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Home My WebLink AboutNC0036277_Compliance Inspection (BIMS Report)_20180320United 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 I 2 15 I 3 I NCO036277 111 12 I 18/03/16 I17 18 I S i 19 LG] i 201 I 211111 1 1 1 1 1 111 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 111 1 1 1 1 1 166 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- 67 2.0 70 Id I 71 I.. I 72 I �, I 73 �74 751 I I I 1 1 1 I80 I—I u 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 oermit Number) 08:55AM 18/03/16 14/01/01 McDowell Creek WWTP 4901 Neck Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Huntersville NC 28078 12:25PM 18/03/16 18/12/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Darrell Victor Dewitt/ORC/704-547-0680/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Jacqueline A Jarrell,5100 Brookshire Blvd Charlotte NC 282163371/Operations Chief/704-336-5433/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review 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 Wes Bell MRO WQ//704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date W. Corey Basinger MRO WQ//704-235-2194/ EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. DocuSigned by: 3/20/2018 Page# A14CC681 AF27425... NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NC0036277 111 121 18/03/16 1 17 18 ICI Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On-site Representatives: The following Charlotte Water personnel were in attendance during the inspection: Mr. Darrell DeWitt/ORC, Mr. Joseph Lockler/Operations Manager, Mr. Anthony Spinelli/Backup ORC, and Mr. Doug Wise/Water Quality Program Specialist. Page# Permit: NCO036277 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 03/16/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 0 ❑ Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ application? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? E ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 last compliance evaluation inspection was performed at the facility on 5/11/16 by DWR staff. The sludge drying beds would be used during emergencies. Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all required information readily available, complete and current? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chain -of -custody complete? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Dates, times and location of sampling Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period January 2017 through December 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator ❑ ❑ ❑ on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period January 2017 through December 2017. No effluent limit violations were reported and all monitoring frequencies were correct. Page# 3 Permit: NCO036277 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ Inspection Date: 03/16/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? 0 ❑ Laboratory Yes No NA NE Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the facility using a contract lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Influent and effluent analyses (including field) are performed under the Charlotte Water time of the inspection. Environmental Laboratory Services Certification #192. Prism Laboratories (low level mercury and phenols) ETT (toxicity), and R&A Labs (toxicity) have also been contracted to provide analytical support. Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Is sampling performed according to the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit requires BOD and TSS composite samples. Periodic aliquot verifications are performed and documented. The composite sampler was collecting over 100 mis. per aliquot and the internal temperature was less than four degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection. Effluent Sampling Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ E ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The subject permit requires composite and grab effluent samples. Periodic aliquot verifications are performed and documented. The composite sampler was collecting over 100 mis. per aliquot and the internal temperature was less than four degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection. Page# 4 Permit: NCO036277 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 03/16/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ sampling location)? Comment: 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 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: The wastewater treatment facilitv aDDeared to be Droaerly operated and well maintained The ORC and staff incorporate a comprehensive process control program with all measurements being properly documented and maintained on-site. In-depth operation and maintenance records were also being maintained on-site. The facility is equipped with a SCADA System that is accessible at nine separate locations throughout the wastewater facility. 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: Grit Removal Type of grit removal a.Manual b.Mechanical Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? Is the grit free of excessive odor? # Is disposal of grit in compliance? Comment: Screeninqs and qrit are disposed at the CMS Landfill located in Cabarrus Cou Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE Page# 5 Permit: NCO036277 Inspection Date: 03/16/2018 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement - Influent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The flow meter is calibrated twice per year and was last calibrated on 10/13/17 by Expert Services International. LLC. 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The influent pump station is connected to the SCADA System and also equipped with an audible/visual alarm system. The audible/visual alarm system is tested quarterly. Equalization Basins Is the basin aerated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facilitv is eauiDDed with a 1.3 million aallon flow eaualization day tank and two storm flow equalization basins. The day tank and influent pump station are connected to an odor control system. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO036277 Owner - Facility: Inspection Date: 03/16/2018 Inspection Type: McDowell Creek WWTP Compliance Evaluation Mode of operation Ext. Air ❑ Primary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately 1/, of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility was currently using two of five primary clarifiers. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air ❑ ❑ Type of aeration system Diffused ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of dead spots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the diffusers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Aqueous lime is added (primary effluent) to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels. Nutrient Removal Yes No NA NE # Is total nitrogen removal required? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is total phosphorous removal required? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Type Biological ❑ # Is chemical feed required to sustain process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is nutrient removal process operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Acetic acid and/or cola syrup (sugar water) are added as an alternative carbon source. Chemical Feed Is containment adequate? Is storage adequate? Are backup pumps available? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NC0036277 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 03/16/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE Is the site free of excessive leaking? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Secondary 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/ of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility was currently using two of four secondary clarifiers. Pumps -RAS -WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Down flow Is the filter media present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Page# 8 Permit: NCO036277 Inspection Date: 03/16/2018 Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation # Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are UV bulbs clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is UV intensity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is transmittance at or above designed level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a backup system on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent clear and free of solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The flow meter is calibrated twice Der vear and was last calibrated on 10/13/17 by EXDert Services International, LLC. Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Fixed cover Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The receiving stream did not appear to be negatively impacted. An abundant population of fish was observed at the confluence of the effluent discharge and receiving stream. Anaerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Fixed cover Is the capacity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is gas stored on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the digester(s) free of tilting covers? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the gas burner operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the digester heated? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the temperature maintained constantly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 9 Permit: NCO036277 Inspection Date: 03/16/2018 Anaerobic Digester Owner - Facility: McDowell Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Comment: The facility is equipped with five digesters (4 — primary and 1- storage/floating cover). Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ Digesters 3 & 4 have been recently rehabbed. The rehabilitation of Digesters 1 & 2 is ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? S projected to begin in May 2018. ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 Solids Handling Equipment Yes No NA NE Is the equipment operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chemical feed equipment operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ The facility has an approved sludge management plan? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facilitv is eauioDed with 2 — belt filter Dresses and 2 - aravity belt thickeners. No dewatering was occurring at the time of the inspection. The filtrate from the dewatering units is collected into a filtrate equalization tank and returned back to the head of the treatment system. Dewatered bio -solids are land applied by a contracted company (Synagro) under the authority of Permit No. WQ0000057. Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? S ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator fuel level monitored? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The facility is equipped with two standby generators that are placed under load monthly. The generators are also activated prior to storm events. The generators are serviced by a contracted company (Cummings) on a quarterly basis. Page# 10