was 1.94 mg/I. Secondary Clarifier Yes. No NA NE' Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? N ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0024325 Owner -Facility: North Buffalo Creek WWTP Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? M ■ Inspection Date: 01/26/2017 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation ❑ M ❑ Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE - Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?` M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately '/< of the sidewall depth) ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Four circular secondary are in use. Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Type of operation: 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? Yes No NA NE Down flow Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? M ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ M Comment: The two trickling filters (with cover) are no longer utilized. Four traceling bridge teriary sand filters are in use. Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? M ❑ ❑ ❑ (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? 0 ❑ ❑ .❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance storedaway from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page#. 6 =7 Permit: NCO024325 Owner - Facility: North Buffalo Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 01/26/2017 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Sodium bisulfite is used. Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ M. ❑ Number of tubes in use? Comment: _ Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees M ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: The refrigeration temperature was 1.5 Celsius degrees. Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? M ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Comment: The recorded calibration date was March 14, 2016. ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Solids Handling Equipment Yes No NA NE Is the equipment operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chemical feed equipment operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is storage adequate? M. ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake? ❑ ❑ ❑ The facility has an approved sludge management plan? i ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NCO024325 Inspection Date: 01/26/2017 Solids Handling Equipment Owner - Facility: North Buffalo Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Comment: Solids generated at the North Buffalo facility are stored in a single holding tank prior to pumping to the T.Z. Osborne facility via a 54 -inch line for dewatering and incineration (the 10 -inch line used before was abandoned). Page#