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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0063029_Annual Performance_20230829 UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS noptT OF MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS EAST—MARINE CORPS BASE t do PSC BOX 20005 at� \2 CAMP LEJEUNE NC 28542-0005 4I G of 5090.20. 1 G-F/BEMD v 14 Aug 23 Mr. Bob Sledge RECEIVED I NC Division of Water Resources NPDES Compliance and Expedited AUG 2 9 2023 NPDES Permit Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 E�WR/NPDES Dear Mr. Sledge: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCB CAMLEJ) is taking all necessary steps to ensure complete compliance with House Bill 1160 of the Clean Water Act of 1999. This act requires MCB CAMLEJ to provide the public with an annual report that summarizes its collection system' s performance over a 12-month period. Enclosure (1) is the July 2022-June 2023 MCB CAMLEJ Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant System and Wastewater Collection System Performance Report. This letter certifies that the report is accurate and complete. The report was distributed via the Base Facebook and Twitter sites (which also cover Marine Corps Air Station New River) , Base Housing e- mail, and Base Wide Area Network Mail notifying residents of the availability of the report. The report document is available on the MCB CAMLEJ website: http: //www.lejeune.marines.mil/OfficesStaff/EnvironmentalMgmt/ AnnualReports.aspx. If you require additional information or need clarification of the information provided, please contact Mr. Travis Voorhees, Environmental Quality Branch, Environmental Management Division, G-F, at (910) 451-9518 . Sincerely, LOWDER.ROBE DOWDER ROBERT A 107430330 R T.A.1074303303 Dace 2023 0e 14 07 49 15-0400' ROBERT A. LOWDER, P.E. Director, Environmental Management By direction of the Commander Enclosure: 1. MCB CAMLEJ Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant System and Wastewater Collection System Annual Performance Report July 2022-June 2023 Copy to: ODI (File #27705) Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit No. NC0063029 Wastewater Collection System Permit No. WQCS00015 Annual Performance Report July 2022 - June 2023 ` jam. • 4 � A .. �: 11 m. • g ye' ''''' r Ilk 7,1"." • . Page 1 Enclosure (1) Terms and Definitions mg/L(milligrams/Liter) -the units of concentration used to express environmental measurements. 1 mg/L is equivalent to 1 part per million. You can think of 1 ppm as 1 cent in $10,000. Influent-wastewater entering the treatment plant Effluent-treated water leaving the treatment plant BOD(Biochemical Oxygen Demand) - is a pollution indicator. It is a measurement of the dissolved oxygen needed by microorganisms to biologically degrade pollutants.The normal BOD test is conducted during a 5 day laboratory period and denoted BOD5 . Raw domestic sewage typically has a BOD5 of about 200 mg/L whereas a typical BOD,of unpolluted surface water would be less than 5 mg/L. If discharged to the environment, water with an elevated BOD could deplete (use up) the dissolved oxygen in rivers and streams due to the biological degradation of the pollutants by naturally occurring microorganisms. This can cause fish kills and septic conditions. TSS(Total Suspended Solids) - is a pollution indicator. It is simply a measurement of undissolved solids. Similar to BOD, raw domestic sewage typically has a TSS of about 200 mg/L. If discharged to the environment, elevated levels of TSS can produce sludge deposits and cause septic conditions. Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3-N) - represents the concentration of nitrogen bound in the ammonia form. Raw domestic sewage typically has an NH3-N of about 15 to 20 mg/L. If discharged to the environment, elevated levels of NH3-N can cause three problems.These include: (1) depletion of dissolved oxygen in rivers and streams because the biological degradation of ammonia is an oxygen consuming process, (2) impairment and death to fish and other aquatic organisms due to the direct toxicity of ammonia, and (3) increased growth of algae due to the nutrient effects of nitrogen. Phosphorous-is an essential nutrient for all biological growth. However, if discharged to the environment, elevated levels can cause excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants.The subsequent decay of these plants can result in a depletion of dissolved oxygen. Treatment Plant Diagram A20 Biological Processes 0 0 0 Nitrogen Nitrogen Ultra-Violet Gas Gas Light 4 n • 8 10 Trash& Suspended Solids Re- uv Grit Solids NiacroA! Anoxi, Aeration Anoxic Aeration Settling Filtration Aeration Disinfection Removal removal Recycle Bio-Solids Recycle Dump ter Waste phosphorous Enriched Bio-Solids 12` S Treatment at � � I 'Ihlckgnln` Th!ck„clog 150"F 2,000 gallon TREATED 5,000 gallon application EFFLUENT TO tanker tankerNEW RIVER RAW INFLUENT ! i Land ApplicationSites Page 2 GENERALIZED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (WWTP) PROCESS DESCRIPTION The Camp Lejeune Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant(AWWTP) is an advanced biological process that consists of three different microbial environments. The combined environments are called the A20 process for Anaerobic, Anoxic and Oxic. These three zones cultivate a special mix of beneficial microorganisms that absorb phosphorous and convert chemically bound nitrogen to harmless and inert nitrogen gas. Residual phosphorous not absorbed by the microorganisms is removed by chemicals added by the WWTPs operations staff. Other microorganisms(primarily in the oxic zone) degrade wastewater pollutants by using organic material as food and converting it to new microbes, carbon dioxide and water. All of the three A20 zones consist of mixed slurries of wastewater and microorganisms. After treatment,the water and microbes are separated by gravity settling in large tanks. The clean water is skimmed from the surface,filtered, disinfected with ultra-violet light and returned to the New River.The microbes are continuously collected from the bottom of the tanks and returned to the three A20 zones using recycle pumping systems.This recycling provides a continuous source of microbes to degrade incoming pollutants.As pollutants are removed,the microorganisms grow and multiply.This growth results in the production of excess microorganisms.These excess microbes are continuously removed in a process called wasting to maintain a consistent and optimal balance between available microbes and the amount of food (pollutants) entering the WWTP.The excess microorganisms (called residuals or biosolids) are treated at an elevated temperature (+/- 150° F) to kill disease- causing organisms, to reduce odors, and for further treatment of biodegradable pollutants. The treated residuals are applied to agriculture and forested areas for their beneficial nutrients and soil conditioning characteristics.The flow of water into and out of the WWTP is a continuous operation -the WWTP operates 24 hours per day and 365 days per year. Descriptions of the WWTP processes are summarized below: 1- Preliminary Treatment is merely a screening process that removes large, inorganic debris such as sticks, rags,grit and sand. The removal of these constituents protects downstream equipment. 2-Primary Clarification consists of large tanks where suspended solids settle to the bottom. The settled solids are transferred to the solids treatment process. In general,this process removes about 50%of the TSS entering the WWTP influent. The remaining fraction is either degraded (solubilized) in the biological processes or removed in the WWTP's secondary clarifier. 3-The Anaerobic Zone is a mixed tank void of dissolved oxygen.The absence of all oxygen is conducive to the growth of special bacteria (Acinetobacter)that consume organic acids and release stored phosphorous in the anaerobic tank. However, these same organisms uptake high levels of phosphorous when they enter the aerobic(oxic) zone of the WWTP. Thus, the cycling of the microbes between the anaerobic and oxic environments is the mechanism responsible for enhanced phosphorous uptake.This cycling is accomplished by the normal flow of water and the recycle system that returns the microbes to the anaerobic zone after they have been oxygenated in the oxic zone of the WWTP. Phosphorous(an algae causing nutrient) is ultimately removed from the WWTP by wasting excess microbes after the oxygenated cycle and when stored phosphorous levels are greatest. 4-The Anoxic Zone consists of mixed tanks that have essentially no dissolved oxygen. However, these tanks do contain oxygen that is chemically bound to nitrogen in a molecule called nitrate (NO3-N).This nitrate nitrogen is a by-product from the biological treatment of ammonia and is introduced to the anoxic zone through the recycle from the outlet of the aeration tank. In the absence of dissolved oxygen, bacteria in the anoxic zone break the chemical bond between the oxygen and nitrogen.The oxygen is used by the microbes to produce new bacteria, water and carbon dioxide. More importantly, the nitrogen (a nutrient responsible for the growth of excess algae) is removed from the water and is released to the atmosphere as a harmless and inert gas. 5 -The Oxic (Aerobic) Zone consists of mixed and oxygenated tanks. Oxygen is supplied from the atmosphere using mechanical agitators located on the surface of the tanks. In this process, aerobic (oxygen using) and other microorganisms perform the following: Page 3 Reduce BOD: This is the biological degradation of wastewater pollutants. Simply stated, microorganisms consume organic material for food and convert it to new microbes, carbon dioxide and water. Nitrify Ammonia:This is the biochemical oxidation of ammonia nitrogen to the much more stable and benign form called nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N).The benign NO3-N can be biologically degraded to nitrogen gas when recycled to the anoxic zone of the WWTP. Uptake of Phosphorous: The special bacteria (Acinetobacter) cultivated in the anaerobic zone absorb a significant amount of phosphorous in the aerobic tank.This absorbed phosphorous is ultimately removed from the water when excess microorganisms are wasted from the WWTP. 6-The Post Aerobic Anoxic Zone uses the same mechanisms as previously described to convert nitrate to nitrogen gas.This particular zone is simply another location to cultivate special microbes and provide an additional opportunity for these organisms to convert nitrate to nitrogen gas. 7-The Second Stage Aeration Zone consists of small aerated tanks.This particular zone is simply used to return dissolved oxygen to the water following the anoxic(oxygen free) process. 8-Secondary Clarification consists of large tanks where the suspended biosolids (microorganisms) are separated from the water,the biosolids simply settle to the bottom of the tank. As a general rule of thumb, approximately 97 to 98%of the biosolids entering the secondary clarifier are recycled back to the anaerobic zone so they can treat incoming waste products. About 2 to 3% of these "phosphorous enriched biosolids" are due to the growth of excess microbes and are wasted to the solids treatment process. 9-Filtration is a polishing process that removes the trace levels of suspended solids that do not settle in the secondary clarifier.This process employs a layer of sand that removes the solids by straining and absorbing the material. 10-The Reaeration Process is a small aerated tank used to increase the level of dissolved oxygen in the treated water just before it is discharged.This helps maintain higher oxygen content in the New River in the vicinity of the WWTP's discharge line. 11-Disinfection is the final process in the WWTP. It is used to kill microorganisms. It is important to note that no chemicals are used in the disinfection process at this WWTP-disinfection is accomplished using environmentally benign ultraviolet(UV) light. 12-Solids Thickening is used to remove some of the water from the slurry of waste biosolids.Thickening is used to reduce the volume of waste solids and increase the capacity of the WWTP's residuals processing tanks.As a general rule,thickening reduces this volume by about 65 to 75%. 13 -Solids Treatment is used to kill disease causing organisms, reduce odors and for further treatment of the biodegradable pollutants in the biosolids. The process consists of mixed and aerated tanks operated at about 150°F.The heat is generated internally from the biological decomposition of the biosolids by special bacteria that flourish in this type of environment.This process is similar to composting. Wastewater Collection System: The MCB Camp Lejeune Wastewater Collection System includes: 194 lift stations, approximately 148 miles of in-service gravity sewer lines and 130 miles of in-service force main lines. Contacts For additional copies of this report, more information, or questions concerning the MCB Camp Lejeune Wastewater Treatment System please contact the Director of Utilities for Water and Wastewater at 910-451-7190 ext. 223. For questions concerning the North Carolina Wastewater Annual Performance Program contact the Water Quality Permitting, Compliance and Expedited Permitting Unit of the NCDEQ, Division of Water Resources, Mr. Bob Sledge at 919-807-6398. Page 4 L AWWTP Permit Limits and Performance Data Permit Limits on AWWTP Effluent Volume of Wastewater Treated Monthly Average Limits (mg/L) Daily Average 4.23 million gallons per day Parameter April 1 to November 1 Total Gallons Treated for the Year 1.5 billion gallons October 31 to March 31 BOD5 5.0 10.0 Biosolids Production During 12 Month Period TSS 30.0 30.0 Gallons of liquid containing 2.65 %solids 2,524,000 NH3-N 2.0 4.0 Dry Tons(Excluding Water) 279.41 Phosphorous 0.5 1.0 Daily Maximum Limits(mg/L) BOD5 7.5 15.0 TSS 45.0 45.0 NH3-N 10.0 20.0 Future projects and improvements projected include: Sewer force main air release valve location study, hydrogen sulfide study, water/wastewater Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system upgrades, Utility Energy Service Contract pump station reduction, pump station variable frequency drive and lighting installation, and Consolidated Drinking Water Plant discharge studies. recently completed repairs on the effluent sand filters and the CROM tank bubbler system. AWWTP Overall Performance Overall operation of the MCB Camp Lejeune AWWTP has met specifications. Summary of Violations MCB Camp Lejeune received no Notice of Violation (NOV)for the 12 month period July 2022 -June 2023 Wastewater Collection System - Public Reportable Spills The North Carolina Clean Water Act of 1999, which became effective October 1, 1999, and as revised on September 20, 2014, requires that wastewater owners or operators must notify the public of wastewater spills. Wastewater owners or operators must issue a press release after a discharge to surface waters of 1,000 gallons or more within 24 hours of first knowledge of the spill by the owner/operator.The press release must be issued to "all print and electronic news media that provide general coverage within the county where the discharge occurred". For inadvertent discharges of wastewater reaching surface waters exceeding 15,000 gallons, a public notice is required in addition to a press release. During the monitoring period of record there was one (1) reportable sewage overflow(spill).A summary of each is listed below: Reportable Sewage Overflows (Spills) Date Estimated Surface Water Location of Spill Reason For Spill Volume (gal) Reached 10/25/2022 28,050 NO French Creek AWWTP Equipment Failure 12/1/2022 162,000 NO Lift Station P3TC Contractor cut line Page 5 Proper Disposal of FOG and Domestic Garbage FOG Did you know that cooking grease is the main cause of most residential pipeline and the Base's wastewater collection system blockages?Grease is the leading cause of sewer overflows. NEVER pour grease down any drain.The proper disposal of Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) into a trash or garbage container helps prevent wastewater overflows in our community. Sewer backups can cause damage to homes, health hazards, and threaten the environment. Sewer pipes blocked by grease are an increasing cause of overflows. Cooking grease coats the inside walls of sewer pipes, similar to the way fatty foods can clog your arteries.The grease that clings to the inside of the pipes builds up over time and acts as a host for other materials to cling to, restricting the size of the pipe even more. Eventually the pipe becomes completely clogged and wastewater will backup either in the resident's yard or through a manhole into the street and possibly into waterways. FOG comes from a wide range of residential, commercial, and industrial sources. Residences, restaurants, school cafeterias, commissaries, and hospitals are all FOG generators. FOG is a natural consequence of cooking-it comes from butter, lard, meats, nuts,vegetable fats and oils, and is found on pots, pans, grills, and deep fat fryers. With the large number of FOG sources on Base,the Camp Lejeune Advanced Wastewater Treatment System can experience increased difficulty with grease clogging pipes and pump stations and affecting wastewater treatment operations at the plant. Sewer backups caused by the accumulation of FOG are completely preventable. MCB Camp Lejeune prohibits the intentional release of FOG into the wastewater system. Under no conditions should FOG, or FOG components, be poured, scraped, or otherwise disposed of into sinks,toilets, or any other wastewater system component. Remember,the best way to manage FOG is to keep it out of the system. Here are some helpful tips on making this possible: 1. Dry wipe all cooking supplies and equipment. Use a paper towel or napkin to remove greasy leftovers from pots and dishes prior to washing in the sink or dishwasher. Place leftover foods, fat trimmings from meat, etc. in a trash can. Do not dispose of scrapings in a sink, toilet,floor drain, or any other component of the wastewater system. 2. All cooking oils (including salad oil, cooking oil, bacon grease, butter, and marinades) need to be poured into a container.The container can be an old milk carton,frozen juice container or other recyclable container and disposed of in the garbage. 3. Don't use chemicals to remove grease clogs. Chemicals damage the piping system and just move the problem into a different location further down the collection system. Following these simple tips will allow Camp Lejeune's Advanced Wastewater Treatment System to function properly, therefore providing a healthy environment for us all. Household Garbage Domestic garbage also should not be disposed of in the sanitary sewer system.Sewer pipes and wastewater treatment plant equipment can be damaged by improperly disposed of household items. Do NOT flush baby wipes, even if they say they are "flushable". Page 6 MYTHS ABOUT FOG Myth:Wash grease with dish soap Myth: Running hot tap water will help grease float in the sewer pipe Fact: Even though soap act: Running hot tap water will breaks up grease, it loses •.• • ; NOT help grease float through its effectiveness s" �"` r the sewer pipe because the water downstream, allowing f �' will eventually cool as it flows grease to solidify on the through the pipe and the grease i iik pipe walls. - ---> will become solid again. Myth: Pour cooking oil at room temperature Fact: Cooking oil such as canola and olive float on water and adhere to the sewer pipes. It is best to - avoid pouring oil down the drain altogether to avoid sewage problems. 411113-oblibt �) eiredalS. • LAST SEEN: •' / �T Loitering in Sinks , n and Drains WANTED FOR: Causing Sewer Overflows DID WOO°KNOW_-- Most sanitary sewer backups occur between your home and the town's sewer main? You can help prevent a costly and unsanitary overflow by following a few simple steps: 0 ✓Scrape excess grease in a container and dispose of it in the garbage. Place food scraps in waste containers or garbage bags for disposal with solid wastes, or start a compost pile; promote use of scraping ware prior to washing. Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of solid wastes. Disposable diapers, condoms, and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system. 1.Promote the concept of "3 R's": Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. ,+ •Viate ♦ Pour grease, fats, and oils from cooking down the drain. Use the toilet as a wastebasket. CS)Lise the sewer as a means of disposing food scraps. e clew.Goer,end a..od.t.d materiels are mewed era,.N.c.[Odeon or Pollution Prevention and EmdmnrenW Aw O.(GPPEA)avma •re Depammeni or Environment and Natural Peeourua iDENG)Samples or m.prl.rs using Me G,ewa Gobs,«n4 mrM M p.God.d b DPPFA Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune prohibits the intentional release of Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) into the wastewater system. Under no conditions should FOG, or FOG components, be poured, scraped, or otherwise disposed of into sinks, toilets, or any other wastewater system constituent. For questions regarding grease management at MCB Camp Lejeune please contact the Water Quality Program Manager, Travis Voorhees, at (910) 451-9518.