NC0049867_NOV-2019-LV-0291 Response_20190507

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,rown of Cleveland
302 East Main Street ?F r t
P.O. Box 429 OPE--S !LL R { IO)NAl OrFJ(3_
Cleveland, NC 27013
[phone]
May 7, 2019
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ-Mooresville Regional Office
610 East Center Ave., Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
SUBJECT: Response to NOV-2019-LV-0291
Dear Mr. Basinger:
This letter is in response to the above Notice of Violation received April 25, 2019.
During February, the BOD continued to be irregular with these results: Feb. 6 — 62, Feb.
13 —17.8, Feb. 20 —18.8, February 27 — 38.5. The following actions were taken during
February:
2-5-19 Roberto Scheller visited the WWTP to look at sludge and to help with advice.
2-6-19 Lab called to discuss results from 1/30/19. Decided to pull a grab sample
from each clarifier to send in with that days' routine samples.
2-7-19 Lab called to report that both clarifier CODS were low but effluent was high.
Possible de-chlor contamination (?). Later that day, got a call from contractors from
the old school that they found 4 jugs of concentrated cleaner had been dumped
down the drain.
2-12-19 Increased chlorine feed to contact chamber 2 pounds and decreased sulfur
dioxide 5 pounds per day. Noticed a clearing of the contact chamber. Emailed
Roberto Scheller updated info. (see attached email.) He called back later to discuss
what kinds of cleaners were found from the empty jugs.
2-13-19 Lab called to report a BOD of 62.1 from 2/6/19 samples.
2-14-19 Noticing that clarifiers are starting to look much better. Lab called to report
an 80 COD from yesterday's samples. We thought it would be much better
considering the large decrease of de-chlor. Also, we had Mr. Ferrell with Maryland
Biochemical Co. evaluate the bacteria status which he defined as good.
The Town Maintenance Director visited the old Cleveland Elementary School on
February 7, 2019 and found the following. Three types of lightning blend cleaners and a
Franklin brand cleaner had all been dumped into a mop sink. The lightning blend had the
following numbers: F379022, F455522 and F453022. The Franklin brand was Q-128, a

germicidal detergent and deodorizer. Each of these were 1-gallon jugs. A meeting was
held on February 26 with the school maintenance supervisor to review the findings found
on February 7th. He informed us that these cleaning chemicals were old and reviewed all
current school chemicals.
On Feb. 20, 2019, a continued action plan was defined and was implemented into March.
March continued to be irregular with following BOD result: 3/3 — 38.5, 3/12 — 28.4, 3/13
— 64.8, 3/20 —17.7. April was also variable with BOD results: 4/3 — 56.2, 4/8 — 27.8,
4/16 —18.4 and 4/23 — 36.2. See attached plan for March and April.
As you can see, the Town has diligently been searching the cause of the high BOD
violations and taken numerous steps to try to alleviate the impact to our system. We even
sent out a memo to the residents and businesses to be alert and report any activity they
see around any sewer manholes. If there is any technical assistance that you offer that
can help to stabilize the wastewater treatment system, we would greatly appreciate it.
Sinc rely,
el
Danny Gabriel
Mayor
cc: Commissioner Gerald Osborne
attachments
SENT VIA EMAIL — corcy.basinger(r),ngdcnr,sgov
SENT VIA EMAIL — robcrto.schcl er(a cden ,&oil
HARD COPY SENT FIRST CLASS MAIL

MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 20, 2019
TO: Town Board, Paul Land, Tim Taylor
FROM: Gerald Osborne, Water/Sewer Commissioner
SUBJECT: Action Plan for WWTP Upset
1. Issue an alert letter to citizens and businesses about upset and suspicion
2. Review monthly FOG Reports for grease trap pump outs.
3. Evaluate manholes for clean-up towel dumpings
4. Review Mueller water/sewer system
5. Mark certain manholes for observation and requested the Police
Department to patrol these areas.
6. Consider manhole pans for certain locations
7. Meet with school maintenance to review cleaning chemicals
8. Visit neighbors at Fiber Acres and Hwy 70 lift station area.
9. Install pH monitor in influent to WWTP.

April Activities:
4/7/19 Samples for COD from claifiers 1 & 2 and effluent taken. Results: 1 = 33, 2 = 19,
effluent = 55. Continued communications with Roberto Scheller and NC Rural Water rep,
Fred Summers.
4/10/19 Began sampling Cleveland Elementary School which had a BOD of 345. Setting
up to sample each of the four sewer pump stations with varied sample days to evaluate
consistency. Took composite sample from Mueller Systems plant.
4/11/19 E-mail to Roberto Scheller (attached).
4/17/19 Pumped out the influent splitter box and removed foam buildup from No. 2
aerator. Replaced effluent sample hoses and cleaned sample flume. Replaced sample
bottles with new ones.
5-1-19 Met with Consultant Joe McCougar from MBD Consultants who recommended
seeding from another waste treatment plant. This was accomplished by 5/3/19.

Date: 04/11/2019 [12:09:18 PM CDT]
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Town of Cleveland high BOD update
Hello, Roberto. Just a quick update on our situation and what we have done. The last email I sent you
had us on 3/13 having a BOD result of 64.8. The following week 3/20 we got a 17.7, then on 3/27 a
37.5 and on 4/3 a 56.2. It comes down then goes right back up.
This week we decided to pull samples on Monday instead of the usual Wednesday to see if there's any
differences.
We've been pulling COD grabs from the clarifiers and effluent to compare with the effluent composite
and the grabs are usually lower. Also the clarifier. COD results closely add up to the effluent COD
eliminating any dechlor contamination.
This makes us think that either something is pasting thru at night or contamination in the sampler
hose or jug. These get cleaned regularly and all hoses were changed before all this started
happening. Just to make sure I have ordered a new sampler jug and have changed all hoses again. Even
the small rubber pump hose inside the sampler pump. I also took a long handled brush and scrubbed the
sides and bottom of the partial flume clean}}'ng out any and all debris. At this point I'm trying
anything and everything. I will update you ifter the next sample period.
We also have plans to start sampling all lift stations at the same time as routine effluent samples
Thank you for your time,
Paul Land