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Home My WebLink AboutNC0024244_NOV-2019-PC-0188_20190312ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality 12 March 2019 Certified Mail # 7017 2620 0000 6488 5382 Return Receipt Requested Michael Ferris City of Albemarle PO Box 190 Albemarle, NC 28002-0190 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation NOV-2019-PC-0188 Compliance Inspection Report Long Creek WWTP - NPDES Permit No. NCO024244 Stanly County Dear. Mr. Ferris: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) of the Long Creek WWTP on February 19, 2019. Mr. Roberto Scheller of the Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) conducted the inspection. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES Permit No. NC0024244. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are noted below and are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". Review of flow data for 2018, local rainfall totals, and 2018 facility compliance history indicate that this facility experiences severe inflow and infiltration (I/I) issues that are inhibiting the proper operation of the Long Creek WWTP. Monthly average flow data and influent BOD concentrations were tracked for a 12-month period in 2018 and show direct correlations between high influent flows and low influent BOD. The extreme level of I/I entering the Long Creek WWTP is having detrimental effects on the biological treatment process and inhibiting the growth of nitrifying bacteria. Four (4) Notices of Violation and a Notice of Deficiency were issued during 2018 for Weekly Average and Monthly Average violations for Total Nitrogen. The following Notices were issued for the year of 2018: January 2018 [NOV-2018-LV-0430], April 2018 [Nov-2018-LV- 0635], May 2018 [NOV-2018-LV-0658] and November 2018 [NOD-2019-LV-0010], and December 2018 [NOV-2019-LV-0102]. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources D Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 NORTH CAROLINA oewro�e�� a enyl-tal 704,663.1699 Please respond in writing to this Office within thirty (30) days of your receipt of this correspondence detailing your plan of action to address the above noted issues. The enclosed report should be self-explanatory; however, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Roberto Scheller with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-1699 or via email at roberto.schellergncdenr.gov. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: A14CC681 AF27425... W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Cc: MRO files (LaserFiche) Central Office Files (LaserFiche) 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 15 I 3 I NCO024244 111 12 I 19/02/19 I17 18 I S I 19 I G I 201 I 211111 1 1 I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 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 ------------------- 671 70 I g 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) 10:02AM 19/02/19 18/12/01 Long Creek WWTP 1040 Coble Ave Extension Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Albemarle NC 28002 01:07PM 19/02/19 22/02/28 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Brandon Wesley Plyler/ORC/704-984-9630/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Michael Ferris,PO Box 190 Albemarle NC 280020190//704-984-9410/7049849406 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 DocuSigned by: Roberto Scheller MRO WQ//252-946-6481/ 3/7/2019 91C2A007838943E... 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: ' 3/14/2019 AlaccsalAFvazs... Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO024244 I11 121 19/02/19 117 18 JCJ Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) After review of MLSS in aeration basins, 2018 flow data, local rainfall totals, and compliance history for 2018, facility appears to have severe inflow and infiltration affecting the treatment process. Page# Permit: NCO024244 Owner - Facility: Long Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/19/2019 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 ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ application? Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The current permit became effective on December 01, 2018 and expires on February 28, 2022. Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all required information readily available, complete and current? M ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Records were current and available for review. Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO024244 Owner - Facility: Long Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/19/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: A Settleabilitv test was conducted at time of insDection. A small amount of solids settled out quickly with the remainder of solids staying suspended. MLSS did not floc during settling. A microscopic examination of MLSS was also conducted at time of inspection. Amoeba's, Free -Swimming Ciliate's and Tardigrades were noted at time of exam. Amoeba's and Free -Swimming Ciliate are indicators of young sludge. The precence of Tardiprades indicate stormwater intrusion. Laboratory Yes No NA NE Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the facility using a contract lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Facility has in-house lab for process control and conducts field analyses under certification #5648. Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the grit free of excessive odor? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO024244 Owner - Facility: Long Creek WWTP Inspection Date: 02/19/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal Yes No NA NE # Is disposal of grit in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected above side streams? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Is sampling performed according to the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: At time of inspection influent sampler was noted at 2 degrees Celisus. Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Influent pump station consist of 2 lift screw pump satations. Station A located at headworks and Station B located near aeration basins. Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Surface Is the basin free of dead spots? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the diffusers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NCO024244 Inspection Date: 02/19/2019 Aeration Basins Owner - Facility: Long Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Yes No NA NE Comment: After review of MLSS in aeration basins, 2018 flow data, local rainfall totals, and compliance history for review period of 2018, facility appears to have severe Inflow and Infiltration (W) Secondary Clarifier Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? Are weirs level? Is the site free of weir blockage? Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? Is scum removal adequate? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 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'/ of the sidewall depth) Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: At time of inspection effluent going over weirs of secondary clarifier appeared fairly clear but when effluent entered discharge channel it appeared turbid. Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: RAS pumps consist of two sets of screw pumps. 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO024244 Inspection Date: 02/19/2019 Owner - Facility: Long Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Comment: At time of inspection effluent from filters was turbid. It was noted that filters are 10 micron size fabric filters. Fine suspended material in effluent appeared to be silt washed into treatment plant from I&I. Disinfection -Gas Yes No NA NE Are cylinders secured adequately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- - ) 1000-0012-3092 If yes, then when was the RMP last updated? Comment: De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Liquid Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Sodium Bisulfite used for dechlorination. Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Number of tubes in use? Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 7 Permit: NCO024244 Inspection Date: 02/19/2019 Owner - Facility: Long Creek WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling # 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: At time of inspection effluent sampler was recored at .5 degree Celsius 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? Comment: Generator that runs secondary and tertiary treatment is to be replaced. Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 8