NC0057703_Draft Permit_20230815

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ROY COOPER 4 k
Governor h
ELIZABETH S.BISER
*
Secretary �a""'�"
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
August 15, 2023
Ms. Amanda Berger
Aqua North Carolina, Inc.
202 MacKenan Ct
Cary,NC 27511
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0057703
The Cape WWTP
Class WW-2 Biological WPCS
New Hanover County
Dear Permittee:
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Enclosed with this letter is a copy
of the draft permit for your facility. Please review this draft carefully to ensure your thorough
understanding of the information, conditions, and requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
➢ Electronic data submission requirements have been updated.
The Cape Fear River where your facility discharges is listed as an impaired stream on North Carolina's
303 (d) list. Currently,the stream does not meet all water quality standards. If the limitations in the
current permits for facilities discharging to this segment of the Cape Fear River do not result in
improved water quality, removal of discharges may be necessary for the health of the stream.
We will continue to monitor compliance at your facility. If noncompliance with your permit's effluent
limits is shown to be a direct cause of stream degradation,the Division will recommend removal of your
facility's discharge.
The NPDES standard conditions (Parts II, III, and IV)that are a part of the permit are not included in
this draft document(cover, map, and Part I). The conditions are the same as in your current permit
except that agency and division names have been updated. The latest version is available at
https://bit.ly/3k5NFaL and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification,the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a
notice in newspapers having circulation in the general New Hanover County area, per EPA
requirements. Please provide your comments,if any, to me at the e-mail address below no later
than 30 days after receiving this draft permit.
North Crt of Env Q Division of
D E Q� 512 Northarolina SalisburyDepa Streetment 11617 Mail Service Centeruality 1 Raleigh,NorthWater CarolinaResources 27699-1617
e./ 919.707 9000

Page 2 of 2
NPDES Permit NC0057703
Following the 30-day public comment period,the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit.
If you have questions concerning the draft,please contact me at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Z111143- )7-
Environmental Specialist II
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting

Permit NC0057703
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
In compliance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards
and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
Aqua North Carolina, Inc.
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at
The Cape WWTP
900 Cape Boulevard
Wilmington
New Hanover County
to receiving waters designated as the Cape Fear River in the Cape Fear River Basin in accordance with
effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III, and IV
hereof.
This permit shall become effective
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on August 31,2028.
If the permittee intends to continue to discharge at the facility beyond the term of this permit, a renewal
application must be submitted no later than March 4, 2028 (180 days before the expiration of this
permit).
Signed this day
pp
hF7
Richard E. Rogers, Jr., Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 10

Permit NC0057703
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby revoked. As of this permit
issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer effective. Therefore, the exclusive authority to
operate and discharge from this facility arises under the permit conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions included
herein.
Aqua North Carolina, Inc. is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.26 MGD wastewater treatment system that includes the following
components:
• Two 30,000-gallon package plants
• Two 100,000-gallon package plants
• Influent pump station
• Bar screen
• Flow splitting device
• 56,000-gallon sludge digester/storage tank
• Chlorination(Liquid)
• Chlorine contact chamber
• Dechlorination(Liquid)
• Recording flow meter
• Effluent pump station
• Eight-inch force main(approximately 7750 feet)
• 275 kW standby generator with manual transfer switch
• 100,000 surge tank and headworks
The facility is located at 900 The Cape Boulevard, Wilmington in New Hanover County.
2. After receiving an Authorization to Construct permit from the Division, expand the wastewater
treatment plant capacity to 0.4 MGD, and
3. After receiving an Authorization to Construct permit from the Division, expand the wastewater
treatment plant capacity to up to 0.75 MGD, and
4. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into the Cape Fear
River, currently classified SC (PNA)waters in sub-basin 03-06-17 of the Cape Fear River Basin.
Page 2 of 10

Permit NC0057703
PART I
Grade WW-2 Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS—0.26 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expansion above 0.260
MGD or expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be
limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Parameter Code Average Maximum Frequency Type Location
Flow 0.26 MGD Continuous Recording Influent or Effluent
50050
BOD,5-day(20°C) 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
C0310
Total Suspended Solids 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
C0530
NH3 as N 2/Month Composite Effluent
C0610
Enterococci(geometric mean) 35 100 ml 2 76/100 ml Weekly Grab Effluent
61211
Total Residual Chlorine 2 13 pg/L 2/Week Grab Effluent
50060
Temperature(°C)
00010 Weekly Grab Effluent
Total Nitrogen(NO2+NO3+TKN)
Quarterly Composite Effluent
C0600
Total Phosphorus
C0665 Quarterly Composite Effluent
pH Not<6.5 nor>8.5
00400 Standard Units Weekly Grab Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR system [see
A. (6)].
2. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the permit.
However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina certified
laboratory(including field certified),even if these values fall below 50 µg/L.
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER THAN TRACE
AMOUNTS
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Permit NC0057703
A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS—0.4 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning after approval is granted for plant expansion above 0.260 MGD and lasting until
expiration,the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored
t by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Parameter Code Average Maximum Frequency Type Location
Flow 0.4 MGD Continuous Recording Influent or Effluent
50050
BOD, 5-day(20°C)—Summer* 5.0 mg/L 7.5 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
C0310
BOD,5-day(20°C)—Winter* 10.0 mg!L 15.0 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
C0310
Total Suspended Solids
C0530 10.0 mg/L 15.0 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
NH3 as N—Summer* 2.0 mg/L 10.0 mg/L 2/Month Composite Effluent
C0610
NH3 as N—Winter* 4.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L 2/Month Composite Effluent
C0610
Enterococci(geometric mean) 35/100 ml 276/100 ml Weekly Grab Effluent
61211
Total Residual Chlorine 2 13 µg/L 2 Week Grab Effluent
50060
Dissolved Oxygen
00300 Daily average>6.0 mg/L Weekly Grab Effluent
Temperature(°C)
00010 Weekly Grab Effluent
Total Nitrogen(NO2+NO3+TKN) Quarterly Composite Effluent
C0600
Total Phosphorus
C0665 Quarterly Composite Effluent
pH Not<6.5 nor>8.5 Weekly Grab Effluent
00400 Standard Units
*Summer: April 1 —October 31
*Winter: November 1 —March 31
Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR system [see
A.(6)].
2. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the permit.
However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina certified
laboratory(including field certified),even if these values fall below 50 µg/L.
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER THAN TRACE
AMOUNTS
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Permit NC0057703
A. (3.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS—0.75 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning upon expansion above 0.400 MGD and lasting until expiration,the Permittee
is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored t by the
Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Parameter Code Average Maximum Frequency Type Location
Flow 0.75 MGD Continuous Recording Influent or Effluent
50050
BOD, 5-day(20°C) Summer* 5.0 mg/L 7.5 mg/L 3/week Composite Effluent
C0310
BOD, 5-day(20°C)—Winter*
10.0 mg/L 15.0 mg/L 3/week Composite Effluent
C0310
Total Suspended Solids 10.0 mg/L 15.0 mg/L 3/week Composite Effluent
C0530
NH3 as N—Summer* 2.0 mg/L 10.0 mg/L 3/week Composite Effluent
C0610
NH3 as N Winter* 4.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L 3/week Composite Effluent
C0610
Enterococci(geometric mean) 35/100 ml 276/100 ml 3/week Grab Effluent
61211
2
Total Residual Chlorine 13 µg/L 3/week Grab Effluent
50060
Dissolved Oxygen Daily average>6.0 mg/L 3/week Grab Effluent
00300
Temperature(°C)
00010 Daily Grab Effluent
Total Nitrogen(NO2+NO3+TKN)
C0600 Quarterly Composite Effluent
Total Phosphorus
C0665 Quarterly Composite Effluent
pH Not<6.5 nor>8.5 3/week Grab Effluent
00400 Standard Units
*Summer: April 1 —October 31
*Winter: November 1 —March 31
Footnotes:
1 The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR application
system [see A. (6)].
2. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the permit.
However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina certified
laboratory(including field certified),even if these values fall below 50 µg/L.
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER THAN TRACE
AMOUNTS
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Permit NC0057703
A. (4.) ENGINEERING ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS REQUIREMENT
[15A NCAC 02H .0105]
Prior to expansion stages, the permittee shall submit a detailed analysis of all available means to dispose
of this facility's wastewater. Each Engineering Alternatives Analysis (EAA) shall be prepared in
compliance with the Division's guidance document for EAAs.
If no EAA is submitted, the Division may reopen and modify this permit to increase monitoring
frequencies or change the effluent limits as necessary to protect the receiving stream.
A. (5.) PERMIT RE-OPENER: SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRIENT MON ITORING/TMDL
IMPLEMENTATION
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
Pursuant to N.C. General Statutes Section 143-215.1 and the implementing rules found in the North
Carolina Administrative Code at 15A NCAC 2H.0112 (b) (1) and 2H.0114 (a)and Part II sections B-12
and B-13 of this permit, the Director may reopen this permit to require supplemental nutrient monitoring
of the discharge. The purpose of the additional monitoring will be to support water quality modeling
efforts within the Cape Fear River Basin and shall be consistent with a monitoring plan developed
jointly by the Division and affected stakeholders. In addition, the results of water quality modeling may
require that limits for total nitrogen and total phosphorus be imposed in this permit upon renewal.
The Division may, upon written notification to the Permittee, re-open this Permit in order to incorporate
or modify effluent limitations, monitoring and reporting requirements,and other permit conditions when
it deems such action is necessary to implement TMDL(s)approved by the USEPA.
A. (6) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and program
reports. The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on December
21, 2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this
permit(Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D. (6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (a)l
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic
Discharge Monitoring Report(eDMR) internet application.
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Permit NC0057703
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
submitted electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter
monitoring data and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be
accessed at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility
being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband
access, then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted
and discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms(MR 1, 1.1, 2, 3)or
alternative forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the
following address:
NC DEQ/Division of Water Resources/ Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
See"How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
reported via the eDMR system no later than the last calendar day of the month following the
completed reporting period. Regardless of the submission method,the first DMR is due on the last
day of the month following the issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day
of the month following the commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21,2025, the permittee must electronically report the following compliance
monitoring data and reports, when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
• Clean Water Act(CWA) Section 316 (b)Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division(see"How to Request a
Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9),the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time
of each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify the
initial recipient for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity
(EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program)that is the designated entity
for receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2 (b)].
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Permit NC0057703
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for
each type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the
appropriate electronic reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES
Electronic Reporting Rule is found at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-
24954/national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements"section above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an
electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to
the Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to
the Division for written approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the facility would be
required under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a
temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring data
and reports shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re-applies for and is
granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic reporting
waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request may
submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that the approved
reporting waiver request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on
the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II,
Section B. (11.) (a)or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II,
Section B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR
reporting purposes.
For eDMR submissions,the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user
account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North
Carolina's eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit
the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Anyperson submittingan electronic DMR usingthe state's eDMR system shall make
Y
the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION
WILL BE ACCEPTED:
"I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my
direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel
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Permit NC0057703
properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or
persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information,
the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I
am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the
possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention f Supplements Section D. (6.)1
The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR
submissions. These records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the
date of the report. This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR
122.41].
Page 9 of 10

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Aqua North Carolina, Inc. I Facility
The Cape WWTP Location
County: New Hanover Stream Class: SC(PNA) (not to scale) X
Receiving Stream: Cape Fear River Sub-Basin: 03-06-17
Latitude: 34°04'34" USGS Quad: Carolina Beach
Longitude: 77°55'36" HUC#: 03030005 Ai ntI NPDES Permit NC0057703
Page 10 of 10