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California Regional Water Quality Control Board ' Central Valley Region Robert Schneider,Chair Winston H.Hickox Gray Davis Secretaryfor Sacramento Main Office Governor Environmental Internet Address: http://www.swreb.ca.gov/rwgcb5 Protection 3443 Routier Road,Suite A,Sacramento,California 95827-3003 Phone(916)255-3000•FAX(916)255-3015 ^ECENED 20 September 2002 ILLLU��]]] SEP 2 3 2002 Mike Garello ENVIRORIVIENT HEALTH Deputy Public Works Director PERMIT/SERVICES City of Escalon 1854 Main Street/P.O. Box 248 Escalon, CA 95320-0248 NOTICE OF VIOLATION CITY OF ESCALON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ESCAL ON, SAN JOA Q UIN CO UNTY In response to odor complaints received by Regional Board staff, on 15 August 2002 staff inspected the City of Escalon's wastewater treatment plant. Odors were not present at the boundary of the property; however, other violations of the Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) were observed. A photograph log is attached. The violations are described below: • Excessive weed growth was observed in Pond No. 5. WDRs Discharge Specification No. B.8 states, "The discharge to conveyance systems, settling basins, ponds, or land disposal areas not adequately maintained to prevent off-site odor nuisance, fly breeding, or mosquito breeding is prohibited." • Inadequate freeboard was observed in two ponds. Freeboard in Ponds No. 5 and 21 was less than two feet. WDRs Discharge Specification No. B.I I requires, "Pond freeboard shall never be less than two feet in any pond as measured vertically from the wastewater surface to the upper surface of the lowest adjacent dike or levee." By 20 October 2002, the City shall submit a report that describes control of the weed growth or how mosquito breeding is controlled through other means, how the freeboard was increased, and measures that will be implemented to maintain the minimum freeboard. In addition, staff has reviewed the 22 May 2002 correspondence from Jared Steeley notifying the Regional Board of the City of Escalon's plan to drain and clean Domestic Pond No. 5. The plan includes diverting wastewater from the entering the pond, introduction of a lime slurry, decanting the water from Pond No. 5 into Pond No. 6, allowing the sludge to dry, then removing the sludge and constructing improvements to the wastewater pond and piping arrangements. Staff are concerned about the City's proposal because this approach to removing sludge may result in generation of nuisance odors. California Environmental Protection Agency I9 Recycled Paper The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs,see our Web-site at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwgcb5