NC0024112_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20180814

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ROY COOPER NORTH CAROLINA
Governor Environmental Quality
MICHAEL S.REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Interim Director
August 14, 2018 RECEii/ DEWR
AUGED/ 2 2018NR1D
Kelly Craver
City of Thomasville Water Resources
PO Box 368 Permitting Section
Thomasville, NC 27361-0368
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report
Hamby Creek WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0024112
Davidson County
Dear Mr. Craver:
On July 31, 2018, Paul DiMatteo of this office met with Allen Beck, operator in responsible charge
(ORC), and Misty Conder, backup ORC, to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection on the subject
wastewater treatment facility. This type of inspection consists of two basic parts: an in-office file review
and an on-site inspection of the treatment facility. The attached inspection form notes the areas that
were evaluated for this inspection. The findings and observations are outlined as follows.
I. Permit
The permit became effective on October 1, 2014 and will expire on April 30, 2019. The operators
were reminded to submit a renewal application at least 180 days before expiration (November 1, 2018).
A copy of the current permit was available during the inspection. The facility was as described in the
permit.
II. Self-Monitoring Program
A review of discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) from July 2016 through June 2018 showed the
following actioned violation, which was addressed through previous correspondence from this office:
PARAMETER VIOLATIONDATE VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION ACTION
Phosphorus 3/31/2017 Seasonal Maximum Proceed to NOV
Seasonal Load Exceeded
Sampling is being conducted at the location and frequency specified by the permit. Both influent and
effluent samplers are set for flow proportional compositing using ISCO 5800 composite samplers. The
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DAnent of Environmental Omllby
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 Hanes Mill Road,Suite 300 I Winston-Salem,North Carolina 27103
336.776.9800

Hamby Creek WWTP, 7/31/2018
influent sampler was set to take 120 milliliters (ml) every 100 pulses, and the effluent sampler was set
to take 100 ml every 25 pulses. An aliquot pulled at the effluent measured 160 ml. Ms. Conder said she
did not know how many gallons constituted one pulse at either the influent or effluent. The volume of
each pulse should be determined as it will allow for sampler adjustment in case of anticipated varying
flow rates.
The facility measures BOD, fecal coliforms, pH, conductivity, temperature, DO, chlorine,
phosphorus, ammonia and total suspended solids at the on-site laboratory under certification # 92.
Other analysis is performed by Meritech, Inc. under certification # 165. A review of field parameter
calibration records and procedures appeared acceptable. A thermometer on the fecal incubator read
44.5°C.
Ill. Records/Reports
Copies of DMRs, operator visitation logs, daily operation sheets, maintenance reports, lab
reports and chain-of-custody forms were available for review during the inspection. DMRs and lab data
are maintained according to the permit. DMRs include all permit parameters.A comparison of submitted
data with bench sheets revealed no errors or concerns.
IV. Flow Measurement
Influent flow is measured using an ultrasonic sensor over a 2-foot Parshall flume and recorded
using SCADA. Effluent flow is measured using an ultrasonic sensor over a rectangular weir. Flow is
reported from the influent meter. Records appeared to indicate that the electronic sensors were
calibrated on April 5, 2018 by Instrument Services, Inc.
During the inspection it was noted that the influent meter's ultrasonic device was placed just
behind the Parshall flume's converging section. Please note that Part II, Section D.3 of the Permit
requires that "flow measurement devices and methods consistent with accepted scientific practices
shall be selected and used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of measurements of the volume of
monitored discharge. The devices shall be installed, calibrated and maintained to ensure that the
accuracy of the measurements is consistent with the accepted capability of that type of device."
Accepted scientific practices for Parshall flumes dictate that flow be calculated using the head
measured at a specific point 2/3 up the converging section's sidewall from the throat, and not behind
the flume's converging section.
In order to verify the accuracy of flow data submitted using the influent flow meter, please provide
discharge tables and/or formulas for your flume that are based on the specific point measured, and
provide calibration records that indicate that the ultrasonic sensor and flow totalizer were set to perform
calculations based on these formulas (i.e., that they were not set to perform calculations based on
typical Parshall flume discharge tables and formulas).
V. Operations and Maintenance
The plant is operated as required. All operators are properly designated and hold adequate
certifications. The facility appeared to be well operated and managed.
Page 2 of 3

• Hamby Creek WWTP, 7/31/2018
VI. Facility Site Review
Mr. Beck reported that the Cannibal solids reduction system caused problems with phosphorus
reduction and did not work as advertised, so the operators have taken it offline permanently. All other
components appeared to be operating properly. Three ultraviolet disinfection trains are available; Mr.
Beck said that each train can treat flows as high as 5 million gallons per day (mgd), and one full set of
backup bulbs was available. Finished water appeared clear.
VII. Effluent/Receiving Waters
Treated effluent is discharged to Hamby Creek, class C waters in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River
Basin. Effluent after disinfection appeared clear. The outfall was not observed during the inspection
due to wet conditions, time constraints and access issues. Mr. Beck reported that they have not been
able to access the discharge point for many years because Interstate 85 blocks access to their
easement and they have not been able to resolve this issue with the NC Department of Transportation.
Please note that the outfall line's easement should be cleared such that the outfall is accessible for
inspection and in case of need for emergency maintenance.
VIII. Sludge Handling/Disposal
All sludge is dewatered and hauled to a landfill as needed.
IX. Conclusions and Requested Action
Please provide the information requested under Section IV. Flow Measurement within 30 days
of receipt of this report. Alternatively, you may provide a plan to relocate the flow meter's ultrasonic
device and request reinspection after the relocation.
The compliance evaluation inspection is satisfactory. The facility is operated and maintained in
an excellent manner. If you have any questions regarding the inspection or this report, please contact
Paul DiMatteo at [phone] or me at [phone].
Sincerely,
Sherri V. Knight, P.E.
Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations
Division of Water Resources
Attachments: BIMS EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
cc: WSRO _
NPDES Unit
Central.Files
Page 3 of 3

United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved
E PA 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 [ 2 3 I NC0024112 111 121 18/07/31 _ ]17 18 ,, 19 I s
I 201
21IIIII1 IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII I IIIIII IIIIIIiIIIi 166
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA -Reserved
67I I 70LI I 71 I I 72 1 r, 1 731
I I' 75] I I I I I I 1 l80
Section B Facility Data LJ
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) 08 50AM 18/07/31 14/10/01
Hamby Creek WWTP •
110 Optimist Park Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
Thomasville NC 27360 12 20PM 18/07/31 19/04/30
Name(s)of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data
///
Allen R Beck/ORC/336-475-4246/
Name,Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Kelly Craver,PO Box 368 Thomasville NC 273610368/Assistant City
Manager/336-475-4220/3364754283 No
Section C.Areas Evaluated During Inspection(Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit • Flow Measurement II Operations&Maintenance • Records/Reports
U Self-Monitoring Program U Facility Site Review II 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
Paul DiMMatteon J/ WSRO WQ//336-776-9691/ f' l
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
'4.eV,i/t/I- (4/tit-ia- 7/V/5A/
EPA Form 3560-3(Rev 9-94)Previous editions are obsolete
Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type 1
31 NC0024112 111 121 18/07/31 117 18 I
Section D•Summary of Finding/Comments(Attach additional�sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Page# 2

Permit: NC0024112 Owner-Facility: Hamby Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 07/31/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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 0 ❑
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 0 0 • ❑
application'?
Is the facility as described in the permit'? • ❑ 0 ❑
#Are there any special conditions for the permit'? ❑ I ❑ 0
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection'? • 0 0 0
Comment. Permit lists a Cannibal solids reduction system. Mr. Beck said that they don't use it anymore
because it caused problems with phosphorus reduction and didn't actually reduce solids as
advertised.
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
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'? U ❑ ❑ ❑
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 ❑ 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 • ❑ ❑ ❑
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'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 3

Permit: NC0024112 Owner-Facility: Hamby Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 07/31/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? • 0 0 ❑
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? • 0 0 0
Comment: Wastewater and collection system annual reports are posted to the town's website.
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑ •
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? ❑ ❑ ❑ •
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly'? ❑ 0 0 •
Comment Mr. Beck said that they lost access to their easement when 1-85 was built and have not been
able to access it since. Mr Beck said he'd personally only seen the outfall once.
Flow Measurement- Influent Yes No NA NE
#Is flow meter used for reporting'? ■ 0 0 ❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the flow meter operational'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter'? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Comment. Flow is recorded on SCADA. Mr. Beck said that the chart recorder did not pass the last
calibration
Primary device is a 2 foot Parshall flume. Secondary device is an ultrasonic reader.
Ultrasonic reader appeared to not be placed in the correct location- it was directly behind
the converging section of the flume.There was a bar crossing the top of the flume that
appeared to be in the correct position, that could potentially be used to mount an ultrasonic
sensor.
Flow Measurement- Effluent Yes No NA NE
#Is flow meter used for reporting'? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the flow meter operational'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter'? ❑ ❑ U ❑
Comment Ultrasonic device over a rectangular weir. Flow is reported from the influent.
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a Manual ❑
b Mechanical Il
Page# 4

Permit: NC0024112 Owner-Facility: Hamby CreekWWTP
Inspection Date: 07/31/2018 Inspection Type• Compliance Evaluation
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
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? • ❑ ❑ 0
Comment:
Grit Removal Yes No NA NE
Type of grit removal
a Manual ❑
b.Mechanical •
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the grit free of excessive odor'? U ❑ ❑ ❑
#Is disposal of grit in compliance'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment-
Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE
Are the aerators operational'? • 0 ❑ ❑
Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up'? • ❑ ❑ 0
#Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the foam cover less than 25%of the basin's surface'? • ❑ ❑ 0
Is the DO level acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ •
Are settleometer results acceptable(>30 minutes)? ❑ 0 0 •
Is the DO level acceptable?(1 0 to 3.0 mg/I) 0 ❑ ❑ •
Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes) 0 0 0 •
Comment 5-stage Bardenpho process takes place in oxidation ditches.
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation Ext Air
Type of aeration system Diffused
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'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 5

Permit: NC0024112 Owner-Facility: Hamby Creek WNTP
Inspection Date: 07/31/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE
Does the foam cover less than 25%of the basin's surface'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the DO level acceptable'? ❑ ❑ 0 •
Is the DO level acceptable?(1 0 to 3 0 mg/I) 0 ❑ ❑ •
Comment Aerated holding is after oxidation and before secondary clarification.
Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater'? • 0 0 ❑
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are weirs level? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of weir blockage? II ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is scum removal adequate? MI 0 ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge'? • ❑ ❑ Cl
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%4 of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ IN
Comment •
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE
Type of operation Cross flow
Is the filter media present'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter surface free of clogging'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the filter free of growth? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the air scour operational'? ❑ ❑ 0
Is the scouring acceptable'? ❑ ❑ ❑ •
Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment.
Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are UV bulbs clean'? I ❑ ❑ ❑
Is UV intensity adequate'? • 0 ❑ ❑
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Permit: NC0024112 Owner-Facility: Hamby Creek WVVTP
Inspection Date: 07/31/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection -UV Yes No NA NE
Is transmittance at or above designed level? • 000
Is there a backup system on site? • 000
Is effluent clear and free of solids? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment There are three UV trains, and Mr. Beck said that each one is capable of treating 5 million
gallons per day.
Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE
#Is composite sampling flow proportional? 11000
Is sample collected above side streams? • 000
Is proper volume collected? ❑ ❑ ❑ •
Is the tubing clean? • 000
#Is proper temperature set for sample storage(kept at less than or equal to 6 0 degrees • 000
Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit? • 000
Comment:
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional? 11000
Is sample collected below all treatment units? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Is proper volume collected? • 000
Is the tubing clean? M ❑ ❑ ❑
#Is proper temperature set for sample storage(kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 111000
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit(frequency,sampling type • 000
representative)?
Comment
Laboratory Yes No NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? 11000
Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters)performed by a certified lab? 11000
#Is the facility using a contract lab? 01100
#Is proper temperature set for sample storage(kept at less than or equal to 6 0 degrees 11000
Celsius)?
Incubator(Fecal Coliform)set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/-0 2 degrees? • 000
Incubator(BOD)set to 20 0 degrees Celsius+/-1 0 degrees? 000 •
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i
Permit: NC0024112 Owner-Facility: Hamby Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 07/31/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Laboratory Yes No NA NE
Comment: Thermometer calibrations okay-checked yearly with an in-house NIST traceable
thermometer. Facility performs BOD,fecal coliform, pH, conductivity, temperature, D.O.,
TRC, phosphorus, ammonia, and TSS in house under certification#95.
Nutrient Removal Yes No NA NE
#Is total nitrogen removal required? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Is total phosphorous removal required? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Type Biological
#Is chemical feed required to sustain process? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Is nutrient removal process operating properly'? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment
Pumps-RAS-WAS •
Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place'? U ❑ ❑ ❑
Are pumps operational'? II ❑ ❑ ❑
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? 11000
Comment.
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