NC0020737_Report_20180928

THE CITY OF KINGS MOUNTAIN
.
441 # Ia`' ' y P.O.BOX 429 • KINGS MOUNTAIN,NORTH CAROLINA 28086 • 704-734-0333
September 21, 2018
Derek Denard RECEIVED/DENR/DWR
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Division SEP 28 2018
1617 Mail Service Center Water Resources
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Permitting Section
Subject: October 2018 Status Report for Pilot Creek WWTP
Mr. Denard,
The City of Kings Mountain holds NPDES Permit NC0020737. After receipt of the extended
Special Order of Consent (SOC) by the Environmental Management Commision, Pilot Creek has
submitted quarterly Status Reports; informing the State, of ongoing efforts made to reduce
thallium in the collection system for the City of Kings Mountain. These reports will be
submitted quarterly until May 31, 2020, as stated in the Scheduled Activity section, Section 2.
(b).
Coremetech and City of KM TI data to date:
The following monthly data has been collected for 2018 regarding testing results for thallium at all SIU
facilities (results are in mg/L):
0.07 2018 SIU Thallium CFC
0.06
CVG
0.05 Buckeye
0.04 -- KMI
0.03 -Premier
Cormetech
0.02
POTW Limit
0.01
0
Jan. Feb. March April May June
The Historical City

As you can tell, Cormetech is the highest thallium contributor to the City of Kings Mountain's WWTP.
Reported thallium results have tremendously decreased since the beginning of status report submittals.
Below shows thallium data received from Cormetech beginning November 2018-August 2018:
2014-2018 TI Data —2014-...
8
6
5
E 4
3
1 \o/"'
tit` tih tih ( tih tih tih tic, � ti( ( ti( ti(o ti1 tiA l l l A tic Ltic Lc ticbtitiON" tiOti
'1, ,, ,, ,1, 1 , 1 ), 11, 1 , ,, ti1, t' , t,
,LO
�pJ' ap' a� �a4 �J\J.��.Q'L.��' �a� ��` �J'�J�J�eQ�'�o�' �,p*bac• ,b-V,J\--\* '�64' ,te'�a;• ,s-V,J�J'
Stead Coremetech Progress Reports:
Time frame: 05/15/18-06/15/18. Report was received on 6/20/18.
This report submitted by Cormetech stated the following:
Membrane Technology Continuous Flow Pilot Unit Trials:
Reduction Chemistry:
The microfiltration trials exploring various operation parameters and chemical concentrations to study
the effect on Thallium and other metals were successfully completed and representative samples were
submitted to Shealy Environmental Services, Inc. The trial was performed with high level of thallium
input to study the removal potential of reduction chemistry. All final analysis indicated that the
reduction chemistry has the capability to reduce thallium. The results from Shealy confirmed that the
thallium concentration is the treated samples were below the detection limit of used ICP-MS method.
The process also has the capability of removing other metals and TSS which would an added benefit.
This trial work in general was very impressive and confidence building. It has a good probability of
success and automation potential.

A possible next step could be a trial using a higher capacity Membrane Technology treatment system
(approx. 40 gpm). The objective would be to replicate the trials and study the sludge removal capacity
and operation/maintenance requirements.
Time frame: 06/16/18-07/16/18. Report was received on 7/20/18.
This report submitted by Cormetech stated the following:
Summary of data collected on Pilot Unit performance and applicability resulted in Cormetech
management decision to focus improvement efforts on the current wastewater pretreatment system.
The following action items are in progess.
• Acquiring quotes and lead time information for a polishing filter including evaluation of
potential production interferences during installation.
• Acquiring quotes and lead times for a large-scale installation of a secondary waste water
treatment line including evaluation of potential production interferences during installation.
Time frame: 07/17/2018-08/17/2018. Report was received in 08/20/2018.
Summaryof data collected on Pilot Unitperformance and applicability resulted in Cormetech
pp Y
management decision to focus improvement efforts on the current wastewater pretreatment system.
The following action items are in progress.
• Acquiring quotes and lead time information for a polishing filter including evaluation of
potential production interferences during installation.
• Acquiring quotes and lead times for a large-scale installation of a secondary waste water
treatment line including evaluation of potential production interferences during installation.
Currently exploring other options to improve arsenic and chloride levels while maintaining and
controlling thallium below permitted levels.
Additional information
07/05/2018: Marshall Goers from Waste Reduction Partners visited the site to advise on process
improvements needed at Pilot Creek. Marshall and myself have prepared a presentation to show City
officials what improvements are needed at the facility.
08/01/2018: Ricky Duncan,Jenna Sigmon and myself attended the Grant Application training course
in Valdese. The City plans to apply, in spring of 2019, for grants available to improve/update processes
at Pilot Creek.
08/01/2018: Pretreatment department completed the semi-annual sampling at Cormetech. Results
from this sampling event yielded copper discharge at 6.0598 lbs/day. Cormetech received a Notice of
Violation for this non-compliance.
08/06/2018: #4 system was taken down for cleaning and maintenance.
08/07/2018: Met with Cormetech at our office to discuss status of plant operations.

Pilot Creek WWTP continues to operate the belt press as much as possible to remove metals in the
system(s). During the timeframe of January-August,we have disposed of 854.4 tons of solids to the
Cleveland County Landfill. We will continue to operate the press in order to reduce the amounts of
solids in the system.
If you have any questions,feel free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Richelle Meek
City of Kings Mountain
WWTP Superintendent/ORC/Pretreatment Coordinator
[e-mail]
Office#: [phone]