NC0088366_Speculative Limits_20080424

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
April 24, 2008 / V �ln
Rodney Tart, Director
Harnett County Department of Public Utilities
P.O. Box 1119
Lilhngton, North Carolina 27546
Subject: Speculative Limits
Harnett Co. Department of Public Utilities
Harnett County
Dear Mr. Tart:
This letter is in response to your recent request for speculative effluent limits for an
expansion of the South Harnett Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to 15 MGD, discharging
into the Lower Little River (N 35° 13.831' & W 78' 53.197). The proposed discharge is for a
regional system consolidating the wastewater treatment facilities of Harnett County, Spring
Lake and Fort Bragg. A Level B model was used to evaluate the effect of the proposed
discharge on the receiving stream. As a result of this evaluation, it was decided to apply best
available technology limits for BOD-5 and for ammonia nitrogen for this proposed facility.
The Division cannot 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 proposed discharge and after the public has an opportunity to
comment on the project.
Speculative Effluent Limits
Speculative limits are presented in the attached effluent sheets and are explain as follows:
BOD5 and Ammonia — The monthly average limits for BOD-5. and ammonia nitrogen are based,
on the best available technology for this proposed expansion.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) - TSS limits are standard for secondary treatment of municipal
wastewater.
Fecal Coliform, pH - The limits for fecal coliform bacteria and pH represent water quality
standards for Class C waters (T15A NCAC 2B .0211).
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) — Facilities that use chlorine disinfection receive a total chlorine
limit to protect against chlorine toxicity in the receiving stream.
Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus - Monitoring for these parameters is required to evaluate
and protect water quality in the receiving stream.
Division of Water Quality, Point Source Branch Telephone [phone] tPpn�athCarolina
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 FAX [phone] ,NUtUCq�/
512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 On the Internet at hh!P.V1h20.enrslate.nc.us/ ✓
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer `

Mr. Rodney Tart
April 24, 2008
Page 2
Please be advised that the limits and monitoring frequencies on the attached page 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.
As you know, you must evaluate this project for environmental impacts before receiving
a modified permit. Anyone proposing to construct new or expanded waste treatment facilities
using public funds or public (state) lands must first prepare an environmental assessment (EA)
when wastewater flows: (1) equal or exceed 0.5 MGD or (2) exceed one-third of the 7Q10 flow of
the receiving stream. The NPDES Unit will not issue a permit for this expansion until the
Division has approved the EA and sent a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to the state
Clearinghouse for review and comment.
An Environmental Assessment should contain a clear justification for the proposed
project. It should provide an analysis of potential alternatives, including a thorough evaluation
of non -discharge alternatives. Nondischarge alternatives such as spray irrigation, water
conservation, or inflow and infiltration reduction, are considered to be environmentally
preferable to a surface water discharge. In accordance with the North Carolina General Statutes,
the preferred alternative must be the practicable waste treatment and disposal alternative with
the least adverse impact on the environment. If the EA demonstrates that the project may result
in a significant adverse effect on the quality of the environment, you must then prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement. Hanna Stallings of the Water Quality Planning Branch can
provide further information regarding the requirements of the N.C. Environmental Policy Act.
You may contact Ms. Stallings at 919-733-5083, ext. 555.
The Division would be agreeable to meet with representatives of Harnett County to
discuss these limits presented here and the future plans for regionalization. Should you have
any questions or if you need any additional information, please feel free to contact me at (919)
733-5083, extension 540.
Sincerely,
Gil Vinzani
Supervisor, Eastern NPDES Unit
Enclosure
cc: Central Files
Fayetteville Regional Office, Belinda Hinson
NPDES Unit
Mr. Hiram J. Marziano — Marziano & McGougan, PA
P.O. Office Drawer 4428
Asheboro, North Carolina 27204-4428
2

Mr. Rodney Tart
April 24, 2008
Page 3
SPECULATIVE LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
The following table presents speculative limits and associated monitoring requirements for the
proposed 15.0 MGD Harnett County WWTP. Speculative limits do not guarantee that the
Division will issue a NPDES permit. In addition, these limits may change when a permit is
issued to the Harnett County Department of Public Utilities. 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.
EFFLUENT PARAMETERS
SPECULATIVE LIMITS
SPECULATIVE MONITORING
RE UIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Weekly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location,
Flow (MGD)
15.0 MGD
Continuous
Recording
I or E
BOD, 5 day, 20 °C2 (April 1-
October 31)
5 mg/l
7.5 mg/l
Daily
Composite
I, E
BOD, 5 day, 20 °C2 (November 1-
March 31)
10 mg/l
15 mg/l
Daily
Composite
I, E
Total Suspended Solids2
30 mg/l
45 mg/l
Daily
Composite
I, E
NH3-N (April 1- October 31)
1.0 mg/l
3.0 mg/l
Daily
Composite
E
N 13-N (November 1- March 31)
2.0 mg/1
6.0 mg/l
Daily
Composite
E
Dissolved Oxygen3
Dail
Grab
E, U, D
H4
Daily
Grab
E
Total Residual Chlorines
28 µg/l
Daily
Grab
E
Temperature °C
Daily
Grab
E, U, D
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean)
200/100 ml
400/100 ml
Daily
Grab
E
Total Nitrogen (NO2+NO3+T (N)
Monthly
Composite
E
Total Phosphorus
Monthdly
Com osite
E
Chronic Toxici 6
Quarterly
Composite
E
Footnotes:
1. Sample Locations: E - Effluent, I — Influent, U — Upstream, D — Downstream. Final monitoring
requirements to be determined after NPDES application review.
2. The monthly average effluent BODs and Total Suspended Residue concentrations shall not exceed 85%
of the respective influent value (85% removal required).
3. The daily average dissolved oxygen effluent concentration shall not be less than 5.0 mg/l.
4. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
5. Monitoring requirement applies only if chlorine is added for disinfection.
6. Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 33 percent; January, April, July, and October.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. -

MARZIANO & NMcGOUGAN P.A.
147A Dublin Square Road Post Office Drawer 4428 Asheboro, North Carolina 27204-4428
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
February 2, 2008
Mr. Gil Vanzanti, P.E. —NPDES Section
NC DENR —Division of Water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
HIRAM J. MARZIANO, P.E.
JOSEPH W. MCGOUGAN, P.E.
J. CHARLES MCGOUGAN, P.E.
u JAMES F. $IVINS, P.E.
APR 1 0 2008
E$fJft Vi,u-?
Re: Request for Speculative Limits — Expansion of South Harnett Regional Wastewater
Treatment Plant, South Central Water & Sewer District gzc 3G�
Dear Mr. Vanzanti:
The purpose of this letter is to request additional speculative limits for an expansion to the
wastewater treatment plant being constructed on the Little River at the Harnett
County/Cumberland County line in the South Central Water & Sewer District of Harnett County.
Your previous involvement with this project was related to obtaining an NPDES Permit for 5.0
mgd at this site.
We requested speculative limits of a discharge up to 5.0 mgd at the Little River site and received
same from you in 2002. Since that time, several events have taken place that make it necessary to
look at the possibility of increasing that discharge. They are:
The Town of Spring Lake has requested that Harnett County evaluate the possibility of
consolidating wastewater treatment facilities.
Harnett County has contracted with the Dept. of Defense to provide wastewater treatment
for Ft. Bragg thus eliminating the discharge at Ft. Bragg's existing W WTP.
In order to accept flows from these treatment plants, additional discharge must be evaluated at the
site of the South Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Assuming that both Spring Lake and Ft.
Bragg are consolidated into the new facility then a discharge of up to 15.0 mgd could be realized
at that point in the Little River. Therefore, we request additional speculative limits at the
coordinates on the attached quadrangle location map for a discharge of 15.0 mgd. If this
discharge is consolidated at the new treatment plant site then the discharge from the following
wastewater treatment plants would be eliminated:
• Fort Bragg W WTP
• Spring Lake W WTP

As you know, our firm developed the stream model at this point in the Little River and ran limits
at 5.0 mgd and 15.0 mgd (w/Ft. Bragg W WTP eliminated) and provided same to Teresa
Rodriquez. If you require additional information, please call me at our office in Asheboro.
Thank you for your continuing cooperation with Harnett County Department of Public Utilities.
Very truly yours,
MARZIANO & McGOUGAN, PA
Hiram J. ziano, P.E.
jyp
enclosures
cc: Rodney Tart