MWD_WQ0014477001_RP_20190507_Report Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Investigation Report ‘The TCEQ commited to acesshilly. you need asistance in aces this document, lease conta oan ea g0° Customer: City of Liberty Hill Customer Number: CN602959033 ‘Regulated Entity Name: LIBERTY HILL REGIONAL WWIP Regulated Entity Number: RNio4102132 vestigation #1559014 Incident Numbers ‘305902 05319 oases Investigator: BRYAN MAYNARD Site Classification DOMESTICMAIOR Conducted: 03/18/2019 ~04/o2/2019 NAIC Code: 221320 Sc Code: 4952 Program(s): WASTEWATER vestigation Type: Compliance Investigation ‘Location: located approximately 5,000 fet north of ‘he South Fork San Gabriel River and 2,000 fet east of ‘US Highway 18gin Willamson County, Texas 78641 710126195 1w90014477001, ‘Address: ‘Local Unit: REGION 11 AUSTIN . ‘Activity Type(s): WWOMPL- WW Complaint Erincipalts): Role Name RESPONDENT. CHTVoF uERTY HILL Contacts): Role Tie Name Phone REGULATED WATER/WASTEWATE —_MRBrian Paul ENTITY SUPERINTENDENT CONTACT REGULATED CITY MR GREG Work (512) 778-5449 ENT, ADMINISTRATOR BOATRIGHT CONTACT PARTICIPATED DIRECTOROF PUBLIC MRWAYNE HONNET Phone (512) 778-5449 N WORKS, ‘Other Staff Member(s): Investigator JAMES MCMULLEN Qa Reviewer MICHABL TUCKER Supervisor SHAWN STEWART Investigator MICHAEL BEATTY\LIBERTY HILL REGIONAL WWTP - LIBERTY HILL ‘3/18/2019 to 4/2/2019 Inv. #1559914 Page 2 of 5 Associated Check List ‘Ghecidist Name , ‘WnitName GENERIC OTHER ISSUES AND/ORVIOLATIONS — We014477001 Investigation Comments: INTRODUCTION On Mare 38, 2039 and March 21,2019, thee () Water Quality Program complaints were recived atthe Texas Commision on Exvroamental Quality(TCEQ) Austin Region Offs The complaint alleged that the Cy of Liberty Hill Repionsl Wastewater Trestment Plant (WWTP) was resposibe or fish hls dscharging chlorine, foam sod bo-olds The outall of dye WWTP is located onthe noth shore of the San Gabriel River, Leander (Uiamson County) Texas. BACKGROUND (On May 8, 2018, May 9, 2038, May 10, 208, and May 31, 208, the City of Liberty illRegional WWTP (Permit ‘No, WQ00:4477001 ws investigated to determine compliance with applicable wastewater treatment and ‘ormvater regulations in response to complaints reeled on April 0, 2038, April 9, 2018, and April 2, 2038 ‘The complaints alleged thatthe discharge rom the WWTP was causing excessive algae growth nthe South Fork ofthe San Gabriel River Notice of Enforcement letter was sent to the ity of Liber Hl on JUN 2, 2038 (on December 4, 2018, ivestignors withthe TCEQ Austin Region Office investigated: complaint which alleged ‘hat polhtants have fmpacted water quality and eased alge growth a the outa f Angel Spings andthe San ‘Gabel ver, No violations were ced, however, the presence of algae atthe outfall were being addressed inthe ‘TOLD Agreed Order, Dcket No 2018-1024-MLME. A General Compliance letter wassen to the failty on Febroary 3, 2019. (On January 24,2019, February 8, 2019 and February 26, 2019, complaint investigations were conducted atthe Liberty Hil Regional WWT? for chlorine odors nd heat foaming, A Water Quality Noncomplance Notication| ‘report received on Jattaty 25,2019, confirmed chlorine release was confirmed by the Cty of Liberty Hl. The ‘hlorine residual sample collected by the City was 2.2 mg/lat the area of ina restnent. A voltion was cited for {alureto prevent an unsuthorzed discharge of chlorine nto or adjacent to water nth and faire to comply with allpermi eondidons and to make all reasonable stepe to minimis or prevent any discharge or dgposl or other [perma voltion which has a reasonable Ielihood of adversely affecting human healt: or the environment. [NOV eter was sent he Cy of Liberty Hillon March , 2019. Compliance documentation was received by the Gig of Liberty Hil on Mare 1, 2015. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ‘On Mareh 18,2019, TCEC Aastin Region investigator, Bryan Maynard (writer) arvivedat the oul ofthe WWTP Inresponset the chlorine and wastewater solids complaint recived on March 17,203. Thre was sight trace of foam that nisin accordance with permit conditions. An offset chlorine resdalsmple was collected and Soabzed atthe outa sing the Hach Pocket Colrimeter instrument. The results ofthe intel sample cllected Ba reading of 0.27 g/l however, the natural prosance of manganese inthe srfacewater and wastewater ould provide falc reniage when sealed inthe eld Thorfor, deta calbration error and be aturs [presesce of manganesein the surface water and wastewater, the scetracy ofthe ents cannot be confirmed Mr iaynard slo observed wastewater olds that had sceumslated st the oval Tho dep ofthe sods woe ‘stated a 18-nchee Seep and contsined blood worms. Solids wer leo observed upin the chanel ofthe ‘otal, upgraient ofthe ve basin. (See Attachment A) ‘After the investigation at the outfall Mr. Maynard proceeded othe WWTP to discuss his investigation findings ‘ith the Chyof Liberty Hil personnel A. Maynard met with ME. Wayne Bonnet and showed him a phto ofthe ‘Sectmultion of solids und blood worm atthe autall-M, Bonnet said that he was unaware of eros hat ‘would cause te accumaation of solids Mr. Maynard advised Mr. Bonne that they shoud go tothe outfall and ‘eves the sstionandclean up the are. ‘Mr. Maynard also callested chlorine residual sample and anaytial samples were als: collected atthe final ‘reatmen area; Tota Nizogen, Total Phosphorus, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate and Nite, Inorganics, it tnd Grenee and Carboraceout BOD. According to the lab rests there were no exceedances fr test parameters in ‘ccordance tothe permit, (See MtachinentC) Chlorine rdidual samples were coleted; however, dscrpancies i the equipment ofthe TCEQ and Liberty Hil did nt allow for accurate readingsLIBERTY HILL REGIONAL WWTP - LIBERTY HILL ‘3/38/2019 to 4/2/2019 Inv. #1559934 Pagesofs _ _ ‘On March 19,2039, Me. Maynard and James McMullen responded toa reported fh il ata residence 3.5 miles ‘ovngradien from the WW=P's oul. When the lvestigrorsaevod the complainant sid tht they were ‘leaning the algae inthe iv that sin ont oftheir deck and about a dozen smal dead fish were found No dena fish were fund in the aren decribed ind the complainant ea that they alteady disposed ofthe dead sh, The ‘investigators walled about amile upstream and dd ot find any dead ih. Aer the complain investigation, he investigators arrived at the outfall and no dead fish were found in the atea of the outfall. Chlorine redial samples were oleted with inconsistent readings however, the correction mathod fr manganese was not fonducted. ‘On March 20,2019, Mr. Maynard and Mr. McMullen arsved a the outillto analyze chlorine residual samples Using a eorrction method accounting for reanganese wth» result of 0.03 mg/l. Me, Maynard also observed that the solids and blood worms vere sl present tthe oul (See Atachment A) (On Mareh 21,2019, Mr. Maynard and Me. Michael Beaty responded toa reported fe il that was located near the gutfal- One (fish, an i-inch arp was dead and was discovered about 20 yards upstream fom the WWTP's ‘util twas determinod tht the fish could have possibly died of natural eauses since was paral exten. The Investigators walked downsteam and no additonal dead fish were discovered. Chlorine rerdual smples were tnalyeed using a correction rethod accounting fr manganese with retlt of 0.04 mg/l Mr. Maynard leo ‘observed thatthe solids andslod worms were sl present tthe oufal (See Attachment A) ‘On March 22,2029, Mr. Maynard and Me. McMullen arsved at the outfall to analyze chlorine residual amples ‘using a correction methed accounting for manganese wih result of 0.05 mg/l. Mr. Maynard observed that the solids and blood worms were stil present at the outfall (See Attachment A) The invesigatorsarved atthe ‘WWTP to ask when cleanup efforts willbe made forthe solds a the outfall. Mf. Bonnet indicated that TCEQ required a permit om Corpof Engineers ocean up the solid. Mr. Maynard informed Mr. Bonnet that he aes needs to beeloaned up, (On March 27,2019, 2 Water Quality Noncompliance Notification Form was received from the City of Liberty ‘Theform notified the TCEQ hat on March 16-17, 2039 approximately 00 gallon of treated wastewater containing some solids was relzasedtoan effluent outa through the eflentdacharge pipe Te form stated ‘hat the cause was the SCADA phone lines were previously struck by ongoing constuction which eased & high-level oat to not all out when te fer basa went nt high eve, posibly allowing treated but unfiltered ‘dfuent wo bypass the separation baie (See tachment 8) ‘on Apel 2, 2019 Mr, Best served atthe outfall to observe the clean up ofthe slid and to cll chlorine residual samples using a cerection method accountng for manganese witha result of 0.05 mg/l The area ‘sppeared tobe mostly cleaned up (Soe Aftaceat A) ‘on Api 6, 2019, FMT assistance was provided to the Gy of Liberty Hill by an offsite contractor (See ‘Atachment for tions tortion) “Aviolaton is lleged for file to preven an unauthorized discharge by falling to ensure thatthe Fallity and all ‘fits systems of collection, treatment, nd disposal sre properly operated and maintained, in volaton of TEX. ‘Water Code Chapter 26.21((a) and TWC 26.1212)2), 90 Tex. Admin Code Chapter 908.25(1) and (3), and "TPDES Permit No. WQ0014477003, Permit Conditions No. 2g and Operation Requirements No.1. Specialy, from March 16 to March 17, 2019, approximately 3,000 gallons of partly treated wastewater, contalning elds, ‘wet releaed to an effluent outfall rough an eluent discharge pipe The ees of cli from te city ‘sulted inthe accumulation of wastowater slid hat contained Mood worms atthe outfall located a the North Forkof the San Gabrilever, ‘CONCLUSION Malti invetieations were conductedin response to the complaints received involving the Liberty Hil Regional, ‘WWTP. Based on the findings ofthe investigation, one (3) voltonisaleged. A Notice of Enforcement eter was riled tothe City of Liberty Hill on May7, 2019. NOE Date: 57/2019) (OUTSTANDING ALLEGED VIOLATION(S), ASSOCIATED TO A NOTICE OF ENFORCEMENT