What To Expect At Your DEQ Compliance Inspection Ryan Blazic DEQ – Water Bureau Gaylord Field Office 989-705-3420
What To Expect At Your
DEQ Compliance
Inspection
Ryan Blazic
DEQ – Water Bureau
Gaylord Field Office
989-705-3420
Regulatory Considerations
Part 31 of the NREPA (Water Resources
Protection)
NPDES Permits (Surface Water)
Groundwater Discharge Permits (Groundwater)
Your DEQ Inspector
Wide range of education/experience
Typically educated in environmental, biology, chemistry,
engineering, etc.
Wastewater training classroom/OJT
Many different assignments (spill response, multiple
programs, committee work)
Inspections
Three Basic Types
Reconnaissance Inspections
Compliance Evaluation
Inspections
Sampling Inspections
Checklists
Announced vs.
Unannounced
Inspection Frequency
Inspection Elements
Pre-Inspection
Opening and Closing Conference
Records Review
Facility Walkthrough
Sampling
Interview
Post-Inspection
Pre-Inspection
DEQ Preparation
WWTP recommendations to facilitate the
inspection:
Organize records to be able to locate information easily
Review past inspection information to make sure all
deficiencies have been corrected from previous
inspections
Identify any safety or special considerations
Identify any questions you have for the inspector
And ……
Read and understand the permit
Read and understand the permit
Read and understand the permit
Read and understand the permit
Read and understand the permit
Read and understand the permit
Read and understand the permit
Read and understand the permit
Read and understand the permit
Opening Conference
Exchange cards and contact information
Explanation of what will be evaluated
Answer any questions
Time expected to take
Right of entry
And….
Records Review
DMR & Bench Sheet Comparison
Accuracy
Missing Information
Laboratory Records (Calibration Records,
Temperature Logs, etc.)
Laboratory Procedures
Commercial Lab Records
QA/QC Program
O & M Records
Records Recommendations
Ensure you write legibly
Group programs (O&M, QA/QC,
Laboratory Procedures, etc.)
Ensure information is corrected
appropriately (line out and initial)
Ensure your recordkeeping is consistent
Facility Walkthrough
Sampling Equipment
(Temperature, Condition,
Settings)
Chemical Feed Systems &
Secondary Containment
General Safety
Treatment System Condition
and Operation
General Housekeeping
Laboratory Equipment
Flow Measurement
Lift Stations (Condition,
Maintenance)
Facility Walkthrough
Recommendations
Interact during the walkthrough as much as
possible
Point out improvements
Point out things that you are working on
upgrading
Point out modifications
Explain the wastewater treatment process
Provide a treatment system diagram
Sampling
Typically part of a Compliance
Sampling Inspection
Chris and Cindy
Unannounced
Spits
Composites
District staff can also sample
Send results w/ inspection &
findings
Sampling Recommendations
Ensure your composite sampler is collecting
enough volume to split samples
Ask questions
Interview
Facility History
Plant Specifications & Operation
Staffing, Training, and Operator
Certification
Emergency Procedures
Complaints Received, Spills, SSOs, ect.
Plant Updates and Changes
Permit Information
Any Problems Experienced
Closing Conference & Post
Inspection
The inspector will identify the findings of the
inspection
Items of Concern and Violations
Next Steps
Letters
Follow-up & Resolution
Commonly Found Inspection
Violations & Concerns
Recordkeeping (Time, Date, Names, etc)
QA/QC
Noncompliance Notification
DMR Reporting Errors
Monitoring Frequency (Holidays)
Laboratory Procedures
Civil vs. Criminal
Any violation of the
permit
Known or should have
known that he/she
discharged a substance
contrary to Part 31, a
permit, order or rule of the
DEQ.
Intentionally making a false
statement, representation,
or certification in an
application or form
pertaining to the permit
(DMR/CMR)
Intentionally rendering a
monitoring device
inaccurate
DEQ Assistance
Informational Resource
If appropriate, we can:
Support work to improve your facility
Support increasing staffing
Help to mitigate complaints
Assist with some permit related modifications (reduced monitoring)
CANNOT act as a consultant
Operator Training Unit