NC0083551_May and June Zinc Exceedance NOV-2019-LV-0512_20190801

Strickland, Bev
From: James McDonnel <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2019 5:24 PM
To: Hunkele, Dean
Cc: Thomas Floyd; Eddie Caron
Subject: [External] Dixon WTP NCO083551 May and June Zinc Exceedance NOV-2019-LV-0512
External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
[e-mail]
On June 18, 2019 we received our May results for our Zinc analysis. The result was 75µg/L which is in exceedance of our
47.6µg/L daily maximum and our 42.8µg/L monthly average limits. I emailed Tom Tharrington on June 19 to notify him
of the exceedance and to inform him that we were looking into identifying the source of the exceedance. We first began
looking into trying to find a leak in the storage and feed system for our Zinc -Orthophosphate that is used for corrosion
control and did not find anything. This is the only chemical that we use in the treatment process that contains zinc.
On June 24, 2019 we received our June Zinc sample result of 62µg/L. Again, we were in exceedance of both of our limits
and I emailed Tom Tharrington to notify DEQ. We contacted our chemical vendors to see if something had recently
changed with the makeup of the treatment chemicals. We had considered retesting but with such a small reduction
from May to June we believe that we would have continued to exceed the daily maximum resulting in more violations.
On June 24, 2019 1 requested a copy of the SDS's for material being used for our Ferrosand Filter rehab project from the
contractor performing the work. After reviewing the SDS's for the materials being used we did not find a link to the
increase in zinc to the materials brought in for the project.
On July 09, 2019 when we pulled our Monthly NPDES samples we also sent in samples from the concentrate line of RO
skids 1&2 for zinc analysis to see if it was coming from the RO waste. The results from the analysis came back as 66µg/L
for skid 1 and <1µg/L for skid 3. With such a wide variance in results on the skids we pulled more samples on July 22. The
results of these samples came back as skid 1 <1µg/L, skid 2 <1µg/L, and skid 3 <1µg/L. We will pull more zinc sample
from the RO skids to rule out the first result from skid 1 as some kind of sampling or analysis error.
On July 29 we received our July zinc result of 53µg/L. I sent notification to you and Tom Tharrington.
Looking back at our zinc results from the last time we performed a media change on some of our ferrosand filters there
was a significant spike in our zinc levels. This was before we had limits on the NPDES. Our belief is that something from
the original materials that were being removed as part of the vessel rehab caused the spike in the zinc readings. The
increase coincides with the start of the project and the readings have slowly decreased while the project was on hold.
The project was restarted last week and should finish up next week.
I have attached a copy of the emails for notification when we received each result and our correspondence on the
matter.
Thank You,
NWA A
Jim McDonnel
Utilites Superintendent -Water
A -Well, C-Distribution, Physical/Chemical Grade 1, Grade I Biological, Journeyman Water Treatment Plant
Operator
910-937-7520

I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or
some previous day. James Joyce
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and
may be disclosed to third parties.

James McDonnel
From:
James McDonnel
Sent:
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 11:35 AM
To:
Hunkele, Dean
Cc:
Eddie Caron; Thomas Floyd
Subject:
RE: [External] RE: NCO083551 Dixon WTP May 2019 report
The increase started in February according to our results. I also looked back at our records for the last time we did a
filter media change in the end of 2015 and there is a significant increase in zinc around that time period. This was before
we had monitoring limits in place. I believe the media change may be the cause of this issue.
Thank You,
WAA
Jim McDonnel
Utilites Superintendent -Water
A -Well, C-Distribution, Physical/Chemical Grade 1, Grade 1 Biological, Journeyman Water Treatment Plant
Operator
910-915-6937
1 am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or
some previous day. James Joyce
From: Hunkele, Dean <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 11:21 AM
To: James McDonnel <[e-mail]>
Cc: Eddie Caron <[e-mail]>; Thomas Floyd <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] RE: NCO083551 Dixon WTP May 2019 report
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Okay got it, two treatment processes still. Still could be a concentration thing, but not sure what the solution is. Look
back at your values for the last year or two and see if they have been increasing.
Dean Hunkele
Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental Quality
910.796.7215 Reception Desk
910.796.7380 Direct
910.350.2004 Fax
[e-mail]
Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Ext
Wilmington, NC 28405
http://deg.nc.gov/contact/regional-offices/wilmington

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third
parties
The goal of the Fast Track sewer permit program is to issue a permit in no more than 30 business days from receipt of a complete application and if
no additional information has to be requested upon full review. Please use the Department's Permit Application Tracker to determine the official
application receipt date to allow you to estimate a date for issuance and find the reviewer's name. Once issued, the record stays on the site for 30
days.
For previously issued sewer permit info or to check on sewer certification receipt status, please use the Division's Sewer Extension Permit
Tracker. Using the Issue Date on top of the Engineer Certification Form is best way to ensure getting what you want especially for multi -version
permits; using today's date only gives info on the latest permit version. Confirmation using this method will replace letters and emails; it is
recommended that confirmation be printed and/or saved.
Links to both trackers can be found on the sewer permitting site here: https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-
permits/peres/collection-systems-permits
Subscribe to Collection System Updates listserve to receive automatic alerts for changes to applications, policies, regulations, etc.
From: James McDonnel Imailto:[e-mail]
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 11:15 AM
To: Hunkele, Dean <[e-mail]>
Cc: Eddie Caron <[e-mail]>; Thomas Floyd <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] RE: NCO083551 Dixon WTP May 2019 report
��n
rnal email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
c. ov
I am in Seth's position while he is out on military leave. We are using the ponds for the RO concentrate water. The RO
concentrate and conventional waste share a common line to the lagoons.
Thank You,
4ONWASA
Jim McDonnel
Utilites Superintendent -Water
A -Well, C-Distribution, Physical/Chemical Grade 1, Grade I Biological, Journeyman Water Treatment Plant
Operator
910-915-6937
1 am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or
some previous day. James Joyce
From: Hunkele, Dean <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 11:12 AM
To: James McDonnel <[e-mail]>
Cc: Eddie Caron <[e-mail]>; Thomas Floyd <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] RE: NCO083551 Dixon WTP May 2019 report
Okay thanks, I will update our contact for the ORC in our system. Did you take Seth Brown's job?

So you are using the ponds for the RO backwash still? I was thinking it was going directly to discharge point or the pump
station when you changed treatment. Since it's the reject, then its concentrated and could be getting concentrated in
the ponds especially with the drought.
Dean Hunkele
Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental Quality
910.796.7215 Reception Desk
910.796.7380 Direct
910.350.2004 Fax
[e-mail]
Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Ext
Wilmington, NC 28405
http://deg.nc.gov/contact/regional-offices/wilmington
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third
parties
The goal of the Fast Track sewer permit program is to issue a permit in no more than 30 business days from receipt of a complete application and if
no additional information has to be requested upon full review. Please use the Department's Permit Application Tracker to determine the official
application receipt date to allow you to estimate a date for issuance and find the reviewer's name. Once issued, the record stays on the site for 30
days.
For previously issued sewer permit info or to check on sewer certification receipt status, please use the Division's Sewer Extension Permit
Tracker. Using the Issue Date on top of the Engineer Certification Form is best way to ensure getting what you want especially for multi -version
permits; using today's date only gives info on the latest permit version. Confirmation using this method will replace letters and emails; it is
recommended that confirmation be printed and/or saved.
Links to both trackers can be found on the sewer permitting site here: https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-
Permits/peres/collection-systems-perm its
Subscribe to Collection System Updates listserve to receive automatic alerts for changes to applications, policies, regulations, etc.
From: James McDonnel [mailto:[e-mail]
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 11:01 AM
To: Hunkele, Dean <[e-mail]>
Cc: Eddie Caron <[e-mail]>; Thomas Floyd <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] RE: NCO083551 Dixon WTP May 2019 report
External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
[e-mail]
I have changed the units on the template. We did not get the may report back quick enough to resample. We did not
take a second sample in June. We have contacted all of our chemical vendors and verified that they have not changed
anything that would elevate the zinc content at the plant. We feed zinc orthophosphate on the back end before our
treated water goes to our clear wells but none of that feed goes to the lagoon. We have not found any leaks in our
phosphate feed system. We did have a rehabilitation project on some of our filter vessels that started in April that
involved rinsing new media that was added to the vessels but everything we have seen on the SDS paperwork shows no
zinc content. I have been moved to the Utilities Superintendent position over water as of June 26. 1 am working with
Thomas Floyd who is now the ORC for the waste at Dixon to determine the cause and get this situated. I will recommend
to Thomas to pull multiple samples this month to see if he can bring down the average if the results are still high.

Thank You,
��
00NWASA
Jim McDonnel
Utilites Superintendent -Water
A -Well, C-Distribution, Physical/Chemical Grade 1, Grade I Biological, Journeyman Water Treatment Plant
Operator
910-915-6937
1 am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or
some previous day. James Joyce
From: Hunkele, Dean <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 10:51 AM
To: James McDonnel <[e-mail]>
Cc: Eddie Caron <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] RE: NCO083551 Dixon WTP May 2019 report
Importance: High
1•
MIS emall mated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless yo
............................................................................................................................................................................................ .
You should be able to change the UoM on the template with no issues, but our system does convert it for
compliance. Just making sure it was measured correctly. Did they get you the report or info back quick enough to try to
resample to perhaps meat the monthly avg? Looking at the June value I doubt you would have but you know what you
have been running prior. Did you take a 2nd sample in June?
The report was marked as compliance is another reason I inquired. That value puts you into a potential assessment.
Dean Hunkele
Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental Quality
910.796.7215 Reception Desk
910.796.7380 Direct
910.350.2004 Fax
[e-mail]
Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Ext
Wilmington, NC 28405
http://deg.nc.gov/contact/regional-offices/wilmington
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third
parties
The goal of the Fast Track sewer permit program is to issue a permit in no more than 30 business days from receipt of a complete application and if
no additional information has to be requested upon full review. Please use the Department's Permit Application Tracker to determine the official
application receipt date to allow you to estimate a date for issuance and find the reviewer's name. Once issued, the record stays on the site for 30
days.
For previously issued sewer permit info or to check on sewer certification receipt status, please use the Division's Sewer Extension Permit
Tracker. Using the Issue Date on top of the Engineer Certification Form is best way to ensure getting what you want especially for multi -version

permits; using today's date only gives info on the latest permit version. Confirmation using this method will replace letters and emails; it is
recommended that confirmation be printed and/or saved.
Links to both trackers can be found on the sewer permitting site here: https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-
perm its/peres/col lection-system s-perm its
Subscribe to Collection System Updates listserve to receive automatic alerts for changes to applications, policies, regulations, etc.
From: James McDonnel [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 10:27 AM
To: Hunkele, Dean <[e-mail]>
Cc: Eddie Caron <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] RE: NC0083551 Dixon WTP May 2019 report
�� External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
[e-mail]
The lab measured zinc as 75.0µg/L. We have left the template for the eDMR upload unaltered to prevent causing
problems with the upload. We will change the units before submitting the next eDMR. We are in fact in violation for
May. I notified Tom Tharington when we received the results. I also notified him when we received the results for the
June sample that came back as 62.Oµg/L putting us in violation for June. We are working on determining the source of
the increase in zinc.
Thank You,
4-ONWASA
Jim McDonnel
Utilites Superintendent -Water
A -Well, C-Distribution, Physical/Chemical Grade 1, Grade 1 Biological, Journeyman Water Treatment Plant
Operator
910-915-6937
1 am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or
some previous day. James Joyce
From: Hunkele, Dean <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 10:11 AM
To: James McDonnel <[e-mail]>
Cc: Eddie Caron <[e-mail]>
Subject: NC0083551 Dixon WTP May 2019 report
Importance: High
........................................................................................................................................................................................... .
Caution
his email on inated from outside of the or anization. Do not click links or open attachment
r
......................................................................................................................................................................................... .
James,
Please confirm your value for Zinc for May 2nd as it puts you in violation for day & month.
What Units of Measure was reported by the lab as they should be measuring it in ug/L but you listed mg/L?
Please advise

Dean Hunkele
Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental Quality
910.796.7215 Reception Desk
910.796.7380 Direct
910.350.2004 Fax
[e-mail]
Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Ext
Wilmington, NC 28405
http://deg.nc.gov/contact/regional-offices/wilmington
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third
parties
The goal of the Fast Track sewer permit program is to issue a permit in no more than 30 business days from receipt of a complete application and if
no additional information has to be requested upon full review. Please use the Department's Permit Application Tracker to determine the official
application receipt date to allow you to estimate a date for issuance and find the reviewer's name. Once issued, the record stays on the site for 30
days.
For previously issued sewer permit info or to check on sewer certification receipt status, please use the Division's Sewer Extension Permit
Tracker. Using the Issue Date on top of the Engineer Certification Form is best way to ensure getting what you want especially for multi -version
permits; using today's date only gives info on the latest permit version. Confirmation using this method will replace letters and emails; it is
recommended that confirmation be printed and/or saved.
Links to both trackers can be found on the sewer permitting site here: https://deci.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-
Permits/peres/collection-systems-perm its
Subscribe to Collection System Updates listserve to receive automatic alerts for changes to applications, policies, regulations, etc.
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and
may be disclosed to third parties.
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and
may be disclosed to third parties.
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and
may be disclosed to third parties.