NC0026000_Compliance Inspection Report_20170705

1,
Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL OUALITY
July 05, 2017
Al J. Leonard
Town of Tabor City
PO Box 655
Tabor City, NC 28463
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Tabor City WWTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NCO026000
Columbus County
Dear Mr. Leonard:
ROY COOPER
Goi of nw
MICHAEL S. REGAN
sccrrralr
S JAY ZIMMERMAN
D recta,
RECEIVED/NCDEWWR
JUL 12 2011
Water Quality
Permitting Section
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Tabor City WWTP on
5/31/2017. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0026000. The findings and comments noted
during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance
Inspection Report" (CIR).
A response to this inspection report is not required. However, please notice that a response to the
DEQ letter dated June 08, 2017 is expected by August 08, 2017 (refer to the CIR Summary
Section for details).
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Morella Sanchez -King with the Water
Quality Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215 or via email at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
Ja
rHGregson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: WQS Wilmington Regional Office - Enforcement File
NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
910-796-7215

I --
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 16 I 3 I N00026000 I11 12 17/05/31 17
181,•1 191 s I 20I I
211 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I I-I6� l66
I
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA
Reserved
67 70 I, 1 71 itI I 72 I N I
LJ LJ
731 I 174 751 I I I I I _jj80
I I I
Section B FacilityData
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)
10 20AM 17/05/31
15/12/01
Tabor City WWTP
Exit Time/Date
permit Expiration Date
244 US Hwy 701 Bypass N
11 40A 17!05/31
19/08/31
Tabor City NC 28463
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Michael Wayne BrltUORC/910-443-2711/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Stephanie Moore,4240 Committee Dr SE Southport NC 284611519/Contract
Yes
ORC/910.457-0289/
Section C Areas Evaluated During inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Compliance Schedules
Effluent/Receiving Waters 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
A117
Tom Tharrmgton _ IRO WQ///
-T
Morella Sanchez -King WIRO WQ//910-796-7218/
0-210,5- 1
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers
Date
-WIRO GW//910-796-7218/
Morella Sanchez-King(V5
O-7/®,5//4 .
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete
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NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont)
31 NCO026000 I11 12 17/05/31 17 18 I ^'
Section D Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
The facility was Inspected on May 31, 2017 to verify Its compliance with the conditions of permit
NCO026000 The assistance provided by the facility's operators is greatly appreciated The facility
looks better maintained than in the past although there areas that require attention Refer to each
section of the report for details
Compliance with the permit requires to satisfy special conditions A (4 ) and A (6 ) which are pending
A description follows
Condition A (4 ) requires the development and availability on-site of a Mercury Minimization Plan within
180 days of the permit effective day (10/07/2015) The plan should have been available by April 2016
However, it was submitted to our office on 05/23/2017 DEQ provided comments on 06/08/2017 which
include to provide supporting documentation showing the progress and status of the activities listed in
Section III of the MMP For example, it is expected that the Town is surveying and evaluating common
sources of mercury in its service area, making available educational information regarding sources of
household mercury and appropriate use/disposai practices through the Town's website, etc The
supporting documentation Is expected to be received by August 8, 2017 (Refer to our letter to the Town
dated 06/08/2017)
Condition A (6 ) requires a facility assessment and corrective action plan by July 1, 2016 (7 months
after the effective date of this permit) to provide corrective actions to resolve deficiencies in the
treatment facility and specific dates for implementation and completion of those actions The permittee
has provided two submittals, the first submittal was in August 2016 and the second in May 2017 DEQ
provided comments on 06/08/2017 indicating that a priority list to accomplish the corrective actions
along a tabulated schedule with realistic dates for their implementation are pending and expected to be
received in our office by August 8, 2017 (Refer to our letter to the Town dated 06/08/2017)
In summary (1) maintenance of the facility has improved but there are certain areas that require
attention, (2) there are permit conditions that are pending to be satisfied The facility is not compliant
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W1

A.
Permit NCO026000 Owner - Facility Tabor City WWTP
Inspection Date 05/31/2017 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Compliance Schedules
Yes No NA NE
Is there a compliance schedule for this facility?
■
❑
❑
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Is the facility compliant with the permit and conditions for the review period?
■
❑
❑
❑
Comment The permit was Issued on October 07, 2015 Compliance schedules Include to sates
permit conditions A (4 ) and A (6 ) A response from the Town to the DEQ letter dated
06/08/2017 Is expected by 08/08/2017 (details in the summary page)
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ® ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment In the past, the facility had been Imposed with enforcement actions for poor maintenance
However, during this Inspection, It was observed that the general maintenance of the plant
has Improved although there are areas in the plant that require attention For example, the
sludge digester was covered with vegetation on Inspection day ORC stated that the
digester receives maintenance every two months
Process control parameters were not measured during the Inspection The Backup ORC
Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?
Indicated via e-mail that process control parameters (WWTP (MLSS'settleable
solids,
DO,
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
sludge Iudge) are run by whoever Is taking samples on a particular day
❑
❑
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
Permit
Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less) Has the permittee submitted a new
❑
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
❑
❑
application?
0
Is the facility as described in the permit?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment Special conditions Include A (4 ) and A (6) Refers to the summary
page and compliance
schedule section above
De -chlorination
Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?
Gas
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
❑
❑
❑
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
❑
❑
❑
0
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
❑
❑
❑
0
Comment
Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
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r
Permit NCO026000 Owner - Facility Tabor City wwTP
Inspection Date 05/31/2017 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
De -chlorination Yes No NA NE
Number of tubes in use?
Comment
Disinfection -Gas
Yes No NA NE
Are cylinders secured adequately?
❑
❑
❑
❑
Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight?
®
❑
❑
❑
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
❑
❑
❑
■
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
❑
❑
❑
❑
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
®
❑
❑
❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
❑
❑
❑
N
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 lbs of Chlorine (CAS No 7782-50-5)?
❑
❑
❑
N
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site?
❑
❑
❑
If yes, then what Is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000 -
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment The disinfection chamber looked clean and free of solids on Inspection daV ORC Indicated
that maintenance Is providedguarterlV bV Pembroke company
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation Ext Air
Type of aeration system
Surface
Is the basin free of dead spots?
e
❑
❑
❑
Are surface aerators and mixers operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
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?
N
❑
❑
❑
Is the DO level acceptable?
❑
❑
❑
■
Is the DO level acceptable?(1 0 to 3 0 mg/I)
❑
❑
❑
E
Comment Upper aeration basin does not provide treament, it is currently
under evaluation for corrective
action The basin Is used as an equalization tank. The basin has three aerators, on
Inspection day, OnIV one aerator was In operation
Lower aeration basin is where biological treatment is provided The basin has three surface
aerators, the three aerators were In operation on Inspection day Color of the mixed liquor Is
blue, as observed in all previous inspections
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P I 1
Permit NC0026000
Inspection Date 05/31/2017
Owner -Facility Tabor City WWTP
Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
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?
Is the drive unit operational?
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately 1/4 of the sidewall depth)
Comment Upper clarifier Is out of operation and under evaluation for corrective action plan
Lower clarifier looked clean and the weirs were free of solids or algae
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?
Yes No NA NE
E
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■
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E
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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®
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•
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Yes No NA NE
❑ ■ ❑ ❑
❑ ■ ❑ ❑
E ❑ ❑ ❑
■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment The bar screen at the Initial wet well requires frequent cleaning It had rags and debris on
inspection day
Pump Station - Influent
Yes No
NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the wet well free of excessive grease?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all pumps present?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all pumps operable?
S
❑
❑
❑
Are float controls operable?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
0
❑
❑
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r � �
Permit NCO026000 Owner -Facility Tabor City WWTP
Inspection Date 05/31/2017 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
M
❑
❑
❑
Pump Station - influent
Yes No
NA NE
Comment The pump station looks properly maintained Only two pumps have been In operations
since
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification?
hurricane Mathew
❑
❑
❑
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
❑
M
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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?
❑
❑
❑
M
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 CDCs
❑
Are DMRs complete do they Include all permit parameters?
0
❑
❑
❑
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
❑
❑
0
❑
on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification?
e
❑
❑
❑
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?
0
❑
❑
❑
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
❑
❑
❑
M
Comment ORC provided the facility's loa for review, it looked adequate Sludge hauling
records were
not available during inspection but were provided later via e-mail A more appropriate
record/log should be available on site always It is expected that the Mercury
Minimization
plan is also available on site. as required by permit condition A (4 )
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