NC0022934_Draft Permit_20200812

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Mr. Lawrence Schwartz
UCS, Inc
511 Hoffman Road
Lincolnton, N.C. 28092
Dear Mr. Schwartz:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
August 12, 2020
Subject: DRAFT NPDES PERMIT NCO022934
UCS Main Plant
Grade I Biological WPCS [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
Gaston County
Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the draft permit for your facility. Please review the draft very carefully
to ensure thorough understanding of the conditions and requirements it contains. Your permit is among
several in the French Broad River Basin that the Division has targeted for expedited renewal.
This draft contains the following changes from the existing permit:
➢ Regulatory citations were added throughout the permit.
➢ The language in section A.(4) has been updated to be consistent with the finalization of federal
requirements for electronic reporting.
➢ The outfall map was updated.
➢ The outfall description on the supplement to cover page has been updated to include the HUC and
Stream Index number for the outfall location.
➢ A special condition was added to require an engineering assessment by an NC licensed Engineer
to be completed by March 1", 2021.
➢ A special condition was added to require monitoring wells to be installed in locations approved
by the Mooresville regional office. The well locations must be approved by March 1" 2021, and
the wells must be installed within six months of that date.
The NPDES standard conditions (Parts II, III, and IV) that are a part of the permit are not included in this
draft document (cover, map, and Part I). The conditions are the same as in your current permit. The latest
version is available at https://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice
in newspapers having circulation in the general Gaston 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 via email at [[e-mail]] or call 919-707-9125.
Sincerely,
6��43 a(Ir—
Emily DelDuco
Environmental Specialist II
NPDES Program
ec: NPDES files
Mooresville Regional Offi—c1e,�
D E Q J� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
NORTH CAROLINA -
oeaanmemwEnvbenmenWlu-fity r 919.707.9000

Permit NCO022934
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
In compliance with the provisions 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,
UCS, Inc.
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
UCS Main Plant
511 Hoffman Road
Gaston County
to receiving waters designated as the South Fork Catawba River in subbasin 03-08-35 of the Catawba
River Basin in accordance with effluent limits, 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 July 31, 2025.
Signed this day
S. Daniel Smith, Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7

Permit NC0022934
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.
UCS, Inc. is hereby authorized to:
Continue to operate an existing 0.3-acre waste stabilization lagoon followed by chlorine
disinfection. This wastewater treatment system is located at the UCS Main Plant site (511
Hoffman Road, Lincolnton) in Gaston County.
2. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into the South
Fork Catawba River (Stream Segment: 11-129-(3.7) ; HUC: 030501020504), currently classified
WS-IV waters in the Catawba River Basin.
Page 2 of 7

Permit NCO022934
Part I
A. (1) EFFLUENT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 15A NCAC 02B.0500 et seq.]
Grade I Biological WPCS [15A NCAC 08G.0302]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge treated wastewater from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be
limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER
EFFLUENT LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Measurement
Sample
PCS Code
Avera a
Dail Maximum
Frequency
Sample Type
Location
Flow (MGD)
0.0053 MGD
Weekly
Instantaneous
Effluent
50050
BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C)
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
2 / month
Grab
Effluent
C0310
Total Suspended Solids
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
2 / month
Grab
Effluent
C0530
Ammonia Nitrogen (as N)
Monthly
Grab
Effluent
C0610
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean)
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
2 / month
Grab
Effluent
31616
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)2
28 µg/L
2 / month
Grab
Effluent
50060
Temperature, ° Centigrade
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
00010
pH
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
2 / month
Grab
Effluent
00400
Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR system [see A. (4)].
2. TRC limit and monitoring requirements apply only if chlorine or a chlorine derivative is added during the treatment
process. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported < 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.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 3 of 7

Permit NCO022934
A. (2) ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
The permittee shall have a North Carolina Licensed Professional En ig'neer evaluate the structural
integrity and operational efficiency of this facility to ensure the integrity of the treatment system. The
assessment's details and conclusions must be submitted to both the NC DEQ Mooresville Regional
Office and the NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting group at the below addresses no later than
March 1", 2021.
NC DEQ /Division of Water Resources/ Mooresville Regional Office
610 East Center Avenue
Suite 301
Mooresville, NC, 28115
NC DEQ / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTN: Compliance and Expedited Permitting
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
A permanent solution that addresses all necessary repairs that are identified in the completed
engineering assessment report shall be implemented by March 1" 2023. This permit may be reopened to
include a schedule of compliance for facility repairs, and/or alterations of the existing permit limits and
monitoring frequencies.
A. (3) REQUIREMENT FOR GROUNDWATER MONITORING WELLS
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
The permittee must install a minimum of three groundwater monitoring wells at locations to be
approved by DWR Mooresville Regional Office staff. The locations of these wells must be approved by
DWR staff no later than March 1", 2021. The wells must be installed within 6 months of the approval
date.
A. (4) 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.)
• Section D. (6.)
• Section E. (5.)
Reporting
Records Retention
Monitoring Reports
Page 4 of 7

Permit NCO022934
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. The eDMR system may be
accessed at: https:Hdeq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
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
following address:
NC DEQ / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
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.
Starting on December 21, 2020, the permittee must 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.
• NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule — Phase 2 Extension. EPA is proposing to extend the Phase 2
deadline from December 21, 2020 until at least December 21, 2023. The current compliance date will be
extended if the implementation date is extended as a final regulation change in the federal register.
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(l)(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)].
Page 5 of 7

Permit NC0022934
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: hLtps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-
24954/national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-npdes-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.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)l
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.
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:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
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:
7 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
Page 6 of 7

Permit NCO022934
am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the
possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations. "
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 7 of 7

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UCS, Inc. - UCS - Main Plant
NPDES Permit NCO022934
Receiving Stream: South Fork Catawba River Stream Class: WS-IV
Stream Segment: 11-129-(3.7) Sub -Basin #: 03-08-35
River Basin: Catawba HUC: 030501020504
County: Gaston
SC E . 0; ;
111