NC0088366_Request_20040211

February 11, 2004
Rodney Tart, Director
Harnett County Department of Public Utilities
P.O. Box 1119
Lillington, North Carolina 27546
Dear Mr. Tart:
.Michael F. Easley, Governor
r„..2�';' ' State of North Carolina
"William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
ENR FR
FEB 2 0 2004
DWQ
Subject: Speculative Limits Request
Harnett County Department of Public Utilities
Harnett County
This letter is in response to your request for speculative effluent limits for a 15 MGD discharge
into the Lower Little River (N 35° 13.831' & W 78° 53.197'). The proposed discharge is for a Regional
System consolidating the wastewater treatment facilities of Harnett County, Spring Lake and Fort Bragg.
A level B model was used to evaluate the effect of the proposed discharge on the receiving stream. The
model predicted that secondary treatment limits would result in oxygen levels below the stream
standard. Water quality limits were calculated for BOD and ammonia. The model results show that the
dissolved oxygen levels would be above the stream standard with limits of 25 mg/1 for BOD and 2.5
mg/1 for ammonia during the summer and 30 mg/1 for BOD and 8.2 mg/1 for ammonia during the
summer.
The Division can not guarantee that an NPDES permit will be issued at the proposed location.
Final decisions can only be made after the Division receives and evaluates a formal permit application
for the proposed discharge and after the public has an opportunity to comment on the project.
Speculative Effluent Limits
Speculative limits are presented in the attached effluent sheets and are explain as follows:
BOD, and Ammonia — The BOD and ammonia limits are water quality based limits to protect the
receiving stream.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) - TSS limits. are minimum treatment requirements for domestic
wastewater.
Fecal Coliform, pH - The limits for fecal coliform bacteria and pH represent water quality
standards for Class C waters (T15A NCAC 2B .0219).
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) — Facilities that use chlorine disinfection receive a total chlorine
limit to protect against chlorine toxicity in the receiving stream.
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer Visit us on the INTERNET @ www.enr.state.nc.us

k4
Mr. Rodney Tart
February 11, 2004
Page 2
Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus - Monitoring for these parameters is required to evaluate
and protect water quality in the receiving stream.
Please be advised -that the limits and monitoring frequencies on the attached pages were based on
the information. presented' in the speculative limits request. In addition, it was assumed that the proposed
WWTP will be a Class IV facility. This assumption was used to develop an estimate of the monitoring
frequencies that would be required for each parameter. A complete evaluation of these limits and
monitoring frequencies in addition to monitoring requirements for metals and other toxicants will be
addressed upon receipt of a formal NPDES permit application.
Please be aware that you will have to evaluate this project for environmental impacts before
receiving a modified permit. Anyone proposing to construct new or expanded waste treatment facilities
using public funds or public (state) lands must first prepare an environmental assessment (EA) when
wastewater flows: (1) equal or exceed 0.5 MGD or (2) exceed one-third of the 7Q10 flow of the
receiving stream. The NPDES Unit will not accept a permit application for a project requiring an
environmental assessment until the Division has approved the EA and sent a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) to the state Clearinghouse for review and comment.
An Environmental Assessment should contain a clear justification for the proposed project. It
should provide an analysis of potential alternatives, including a thorough evaluation of non -discharge
alternatives. Nondischarge alternatives or alternatives to expansion, such as spray irrigation, water
conservation, or inflow and infiltration reduction, are considered to be environmentally preferable to a
surface water discharge. In accordance with the North Carolina General Statutes, the preferred
alternative must be the practicable waste treatment and disposal alternative with the least adverse impact
on the environment. If the EA demonstrates that the project may result in a significant adverse effect on
the quality of the environment, you must then prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. Todd
Kennedy of the Water Quality Planning Branch can provide further information regarding the
requirements of the N.C. Environmental Policy Act. You can contact Mr. Kennedy at 919-733-5083; ext.
555.
The Division would be agreeable to meet with. representatives of Harnett County to discuss these
limits presented here and the future plans for regionalization. Should you have any questions or if you
need any additional information, please feel free to contact Teresa Rodriguez [phone], extension
553.
Sincerely,
64:-/AL
David A Goodrich
NPDES Unit Supervisor
Enclosure
cc: Central Files
(FaSidt- ville-Regi hair ffice,= Paul Rawls
NPDES Unit
Mr. Hiram J. Marziano - Marziano & Minier, PA
P.O. Box 4428
Asheboro, North Carolina 27204

SPECULATIVE LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
The following table presents speculative limits and associated monitoring requirements for the proposed
Harnett County WWTP. Preparation of these limits does not guarantee that the Division will issue ,a,
NPDES permit. In addition, it does not guarantee that these limits will remain unchanged if a permIt-•,is
issued to the Harnett County Department of Utilities. A complete evaluation of these limits and`\
monitoring frequencies in addition to monitoring requirements for metals and other toxicants.. will be
addressed upon receipt of a formal NPDES permit application.
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration,.'; the•, Permittee is
authorized to discharge from outfall(s) serial number 001. Such discharges shall be limited. and-,nionitored'by
the Permittee as specified below: `'
,:Ei FLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
-;..
', , .. LIMITS! % ^ Wj,-
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average....
Weekly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency __
Sample
Type ...:.Ilaacation'
Sample
..
Flow (MGD)
15.0 MGD,
`,
'�. `•
,:
Continuous
Recording
I or E
BOD, 5 day, 20 °C2 (April 1 -
October 31)
25 mg/I\„.-,
-- �37,5,mg/I'
,,
= s . ;'
Daily
Composite
I, E
BOD, 5 day, 20 °C2 (November 1 -: `
March 31)
30 n g/I :' '
. `. 45 mg/ -
, `.• 1.
Daily
Composite
I, E
Total Suspended Residue2
'••,30'mg%I .,'\.,
`;45 mg/I
Daily
Composite
I, E
NH3-N (April 1 - October 31) `. `. `.
.,`•.,2:.5. mg4I..>
7.5 mg/I
3/week
Composite
E
NH3-N (November i -.,March-'31) ',„
`.8,2: r'ng/I
24 mg/I
3/week
Composite
E
Dissolved Oxygen'. :: �.,
`"
Daily
Grab
E, U, D
pH4
Daily
Grab
E
Total F esidi el Chlorine 5"
28 /I
µ9
Daily
Grab
E
Temperature 4c
Daily
Grab
E, U, D
Fecal Coliform)(geometric mean)
200 / 100 ml
400 / 100 ml
Daily
Grab
E
Total Nitrogen (NO.2+NO3+TKN)
Monthly
Composite
E
Total Phosphorus
Monthly
Composite
E
Chronic Toxicity6
Quarterly
Composite
E
Notes:
1. Sample Locations: E - Effluent, I — Influent, U — Upstream, D — Downstream. Instream monitoring
requirements to be determined upon application receipt.
2. The monthly average effluent BOD5 and Total Suspended Residue concentrations shall not exceed 85% of the
respective influent value (85% removal required).
3. The daily average dissolved oxygen effluent concentration shall not be less than 5.0 mg/1.
4. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
5. Monitoring requirement applies only if chlorine is added for disinfection.
6. Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 15 percent; February, May, August, and November.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.