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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0901.000 1998-2000 August 7, 2000 2006» ~3038KEAL.doc Mr. Robert Yanabu Chief Engineer Department of Public Works County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mr. Yanabu: Subject: Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Inspection Attached for your information and use is our operation and maintenance report for the subject facility. The plant received an UNACCEPTABLE rating for reasons noted in the report. Please respond to our report within 30 days after receipt of this letter with an affirmative action plan that includes a reasonable time schedule for completion of the items noted. Should you have any questions, please call Tomas See of our Wastewater Branch at 586-4294. Sincerely, THOMAS E. ARIZUMI, P.E., CHIEF Environmental Management Division TS:erm Attachment c: County Council Public Works Chairperson, (w/ report) EPA Region IX, Attn: Tom Huettman, (w/ report) Mr. John "Napua" Springer, Jr. (w/ report) Comm. No. 9101 File No. XE ww _ Ref. To Ref. Date AU' 2 2 2000 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE INSPECTION REPORT INTRODI ICTIAN Facility: Kealakehe WWTP Date(s) of Inspection: June 23, 2000 Inspector(s): Tomas See Facility Representative(s)/Job Title: Napua Springer/Supervisor Mark Norman/Chief Operator RACKGROLINn 1. Current status of deficiencies cited in previous inspection reports: There were no deficiencies cited in the previous inspection report 2. NPDES Permit Status: Not applicable. 3. Enforcement Action: The County is presently under a Consent Order for an enforcement case, Docket No. 90-WW-EO- 10, Department of Health v. County of Hawaii. Under the terms of the Consent Order the County shall construct a system to use properly treated effluent to irrigate landscaping at Honokohau Harbor and along the access road between Kaahumanu Highway and Honokohau Harbor. The consent order deadline for the project's completion was October 31, 1998. On February 24, 1998 the DOH approved an extension of the deadline to August 2000. However, on October 26, 1999 the County of Hawaii requested another time extension. On November 24, 1999 the DOH approved an extension deadline to August 2002. 4. Capacity Analysis: Average flow: 130 MOD (For the period 5/1/99 to 4/30100) Design flow: 531 MOD; Percent of design capacity: 24 52/. Previous year's comparison: Last year's flow averaged 1.27 MOD. This year's average flow has increased by approximately 30,000 gallons per day. 5. Influent/Effluent Data Analysis: Based on monthly averages for May 1999 to April 2000. a. Influent BOD5 : 293 mg/I (composite) b. Effluent BOD5 : 4.27 mg/I (composite) c. Influent TSS : 168 mg/I (composite) d. EffluentTSS : 15 mgfl (composite) e. pH (min) 7.4 (grab) f, pH (max) 7.9 (grab) Hawaii Administrative Rules chapter 11-62 effluent limits are 30 mg/L and 30 mg1L for B005 and TSS, respectively. For reuse (R-2), the fecal coliform limit is 23 per 100 ml based on the last 7-day median. The plants effluent had fecal coliform analyses that ranged from 1 to 10 per 100 ml. 6. Modifications/Additions - Planned/Present Construction Status: None. CIIRRFNT INSPFCTION 1. Maintenance: Check either: Preventive Maintenance: _X_ Current . Backlogged Corrective Maintenance: _X_ Satisfactory -Excessive Major (or all) items requiring repairfreplacement: Effluent Pump No. 1, Chlorination System, and Grit Classifier No.2 2. Reuse: The facility has a DOH approved effluent irrigation plan: X Yes - No _ Not applicable Effluent reuse at a driving range started in August 1998. However, reuse at the driving range was terminated on May 29, 2000 due to a malfunctioning chlorinator at the plant Currently all of the effluent is disposed of through the leach pit 3. NPDES or Chapter 11.62 violations (effluent limitations, spills, etc.): None. 4. Visual quality of effluent on date of inspection (inspector's judgment): The effluent quality appeared relatively clear and light-green in color. 5. Facility's Present Deficiencies: 1. The County needs to accelerate implementation of the reuse projects. Four years have passed with no significant progress made. DOH letter dated 7/23199, to Mr. Jiro Shimada of the County of Hawaii's Department of Public Works, requested the County to submit a revised and realistic construction schedule for the effluent projects. To date, DOH has not received any written official response from the County. 2. The chlorinator has been malfunctioning since May 2000. The chlorine gas feed rate was fluctuating resulting in unreliable readings. Meeting chlorine residual requirements for R-2 water quality has been very difficult for the operators to achieve. The laboratory data showed an increasing trend in fecal coliform values since the time of chlorinator malfunctions. The reuse of effluent at the "Swing Zone° driving range was terminated on May 29, 2000. 3. Grit Classifier No.1 was removed from service since February 2000 due to a corrosion problem. To date, completion of the repair work on the classifier is still uncertain. 4. The motor cage of the grit chamber turntable motor was noted to be heavily corroded. The cage housed the rotating shaft of the motor. For safety and liability reasons it is recommended that the cage be repaired. 5. Effluent Pump No. 1 became inoperable on April 12, 2000. The impeller head bounded to the casing causing the motor to be overloaded. The run time of the pump was only 3,000 hours. The two remaining effluent pumps are expected to reach the 3,000-hour run time by the end of this year. Considering that the pumps are relatively new, the County should investigate the cause of the problem. Pump No.1 also needs to be fixed in a timely manner. 6. Safety railings should be provided at the stairs at the effluent pump station. The operators use the stairs to open the valves. 7. Chain links should be installed around the influent channel to prevent personnel from accidentally falling in the channel. SUMMARY 1. General Rating: _ ACCEPTABLE _ CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE X UNACCEPTABLE Explanation: The facility was given an Unacceptable rating due to the deficiencies cited above. The County has not constructed and implemented the water reclamation and reuse projects as agreed upon with the Department of Health. 2. General Comments/Recommendations: During the inspection, the temperature reading was slightly over 100 IF at the blower's suction. It is recommended that increased ventilation be provided for the blower room. Heat could damage the blowers.