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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0087670_Draft Permit_20171004Water Resources ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY October 4, 2017 Benjamin Carawan, Utilities Superintendent Currituck County 734 Ocean Trail Corolla, North Carolina 27927 Dear Mr. Carawan: ROY COOPER Govei not MICHAEL S. RAGAN Secy etag S JAY ZIMMERMAN Director Subject: Review of NPDES Permit DRAFT NCO087670 Southern Outer Banks Water System, Class PC -II 734 Ocean Trail, Corolla Currituck County In response to your request to renew the subject NPDES permit (received March 21, 2017), the Division of Water Resources (DWR or the Division) hereby transmits this draft for your review and comment. Please review this document carefully to assure your understanding of the permit limits and monitoring conditions, and to correct errors, if any. Concurrent with this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft by publishing a notice in newspapers having circulation in the general Currituck County area, as required by the NPDES Program. Please provide your written comments, if any, to me via email [joe.corporon@ncdenr.gov], or write to my attention care of NCDEQ / DWR / NPDES Program no later than November 10, 2017, approximately 30 days after receiving this letter. Your written comments are welcome, but are not mandatory. Renewal Summary — We note that Currituck County has made no significant changes in its treatment systems processes since last renewal. We have therefore only updated your facility description and site map; updated table and footnotes in section A. (1.), and updated text for Discharge Monitoring Electronic Reporting. However, we have made significant changes to your instream sampling requirements. Changes to the Previous Permit: 1. DWR updated the facility description and compliance requirement (see Supplement to Permit Cover Sheet). 2. Considering that this facility discharges at a notably low instream waste concentration [IWC = 0.67%] compared to the receiving waterbody (Atlantic Ocean), and because instream monitoring data analyses suggest no discernable impact either "upstream or downstream" of the outfall (see Fact Sheet attachments), the Division hereby discontinues as redundant all instream monitoring (Upstream and Downstream); these are deleted from the permit. 3. Based on current WTP permitting guidance, the Division no longer requires monitoring of effluent parameters Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature; these are deleted from the permit. Benjamin Carawan, Utilities Superintendent Currituck County October 4, 2017 Page 2 Division records show that you have successfully registered with the eDMR Program. Please be reminded that until the state's eDMR application is approved compliant with EPA's Cross - Media Electronic Reporting Regulation (CROMERR), all permittees must continue to submit hardcopy of DMRs as backup to eDMR reporting [see permit section A. (3.)]. Following the mandatory 30 -day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments and take appropriate action prior to issuing your NPDES permit final. If you have questions concerning this draft, please e-mail me oS-c4ll my direct line (919) 807-6394. Xe R. Corporo , L.G. WR/ NPDEA Permitting Enclosure: NPDES Permit NCO087670 hc• NPDES Program Files ec WaRO / SWPS, David May, Robert Tankard, Will Hart, (Draft and Fact Sheet) OCU; Maureen Kinney (Draft and Fact Sheet) ATB; Susan Meadows, Cindy Moore (Draft and Fact Sheet) Permit NCO087670 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES PERMIT TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) h the provisions of North Carolina General' ta` tute`l 3-215.1 other lawful standards In compliance with p and regulations promulgated and adopted by the �T4orth Carolina Environmental Management Commission, and the Federal Water Pollu ion Control Act, a�samended, Curr1 is hereby authorized a facility located at the Currituc cCounty,0uter Banks Water System �'73f4 Ocean Trai41-(Rote� 2), Corolla &yKi�ck;/-6ounty to receiving waters designated as the Atlai accordance with effluent limitations, mora III, and IV hereof. The permit shall become effective ean (downstream of the Pasquotank River Basin) in requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I, II, , 2017. This permit and the authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on December 31, 2022. Signed this day , 2017. S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G., Director Division of Water Resources By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Page 1 of 7 Permit NCO087670 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. Currituck County is hereby authorized to: 1. continue to operate a wastewater treatment and dispos production [design flow to 3.09 MGD], discharging,4 filter backwash, and ion -exchange backwash/regenera • two (2) each influent settling / different sources • dual (2) treatment trains o reverse osmosis o greensand / ion, • wastewater • disinfection • final effluent sampling 'ofl • appurtenant piping to outfa • dual (2) effluent diffusers ( in`sup ort of potable -water iosis re'ectt water, greensand ,water to\jL00 MGD utilizing; (1E basins \fo\rraaw` water 1 source, water ;hallow -well source water t from`oth\ trains] hl rino ati6n) these facilities located at the Currituck County Outer Banks Water System south of Corolla, 734 Ocean Trail (Route 12), then 2. discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, at a location specified on the attached map, into the Atlantic Ocean [stream index 99-(7)], a waterbody currently classified SB, located downstream of the Pasquotank River Basin (subbasin 03-01-54). Page 2 of 7 Permit NCO087670 PART I A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS [ NCAC 02B 0400 et seq. and 0213.0500 et seq.] 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, monitored and reported 1 by the permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS (PARAMETER CODES) LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location Flow 50050 /e/oitir>uuous Recording Effluent Total Suspended Solids C0530 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L/ \\�Weel�y\ Composite Effluent Total Residual Chlorine 2 50060 13 ggoZ/2 Weekl�\\ Grab Effluent pH 00400 Not < 6.8 or > 8.5 s u,\ `Weekly \ Grab Effluent Turbidity 00070 �\2/ !Rnth \`Grab Effluent Conductivity 00094 ,\ \2/,Month Q,omposite Effluent Salinity 00480 \\ 2/ Ionth Composite Effluent Total Dissolved Solids 70295 �� �� \ \ 2/Mbnth-�> Composite Effluent Dissolved Oxygen 00300 % �� ��/j \284tli Grab Effluent Ammonia (NH3_N) 00610 '\\` \ Monthly Composite Effluent WET -testing Chronic 3 TG3 E Monitodand Report Quarterly Composite Effluent Total Nitrogen (TN) 1160610 �\\ \\�`\��J'� Quarterly Composite Effluent Total Phosphorus (TP) C0\600� \\ Quarterly Composite Effluent Footnotes: 1 The Permittee shall submit monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) electronically using DWR's Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report [eDMR] Program, as detailed herein [see Section A. (3)]. 2. The permittee shall comply with TRC limit and monitor only if chlorine (or a derivative) is used to disinfect. The Division shall consider compliant all effluent TRC values reported below 50 gg/L. However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by North Carolina - certified test methods (including field certified), even if these values fall below 50 gg/L. 3. Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing, Chronic [TGP3E] using Mysidopsis Bahia @ 0.67% effluent concentration [established by diffuser modeling]; Quarterly samples to be collected during January, April, July, and October [see A. (2.)]. Condition: The Permittee shall discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts. Page 3 of 7 Permit NCO087670 A. (2.) CHRONIC TOXICITY - MONITORING ONLY (QUARTERLY) [NCAC 0213 .0500 et seq.] The permittee shall perform quarterly chronic toxicity tests using procedures described below to establish compliance with the permit condition. Sampling and analyses will be performed during the months of January, April, July, and October at an effluent concentration of 0.67 % [established by diffuser modeling]. Effluent sampling shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final discharge outfall 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 months in which tests were performed, using the parameter code TGP3E for the pass/fail results and THP3E for the Chronic Value. Additionally, DWQ $orm AT -4 (original) is to be sent to the following address: ��—� Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Water Sciences Section 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1621 Completed aquatic toxicity test forms shall be filed after the end of the reporting period for which the ri Test data shall be complete and accurate and-mclude all association with the toxicity tests, as well as all dos /,re: sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is em Sciences Seetion no later than 30 days iysical measurements performed in ual chlorine of the effluent toxicity of the waste stream. Should there be no discharge/ofiflow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, the permittee will complete theinformation located.at the top of-the4quatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number, county, and themonth/year of the report with the notation of "No Flow" in the comment area of the form\, The report shall be/submitted to the Environmental Sciences Section at the address cited above. Should the permittee fail to momtor 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 this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re -opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits. If the pernuttee monitors any pollutant xr-ore frequently than required by this permit, the results of such monitoring shall be included in the calculation & reporting of the data submitted on the DMR and all AT form submitted. NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control organism survival, minimum control organism reproduction, and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last 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 Page 4 of 7 Permit NCO087670 cycle. This determination may be based on the best professional judgment of DWR staff or data collection provided by the permittee and approved by DWR 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 results 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 allidated. 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 of Water Resources, Water Sciences Section (at the addb A. (3.) ELECTRONIC REPOR°TINQOF DIS( [G.S. 143-215.1(b)] Federal regulations require electronic submittal ofall di reports. The final NPDES Electromc-Reporting,Rule w� 2015. to North Carolina Division RING REPORTS monitoring reports (DMRs) and program -d and became effective on December 21, NOTE: This special condition supplements br'supersedes the following sections within Part II of this permit (Standard Conditions for NPDES Permi`ts): • Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements • Section D. (2.) Reporting • 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 Monitoring 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: Page 5 of 7 Permit NC0087670 NC DEQ / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section ATTENTION: Central Files 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 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 issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on th commencement of discharge. Starting on December 21, 2020, the permittee monitoring data and reports, when applicable: Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports; Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; Clean Water Act (CWA) S,ection,316(b; The permittee may seek an Waiver from Electronic Re 2. Electronic Submissions In accordance with 40 CFR 122:41(1)(9); each electronic submission. The prnitti initial recipient for the electronic submis wai t day of the month following the of the month following the y report\the following compliance ivision (see "How to Request a ittee must identify the initial recipient at the time of use the EPA's website resources to identify the 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: http://www2.epa. ov�pliance/final-national-pollutant-discharge- elimination-s st�pdes-electronic-reporting-rule. Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section above. Page 6 of 7 Permit NC0087670 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 penodAhat the approved reporting waiver request is effective. Information on eDMR and the application for a tem the following web page: http://deq.nc.gov/about/di` 3. Signatory Requirements All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing auth Section B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized represe B. (I 1.)(b). A person, and not a postiori must be purposes. For eDMR submissions; the per-son,si account and login credentials toca cel eDMR system, registering.for eDMR web page: waiver are found on be'signed by a person described in Part II, of that\person as described in Part II, Section d signatory authority for eDMR reporting i %the DMR must obtain an eDMR user For more information on North Carolina's ing an- eDMR user account, please visit the following 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. " 4. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)1 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 7of7 Currituck County Southern Outer Banks Water System Receiving Stream: Atlantic Ocean [99-(7)] Stream Class: SB Drainage Basin: Pasquotank (downstream) Sub -Basin: 03-01-54 Latitude: 360 18' 55" N Long: 75° 48' 15" W State Grid/Quad: B35SE / Mosey Islands, NC Facility Location Am" not to scale NPDES Permit NC087670 North Currituck County DEQ/DWWNPDES FACT SHEET FOR RENEWAL NPDES Permit NCO087670 Reviewer: Joe R. Corporon, L.G. Facility Information Applicant/ Facility Name: Currituck County — Southern Outer Banks Water System Applicant Address: P.O. Box 39; Currituck, North Carolina 27929 Facility Address: 734 Ocean Trail Route 12), south of Corolla, NC 27927 Permitted Flow 1.0 MGD (proposed) Type of Wastes: Reverse osmosis reject wastewater, greensand filter backwash and ion -exchange wastewater Facility/Permit Status: Class PC -II / Renewal County: I Currituck County Miscellaneous Receiving Stream: Atlantic Ocean Regional Office: Washington Stream Classification: SB State Grid / USGSQuad: B35SE /Mossey Island, NC IWC % 0.67% 8 -Digit HUC: 03010205 Subbasin: 03-01-54 Review Date: 21Sep2017 Drainage Area (mit : NA Facility Location AANV Lat. 36° 18' 55" N Long. 75° 48' 15" W Summer 7Q 10 (cfs) 230 from model) Winter 7Q 10 cfs : NA Average Flow cfs : NA 303(d) Listed? Yes (Fish for mercury) Facility History: Currituck County - Southern Outer Banks Water System (County WTP) treats filter backwash wastewater at flows ranging from 0.600 MGD to 1.0 MGD depending on potable -water demand. Prior to last renewal, they acquired several private water systems triggering an expansion of treatment facilities. Additional water sources included Monterey Shores (216,000 GPD), Pine Island (306,000 GPD), and the Currituck Club (432,000 GPD). These previous WTPs abandoned their treatment systems (taken off line), but existing supply wells remain in service. Total influent treatment design therefore approaches 3.09 MGD, per the application received 21 Mar2017. Treatment System Summary: County WTP utilizes two (2) separate treatment trains to produce potable water. One train applies reverse osmosis (RO) to treat deep -well water (yield to 1.756 MGD); the second train combines greensand and ion -exchange (IO) technology to treat raw water from shallow wells (yield to 1.334 MGD). The Permittee's flow diagram, estimates RO reject at 70% of discharge. Actual average Jan2013-Aug2017 = 0.502 MGD [max 1.15; min 0.115 MGD]. The Permittee treats wastewaters using duel trains, blends them together, samples the final effluent for compliance, then discharges to the Atlantic Ocean via Outfall 001 located approximately 250 feet offshore at Corolla Beach. Discharge terminates at an effluent diffuser consisting of dual 200 -foot long, 20 -slot wellscreens, each buried approximately 15 feet below Fact Sheet for Permit Renewal - Sep2017 NPDES NCO087670 Page 1 the bottom of the ocean floor; modeled by CORMIX to establish IWC. Approximate annually, RO filter sludge is transported across the street to the local WWTP for treatment. Compliance Review: This facility's compliance record is excellent with no permit limit or monitoring violations during the past permit cycle. Toxicity Testing: Since January 2013, the recent WET -test record indicates 14 consecutive passes. Quarterly Chronic WET testing [TGP3E] reports "Pass" for 15 of 16 quarters — only one failure sampled 22Jan2015. In keeping with Division WTP Guidance for facilities with an instream waste concentration (IWC) of < 0.25% [IWC = 0.67%], Chronic WET -testing will continue — [TGP3E] monitoring only. No other changes recommended. Instream Sampling Data -- The present permit requires monthly upstream and downstream monitoring for dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, salinity, and pH. Generally, sampling results data suggest no significant differences between upstream and downstream (Jan2013-Aug2017), but rather natural changes annually in response to weather and temperature (see XL comparison Upstream vs. Downstream). Reasonable Potential Analysis (RPA) -- There are currently no parameters of concern (POCs) generating data appropriate for RPA. Summary of Proposed Changes: 1. Updated the facility description and compliance requirement (Supplement to Permit Cover Sheet) 2. Based on current WTP permitting guidance, the parameters Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature no longer require monitoring and are deleted from the permit. 3. Considering that this facility discharges at a remarkably low IWC (0.67%) compared to the Atlantic Ocean, and because instream analyses (Mar2014-Sep2017) suggest no discernable impact to the receiving waterbody (see attached summaries), the Division hereby discontinues all Instream Monitoring (upstream and downstream). Proposed Schedule for Issuance: Draft Permit to Public Notice: Permit Scheduled to Issue: NPDES Contact: October 4, 2017 November 24, 2017 If you have questions regarding any of the above information or on the attached permit, please email Joe R. Corporgn; LAG. Uoe.wWoron@ncdenr.gov] or call my direct line (919) 807-6394. sic Fact Sheet for Pennit Renewal - Sep2017 NPDES NCO087670 Page 2 NCO087270 CURRITUCK COUNTY WTP - INSTREAM SAMPLING ANALYTICAL RESULTS COMPARED Upstream Dissolved Oxygen (DO) - (Jan2013 to Aug2017) 12 9.9 9.7 9.4 10 8.4 8.8 8.9 8.9 8.3 V8.49.2 8.5 8 7.5 7.7 7.3 7. 7 8 7.67.9 7.8 8.06 6:2' 'B.q• ..... ... .26:2..fi .G..2 ... .......................... .6;................ 18.3......... 6 5.75. 4 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Monthly Sampling Downstream Dissolved Oxygen (DO) - (Jan2013 to Aug2017) 12 10 9.1 9.4 9 9.2 9.8 9.5 8.8 8.2 7.8 8.4 8.2 .1 8 7 7 7.3 7 7.4 7 6.9 7. 7.4 7. 6 6 6.1 6.2 6.2 5.9 6.1 6 7 5. E 4 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Monthly Sampling w000 Upstream Conductivity (Jan2013 to Sug2017) 50000 40000 E 0 30000 E 20000 10000 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 3132 33 34 35 Monthly Sampling Downstream Conductivity (Jan2013 to Aug2017) 60000 50000 40000 E 0 30000 E 0 20000 10000 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 30 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Monthly Sampling