WQ0001669_Final Permit_19891206

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
James G. Martin, Governor
William W. Co6ey, Jr., Secretary
December 6, 1989
Mr. Jerry Twiggs, Public Utilities Director
City of Hickory
P.O. Box 398
Hickory, North Carolina 28603
R. Paul Wilms
Director
Subject: Permit No. WQ0001669
City of Hickory
Land Application of Sludge
Amendment to Permit No. 10587R3
Catawba County
Dear Mr. Twiggs:
In accordance with your amendment request received May 10, 1989, we are forwarding
herewith Permit No. WQ0001669, dated December 6, 1989, to the City of Hickory for the
continued operation of the subject land application program. This amendment consists of the
continued operation of 1440 acres and the addition of 697.4 acres; fields 18.03, McSwain farm,
17.06, Jarrett farm, and 16.03, Huffman farm has been eliminated from consideration due to
unsuitable conditions and are not included in this permit amendment.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 1993, shall
supersede Permit No. 10587R3 issued February 16, 1988, the amendment issued May 16, 1988,
and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified therein.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable to you,
you have the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days
following receipt of this permit. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming
to Chapter 150B of North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative
Hearings, P.O. Box 11666, Raleigh, NC 27604. Unless such demands are made this permit shall
be final and binding.
Pollution Prevention Pays
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephine 919.733 7015
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

One set of approved plans and specifications is being forw2xded to you. If you need
additional information concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Carolyn McCaskill at 919/
733-5083.
CC.' Catawba County Health Department
Mooresville Regional Office
Groundwater Section
AMSCO
/- sincerely, / .
r
R. Paul Wilms
� � t
r 1989
CENTRAL RLE COPY

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
SLUDGE LAND APPLICATION PERMIT
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North
Carolina as amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations
PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO
City of Hickory
Catawba County
1-96��7
operation of a sludge land application program consisting of the land application of sludge from
the City of Hickory's Wastewater Treatment Plants to sites identified in condition number VI 6
with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received May 10,
1989 and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other supporting data
subsequently filed -and approved by the Department of Environment, Health and Natural
Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 1993, shall
supersede Permit No. 10587R3 issued February 16, 1988, the amendment issued May 16, 1988,
and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The Mooresville Regional Office, phone no. 704/663-1699, and the appropriate
local governmental official (county manager/city manager) shall be notified at least
twenty-four (24) hours prior to the initial application of the sludge so that an
inspection can be made of the application sites and application method. Such
notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during the normal office hours
from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding State
Holidays. Also the Catawba County Manager's office must be notified prior to the
initial application so that they will be aware that the operation has been initiated.
2. This permit shall become voidable if the soils fail to adequately absorb the wastes
and may be rescinded unless the sites are maintained—nci operated in a manner
which will protect the assigned water quality standards;of the nd
ground waters. R ���
M 12 1989
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The land application program shall be effectively maintained and operated as a
non -discharge system to prevent the discharge of any wastes resulting from the
operation of this program.
4. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for
damages to surface or groundwaters resulting from the operation of this facility.
5. in the event that the land application program is not operated satisfactorily, including
the creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall cease applying sludge to the
sites and take any immediate corrective actions, including the construction of
additional or replacement wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
6. No crops for direct human consumption shall be raised on these sites for a period
of 18 months following sludge application.
7. Maximum slope for sludge application shall be 10% for surface application and
18% for subsurface applications.
8. The following buffers zones shall be maintained:
a) 400 feet from residences under separate ownership for surface
application method,
b) 200 feet from residences under separate ownership for injection method,
c) 100 feet frori� "SA and SB" classified waters and public surface water
supplies for both methods,
d) 50 feet from. "WS" classified waters and other streams, creeks, lakes,
rivers, and surface water drainage ways for injection method.
e) 100 feet from "WS" classified waters and other streams, creeks, lakes,
rivers and surface water drainage ways for surface application
method,
f) 100 feet from property lines for both methods,
g) 50 feet from public right of ways for surface application method,
h) 10 feet from upslope interceptor drains and surface water diversions for
both methods,
i) 25 feet from downslope interceptor drains, surface water diversions,
groundwater drainage systems and surface drainage ditches for both
methods.
9. A copy of this permit shall be kept in all sludge transport and application vehicles
during the life of this project.
10. All sludges included in this permit must be stabilized by a process to significantly
reduce pathogens (as described in 40 CFR Part 257, Appendix 11) prior to
application or incorporation. An evaluation of all sludges as specified in condition
II 4 must be conducted as to their ability to demonstrate compliance with this
requirement. A copy of this report must be submitted to the Assistant Chief for
Operations, Division of Environmental Management, Water Quality Section,
Operations Branch, PO Box 27687, Raleigh, NC 27611-7687, on or before January
1, 1990.
11. Specific sludge application area boundaries shall be clearly marked on each site prior
to and during sludge application_ LIP-1
0 ) 1 :1989

} 12. No sludge at any time shall be stored at any application site.
11. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
l . The facilities and disposal sites shall be properly maintained and operated at all
times.
2. A suitable vegetative cover as listed in condition 11 3, shall be maintained in
accordance with the crop management plan approved by this Division.
3. The application rates shall not exceed the following for the specified crops:
Crops PAN (lbs/acre/,eu) Phosphorus Obsjacrgear)
Corn 150-200 100
Soybeans 150-200 100
Grains 100-150 100
Grasses 150-300 100
4. No sludges other than the following are hereby approved for land application in
accordance with this permit:
Estimated
Source County Permit No. V to ume (gallons/year or dry or
City of Hickory Catawba NC0040797 3,000,000 gallons/year
5. The lifetime heavy metal loadings shall not exceed the following for the
corresponding Cation Exchange Capacities (CEC):
Parameter CEC c 5 CEC 5-15
Lead (lbs/acre) 500 1000
Zinc (lbs/acre) 250 500
Copper (lbs/acre) 125 250
Nickel (lbs/acre) 125 250
Cadmium (lbs/acre) 4.5 4.5*
6. The annual application rates shall not exceed:
a. Sludge from the Henry Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant
1. 1.11 lbs. of cadmium per acre per year
2. 29.4 lbs. of zinc per acre per year
b. Sludge from the Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant
1. 1 _ I lbs. of cadmium per acre per year
2. 33.4 lbs. of zinc per acre per year i
DEG 12
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6. The Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to be in
responsible charge of the land application operation. The operator must hold a
certificate of the grade at least equivalent to the classification assigned to the
land application program by the Certification Commission.
7. Adequate facilities shall be provided to prevent surface runoff from carrying any
disposed or stored material into any surface waters.
8. Animals should not be grazed on sludge applied land within a 30-day period
following the sludge application. Application sites that are to be used for grazing
shall have fencing that will be used to prevent access after each. application.
9. Surface applied sludge will be plowed or disced within twenty-four (24) hours
after application on lands with no cover crop established.
10. For areas that are prone to flooding or within the 100-year flood elevation, sludge
may be applied during periods of dry weather. The sludge must be incorporated
into the soil within twenty-four (24) hours of application.
11. Appropriate measures must be taken to control public access to the land application
sites during active site use and for the 12-month period following sludge application.
(Such controls may include the posting of signs indicating the activities being
conducted at each site.)
12. Adequate provisions shall be taken to prevent wind erosion and surface runoff
from conveying pollutants from the sludge application area onto the adjacent
property or into the surface waters.
13. Sludge shall not be applied in inclement weather or until 24 hours following a
rainfall event of 1/2-inch or greater in 24 hours. Any emergency sludge disposal
measures must first be approved by the Division of Environmental Management.
14. The site shall be adequately limed to a soil pH of at least 6.5 prior to sludge
application. Sludge may be applied to sites with a pH of less than 6.5 provided a
sufficient amount of lime is also applied to achieve a final pH of the lime, sludge and
soil mixture of at least 6.5.
Ili. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, sludge, soil, or plant
tissue analyses) deemed necessary by the Division of Environmental Management
to insure protection of the environment will be established and an acceptable
sampling and reporting schedule shall be followed. If monitoring data indicates
minimal or no concern to the Division, reduction of monitoring requirements may be
pursued after two annual reporting periods.
rj
[� 19B9

2. Proper records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking all disposal activities.
These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to the following
information:
a) source of sludge
b) date of sludge application
c) location of sludge application (site, field, or zone ##)
d) method of application
e) weather conditions
f) soil conditions
g) type of crop growing on field
h) volume of sludge applied in gallons/acre and dry tons/acre
i) annual and cumulative totals of dry tons/acre of sludge, annual and
cumulative pounds/acre of each heavy metal, annual pounds/acre of plant
available nitrogen (PAN), and annual pounds/acre of phosphorus applied
to each field.
3. A representative annual soils analysis shall be conducted of each site receiving
sludge in the respective calendar year and the results maintained on file by the
Permittee for a minimum of five years. The soils analysis shall include but is not
necessarily limited to the following parameters:
Standard Soil Fertility Test Manganese
% Base Saturation
Cation Exchange Capacity
Phosphorus
Sodium
Potassium
Nickel
Lead
Cadmium
Zinc
Copper
Magnesium
Calcium
pH
4. A complete sludge analysis and EP Toxicity analysis shall be conducted by the
Permittee quarterly and annually, respectively and the results maintained on file by
the Permittee for a minimum of five years. If land application occurs at a frequency
less than quarterly, sludge analysis will be required for each instance of land
application_ The sludge analysis shall include but is not necessarily limited to the
following parameters:
% total solids
Magnesium
Total Nitrogen
Sulfate
Phosphorus
Potassium
Lead
Zinc
Copper
Nickel
Cadmium
Chromium
Sodium
Calcium
Chlorides
Plant Available Nitrogen (by calculation)
pH
DEC12 1989
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The EP Toxicity analysis shall include the following parameters:
Arsenic
Barium
Cadmium
Chromium
Lead
Mercury
Selenium
Silver
Endrin
Lindane
Methoxychlor
Toxaphene
2,4-D
2,4,5 -TP Silvex
5. Two copies of all monitoring and reporting requirements as specified in conditions
III 1, 1112, Ili 3 and II� 4 shall be submitted annually on or before January 31 of
the following year to the following address:
NC Division of Environmental Management
Water Quality Section
Facility Assessment Unit
PO Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611-7687
6. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Mooresville, Regional Office
telephone no. 704/663-1699, as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours
or on the next working day following the occurrence or first knowledge of the
occurrence of any of the following:
a. Any occurrence with the land application program which results in the
land application of significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in
quantity or characteristic.
b. Any failure of the land application program resulting in a discharge of
wastes to receiving waters.
C. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has
gone out of compliance with the conditions and limitations of this permit
or the parameters on which the system was designed.
d. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render
the facility incapable of adequate sludge treatment.
e. Any spillage or discharge from a vehicle or piping system transporting
sludge to the application site.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in
letter form within 15 days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report
must outline the actions taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that the problem
does not recur.
989
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IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Any groundwater quality monitoring as deemed necessary by the Division of
Environmental Management shall be provided.
2. No land application of waste activities shall be undertaken when the seasonal high
water table is less than three feet below land surface.
3. The fifteen (15) existing monitor wells must be sampled every March, July, and
November for the following parameters:
NO3 (10.0) Ammonia Nitrogen
TDS (500.0) TOC
pH (6.5-8.5 std units) Water Level
Chloride (250.0) Total Coliforms (1/100 ml)
TOX (in November only) Phenol
The measurement of water level must be made prior to sampling for the remaining
parameters.
The numbers in parentheses represent the maximum allowable concentrations in
groundwater for the various analytical parameters, as specified in 15 NCAC 2L
[Groundwater Classifications and Standards]. Unless otherwise noted, the
concentrations are given in parts per million.
The analytical methods used for TOX must be capable of detecting the total of all
halogenated organic compounds present at a concentration of 5.0 parts per billion
(ppb) or greater. In the event that a TOX concentration of 5.0 ppb or greater is
detected, any individual halogenated organic compound(s) present at a concentration
at or above the method detection limit (MDL) must be identified and quantified
utilizing EPA methods 601, 602, 604, and 611.
If TOC concentrations greater than 10 mg/1 are detected in any downgradient
monitoring well, additional sampling and analysis must be conducted to identify the
individual constituents comprising this TOC concentration. If the TOC concentration
as measured in the background monitor well exceeds 10 mg/l, this concentration will
be taken to represent the naturally occurring TOC concentration. Any exceedances
of this naturally occurring TOC concentration in the downgradient wells shall be
subject to the additional sampling and analysis as described above.
The results of the sampling and analysis shall be sent to the N.C. Division of
Environmental Management on Form GW-59 (Compliance Monitoring Report
Form) every April, August, and December.
The Compliance Bpundaz� delineated on the attached site plan for the disposal
system is specified by regulations in 15 NCAC 2L, Classifications and Water
Quality Standards applicable to the groundwater of North Carolina. An exceedance
of Groundwater Quality Standards beyond the ComplianceBoundaryis subject to
penalty provisions applicable under General Statute 14ZS:i'I}a�`TYie
property, by the Permittee, which is within or contiguous to th d� V
tsite
may alter location of the Compliance Boundary.
12 i989
7
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For land application sites permitted on or after December 30, 1983, the Compliance
Boundary is established at the lesser of 250 feet from the edge of the land application
sites, or 50 feet within the property boundary.
For land application sites permitted prior to December 30, 1983, the Compliance
Boundary is established at a distance 500 feet from the edge of the land application
sites, or the property boundary, whichever is less.
If the title to any property which may affect the location of the Compliance Boundary
is changed, the permittee shall notify the Division Director within 14 days. The
Director shall then establish a modified Compliance Boundary which will be done as
a modification to the Permit.
The REVIEW BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15
NCAC 2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards. A REVIEW
BOUNDARY is established around disposal systems midway between the
Compliance Boundary and the perimeter of the waste disposal area. When the
concentration of any substance equals or exceeds the maximum allowable
concentration of that substance at the REVIEW BOUNDARY, as determined by
monitoring, the permittee shall either (i) demonstrate, through predictive calculations
or modeling, that natural site conditions, facility design and operational controls wilt
prevent a violation of standards at the Compliance Boundary; or, (ii) submit a plan
for the alteration of existing site conditions, facility design or operational controls
that will prevent a violation of standards at the Compliance Boundary, and
implement that plan upon its approval by the Director.
V. INSPECTIONS
1. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the sludge storage, transport, and
disposal facilities to prevent malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors and
discharges which may cause or lead to the release of wastes to the environment, a
threat to human health, .or a nuisance. The Permittee shall keep an inspection log
or summary including at least the date and time of inspection, observations made,
and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken by the Permittee. This
log of inspections shall be maintained by the Permittee for a period of three years
from the date of the inspection and shall be made available upon request by the
Division of Environmental Management or other permitting authority.
2. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of
Environmental Management may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and
inspect any property, premises or place on or related to the disposal site and
facility at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this
permit; may inspect or copy any records that must be kept under the terms and
conditions of this permit; or may obtain samples of groundwater, surface water,
or leach ate.
DEC 12 1989
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VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. This permit shall become voidable unless the land application activities are carried
out in accordance with the conditions of this permit and in the manner approved
by this Division.
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes
described in the application and other supporting data.
3. This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to
change ownership or a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must
be submitted to the Division of Environmental Management accompanied by an
application fee, documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting
materials as may be appropriate. The approval of this request will be considered
on its merits and may or may not be approved.
4. Prior to any transfer of this land, a notice shall be given to the new owner that
gives full details of the materials applied or incorporated at this site.
5. This permit shall become voidable unless the agreements between the Permittee
and the landowners/lessees are in full force and effect.
6. The following are approved sites and crops for sludge application (see attached
map):
Site No. Owner/Lessee Application Area (excluding buffers)
acres
1 Charles Bowman 53
2 Robert Mauser 300
3 D. R. Baxley/W. D. Reeves 10
4 R. Z. Bowman 31
5 George L. Finger 60
6 Kenneth R. Moyer 16
7 Dr. Robert Hart, III 86
8 H. W. Sherrill 90
9 Harry Frank 116
10 Bill Lee 112
11 Rolling Hills Farm 116
12, fields 1, 2, 3 W. D. Robinson 83
13, fields 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Arville Sigmon 128
14, fields 1-13 Dewey Hunsucker 239
16 Lois Bryant 118
17 Gaither Huffman 55.3
18 Harold Jarrett 89.8
19 David McSwain 138
20 Rolling Hills Farm 38.7 r_.:. _ . _,._ _...__...
21 Buford Waters 64*
22 Gene Waters 75.6**
23 J. S. Whitener
0E12 �g�9

*Field No. 19.01 contains acreage located within the 100 year flood plain and is
subject land application only by surface application and only during period when
high water is not occurring.
**Field 20.01 is limited to sludge application during the months of October i-hrough
March.
Sites or portions of sites located within the 100 year flood plain should be delneated
by flagging.
Field No. 18.03, McSwain farm, field No. 17.06, Jarrett farm, and field No. 16.03,
Huffman farm were deemed unsuitable and are therefore not included in this permit
amendment.
7. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this perm -nit may
subject the Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Environmental
Management in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6.
S. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within
thirty (30) days after being billed by the Division. Failure to pay he fee
accordingly may cause the Division to initiate action to revoke this permit as
specified by 15 NCAC 2H .0205 (c)(4).
9. The issuance of this permit does not preclude the Permittee from complyi:.g with
any and all statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by
other government agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.
10. A set of approved documents for the subject project must be retained by the a-plicant
for the life of the project.
11. The Perrnittee, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permi_, shall
request its extension. Upon receipt of the request, the Commission will review
the adequacy of the facilities described therein, and if warranted, will extend the
permit for such period of time and under such conditions and limitations as it may
deem appropriate.
12. This permit may be modified, or revoked and reissued to incorporate any conditions,
limitations and monitoring requirements the Division of Environmental Management
deems necessary in order to adequately protect the environment and public health.
12 1989
10 CENTRAL FILE ODD'(

Permit issued this the 6th day of December, 1989
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
R. Paul Wilms, Director
Division of Environmental Management
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit No. WQ0001669
rr
f�
1 D 1989
is F t. OFY.