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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0083551_Draft Permit_20171004Water Resources ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY October 4, 2017 Mr. Jeffrey L. Hudson, Executive Director Onslow Water and Sewer Authority 228 Georgetown Road Jacksonville, NC 28540 Dear Mr. Hudson: ROY COOPER Gove nor MICHAEL S REGAN Sea etmy S. JAY ZIMMERMAN Du ectot Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NCO083551 Dixon WTP Class PC -1 Onslow County The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Please review this draft carefully to ensure your thorough understanding of the information, conditions, and requirements it contains. The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit: ➢ Section A. (5) has been added to require electronic submission of effluent data, and a footnote has been added in Section A. (1). Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs). ➢ Regulatory citations have been added to the permit. ➢ Outfall map has been updated. ➢ The expiration month has been changed from June to November to allow a full 5 -year permit cycle. ➢ The city and address have been updated on the cover sheet and Supplement to Permit Cover Sheet per the renewal application. ➢ Language has been updated and a component list has been added on the Supplement to Permit Cover Sheet based on current NPDES permit formatting and information provided by Mr. David Mohr. ➢ The language "After construction of new water treatment facilities, discharge reverse osmosis reject wastewater through the existing wastewater treatment apparatus and outfall" has been removed from the Supplement to Permit Cover Sheet, as the reverse osmosis system is currently in use. ➢ Weekly instantaneous flow monitoring has been removed from Section A. (1) as the facility is now required to perform continuous recording monitoring. ➢ Parameter codes in Section A. (1) have been updated for Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, and Total Suspended Solids. ➢ Monitoring for temperature has been removed as this is no longer required per the current water treatment plant strategy. State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 919 807 6300 919-807-6389 FAX https //deq nc gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-permits/wastewater-branch/npdes-wastewater-permits Mr. Jeffrey Hudson, Onslow Water and Sewer Authority NC0083551 Draft ➢ Monitoring for Total Iron has been removed as there are no longer water quality standards and the application stated iron sulfate and ferrous sulfate do not have the potential`to be discharged. ➢ Monitoring for Total Fluoride has been removed as there is no water quality standard for fluoride in saltwater. ➢ Monitoring for salimty, conductivity, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids has been changed from grab sampling to composite sampling based on the current water treatment plant strategy. ➢ Monitoring for turbidity has been changed from monthly to 2/month per on the current water treatment plant strategy. ➢ Limits have been added for Total Zinc and Total Arsenic based on a reasonable potential to exceed water quality standards. ➢ Monitoring for Total Residual Chlorine and Ammonia Nitrogen have been added as the renewal application indicated that there was a potential for chlorine to be discharged and per the current water treatment plant strategy. ➢ The aquatic toxicity language in Section A. (2) has been updated. ➢ Section A. (4) has been added requiring a discharge alternatives evaluation be performed due to a history of failed toxicity tests. Please note that the receiving stream is listed as an impaired waterbody on the North Carolina 303(d) Impaired Waters List. Addressing impaired waters is a high priority with the Division, and instream data will continue to be evaluated. If there is noncompliance with permitted effluent limits and stream impairment can be attributed to your facility, then mitigative measures may be required. Whole Effluent Toxicity test results submitted during the past three years have demonstrated that the Water Treatment Plant's effluent is showing potential for causing aquatic toxicity in the receiving stream. As a result, the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority shall perform a Discharge Alternatives Evaluation as described in Section A. (4) of this permit. This evaluation is being requested to determine whether there are any economical and technologically feasible alternatives available to the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority to comply with all NC Water Quality Standards. The permittee will be given approximately one permit cycle to evaluate and document possible treatment/discharge alternatives to eliminate aquatic toxicity. The evaluation shall be submitted with the permittee's next permit renewal application and will be carefully reviewed by the Division and the results will be used in the development of a compliance schedule or possible variance request for the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority. With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice in newspapers having circulation in the general Onslow County area, per EPA requirements. Please provide your comments, if any, to me no later than 30 days after receiving this draft permit. Following the 30 -day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments and take appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning the draft, please contact me at 919-807-6333, or via e-mail [Brianna.Young@ncdenr.gov]. Mr. Jeffrey Hudson, Onslow Water and Sewer Authority NC0083551 Draft Sincerely, 11��� ' Brianna Young Compliance and Expedite Permitting Unit cc: NPDES Files ec: David Mohr, P.E., ONWASA [dmohr@onwasa.com] Edward Caron, ONWASA [ecaron@onwasa.com] WSS/Aquatic Toxicology Branch DMF/Shellfish Sanitation Wilmington Regional Office Permit NCO083551 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) In compliance with the provision of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, Onslow Water and Sewer Authority is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the Dixon WTP 6661 Wilmington Highway Holly Ridge Onslow County to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to Stones Creek in the White Oak River Basin in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV hereof. This permit shall become effective. This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on November 30, 2022. Signed this day. S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G. Director, Division of Water Resources By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Page 1 of 9 Permit NCO083551 SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby revoked. As of this permit issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer effective. Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the permit conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions included herein. Onslow Water and Sewer Authority is hereby authorized to: Continue to operate a water treatment plant with a discharge of greensand filter and ion exchange backwash, and reverse osmosis reject wastewater. This water treatment plant currently has a design potable flowrate of 4 MGD and a maximum, monthly average wastewater discharge of 0.347 MGD. This facility is located at 6661 Wilmington Highway in Holly Ridge in Onslow County. Water and wastewater treatment consists of: • Nine (9) greensand filters • Six (6) ion exchange softeners • Three (3) IMG reverse osmosis skids with thirty (30) membrane vessels per skid • Three (3) 915,000 gallon settling basins 2. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into an unnamed tributary to Stones Creek [Stream Segment 19-30-3], currently classified SA-HQW, PNA waters [HUC: 0302030202] in the White Oak River Basin. Page 2 of 9 Permit NC0083551 Part I. A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS (Parameter Codes) LIMITS Monthly Daily Average Maximum MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Measurement Sample Type Sample Frequency Location' Flow (50050) Continuous Recording E Salinity 00480 Monthly Composite E, U, D Conductive 00094 Monthly Composite E, U, D Total Dissolved Solids 70295 Monthly Composite E Dissolved Oxygen 00300 Monthly Grab E, U, D H 00400 6.8 s.0 :5 H <— 8 5 s u 2/Month Grab E H 00400 2/Month Grab U, D Total Residual Chlorines 50060 13 N /L 2/Month Grab E Total Suspended Solids C0530 10.0 m /L 15 0 m /L \2/Month Composite E Turbidity 00070 2/Month Grab E Total Arsenic (01002)- 5 /L 34.5 /L Monthly Grab E Total Chloride 00940 Monthly Composite E Total Manganese 01055 Monthly Composite E Total Zinc 01092 42 8 N /L 47:6 /L Monthly Composite E Total Copper 01042 Quarterly Composite E Total Lead 01051 Quarterly Composite E Total Nitrogen C0600 Quarterly Composite E Total Phosphorus C0665 Quarterly Composite E Ammonia Nitrogen a C0610 Monthly Composite E Whole Effluent Toxicity Monitoring 5 (TGE3E) Monitor& Report Quarterly Composite E Fnntnntec 1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR application system [see A. (4)]. 2. E = Effluent; U = Upstream at least 100 feet upstream from the outfall; D = Downstream at least 100 feet downstream from the outfall. 3. ,Limit and monitor only if the facility adds chlorine or chlorine derivatives to water that is eventually discharged The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina certified laboratory (including field certified), even if these values fall below 50 µg/L. 4. Ammonia Nitrogen should be monitored if the Permittee uses chloramines (adds ammonia to chlorinated water) for secondary disinfection prior to backwashing. Page 3 of 9 Permit NCO083551 Acute Toxicity 24 -hr Pass/fail Monitoring. January, April, July, and October Permittee shall use mysid shrimp as the test organism unless another organism of equal or greater sensitivity is deemed more appropriate based on the characteristics of the discharge and receiving stream. See Special condition A. (2) for details. All samples collected should be from a representative discharge event. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. A. (2.) ACUTE TOXICITY PASS/FAIL MONITORING (QUARTERLY) [15A NCAC 02B .0500 et seq.] The permittee shall conduct acute toxicity tests on a quarterly basis using protocols defined in the North Carolina Procedure Document entitled "Pass/Fail Methodology For Determining Acute Toxicity In A Single Effluent Concentration" (Revised -December 2010 or subsequent versions). The monitoring shall be performed as a Mysid Shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia) 24 hour static test. The effluent concentration at which there may be at no time significant acute mortality is 90% (defined as treatment two in the procedure document).. The tests will be performed during the months of January, April, July, and October. These months signify the first month of each three month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent sampling for this testing must be obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes. All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge Monitoring Form (MR -1) for the month in which- it was performed, using the parameter code TGE3E. Additionally, DWR Form AT -2 (original) is to be sent to the following address: Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch -- 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1621 Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting period for which the report is made. Test data shall be complete and aa3urate and include all supporting chemical/physical measurements performed in association with the toxicity tests, as well as all dose/response data. Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste stream. Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number, county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of "No Flow" in the comment area of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences Section at the address cited above. Page 4 of 9 Permit NCO083551 Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, then monthly monitoring will begin immediately. Upon submission of a valid test, this monthly test requirement will revert to quarterly in the months specified above. Should any test data from either these monitoring requirements or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re- opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits. NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control organism survival and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than, theNast day of the month following the month of the initial monitoring. USE OF A DIFFERENT TEST ORGANISM The permittee may request the use of a different test organism upon documentation that the alternate test organism would provide an equal or greater level of protection and *is appropriate based on the characteristics of the discharge and receiving stream. Such documentation would consist of one of the following: 1. For saltwater classified streams,,a fathead minnow may be assigned as the acute testing species if the salinity of the receiving stream at -the point of discharge is <5 ppt throughout the tidally influenced cycle. This determination maybe based on the best professional judgment of DWQ staff or data collection provided by the, permittee and approved by DWQ staff. This evaluation should include vertical profiles of salinity/conductivity measurements at both high tide and low tide over several 24 hr cycles. 2. Three consecutive "side-by-side" tests with `result§ indicating'that the alternate test organism is as or more sensitive to the facility's effluent. Each test series would consist of two separate toxicity tests conducted on the same sample of effluent with the length of exposure specified by the permit, the only difference between the tests being the organism used. 3. An alternate plan developed by the permittee and -approved by the Aquatic Toxicology Unit that demonstrates an equal level of protection is offered by the test organism. For items 2 and 3, it must also be, demonstrated that viable and standardized culture techniques are available for that organism and standardized testing methodologies have been developed and validated. This demonstration should meet guidance provided by EPA in Section 6 of EPA -821-R-02- 012, Short Term Methods ' for Estimating the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms. Fifth Edition, 2002. Requests to use a different test organism and supporting documentation should be sent to NC DWQ, ESS at the address listed above. A. (3.) PERMIT RE -OPENER: WHOLE EFFLUENT TOXICITY MONITORING [G.S. 143-215.1(b)] Whole Effluent Toxicity monitoring results indicating aquatic toxicity failure may result in the Division of Water Resources re -opening this permit to add a limit for Whole Effluent Toxicity, or requesting by letter that further action be taken to address toxicity failures. Mitigative actions include additional Page 5 of 9 Permit NCO083551 testing and/or toxicity identification/reduction evaluations to determine the cause(s) of the effluent toxicity and measures required to achieve passing effluent toxicity results. A. (4.) DISCHARGE ALTERNATIVES EVALUATION The Permittee shall assess potential alternatives to eliminate Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) test failures. This evaluation shall assess the feasibility of all the following alternatives. 1. Connect discharge to a WWTP: Determine whether the wastewater can be discharged to a wastewater treatment plant. Approval or disapproval from the plant operator should be acquired. 2. Obtain a Non -discharge permit: Eliminate the surface water discharge by obtaining a non - discharge permit for spray irrigation, infiltration, or subsurface disposal (on-site drainfield, infiltration gallery, injection wells). 3. Install Wastewater Treatment: Install improved wastewater treatment to enable the facility effluent to consistently pass the WET test. If this is not technically feasible or cost prohibitive, please explain and provide estimated costs. 4. Use Alternative Water Treatment Source: Obtain drinking water from another source (nearest County, City, or Town or other wells) so the discharge or toxicity problem is eliminated. 5. Use Alternative Water Treatment Method: Install alternative and/or innovative water treatment methods or operational improvements that do not produce toxic wastewaters. For example, install a recycle iron/manganese filtration system with no discharge or combine discharge with WWTP or cooling water effluents. 6. Discharge to a Larger waterbody/Perform a dflution model: Relocate the facility's discharge to a larger receiving waterbody to eliminate or reduce toxic impacts to the receiving waierbody given the increased dilution. If applicable, perform a dilution model to receive allowance for stream dilution in WET test. 7. Combination of Alternatives: Employ any combination of the alternatives listed above that would result in eliminating or decreasing toxicity until a more feasible solution becomes available. The evaluation shall include a present value of costs analysis for all technologically feasible options as outlined in the Division's "Engineering Alternatives Analysis Guidance Document." This Document can be found at: http•//portal nedenr cr web/wq/swp/ps/npdes/permits. This evaluation is being requested to determine whether there are any economical and technologically feasible alternatives available to the Permittee to address aquatic toxicity in the plant effluent. Based upon the evaluation, please identify viable alternatives and present an implementation schedule and project timeline for the preferred alternative. The Permittee shall submit the Discharge Alternatives Evaluation to the Division along with the submission of their next permit renewal application (due 6 months prior to permit expiration on November 30, 2022) to: NC DENR / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting NPDES, Wastewater Branch Page 6of9 Permit NCO083551 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 A. (5.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS [NCGS 143-215.1 (b)] Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and program reports. The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on December 21, 2015. NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this permit (Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits): • Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements • Section D. (2.) Reporting , f • Section D. (6.) Records Retention , • Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports 1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.),and Section E. (5.) (a)1 The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic Discharge Momtonng Report (eDMR) internet application. ' , Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and submitted electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter monitoring data and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. Until such time that the state's eDMR application is compliant with EPA's Cross -Media Electronic Reporting Regulation (CROMERR), permittees will be required'to submit all discharge monitoring data to the state electronically using eDMR and will be -required to complete the eDMR submission by printing, signing, and submitting one signed original and a copy of the computer printed eDMR;to the following address: NC DEQ /'Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section ATTENTION: Central Files 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina,27699-161,7 If a permittee is unable to,use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband access, then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted and discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1. 1, 2, 3) or alternative forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the mailing address above. See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below. Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last day of the month following the issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day of the month following the commencement of discharge. Page 7 of 9 Permit NC0083551 Starting on December 21, 2020, the permittee muse electronically report the following compliance monitoring data and reports, when applicable: Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports; Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports. The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below). 2. Electronic Submissions In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time of each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify the initial recipient for the electronic submission. Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity (EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program) that is the designated entity for receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2(b)]. EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for each type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate electronic reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule is found at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-24954/national- pollutant-discharge-elimination-s st�pdes-electronic-reporting-rule. Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section above. 3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to the Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to the Division for written approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the facility would be required under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re -applies for and is granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request may submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that the approved reporting waiver request is effective. Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on the following web page: http://deq.ne.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr 4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)1 All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II, Section B. (I 1.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting purposes. Page 8 of 9 Permit NC0083551 For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North Carolina's eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following web page: hLtp://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edinr Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system shall make the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED: "I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations." 5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)] The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions. These records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report. This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41]. Page 9 of 9 ill s 2t, ..M:' Approximate Facility Location rr.0 Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Dixon WTP NPDES Permit NCO083551 Receiving Stream: UT to Stones Creek Stream Class: SA; HQW-PNA Stream Segment: 19-30-3 Sub -Basin #: 03-05-02 River Basin: White Oak HUC: 0302030202 County: Onslow N SCALE 1:24,000 Outfall Facility Location scale not shown USGS Quad: Sneads Ferry 34.5736110, -77.4702780 fa.:.N! 1 C9XF..m 7zx 1 1 \ fj_�) r � Yr Ij; 1 A BM !i 17 _ f �a e� 17 s 2t, ..M:' Approximate Facility Location rr.0 Onslow Water and Sewer Authority Dixon WTP NPDES Permit NCO083551 Receiving Stream: UT to Stones Creek Stream Class: SA; HQW-PNA Stream Segment: 19-30-3 Sub -Basin #: 03-05-02 River Basin: White Oak HUC: 0302030202 County: Onslow N SCALE 1:24,000 Outfall Facility Location scale not shown USGS Quad: Sneads Ferry 34.5736110, -77.4702780 fa.:.N! 1 C9XF..m 7zx 1 1