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Home My WebLink AboutNC0075205_Inspection_20190812ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER Director Mr. Shannon V. Becker, President Aqua North Carolina, Inc. 202 Mackenan Court Cary, North Carolina 27511 Dear Mr. Becker: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality August 12, 2019 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Alexander Island WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO075205 Iredell County Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report for the inspection conducted at the subject facility on August 1, 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 (704) 235-2192 or at wes.bell@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, DocuSigned 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 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 NCO075205 111 12 I 19/08/01 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 131 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) 11:55AM 19/08/01 15/06/01 Alexander Island WWTP NCSR 1102 Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Sherrills Ford INC 28673 12:45PM 19/08/01 20/03/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Dana A Bixby/ORC/704-507-3359/ Dustin Joseph Dillard//828-261-6459 / Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Shannon V Becker,202 Mackenan Ct Cary NC 27511/President/919-653-5570/ 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 Wes Bell cuSigned by: MRO WQ//704-663-1699 Ext.2192/ 8/12/2019 Be& E�:�961D90=43T 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: e� 8/12/2019 AlaccsalAFz�azs... Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO075205 I11 121 19/08/01 117 18 JCJ Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# Permit: NCO075205 Inspection Date: 08/01/2019 Owner - Facility: Alexander Island 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 ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ application? Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? M ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 last compliance evaluation inspection by DWR staff was performed on 12/14/16. 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 CM 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The records reviewed during the inspection were organized and well maintained. Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs) were reviewed for the period July 2018 through June 2019. No effluent limit violations were reported and all monitorina freauencies were correct. Laboratory Yes No NA NE Page# 3 Permit: NCO075205 Owner - Facility: Alexander Island WWTP Inspection Date: 08/01/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: On -site field analvses (dissolved oxvaen. oH. temDerature. total residual chlorine) are performed under Aqua NC's laboratory certification #5035. Water Tech Labs (all permit parameters except field) has also been contracted to provide analytical support. The ORC was not performing post -analysis calibration checks on the dissolved oxygen and total residual chlorine meters following field analyses at multiple sites. Post -analysis calibration checks must be performed in accordance with the NC Wastewater/Groundwater laboratory certification approved procedures for the analyses of dissolved oxygen and total residual chlorine. The ORC and staff must ensure to report all effluent total residual chlorine values down to the lowest standard verified on the total residual chlorine meter (annual curve verification). Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 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 the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: The subject permit requires effluent grab samples. 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 facility appeared to be well maintained and adequately treating wastewater. Process control measurements were being documented and maintained on -site. The facility's telemetry -type alarm system functioned properly during the on -site test. Eaualization Basins Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NCO075205 Owner - Facility: Inspection Date: 08/01/2019 Inspection Type: Alexander Island WWTP Compliance Evaluation Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Soda ash is added on an as -needed basis to maintain aDDrODriate alkalinity/DH levels The solids inventory and sludge age in the aeration basins appeared to need additional evaluation/adjustment due to the dark appearance of the mixed liquor and foam and the high settleability test results. The ORC/Permittee must ensure that an adequate sludge wasting_ program is implemented (via process control program, etc.) to maintain an appropriate solids inventory and sludge age in the aeration basins. 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? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NCO075205 Owner - Facility: Inspection Date: 08/01/2019 Inspection Type: Alexander Island WWTP Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the drive unit operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/ of the sidewall depth) M ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Down flow Is the filter media present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter surface free of clogging? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 1 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The flow meter was last calibrated/verified by the ORC on 3/15/19. De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Page# 6 Permit: NC0075205 Owner - Facility: Inspection Date: 08/01/2019 Inspection Type: Alexander Island WWTP Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Tablet Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 3 Comment: Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The effluent appeared clear with trace suspended solids and no foam. The effluent is discharaed into the receivina stream throuah a submeraed outfall. Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the mixing adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the odor acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Wastewater solids are removed on an as -needed basis by a contracted company (currently Rick's Septic Tank Service). Page# 7 Permit: NC0075205 Inspection Date: 08/01/2019 Aerobic Digester Owner - Facility: Alexander Island WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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 Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The generator is tested under load on a monthly basis. In addition, the generator is checked annually and serviced once every two years by a contracted company (Palmer Generator). Page# 8