NC0020451_Speculative Limits_19970422

NPDEiS DOCYNENT SCANNIN& COVER SHEET
NPDES Permit:
NCO020451
West Jefferson WWTP
Document Type:
Permit Issuance
Wasteload Allocation
Authorization to Construct (AtC)
Permit Modification
'
Speculative Limits
Correspondence
Re:
Instream Assessment (67B)
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Permit
History
Document Date:
April 22, 1997
This document is printed cum x-ouoe paper ignore any
cox tent ozm the reverse side

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
April 22, 1997
The Honorable Thomas G. Neaves, Mayor
Town of West Jefferson
P.O. Box 490
West Jefferson, N.C. 28694-0490
A *4
177k — �'
�EHNFIt'
Subject: Town of West Jefferson Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
NPDES Permit No. NCO020451
Ashe County
Dear Mayor Neaves :
Your request for speculative effluent limits for the Town of West Jefferson WWTP
at the expansion flows of 0.400, 0.500, 0.600 and 0.650 MGD has been reviewed by the
Instream Assessment Unit.
Please be advised that response to this request does not guarantee that the Division
will issue an NPDES permit to discharge treated wastewater into these receiving waters. It
should be noted that new and expanding facilities, involving an expenditure of public funds
or use of public (state) lands, will be required to prepare an environmental assessment (EA)
when wasteflows: 1) exceed or equal 0.5 MGD, or 2) exceed one-third of the 7Q10 flow
of the receiving stream. DWQ will not accept a permit application for a project requiring an
EA until the document has been approved by the Department of Environment, Health and
Natural Resources and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been sent to the
state Clearinghouse for review and comment.
The EA should contain a clear justification for the proposed facility and an analysis
of potential alternatives which should include a thorough evaluation of non -discharge
alternatives. Nondischarge alternatives or alternatives to expansion, such as spray
irrigation, water conservation inflow and infiltration reduction or connection to a regional
treatment and disposal system, are considered to be environmentally preferable to.a surface
water discharge. In accordance with the North Carolina General Statutes, the practicable
waste treatment and disposal alternative with the least adverse impact on the environment is
required to be implemented. if the EA demonstrates that the project may result in a
significant adverse affect on the quality of the environment, an Environmental Impact
Statement would be required. Michelle Suverkrubbe of the Water Quality Planning Branch
can provide further information regarding the requirements of the N.C. Environmental
Policy Act.
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post -consumer paper

Letter to Mayor Neaves
page 2
The Town of West Jefferson discharges into a unnamed tributary of Little Buffalo
Creek which has a stream classification of C Trout +. The plus (+) symbol identifies the
receiving stream as being subject to a special management strategy to protect downstream
waters designated as ORW (outstanding resources water). West Jefferson's WWTP is
located upstream of the segment of the New River that has been reclassified as C ORW.
Currently, the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) has specific management strategies
for the New River that have been approved to protect the exceptional resource waters. This
strategy includes designated limitations for new and expanded dischargers, stormwater
controls, 50% of the total instream flow not to be exceeded by total volume of upstream
discharges, and safety factors for toxics and toxicity to be protected at the ORW segment.
The specific action recommended for the South Fork New and New Rivers ORW area per
15A NCAC 2B.0225 (e)(4)(B) and (C) states that "new or expanded NPDES permitted
discharges located upstream of the designated ORW" will comply with limits for oxygen
consuming wastes of BODS of 5 mg/l and NH3-N of 2 mg/l. A dissolved oxygen limit of
6 mg/l and a fecal coliform limit of 200/100m] are also required. In addition, a Emit for total
suspended solids of 10 mg/1 will be applied to all discharges to grout waters. Therefore, the
following effluent limitations for tertiary treatment will be applicable to all future
expansions for the West Jefferson facility:
Summer Winter
BODS
5 mg/l
10 mg/l
NH3-N
2 mg/l
4 mg/1
DO
6 mg/l
6 mg/1
TS S
10 mg/1
10 mg/1
Fecal
200/ 100 ml
2 00/ 100m l
DWQ is recommending chlorine limits and dechlorination for all new or expanding
dischargers proposing the use of chlorine for disinfection. An acceptable level of chlorine
in your effluent is 28 µg/l (for wasteflows of 0.400, 0.500 and 0.600 MGD). At 0.656
MGD, the acceptable level is slightly lower at 27 µg/1. The process of
chlorination/dechlorination or an alternate form of disinfection, such as ultraviolet radiation,
should allow the facility to comply with the total residual chlorine limit.
The instream waste concentrations (IWC) for West Jefferson at the expanded
wasteflows are:
Wasteflow lWC
0.400 MGD 51 %
0.500 MGD 56%
0.600 MGD 61 %
0.650 MGD 63%
A chronic toxicity testing requirement with quarterly monitoring will remain a
condition of the NPDES permit. Per 15A NCAC 2B.0225 (e)(4)(B)(iii), "a safety factor
shall be applied ...to protect for chronic toxicity in the ORW segment...". The Town can
anticipate that effluent limits and/or monitoring for cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead,
cyanide, copper, zinc, and mercury may be recommended after a review of monitoring
data. A complete evaluation of limits and monitoring requirements for metals and other
toxicants will be addressed at the time of formal NPDES application.

Letter to Mayor Neaves
page 3
DWQ has implemented a basinwide water quality management initiative. The plan
for the New River Basin was issued in September 1995. The plan attempted to address all
sources of point and nonpoint pollutants where deemed necessary to protect of restore
water quality standards. In addressing interaction of sources, wasteload allocations may be
affected. Those facilities that have already committed to high levels of treatment
technology are least likely to be affected.
We hope this information provides some assistance in your planning endeavors.
As previously mentioned, final NPDES effluent limitations will be determined after a
formal permit application has been submitted to the Division. If there are any additional
questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact Ruth Swanek (ext. 503) or
Jackie Nowell (ext. 512) of my staff at [phone].
incerely,
oad�i:4
nlE
Assistant hiTe.chn' Support
Water Quality Section
DLS/JMN
cc: Steve Mauney
Bobby Blowe, Construction Grants
Y. Ellis Spake, Jr. PE, Municipal Engineering
Michelle Suverkrubbe
Central Files
WLA File

State of !rth Carolina
V
Department of Environment,
Health and'Natural Resources 40
Division of Environmental Management
j r
Governor
orZ ,. �;` •;' s� `i 1 �.r xi=rxtxsn.a
JonathanB. Howes,
a
PrestonA. • •Director
February 21, 1997
Mr. Thomas G. Neaves, Mayor
Town of West Jefferson
P.O. Box 490 -
West Jefferson. NC 28694-0490
Subject: Request for Speculative Limits
Town of West Jefferson
NPDB No. NCO020451
Dear Mr. Nea ves:
The Technical Support Branch received your request for speculative limits for �hc Town of
West Jefferson on February 2 L The: project has been assigned to Jackie l"rowell for
review. Based upon our current €'e;source limitations it will probably take approximately
sixty days for the modeler to review the available water quality information and draft a
response.
If you have any questions or c-ommenLs, please contact Ms. Nowell (ext. 512) or me (ext
50 3) at [phone].
Sincerely,
Ruth C. Swanck, Supervisor
Instream Assess€nent Unit
cc: Winston-Salem Regional Office.
Y. Ellis Shake, Jr., PE, _ylunicipal Engineering Services Co., P.A..
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative.Acilon Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post -consumer Paper

OPERATION/CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS
Municipal
Services
P.O. Box 97, Garner, North Carolina 27529 [phone]
February 14, 1997
Mr. Don Safrit
Division of Water Quality
PO Box 29535
Raleigh, NC 27626-0535
CIVIL/SANITARY ENGINEERS
Engineering
Company, P.Q.
O. Box 349, Boone, North Carolina 28607 [phone]
RE: Town of West Jefferson Wastewater Treatment Plant
NPDES Permit - Effluent Limitations For Various Flows
Dear Mr. Safrit:
As the engineer of record for the Town of West Jefferson, we are requesting updated
NPDES permit limits for the following flows:
400,000 GPD
500,000 GPD
600,000 GPD
650,000 GPD
We are currently beginning; the 201 process with the State Construction Grants & Loan
Section. We anticipate that this process will be completed in late spring of this year. If
we can provide any information, please contact us at our Boone address.
Sincerely,
MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CO., P.A.
Y. Ellis pake, Jr., PE

West Jefferson Speculative Expansion jmn
UT Little Buffalo Creek 4/18/97
-050702
Facility requesting spec limits for expansion flows of 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.65 MGD. West
Jefferson has existing flow of 0.369 MGD with 90% domestic flow and 10 % industrial
flow. Letter did not specify the constituency of the flow, however UT Little Buffalo creek
is an upstream trib to the New River.
Effluent limits- West Jefferson had problems meeting Qw in 1996 w/ violations
exceeding 0.369 MGD in May, June, August and November. The average Qw from
March 1996 to Feb. 1997 was 0.359 MGD. Have been violating BOD5 and TSS in Dec.
1996 and Jan. and Feb of 1997. Average BOD5 = 21 mg/1 and Average TSS = 25 mg/l.
Fecal has averaged 57/100 ml, but maximum effluent value of 60000 has been reported.
Instream monitoring data shows no problems with DO downstream of discharge.
Although monthly upstream avg. show no problems, there were occasional upstream daily
values for DO that were below 5 mg/l, some values of 4.5 mg/l. However, there were no
DO values below 5 mg/1 downstream of the discharge. There are obviously some problems
with fecal coliform instream, both upstream and downstream values average in the from
1100 - 5500/100m1. This is a chronic problem that has been occurring for the past three
years.
Management strategy as stated in 15A NCAC 2B .0225 (e)(4) (B)(C) has particular
limits and safeguards for new and expanding discharges upstream of designated ORW.
This includes effluent limitations for oxygen consuming wastes shall be BOD5=5, NH3=2
Q will be including a DO=6 mg/1 limit, although the regulation does not list it). TSS= 10
mg/1 for trout waters and 20 mg/I for all others. Fail-safe treatment designs will be
employed including standby power capability for entire treatment works, dual train design
for all treatment components or equivalent fail-safe treatment designs. Where nutrients are
a concern, appropriate effluent limitations shall be set for phosphorus or nitrogen or both.
Also will include limits for TRC and Fecal Coliform.
Limits and monitoring for toxics and metals will be included at permit modification.

UPSTREAM
WEST JEFFERSON WWTP
DOWNSTREAM
MONTH Temp DO Saturation Fecal Conductivity Temp DO Saturation Fecal Conductivity
Oct-95
14
8.2
80%
947
160
15
7.8
77%
578
217
Sep-95
17
8
83%
4244
152
18
7.6
80%
6998
195
Aug-95
21
8
90%
432
171
21
8
90%
601
234
Jul-95
20
8
88%
885
164
20
7.9
87%
535
221
Jun-95
18
8
85%
1125
146
18
8
85%
1118
216
May-95
16
8
81%
515
146
16
7.8
79%
5612
205
Apr-95
15
8
79%
248
150
15
7.5
74%
118
213
Jul-94
21
5.9
66%
1698
136
21
6.3
71 %
2543
178
Jun-94
21
6.1
68%
1691
171
22
6.4
73%
1332
201
May-94
19
6.1
66%
593
138
20
6.9
76%
763
194
Apr-94
11
7.5
68%
748
156
12
7.4
69%
742
200
0%
1
1
1
1 0%
Notes ips-125 ft ups at culvert at Clearwater DR.
dwn-75 ft below outfall
NCO020451 4/18/97

UPSTREAM
WEST JEFFERSON WWTP
DOWNSTREAM
MONTH Temp DO Saturation Fecal Conductivity Temp DO Saturation Fecal Conductivity
Oct-96
15
7.3
72%
3194
167
16
7.5
76%
794
222
Sep-96
17
8
83%
4244
152
18
7.6
80%
6998
195
Aug-96
19
8.1
87%
2820
158
19
7.8
84%
343
183
Jul-96
20
8
88%
1278
163
20
7.5
83%
1814
214
Jun-96
17
7.8
81 %
1415
150
18
7.4
78%
2595
190
May-96
15
8.2
81%
5594
153
16
7.8
79%
5612
205
Apr-96
12
8.5
79%
1159
147
12
7.95
74%
431
191
Mar-96
18
7.8
82%
2748
154
19
7.7
83%
2606
193
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Notes ups-125 ft upstream of discharge
dwn-75 ft below outfall
NCO020451 4/18/97

WEST JEFFERSON WWTP
Residual Chlorine
Ammonia as NH3
(summer)
7Q10 (CFS)
0.6
7Q10 (CFS)
0.6
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.4 •
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.4
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.62
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.62
STREAM STD (UGIL)
17.0
STREAM STD (MGIL)
1.0
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (UGIL)
0
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (MGIL)
0.22
IWC (%)
50.82
IWC (%)
50.82
Allowable Concentration (ugll)
33.45
Allowable Concentration (mgA)
1.75
Ammonia as NH3
(winter)
7010 (CFS)
0.9
Fecal Limit 200/100m) DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.4
Ratio of 1.0 :1 DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.62
STREAM STD (MGIL)
1.8
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (MGIL)
0.22
IWC (%)
40.79
Allowable Concentration (mgA)
4.09
NC0020451 411 119 7

WEST JEFFERSON WWTP
Residual Chlorine
Ammonia as NH3
(summer)
7010 (CFS)
0.6
7010 (CFS)
0.6
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.5
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.5
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.775
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.775
STREAM STD (UG/L)
17.0
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.0
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (UGIL)
0
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (MG/L)
0.22
IWC (%)
56.36
IWC (%)
66.36
Allowable Concentration (ugll)
30.16
Allowable Concentration (mg1I)
1.60
Ammonia as NH3
(winter)
7Q10 (CFS)
0.9
Fecal Limit 200/100ml DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.5
Ratio of 0.8 :1 DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.775
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.8
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (MG/L)
0.22
IWC (%)
46.27
Allowable Concentration (mg/1)
3.63
NCO020451 4/1 1 /97

WEST JEFFERSON WWTP
Residual Chlorine
Ammonia as NH3
(summer)
7010 (CFS)
0.6
7010 (CFS)
0.6
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.6
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.6
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.93
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.93
STREAM STD (UGIL)
17.0
STREAM STD (MGIL)
1.0
LIPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (UG/L)
0
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (MGIL)
0.22
IWC (%)
60.76
IWC (%)
60.78
Allowable Concentration (ugA)
27.97
Allowable Concentration (mgA)
1.50
Ammonia as NH3
(winter)
7Q10 (CFS)
0.9
Fecal Limit 2001100ml DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.6
Ratio of 0.6 :1 DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.93
STREAM STD (MGIL)
1.8
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (MGIL)
0.22
IWC (%)
50.82
Allowable Concentration (mgA)
3.33
NCO020451 411 119 7

WEST JEFFERSON WWTP
Residual Chlorine
Ammonia as NH3
(summer)
7010 (CFS)
0.6
7010 (CFS)
0.6
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.65
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.65
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
1.0075
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
1.0075
STREAM STD (UG/L)
17.0
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.0
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (UG/L)
0
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (MG/L)
0.22
IWC (%)
62.67
IWC (%)
62.67
Allowable Concentration (ug/1)
27.12
Allowable Concentration (mg/I)
1.46
Ammonia as NIi3
(winter)
7Q10 (CFS)
0.9
Fecal Limit
200/100ml
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.65
Ratio of 0.6 :1
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
1.0075
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.8
UPS BACKGROUND LEVEL (MG/L)
0.22
IWC (%)
52.82
Allowable Concentration (mg/1)
3.21
NCO020451 4/ 1 119 7

Facility: WEST JEFFERSON
NPDES#: NCO020451
Receiving Stream: UT LITTLE BUFFALO CR
Comment(s):
Low Flow Record Station Number.
Hydrologic Area Number:
Drainage Area Low Flow Record Station:
Qave Low Flow Record Station:
s7Q10 Low Flow Record Station:
w7Q10 Low Flow Record Station:
3002 Low Flow Record Station:
P �1u111VP1 IIVI av G14UUIP
HA10
must be c 400 sq, miles
Drainage Area New Site:
1.80 sq. miles
MAR New Site:
2.0 cfs/miles squared
Qave per Report Equation:
4 cfs
s7Q10 per Report Equation:
0.57 cfs
w7Q10 per Report Equation:
0.90 cfs
30Q2 per Report Equation:
1.24 cfs
Continue
Drainage Area Ratio: #VALUEI
[ new DA I Da at gage i #VALUE!
Weighted Ratio: #VALUE!
Over -ride Inappropriate Site (y ):
Drainage Area New Site: 1.80 miles squared
MAR New Site: 2.0 cfslmiles squared
Weighted Qave per Report Equation: #VALUE!
Weighted s7010 per Report Equation: #VALUE!
Weighted w7010 per Report Equation: #VALUE!
Weighted 3002 per Report Equation: #VALUE!

DFS3650I
SESSION READY FOR INPUTGKEX88/MP
COMPLIANCE EVALUATION ANALYSIS REPORT
PAGE 1
PERMIT--NC0020451
PIPE--001
REPORT
PERIOD:
9603-9702
LOC --- E
FACILITY --WEST
JEFFERSON WWTP, TOWN OF
DESIGN FLOW--
.3690
CLASS--3
LOCATION --WEST
JEFFERSON
REGION/COUNTY--04 ASHE
50050
00310
00530
00610
31616
50060
00300
TGP3B
MONTH
Q/MGD
BOD RES/TSS NH3+NH4-
FEC COLT
CHLORINE
DO
CERI7DPF
LIMIT F
.3690 F
30.00 F
30.0
NOL
F 200.0
NOL
NOL
96/03
.3468
23.16
22.5
.69
27.0
.000
5.43
96/04
.3458
23-42
24.5
1.53
51.2
.000
5.81
96/05
C793F�
19.46
25.1
1.46
83.2
.000
5.26
96/06
C-4049F
17.41
19.1
1.23
29.4
.000
5.33
96/07
.3399
14.53
20.3
.29
82.4
.000
5.41
96/08
r3'881F,7
7.00
20.6
.08
83.1
.000
6.44
96/09
.3373
11.46
17.3
1.70
140.5
.000
7.08
96/10
.3150
14.85
16.4
1.19
13.9
.000
5.33
96/11
.3675F-?
14.91
11.2
.55
5-3
.000
6.13
96/12
.34974:9,2F
3r 278F --)
.77
65.9
.000
5.40
97/01
.3441
34'57F
_68
61.7
.000
5.65
97/02
.3681
4-1 25F.7
C42..1F
1.25
43.5
.000
AVERAGE
.3588
21.41
25.1
.95
57.2
.000
5.75
MAXIMUM
.7599
133.00
263.0
11.80
60000.0
LESSTHAN
7.60
MINIMUM
.1446 LESSTHAN LESSTHAN LESSTHAN
LESSTHAN
LESSTHAN
3.20
UNIT
MGD
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L
#/100ML
UG/L
MG/L
PASS/FAT

GKEX88/MP
04/18/97
COMPLIANCE
EVALUATION
ANALYSIS REPORT
PAGE 2
PERMIT--NC0020451
PIPE--001
REPORT PERIOD:
9603-9702
LOC ---
E
FACILITY --WEST
JEFFERSON
WWTP, TOWN
OF DESIGN FLOW--
.3690
CLASS--3
LOCATION --WEST
JEFFERSON
REGION/COUNTY--04 ASHE
00010
00400
00600
00665 01027
01042
01067
01092
MONTH
TEMP
PH
TOTAL N
PHOS-TOT CADMIUM
COPPER
NICKEL
ZINC
LIMIT
NOL
9.0 6.0
NOL
NOL
NOL
NOL
96/03
11.65
7.1-6.6
.0000
.0067
.0000
.0340
LIMIT
NOL
9.0 6.0
NOL
NOL F80.0000
NOL
F80.0000
NOL
96/04
13.90
7.2-6.6
.0000
4.6000
.0000
.0400
96/05
17.02
7.0-6.6
.0000
.0067
.0000
.0980
96/06
19.16
7.0-6.6
2.120
1.2500 .0000
.0050
.0000
.1150
96/07
20.74
7.2-6.3
.0000
.0180
.0000
.1020
96/08
20.62
7.0-6.4
.0000
.0080
.0000
.0520
96/09
19.38
6.9-6.2
.0000
.0080
.0000
.0000
96/10
17.75
6.9-6.1
.0000
.0000
96/11
14.88
7.1-6.5
.2500
.0040
.0000
.0510
96/12
13.48
7.0-6.6
.0000
.0060
.0000
.0300
97/01
12.31
7.0-6.6
.0000
.0140
.0000
.0405
97/02
f
12.45
8.7-6.2
.0160
AVERAGE
16.11
2.120
1.2500 .0227
.4265
.0000
.0562
MAXIMUM
21.80
8.780
2.120
1.2500 ADO: 0 _4.6000
.1150
MINIMUM
10.10
6.120
2.120
1.2500
.0040
.0300
UNIT
DEG.0
SU
MG/L
MG/L UG/L
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L

GKEX88/MP
04/18/97
COMPLIANCE EVALUATION ANALYSIS REPORT
PAGE 3
PERMIT--NCO020451 PIPE--001 REPORT PERIOD: 9603-9702
LOC --- E
FACILITY --WEST JEFFERSON WWTP, TOWN OF DESIGN FLOW--
.3690 CLASS--3
LOCATION --WEST JEFFERSON REGION/COUNTY--04 ASHE
71900
MONTH MERCURY
LIMIT
96/03 .0000
96/04 .0000
56/05 .0000
96/06 .0500
96/07 .1240
96/08 _0000
96/09 .0000
96/10 .0000
96/11 .0000
96/12 .0000
97/01 _0000
AVERAGE .0158
MAXIMUM _35OO
MINIMUM
UNIT UG/L