NC0048861_Site Visit_20180316

;, State of North Carolina
Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Environmental Staff Report
Quality
To: , \PDF S l nit Non-Discharge Unit Application No.: NC0048861
Attn: Charles Weaver Facility name: Creswell WWTP
From: Scott Vinson
Washington Regional Office
Note This form has been adapted from the non-discharge facility staff report to document the review of both non-
discharge and NPDES permit applications and/or renewals. Please complete all sections as they are applicable.
I. GENERAL AND SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? ® Yes or n No ����I��®S®MAR16 201
�����
a Date of site visit- 02/14/2018
b. Site visit conducted by: Robbie Bullock& Scott Vinson
c Inspection report attached? ® Yes or n No Permit Resources
Section
on
Permitting
d. Person contacted Ryan Swain, ORC and their contact information- [phone]
e Driving directions: Take NC Hwy 64 into Creswell,Washington County,and turn right onto 6th Street. Travel
approximately 0 17 miles and turn left onto Palmeto St and take second right onto 4th St. Travel 0.30 mile
down 4th St and the WWTP will be located on the left.
2 Discharge Point(s)-
Latitude 35.51 29 Longitude 76.23 39
2. Receiving stream or affected surface waters Scuppernong River
Classification C; Sw, Index No 30-14-4-(1)
River Basin and Subbasin No. Pasquotank / 03-01-53
Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream uses The receiving stream is classified and
used for secondary recreation to include boating, canoeing and other uses involvmg human body contact,
for wildlife habitat,for supporting aquatic life and propagation and for fishing to include fish consumption
II. PROPOSED FACILITIES: NEW APPLICATIONS-n/a
M.EXISTING FACILITIES: MODIFICATION AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
1. Are there appropriately certified Operators in Charge (ORCs) for the facility? ® Yes ❑No ❑N/A
ORC- Ryan Swain Certificate#. WW-3/1003642Backup ORC: James Davenport Certificate#: WW-1/6914
2 Are the design, maintenance and operation of the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal
system'? ® Yes or❑No
If no, please explain.
Description of existing facilities A 0 20 MGD membrane bioreactor(MBR)wastewater treatment system.
Proposed flow 0.20 MGD / (Annual average daily flow rate. 0 034 MGD&Max daily flow rate. 0 110 MGD)
Current permitted flow 0 20 MGD
FORM WQROSSR 04-14 Page 1 of 3

Explain anything observed during the site visit that needs to be addressed by the permit, or that may be important
for the permit writer to know(i e , equipment condition, function,maintenance, a change in facility ownership,
etc.) The"two(2) lagoons in series [to be abandoned]"have been abandoned properly and can be removed from
the permit. There is also a need to include a staff gauge and set a minimum freeboard level for the remaining flow
equalization lagoon. There are actually three(3), not two (2),mechanical bar screens functioning at the WWTP.
There is a well located within a foot of the influent pump station that will need to be properly abandoned asap
3. Are the site conditions (e.g., soils,topography, depth to water table, etc)maintained appropriately and adequately
assimilating the waste? Yes or n No
If no,please explain
4 Has the site changed in any way that may affect the permit(e g, drainage added,new wells inside the compliance
boundary,new development, etc.)? Yes or®No
If yes, please explain
5. Is the residuals management plan adequate? ® Yes or n No
If no, please explain.
6 Are the existing application rates(e.g,hydraulic,nutrient)still acceptable? n Yes or n No ®N/A
If no,please explain•
7 Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? n Yes n No ®N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program.
8. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? I Yes or®No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
9 Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? n Yes or®No
If no, please explain The two(2) lagoons in series to be abandoned,have now been properly abandoned and
can be removed from the permit description There are actually three(3)mechanical fine bar screens in operation,
not two
10. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? I I Yes n No /1 N/A
If no, please explain:
11 Are the monitoring well coordinates correct in BIMS? n Yes n No ®N/A
If no, please complete the following(expand table if necessary):
12. Has a review of all self-monitoring data been conducted(e g.,DMR,NDMR,NDAR, GW)? ® Yes or n No
Please summarize any findmgs resulting from this review: Multiple Notice of Violation letters(NOV-2016-LV-
0489,NOV-2015-LV-0736 &NOV-2015-LV-008)have issued to the facility for excessive BOD limit
exceedances. On September 22, 2015 (LV-2015-0218) & October 29,2015 (LV-2015-0250)civil penalties were
assessed for these high BOD exceedances The last high BOD reported occurred in June of 2016 and it seems the
facility now has a handle on reducing high BOD levels prior to discharge.
Provide input to help the permit writer evaluate any requests for reduced monitoring, if applicable.
13 Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? n Yes or®No
If yes,please explain:
14 Check all that apply:
n No compliance issues n Current enforcement action(s) Currently under JOC
®Notice(s) of violation Currently under SOC n Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments (i.e,NOV,NOD, etc)
If the facility has had compliance problems during the permit cycle,please explain the status.There have been
multiple limit exceedances for BOD after the startup of this new facility, but none for the past year and a half
(June 2016).The facility has been assessed twice this permit cycle for high BODs and has paid both fines Has the
RO been working with the Permittee?Yes Is a solution underway or in place? It seems that the facility is now
capable of reducing the high BOD levels regularly prior to the discharge of its effluent.
FORM WQROSSR 04-14 Page 2 of 3

Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? ® Yes No n N/A
If no,please explain
15 Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes i/ No n N/A
If yes,please explain
16. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters: None that the WaRO is aware of.
17 Pretreatment Program(POTWs only) n/a
IV.REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? I I Yes or®No
If yes,please explain.
2 List any items that you would like the NPDES Unit or Non-Discharge Unit Central Office to obtain through an
additional information request-
Item Reason
None
3. List specific permit conditions recommended to be removed from the permit when issued.
Condition Reason
None
4 List specific special conditions or compliance schedules recommended to be included in the permit when issued:
Condition Reason
The facility should be required tod1l a staff gauge to
. �. the flow equalization lagoon,that a ninimum freeboard Currently there is no way of telling exactly how
a, r', plevel be kept at all times and that the levels be recorded much freeboard the lagoon has before overtopping
regularly.
The well located beside the influent pump station The proximity of this well to the flow of raw
should closed out and properly abandoned as soon as wastewater creates a potential hazard for the
possible,but no later than three(3)months from contamination of groundwater.
issuance of this permit.
5. Recommendation Hold,pending receipt and review of additional mformation by regional office
® Hold, pending review of draft permit by regional office
Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
n Issue
Deny(Please stat reasons: )
6. Signature of report preparer
Signature of regional supervisor: °Whi
Date- 3-q- it
V. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
None
FORM WQROSSR 04-14 Page 3 of 3

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Form Approved
EPAWashington,D C 20460 OMB No 2040-0057
Water Compliance Inspection Report Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A National Data System Coding(l e, PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 IN I 2 LI 3 I NC0048861 I11 12 I 18/02/14 117 18 l,.l 19 1 s I 201 1
21111111 111111111111111111 1111111 11111111111 p6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA — Reserved I --
671 1 701, 1 71 1 I 72 1 N 1 731 I I' 751 1 1 1 1 1 1 180
I� I Section B Facility Data 1
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 10AM 18/02/14 14/10/01
Creswell WWTP
4th St At NCSR 1155 Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
Creswell NC 27928 11 45AM 18/02/14 17/12/31
Name(s)of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data
///
Ryan M Swain/ORC/252-394-5134/
Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Ryan Swain,PO Box 68 Creswell NC 279280068//252-797-4852/
No
Section C Areas Evaluated During Inspection(Check only those areas evaluated)
• Permit • Flow Measurement • Operations&Maintenance • Records/Reports
II Self-Monitoring Program • Sludge Handling Disposal • Facility Site Review • 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
Robert E Bullock Division of Water Quality//252-948-39241
Scott A Vinson WARO WQ//252-946-6481 Ext 208/
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# 1

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont)
31 NC0048861 I11 121 18/02/14 117 18 u
Section D Summary of Finding/Comments(Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
The review period for this inspection was April 2015 through November 2017 One Notice of Violation
and three enforcements were issued over the review period
The current permit was set to expire on December 31, 2017 A renewal application has been submitted
and the existing permit will remain effective until a new permit is issued
On the day of inspection the flow equalization lagoon had approximately 12 inches of freeboard Within
60 days of receipt of this inspection a lagoon survey needs to be done on the lagoon to determine the
lowest point of the lagoon wall and a staff gauge needs to be set accordingly The freeboard of the
lagoon needs to maintained at a minimum of 2'
Once the staff gauge is set the level of the lagoon needs to be recorded weekly in the ORC log book
On the day of inspection a well was observed within a foot of the influent pump station Within 6
months of receipt of this inspection the well needs to be properly abandoned to prevent contamination
of groundwater
The facility was judged to be COMPLIANT with NPDES permit NC0048861
Page# 2

j .
V Permit NC0048861 Owner-Facility Creswell WWTP
Inspection Date 02/14/2018 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters,for ex MLSS, MCRT, Settleable • 000
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 I ❑ ❑ ❑
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit'? MOO ❑
#Are there any special conditions for the permit'? • 0 ❑ ❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment The current permit was set to expire on December 31, 2017 A renewal application has been
submitted and the existing permit will remain effective until a new permit is issued
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 1• 1=1 ❑ ❑
Is all required information readily available, complete and current? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab reg required 5 years)? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? 1=I • ❑ ❑
Is the chain-of-custody complete? • 000
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? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? 00 • 0
(If the facility is=or>5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator I=11=1 U ❑
on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification'? 1111=1 ❑ ❑
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? • DOD
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 3

Permit NC0048861 Owner-Facility Creswell VVVVTP
Inspection Date 02/14/2018 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review'? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Comment Operation and maintenance is logged in a bended calendar ORC was reminded that he
needs to sign the calendar to document visitation
The October 2017 DMR had mercury reported on October 19th as <1 uq/I with the result as
<1 nq The October 2017 DMR needs to be amended and resubmitted to Raleigh
Laboratory Yes No NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory'? U 0 ❑ ❑
Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certifiea lab'? E ❑ ❑ ❑
#Is the facility using a contract lab'? U ❑ ❑ ❑
#Is proper temperature set for sample storage(kept at less than or equal to 6 0 degrees • ❑ ❑ ❑
Celsius)?
Incubator(Fecal Coliform) set to 44 5 degrees Celsius+/-0 2 degrees'? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Incubator(BOD) set to 20 0 degrees Celsius+/- 1 0 degrees'? 0 ❑ • ❑
Comment Town of Creswell is field parameter certified and all other samples are sent to Environment
1
Lagoons Yes No NA NE
Type of lagoons'?
#Number of lagoons in operation at time of visit'? 1
Are lagoons operated in'?
#Is a re-circulation line present? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Is lagoon free of excessive floating materials'? U ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are baffles between ponds or effluent baffles adjustable'? 0 0 MI 0
Are dike slopes clear of woody vegetation'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are weeds controlled around the edge of the lagoon'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are dikes free of seepage'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are dikes free of erosion'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are dikes free of burrowing animals'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
#Has the sludge blanket in the lagoon (s) been measured periodically in multiple ❑ U ❑ ❑
locations'?
#If excessive algae is present, has barley straw been used to help control the growth'? 0 0 U 0
Is the lagoon surface free of weeds'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the lagoon free of short circuiting'? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 4

r Permit NC0048861 Owner-Facility CreswellWWTP
Inspection Date 02/14/2018 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Lagoons Yes No NA NE
Comment On the day of inspection the flow equalization lagoon had approximately 12 Inches of
freeboard A lagoon survey needs to be done on the lagoon to determine the lowest point of
the lagoon wall and a staff gauge needs to be set accordingly The freeboard of the lagoon
needs to maintained at a minimum of 2'
Once the staff gauge is set the level of the lagoon needs to be recorded weekly in the ORC
log book
Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE
#Is composite sampling flow proportional? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is sample collected above side streams'? U 000
Is proper volume collected'? • 000
Is the tubing clean? • ❑ ❑ ❑
#Is proper temperature set for sample storage(kept at less than or equal to 6 0 degrees ❑ ❑ ❑ M
Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit'? • 01=1E1
Comment On the day of inspection there was not a thermometer in the refrigerator A thermometer
needs to be maintained in the sampler to verify that the refrigerator temperature is below 6
degrees C
Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures'? MI ❑ I=11=1
Is the wet well free of excessive grease'? MODE
Are all pumps present'? • 11100
Are all pumps operable'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are float controls operable'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational'? ❑ ❑ E ❑
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational'? ElEIDI
Comment On the day of inspection a well was observed within a foot of the influent pump station This
well needs to be properly abandoned to prevent contamination of groundwater
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a Manual ❑
b Mechanical I.
Are the bars adequately screening debris'? I. 000
Is the screen free of excessive debris'? U ❑ ❑ ❑
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r
Permit NC0048861 Owner-Facility Creswell VVWTP
Inspection Date 02/14/2018 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Is disposal of screening in compliance'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the unit in good condition'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation
Type of aeration system Diffused
Is the basin free of dead spots'? I ❑ ❑ ❑
Are surface aerators and mixers operational'? 0 0 • 0
Are the diffusers operational'? • 0 0 0
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the DO level acceptable'? •10 ❑ ❑
Is the DO level acceptable?(1 0 to 3 0 mg/I) I ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment
Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are pumps operational'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE
Type of operation
Is the filter media present'? ❑ ❑ p •
Is the filter surface free of clogging'? 0 0 0 •
Is the filter free of growth'? ❑ p ❑ •
Is the air scour operational'? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Is the scouring acceptable'? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media'? • p ❑ ❑
Comment The filters are actually 8 membrane units that are located in the bottom of the bioreactor
basins
Page# 6

•
r Permit NC0048861 Owner-Facility Creswell UVVVTP
Inspection Date 02/14/2018 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE
Is the capacity adequate? MUDD
Is the mixing adequate? ODOM
Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? • 1=11=11=1
#Is the odor acceptable? • 1=11=11=1
#Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? • 1=11=11=1
Comment On the day of inspection the blowers for the digester were not running
Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site? • 11:11=11:1
Are UV bulbs clean? • 1=11=11=1
Is UV intensity adequate? 11101=11=1
Is transmittance at or above designed level? MUDD
Is there a backup system on site? • 1=11=11=1
Is effluent clear and free of solids? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment
Flow Measurement- Effluent Yes No NA NE
#Is flow meter used for reporting? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the flow meter operational? • 1=11=11=1
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? 1=11=1M1=1
Comment The effluent flow meter was calibrated on March 7, 2017 by Instruloglc
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional? 1=I • 1=1111
Is sample collected below all treatment units? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Is proper volume collected? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the tubing clean? M1=11=11=1
#Is proper temperature set for sample storage(kept at less than or equal to 6 0 degrees 1=11=11=1 •
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit(frequency,sampling type • 1=11=11=1
representative)?
Page# 7

u
Permit NC0048861 Owner-Facility Creswell VVVVfP
Inspection Date 02/14/2018 Inspection Type Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Comment On the day of inspection there was not a thermometer in the refrigerator A thermometer
needs to be maintained in the sampler to verify that the refrlgerator temperature is below 6
degrees C
The effluent sampler is on constant time and constant volume
Pump Station -Effluent Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are all pumps present? II ❑ 1=11=1
Are all pumps operable? El ❑ ❑ ❑
Are float controls operable? . ❑ ❑ ❑
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ • 0
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ M
Comment
Page# 8