NC0021211_Authorization to Construct_20220302

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ROY COOPER --.1 .,._l'i
Governor l
ELIZABETH S.BISER *1°4l 11 n* ,
Secretary °$` `^°`°-- -
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S.DANIEL SMITH NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
March 2, 2022
Ms. Tonya Mann
Utilities Director
City of Graham
P.O. Drawer 357
Graham,North Carolina 27253
SUBJECT: Authorization to Construct
A to C No. 021211A03
City of Graham
Graham WWTP
NPDES Permit No.NC0021211
Dear Ms. Mann:
A letter of request for an Authorization to Construct was received October 29, 2021,by the
Division of Water Resources (Division). With additional information received on March 2, 2022,
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 WWTP, with discharge of treated wastewater into the Haw River in the Cape
Fear River Basin.
This authorization results in an increase in design and permitted capacity to 5.0 MGD, and
is awarded for the construction of the following specific modifications:
Installation of one (1) BNR tanks distribution box equipped with two (2) 1 HP vertical
mixers; conversion of existing aeration to 5-stage biological nutrient removal tanks with
an addition of 1.25 MG volume, the equal four (4) train BNR tanks include eight (8)
211,600-gallon anaerobic zones with eight (8) 1 HP vertical mixers, eight (8) 346,200-
gallon pre-anoxic zones with eight (8) 1.5 HP vertical mixers, four (4) 346,200-gallon
swing zones with four(4) 1.5 HP vertical mixers, eight(8) 1,055,500-gallon aerobic zones
equipped with fine bubble diffusers with air supplied by four(4)2,400 SCFM rotary screw
positive displacement blowers with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), four (4) 276,600-
gallon deoxygenation zones with four (4) 1.1 HP vertical mixers, four (4) 516,200-gallon
post anoxic zone with four(4) 1.5 HP vertical mixers, four(4) 165,900-gallon re-aeration
zones, four (4) 3,500 GPM nitrogen recycle pumps with VFDs, two (2) 738 GPM BNR
drain pumps; Installation of two (2) 869 GPM RAS pumps with VFDs at RAS Pump
Station 1, two (2) 868 GPM RAS pumps with VFDs at RAS Pump Station 2, three (3)
D_E Q N512 orthNorth Carolina Department of1617 EnMailvironmental Quality RaleighDivision of WaterNorth Resou27rces
Salisbury Street Service Center , Carolina 699-1617
NORTH CAROLINA
Warbled^I Em,Imnmmbl°wmy 919.707.9000

Ms.Tonya Mann,Utilities Director
March 2,2022
Page 2 of 4
645.6 square feet disk filters, one (1) 272,000-gallon liquid chlorination tank with one (1)
10 HP vertical mixer, one (1) 60,000-gallon liquid dechlorination tank, one (1) 24-inch
effluent Parshall Flume, two (2) 0.38 GPM sodium hypochlorite metering pumps,two (2)
0.08 GPM sodium bisulfite metering pumps, two (2) 0.21 GPM polyaluminium chloride
metering pumps, five (5) 0.14 GPM supplemental carbon metering pumps, two (2) 0.52
GPM caustic metering pumps, one (1) 8,000-gallon polyethylene supplemental carbon
storage tank, one (1) 8,000-gallon carbon steel caustic storage tank, one (1) 3,000-gallon
polyethylene sodium hypochlorite tank; installation of two (2) 645 GPM sludge transfer
pumps with VFDs, two (2) 1.06 MG rectangular aerobic digesters equipped with fine
bubble diffusers and three(3)2,900 SCFM positive displacement blowers with VFDs, one
(1)20 HP vertical mixer and one (1) 550 GPM truck loadout pump for the existing sludge
storage tank 1; conversion of the existing aerobic digester 3 into new sludge storage tank
2 equipped with three(3)20 HP vertical mixers and one(1) 550 GPM truck loadout pump;
construction of one (1)maintenance building; installation of all necessary piping,controls,
and appurtenances; 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.
NC0021211 issued effective April 1,2022,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.
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 Winston-Salem Regional Office,telephone number 336-776-9800, 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.

Ms.Tonya Mann,Utilities Director
March 2,2022
Page 3 of 4
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.
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(919) 707-3644 or by email at [e-mail].

Ms.Tonya Mann,Utilities Director
March 2,2022
Page 4 of 4
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
M Ln.
B0B410C9F6204F7...
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: Colin Beck, PE
Hazen and Sawyer
Email: [e-mail]
DWR Winston-Salem Regional Office, Water Quality Programs
Without Engineer's Certificate attached:
cc: Alamance County Health
ecopy: DWUTrupti Desai, PE

City of Graham
Graham WWTP
Authorization to Construct No. 021211A03
Issued 3/2/2022
NPDES Permit No.NC0021211
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 Graham Wastewater Treatment
Plant, located in Alamance 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) BNR tanks distribution box equipped with two (2) 1 HP
vertical mixers; conversion of existing aeration to 5-stage biological nutrient
removal tanks with an addition of 1.25 MG volume, the equal four (4) train BNR
tanks include eight(8)211,600-gallon anaerobic zones with eight(8) 1 HP vertical
mixers, eight (8) 346,200-gallon pre-anoxic zones with eight (8) 1.5 HP vertical
mixers, four (4) 346,200-gallon swing zones with four(4) 1.5 HP vertical mixers,
eight (8) 1,055,500-gallon aerobic zones equipped with fine bubble diffusers with
air supplied by four (4) 2,400 SCFM rotary screw positive displacement blowers
with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), four (4) 276,600-gallon deoxygenation
zones with four (4) 1.1 HP vertical mixers, four (4) 516,200-gallon post anoxic
zone with four (4) 1.5 HP vertical mixers, four (4) 165,900-gallon re-aeration
zones, four (4) 3,500 GPM nitrogen recycle pumps with VFDs, two (2) 738 GPM
BNR drain pumps;Installation of two(2)869 GPM RAS pumps with VFDs at RAS
Pump Station 1, two (2) 868 GPM RAS pumps with VFDs at RAS Pump Station
2,three(3) 645.6 square feet disk filters, one(1)272,000-gallon liquid chlorination
tank with one(1) 10 HP vertical mixer,one (1) 60,000-gallon liquid dechlorination
tank, one (1) 24-inch effluent Parshall Flume, two (2) 0.38 GPM sodium
hypochlorite metering pumps,two(2)0.08 GPM sodium bisulfite metering pumps,
two (2) 0.21 GPM polyaluminium chloride metering pumps, five (5) 0.14 GPM
supplemental carbon metering pumps,two (2) 0.52 GPM caustic metering pumps,
one(1) 8,000-gallon polyethylene supplemental carbon storage tank, one(1) 8,000-
gallon carbon steel caustic storage tank, one (1) 3,000-gallon polyethylene sodium
hypochlorite tank; installation of two (2) 645 GPM sludge transfer pumps with
VFDs, two (2) 1.06 MG rectangular aerobic digesters equipped with fine bubble
diffusers and three(3)2,900 SCFM positive displacement blowers with VFDs, one
(1)20 HP vertical mixer and one (1) 550 GPM truck loadout pump for the existing
sludge storage tank 1; conversion of the existing aerobic digester 3 into new sludge
storage tank 2 equipped with three (3) 20 HP vertical mixers and one (1) 550 GPM
truck loadout pump; construction of one (1) maintenance building; installation of
all necessary piping, controls, and appurtenances; 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 SEAL
NPDES Industrial Permitting Unit
DEQ/DWR/Water Quality Programs
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1617