NC0025542_Inspection_20181221

NORTH CAROL NA
Enpironmentat Quality
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director
21 December 2018
Mr. Shawn Pennell
Assistant Public Services Director/Public Utilities
City of Hickory
Post Office Box 398
Hickory, North Carolina 28603
Subject: Notice of Deficiency
Compliance Evaluation Inspection
City of Hickory/Catawba WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NCO025542
Catawba County
Tracking #: NOD-2018-PC-0337
Dear Mr. Pennell:
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on
December 12, 2018, by Mr. Wes Bell of this Office. Please inform the facility's Operator -in -Responsible Charge (ORC) of
our findings by forwarding a copy of the enclosed report.
This report is being issued as a Notice of Deficiency (NOD) due to an inoperable standby generator which is a
violation of the subject NPDES Permit and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 as detailed in the Standby
Power Section of the attached report. Please be advised that G.S. 143-215.6A provides for a civil penalty assessment of not
more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), or twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per day when the violation
is of a continuing nature, against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or
requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. Penalties may also be assessed for any damage to surface
waters of the State that may result from the violation.
It is requested that a written response be submitted to this Office by January 10, 2019, detailing the actions taken to
address the violation. In responding, please address your comments to the attention of Mr. Wes Bell.
E11-�
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
610 East Center Avenue I Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704.663.1699

Mr. Shawn Pennell
Page Two
21 December 2018
Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at [phone], or via
email at wes.bellkncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
EA
DocuSigned by:
oa w H P
F161 FB69A2D84A3...
for W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosure:
Inspection Report

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 I 2 IF I 3 I NCO025542 111 12 I 18/12/12 I17 18 I S i 19 i G i 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 B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved -------------------
67
2.0 70 Id I 71 [.. I 72 73 L_LJ74 751 I I I I I I 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)
10:10AM 18/12/12
16/11/01
Catawba WWTP
End Of Sixth Ave Nw
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Catawba NC 28609
01:35PM 18/12/12
20/04/30
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
David Archambault/ORC/828-322-5075/
Todd Atwell Bumgarner//828-322-5075 /
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Kevin B Greer,PO Box 398 Hickory NC 286030398/Public Services
Director/828-323-7500/8283221405 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
cusigned by: 12/20/2018
Wes Bell MRO WQ//704-663-1699 Ext.2192/
Be&
E�:
96D90CC3437...
Pocusigned by: Date
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Nu EA#-.'H P,.U" 12/20/2018
Andrew Pitner MRO WQ//704-663-1699 Ext.21
1`161 FB69AMUA3...
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type
NCO025542 I11 121 18/12/12 117 18 JCJ
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Page#

Permit: NCO025542
Inspection Date: 12/12/2018
Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP
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: The last compliance evaluation inspection performed by DWR staff was on 10/17/17.
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
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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 CM
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: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained.
Discharge
Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period November 2017 through
October
2018. No effluent limit violations were reDorted and all monitorina freauencies were correct.
Laboratory
Yes No NA NE
Page# 3

Permit: NCO025542 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP
Inspection Date: 12/12/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Laboratory
Yes No NA NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
0
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Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab?
0
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# Is the facility using a contract lab?
0
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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)?
Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees?
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Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees?
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Comment: Influent and effluent analyses (including field) are performed under the City
of Hickory's
Regional Laboratory Certification #203. Pace Analytical Services (metals,
PPA), Statesville
Analytical (color), R&A Labs (chlorophyll -a), and Blue Ridge Labs (cyanide)
have also been
contracted to provide analytical support.
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
0
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Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit?
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Comment: The subiect Dermit reauires influent BOD and TSS composite samDles. Sampler aliauot
calibrations/verifications are periodically performed throughout each month.
The influent sample includes the side stream flows from the filter backwash and in -plant
pump station. City staff should investigate an influent sampling location upstream of all side
streams.
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)?
MTN►17►/_M►1M
Comment: The subiect permit requires composite and grab effluent samples. Sampler aliquot
calibrations/verifications are periodically performed throughout each month.
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Permit: NCO025542 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP
Inspection Date: 12/12/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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 ❑ ❑ ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment: The wastewater treatment facilitv armeared to be DroDerly oDerated and well maintained
The ORC and staff implement a comprehensive process control program with all
measurements being properly documented and maintained on -site.
The facility is equipped with a SCADA system to assist the wastewater staff with the
facility's operations.
Although not required, the wastewater treatment facility is visited by certified operators
seven days per week.
Bar Screens
Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
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b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
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Is the screen free of excessive debris?
0
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Is disposal of screening in compliance?
0
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Is the unit in good condition?
0
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Comment:
Grit Removal
Yes No NA NE
Type of grit removal
a.Manual
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b.Mechanical
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
0
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Is the grit free of excessive odor?
0
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# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
0
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Comment: Screenings and grit are disposed at the County Landfill.
Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE
Page# 5

Permit: NCO025542
Inspection Date: 12/12/2018
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)
Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Both oxidation ditches were operational; however, one ditch was in service due to low
influent flows. Each oxidation ditch is equipped with anaerobic and anoxic basins. Soda
ash is added on an as -needed basis to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels.
A microbial
food supplement is also added daily.
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?
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Is the site free of weir blockage?
0
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Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting?
0
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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)?
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Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
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Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth)
0
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Comment: Both secondary clarifiers were operational: however, only one secondary was in service
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:
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
Page# 6

Permit: NC0025542
Inspection Date: 12/12/2018
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
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?
Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Up flow
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Comment: All four tertiary filters were operational; however, two filters were in service. The tertiary
filters are designed to backwash continuously.
Disinfection -Liquid
Yes No NA NE
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
0
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(Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational?
0
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Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains)
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Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
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Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
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Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
0
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Comment:
De -chlorination
Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?
Liquid
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
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Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
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0
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# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
0 ❑
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Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use?
Comment:
Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE
Is containment adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is storage adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 7

Permit: NC0025542 Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP
Inspection Date: 12/12/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE
Are backup pumps available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive leaking? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
0
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
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Is the flow meter operational?
0
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
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Comment: The flow meter is calibrated twice Der vear and was last calibrated on 7/17/18 by Diversified
Integration, Inc.
Effluent Pipe
Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
0
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Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
0
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If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
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0
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Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids or foam. The receiving stream did not
appear to be negatively impacted.
Aerobic Digester
Yes No NA NE
Is the capacity adequate?
0
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Is the mixing adequate?
0
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Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
0
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# Is the odor acceptable?
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# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
0
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Comment: The facility is equipped with two aerated sludge storage tanks. Wastewater solids are
transported to the Regional Compost Facility for further treatment/processing.
Standby Power
Is automatically activated standby power available?
Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source?
Is the generator tested under load?
Was generator tested & operational during the inspection?
Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site?
Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power?
MCMzSM►1c111111111111111►1=111111
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Page# 8

Permit: NCO025542
Inspection Date: 12/12/2018
Standbv Power
Is the generator fuel level monitored?
Owner - Facility: Catawba WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The aenerator was not oDerational at the time of the inspection. The aenerator has had
operational issues since August 2018. Please be advised that the subject permit requires
the permittee to properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and
control at all times [Permit Condition Reference: Part II, Section C(2) Proper Operation and
Maintenancel.
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