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Home My WebLink AboutNC0020354_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20050119January 19, 2005 Mr. David Hughes, Town Manager Town of Pittsboro P.O. Box 759 Pittsboro, NC 27312 Subject: Notice of Violation Compliance Evaluation Inspection Pittsboro WWTP-Class 3 facility NPDES Permit No NC0020354 Chatham County Dear Mr. Hughes: Michael F Lasley, Governor William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Alan W Klimek, P E., Director Division of Water Quality The subject inspection was performed January 11, 2005 by Ted Cashion of my staff. The cooperation of Bill Davis, operator at the plant, was appreciated. Findings during the inspection were as follows: 1. The 0.75 mgd facility consists of a mechanical bar screen, 2 circular aeration basins, 2 circular clarifiers contained in the aeration basins, 3 tertiary filters, ITV disinfection, effluent flow meter in a parshall flume, cascade post aeration, drum sludge thickener, and 2 aerobic digesters. 2. The Town has 1 significant industrial user, Hydrotube South. 3. Mr. John Poteat, grade 4 license, is listed as the ORC; Mr. Perry Dunn, grade 2 license, is listed as the backup ORC for the class 3 rated facility. 4. Sludge is lime stabilized by the town, and land applied by Synagro. Sludge was being hauled during the inspection. Both digesters were near empty. 5. Environment I performs analyses for the Town. 6. A cursory review of laboratory and DMR data for October 2004 showed consistent reporting of results. 7. Mr. Davis stated the Pittsboro Christian Village pump station improvements were completed last week. The Town has 4 pump stations. 8. A review of the ORC logbook showed good information is entered on a daily basis. 9. As discussed during the inspection, the 24 hour sample collection time period must be noted on each chain of custody. 10. Influent and effluent sampler temperatures must be recorded when samples are collected. Temperatures must range between 0-4 degrees C, without freezing. 11. Calibration records for dissolved oxygen and pH appeared satisfactory. The pH buffers expire at the end of January 2005. New buffer solutions must be secured by the town immediately. 12. As discussed with Mr. Davis, plant staff need to document the inspection and proper operation of the alarm system at the influent pump station. 13. The influent sampler was programmed to collect 24 hour composites by constant time/constant time. This method is satisfactory for the influent, as long as samples are collected are no greater than 20 minute intervals, and no less th 100 mis are collected at each sampling event. Please ensure the sampler is programmed to comply with this requirement. I� Carolina -atura!!y North Carolina Division of Water Quality Raleigh Regional Office Surface Water Protection Phone (919) 571-4700 Customer Service Internet: h2o.enr.state.nc.us 1628 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1628 FAX (919) 571-4718 1-877-623-6748 An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer— 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper Mr. Hughes Page 2 14. The effluent sampler was programmed to collect 24 hour composites by constant time/constant volume. This is in violation of the NPDES permit. The effluent samples must be collected proportional to flow as stated in the NPDES permit. Please ensure the sampler is programmed to comply with this requirement. 15. The effluent flow meter was calibrated in August 2004. An instantaneous check showed it to be recording within + 10% of the actual flow. 16. The effluent appeared clear during the inspection. 17. A review of data from November 2003 through October 2004 showed 2 weekly average violations of Nickel (week of August 23, and week of November 10). These violations have been previously addressed by the Division. All other parameters were compliant with limit and monitoring frequencies. 18. Comments included on the DMR for March 17, 2004 noted the fecal coliform sample contained residual chlorine due to the weirs being chlorinated for algae control. Residual chlorine was not monitored as required by the permit for this day. We recommend that the weirs be cleaned with high pressure water instead of chlorine. This inspection is being sent as a Notice of Violation specifically for the failure to collect 24 hour effluent composite samples by flow proportion as noted in item 14, and for failure to monitor chlorine as noted in item 18. Please respond in writing by February 1, 2005 stating when the effluent sampler was programmed to comply with this requirement. If you have questions regarding this inspection please contact Mr. Cashion at 919.571.4700 ext. 271. Sincerely, 4, �c Kenneth Schuster, P.E. Regional Surface Water Protection Supervisor so 9z HVIT Unded States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved. EPA Washington, D.0 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 u 2 u 31 NC0020354 1 11 121 05/01/111 17 18 U 19 U 20 U Remarks 211111111111111111Jill IIIIJill III IIIIIIIII IIIII1166 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA---------Reserved 671 169 70 U 71 U 721-1 73 W 74 751 I I I I I I 180 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) 12:50 PM 05/01/11 02/02/01 Pittsboro WWTP Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Small St Extension Pittsboro NC 27312 02:20 PM 05/01/11 06/04/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data o n 919-542-2444/ Name, Address of Responsible OfficiaUTitle/Phone and Fax Number 'q I-, /)"-& e - �� 4r,">f�� o acted PO Box 759 Pittsboro NC 27312{�f919-542-2444/919542p1oko 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 Ted A Cashion RRO WQ//919-571-4700/919-571-4718 Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Permit: NC0020354 Owner - Facility: Town of Pittsboro - Pittsboro VVWP ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Inspection Date: 01/11/05 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment Yes No NA NE PPS (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new application? Yes No ■ ❑ NA ❑ NE ❑ Is the facility as described in the permit? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there any special conditions for the permit? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Does the plant have general safety structures in place such as rads around or covers over tanks, pits, or wells? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment Yes No NA NE Pump Station - Influent Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the general housekeeping acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: Screens Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b Mechanical ■ Are the bars adequately screening debris? ■ 000 Is the screen free of excessive debris? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Yes No NA NE 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 sludge blanket level acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the overflow clear of excessive solidstpin floc? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the surface free of bulking ? ■ 0 0 0 11 Permit: NCO020354 Owner - Facility: Town of Pittsboro - Pittsboro WWTP Inspection Date: 01/11/05 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary rlsnfipr Yes No NA N Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NF Mode of operation Type of aeration system Is the basin free of dead spots? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Are settleometer results acceptable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: ation iah Rate 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Does backwashmg frequency appear adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Yes No NA NF niainf ction - UV Are tertiary filters present before disinfection treatment? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are extra UV bulbs available on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Are UV bulbs clean? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is transmittance at or above designed level? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is effluent clear? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a backup system on site? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the facility using a contract lab? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at 1.0 to 4.4 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? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ■ 0 0 A Permit: NC0020354 Owner - Facility: Town of Pittsboro - Pittsboro WUVfP Inspection Date: 01/11/05 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE_ Influenym I�j ing Is sample collected above side streams? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is proper volume collected? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at 1 0 to 4.4 degrees Celsius)? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Is sampling performed according to the permit? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Comment. Yes No NA NE Ef Llent Sam IfLg 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 1.0 to 4 4 degrees Celsius)? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Comment: Yes No NA NE_ Aerobic Digester ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the odor acceptable? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Yes Ne NA NE Solids Handling Pquipment Is the equipment operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chemical feed equipment operational? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage adequate? 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? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: