NC0026611_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20181105

DocuSign Envelope ID: UFAMA8-FF594A88-861 F-DI B3BB6D4BE2
ROY COOPER NORTH CAROLINA
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LL�DA C-ULPEPPER
Interim Dirsclor
November 5, 2018
Mr. Daniel K. Williams
Town of Morehead City
706 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557-4234
Subject: Compliance Inspection Report
Morehead City WWTP
Permit No. NCO026611
Carteret County
Dear Mr. Williams:
A compliance inspection of the Morehead City Wastewater Treatment Facility was conducted by Tom
Tharrington from this office on September 4, 2018. This inspection was to verify that the facility is
operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES Permit No. NC0026611.
The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the "Water
Compliance Inspection Report". There were no significant issues or findings noted during this inspection,
thus a response to this inspection report is not required.
If you have any questions concerning this report, you may contact the inspector at the letterhead contact
or via email at [e-mail] .
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
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E3ABA14AC7DC434...
Dr. Morella Sanchez -King PE, Acting Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosure
Cc: Wilmington Regional Office Files NC0026611-Laserfiche
Central Files, Water Quality Section
State of North Carolina I Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
127 Cardinal Drive Ext., Wilmington, NC 28405
919 796 7215

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9AC23D6A-3972-48C2-A340-772FF5223CDB
United 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 1 2 15 I 3 I NCO026611 111 12 I 18/09/08 I17 18 I S J 19 L G] 201 I
211111 I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I f6
Inspection
Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating 131 QA ---------------------- Reserved -------------------
671
70 I5 71 I tyI 72 I r I 73 I I 174 751 I I I I I I I80
uI I I i
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)
11:05AM 18/09/08
13/04/01
Morehead City WWTP
1000 Treatment Plant Rd
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Morehead City NC 28557
01:15PM 18/09/08
17/07/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Carl D. Dangerfield/ORC/252-726-6237/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Daniel K Williams,706 Arendell St Morehead City NC 285574234/Public Utilities
Director/252-726-6848/2527262267 No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Program 0 Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters
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
Tom Tharrington Docusignedby: WIROWQ/// 11/5/2018
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ET171F141E731361`3456...
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Do�c1uuSiig'need by: 11/ 5/2018
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EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9AC23D6A-3972-48C2-A340-772FF5223CDB
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.)
NCO026611 I11 121 18/09/08 117 18 JCJ
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
This facility is a well run and well maintained dual oxidation ditch system. Performance in terms of
BOD, TSS, NH3, Total N and Total P continues to be excellent. This system can be impacted by high
flow rates associated with tropical and "noreaster" weather systems that produce significant
precipitation. The staff have a number of actions that can be taken to lessen these impacts including
shutdown of brush rotors in the oxidation ditches and frequent preventative maintenance on the tertiary
filters units.
One of the two aerobic digester tanks has been cleaned to remove grit and debris but the other tank
has not yet been scheduled for cleaning. The site has the capacity to make Class A residual using the
sludge drying unit which can produce solids in the 67% range. Both Class A and Class B solids are
stored in a covered storage area prior to disposal. Class B residuals are typically removed and
disposed of by Synagro and Lewis Farms.
Remaining comments are located in the questions section of this report.
Page#

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9AC23D6A-3972-48C2-A340-772FF5223CDB
Permit: NCO026611 Owner - Facility: Morehead City WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/08/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit
Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
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application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
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# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
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Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
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Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
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Comment: Permit requires notification to Marine Fisheries Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water
Quality after any release of partially treated wastewater effluent. There is also the
requirement to notifiv the regional office if operational issues arise with the UV disinfection
system.
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
0
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Is all required information readily available, complete and current?
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Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)?
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Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs?
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Is the chain -of -custody complete?
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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?
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Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ?
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(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator
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on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current?
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Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification?
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Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification?
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Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
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Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
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Comment: All records reviewed during the inspection were complete. The ORC (Carl Dangerfield)
will
be transitioning out of the ORC position as retirement nears and Chad Sutton will assume
the responsibilities.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9AC23D6A-3972-48C2-A340-772FF5223CDB
Permit: NCO026611 Owner - Facility: Morehead City WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/08/2018 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 ❑ ❑ ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment: The oxidation ditch system is monitored for mixed liquor solids and a microscopic inspection
daily, MLSS ranges from 3,500-5,000 mg/I depending on season.
Bar Screens
Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
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b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
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Is the screen free of excessive debris?
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Is disposal of screening in compliance?
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Is the unit in good condition?
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Comment: The collection system has 3 barscreen units
prior to the WWTP, the nearest screen is
located at PS#10 iust outside of the fenceline of the facility. All 3 of these screens are
checked twice daily by staff.
Grit Removal
Type of grit removal
Yes No NA NE
a.Manual
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b.Mechanical
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Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
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Is the grit free of excessive odor?
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# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
0
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Comment: A Lakeside Raptor grit removal and classifier unit are used at the headworks.
Removed
grit
is conveyed to a roll -off dumpster for disposal at the area landfill.
Influent Sampling
Yes No NA NE
# Is composite sampling flow proportional?
0
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Is sample collected above side streams?
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Is proper volume collected?
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Is the tubing clean?
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# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
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Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit?
0
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9AC23D6A-3972-48C2-A340-772FF5223CDB
Permit: NCO026611 Owner - Facility: Morehead City WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/08/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Influent Sampling
Comment: The autosampler was clean and the refrigerator temperature of YC.
Oxidation Ditches
Are the aerators operational?
Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up?
# 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 (> 30 minutes)?
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1)
Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes)
Yes No NA NE
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The facilitv continues to operate the oxidation ditch in a anaerobic. anoxic and then oxic
mode. Wastewater influent and RAS mix together as the water enters the anaerobic
selector compartment and then moves into the first oxidation ditch. This ditch typically only
keeps one brush rotor in operation to assure mixing and to keep the mixed liquor
suspended. Wastewater then moves into the second ditch where three brush rotors are
kept on in the "hand" position. The fourth rotor automatically stops and starts as needed to
keep the dissolved oxygen level between 1.75 mg/1 and 2.75 mg/I. During the inspection the
first ditch had a dissolved oxygen level of 0.09 mg/1 and the second ditch was 2.34 mg/I.
Nutrient Removal
# Is total nitrogen removal required?
# Is total phosphorous removal required?
Yes No NA NE
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Type Biological
# Is chemical feed required to sustain process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is nutrient removal process operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The facility has a 41,856 Ibs/year Total Nitrogen limit and a 7, 610 Ibs/year Total
Phosphorous limit. Operations staff uses as a guide 5.5 mq/I of Total Nitrogen and 1.0 mq/1
of Total Phosphorous at 2.5 MGD flow rate. Liquid Alum is fed at a rate of 90 gallons/day to
aid in phosphorous removal and as a settling aid.
Secondary Clarifier
Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
0
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Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
0
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Are weirs level?
0
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Is the site free of weir blockage?
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Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting?
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Page# 5

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9AC23D6A-3972-48C2-A340-772FF5223CDB
Permit: NCO026611 Owner - Facility:
Morehead City WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/08/2018 Inspection Type:
Compliance Evaluation
Secondary Clarifier
Yes No NA NE
Is scum removal adequate?
0
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Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
0
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Is the drive unit operational?
0
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Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
0
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Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
0
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Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth)
0
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Comment: The sludae blanket is monitored several times each day by operations staff. The clarifiers
are Lakeside peripheral feed clarifiers with influent introduced along the outside and effluent
leaving via a centrally located weir and launder. Sludge withdrawal lines are cleared of any
blockages each day by lowering the telescopic valves to the fully open position and then
returning them to their normal operating position.
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place?
0 ❑
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Are pumps operational?
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Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
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Comment: Liquid chlorine is fed into the RAS wet well
prior to its return to the head of the anaerobic
selector chambers. Typical RAS rates are approximately
2:1. WAS is performed 5 days a
week with variations dependant upon digester inventory. WAS rates are typically 200,000
gallons/week.
Chemical Feed
Yes No NA NE
Is containment adequate?
0
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Is storage adequate?
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Are backup pumps available?
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Is the site free of excessive leaking?
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Comment: No comment
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
Yes No NA NE
Type of operation:
Down flow
Is the filter media present?
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Is the filter surface free of clogging?
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Is the filter free of growth?
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Is the air scour operational?
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Is the scouring acceptable?
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Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media?
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9AC23D6A-3972-48C2-A340-772FF5223CDB
Permit: NCO026611 Owner - Facility: Morehead City WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/08/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
Yes No NA NE
Comment: The facility uses dual traveling bridge sand filters for tertiary
filtration. These sand filters are
drained, surface skimmed and hypochlorinated on a rotating
schedule. New sand is added
as needed during this process.
Disinfection - UV
Yes No NA NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site?
0 ❑
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Are UV bulbs clean?
0 ❑
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Is UV intensity adequate?
0 ❑
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Is transmittance at or above designed level?
0 ❑
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Is there a backup system on site?
0 ❑
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Is effluent clear and free of solids?
0 ❑
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Comment: The facility uses three Trojan 3000PIus UV disinfection units operated in series. The units
are operated in a rotating 'lead", "lap" and "stand-bV" positions with the final unit coming
on-line if flow rates increase. During the inspection two units were operating in "hand"
position and the third unit which had just been re-bulbed was off-line.
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)?
Comment: Sampler temperature was 4.0°C, all sampler tubing and containers were clean.
Aerobic Digester
Is the capacity adequate?
Is the mixing adequate?
Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
# Is the odor acceptable?
# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
Yes No NA NE
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9AC23D6A-3972-48C2-A340-772FF5223CDB
Permit: NCO026611 Owner - Facility: Morehead City WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/08/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE
Comment: The oDerations staff indicated a third diaester tank would increase solids orocessina
performance, as decanting times and effectiveness lessen as the tank capacity increases.
WWTP staff operate the sludge presses every three weeks, the time to press all the
material is typically 5 to 7 days. The solids content of the wasted sludge is about 2.0-2.5%
out of the digester and about 16-18% from the presses.
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