NC0050342_Speculative Limits_20020415

NPDES DOCUHENT SCANNINO COVER SHEET
NPDES Permit:
NC0050342
Muddy Creek WWTP
Document Type:
Permit Issuance
Wasteload Allocation
Authorization to Construct (AtC)
Permit Modification
Complete File - Historical
Engineering Alternatives (EAA)
Correspondence
Owner Name Change
Instream Assessment (67b)
peculative Limits
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Document Date:
April 15, 2002
This document is printed on reuse paper - ignore any
content on the resrerse side

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Michael F. Easley, Govemor
William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting Director
April 15, 2002
Mr. Stanley B. Webb
Wastewater Treatment Superintendent
City of Winston-Salem — Public Works Department
Manson -Meads Complex
2799 Griffith Road
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103
Dear Mr. Webb:
rerv,s
AlciarA
NCDENR
Subject: Speculative Effluent Limits
Archie Elledge and Muddy Creek WWTPs
Forsyth County
This letter is in response to your request for speculative effluent limits for expanded discharges at the City
of Winston Salem's Archie Elledge (NC0037834) and Muddy Creek (NC0050342) Wastewater Treatment Plants.
The Division of Water Quality (Division) has prepared a response to your request for speculative limits at 35 MGD
for Archie Elledge Vi'W P and 26 MGD at the Muddy Creek WWIP.
The speculative limits were developed based on our understanding of the proposal, in addition to our
understanding of present environmental conditions at the proposed discharge location. 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 City's proposed discharge. Moreover, the
attached limits are based on an uncalibrated QUAL2E model of the Yadkin River. The City may wish to pursue its
own modeling efforts prior to submitting an expansion request.
In accordance with the North Carolina General Statues, the practicable waste treatment and disposal
alternative with the least adverse impact on the environment is required to be implemented. Therefore, prior to
submittal of an NPDES application, a detailed alternatives analysis must be prepared to assure that the
environmentally sound alternative was selected from the reasonable cost effective options. Attached is a guidance
document that will assist you or your consultant in preparing an engineering alternatives analysis. In addition, due
to the facility's status as Publicly Owned Treatment Works, any upgrades would have to undergo the State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process. You are encouraged to contact the Division's SEPA contact, J. Todd
Kennedy at [phone] ext. 555 prior to beginning plans for expansion.
Based on the available information, tentative limits for the proposed discharge to Salem Creek and the
Yadkin River at 35 MGD for the Archie Elledge WWIP and 26 MGD for the Muddy Creek WWTP are attached.
The limits are based on streamflows calculated based upon regional equations listed in the USGS document Low
Flow Characteristics of Streams in North Carolina. The following flow calculations were made:
Salem Creek
Yadkin River
Average Flow
65 cfs
1849 cfs
Summer 7Qio
15 cfs
554 cfs
Winter 7Qio
18 cfs
854 cfs
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, Noah Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled / 10% post -consumer paper

•
This information was used in conjunction with the proposed effluent characteristics to develop tentative
limits. Please be advised that the limits and monitoring frequencies below were based on the information presented
in the speculative limits request. 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.
A water quality model of the proposed discharge indicated that it would not cause a violation of the
instream dissolved oxygen standard of 5 mg/L given the effluent limits below. The phosphorus limit represents
the average monthly discharge from each facility calculated between August 1999 and December 2001. Please note
that the following are monthly average limits for the effluent characteristics listed
Archie Elledge
Muddy Creek
W
WWTP
WWTP
Flow
35 MGD
26 MGD
CBODs
25.0 mg/L
BODs
17.9 mg/L
Total Suspended Residue
30 mg/L
30 mg/L
Dissolved Oxygen
6.5 mg/L
5.0 mg/L
NHs-N
1.2 mg/L
15 mg/L
Fecal Coliform
200/100 mL
200/100 mL
Total Phosphorus
514 lbs./day
390 lbs./day
The Division continues to see elevated chlorophyll -a levels in High Rock Lake and has concerns about the
phosphorus leading to the lake. Be advised that additional reductions in the phosphorus loading from upstream
point sources may be necessary in order to protect the designated uses of High Rock Lake. The Division would be
supportive of any effort by either the City of Winston-Salem or a stakeholder group to develop a nutrient response
model.
Should you have any questions or if you need any additional information, please feel free to contact Natalie
Sierra at [phone], extension 551.
cc: Winston-Salem Regional Office
Central Files
'PDES Unit Files
Sincerely,
David A. Goodrich
Supervisor, NPDES Unit

CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
P.O. BOX 2511 • WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA 27102-2511
•
July 5, 2001
Mr. David A. Goodrich
North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Dear Mr. Goodrich:
The NPDES permits for Winston-Salem's Archie Elledge (NC0037834) and110044
Creek (NC050342) wastewater treatment plants expire on June 30, 2004.
oo► OZ
AWtN +2tv -+rkA p`( ce_est
To assist us in long-range planning for capital improvements, we need to know if our
wastewater treatment plants are likely to receive more stringent permit limits in the next
permit. Of particular concern is whether or not DWQ plans to implement limits for total
phosphorus and nitrogen.
We would appreciate it if your staff could provide us some probable permit limits for
each of our plants assuming no increase in permitted flow and assuming the permitted
flow limit is raised to 35 MGD at the Elledge Plant and to 26 MGD at the Muddy Creek
taut.
Please send this information to my attention at City of Winston-Salem; Manson -Meads
Complex; 2799 Griffith Road; Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103. Thank you for
your assistance and please feel free to call me at [phone] if you have any
questions.
Stanley B. Webb
Wastewater Treatment Superintendent
PC: Ron Hargrove; Utility Plants Engineer
Ref:L070301a

nigh Rock Lake Nutrients
Subject: High Rock Lake Nutrients •
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 13:51:13 -0500
From: Betsy Albright <[e-mail]>
Organization: NC DENR DWQ
To: Natalie Sierra <[e-mail]>, Mike Myers <[e-mail]>
Okay --I quickly reviewed the info. and it looks like the HRL management
strategies have focused on TP and not worried about TN. Jim's report
outlines a nutrient management strategy for the major dischargers less
than 40 miles from High Rock Lake --which includes both Archie and
Muddy. The report states that loads from these dischargers should be
held at the current summer load level.
I have a chart that shows the TP concentrations of both facilities
(summer average from 94-96). I can make a copy of that and bring that
up to you.
I will do some more reading and let you know what I find. Although
chlorophyll a levels in the mainstem are not as much of a concern as the
arms, the nutrient input from the mainstem to the arms is a concern
(Jim's model has shown this). I think this is probably enough
information to hold them to current summer loads (not sure yet what to
do about winter).
I will get back to you with more info. once i delve into again a little
deeper.
Betsy
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1 of 1 2/25/02 10:38 AM

Re: W-S spec limits
Subject: Re: W-S spec limits
Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 15:53:46 -0500 '
From: Betsy Albright <[e-mail]>
Organization: NC DENR DWQ
To: Natalie Sierra <[e-mail]>
CC: Susan Wilson <[e-mail]>
hey natalie,
thanks for the email. it looks good except for the CBODS limits --those values are
CBODu and not CBOD5 or BOD5. using the same ratios that Jim Blose used, the BOD5
limit for Archie should be 17.857 BOD5 or 14.88 CBODS (Using the BOD5:CBOD5 of 1.2
that was used in the renewal of Muddy Creek). This assumes that Archie has the
same BOD5:CBOD5 ratio as Muddy Creek. Have they asked to be permitted in CBODS
instead of BOD5?
Muddy Creek has the same limit as before.
Let me know if this is unclear, and maybe one of you all should check my math on
those ratios --Let me know if you want to take a look I can run up.
-ba
Natalie Sierra wrote:
> Hey y'all,
> Please review the following
> information is correct.
> Thanks,
> natalie
spec limits letter
to make sure that the
> Wisnton-Salem_spec.ltr.doc
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1 of 1 2/25/02 3:55 PA

PERMIT NUMBER:
FACILITY NAME:
NC0050342
Muddy Creek WWTP
CITY: Winston Salem
mg/1 mg/1
Flow (MGM NITROGEN, TOTAL (AS N)
PHOSPHORUS, TOTAL(AS P)
JuI-99
Aug-99
Sep-99
Oct-99
Nov-99
Dec-99
Jan-00
Feb-00
Mar-00
Apr-00
May-00
Jun-00
Jul-00
Aug-00
Sep-00
Oct-00
Nov-00
Dec-00
Jan-01
Feb-01
Mar-01
Apr-01
May-01
Jun-01
JuI-01
Aug-01
Sep-01
Oct-01
Nov-01
Dec-01
13.4293
14.5064
15.2553
15.9064
14.8256
14.5383
15.6058
16.2
15.197
16.318
15.2048
15.2206
14.8925
14.9096
14.3716
12.8841
12.8836
12.6654
13.6751
13.805
14.7567
14.81
13.5758
13.5353
12.937
13.5893
13.373
13.0583
13.146
13.09
9.8
14.2
10.75
12.25
16.6
15.25
16
18.25
24.8
13
12.4
11.5
12.25
14.2
17.6
15.2
17
14.75
18.6
17.75
16.5
12.75
16.2
12.25
14
15.5
17
15
17.5
16.75
3.58
4.2
4.14
3.3
3.55
3.32
3.16
2.8666
2.76
3.05
3.36
3.7
3.65
3.9333
3.35
3.2333
3.25
2.9
2.8
2.875
2.75
2.95
3.38
3.35
3.34
3.45
3.58
3.06
2.925
2.475
average 14.27
15.19
3.27
Long term average N loading (7/99-12/01)
Long term average P loading (7/99-12/01)
1807.67 ppd
389.78 ppd

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Muddy/Archie
Subject: Muddy/Archie
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 11:45:05 -0500
From: Betsy Albright <[e-mail]>
Organization: NC DENR DWQ
To: Natalie Sierra <[e-mail]>
CC: Susan A Wilson <[e-mail]>
Hey natalie.
how's it going?
I have attached a spreadsheet with the Archie and Muddy Creek
Expansions. Since we last emailed, I ran the model again with the
expanded Archie (with new BOD limit) and then expanded Muddy to 26MGD.
With the current QUAL2E, it looks like with the expanded Muddy plant
(26MGD, with current limits) the DO drops to 5.83 mg/L (segment 17) and
5.76 mg/L at the end of the model (although the DO predictions are
declining at the end of the model --but High Rock Lake is just downstream
of the modeled section --so I don't think it makes sense to extend model
any further--QUAL2E isn't appropriate for the lake).
Anyways, it doesn't look like the expansion of Muddy is going to be a
problem with relevance to DO (nutrients another issue). The model shows
that Archie expansion is more of a concern.
let me know if you have any questions with the spreadsheet. I am also
comptemplating running an uncertainty analysis on the limits for Archie,
to see how sensitive the DO is to small variances in their limits. Let
me know what you think about that.
I still have concerns about the age of the model, but Michelle has said
that it is not uncommon to use this old of a QUAL2E for spec. limits. I
still think we should use pretty soft language, and should possibly
consider trying to get Diane's group over at ESB to conduct a low flow
study and run some long-term BODs on the effluents and tribs.
peace--
betsy
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1 of 1 2/18/02 2:02 P`

1. Assume that Archi Elledge has increased to 35MGD with the limits that are sited on that spreadsheet.
2. Expand Muddy to 26 MGD and see what limits would be required to meet wq standards.
Input File: flow flow CBODu NH3 DO
WS02_5.txt (cfs) (mgd)
Archie Elledge 54.25 35 50 1.2 6.5
WS WWTP 40.3 26 60 15 5

Output File:WS02_05.out
Run 4: Reach Element DO (mg/L)
1 1 7.33
1 2 6.54
1 3 6.36
1 4 6.2
1 5 6.04
1 6 5.9
1 7 5.77
1 8 5.65
1 9 5.53
1 10 5.43
1 11 5.33
1 12 5.24
1 13 5.16
2 1 5.41
2 2 5.31
2 3 5.23
2 4 5.15
2 5 5.07
2 6 5
3 1 5.15
3 2 5.11
4 1 5.07
4 2 5.03
5 1 5.04
5 2 5.03
5 3 5.03
5 4 5.02
5 5 5.02
5 6 5.02
5 7 5.02
5 8 5.02
5 9 5.02
5 10 5.02
5 11 5.02
5 12 5.02
5 13 5.02
5 14 5.02
5 15 5.03
5 16 5.03
5 17 5.03
5 18 5.04
5 19 5.04
5 20 5.05
6 1 5.1
7 1 7.2
Muddy Creek WWTP 7 2 7.01
enters here. 8 1 6.72
8 2 6.7
8 3 6.67

8 4 6.65
8 5 6.62
8 6 6.6
9 1 6.58
9 2 6.56
9 3 6.53
9 4 6.51
9 5 6.49
9 6 6.47
9 7 6.45
10 1 6.44
10 2 6.42
10 3 6.4
10 4 6.39
10 5 6.37
10 6 6.35
10 7 6.33
10 8 6.32
10 9 6.3
10 10 6.29
10 11 6.27
10 12 6.26
10 13 6.24
10 14 6.23
10 15 6.21
11 1 6.16
11 2 6.15
11 3 6.14
11 4 6.13
11 5 6.12
11 6 6.11
11 7 6.1
11 8 6.09
11 9 6.08
11 10 6.07
11 11 6.06
11 12 6.05
11 13 6.04
11 14 6.03
12 1 6.03
13 1 6.02
13 2 6.01
13 3 6
13 4 6
13 5 5.99
13 6 5.98
13 7 5.97
13 8 5.97
13 9 5.96
13 10 5.95
13 11 5.95
13 12 5.94

13 13 5.94
13 14 5.93
13 15 5.93
13 16 5.92
13 17. 5.92
13 18 5.91
13 19 5.91
13 20 5.9
14 1 5.9
14 2 5.9
14 3 5.9
15 1 5.89
15 2 5.89
15 3 5.88
15 4 5.88
15 5 5.88
15 6 5.87
15 7 5.87
15 8 5.87
15 9 5.87
15 10 5.86
15 11 5.86
15 12 5.86
15 13 5.85
15 14 5.85
15 15 5.85
15 16 5.85
15 17 5.85
16 1 5.84
16 2 5.84
16 3 5.84
16 4 5.84
16 5 5.84
16 6 5.84
16 7 5.84
16 8 5.84
17 1 5.84
17 2 5.84
17 3 5.84
17 4 5.83
17 5 5.83
17 6 5.83
17 7 5.83
17 8 5.83
17 9 5.83
17 10 5.83
17 11 5.83
17 12 5.83
17 13 5.83
17 14 5.83
17 15 5.83
17 16 5.83

e
17 17 5.83
18 1 5.83
18 2 5.83
18 3 5.83
18 4 5.84
18 5 5.84
18 6 5.84
18 7 5.84
18 8 5.84
18 9 5.84
18 10 5.84
18 11 5.84
18 12 5.84
18 13 5.85
19 1 5.85
19 2 5.85
19 3 5.85
19 4 5.85
19 5 5.85
19 6 5.86
19 7 5.86
19 8 5.86
19 9 5.86
19 10 5.86
20 1 5.89
20 2 5.9
20 3 5.91
20 4 5.92
20 5 5.93
20 6 5.94
20 7 5.95
20 8 5.96
20 9 5.97
20 10 5.98
20 11 5.98
20 12 5.99
20 13 6
20 14 6.01
20 15 6.02
20 16 6.03
20 17 6.03
20 18 6.04
20 19 6.05
20 20 6.06
21 1 5.83
21 2 5.81
21 3 5.8
21 4 5.79
21 5 5.77
21 6 5.76

Re: info. on history of Qua12e for WinstonSalem
Subject: Re: info. on history of Qual2e for WinstonSalem
Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2002 11:26:26 -0500
From: Betsy Albright <[e-mail]>
Organization: NC DENR DWQ
To: Natalie Sierra <[e-mail]>
hey natalie, thanks for the email. Sorry about Susan's email --I forgot. I will
pull the ambient data and the data for the discharger coalition stations that are
on the modeled reach of the streams and the Yadkin. I will also talk with Adugna
about his thoughts on age of a QUAL2E model and when should it be updated. I have
only worked on one rather large QUAL2E and that is a new one --so I'm not really
sure what our policy or practice has been on that. I will also check into the
npdes dischargers on the tribs to see if their outputs have changed since 1990. I
may need your help with that one.
Cool?
ba
Natalie Sierra wrote:
> Betsy,
> I talked to Susan (BTW: it's [e-mail] - believe it or not,
> there is another susan wilson in state gov't) this morning and she asked how
> long it would take to calibrate the model using last year's data (which would
> have been pretty low flow) . If it wouldn't take too long, and the model
> predictions were close, that would be good enough for us. If it would take
> long, then I think I have to get back to you when dave's in the office.
> Regardless, we can throw in some language re. W-S paying for modeling efforts.
> Hmm, I'm not sure if that clarified anything, but there you go,
> natalie
> Betsy Albright wrote:
> > hey Natalie, I've gone through Jim's notes and here is what I found--
> >
> > It looks like Salem and Muddy Creek were modeled 1989-1991, including
> > calibration runs for both summer and winter. The model was extended to
> > Yadkin College on the Yadkin River in 1989 as well. This portion of the
> > model was not calibrated. The model was extended down the Yadkin to
> > Grants Creek in 1995, this portion was also not calibrated.
> >
> > One of my concerns is that the NPDES effluents on the tribs to Salem,
> > Muddy and the Yadkin may have changed in flow and BOD, NH3 and NO2/3
> > load since the model was originally developed in 1989. I am also
> > concerned that being a fairly urban stream, changes in development
> > patterns since 1989 could have changed the BOD load from the tribs. The
> > CBODu concentration for all of the tribs (except Grants Creek) at low
> > flow is 3.30 mg/L. This may or may not be valid today. In order for
> > BOD levels to be updated, a low flow study would have to be completed,
> > samples pulled and a long-term BOD test (often 90-120 days) run on
> > samples for each of the tribs--a fairly time intensive study.
> >
> > There is an ambient site on Muddy Creek below the confluence with Salem
> > Creek. I can check into the DO at that station.
> >
> > Another question I have is why Jim reran the model in 1996. It looks as
> > if the permits were renewed in 1994. Was there a spec. limit request in
> > 1996 which spurred Jim's modeling? (I think we talked about this
> > earlier). From his notes it looks like Muddy Creek WWTP asked about
> > expanding to 40MGD.
1 of 2
2/18/02 2:19 PTV

Re: info. on history of Qua12e for WinstonSalem
> >
> > I'm not sure who makes the calls' on,`updating the QUAL2E, and maybe that
> > is something that we could convice Winston-Salem to do and/or pay for.
> >
> > Let me know your thoughts.
> > Thanks.
> > bet
> >
> >
> >
> > Betsy.Albright.vcf
> >
> >
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2 of 2 2/18/02 2:19 Pr

info. on history of Qua12e for WinstonSalem
Subject: info. on history of Qua12e fer WinstonSalem
Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2002 16:55:20 4500
From: Betsy Albright <[e-mail]>
Organization: NC DENR DWQ
To: Natalie Sierra <[e-mail]>
CC: Susan Wilson <[e-mail]>
hey Natalie, I've gone through Jim's notes and here is what I found --
It looks like Salem and Muddy Creek were modeled 1989-1991, including
calibration runs for both summer and winter. The model was extended to
Yadkin College on the Yadkin River in 1989 as well. This portion of the
model was not calibrated. The model was extended down the Yadkin to
Grants Creek in 1995, this portion was also not calibrated.
One of my concerns is that the NPDES effluents on the tribs to Salem,
Muddy and the Yadkin may have changed in flow and BOD, NH3 and NO2/3
load since the model was originally developed in 1989. I am also
concerned that being a fairly urban stream, changes in development
patterns since 1989 could have changed the BOD load from the tribs. The
CBODu concentration for all of the tribs (except Grants Creek) at low
flow is 3.30 mg/L. This may or may not be valid today. In order for
BOD levels to be updated, a low flow study would have to be completed,
samples pulled and a long-term BOD test (often 90-120 days) run on
samples for each of the tribs--a fairly time intensive study.
There is an ambient site on Muddy Creek below the confluence with Salem
Creek. I can check into the DO at that station.
Another question I have is why Jim reran the model in 1996. It looks as
if the permits were renewed in 1994. Was there a spec. limit request in
1996 which spurred Jim's modeling? (I think we talked about this
earlier). From his notes it looks like Muddy Creek WWTP asked about
expanding to 40MGD.
I'm not sure who makes the calls on updating the QUAL2E, and maybe that
is something that we could convice Winston-Salem to do and/or pay for.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks.
bet
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1 of 1 2/18/02 2:19 Pr'