NC0021211_authorization to construct_19991217

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ATA
NCDENR
JAMES B. HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
WAYNE MCDEVJTT
SECRETARY
KERR T. STEVENS.
DIRECTOR T _
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
December 17, 1999
Mr. J. Christopher Rollins
Administrative and Development Director
City of Graham
201 South Main Street, PO Drawer 357
Graham, North Carolina 27253
SUBJECT:
Dear Mr. Rollins:
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
City of Graham
Permit No. NC0021211
Authorization to Construct
Wastewater Treatment Facility
Project No. CS370563-03
Alamance County
A letter of request for Authorization to Construct was received September 21,
1999 by the Division of Water Quality, and final plans and specifications for the subject
project have been reviewed and found to be satisfactory. Authorization is hereby granted
for the construction of modifications to the existing 3.5 MGD Graham Wastewater
Treatment Plant, with discharge of treated wastewater into Haw River in the Cape Fear
River Basin.
This authorization results in no increase in design or permitted capacity and is
awarded for the construction of the following specific modifications:
An influent structure with mechanical bar screens, grit tank, grit classifier, a 220
gpm horizontal vortex grit pump and Parshall flume; an influent pumping station
with four submersible 3250 gpm pumps and emergency generator; two 70-foot
diameter primary settling tanks; primary sludge pumping station with three 335
gpm horizontal vortex pumps; three scum pump stations each to include a 200
gpm vertical chopper pump; four splitter boxes; piping modifications to convert
the existing two -stage aeration system to a single -stage system; aeration basin
modifications; modifications to two RAS pump stations; an effluent Parshall
flume; digester modifications, to include two 600 gpm progressing cavity sludge
pumps and a 1000 scfm centrifugal blower; a sludge thickener building to include
a rotary drum thicker and 150 gpm progressing cavity sludge pump,
modifications to the 0.75 MG sludge storage tank and the 0.75 MG sludge
CONSTRUCTION GRANTS & LOANS SECTION
1633 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27699-1633
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER - 50% RECYCLED/10 POST -CONSUMER PAPER

digestion tank No. 3, to include three 1000 gpm vertical chopper sludge
recirculation pumps; demolition of a portion of the existing sludge drying beds;
alum storage; alum feed system; pump modifications; telemetry and supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for the wastewater treatment plant
and remote sites yard piping; site work and all appurtenances.
The Permittee shall employ a State certified wastewater treatment plant operator to be in
responsible charge of the wastewater treatment facilities. Such operator must hold a valid State
Certificate of the grade at least equivalent to the classification assigned to the wastewater
treatment facilities by the Certification Commission. When a new chief operator must be
obtained to be in responsible charge of the new facilities, it is required that this be done by the
time the construction of the facilities is 50% complete.
This Authorization to Construct is issued in accordance with Part III, Paragraph A of
NPDES Permit No. NC0021211 issued February 12, 1996, and shall be subject to revocation
unless the wastewater treatment facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions and
limitations specified in Permit No. NC0021211.
When funding is desired, construction should not proceed until the Authorization -to -
Award package, EEO, and MBE documentation/certification have been reviewed, and you are in
receipt of our approval.
The sludge generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed of in accordance
with G.S. 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality.
In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including those as may
be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment or disposal facilities.
The Winston-Salem Regional Office, telephone number [phone], shall be notified
at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an on -site
inspection can be made. Such notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during the
normal office hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding State
Holidays.
Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of this permitted facility, a
Engineer's Certification (attached) must be received from a professional engineer certifying that
the permitted facility has been installed in accordance with the NPDES Permit, this
Authorization to Construct and the approved plans and specifications. Mail the Certification to
the NPDES Unit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.
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Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, the Permittee shall
employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) of the
wastewater treatment facilities. The operator must hold a certificate of the type and grade at least
equivalent to or greater than the classification assigned to the wastewater treatment facilities by
the Certification Commission.
The Permittee must also employ a certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and
grade to comply with the conditions of Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202. The ORC of the facility
must visit each Class I facility at least weekly and each Class II, III and IV facility at least daily,
excluding weekends and holidays, must properly manage the facility, must document daily
operation and maintenance of the facility, and must comply with all other conditions of Title
15A, Chapter 8A, .0202.
A copy of the approved plans and specifications shall be maintained on file by the
Permittee for the life of the facility.
During the construction of the proposed additions/modifications, the permittee shall
continue to properly maintain and operate the existing wastewater treatment facilities at all times,
and in such a manner, as necessary to comply with the effluent limits specified in the NPDES
Permit.
You are reminded that it is mandatory for the project to be constructed in accordance with
the North Carolina Sedimentation Pollution Control Act, and, when applicable, the North
Carolina Dam Safety Act. In addition, the specifications must clearly state what the contractor's
responsibilities shall be in complying with these Acts.
The Operational Agreement between the Permittee and the Environmental Management
Commission is incorporated herein by reference and is a condition of this Permit.
Noncompliance with the terms of the Operational Agreement shall subject the Permittee to all
sanctions provided by G.S. 143-215.6 for violation of or failure to act in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Permit.
Failure to abide by the requirements contained in this Authorization to Construct may
subject the Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance
with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.
The issuance of this Authorization to Construct does not preclude the Permittee from
complying with any and all statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by
other government agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.
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One (1) set of approved plans and specifications is being forwarded to you. If you have
any questions or need additional information, please contact Cecil G. Madden, Jr., P.E. at
telephone number [phone].
Sincerely,
Kerr T. Stevens
Director
Attachment to all
KOP:nw
cc: Feinkbeiner, Pettis & Strout, Inc. (Greensboro, Attn: David Hamilton, P.E.)
Mr. Dennis Ramsey
DWQ Winston-Salem Regional Office
Ms. Amy Simes
Ms. Valerie Lancaster
Mr. Ken Pohlig, P.E.
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Have Goodrich
DMU
SRF
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