NC0020656_Authorization to Construct_20211130

November 30, 2021

Charles Nichols, III
City Manager
City of Laurinburg
P.O. Box 249
Laurinburg, North Carolina 28353

SUBJECT: Authorization to Construct
A to C No. 020656A03
City of Laurinburg
Leith Creek WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0020656

Dear Mr. Nichols:

A letter of request for an Authorization to Construct was received June 14, 2021, by the
Division of Water Resources (Division). With additional information received on October 5, 2021,
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
4 MGD Leith Creek WWTP, with discharge of treated wastewater into the Big Shoe Heel Creek
in the Lumber River Basin.

This authorization results in no increase in design or permitted capacity and is awarded for
the construction of the following specific modifications:

Installation of one (1) 14 MGD multi-rake mechanical bar screen, one (1) 14 MGD manual
bar screen, one 14 MGD grit removal system with two (2) 160 GPM grit pumps, one (1)
Parshall flume with 18-inch throat width, five (5) 4,000 GPM centrifugal influent pumps,
one (1) 1,500 GPM centrifugal influent pump, one (1) flow splitter box, and all necessary
piping and controls; in conformity with the project plans, specifications, and other
supporting documentation comprising the ATC Permit Application package submitted to
the Department of Environmental Quality.

This ATC is issued in accordance with Part III, Paragraph A of NPDES Permit No.
NC0020656 issued effective February 1, 2021, and shall be subject to revocation unless the
wastewater treatment facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions and limitations
specified in Permit No. NC0020656.

Mr. Charles Nichols, III, City Manager
November 30, 2021
Page 2 of 3

It is the Owner’s responsibility to ensure that the as-constructed project meets the
requirements of all applicable regulations and statutes, the ATC Permit Application package, and
all of the requirements contained herein. Failure to comply may result in penalties in accordance
with North Carolina General Statute §143-215.6A through §143-215.6C.

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 Division.

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 the Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment or disposal facilities.

The Fayetteville Regional Office, telephone number 910-433-3300, 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
certification must be received from a Professional Engineer certifying that the permitted facility
has been installed in accordance with the NPDES Permit and the ATC Permit Application package.
Mail the Certification to: Division of Water Resources, WQ Permitting – NPDES, 1617 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.

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 T15A:8G.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 T15A:8G.0202.

A copy of the project 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.

Mr. Charles Nichols, III, City Manager
November 30, 2021
Page 3 of 3

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.

Prior to entering into any contract(s) for construction, the recipient must have obtained all
applicable permits from the State.

The issuance of this ATC 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.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Min Xiao, PE at
telephone number [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

for S. Daniel Smith
Director, Division of Water Resources

by Min Xiao, PE
NPDES Industrial Permitting Unit

With Engineer’s Certificate attached:
cc: NPDES Files

ecopy: Charles Willis, PE
Willis Engineers
Email: [e-mail]
DWR Fayetteville Regional Office, Water Quality Programs

Without Engineer’s Certificate attached:
cc: Scotland County Health

ecopy: DWI/Ali Ajami

City of Laurinburg
Leith Creek WWTP
Authorization to Construct No. 020656A03
Issued November 30, 2021
NPDES Permit No. NC0020656

Engineer's Certification

I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in
the State of North Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically/weekly/full time)
the construction of the modifications and improvements to the Leith Creek Wastewater
Treatment Plant, located in Scotland County, hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due
care and diligence was used in the observation of the following construction:

Installation of one (1) 14 MGD multi-rake mechanical bar screen, one (1) 14
MGD manual bar screen, one 14 MGD grit removal system with two (2) 160
GPM grit pumps, one (1) Parshall flume with 18-inch throat width, five (5) 4,000
GPM centrifugal influent pumps, one (1) 1,500 GPM centrifugal influent pump,
one (1) flow splitter box, and all necessary piping and controls; in conformity
with the project plans, specifications, and other supporting documentation
comprising the ATC Permit Application package submitted to the Department of
Environmental Quality.

I certify that the construction of the above referenced project was observed to be built within
substantial compliance, intent and in conformity with all applicable regulations and statutes and
the project plans, specifications, and other supporting documentation comprising the
Authorization to Construct Permit Application package.

Signature Registration No.____________________

Date__________________

Mail this Certification to: Attn: Min Xiao, PE
NPDES Industrial Permitting Unit
DEQ/DWR/Water Quality Programs
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617