| Violation ID |
Occurred Date |
Violation Type |
(-) Violation Description |
Corrective Action |
Status |
Classification |
Source |
| 1119622 |
07/31/2023 |
OEV |
E.coli Instantaneous Maximum limit is 400 MPN/100 mL and reported value was 1413.6 MPN/100 mL at EFF-001C. |
The first August monthly E. coli sample was collected 3 days later (Thursday), and the result was 160.7 MPN/100mL, indicating that treatment conditions were being met and the high result from Monday was most likely due to the abnormal weather event. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1117522 |
04/04/2023 |
CAT2 |
Cyanide, Total (as CN) Monthly Average limit is 4.3 ug/L and reported value was 6.4 ug/L at EFF-001C. |
VSD staff are continuing to evaluate the potential causes of cyanide results by investigating the different forms of available cyanide, test methods, matrix interferences and solutions, sampling handling and preservation. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1112886 |
12/31/2022 |
CAT2 |
Cyanide, Total (as CN) Monthly Average limit is 4.3 ug/L and reported value was 6.1 ug/L at EFF-001C. |
To determine if the cyanide results were due to external factors (i.e., pretreatment), preservation techniques (i.e., NaOH, pH adjustment) or generated by the treatment processes, a cyanide study was performed on 12/19 and 12/27. Staff collected samples from INF-001 (Influent), Secondary Final Clarifier effluent (pre-chlorination), EFF-001A (ASP), and EFF-001C (Outfall) samples. The samples included an unpreserved, preservation with NaOH to pH >10, and pretreatment with sulfamic acid prior to NaOH preservation to pH >10 (reduce Nitrate, Nitrite interferences). These samples were also sent to 2 different contract laboratories to eliminate any additional biases.
Based upon the results of the cyanide study, staff have not determined whether the cyanide is being generated during the chlorination phase of disinfection treatment or during effluent sample storage at high pH (pH > 12) which allows cyanide to be generated in the sample bottle itself. Staff will be monitoring the chlorination process to determine the threshold limit to reduce the possibility of generation of the disinfection by-product cyanide and evaluating sample storage detention times from the time the sample was taken until the sample was analyzed even when using approved sample preservation protocols to determine whether these results were just false positives in the cyanide analysis.
|
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1110647 |
10/31/2022 |
CAT2 |
Cyanide, Total (as CN) Monthly Average limit is 4.3 ug/L and reported value was 5.5 ug/L at EFF-001C. |
To determine if the cyanide results were due to external factors (i.e., pretreatment), preservation techniques (i.e., NaOH, pH adjustment) or generated by the treatment processes, a cyanide study was performed on 11/14. Staff collected samples from INF-001 (Influent), Secondary Final Clarifier effluent (pre-chlorination), and 4 -EFF-001C (Outfall) samples. The EFF-001C samples included an unpreserved, preservation with NaOH, and pretreatment with sulfamic acid prior to NaOH preservation (reduce Nitrate, Nitrite interferences). These samples were also sent to 2 different contract laboratories to eliminate any additional biases.
Based upon the results of the cyanide study from 11/14; staff have not determined whether the cyanide is being generated during the chlorination phase of disinfection treatment or during effluent sample storage at high pH (pH > 12) which allows cyanide to be generated in the sample bottle itself. Staff will be monitoring the chlorination process to determine the threshold limit to reduce the possibility of generation of the disinfection by-product cyanide and evaluating sample storage detention times from the time the sample was taken until the sample was analyzed even when using approved sample preservation protocols to determine whether these results were just false positives in the cyanide analysis. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1108186 |
08/31/2022 |
OEV |
E.coli Instantaneous Maximum limit is 400 MPN/100 mL and reported value was 648.8 MPN/100 mL at EFF-001C. |
On August 30, 2022, operations staff received a plant alarm for low chlorine residual on the ASP contact chamber. Staff identified settled solids on the surface of the secondary clarifier and in the ASP contact chamber. Staff put a clean secondary clarifier and contact chamber online and took offline the processes being affected. Staff also increased the chlorine dosing setpoint to account for the increased solids being received from the secondary clarification process. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1108185 |
08/02/2022 |
OEV |
E.coli Instantaneous Maximum limit is 400 MPN/100 mL and reported value was 547.5 MPN/100 mL at EFF-001C. |
Operational changes were made to increase solids to improve treatment after the E.coli incident in July due to a loss of solids under aeration. The increase of solids in the activated sludge system resulted in a strain on maintaining dissolved oxygen concentrations in the system. To improve treatment efficiency with the summer conditions, operational changes were made to reduce the detention time of the solids by reducing the number of aeration basins online increasing oxygen availability. The modification temporarily led to a loss of solids and a rise in ammonia concentrations impacting the disinfection efficiency. In response to the incident, operations staff are monitoring the solids inventory for performance and have switched the contact chambers and increased the chlorination setpoint to increase disinfection. Staff will continue to monitor the conditions in making every effort to reduce the likelihood of future violations. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1107380 |
07/26/2022 |
OEV |
E.coli Instantaneous Maximum limit is 400 MPN/100 mL and reported value was 1096.3 MPN/100 mL at EFF-001C. |
In response to the incident, operations staff are increasing the solids concentration to improve performance and have switched to the offline chlorine contact chamber to increase disinfection efficiency. The laboratory results for coliform sampling the week prior the July 26th exceedance were all in compliance with the NPDES permit. Staff will make every effort to avoid this violation in the future. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1103585 |
03/17/2022 |
DMON |
On 03/17/2022, 24-hour composite samples sent to Babcock Labs for analysis of carbonaceous BOD (cBOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). However, Babcock Lab sample receiving logged the EFF-001A (ASP) sample for cBOD and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). VSD was not aware of this mistake until the final laboratory report was submitted to staff on 04/18/2022 (32days later).
|
VSD staff contacted Babcock Labs and informed them of the error. Babcock laboratory staff have updated the parameter list for VSD and have retrained staff on checking COC for accuracy. VSD Staff have been given online access to the Babcock portal for more recent up-to-date status tracking. Please see attached QA Letter from Babcock regarding their resolution to the issue.
|
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1092203 |
06/15/2021 |
DMON |
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) analysis was not performed on the 24-hr composite sample at Location EFF-001A within 40 CFR 136 holding time requirements of 7days. Analysis occurred after the holding time requirement and has been flagged on the lab report. |
Communication with the contract laboratory has been updated to improve the needs of the treatment plant to reduce the possibility of reoccurrence of the event; when district laboratory staff are unable to analyze the samples internally. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1092204 |
06/15/2021 |
DMON |
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) analysis was not performed on the 24-hr composite sample at Location INF-001 within 40 CFR 136 holding time requirements of 7days. Analysis occurred after the holding time requirement and has been flagged on the lab report. |
Communication with the contract laboratory has been updated to improve the needs of the treatment plant to reduce the possibility of reoccurrence of the event; when district laboratory staff are unable to analyze the samples internally. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1076992 |
06/24/2020 |
OEV |
E.coli Single Sample Maximum limit is 400 MPN/100 mL and reported value was 920.8 MPN/100 mL at EFF-001C. |
In trying to reduce the ammonia concentration being discharged as per the proposed ammonia study plan, operational changes have been made. In doing so, a nitrite-lock has been observed in the asp contact chamber, increasing the amount of chlorine used. yet falling short of the desired chlorine residual setpoint used for disinfection. After the exceedance of E.coli, staff have modified the operation of the activated sludge, by increasing the air and reducing the amount of solids to combat. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1075732 |
05/31/2020 |
CAT1 |
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 30-Day Average limit is 49 mg/L and reported value was 51.2 mg/L at EFF-001B. |
The staff has kept up with cleaning of the chlorine contact tank and composite sampler at the sample point. Sludge accumulation levels have been measured in each pond. Pond 3 which feeds the Pond contact chamber, showed minimal levels of sludge. South Cell, which feeds Pond 3, showed higher levels of accumulation so staff have moved the dredge operation to this location. Staff will continue BMPs and find alternative ways to correct the high TSS. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1075187 |
04/30/2020 |
CAT1 |
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Monthly Average (Mean) limit is 49 mg/L and reported value was 54.4 mg/L at EFF-001B. |
After the first 2 weeks of Pond TSS resulting in elevated values, operations staff took pond off-line and cleaned the contact chamber on April 13th, 2020, in attempt to reduce the remaining TSS values for the month. The pond recirculation pump was also put on-line, to increase the detention time of the ponds, improving treatment. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1071992 |
02/27/2020 |
DMON |
cBOD samples (INF-001, Influent; EFF-001A, ASP; and EFF-001B, Pond) were shipped via FedEx on 02/27/20 to contract laboratory (Caltest). Samples were shipped overnight priority and were expected to be received on 02/28/20 by 10:30am. FedEx did not deliver samples until 03/02/20. Samples were ran out of holding time; however, analysis did result in estimated cBOD values. |
District staff have taken additional means to be notified if any changes to delivery exceptions are to occur. Staff have also let FedEx know of the deficiency. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1071991 |
02/06/2020 |
DMON |
Contract Laboratory (Caltest) analyzed all cBOD samples (INF-001, Influent; EFF-001A, ASP; and EFF-001B, Pond) on 02/07/20 and discovered on readout (02/12/20) that the sample batch was compromised resulting in NR for all samples. |
Caltest initiated their Corrective Action procedures (CAl-V015) on 02/13/20 to mitigate the issue and prevent future occurrences. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
|
Report displays most recent five years of violations. Refer to the Interactive Violation Report for more data.
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