Document dno9od0a0vqVz4EB9qw7GVQ7R

Region 6 - Enforcement & Compliance Assurance Division INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Date(s): Media Program: Regulatory Program(s) Company Name: Facility Name: Facility Physical Location: (city, state, zip code) Mailing address: (city, state, zip code) County/Parish: Facility Phone Number Facility Contact: 08/20/2024 Water NPDES City of Rio Rancho City of Rio Rancho Wastewater Treatment Plant #2 100 Industrial Park Loop Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87144 3200 Civic City Circle Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87144 Sandoval 505-896-8736 Jim Chiasson Utilities Director rchiasson@rrnmn.gov FRS Number: Identification/Permit Number: Media Identifier Number: NAICS: SIC: 110022872346 NM0027987 NA 221320 4952 Personnel participating in inspection: Ruben Aranda Jacobs (consultant) Dennis Gonzales Jacobs (consultant) Bill Jacquez Jacobs (consultant) Ricardo Sanchez Jacobs (consultant) Beatriz Salazar-Archuleta NMED Shawnee Suazo NMED Emily Yurk EPA-R6/ECDWM David A Esparza EPA-R6/ECDWM Regional Health & Safety Project Manager Compliance Coordinator Lead Operator Intern Inspector Inspector/Enforcement Officer Environmental Engineer EPA Lead Inspector Signature/Date DAVID ESPARZA David Esparza Digitally signed by DAVID ESPARZA Date: 2024.09.17 16:28:05 -06'00' Date Supervisor Signature/Date ROBERTO BERNIER Date: 2024.09.26 13:16:20 -05'00' Digitally signed by ROBERTO BERNIER Roberto Bernier Date 6ENFORM-020-R8.2 (02/12/2020) 1 City of Rio Rancho/ City of Rio Ranch WWTP #2 Permit No. NM0027987 Date 08/20/2024. Section I - INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE INSPECTION EPA Region 6 inspectors David Esparza, PE, and Ms. Emily Yurk, accompanied by Ms. Shawnee Suazo and Ms. Beatriz Salazar-Archuleta from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), arrived at the City of Rio Rancho (Rio Rancho) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) at 8:50 AM (MST) on August 20, 2024, for an unannounced inspection. I met with their contract consultants: Jacobs Engineering Group representatives Mr. Bill Jacquez; Compliance Coordinator, Mr. Dennis Gonzales; Wastewater Supervisor, Mr. Ruben Aranda; Regional Health & Safety and Mr. Ricardo Sanchez; Lead Operator. I presented my credentials and informed them that this was an EPA inspection to determine the WWTP's compliance under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Rio Rancho's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The generation of this report is based on information supplied by Rio Rancho representatives, observations made by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) inspector, and records and reports maintained by the permittee (Rio Rancho), and the US EPA. Before leaving the facility, an exit briefing was held with the above-mentioned contract representatives, to explain areas of concern noted at the time of the inspection. FACILITY DESCRIPTION The WWTP #2 is a major discharger with a pre-treatment program and permitted flow of 8.8 million gallons per day (MGD) (currently operating at approximately 4.8 MGD) and is located at 100 Industrial Park Loop NE, Sandoval County, New Mexico (depicted in Aerial Image 1 below). The WWTP facility serves a population of approximately 102,000 residents. The WWTP facility is currently operated under a contract agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group (formerly CH2M, now a subsidiary of Jacobs) (for design, build and operations), 24-hours per day, 7 days per week and consists of a staff of 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for wastewater and 7 FTEs for collections (i.e. gravity sewers, pumping stations, force mains and other sewer conveyance methods). A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system provides around the clock monitoring of WWTP operations. After entering the WWTP facility via a series of 27 lift stations (LS) (Identified in Table 1 below). Table 1: City of Rio Rancho Lift Stations Lift Station # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Location by Address 4906 Dolores Hildago SE 2451 Southern Blvd. SE 301 Southern Blvd. Inca & Hondo 1025 Sunflower SW Alpine & Riverview Rd. 7400 Hapsburg NE South of WWTP #3 Sue Cleveland High School Comment Lift station will have full upgrade and relocated North of current location (2451 Southern Blvd. SE) See note below Located on the west side of the canal 2 City of Rio Rancho/ City of Rio Ranch WWTP #2 Permit No. NM0027987 Date 08/20/2024. Lift Station # 10 11 12 13 14.2 15 Location by Street Address Highway 528 8011 Montoya Rd. OFFLINE 1650 Riverside Drive WWTP #2 by west gate 1385 Hwy 528 Comment This LS is located behind the Walgreens/Pinehurst This LS is in the proximity of Walmart This LS was replaced by LS-14.2 and was closed in place. Located at WWTP #3 SCADA update is planned VFDs will be installed along with new pumps and odor Control. (1385 Hwy 528) 16 2006 Grande Blvd. SE 17 1057 Joshua Dr SE See note below 18 1420 Sara Way SE 19 1712 Prairie Sage Way SE 20 7059 Westphalia Blvd. NE New panel and pumps were installed along with VFDs. A new wet well and odor control will be installed in the coming years. (1650 Riverside 21 1650 Riverside Drive Drive (WWTP #3). SCADA update is also planned Lift station will have a full upgrade along with wet well. (Hwy 528 and 22 Hwy 528 & Obregon Rd NE Obregon Rd NE) 23 4903 Chaco Loop NE 24 2300 Westside Blvd. SE 25 3655 Hanley Rd. NE Located at WWTP #5 26 Blue Grama Rd. 27 4300 Sara Rd. SE 28 21st and 12th Note: Every lift station will have back up power or quick connections, besides LS- 5 (1025 Sunflower SW) and LS-17 (1057 Joshua SE) WWTP #2 is one (1) of several WWTPs owned or previously owned and operated by the City of Rio Rancho. Outfall 001, the outfall from WWTP #2, is the only outfall currently discharging under an NPDES permit. Note1: Outfall 001 was realigned and reconstructed from an approximate perpendicular (straight) discharge into the Rio Grande to an approximate parallel configuration; thence an eventual discharge. WWTP #3 NPDES permit NM0029602, issued on June 6, 2016, was terminated on March 24, 2021. All WWTP #3 waste streams are diverted to the influent flow at WWTP #2. WWTP #1 was permanently closed (circa April 2020); with all flow pumped to the Water Reclamation Facility #6 (WRF #6). Ultra-violet (UV) and chlorination disinfection units are used at WWTP #2 (5.5 MGD) and WRF #6 (2.7 MGD), where their effluents are comingled prior to discharging to the Rio Grande at Outfall 001. WWTP #2 (NM0027987) is comprised of two separate treatment streams, 2A and 2B. Stream 2A is a Schreiber Process Unit that was built circa 1995, and consists of a bar screen, aeration basin and clarifier basin. 2B has approximately twice the treatment volume of 2A and utilizes an activated sludge treatment process with an automatic grit belt and climber screen system, anoxic basins, fine bubble aeration basins, and clarifiers. Both 2A and 2B flows recombine prior to the ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system and discharge to Outfall 001. 3 City of Rio Rancho/ City of Rio Ranch WWTP #2 Permit No. NM0027987 Date 08/20/2024. Aerial Image 1: Overall view of the City of Rio Rancho's Wastewater Treatment Plant #2. Aerial from Google Earth maps. Additionally, Rio Rancho has implemented written policies and procedures to address any potential sanitary sewer overflow events (SSOs), and standard operating procedures (SOPs) pertaining facility operations and maintenance (O&M). Furthermore, by City Ordinance, a Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program was enacted with respect to existing and/or new FOG contributors. Section II - OBSERVATIONS I observed the following and/or the following information was provided, stated on August 20, 2024, or through follow-up correspondence. Currently two (2) industrial users (IUs) were identified. The previously known Insight Lighting, Inc. (Insight), located at 4341 Fulcrum Way NE and the second Natures Toolbox (pharmaceuticals). However, based on information provided, Rio Rancho determined Nature's Toolbox was no longer subject to categorical pretreatment standards and was granted an exception dated June 26, 2024. Insight Lighting, Inc. is designated by the Control Authority as a Middle Tier CIU because its categorical discharge of wastewater does not exceed the 5,000 gpd or the 0.01 percent maximum allowable headworks loading in accordance with 40 CFR 433 - Metal Finishing Point Source Category (Subpart A- Metal Finishing Subcategory (433.10-433.17). This entity and Rio Rancho entered into an individual wastewater discharge agreement (Permit No. C24001), for the disposal of Insight's effluent into the City's WWTP #2 in December 2007, this 2007 agreement was revised in May 2024. It was stated all lift stations (LS) have back up power or quick connections, except for LS- 5 (1025 Sunflower SW) and LS-17 (1057 Joshua SE). However, those lift stations with back-up power capability are exercised on a routine basis. 4 City of Rio Rancho/ City of Rio Ranch WWTP #2 Permit No. NM0027987 Date 08/20/2024. Rio Rancho provided a spreadsheet of the sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) events- for the period of August 2022 through June 2024 indicating the utility experienced 10 SSO events, though approximately five (5) events equate to less than 400-gallons each, while three (3) events are less than 3K gallons, but the remaining two (2) events are each 10K gallons. The on-site laboratory pH-10 buffer had expired (July 2024). Rio Rancho consultants stated the sludge blanket within the treatment basins is approximately 1foot thick and the basins were last cleaned in 2013. Rio Rancho consultants stated the dried sludge material is paint filter and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tested prior to transport and disposal. Regarding the Escherichia coli (E. coli) upset in July 2024- the consultants detailed that a slide gate bearing(s) failed and resulted in a 1-day event. The bearing(s) and gate were repaired, and updated protocols were implemented to address potential mechanical failures and confirmation sampling. Rio Rancho utilizes three (3) banks of ultra-violet (UV) light for disinfection, two (2) banks are inoperation during the day and one (1) bank online during the night. All three (3) banks are selfcleaning, but all are manually cleaned once per week. Rio Rancho utilizes a sonic meter for flow measurement within a Parshall flume after UV disinfection and staff gauge as confirmation. However, the staff gauge was difficult to read and required cleaning. The clarifiers exhibited excessive algae growth along the weirs and the consultants stated they are washed and/or cleaned approximately once per month. The top 4-feet of the concrete process treatment basins associated with WWTP #1 (permanently closed circa April 2020) are currently being demolished, folded into the basin itself and backfilled. Section III - AREAS OF CONCERN A review of the submitted Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS) Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMR) data for the period January 1, 2019, through July 31, 2024, indicates NPDES permit excursions with respect to Escherichia coli (E. coli), Total Chlorine Residual (TCR), and Oil & Grease (Appendix 2 ICIS E90 Effluent Exceedances). Rio Rancho provided a spreadsheet of the sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) events for the period of August 2022 through June 2024 indicating the utility experienced 10 SSO events. The on-site laboratory pH-10 buffer had expired (July 2024). 5 City of Rio Rancho/ City of Rio Ranch WWTP #2 Permit No. NM0027987 Date 08/20/2024. EPA Region 6 inspector David Esparza conducted a closing conference at the Rio Rancho WWTP#2 on August 20, 2024, for the inspection. Section IV - FOLLOW UP The following information was received by EPA on August 29, 2024, after exiting the Facility on August 20, 2024: A copy of the current WWTP site plan. An electronic copy of WWTP Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) protocol, inclusive of all SSO events and associated work orders/work sheets for the previous two (2) years. An electronic copy of the WWTPs Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and clarification how often it is updated. A current copy of the WWTPs Asset Management plan. A current copy of the WWTPs Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) policy. Electronic copies of applicable service agreements with respect to satellite communities or other entities contributing to the WWTP, i.e., Insight and Natures Toolbox. Identification of the quantity, location, and names of any lift stations (LS), wet wells as some are scheduled to be upgraded. Additionally, clarification which LSs have back-up power or available quick connections. Section V - LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 - Photo Log - 5 photos taken 08/20/2024. Appendix 2 - Rio Rancho WWTP ICIS E90 Effluent Exceedances and Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Events. Appendix 3 - Opening and Closing conference sign-in sheets. 6 City of Rio Rancho/ City of Rio Ranch WWTP #2 Permit No. NM0027987 Date 08/20/2024. Appendix 1 Photograph Log UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 1 Location: City of Rio Rancho WWTP City: Rio Rancho County/Parish: Sandoval State: New Mexico View of the excessive algae growth on the clarifiers along the weirs. Note: the consultants stated they are washed and/or cleaned approximately once per month. (DSCN2711). Photographed by E. Yurk UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 2 Location: City of Rio Rancho WWTP City: Rio Rancho County/Parish: Sandoval State: New Mexico Rio Rancho utilizes a sonic meter for flow measurement within a Parshall flume after UV disinfection and staff gauge as confirmation. However, the staff gauge was difficult to read and required cleaning. (DSCN2714). Photographed by E. Yurk UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 3 Location: City of Rio Rancho WWTP City: Rio Rancho County/Parish: Sandoval State: New Mexico View of Outfall 001 downgradient toward the Rio Grande. (DSCN2716) Photographed by E. Yurk UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 4 Location: City of Rio Rancho WWTP City: Rio Rancho County/Parish: Sandoval State: New Mexico View of Outfall 001 at the discharge orifice. Note: the was no evidence of aromatics, stressed vegetation, or staining (sheen). (DSCN2718) Photographed by E. Yurk UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 5 Location: City of Rio Rancho WWTP City: Rio Rancho County/Parish: Sandoval State: New Mexico View of the on-site laboratory pH-10 buffer that had expired (July 2024). (IMG_0010). Photographed by D. Esparza City of Rio Rancho/ City of Rio Ranch WWTP #2 Permit No. NM0027987 Date 08/20/2024. Appendix 2 Rio Rancho WWTP ICIS E90 Effluent Exceedances and Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Events E90 Effluent Violations From 01/01/2019 - Present NM0027987 RIO RANCHO, CITY OF Monitoring Period End Date 09/30/2022 10/31/2022 11/30/2022 11/30/2022 11/30/2022 01/31/2023 02/28/2023 02/28/2023 06/30/2023 06/30/2023 09/30/2023 10/31/2023 01/31/2024 03/31/2024 04/30/2024 07/31/2024 Perm Feature ID 001 001 001 001 CC0 001 001 001 001 601 001 001 601 001 001 001 Limit Set Designator A A A A 1 A A A A A A A A A A A Parameter Desc E. coli E. coli Oil & Grease Oil & Grease Oil & Grease E. coli Chlorine, total residual E. coli E. coli Chlorine, total residual E. coli E. coli Chlorine, total residual E. coli E. coli E. coli Statistical Base Short Desc DAILY MX DAILY MX 30DA AVG DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY MX INST MAX DAILY MX DAILY MX INST MAX DAILY MX DAILY MX INST MAX DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY MX Limit Unit Short Desc Limit Value CFU/10088. CFU/10088. mg/L 10. mg/L 15. lb/d 1026. CFU/10088. ug/L 11. CFU/10088. CFU/10088. ug/L 11. CFU/10088. CFU/10088. ug/L 11. CFU/10088. CFU/10088. CFU/10088. DMR Value Qualifie DMR r Code Value = 2420. = 154. = 11. = 38. = 1497. = 108. = 18. = 579. = 115. = 45. = 114. = 110. = 96. = 137. = 135. = 2076. Reported Number of Excursions 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 SSOs Rio Rancho, NM Permit No. NM0027987 Date Location 6/29/2024 Lift Station #22 NM 528 and Obregon Rd. 6/9/2024 Lift Station #28 Manhole at 10th and Isabel 5/3/2024 Lift Station #20 7001 Westphalia Blvd. 7/6/2023 Lift Station #15 1385 NM528 6/4/2023 Manhole at 2715 Pinetree 2/25/2023 Lift Station #24 2400 Westside Ct. (WWTP #6) 11/18/2022 Lift Station #20 7001 Westphalia Blvd. 10/7/2022 Force Main NM 528 and Honduras 10/6/2022 Lift Station #10 NM 528 and Pinehurst 8/27/2022 Lift Station #15 1385 NM528 Volume (Gallons) 3,000 1,000 10,000 10,000 200 200 400 400 200 2,000 Cause/Response Junction box controlling the pumps was under water due to heavy rain fall in the area. This caused the pumps to fail. Maintenance departments were called out to restore power back to the pumps. Area was pumped, cleaned and lime was used on affected area. A failed power component at the lift station control panel. The power failure caused the pumps at lift station to shutdown which caused the manhole just east of the lift station to overflow. The Collections department and ICS department were called out to troubleshoot system failure and reset and repair the failed power component. Collections department cleaned area and lime was used on affected area. Failed power component at the lift station control panel. The power failure caused the pumps at lift station to shutdown which caused the manhole just east of the lift station to overflow. The Collections department and ICS department were called out to troubleshoot system failure and repair the failed power component. All areas were cleaned by operations and collections staff as required. Lime was also used on the affected area. A VFD had failed due to a Buck Booster power failure. Maintenance Department was called out to troubleshoot the system and restore power to the lift station. The Collections Department cleaned and spread lime on the affected area. Tree roots had clogged the main sewer line causing manhole to overflow onto the street. This was due to residential plumbing repairs and roots being flushed to the main line after homeowners had their lines repaired. Roots were then cut from main line and removed. The affected area was pumped and cleaned by vactor truck. UPS power module that controls the entire facility had failed. The power failure caused the pumps at lift station #24 to shutdown which caused the manhole just east of the lift station to overflow. Collections department and ICS department were called out to troubleshoot system failure and repair the UPS power module. All areas were cleaned by operations and collections staff as required. Lime was also used on the affected area. Pump #1 in the wet well malfunctioned. The collections department manually turned-on pump #2 to pump down the wet well. During cleanup and investigation, it was determined that pump #1 malfunctioned due to excessive debris (concrete and pieces of pipe) within the wet well. The collections department removed debris from wet well floor and cleaned the spill the flowed from the manhole just Southwest of the lift station. Area was cleaned and pumped using vactor truck. Lime was used on affected area. After investigation, a 2" split on the 14" main sewer line was found. Local contractor was called out to assess the damage and repair the line. Collections department assisted with spill cleanup with use of vactor truck and dirt removal. Lime was also used on the affected area. Rear door of the vactor truck disengaged and opened. Approximately 200 gallons of sewage and water spilled out unto the asphalt and some sewage did flow into the street just south of Lift Station. The affected areas were cleaned immediately by collections staff starting at the street and making their way back up to the Lift Station. Lime was also used on the affected area. Control power relay failed which caused the pumps to shut down. Collections Department and Maintenance Department were called out to troubleshoot system and repair the power relay. Area was pumped, cleaned and lime was used on affected area. City of Rio Rancho/ City of Rio Ranch WWTP #2 Permit No. NM0027987 Date 08/20/2024. Appendix 3 Rio Rancho WWTP Opening and Closing conference sign-in sheets.