NC0030210_Inspection_20190219

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 2 15 1 3 I NCO030210 111 12 I 19/02/11 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 71 [.. I 72 73 L_LJ74 751 I I I I I I I80
u 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)
09:25AM 19/02/11
14/01/01
Mallard Creek WWTP
12400 US Hwy 29 N
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Charlotte NC 28262
01:05PM 19/02/11
18/11/30
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Henry Harrison Eudy/ORC/980-214-5977/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Jacqueline A Jarrell,5100 Brookshire Blvd Charlotte NC 28216337 1 /Operations
Chief/704-336-5433/ 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
DocSigned by:
Wes Bell s� MRO WQ//704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 2/18/2019
2 re
E:'�96DMCC343T
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
W. Corey Basinger Division of Water Quality//704-2;
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
DocuSigned by:
eyj 2/18/2019
AlaccsalAFvazs... Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.)
NCO030210 I11 121 19/02/11 117 18 ICI
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On -site Representatives:
The following Charlotte Water personnel were in attendance during the inspection: Joseph
Lockler/Operations Manager; Henry Eudy/ORC; Tara Romine/Backup ORC; and Doug Wise/Water
Quality Program Specialist.
WWTP PCB Decontamination Progress:
PCB decontamination activities were completed in the Fall of 2017. The WWTP consistently achieved
compliance with effluent permit limits and maintained non -detectable PCB effluent levels during the
decontamination activities and following months until the end of September 2018 (sampling was
stopped).
Page#

Permit: NCO030210 Owner - Facility: Mallard Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/11/2019 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 Division received the Dermit renewal Dackaae on 6/7/18.
Overall, the facility is adequately described; however, the facility has an additional
equalization basin (5 MG), four final clarifiers, four traveling bridge tertiary filters, two
thickening centrifuges, and two dewatering centrifuges.
Charlotte Water implements an approved Industrial Pretreatment Program.
The last compliance evaluation inspection performed by DWR staff was on 2/24/17.
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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Page# 3

Permit: NCO030210
Inspection Date: 02/11/2019
Record Keeping
Owner - Facility: Mallard Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Comment: The records reviewed durinq the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge
Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period January 2018 through December
2018. No effluent limit violations were reported and all monitoring frequencies were correct.
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?
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# Is the facility using a contract lab?
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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 are performed by Charlotte Water's Environmental Services
Laboratory (Certification #192). ETT Environmental, Inc. (toxicity) and R&A Labs (toxicity)
have also been contracted to provide analytical support.
Influent Sampling
Yes No NA NE
# Is composite sampling flow proportional?
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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?
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Comment: The subject permit requires influent BOD and TSS composite samples. The composite
sampler was collecting 175 mi. aliquots and the internal sampler temperature was two
degrees Celsius at the time of the inspection. The facility staff perform monthly aliquot
calibrations (at a minimum) on the sampler.
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)?
Yes No NA NE
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Page# 4

Permit: NCO030210
Inspection Date: 02/11/2019
Effluent Sampling
Owner - Facility: Mallard Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Comment: The subiect Dermit reauires composite and arab effluent samDles. The composite samDler
was collecting 150 ml. aliquots and the internal sampler temperature was one degree
Celsius at the time of the inspection. The facility staff perform monthly aliquot calibrations
(at a minimum) on the sampler.
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and ❑ ❑ ❑
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 aDDeared to be DroDerIv 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. There are approximately seven SCADA stations located throughout the
WWTP site.
Flow Measurement - Influent
Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
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0
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
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Is the flow meter operational?
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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 annually and was last calibrated on 7/16/18 by Expert Services
International, LLC.
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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Page# 5

Permit: NC0030210
Inspection Date: 02/11/2019
Bar Screens
Owner - Facility: Mallard Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Comment: Both mechanical bar screens were operational and in service.
Pump Station - Influent
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
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?
Yes No NA NE
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The facility is equipped with an influent pump station and intermediate pump station
(equalization day tanks).
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?
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Is the grit free of excessive odor?
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# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
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Comment: Both grit removal systems were operational and in service. Screenings and grit are
disposed at the Republic Services Landfill (former BFI Landfill).
Equalization Basins
Is the basin aerated?
Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment?
Is the basin free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Are audible and visual alarms operable?
# Is basin size/volume adequate?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Both day tanks and 5 MG equalization basin were operational. The 5 MG equalization basin
is primarily used during high flow/storm events. All three equalization basins are connected
to the SCADA system.
Page# 6

Permit: NCO030210 Owner - Facility:
Mallard Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/11/2019 Inspection Type:
Compliance Evaluation
Equalization Basins
Yes No NA NE
Primary Clarifier
Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
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Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
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Are weirs level?
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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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Is scum removal adequate?
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Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
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Is the drive unit operational?
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Is the sludge blanket level acceptable?
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Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth)
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Comment: All five primaries were operational; however, only three were in service.
Aeration Basins
Yes No NA NE
Mode of operation
Ext. Air
Type of aeration system
Diffused
Is the basin free of dead spots?
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Are surface aerators and mixers operational?
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Are the diffusers operational?
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Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
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Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface?
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Is the DO level acceptable?
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Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1)
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Comment: The facilitv is eauiDDed with three anoxic/aeration basin trains (all oDerational). All of
aeration train #3 and half of aeration trains #1 and #2 (one of two rectangular aeration basins
per train) were currently in service.
Magnesium hydroxide is added to maintain appropriate alkalinity/pH levels. Cola syrup is
also added as a carbon source.
Foam covered more than 25% of the aeration basin surfaces; however, no operational
issues were observed in the downstream treatment units/Drocesses.
Chemical Feed
Is containment adequate?
Is storage adequate?
Yes No NA NE
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Page# 7

Permit: NC0030210 Owner - Facility: Mallard Creek WWTP
Inspection Date: 02/11/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Chemical Feed Yes No NA NE
Are backup pumps available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of excessive leaking? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Secondary Clarifier
Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
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Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
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Are weirs level?
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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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Is scum removal adequate?
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Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
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Is the drive unit operational?
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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)
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Comment: All four secondary clarifiers were operational and in service.
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place?
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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)
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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Comment: All four traveling bridge tertiary filters were operational and in service.
Page# 8

Permit: NCO030210 Owner - Facility:
Inspection Date: 02/11/2019 Inspection Type:
Mallard Creek WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
0
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
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Is the flow meter operational?
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
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0
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Comment: The flow meter is calibrated annually and was last calibrated on 7/16/18 by Expert Services
International, LLC.
Disinfection - UV
Are extra UV bulbs available on site?
Are UV bulbs clean?
Is UV intensity adequate?
Is transmittance at or above designed level?
Is there a backup system on site?
Is effluent clear and free of solids?
Comment:
Effluent Pipe
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?
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The effluent appeared clear with no floatable solids and foam (entrained air).
The foam
dissipated less than 100 yards downstream of the discharge outfall. The receiving stream
did not appear to be negatively impacted.
Anaerobic Digester
Yes No NA NE
Type of operation:
Fixed
cover
Is the capacity adequate?
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# Is gas stored on site?
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Is the digester(s) free of tilting covers?
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Is the gas burner operational?
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Is the digester heated?
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Is the temperature maintained constantly?
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Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
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Page# 9

Permit: NCO030210
Inspection Date: 02/11/2019
Anaerobic Digester
Owner - Facility: Mallard Creek WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Yes No NA NE
Comment: The facility is equipped with five digesters (4 — primary/fixed cover and 1 —
secondary/floating cover). The facility is currently using four digesters Q — primary and 1 —
secondary).
Solids Handling Equipment
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?
The facility has an approved sludge management plan?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The facilitv is eauiDDed with four centrifuaes (2-thickenina and 2-dewaterina) and a covered
bio-solids storage pad. Most of the sludge drying beds are not in service but a few beds
may be used during maintenance activities such as scum pit cleaning (primary clarifier), etc.
Dewatered bio-solids are land applied by a contracted company (Synagro) under the
authority of Permit No. WQ0000057.
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?
Is the generator fuel level monitored?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: The facility has one generator in service and two generators that have been taken out of
service. The generator is periodically tested under load serviced by a contracted company
(Carolina CAT) twice per year.
Page# 10

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director
Ms. Jacqueline A. Jarrell
Operations Chief
Environmental Management Division
Charlotte Water
5100 Brookshire Blvd.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28216
Dear Ms. Jarrell:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
19 February 2019
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Mallard Creek WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NCO030210
Mecklenburg County
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on
February 11, 2019, 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.
The report should be self-explanatory; however, should you have any questions concerning this report, please do
not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at [phone] or at wes.bell(cr�,ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
DocuJSSiigned by:
A14CC681 AF27425...
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosure:
Inspection Report
D Q
� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
NORTH CAROLINA
Da"MoM a enWmn�bl mwnq 704,663.1699