WQ0034880_Staff Report_20220218

DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E4DB97-353B-4674-8C53-FOD6EC40303F
;s State of North Carolina
Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Environmental Staff Report
Quality
To: ❑ NPDES Unit ® Non -Discharge Unit
Attn: Chloe Lloyd
From: Randy Sipe
Washington Regional Office
Application No.: WQ0034880
Facility name: UNC Coastal Studies Institute WWTP
Note: This form has been adapted from the non -discharge facilily staff report to document the review of both non -
discharge and NPDES permit applications and/or renewals. Please complete all sections as they are pplicable.
I. GENERAL AND SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? ❑ Yes or ® No
a. Date of site visit: N/A
b. Site visit conducted by:
c. Inspection report attached? ® Yes or ❑ No (last compliance inspection 8/11/21)
d. Person contacted: N/A and their contact information: (_) - ext.
e. Driving directions: no change since last permit was issued.
2. Discharge Point(s): N/A, non -discharge system.
Latitude: Longitude:
Latitude: Longitude:
3. Receiving stream or affected surface waters: N/A, non -discharge system.
Classification:
River Basin and Subbasin No.
Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream uses:
II. EXISTING FACILITIES: MODIFICATION AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
1. Are there appropriately certified Operators in Charge (ORCs) for the facility? ® Yes ❑ No ❑ N/A
ORC: Irvin Edwards Certificate #: WW4/9337 Backup ORC: Jerry Allen Certificate #: WW#/988334
2. Are the design, maintenance and operation of the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal
system? ® Yes or ❑ No
If no, please explain:
Description of existing facilities: Amphidrome WWTP with high -rate infiltration basins
Proposed flow: 7500 GPD
Current permitted flow: 7500 GPD
Explain anything observed during the site visit that needs to be addressed by the permit, or that may be important
for the permit writer to know (i.e., equipment condition, function, maintenance, a change in facility ownership,
etc.) The WWTP is well maintained and appears to be operating adequately. The infiltration basins are
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 1 of 4

DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E4DB97-353B-4674-8C53-FOD6EC40303F
assimilating the effluent adequately but vegetation around them need to be better managed. WaRO is working
with the permittee concerning the maintenance of the basins.
3. Are the site conditions (e.g., soils, topography, depth to water table, etc.) maintained appropriately and adequately
assimilating the waste? ® Yes or ❑ No
If no, please explain:
4. Has the site changed in any way that may affect the permit (e.g., drainage added, new wells inside the compliance
boundary, new development, etc.)? ❑ Yes or ® No
If yes, please explain:
5. Is the residuals management plan adequate? ® Yes or ❑ No
If no, please explain:
6. Are the existing application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) still acceptable? ® Yes or ❑ No
If no, please explain:
7. Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? ® Yes ❑ No ❑ N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
8. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? ❑ Yes or ® No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
9. Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? ® Yes or ❑ No
If no, please explain:
10. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? ® Yes ❑ No ❑ N/A
If no, please explain: The application states that the mon. wells are inside the review boundary but they
originally located on the review boundary.
11. Are the monitoring well coordinates correct in BIMS? ® Yes ❑ No ❑ N/A
If no, please complete the following (expand table if necessary):
Monitoring Well
Latitude
Longitude
C I II
C I II
C I II
C I II
C I II
C I II
C I II
C I II
C
12. Has a review of all self -monitoring data been conducted (e.g., DMR, NDMR, NDAR, GW)? ® Yes or ❑ No
Please summarize any findings resulting from this review: The GW monitoring results continue to include
elevated concentrations of Ammonia. TOC. TDS and Chloride: however, these constituents have been detected at
the site at similar concentrations since before the treatment and disposal system began operation. It is suspected
that these elevated concentrations may be related to past deposition of dredge spoils at the site. The WWTP has
consistently produced effluent well below the permit limits. WaRO staff will continue to monitor trends in GW
concentrations in the future.
Provide input to help the permit writer evaluate any requests for reduced monitoring, if applicable.
13. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? ❑ Yes or ® No
If yes, please explain:
14. Check all that apply:
® No compliance issues ❑ Current enforcement action(s) ❑ Currently under JOC
❑ Notice(s) of violation ❑ Currently under SOC ❑ Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments (i.e., NOV, NOD, etc.)
If the facility has had compliance problems during the permit cycle, please explain the status. Has the RO been
working with the Permittee? Is a solution underway or in place? See the comment under Item I1.12 above.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E4DB97-353B-4674-8C53-FOD6EC40303F
Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? ® Yes ❑ No ❑ N/A
If no, please explain:
15. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
❑ Yes® No ❑ N/A
If yes, please explain:
16. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters: N/A, non -discharge system.
17. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only): N/A, non -discharge system.
III. REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? ❑ Yes or ® No
If yes, please explain:
2. List any items that you would like the NPDES Unit orNon-Discharge Unit Central Office to obtain through an
additional information request:
Item Reason
3. List specific permit conditions recommended to be removed from the permit when issued:
Condition Reason
4. List specific special conditions or compliance schedules recommended to be included in the permit when issued:
Condition Reason
5. Recommendation: ❑ Hold, pending receipt and review of additional information by regional office
® Hold, pending review of draft permit by regional office
❑ Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
❑ Issue
❑ Deny (Please state reasons: )
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 3 of 4

DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E4DB97-353B-4674-8C53-FOD6EC40303F
6
Signature of report preparer: NVZgA` 5'tt
Signature of regional supervisor:
2/21/2022
Date:
Plow T"
IV. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 4 of 4