Document LpvD3jEdR2mQDky45gJGBrvez
Region 6 Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division
INSPECTION REPORT
Inspection Date(s): Media: Regulatory Program(s) Company Name: Facility Names: Facility Physical Locations:
(city, state, zip code) Mailing address:
(city, state, zip code) County/Parish: Facility Contact:
3/25/2025
Water
Clean Water Act
City of Opelousas
City of Opelousas -Candy Street WWTP
2284 Candy Street,
Opelousas, LA 70571
P.O.BOX 1879
Opelousas, LA 70571
St. Landry
Julius Alsandor
Mayor
mayoralsandor@cityofopelousas.com
337-948-2520
FRS Number: Identification/Permit Number: Media Number: NAICS: SIC:
LA0036404 4952
Personnel participating in inspection:
Michael Williams
EPA/ 6EN-WMH
Shane Miller
LDEQ
Matt Henry
LDEQ
Calvin Tyler
City of Opelousas
Travis Vanwright
City of Opelousas
Inspector Inspector Inspector Plant Supervisor Public Works Director
281-983-2150 (337) 262-5586 matt.henry@la.gov (337) 948-2558 (337) 948-2550
EPA Lead Inspector Signature/Date
Supervisor Signature/Date
MICHAEL WILLIAMS
MICHAEL WILLIAMS 2025.06.05 07:02:57 -05'00'
Michael D. Williams
Date
ROBERTO BERNIER Date: 2025.06.05 08:27:53 -05'00' Digitally signed by ROBERTO BERNIER
Roberto Bernier
Date
City of Opelousas -Candy Street WWTP LA0036404
Inspection Date 3/25/2025
Section I - Introduction
PURPOSE OF THE INSPECTION
EPA Region 6 inspector, Michael Williams, arrived at the City of Opelousas Candy Street Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) at 10:00 am on March 25, 2025, for unannounced National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) inspections. During the opening conference, I met with Calvin Tyler, Plant Supervisor. Mr. Tyler was informed that this was an EPA lead compliance evaluation inspection to determine compliance with the facility's NPDES permit LA0036404 and facility operations and maintenance under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The inspections were conducted under the authority of the NPDES permit program, in accordance with the Federal CWA.
The information presented in this report is based on the materials and information supplied by the City of Opelousas representatives, observations made during the inspection, and records or reports maintained by the permittee, permittee contract laboratory, the State of Louisiana and EPA.
FACILITY DESCRIPTIONS
The Candy Street Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) utilizes an activated sludge process to treat municipal wastewater, with a designed treatment capacity of 3.3 million gallons per day (MGD). The treatment process begins with preliminary screening, where incoming wastewater passes through both mechanical and manual bar screens. These screens remove large debris and solid materials that could damage downstream equipment or impede the treatment process.
Following screening, the flow enters a single grit chamber. Here, heavier inorganic particles such as sand, gravel, and silt settle out and are removed from the system. This step is critical in protecting pumps and other mechanical components from abrasive wear.
The pre-treated wastewater then flows into three aeration basins. These basins play a key role in biological treatment by introducing oxygen into the water. This oxygenation supports the growth of aerobic microorganisms that consume and break down organic pollutants present in the wastewater. The aeration process is central to the activated sludge system, providing the conditions necessary for effective biological degradation.
After the aeration stage, the mixed liquor flows into four secondary clarifiers. In these clarifiers, the biological solids settle out under gravity. The settled solids, or sludge, are separated from the clarified water. A portion of the sludge, known as return activated sludge (RAS), is recycled back to the headworks to maintain the microbial population in the aeration basins. The remainder, referred to as waste activated sludge (WAS), is directed to two onsite aerobic digesters for further stabilization.
In the aerobic digesters, the sludge undergoes additional biological treatment under aerobic conditions, which helps reduce odor and organic content. Once stabilized, the sludge is dewatered using a belt press. The resulting solids are then transported to the St. Landry Parish landfill for final disposal.
Meanwhile, the clarified effluent from the secondary clarifiers proceeds to tertiary filtration. These filters remove finer suspended solids that were not captured during earlier treatment stages. The filtered water
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City of Opelousas -Candy Street WWTP LA0036404
Inspection Date 3/25/2025
is then routed through a cascade system, which provides additional aeration and oxidation, further improving effluent quality and reducing residual organic content.
The final step in the treatment process is disinfection. The water enters a chlorine contact chamber where it is exposed to chlorine for a specified period, effectively inactivating any remaining pathogens. After disinfection, the treated effluent is discharge into the Bayou Yarbor thence into Bayou Callahan thence into Vermilion River.
Section II- Observations
This inspection revealed the following observations:
Candy Street Treatment Plant LA0036404 Specific Observations:
x During the inspection of the wastewater treatment plant, several critical operational deficiencies were observed. Most notably, the entire headworks system was offline at the time of the visit. Both the mechanical bar screen and the grit chamber were non-operational, resulting in the failure to remove large debris and heavier inorganic particles from the incoming wastewater. Consequently, the influent received only minimal preliminary treatment before being directed to the aeration basins, potentially impacting the efficiency of downstream biological processes and increasing the risk of equipment damage.
x The tertiary filtration system appeared to be clogged during the inspection, indicating a lack of routine maintenance and cleaning. Furthermore, there was no evidence of a scheduled maintenance program or documentation of any maintenance activities, as required by the facility's standard operating procedures. This oversight may compromise effluent quality and suggests noncompliance with established operational protocols.
x During the inspection, the solids inventory throughout the treatment system appeared to be elevated beyond operational levels and potentially contributing to exceedance of permit limits. This condition was attributed to insufficient wasting of solids from the system. Routine and effective solids wasting is essential to maintaining treatment efficiency and regulatory compliance. Failure to remove excess solids can impair biological processes and compromise the overall performance of the wastewater treatment system.
Section III- Areas of Concern
This inspection revealed the following areas of concern:
x The City of Opelousas is not in compliance with the requirements outlined in Section B, General Conditions, of LPDES Permit LA0036404. This section mandates that the permittee must properly operate and maintain all treatment facilities and systems at all times to ensure compliance with permit conditions.
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City of Opelousas -Candy Street WWTP LA0036404
Inspection Date 3/25/2025
However, during the inspection, multiple deficiencies were noted that indicate a failure to meet this obligation. At the Candy Street Treatment Facility, key components--including the grit chamber, tertiary filtration system, and solids disposal process--were found to be inadequately maintained or non-functional. Specifically, the city has not been disposing of dewatered sludge at the landfill due to a lack of available drivers. No contingency plan, such as contracting third-party drivers or companies, has been implemented to address this gap. As a result, solids are not being wasted from the system, leading to elevated solids inventory and contributing to permit limit exceedances. x During the inspection, a leaking pipe was observed at the facility discharging non-potable water. The leak was uncontained and represents a potential bypass of the treatment system. If this discharge commingles with stormwater, it may constitute an unauthorized discharge under the facility's permit conditions. This issue requires corrective action to prevent potential environmental impacts and regulatory noncompliance. (See Appendix A) x During the inspection, it was observed that the City of Opelousas was storing sludge in a 2-4 cubic yard container positioned outside of the designated containment area. This placement poses a risk of runoff and potential bypass of the treatment system, particularly during wet weather events. Proper containment is essential to prevent unauthorized discharges and ensure compliance with permit requirements. (See Appendix A)
Section IV - LIST OF APPENDICES
x Appendix A - Photos x Appendix B - Effluent Violation Summary
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City of Opelousas LA0036404
Inspection Date 3/25/2025
Appendix A Photograph Log
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 1 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Headworks
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 2 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Headworks (Manual and Mechanical Bar Screens)
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 3 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Headworks Grit Chamber
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 4 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Container outside containment area
Container with sludge outside of containment area
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 5 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Aeration Basins
Filamentous Bacteria Present because of high solid inventory and older sludge present
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 6 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Clarifiers
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 7 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Leaking Value
Non-Portable Water Pipe leaking
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 8 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Tertiary filtration System
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 9 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Suspend Solids Present in the Chlorine Chamber
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 10 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Chlorine Chamber
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 11 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
Cascade
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Photograph Log
Photo No. 12 Location: City of Opelousas - Candy Street WWTP
City: Opelousas
County/Parish: St. Landry Parish
State: LA
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Inspection Date 3/25/2025
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