Document 54B5XxdoBqwqwgxY6kBXdOo5

REGION 5 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Date: Time: Media: Statute (s)/Program(s): Type of inspection: Access: October 19, 2023 Inspection Announced: Yes Entry: 9:05 a.m. Exit: 10:30 a.m. Water Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Industrial CEI - Compliance Evaluation Inspection Granted Permittee Name: Facility or Site Name: Facility/Site Physical Address: (city, state, zip code) County/Parish: Village of Bettsville Village of Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Seneca Permit Number: OH0058211 Page 1 of 17 REGION 5 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Persons Participating in Inspection: Title Name Phone Physical Scientist, Matthew (312) 886-2405 EPA Schulte Environmental Joseph Forth (312) 886-7275 Engineer Village Administrator Jon Debrunz (567) 201-8364 Plant Operator Dave Clark (419) 937-4124 Email schulte.matthew@epa.gov forth.joseph@epa.gov villageofbettsville@yahoo.com clarksyc@yahoo.com Present at Opening Conference Yes Present at Closing Conference Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Lead Inspector: Matthew Schulte Schulte, Matthew Region 5 Digitally signed by Schulte, Matthew Date: 2023.12.21 14:57:15 -06'00' schulte.matthew@epa.gov (312) 886-2405 Additional Persons Participating in Inspection: Joseph Forth Region 5 forth.joseph@epa.gov (312) 886-7275 Supervisor Review: Molly Smith MOLLY SMITH Region 5 Digitally signed by MOLLY SMITH Date: 2023.12.21 15:07:30 -06'00' smith.molly@epa.gov (312) 353-8773 SECTION I - INTRODUCTION Site Entry and Inspection Objectives Region 5 Lead Inspector, Matthew Schulte, and inspector Joseph Forth arrived at the Bettsville Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) (the "Site" or "Facility"), located at 3800 C.R. 62, Bettsville, Ohio at 9:05 a.m. on October 19, 2023 for an announced inspection. Inspectors presented their credentials to Jon Debrunz and Dave Clark and informed the Facility that this was an EPA Region 5 inspection to investigate elements of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The inspection was conducted under the authority of the CWA NPDES permit program and Section 308 of the CWA. The table above identifies the attendees that participated in the inspection. This report is based on information supplied by Facility representatives, observations made by the Region 5 inspectors, and records and reports maintained by the permittee and Region 5. These include the following: direct observations made by the Region 5 inspectors, photographs taken by Region 5 inspectors, physical Page 2 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): October 19, 2023 evidence collected by Region 5 inspectors, measurements taken by Region 5 inspectors, verbal or written statements made or supplied by Facility representatives (the permittee) during or subsequent to the on-site inspection, and materials, processes, data, photographs, or documents shown, demonstrated, or submitted to the Region 5 inspectors by Facility representatives during or subsequent to the on-site inspection. In addition, information gathered prior to or subsequent to the inspection from a review of U.S. EPA, State, and public records may be included in this report. Facility/Site Description Region 5 Lead Inspector confirmed the following Facility information: The Facility is the WWTP for the Village of Bettsville, and receives wastewater from the Village of Burgoon. Treatment structures at the Facility consists of screening, aeration, clarifiers, digestors, ultraviolet lights, and polishing (air addition). At the time of this inspection, the Facility also had plans to introduce Alum addition into the treatment process, which would begin in the next week. The WWTP is currently under construction to upgrade their treatment structures. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2024. The WWTP has a single operator that performs all necessary operating tasks. An operator will visit the site on a daily basis, but is not present 24/7. The Facility discharges to Wolf Creek through outfall 001 which is inspected one to two times per year. SECTION II - OBSERVATIONS Observations may not be in sequential order. Unique Identifying No. MS-OB-001 MS-OB-002 MS-OB-003 MS-OB-004 MS-OB-005 MS-OB-006 Observation The Facility has experienced chronic effluent limit exceedances of phosphorous limits, in the NPDES permit, for the past twelve quarters. The Facility has experienced chronic exceedances of ammonia effluent limits from the NPDES permit for the past twelve quarters. The Facility is currently in the middle of upgrading their plant to address their effluent exceedances. Current projects are expected to be completed in January 2024 (See photos: 5, 7, and 9). The Facility hauls sludge on an annual basis. In 2020 the Facility relined twelve manholes around the Facility and village to address inflow and infiltration. Three manholes were replaced entirely. At the Facility, pH readings are performed by the onsite operator at time of sampling. Times for pH readings are not recorded to verify sampling within a 15 minutes of grab sample. Area of Concern? Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Page 3 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): October 19, 2023 SECTION III - RECORDS REVIEW Records reviewed may not be in sequential order. No. MS-RR-001 Record Current NPDES permit uploaded on Ohio EPA's virtual record site shows the permit expired in 2020. However, a new permit has been issued to the Facility. SECTION V - AREAS OF CONCERN The presentation of areas of concern does not constitute a formal compliance determination or violation. No. MS-OB-001 The Facility has experienced chronic exceedances of phosphorous for the past twelve quarters. MS-OB-003 The Facility must meet the effluent limits contained within Part I, A of its NPDES Permit. For ammonia, this includes the concentration and loading limits. The Facility has experienced chronic exceedances of ammonia for the past twelve quarters. MS-OB-004 The Facility must meet the effluent limits contained within Part I, A of its NPDES Permit. For ammonia, this includes the concentration and loading limits which differ in summer and winter months. The Facility hauls sludge on an annual basis. MS-OB-005 The Village of Bettsville has expressed concern over future sludge hauling requirements and the availability of businesses accepting the waste. The Facility has experienced and increase in cost and hauling distance to properly dispose of the waste. The pH readings are performed by the onsite operator at time of sampling. Times for pH readings are not recorded to verify sampling within a 15 minutes of grab sample. Facility must meet all sampling requirements under 40 CFR part 136 which includes pH readings being taken within 15 minutes of grab samples. SECTION VI - CLOSING CONFERENCE AND FOLLOW UP Closing Conference The Lead Inspector held a closing conference with Facility personnel on October 19, 2023, for the inspection. During the closing conference, the Lead Inspector discussed the observations and Areas of Concern identified during the inspection. Observations and Areas of Concern have not yet been evaluated for a formal compliance determination. Page 4 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): SECTION VII - LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 - Photo Log [times listed on images are in EST]. October 19, 2023 Page 5 of 17 REGION 5 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 1 Time: 9:33 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Photo Description: Alum addition point for sewage treatment. Photographer: Matthew Schulte Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_01.JPG Page 6 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 2 Time: 9:33 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: East Photo Description: Screening of sewage influent. Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_02.JPG Page 7 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 3 Time: 9:35 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Photo Description: Alum holding tank. Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_03.JPG Page 8 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 4 Time: 9:57 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: South Photo Description: Aeration Basin (east). Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_04.JPG Page 9 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 5 Time: 9:57 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: South Photo Description: Aeration basin (west). Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_05.JPG Page 10 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 6 Time: 10:00 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Southwest Photo Description: Clarifier following aeration basin (east). Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_06.JPG Page 11 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 7 Time: 10:00 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Southwest Photo Description: Clarifier basin (west) currently under maintenance. Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_07.JPG Page 12 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 8 Time: 10:07 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Photo Description: Digester basin (east). Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_08.JPG Page 13 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 9 Time: 10:07 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Photo Description: Digester basin (west) currently not operating. Material directed to other digester basin for settling and treatment. Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_09.JPG Page 14 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 10 Time: 10:08 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Photo Description: UV lights after digester prior to polishing basin. Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_10.JPG Page 15 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 11 Time: 10:09 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Photo Description: Polisher basin adds air to water prior to discharge. Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_11.JPG Page 16 of 17 Bettsville WWTP Inspection Date(s): Facility Name & Location: Bettsville WWTP 3800 C.R. 62 Bettsville, Ohio 44815 Date Photograph Was Taken: October 19, 2023 Photo No.: 12 Time: 10:09 a.m. Direction Photo Taken: Photo Description: Composite sampler prior to discharge to Wolf Creek. Photographer: Matthew Schulte October 19, 2023 Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 (S/N #BJ5B21169) File: Bettsville_12.JPG Page 17 of 17