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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0088331_Permit Issuance_200707020 �0F WATFRpG c r 7 y Mr. Timothy A. Buck County Manager P.O. Box 158 Bayboro, North Carolina 28515 July 2, 2007 Michael F. Easley, Governor State of North Carolina William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality Subject: NPDES PERMIT ISSUANCE Permit Number NCO088331 Kershaw WTP Pamlico County Dear Mr. Buck: Division personnel have reviewed and approved your application for issuance of the subject permit. Accordingly, we are forwarding the attached final NPDES discharge permit. This permit is issued pursuant to the requirements of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1 and the Memorandum of Agreement between North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dated May 9, 1994 (or as subsequently amended). If any parts, measurement frequencies or sampling requirements contained in this permit are unacceptable to you, you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following receipt of this letter. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings (6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699- 6714). Unless such demand is made, this permit shall be final and binding. Please take notice that this permit is not transferable. This permit does not affect the legal requirements to obtain other permits which may be required by the Division of Water Quality or permits required by the Division of Land Resources, Coastal Area Management Act, or any other Federal or Local governmental permits which may be required. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Jim McKay of my staff at (919) 733-5083, extension 595. Sincerely, / / Coleen H. Sullins cc: Central Files NPDES Unit Files Washington Regional Office — Surface Water Protection Aquatic Toxicology Unit 1617 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27699-1617 - TELEPHONE 919-733-SOB3/FAX 919-733-0719 VISIT US ON THE WEB AT http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/NPDES Permit NCO088331 STATE OF NORTH - CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY PERMIT TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM In compliance with the provision 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, Pamlico County is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the Kershaw WTP 4116 Kershaw Road Arapahoe, NC Pamlico County to receiving waters designated as UT to Tarkiln Creek in the Neuse 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 August 1, 2007 This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on June 30, 2009. Signed this day July 2, 2007. 4r < Coleen H. Sullins Director Division of Water Quality By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Permit NCO088331 SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET Pamlico County is hereby authorized to: 1. Continue to operate a drinking water treatment plant with a discharge of filter backwash and softener backwash wastewater. 2. Discharge from said treatment works located at 4116 Kershaw Road at the Kershaw WTP in Pamlico County, at the location specified on the attached map into an UT to Tarklin Creek, classified SC, NSW waters in the Neuse River Basin. Kershaw WTP - NC0088331 Facility Location` USGS Quad Name: G-31 SE Arapahoe Lat.: 35° 01' 53.4" =N u Receiving Stream: UT to Tarkiln Creek Long.: 76°46'10.2" Stream Class: SC/ NSW Subbasin: Neuse — 03-04-10 North Pamlico County Permit NC0088331 A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge filter backwash and softener backwash from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Quarterly Average Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequenc Sample T pe Sample Location Flow Weekly Estimate Effluent Temperature 1/Month Grab Effluent Salinity Worth Grab Effluent Conductivitv Worth Grab Effluent PHI 21Month Grab Effluent Dissolved Oxygen2 2lMonth Grab Effluent Total Dissolved Solids 1/Month Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids 30.0 m /L 45.0 m A. 21Month Grab Effluent Total Residual Chlorine3 13 ug/ L 21Month Grab Effluent Total Copper 1/Month Com osite4 Effluent Total Chloride 11Month ComposIte4 Effluent Total Iron II/Month Composite4 Effluent Total Manganese I/Month Cam osite4 Effluent Total Lead I/Month Com osite4 Effluent Total Zinc 11Month Com osite4 Effluent Ammonia Nitrogen 11Month Com osite4 Effluent TKN 11Month Com osite4 Effluent NO3-N + NO2-N (mg/ L) 1/Month Composite4 Effluent TN5 m L II/Month Corn site4 Effluent Total Phosphorus 2.0 mg/ L 21Month Composite4 Effluent Whole Effluent To)dcity6 Quarterly Com osite4 Effluent Footnotes: 1. The pH shall not be less than 6.8 standard units nor greater than 8.5 standard units. 2. Dissolved Oxygen shall not be less than 5.0 mg/L. 3. The Total Residual Chlorine limit shall become effective on February 1, 2009. Monitoring and reporting shall begin on the effective date of the permit. 4. The requirement for composite samples will begin on February 1, 2009. Grab samples shall suffice until that date. 5. TN = TKN + NO3-N + NO2-N, where TN is Total Nitrogen, TKN is Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, and NO3-N + NO2-N are Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen, respectively. 6. Acute 24-hour Pass/ Fail (Fathead Minnow OR Mysid Shrimp OR Silverside Minnow, Permittee's choice) at 90%; February, May, August and November, refer to Special Condition A (2). All samples collected should be from a representative discharge event. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Permit NCO088331 A. (2.)ACUTE TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY) The permittee shall conduct acute toxicity tests on a guarterlu basis using protocols defined in the North Carolina Procedure Document entitled "Pass/Fail Methodology For Determining Acute Toxicity In A Single Effluent Concentration" (Revised -July, 1992 or subsequent versions). The monitoring shall be performed as a Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas), or Mysid Shrimp (Mysidopsis Bahia), or Silverside Minnow (Menidia Beryllina) (Permittee's choice) 24 hour static test. Once a test organism has been selected, all subsequent tests must use the same test organism. The effluent concentration at which there may be at no time significant acute mortality is 90% (defined as treatment two in the procedure document). Effluent samples for self -monitoring purposes must be obtained during representative effluent discharge below all waste treatment. The tests will be performed during the months of February, May, August and November. All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the month in which it was performed, using the parameter code TGE6C. Additionally, DWQ Form AT-2 (original) is to be sent to the following address: Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Quality Environmental Sciences Section 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1621 Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Environmental Sciences Section no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting period for which the report is made. Test data shall be complete and accurate and include all supporting chemical/physical measurements performed in association with the toxicity tests, as well as all dose/response data. Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection. Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number, county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of "No Flow" in the comment area of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Environmental Sciences Section at the address cited above. Should any single quarterly monitoring indicate a failure to meet specified limits, then monthly monitoring will begin immediately until such time that a single test is passed. Upon passing, this monthly test requirement will revert to quarterly in the months specified above. Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, then monthly monitoring will begin immediately until such time that a single test is passed. Upon passing, this monthly test requirement will revert to quarterly in the months specified above. Should any test data from either these monitoring requirements or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re -opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits. NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control organism survival and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month following the month of the initial monitoring. FACTSHEET Permit Number NC0088331 Facility Name Kershaw WTP Basin Name/Sub-basin number Neuse/ 03-04-10 Receiving Stream UT to Tarkiln Creek Stream Classification in Permit SC - NSW Does permit need NH3 limits? No Does permit need TRC limits? Yes, 13 u L Does permit have toxicity testing? WET Does permit have Special Conditions? No Does permit have instream monitoring? No Is the stream impaired (on 303(d) list)? No Any obvious compliance concerns? No Any permit mods since lastpermit? N/ A Existing expiration date New Permit New expiration date June 30, 2009 New permit effective date August 1, 2007 (Estimate) Permit Writer/ Date Jim McKay/ 3/19/2007 Miscellaneous Comments The Kershaw WTP is one of four existing drinking water treatment plants with no NPDES discharge permit in Pamlico County. They will all be issued NPDES permits for the filter backwash and softener backwash waste water. Mike Templeton and Coleen Sullins have decided that the four Pamlico Co. WTPs are considered to be non -nutrient dischargers, and do not require an allocation at this time. A Total Residual Chlorine limit of 13 ug/ L is in the permit because the discharge is to salt water. An 18 month compliance schedule is provided to allow time to procure and install dechlorination equipment. Monitoring and reporting is required from the permit effective date. An 18 month compliance schedule is provided to allow time for the plant to procure and install a composite sampler. Grab samples will be taken in the interim. Effluent Limits and Monitoring Requirements were taken from the Permitting Strategy for Reverse Osmosis and Ion Exchange WTPs and from the Neuse River Basin TN strategy. Since no TN limits are required, calculation of TN Load is not included. i PUBLIC NOTICE' ' STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE,OF,NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF PAMLICO ENVIRONMENTAL•,MANAGEMENT AFFIDA VIT OF PUBLI'CA TION coMMISSIONMPoes `UNIT. 1617 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH, NC227689.1617 Before the undersigned, a erson duly comm 'rr�,, p y NOTIFICATION OF.INTENT qualified and authorized by law to administer oath To ISSIUEIA NP)9 :. ' appeared to Karen P. Winfrey, who after being fir WASTEWATER PERMIT deposes and says she is the Business Manager of ' On the -basis of thorough staff review The Town of Oriental has applied fo and appilcatlon•of NC General Statute a- new NPDES 'permitNO 008W, PAMLICO NEWS, a newspaper published, issue,143.21,;Public.law,92-500 ar,d'ather ` for the. Oriental WTp• In,.pamlj« entered as second class mail in the Town of Omer lawful standards and:regulationsr the County. This facility discharges fflt cc North Carolina � Environmental .Man= backwash and ion exchange regen- t eration water to Whittaker Creek in said county and state, and that notice Or other leg age* meRt Commission propose§''to advertisement, a true copy of which is attached h Josue a National Pollutant Disdharge the Neese giver Basin. TSS is water Elimination System (NPDES) Wast qua limited• This discharge may was published in THE PAMLICO NEWS on the ewater dlscharge permlt to the er affect future`alloeatlons In this portion P ... of the Basin. j sori(s)`listed below effective 45 days The, Pamtioo Coen r1 from the public date:of' noticeuth County. (Highway .36s v §Written Comments regarding the pro- Soy ' Grantsboro, North Carollna) . posed permit will becCepted urtti , has .applied fora new NPDES per. ! 30 days: after,"the .pubiisn`clate of mit NC0088323 for ,the :,Grantsbaro And that sal newspaper in which such notice, I this, notice. 'Ali comments received . VqP In. Pamilco'County. This permit prior to that date are considered In , ted facility discharges- treated avast= document or legal advertisement was published ' the final deterMinatlons regaiding''the ewater to the Unnamed'.Tributary time of each and every publication, a newspaper proposed permit:-TheDlrector of,the ' to Beard Creek` In'the Neese- River NO 'Division of Basin Current total residual chlo- VVajer ^Qu ` may IY all of the requirements and qualifications Of Cha decide to hold a pulsl c mee ng-far rival .. 4 °t ! phosphorous a water_; Section 597 of the General Statutes of North Cai the.proposed permit should _the�bM_ q : v t 96 ." Thls:-;discharge may was a qualified newspaper within the meaning c s!on receive a sip iflcant dey �rea ~f,aff "Fq'IO`ans Inuits. portlor, I th.0401euse� River Bas n� public Interest. l 1, Section 597 Of the General Statutes of North - e County , j601N 3rd Copies of the draft permit and other; , $tree}, B ro` hlorth Carotin y ids applFe ;-f a lnew== NODES ('IFiji N supporting Information on file used` NO .0088 3g0 This day Of 200 to determine conditions resent in for;.the`.Millpgnft:�NTP y p . In Pamilco .County,:;This perrifted the draft ,permit -are -available .upon facility oisc arges treated ==4te=`', request and payment of the costs "of . `ter, in the Unnamed Tributary to North taA, T 1�• reproduction : 'Mail comments and/or` prong '.of , Bay River' in the Neese reques#s' fo'r;inforritat1d"" to� the NC' j River Basin. Currently .total residual Division of, Water Quality at the above- j chlorines and total phosphorous are B SINESS MANAGER address orwcail_Ms. France&Cande-,� water quality limited. This discharge lady "at (919) 733-l3083, extension „may .affect future allocations In this 520' at `the Poini'iSource Branch ' portion of the Neuse River Basin. Sworn to and subscribed before me this pease ,Include .ttie:-NPDES perm!:: The Pamlico Number (attached) Ia any communi y . - 'County (286 NO 307,- s , . ar andemere; North Carolina) has:-. canon interested 'persons may also _ applied for 'a riew. NODES permit NC day of 2( visit the Dlvtslori -of Water Quality�n" Q08835g for the,Vamdemere' WTP' at 512 N. Salisbury Street,'Ralellgh Pamlico �,Co�i ,; NO 27604-1148 between the hours MY sTh!s�pe '*d:' of 8.00 a.m. and 5:00p.m. to review '. to j ' discharges red asfe�w a: information on file. :.. T. . NOTARY/PUBLIC cu Y` residui c orme;'any My COmf�2lSSlO1Z ,u st 4,�/008 total phosphorous are �ivater`guality .11mite&.:This ;dls6harge: may,, affect , ..� : futuresiloatiarfs In this potion of the Neese r River Basin. • '•• it t� '• . tTlie rpani1-tco County"(4i16 Kershaw Road,;Arapah' Morfh Carolina) has �,; <t Seal +, . 1— �' s applied,ior a new;1Vl?DES permit NO 0088331•` for�'the; 1Ce h_aw "WTP' In �. Pam�iCo County. Thfs'permitted` facil- !ty , discharges treated wastewater i ......... .�W �to the Urznamed,�T0butarY to Tarklln 'Cree"""I n the Neuse -River- Basin. ACidre4* 'tctal'resldual Chlorine,' and total-_phosphorousare water quality limited.: -This rdischarge may affect future -allocations In this portion ofthe *Duse'River Basin. • Draft NPDES Permits Subject: Draft NPDES Permits From: Shannon Jenkins <shannon jenkins@ncmail.net> Date: Fri, 11 May 2007 14:36:23 -0400 To: Teresa Rodriguez <Teresa.Rodriguez@ncmail.net>, James McKay <james.mckay@ncmail.net>, Frances Candelaria <Frances.Candelaria@ncmail.net> I received a package of various draft NPDES permits. Please let this email confirm that we have no comment on the draft permits for: -Tyrell County Prison WTP NCO088251 -Jacksonville Nano -filtration N00088455 -Grantsboro WTP NCO088323 -Millpond WTP NCO088340 -Kershaw WTP NCO088331 -Vandemere WTP NCO088358 -Pine Knoll Shores WTP NCO082520 -West Carteret Water WTP NCO077143 thanks Shannon Jenkins Shellfish Sanitation & Recreational Water Quality Division of Environmental Health Shannon Jenkins <shannon.jenkins cpncmail.net> NC Dept. Environment & Natural Resources Shellfish Sanitatation & Recreational Water Quality 1 of 1 5/11/2007 2:42 PM Pamlico wtp discharges Subject: Pamlico wtp discharges From: Al Hodge <A1.Hodge@ncmail.net> Date: Fri, 04 May 2007 14:14:33 -0400 To: james.mckay@ncmail.net hi jim: bases on the application & eaa review and our conversations i recommend that we issue the npdes permits for * grantsboro * kershaw * millpond * vandemere Al Hodge Division of Water Quality Surface Water Protection Washington Regional Office Regional Office 252-946-6481 Direct 252-948-3844 fax- 252-946-9215 1 of 1 5/4/2007 2:34 PM xe: unpenmtteu w 1 rs m the neuse- panuico county Subject: Re: unpermitted WTPs in the neuse- pamlico county From: Mike Templeton <Mike.Templeton@ncmail.net> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:54:19 -0400 To: al.hodge@ncmail.net CC: Gil Vinzani <Gil.Vinzani@ncmail.net>, Agyeman Adupoku <Agyeman.Adupoku@ncmail.net>, James McKay <James.McKay@ncmail.net>, Susan Wilson <susan.a.wilson@ncmail.net>, Matt Matthews <Matt.Matthews@ncmail.net> Al - Matt and I met with Coleen last week to look at some of the emerging issues with nitrogen in the Neuse. We concluded that we should not require Pamlico County to buy allocation for the four WTP discharges. The main reason is that we assumed WTP backwashes are not nitrogen -bearing discharges when we set up the allocations; so it seems reasonable to continue to keep them outside the allocation framework until (1) we come upon some extreme exception that challenges our assumption or (2) until we re -vamp the TMDL/ allocations and decide to include the WTPs. Any thoughts? If you are okay with it, we'll put theat issue aside and move ahead with the plants' permits. You know, it could be that some good deeds (in this case, 'fessing up about the permits) go unpunished after all. - Mike T ------- Original Message-------- Subject:Re: unpermitted WTPs in the neuse- pamlico county Date:Fri, 02 Mar 2007 13:07:19 -0500 From:Mike Templeton <Mike.Templeton(@,ncmail.net> To:AI Hodge <A1.Hodge@ncmail.net> CC:Teresa Rodriguez<teresa.rodriguez(o),,ncmail.net>, Gil Vinzani <Gil.Vinzani@)ncmail.net>, Agyeman Adupoku <Agyeman.Adupoku @,ncmail.net> References:<45E3247A.1080105(@,ncmail.net> Al - It only makes sense to look at the b/w data - I thought that's what we had all along. Even better if they can do both raw water and the b/w. The TN results might not be very different, but let's find out. FYI, I'm supposed to sit down with Coleen after next week's EMC meeting and get this and another Neuse/ nitrogen issue ironed out. I'll let you know how it goes. - Mike T Al Hodge wrote: 1 of 2 3/16/2007 6:58 M 1\fir. LLlltivl illl LLNLL 1i A J ill "V6, 11\rMJM` IJ"AAL1lVV VVLLLILy hi spoke with fred hill with the drinking water section regarding the issue of nutrients. i believe that the data we have looked at to evaluate nutrients has been raw water sources. fred suggests we look at finished water used for backwash. because, free chlorine is required in the drinking water and with free chlorine nutrients like nh3 will likely be volatilized. of course we still have the issue of tox; but thats easier that nutrients. 2 of 2 3/16/2007 6:58 AN Board of Commissioners Ann Holton, Chairman At Large Paul Delamar Vice Chairman At Large Roy Brinson Township #1 Christine Mele Township #2 Jimmy Spain, Township # 3 Carl 011ison Township #4 J. Douglas Brinson Township # 5 February 19, 2007 COUNTY OF PAMLICO POST OFFICE BOX 776 BAYBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 28515 (252) 745-3133 / 745-5195 FAX (252) 745-5514 Ms. Susan A. Wilson, P. E. Supervisor, NPDES Program N. C. Division of Water Quality NPDES East Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 County Manager Timothy A. Buck Clerk to the Board Kathy P. Cayton County Attorney Jimmie B. Hicks, Jr. jr;�: I� t � � FEB 2 i 2007 Re: NPDES Permit Applications Grantsboro, Kershaw, Millpond, and Vandemere Water Treatment Plants Pamlico County, North Carolina Dear Ms. Wilson: We recently received your letter dated January 17,'2007*requesting additional information for the Engineering Alternatives Analysis for the referenced NPDES permit applications. We have reconsidered the disposal alternatives for the Pamlico. County Water Treatment Plants and we .continue to believe that there are very limited alternatives. In the NPDES Permit Application under Section V — Engineering Alternatives Evaluation, Section IV included an evaluation of alternatives. Three alternatives to a surface water discharge were evaluated: discharge to a wastewater treatment plant, land application, and wastewater reuse. The local wastewater plant, owned by the Bay River Metropolitan Sewer District (BRMSD), does not have the capacity to accept the flows from the Pamlico County Water Plants. This was confirmed by Jim Krauss of BRMSD. The Guidance Document for preparation of Engineering Alternatives Analyses indicates that wastestreams from ion exchange systems are not amenable to land application because of the concentrated waste streams and therefore do not need to be evaluated for land application. Similarly, wastewater reuse was not considered a feasible alternative. Therefore, of the alternatives for the discharge of backwash water from the Pamlico Water Treatment Plants, the surface water discharge remains the most viable option. . We concur that for the surface water discharge, the total residual chlorine in the discharges must be reduced. Improvements that we anticipate for the surface discharge alternative include dechlorination facilities for each plant's waste stream. We request, however, that the requirement for total nitrogen reduction be re-evaluated. In your letter of January 17, 2007, the requirements listed from the "Neuse River Basin -Nutrient Sensitive Waters Managements Strategy" are for new facilities proposing to discharge wastewater. The Pamlico Water Treatment Plants are existing, and the surface* water discharges pre -date the Neuse River Basin —Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy. Therefore, we request that your agency review the NPDES permit applications for these plants as existing discharges. Given the significance of the total nitrogen concentrations in the waste stream, and the associated permitting challenges associated with this parameter, Pamlico County is currently conducting additional testing on the raw, finished and backwash flows at each of the four plants. Waste stream water quality data for the Vandemere Plant is attached. It was not included with earlier data, as the plant has been off-line and not available for sampling. It reveals much lower total nitrogen concentrations at that facility. As soon as the additional testing is completed, we will provide the additional data to you for your consideration. Although the plants are not designed to add or remove nitrogen, the testing should help identify the source of the nitrogen concentrations so that there is a higher level of understanding regarding the presence of the nitrogen, and whether there are opportunities to eliminate this from the waste stream. The samples at each plant will be tested for the following: Ammonia -Nitrogen, Nitrate- and Nitrite -Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus. In summary, given the limited available alternatives and the findings from our initial alternatives screening process, there are no new 'apparent alternatives that could be identified prior to the requested response date of February 28, - 2007. Additionally, we request that the discharges be considered existing *in the context of Jhe Neuse River Basin — Nutrient Sensitive Water Management Strategy. If you have additional questions regarding the permit applications, please do not hesitate to contact us. K Sincerely, r Timoth uck County Manager cc: H. Thomas Tant P.E. Al Hodge, DWQ 3 Z-e: Existing, unpermitted WTPs on Neuse - fyi Subject: Re: Existing, unpermitted WTPs on Neuse - fyi From: Mike Templeton <Mike.Templeton@ncmail.net> Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:11:37 -0500 (EST) To: <susan.a.wilson@ncmail.net>, Matt Matthews <matt.matthews@ncmail.net>, Al Hodge <A1.Hodge@ncmail.net> CC: James McKay <james.mckay@ncmail.net>, "agyeman.adupoku@ncmail.net" <Agyeman.adupoku@ncmail.net>, Gil Vinzani <Gil.Vinzani@ncmail.net> I tend to agree with the "existing but unpermitted" call, but it has major implications for the nutrient strategy, as Susan said, and we need to work through them with a certain amount of care. My main concern is that, if we don't involve the NRF, Riverkeepers, existing facilities, NRCA, or others, one or more of them will challenge the decision and the permits and we'll end up in a political mess. Our approach needs to be consistent with how we're handling the Lee Steam Plant issue, too, or we can expect to hear from Progress Energy about it. The dilemma is that the Neuse rule includes definitions of "new" and "existing" dischargers that clearly place these WTPs in the "new" category because they've never had a permit. All four were discharging during the baseline period for the strategy and TMDL (1991-95), so we can argue that they were part of the baseline load from point sources and that much load is "existing." If any of the nitrogen discharges are any greater now than in 1995, the increase would be "new" and require allocation. That's similar to we are taking with the Lee Steam Plant. This approach makes sense to me, but the rule still says they're "new." We can either put the issue on the table and work it out with the stakeholders, or we can see if anyone challenges it and then work it out. If we take the latter path, we should say up front that we have a dilemma on our hands, are suggesting one solution, and are inviting comments, suggestions for other approaches, etc. Then the permits can't be. misinterpreted as some sort of conspiracy to "sneak one by" anybody. ----Original Message ---- From: susan.a.wilson@ncmail.net Date: 2007/01/17 4:50 PM To: &quot;Matt Matthews&quot;, &quot;Al Hodge&quot; Cc: &quot;James McKay&quot;, &quot;agyeman.adupoku@ncmail.net&quot;, &quot;Gil Vinzani&quot;, &quot;Mike Templeton&quot; Subj : Existing, unpermitted WTPs on Neuse - fyi . te: Existing, unpermitted WTPs on Neuse - fyi Matt and Al: Just wanted to give you guys a heads -up. I'm signing a letter to Pamlico Coun re. four existing, unpermitted water treatment plant discharges in the lower Neuse basin. We're asking for additional information re. the EAA (although these are I/O exchange facilities that have been in place for quite some time - non-disch. alternatives may not be feasible at ail). What Jim, Agyeman, Mike, Gil, and I discussed was whether to consider these 'new' discharges or 'existing' discharges. There are quite extensive consequences if we consider these 'new' (esp. since there seems to be some nutrients resulting from these). At this time (and we'll likely discuss this more after they've submitted a more complete alternatives analysis) - since we are dealing with existing water supplies - I'm making the most practical decision right now and telling them the NPDES program will move forward on these proposed projects as 'existing, unpermitted'. However -we've already gotten comments on these (from Jim Krauss at Bay River) re. the potential nutrient issue, etc. Also - there is potential for public hearing with these. If anyone has any other ideas - let us know (besides consider them 'new' discharges and have them pay millions of dollars to EEP). HAZEN AND SAWYER Environmental Engineers & Scientists December 22, 2006 Mr. Jim McKay Mr. Agyeman Adu-Poku N. C. Division of Water Quality NPDES East Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Hazen and Sawyer, P.C, 4011 WestChase Blvd. Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27607 (919) 833-7152 (919) 833-1828 (Fax) Re: NPDES Permit Applications Grantsboro, Kershaw, Millpond, and Vandemere Water Treatment Plants Pamlico County, North Carolina Dear Mr. McKay and Mr. Adu-Poku: This letter is in response to your September 29, 2006, request for additional information for the Engineering Alternatives Analyses for the referenced NPDES permit applications. • We contacted Mr. Jim Krauss of the Bay River Metropolitan Sewer District, and his attached e-mail correspondence confirms that the District is currently unable to accept the wastewater flows from the Pamlico County Water Treatment Plants. (Attach is a clean copy of Mr. Krauss e-mails.) • Pamlico County has conducted the requested testing on the wastewater flow from three of the four facilities (The Vandemere Plant was not in operation at the time of testing.), and results are attached. The wastewater from the Millpond and Kershaw Plants passed the toxicity testing, while wastewater from the Grantsboro Plant failed. The Vandemere Plant is scheduled to return to operation by the end of December. Wastewater from Vandemere will be tested as for the other facilities, and Grantsboro toxicity testing will be rerun at that time. We contacted Mr. Curtis Weaver of the USGS North Carolina Water Science Center about the possibility of relocating some of the discharges downstream of the current zero -flow discharge locations in an effort to obtain less stringent limits. Mr. Weaver responded that USGS has insufficient data to indicate where the stream flow becomes non -zero; therefore, it is apparent with additional and extensive evaluation that an alternate location would allow less stringent limits. His e-mail correspondence is attached. New York, NY - Philadelphia, PA - Detroit, MI - Raleigh, NC - Charlotte, NC - Greensboro, NC - Atlanta, GA - Fairfax, VA - Baltimore, MU - Cincinnati, OH - Hollywood, FL - Boca Raton, FL - Tampa, FL - Miami, FL HAZENAND SAM Mr. Jim McKay Mr. Agyeman Adu-Poku December 22, 2006 Page 2 If you have additional questions regarding the permit applications, please do not hesitate to contact us. Very truly yours, HAZEN AND SAWYER, P.C. e---L. / T --- H. Thomas Tant, P.E. Senior Associate HTT:bpr Enclosures Cc: Mr. Timothy A. Buck Mr. Thomas Beasley Ms. Alana Loughlin Mr. David Laliberte McKay 12.22.06 Itr. From: jkrauss [mailto:jkrauss@always-online.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 12:06 PM To: Laliberte, David M. Subject: Pamlico NPDES backwash Good Morning David, I am sorry that it has taken longer than normal for me to reply back to you. In any event I offer the following response to the request for handling the wastewater for Pamlico's water plants. First I must comment on the total amount of water that is wasted per day from the sum of the facilities. Approximatly 550,000 gallons per day appears to be an ecessive amount of backwash water and is more than the total permitted capacity of all the existing treatment facilities in Pamlico currently. As the only municipal wastewater provider in Pamlico County we are charged with protecting the waters in and around the District from additional pollution loadings and take this responsibility very seriously. With this said the District cannot currently accept these flows and in the case of the Kershaw plant the District does not have a line anywhere close to the facility. The District realizes the need for this backwash water to be treated prior to disposal. However, I believe that the District would oppose NPDES permits to discharge this wastewater directly into any water body in the Neuse River Basin given the fact that the District has invested millions of dollars to remove discharges inside our jurisdiction. The District would endeavor to work with your firm and Pamlico County to reach a satisfactory and environmentally sound solution to solve your disposal needs. Please contact me with any comments or questions that you may have. Sincerely; James R. Krauss Executive Director Bay River MSD From: jkrauss [mailto:jkrauss@always-online.com] Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 11:52 AM To: Laliberte, David M. Subject: discharges David, In my email yesterday I said that the District would most likely oppose the issuance of any NPDES permit in our jurisdiction. Whereas I believe this to be true I should have added that the District would be willing to help the county operate and or manage some type of wastewater plant design to handle this backwash water. I do believe that some type of land application or closed system for disposal would be the District's first option for this disposal. I wanted to make sure that you know that the District is truly willing to help within our own scope of operations. Jim Krauss r d6v A Ut Loughlin, Alana B. From: John C Weaver Ucweaver@usgs.gov] Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 2:11 PM To: Loughlin, Alana B. Cc: Laliberte, David M.; John C Weaver Subject: RE: Low -flow characteristics for selected locations in Pamlico County Ms. Loughlin, You've inquired about a possible downstream location on* Beard Creek where the 7Q10 flow may be higher, but the very limited data that USGS has for Pamlico County streams makes it difficult to assess even a 7Q10 low -flow yield range (expressed as flow per square mile drainage area, or cfsm) that could produce a higher -flow estimate. A re -assessment today of the low -flow files (previous requests) and available USGS discharge records only shows a zero -flow 7Q10 yield for those nearby -sites where 7Q10 estimates have previously been determined. So mathematically speaking, the results when estimating 7Q10 discharges will be limited to zero flow despite having a larger drainage area. So this situation becomes one where any further estimates really need to be based on some additional streamflow data. ; For the three sites at Kershaw WTP (Tarkiln Creek), Millpond WTP (North Prong of Bay River), and Vandemere WTP (Smith Creek), attempting to move further downstream does raise the possibility of tidal influences which precludes us from attempting to estimate a 7Q10 discharge. I regret that USGS does not presently have the information to fully address your questions. Please call me with any further questions. Thank you. Curtis Weaver J. Curtis Weaver, Hydrologist, PE USGS North Carolina Water Science Center 3916 Sunset Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607 Telephone: (919) 571-4043 // Fax: (919) 571-4041 E-mail address —jcweaver@usgs.gov Internet address -- http://nc.water.usgs.gov/ "Loughlin, Alana B." <aloughlin@hazenandsawyer.com> 10104/200610:45 AM To .'John C Weaver" <icweaver@usgs.gov> CC I'Laliberte, David M." <dlaliberte@hazen and sawyer. com> Subject RE: Low -flow characteristics for selected locations in Pamlico County 10/17/2006 rdgu L ul : Mr. Weaver, I appreciate all the information you provided a few months ago to help with our discharge permit applications for the four water treatment plants in Pamlico County. A couple of weeks ago we submitted the applications to the NC Division of Water Quality's NPDES Unit, and they have requested some additional information that I'm hoping you can help me find. The NPDES Unit has suggested that if we are able to pipe some of the discharges downstream of the current zero -flow discharge locations, some limits might be less stringent. I'd like to find out if information is available to determine where non -zero flow starts in these streams. For the Grantsboro WTP, could you please help me identify the closest (to the plant) point in Beard Creek downstream of the current discharge location where the discharge estimate is greater than zero? For the Kershaw WTP (Tarkiln Creek), Millpond WTP (North Prong of Bay River), and Vandemere WTP (Smith Creek), can I assume that it will not be possible for us to determine a higher -flow location to use as a discharge point because of the presence of tidal effects? Please let me know if it would be helpful for me to resend the topo maps to you. Thank you so much for your help. Alana Loughlin Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. 4011 WestChase Boulevard, Suite 500 Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 919-833-7152 919-833-1828 (fax) aooughlin@hazenandsawyer.com From: John C Weaver [mailto:jcweaver@usgs.gov] Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 11:46 AM To: Loughlin, Alana B. Cc: John C Weaver Subject: Low -flow characteristics for selected locations in Pamlico County Ms. Loughlin, In response to your inquiry about the flow characteristics for four selected locations in Pamlico County, the following information is provided about possible 7Q10 discharges: A check of the USGS discharge records reveal very limited discharge records and very few previous determinations of 7Q10 discharges for locations on the streams you identified in your fax transmittal. Determining the low -flow characteristics for streams in Pamlico County and other areas of the lower coastal plain region in North Carolina is very difficult without sufficient site -specific discharge records to permit a low -flow analysis. Where previous low -flow determinations were noted in the files for locations near your points of interest, the 7Q10 estimates were zero flow in most all cases, as is very common in the lower coastal plain streams. Only two sites in western Pamlico County within the Upper Broad Creek basin have sufficient discharge records to permit low -flow analyses. The 7Q10 for both these locations are estimated -to be zero flow. Drainage areas for these sites (station id's 02092590, 10/ 17/2006 1 agc J u1 02092620) are 21 and 3 sgmi, respectively. Please also be aware that the USGS does not currently provide low -flow characteristics for streams recognized or suspected as being affected by tidal influences. The techniques used by the USGS for completing low -flow analyses do not include a means of quantifying the effects of tides on low -flow conditions. Possible tidal influences were identified in three of the four locations identified in you fax transmittal. Specific responses to each stream are listed below separately: (1) Beard Creek - The location indicated on your fax map is very near a topographical ridge in the headwaters of Beard Creek. Examination of the contour lines on the topo map suggests a very small drainage area (less than 1 sgmi), thus the 7Q10 discharge is estimated to be zero flow. (2) Tarkiln Creek or Granny Gut - Examination of the topo map suggests that tidal effects may reach the locations on these streams near the Kershaw WTP, which precludes any estimates of the 7Q10 discharge. No previous estimates exist in our files here at the USGS office. (3) Millpond drainage ditch (into North Prong of Bay River) - Examination of the topo map suggests that tidal effects may reach the locations on the drainage ditch near the Millpond WTP, which precludes any estimates of the 7Q10 discharge. No previous estimates exist in our files here at the USGS office for the drainage ditch. (4) Smith Creek, Vandemere Creek, or Log Pond Creek - Examination of the WTP's location on the topo map indicates the facility is located on a ridge between drainage ditches that appear to connect to the three streams in question. Because the drainage area at a point near the WTP would be very small, the 7Q10 discharge would thus be estimated to be zero flow. Any potential location of the discharge point further downstream onto these streams suggests the presence of tides, which precludes any further estimates of the 7Q10 discharge. Hope the above information is helpful and provides a sense of direction in your efforts. Thank you. Curtis Weaver J. Curtis Weaver, Hydrologist, PE USGS North Carolina Water Science Center 3916 Sunset Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607 Telephone: (919) 571-4043 // Fax: (919) 571-4041 E-mail address -- jcweaver@usgs.gov Internet address -- http://nc.water.usgs.gov/ 10/17/2006 Environmental T PO Box 7565 Asheville, NC 28802 Solutions, Inc. Phone: (828) 350-9364 Fax: (828) 350-9368 E-mail;- JimSu nner@aol-com Eflluent Toxicity Report Form - Acute Pass/Fail Date: November 17, 2006 Facility: Enviro Chemist NPDTS ff: NC- Pflot Plant. Pipe#: 001 County: Pamilco Grantsburo WWTP LaboratoryPerforming Test: Envirormnental Testing Solutions. Inc. C:omtneats: . Signature of Operator- in Responsible Charge: Project: 2971 Signature of Laboratory Supervisor: Smtple: 061108.35 14Iat1 Original To: Nort11 Carolina Deparhncnt ofEnvirotmtettt and Natural Resources DWQ/Environmental Sciences Branch 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1 f21 North Carolina Acute Pass/Fall Tonicity Test Collection Dute: 11-07-06 Collection Tuna: 1115 'Pest Start Date: 11-0"6 .Suration J o Alkalinity (mg CaCO;t/L.) 33 Hardzvms (mg CaCO3/L) 44 Conductivity (µmhas/cm) 164 1020, Total Residual Chloritre (ntg/1,) 0.462 Sample Tenor. at Receipt (°C) 2.1 Grab Comp.. Dtulttinn Organism Tested Pimphlifes profilelas Cpntml ?55: •?.52 PH (S.U.) T reuttnenl 8.15 ?K:28 � W D.o- (mg/1..) 1 n^ttttmrtt $:3 $.0. Murtsltty Replicate Mean Mortality Treatment 1 (Control) A B C D 10.00/0 Treatment 2 (Exposure) .A B C D Concentration Tested t00°fo Note: If mean.contml mortali excee:clo..10%0, tliC ,testis. considered.mvaM. Q% Q% 0% 0% 100% 100% 100% lOQo10 Calculate using Arc Sine- Calculated Student's t NA PASS Square Root transformed Tabular Student's t NA FAIL X data. (ONE TAILED) If the absolute value of the calculated t is less then crr equal to the absolute %-nlw of the tabular t, duck PASS. If the absohue 4.sluo ofthe calculated i is Vudcc ththe absolute vahw ofthe t�bnlnr t, check FAIL If all vessels within eachtreattnent have the same response bin the ucatmtnt two response is greraerthan.the control. check gait This data package rortlains the trxslrity test results surnmariZed on this form -and includes a Cover Page, A7=2 Form, Lrrbotrrior . Bencleslieets, Chain-o-CuslodyFonns and, Quality Control Charts. D jornj AT 2 (8191) From: jkrauss [maiito:jkrauss@always-online.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 12:06 PM To: Laliberte, David M. Subject: Pamlico NPDES backwash Good Morning David, I am sorry that it has taken longer than normal for me to reply back to you. In any event I offer the following response to the request for handling the wastewater for Pamlico's water plants. First I must comment on the total amount of water that is wasted per day from the sum of the facilities. Approximatiy 550,000 gallons per day appears to be an ecessive amount of backwash water and is more than the total permitted capacity of all the existing treatment facilities in Pamlico currently. As the only municipal wastewater provider in Pamlico County we are charged with protecting the waters in and around the District from additional pollution loadings and take this responsibility very seriously. With this said the District cannot currently accept these flows and in the case of the Kershaw plant the District does not have a line anywhere close to the facility. The District realizes the need for this backwash water to be treated prior to disposal. However, I believe that the District would oppose NPDES permits to discharge this wastewater directly into any water body in the Neuse River Basin given the fact that the District has invested millions of dollars to remove discharges inside our jurisdiction. The District would endeavor to work with your firm and Pamlico County to reach a satisfactory and environmentally sound solution to solve your disposal needs. Please contact me with any comments or questions that you may have. Sincerely; James R. Krauss Executive Director Bay River MSD oFWAr�� • �0 p� 1 Mr. Timothy A. Buck P.O. Box 158 Bayboro, North Carolina 28515 Dear Mr. Buck: Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director Division of Water Quality January 17, 2007 Subject: NPDES Permit Applications Grantsboro, Kershaw, Millpond, & Vandemere Water Treatment Plants Pamlico County, North Carolina We recently received some of the additional information requested for the Engineering Alternatives Analysis (EAA) for the referenced NPDES permit applications. We have reviewed the data for Grantsboro, Kershaw and Millpond Water Treatment plants, and have found that all three plants have elevated total nitrogen concentrations. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 213.0234 "Neuse River Basin -Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy"; (a) All new facilities proposing to discharge wastewater shall evaluate all practical alternatives to surface water discharge. (b) New facilities submitting an application shall make every reasonable effort to obtain estuary allocation for the proposed wastewater discharge from existing dischargers. If estuary allocation cannot be obtained from the existing facilities, new facilities may purchase a portion of the nonpoint source load allocation for a period of 30 years at a rate of 200 percent of the cost as set in 15A NCAC 213.0240 to implement practices designed to offset the loading created by the new facility. Payment for each 30-year portion of the nonpoint source load allocation shall be made prior to the ensuing permit issuance. Because these are existing, unpermitted discharges of non -domestic wastewater, the NPDES Program may proceed forward with the proposed projects (depending on the outcome of the EAAs). However, based on the above rule requirements, we foresee that the proposed NPDES permits may generate significant public comment. We have already received adverse comments from Bay River Metropolitan Sewer District regarding the proposed permits. We encourage you to explore other alternatives to surface water discharge. Please give us detailed justifications for all alternatives you consider, including ways to reduce the Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) in the discharges, if the analyses still show that NPDES discharge permits are the only feasible alternate. Please submit your findings to me no later than February 28, 2007. If you have any questions or comments concerning this letter, you may contact me at the telephone number (919) 733-5083 ext 510 or Agyeman Adu-Poku at extension 508. Sincerely, 00, o/OoSe8sran A. Wilson, P.E. Supervisor, NPDES Program cc: NPDES Files Washington Regional Office/Surface Water Protection Hazen and Sawyer/H. Thomas Tant P.E. 4011 WestChase Blvd., Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27607 N'01 Cara na r� 'It North Carolina Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Phone (919) 733-7015 Customer Service Internet: www.ncwatCMualily.org Location: 512 N. Salisbury St. Raleigh, NC 27604 Fax (919) 733-2496 1-877-623-6748 An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer — 50% Recycled/100/6 Post Consumer Paper OFWA7-F� _.� NCDENR o Y September 29, 2006 Mr. H. Thomas Tant, PE Hazen And Sawyer, P.C. 4011 WestChase Blvd. Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27607 Dear Mr. Tant: Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director Division of Water Quality Subject: NPDES Permit Applications Grantsboro, Kershaw, Millpond and Vandemere Water Treatment Plants Pamlico County The NPDES permit applications for these four water treatment plants have been assigned for review as follows: Mr. Agyeman Adu-Poku - Millpond and Vandemere, and Jim McKay — Grantsboro and Kershaw. Mr. Adu-Poku can be reached at (919) 733-5083, ext. 508. His email address is agyeman.adupoku(a),ncmail.net. I can be reached at (919) 733-5083, ext. 595. My email address is James.McKay&cmail.net. We have begun the review process for these four permits, and have found that we need some information that 'is not included in the Engineering Alternatives Analysis. • We need a letter from -an officer ofthe DayR7vet-Metropolitair SePwer District stating~that theycannot, accept, the waste water from these four water treatment plants. • We need at least one data point from each water treatment plant for each of the parameters on the attached table. There should be one Whole Effluent Toxicity test run for each plant. • Would it be possible to pipe some of the discharges to the stream instead of discharging to a zero flow stream? This might make some limits less stringent. If we require any more information during the course of our review, we will contact you. Sincerely, Jim McKay NPDES East Unit cc: Agyeman Adu-Poku NPDES Files Washington Regional Office/ Surface Water Protection N. C. Division of Water Quality / NPDES Unit Phone: (919) 733-5083 ext. 595 email: James.McKay@ncmail.net 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 fax: (919) 733-0719 Internet: h2o.enr.state.nc.us DENR Customer Service Center:1800 623-7748 HAZEN AND SAWYER Environmental Engineers & Scientists September 14, 2006 Mr. Al Hodge Surface Water Protection Supervisor NCDENR — Division of Water Quality 943 Washington Square Mall Washington, North Carolina 27889 Re: Pamlico County NPDES Permit Application H&S Job No. 31077 Dear Mr. Hodge: Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. 4011 WestChase Blvd. Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27607 (919)833-7152 (919) 833-1828 (Fax) Enclosed for your review and consideration are three copies of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit applications for Pamlico County's Grantsboro, Kershaw, Millpond and Vandemere Water Treatment Plants. The required application fee of $2,860.00 has been enclosed with the permit applications. In addition to the permit applications, Engineering Alternatives Analysis has been prepared for each of the water treatment plant sites. If you have any questions for us regarding the permit application, please do not hesitate to call me. Very truly yours, HAZEN AND SAWYER, P.C. H. Thomas Tant, P.E. Senior Associate HTT:bpr Enclosure cc: Mr. Timothy A. Buck Mr. Thomas Beasley Ms. Alana Loughlin Mr. David Laliberte Hodge 09 14 06 Ur New York, NY • Philadelphia, PA • Detroit, MI • Raleigh, NC • Charlotte, NC • Greensboro, NC • Atlanta, GA • Fairfax, VA • Baltimore, MD • Cincinnati, OH • Hollywood, FL • Boca Raton, FL • Tampa, FL • Miami, FL