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Home My WebLink AboutNC0004405_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20190514 May 14, 2019 Lynne Starr-Vasquez Cliffside Sanitary District PO Box 122 Cliffside, NC 28024 SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0004405 Rutherford County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP on 5/07/2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0004405. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". Please carefully review any comments noted within the inspection summary. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4686 or via email at mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist I Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report EC: WQS-ARO Server LF James & James G:\WR\WQ\Rutherford\Wastewater\Municipal\Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP 04405\Inspections\Inspect May 7, 2019\20190514_NC0004405_CEI DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460 Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 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 N 52 NC0004405 19/05/07 C S31112171819 20 21 66 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- N67707172 73 74 75 80 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP 136 Hawkins Loop Rd Mooresboro NC 28114 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 12:00PM 19/05/07 14/12/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Robert Gross Rowe/ORC/828-438-9290/ Other Facility Data 02:30PM 19/05/07 19/11/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Greg Blake,PO Box 427 Cliffside NC 28024//828-657-7011/Contacted 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 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 Beverly Price ARO WQ//828-296-4500/ Mikal Willmer Division of Water Quality//828-296-4686/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 5/13/2019 5/13/2019 5/13/2019 NPDES yr/mo/day 19/05/07 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Inspectors Mikal Willmer and Beverly Price, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Cliffside Sanitary District’s WWTP. This inspection was conducted to verify the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0004405. Robert Rowe (ORC), Juanita James (James and James), Blake Hicks (James & James) and Lynne Starr-Vasquez (Cliffside Board Chair) were present and assisted in the inspection. Facility staff are operating and maintaining the facility to the extent funding will allow. The facility continues to struggle to meet 85% removal consistently due to I&I heavily influencing influent BOD & TSS. Cliffside has limited funding, but James and James staff have repaired most of the primary components of the WWTP. Additional funding is needed to bring the second clarifier's rake arm back online and reduce I&I into the facility. The aerators are being repaired to allow for adequate mixing. Due to the size of the basin and limited flow, traditional extended aeration of the basin is not feasible or practical. Since the TA in 2018 the following steps have been taken; Flow into and through the facility has been identified. Recent collection system work has reduced the flow swings during heavy rain events; however, there is still signifcant I&I. Septage is no longer being discharged into the aeration basin. Almost all vegetation has been removed from the Aeration Basin. Staff are working to bring two more aerators online. Vegetation has been removed from both clarifiers. The weirs and effluent launders are now visible for inspection. RAS/WAS pumps were repaired, and valves are being exercised for functionality. The facility can now direct sludge from the clarifiers to the digesters or back to the headworks. Vegetation and organic material have been removed from the contact chamber. Additional paperwork still needs to be submitted to change the responsible official and to update the eDMR information for Cliffside Sanitary District. Please note, the permit for this facility expires on November 30, 2019. An email was sent to Ms. Starr-Vasquez and Ms. James on May 9, 2019 with the appropriate paperwork and information needed for the Non-Discharge and NPDES permits. NC0004405 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 Permit:NC0004405 Inspection Date:05/07/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP Compliance Evaluation Influent Sampling Yes No NA NE # Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected above side streams? 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 sampling performed according to the permit? Samples are being collected at the influent lift station. Inspectors discussed with the ORC and Ms. James possibly looking into moving the influent sampling location to capture the septage being introduced into the facility; however, the RAS is reintroduced at the headworks. It should be noted influent sample results are significantly influenced by collection system I&I. Comment: Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Facility staff are not routinely analyzing process controls. Chlorine residuals are checked within the post aeration basin/contact chamber. DOs are checked periodically in the Aeration Basin. Comment: Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new application? Is the facility as described in the permit? # Are there any special conditions for the permit? Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? Permit expires on November 30, 2019. Renewal will be due soon. There is a low-level mercury sampling requirement for this permit renewal. Facility does not have a standard grit removal system. There is a manual bar screen, followed by a baffled mix basin, which is currently being used as a grit chamber. The aeration basin currently only has two active surface aerators (plans are to have two more working soon). Two clarifiers (one is currently not in use due to center feed well). The flocculation basin and tertiary cloth filters are not in use. Currently no plans to use the tertiary filters. Using liquid chlorine and dechlor instead of dissolving tablets for a liquid feed. Recommend Cliffside review current treatment components and remove any from the permit that will not be used. Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 Permit:NC0004405 Inspection Date:05/07/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain-of-custody complete? 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? Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? 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? It appears semi-annual monitoring may have been missed for 2018. This will be addressed separately from the inspection. Facility still struggles to meet 85% removal due to I&I. Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Last calibrated in October 2018 by Clearwater. Sampler has been set to flow proportional sampling. Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 Permit:NC0004405 Inspection Date:05/07/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Ms. James reports they only wasted to verify the pumps and all valves work. Only one of the digesters contains water and a small amount of sludge. This is likely primarily rain water. It should be noted the stairs to one of the digesters is only being held on by one bolt. Advise against staff using this until it can be repaired. Staff state they would completely drain the digester if they could open the valve all the way. Staff are unsure if the sludge loading station is operable. Comment: Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE 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? Telemetry is installed and was working until the line was accidentally severed during utility work. Both pumps are now operational (this was a repair since the TA in 2018). The automatic transfer switch for the generator is still inoperable. Telemetry does notify staff in the event of a power outage. Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? Comment: Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual b.Mechanical Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 Permit:NC0004405 Inspection Date:05/07/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP Compliance Evaluation Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? Is the grit free of excessive odor? # Is disposal of grit in compliance? This was not designed as grit chamber originally. There is a baffle wall at the head of the chamber that catches most pass-through debris (this part of the chamber needs to be cleaned out). A mixer is present within the grit chamber. Staff have also installed an additional metal screen in front of the discharge from the grit chamber to prevent debris from entering the aeration basin. Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Surface Is the basin free of dead spots? Are surface aerators and mixers operational? Are the diffusers operational? 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? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) This is a 7.7 MGD aeration basin. It has not operated as a traditional extended aeration basin since flows significantly reduced. Two of the 13 original aerators are operational. The plans are to have four operational (one in each quadrant) to adequately mix the entire basin. Staff indicate the solids are settling towards the discharge end of the basin. While the basin cannot operate efficiently, most of the floating vegetation has been removed and staff report they are slowly regaining biology within the facility. Septage haulers are now unloading at the headworks and no longer directly into the basin. Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE 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)? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 Permit:NC0004405 Inspection Date:05/07/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately ¼ of the sidewall depth) Flow has been shifted to the second clarifier. Very little solids present due to the size of the aeration basin. The other clarifiers center feed-well is still unlevel and needs to be repaired before the rake arm will work properly. Comment: Disinfection-Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational? Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains) Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination? Algae are still growing within the chlorine contact/post aeration chamber, but not as significant as of the last inspection. 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? # Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? Are tablet de-chlorinators operational? Number of tubes in use? sodium bisulfite is being used.Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE 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? Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 Permit:NC0004405 Inspection Date:05/07/2019 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Cliffside Sanitary District WWTP Compliance Evaluation Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? Cloth filters are no longer in use and as of right now the District has no plans of placing in use. Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE 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)? The samples are collected post dechlor. Ideally this would be in separate chamber; however, there is no additional location past the effluent weir. Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE 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? Comment: Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Pumps are now working and have been exercised.Comment: Page#8 DocuSign Envelope ID: 8D176D29-AA74-49C8-A636-EAC9F4B555A6 Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: 8D176D29AA7449C8A636EAC9F4B555A6 Status: Completed Subject: Please DocuSign: 20190514_NC0004405_CEI.ltr.docx, 20190514_NC0004405_CEI.inspect.pdf Source Envelope: Document Pages: 9 Signatures: 2 Envelope Originator: Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 2 Mikal Willmer AutoNav: Enabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) 217 W. Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27699 Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Record Tracking Status: Original May 13, 2019 | 16:28 Holder: Mikal Willmer Mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Location: DocuSign Signer Events Signature Timestamp Mikal Willmer mikal.willmer@ncdenr.gov Environmental Specialist North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Drawn on Device Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: May 13, 2019 | 16:29 Viewed: May 13, 2019 | 16:29 Signed: May 13, 2019 | 16:29 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign Beverly Price bev.price@ncdenr.gov North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None)Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 149.168.204.10 Sent: May 13, 2019 | 16:29 Viewed: May 13, 2019 | 16:33 Signed: May 13, 2019 | 16:34 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign G. Landon Davidson landon.davidson@ncdenr.gov Asheville Regional Office, Regional Supervisor DEQ, Division of Water Resources, Water Quality Regional Operatoins Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Uploaded Signature Image Using IP Address: 71.11.46.158 Signed using mobile Sent: May 13, 2019 | 16:34 Viewed: May 13, 2019 | 16:57 Signed: May 13, 2019 | 16:57 Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp Editor Delivery Events Status Timestamp Agent Delivery Events Status Timestamp Intermediary Delivery Events Status Timestamp Certified Delivery Events Status Timestamp Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp Witness Events Signature Timestamp Notary Events Signature Timestamp Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted May 13, 2019 | 16:34 Certified Delivered Security Checked May 13, 2019 | 16:57 Signing Complete Security Checked May 13, 2019 | 16:57 Completed Security Checked May 13, 2019 | 16:57 Payment Events Status Timestamps