WWTP Lab Test Methods & Cross-connection work

From: Gerald Fisher

Sent: Fri Mar 09 11:16:04 2018

To: Andy Peters

Cc: Mark Strandberg; Dan Huff

Subject: WWTP Lab Test Methods & Cross-connection work

Importance: Normal

Attachments: image001.jpg;

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the update. I just purchased a membership in Water Environment Federation and purchased the 23^rd edition of the Standard Method’s for Examination of Water and Wastewater which should arrive soon. I spoke with Steve Starner, WQ Supervisor for the City of Silverton and he said you can use the copy you have at the plant as a guide to perform tests. It is the “bible” for doing the tests as he stated and we have the latest edition ordered and on the way. I also asked him for a copy of their lab testing procedures and he said he would scan them and email to us.

With regard to the collection system I would like you to take a step back and lets approach this from a investigation point of view since we don’t know for sure at this point if we have additional cross-connections. We are not sure if the materials you observed are caused by the recently repaired cross-connection backing up into other lines or if this is a new issue. As I understand it, to date you’ve identified and repaired the cross connection on Meadowlawn Place and have smoke tested the storm system and determined that the homes between Harvest Lane and Cascade Loop fronting Meadowlawn Place, Meadowlark Place, Meadow Drive, and Homestead Place are not cross-connected to the storm system on the backs of the properties. These are the things you will need to report to DEQ as your follow-up on the cross-connection so that they know the issue for that property has been resolved and we did our due diligence to check the surrounding properties. This needs to be reviewed by Mark before we send it to DEQ so he is in the loop. The next report we need to do to DEQ is identify the areas of storm we intend to clean and then smoke test to do extra due diligence in the Big Meadows area. Mark will also need to review this before we send to DEQ so he is in the loop. Once we complete that work and identify whether there is or is not additional cross-connections is to prepare a final report to DEQ summarizing all of our actions and all of the issues resolved. This will be reviewed by Mark and we will also need to report it in our 2018 TMDL report to DEQ because it affects stormwater reporting. Thanks and stop by and see me if you have any questions about next steps.

Regards,

Gerald Fisher, P.E. | Public Works Director

City of Molalla

117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 |Molalla, OR 97038

Office: 503.829.6855 | Direct: 503.759.0218

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From: Andy Peters [mailto:apeters@cityofmolalla.com]

Sent: Friday, March 09, 2018 7:52 AM

To: Dan Huff <dhuff@cityofmolalla.com>; Gerald Fisher <gfisher@cityofmolalla.com>

Subject: FW: BOD5 test Method

Gents, procedures like the ones Bob has attached are exactly what I’m looking for. I can’t see how a plant could operate without them. How would an operator know what temperatures to keep the fridges set at, or how long a grab sample can be kept before it’s no longer valid for a test? If they do exist, I cannot find them. If they do not exist, then an opponent of ours would have good reason to question whether we’ve been doing our tests correctly. In addition, the fact that both our operators were under the impression that they did not have to record the additional ecoli test we did yesterday makes me wonder myself.

As of this morning I’m running into another dilemma, in the Collection System this time, which could affect you. My SSO report to DEQ for the mis-connected house at 1225 Meadowlawn should be updated with the new information that we’ve found more mis-connected houses – an unknown number - in my opinion. If we do not inform them, I’m afraid when we begin working with property owners in Big Meadow in the next few days, and they find out their houses have been dumping into storm for years, the information will get back to our opponents. Reminder that this entire area storm drains to HYW 213, and then in to bear creek, and disconnecting these houses is probably the best way Molalla can contribute to water quality in that creek. Could I get clarification on whether you feel we should update Mike Penni on this situation?

Andy Peters

City of Molalla

Public Works Operations Supervisor

(503) 829-6855 x220

Cell: 503-793-0507

apeters@cityofmolalla.com

117 N Molalla Ave

Molalla, OR 97038

From: Bob Dillard <b.dillard@charter.net>

Sent: Thursday, March 8, 2018 8:11 PM

To: 'Andy Peters' <apeters@cityofmolalla.com>

Subject: RE: BOD5 test Method

Andy,

The address below is the DEQ QA guidance for self monitoring labs.

http://www.oregon.gov/deq/FilterDocs/QAguidanceSML.pdf

SM 5201 B is out of the Standard Methods manual that most plants have on the shelf (ours is blue about 4” thick).

There are a few variables but the link and the Franklin township lab procedures should help you. If your procedure varies give me a call and will answer your question or find the answer ASAP.

I don’t think you have to worry to much if he has been previously trained and has been running the test. The basic concerns is depletions of the oxygen. And residual oxygen in the final reading. The blanks should not deviate

+/- .2 mg/l. This is explained in the manual.

If you have a QA/QC document for the lab it was probably reviewed during an annual site review by DEQ.

If you are still concerned you can use a private lab or other nearby may help out.

I will do a little more research and give you a call on Friday.

Bob Dillard

2470 Ash St.

North Bend Or. 97459

541-290-9908

From: Andy Peters [mailto:apeters@cityofmolalla.com]

Sent: Thursday, March 8, 2018 4:40 PM

To: 'Bob Dillard' <b.dillard@charter.net>

Cc: Gerald Fisher <gfisher@cityofmolalla.com>; Dan Huff <dhuff@cityofmolalla.com>; 'R Quigley' <rquigley@dyerpart.com>; 'S Major' <smajor@dyerpart.com>

Subject: BOD5 test Method

Bob, we find ourselves in a situation where we need to immediately confirm to our legal counsel that the test we did yesterday for BOD5 is valid. Our level 2 Operator, Jake Ehredt, performed while I observed, and I have audio and images documenting the test.

According to the non-official word document called “QA-QC Manual – Master.doc” that is available to me on our computer files (I can’t find any signed, approved, or official version) that has Date Modified timestamp of 11/16/2017 8:09am, we are suppose to perform this lab test in accordance with “reference method SM 18 Ed. 5210 B”. Would you be able to do this:

1. Confirm that this reference method exists, is the correct method for the test, and is something you understand.
2. Assemble some diagnostic questions for me to answer, designed to confirm the Operator did the test according to method.
3. Review my answers, based on what I witnessed the operator do.
4. Tell us, based on my answers, whether our operator followed the method.

Time frame for this is basically immediate, I’m not sure we can wait until the 14^th. Can we do this tomorrow? Is this something you can do for us?