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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0001669_Final Permit_19970903State of North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Wayne McDevitt, Secretary A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director September 3, 1997 Mr. Gene Haynes, Public Services Manager City of Hickory PO Box 398 Hickory, NC 28603 Dear Mr. Haynes: A&41 [DEHNR Subject: Permit No. WQ0001669 City of Hickory Land Application of Wastewater Residuals Catawba County In accordance with your application received on June 26, 1997, we are forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0001669 dated September 3, 1997, to the City of Hickory for the continued operation of a wastewater residuals land application program. The acreage included in this land application program has been reduced to approximately 905.7 acres. Please note that the application sites previously limited to seasonal use are now permitted for year- round use provided the water table is shown (by checking with a hand -auger and documenting the results) to be at least three feet below the land surface. This procedure change will afford more flexibility in the land application program while continuing to preserve the integrity of underlying groundwater. In consideration of past odor complaints, the Division recommends that a buffer of 800 feet (with no land application therein) be maintained from any off -site residence in proximity to Field 24-01 (Ruby Stegall/Hugh Waters). This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until August 31, 2002, shall void Permit No. WQ0001669 issued March 22, 1995, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified therein. Please pay particular attention to the monitoring and reporting requirements contained in this permit. Failure to establish an adequate system for collecting and maintaining the required operational information will result in future compliance problems. If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (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. Drawer 27447, Raleigh, NC 27611-7447. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding. P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone (919) 733-5083 FAX (919) 733-0719 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post -consumer paper If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mr. J. Ray Cox at (919) 733-5083, extension 541. Since ,/A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E. cc: Catawba, Lincoln and Burke County Health Departments Bio-Nomic Services, Inc. Mooresville Regional Office, Water Quality Section Mooresville Regional Office, Groundwater Section Asheville Regional Office, Water Quality Section Asheville Regional Office, Groundwater Section Bob Cheek, Groundwater Section, Central Office Training and Certification Unit (no revised rating) Facilities Assessment Unit NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES RALEIGH RESIDUALS 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 THE City of Hickory Catawba County FOR THE continued operation of a wastewater residuals land application program consisting of the application of 1,028 dry tons per year of residuals from sources listed in Condition 115, to approximately 905.7 acres of land in Catawba, Lincoln, and Burke Counties, as Iisted in Condition VI 4, with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received on- June 26, 1997, 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 August 31, 2002, shall void Permit No. WQ0001669 issued March 22, 1995, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and Iimitations: I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS The Mooresville Regional Office, telephone number (704) 663-1699 [or the Asheville Regional Office for the Burke County sites: (704) 251-6208], 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 residuals to a site 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. In addition, the appropriate County Manager's office must be notified prior to the initial application so that they will be aware that the operation has commenced. 2. This permit shall become voidable if the soils fail to adequately assimilate the wastes and may be rescinded unless the sites are maintained and operated in a manner which will protect the assigned water quality standards of the surface waters and ground waters. 3. 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 ground waters resulting from the operation of this program. 5. In the event that the land application program is not operated satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall cease applying residuals to the sites and take any immediate corrective actions as may be required by the Division. 6. Some of the buffers specified below may not have been included in previous permits for this land application operation. However, any sites or fields that are included in this permit, but were approved with different applicable buffers shall be reflagged to comply with the below buffers. The following buffer zones shall be maintained: a) 400 feet from residences or places of public assembly under separate ownership for surface application method; however, the buffer zone requirement may be reduced to a minimum of 100 feet upon written consent of the owner and approval from the appropriate DWQ regional office, b) 200 feet from residences or places of public assembly under separate ownership for subsurface residual injection method; however, the buffer zone requirement may be reduced to a minimum of 100 feet upon written consent of the owner and the appropriate DWQ regional office, c) 100 feet from any public or private water supply source, waters classified as SA or SB, and any Class I or Class II impounded reservoir used as a source of drinking water for both methods, d) 100 feet from any streams classified as WS or B, any other stream, canal, marsh or coastal waters and any other lake or impoundment for surface application, e) 50 feet from any streams classified as WS or B, any other stream, canal, marsh or coastal waters and any other lake or impoundment for subsurface application, f) 100 feet from property lines for both surface and subsurface application methods; g) 50 feet from public right of ways for both application methods, h) 10 feet from upslope interceptor drains and surface water diversions for both application methods, i) 25 feet from downslope interceptor drains, surface water diversions, groundwater drainage systems and surface drainage ditches for both application rnethods. 7. A copy of this permit shall be maintained at the land application site when residuals are being applied during the life of this permit. A spill prevention and control plan shall be maintained in all residuals transport and application vehicles. 8. Specific residual application area boundaries shall be clearly marked on each site prior to and during application. 9. No residuals at any time shall be stored at any application site, unless approval has been requested and obtained from the Division of Water Quality. 10. Maximum slope for residual application shall be 10% for surface application and 18% for subsurface applications. 11. When wastewater residuals are applied, the Class A pathogen requirements and site restrictions in 40 CFR Part 503.32(a) or the Class B pathogen requirements and site restrictions in 40 CFR Part 503.32(b), and one of vector attraction reduction requirements in 40 CFR Part 503.33 shall be met. Additionally, an evaluation must be performed which demonstrates the residuals ability to comply with this requirement. Upon request, a copy of this evaluation must be submitted including all test results and calculations. 2 II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS I . The facilities and application sites shall be properly maintained and operated at all times. 2. A suitable vegetative cover, as Iisted in condition H 4, shall be maintained in accordance with the crop management plan outlined by the local Extension Office of the Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, or other agronomist, and approved by this Division. 3. An acceptable pH must be maintained in the soil, residual and lime mixture, greater than 6.0, on all land application sites to insure optimum yield for the crop(s) specified below. The agronomist shall provide information on the pH best suited for the specified crop and the soil type. 4. The application rates shall not exceed the following for the specified crops: Crop PAN Ib./acre/ r. Alfalfa 200 Bermuda Grass (Hay, Pasture) 220 Blue Grass 120 Corn (Grain) 160 Corn (Silage) 200 Cotton 70 Fescue 250 Forest (Hardwood & Softwood) 75 Milo 100 Small Grain (Wheat, barley, oats) 100 Sorghum, Sudex (Pasture) 180 Sorghum, Sudex (Silage) 220 Soybeans 200 Timothy, Orchard, & Rye Grass 200 5. No residuals other than the following are hereby approved for land application in accordance with this permit: Permit Volume Source County Number (dry tons/year) Henry Fork WWTP Catawba NCO020401 1,028 Northeast WWTP Catawba NCO040797 * All residuals are treated at the Henry Fork facility. 6, The metal loading rates shall not exceed the following Cumulative Pollutant loading rates: Kilograms Pounds Parameters per Hectare Per Acre Arsenic 41 36 Cadmium 39 34 Copper 1,500 1,338 Lead 300 267 Mercury 17 15 Molybdenum ---- ---- Nickel 420 374 Selenium 100 89 Zinc 2,800 2,498 3 7. The pollutant concentrations in the residuals which will be applied to the land shall not exceed the following Ceiling Concentrations (Dry Weight Basis): Parameters mg/k Arsenic 75 Cadmium 85 Copper 4,300 Lead 840 Mercury 57 Molybdenum 75 Nickel 420 Selenium 100 zinc 7,500 8. Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, the Permittee shall employ a certified land application/residuals operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) of the land application program. The operator must hold a certificate of the type classification assigned to the land application program by the Certification Commission. The Permittee must also employ a certified back-up operator of the appropriate type to comply with the conditions of Title 15A NCAC 8A, .0202. 9. Adequate procedures shall be provided to prevent surface runoff from carrying any disposed or stored residuals into any surface waters. 10. Surface applied residuals will be plowed or disked within twenty-four (24) hours after application on lands with no cover crop established. 11. For areas that are prone to flooding or within the 100-year flood elevation, residuals may be applied only during periods of dry weather. The residuals must be incorporated into the soil within twenty-four (24) hours after application. 12. 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 the last residual application event. Such controls may include the posting of signs indicating the activities being conducted at each site. 13. Adequate provisions shall be taken to prevent wind erosion and surface runoff from conveying pollutants from the residuals application area onto the adjacent property or into any surface waters. 14. Residuals 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 residuals disposal measures must first be approved by the Division of Water Quality. 15. Residuals shall not be applied to any land application site that is flooded, frozen or snow- covered. 16. Residuals shall not be applied at rates greater than agronomic rates, unless authorized by the Division. 17. Animals shall not be grazed on an application site for 30 days after residuals application. Application sites that are to be used for grazing shall have fencing that will be used to prevent access after each application. 18. Food crops, feed crops and fiber crops that do not come in contact with the residuals shall not be harvested for 30 days after residuals application. 0 19. Food crops with harvested parts that touch the residual/soil mixture and are totally above the land surface (ex. tobacco, melons, cucumbers, squash, etc.) shall not be harvested for 14 months after residuals application. 20. Food crops with harvested parts below the surface of the land (root crops such as potatoes, carrots, radishes, etc.) shall not be harvested for 20 months after application of residuals when the residuals remain on the Iand surface for four (4) months or longer prior to incorporation into the soil. 21. Food crops with harvested parts below the surface of the land shall not be harvested for 38 months after application of residuals when the residuals remain on the land surface for less than four (4) months prior to incorporation into the soil. 22. Turf shall not be harvested for 1 year after residuals application if the turf is to be placed on land with a high potential for public exposure. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, residuals, soil, or plant tissue analyses) deemed necessary by the Division of Water Quality to insure protection of the environment will be established and an acceptable sampling and reporting schedule shall be followed. 2. Proper records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking all application activities. These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to the following information: a. source of residuals b. date of residual application c. location of residual application (site, field, or zone #) d . method of application e. weather conditions (sunny, cloudy, raining, etc.) f. soiI conditions g . type of crop or crops to be grown on field h. volume of residuals applied in gallons/acre, dry tons/acre or kilograms/hectare i. annual and cumulative totals of dry tons/acre of residuals, annual and cumulative pounds/acre of each heavy metal (which shall include, but not be limited to arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium and zinc), annual pounds/acre of plant available nitrogen (PAN), and annual pounds/acre of phosphorus applied to each field. 3. A representative annual soils analysis (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted on each site receiving residuals in the respective calendar year and the results maintained on file by the Permittee for a minimum of five years. The Standard Soil Fertility Analysis shall include, but is not necessarily limited to, the following parameters: Acidity Calcium Copper Magnesium Base Saturation (by calculation) Cation Exchange Capacity Manganese Potassium Percent Humic Matter Sodium pH Zinc Phosphorus 5 The Standard Soil Fertility Analysis (see above) and an analysis for the following pollutants shall be conducted once prior to permit renewal on soils from each site which has received residuals during the permit cycle. Arsenic Mercury . Nickel Cadmium Molybdenum Selenium Lead 4. A residuals analysis will be conducted quarterly from the date of permit issuance by the Pennittee and the results maintained on file by the Perrnittee for a minimum of five years. If land application occurs at a frequency less than quarterly, a residuals analysis will be required for each instance of land application. The residuals analysis shall include but is not necessarily limited to the following parameters: Arsenic Calcium Cadmium Nitrate -Nitrite Nitrogen Copper Magnesium Lead % Total Solids Mercury pH Molybdenum Phosphorus Nickel Plant Available Nitrogen (by calculation) Selenium Potassium Zinc Sodium Aluminum TKN Ammonia -Nitrogen After the residuals have been monitored for two years at the above frequency, the Permittee may submit a request to the Division for a permit modification for the reduction of the frequency of monitoring for pollutant concentrations and for the pathogen density requirements, but in no case shall the frequency of monitoring be less than once per year when residuals are applied to the land. 5. A Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure- (TCLP) analysis shall be conducted by the Permittee annually. The TCLP analysis shall include the following parameters (please note the regulatory level in mg/L in parentheses): Arsenic (5.0) Benzene (0.5) Carbon tetrachloride (0.5) Chlorobenzene (100.0) Chromium (5.0) m-Cresol (200.0) Cresol (200,0) 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (7.5) 1,1-Dichloroethylene (0.7) Endrin (0.02) Hexachlorobenzene (0.13) Hexachloroethane (3.0) Lindane (0.4) Methoxychlor (10,0) Nitrobenzene (2.0) Pyridine (5.0) Silver (5.0) Toxaphene (0.5) 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol (400,0) 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) (1.0) Barium (100.0) Cadmium (1.0) Chlordane (0.03) Chloroform (6.0) o-Cresol (200.0) p-Cresol (200.0) 2,4-D (10.0) 1,2-Dichloroethane (0.5) 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (0.13) Heptachlor (and its hydroxide) (0.008) Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (0.5) Lead (5.0) Mercury (0.2) Methyl ethyl ketone (200.0) Pentachlorophenol (100.0) Selenium (1.0) Tetrachloroethylene (0.7) Trichloroethylene (0.5) 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (2.0) Vinyl chloride (0.2) 2 6. All residuals included in this permit must be monitored quarterly from the date of permit issuance, for compliance with condition I l l of this permit. Data to verify stabilization and vector attraction reduction of the residuals must be maintained by the Permittee. The required data is specific to the stabilization process utilized, but should be sufficient to clearly demonstrate compliance the Class A pathogen requirements in 40 CFR Part 503.32(a) or with the Class B pathogen requirements and site restrictions in 40 CFR Part 503.32(b), and one of vector attraction reduction requirements in 40 CFR Part 503.33. In addition, the EPA certification statements concerning compliance with pathogen requirements, vector attraction reduction requirements and management practices must be completed quarterly by the proper authority or authorities if more than one is involved, either the person who prepares the residuals, the person who derives the material, or the person who applies the residuals. After the residuals have been monitored for two years at the above frequency, the Pennittee may request a permit modification for the reduction of the frequency of monitoring for pollutant concentrations and for the pathogen density requirements, but in no case shall the frequency of monitoring be less than once per year when residuals are applied to the land. 7. Three copies of all required monitoring and reporting requirements as specified in conditions 1111, 1112, III 3, 1II 4, 1I15, and III 6 shall be submitted annually on or before March 1 of the following year to the following address: NC Division of Water Quality Water Quality Section Facility Assessment Unit PO Box 29535 Raleigh, NC 27626-0535 8. Noncompliance Notification: The Penrdttee shall report by telephone to the Mooresville Regional Office, telephone number (704) 663-1699 [for the land application sites in Burke County, the Asheville Regional Office should be contacted at (704) 251-6208] 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 release of material to receiving waters. 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 residual treatment. e. Any spillage or discharge from a vehicle or piping system transporting residuals to the application site. Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form within five (5) 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. 7 IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS 1. The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15A NCAC 2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards. The Compliance Boundary is for the disposal system constructed after December 31, 1983 is established at either (1) 250 feet from the waste disposal area, or (2) 50 feet within the property boundary, whichever is closest to the waste disposal area. An exceedance of Groundwater Quality Standards at or beyond the Compliance Boundary is subject to immediate remediation action in addition to the penalty provisions applicable under General Statute 143-215.6A(a)(1). In accordance with 15A NCAC 2L, a REVIEW BOUNDARY is established around the disposal systems midway between the Compliance Boundary and the perimeter of the waste disposal area. Any exceedance of standards at the Review Boundary shall require remediation action on the part of the permittee. 2. Any groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be provided. 3. No land application of waste activities shall be undertaken when the seasonal high water table is less than three feet below land surface. V . INSPECTIONS 1. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the residuals storage, transport, and application 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 maintain 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 five years from the date of the inspection and shall be made available to the Division of Water Quality or other permitting authority, upon request. 2. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of Water Quality may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on or related to the application site or 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; and may obtain samples of groundwater, surface water, or leachate. 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, the supporting materials, 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 automatically transferable. In the event that 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 Water Quality 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. The following are approved sites for residuals application (see attached map[s]): Application SiteNo. e Owner/Lessee (excludin buff rs) Catawba County 02-01 Robert Mauser 18.0 02-02 Robert Mauser 10.0 02-03 Robert Mauser 60.0 02-04 Robert Mauser 60.0 02-05 Robert Mauser 65.0 02-06 Robert Mauser 28.0 02-07 Robert Mauser 12.0 02-09 Robert Mauser 35.0 02-09 Robert Mauser 22.0 02-10 Robert Mauser 31.0 02-11 Robert Mauser 22.0 22-01 a M&T Farms 1 A 22-02b M&T Farms 9.5 22-03 M&T Farms 45.0 22-04 M&T Farms 23.5 22-05 ` M&T Farms 45.0 22-11 M&T Farms 3.8 22-12 M&T Farms 6.5 22-13 M&T Farms 8.0 22-14 b M&T Farms 6.3 TOTAL ACRES IN COUNTY 512.0 Lincoln County 21-01 J.S. Whitener 15.0 21-02 J.S. Whitener 18.0 21-03 J.S. Whitener 18.0 21-04 J.S. Whitener 10.0 21-05 J.S. Whitener 29.0 21-07 J.S. Whitener 6.0 24-01 Ruby Stegall/Hugh Waters 45.2 24-02 James McGinnis/Hugh Waters 25.3 24-03 James McGinnis/Hugh Waters 29.3 24-04 b James McGinnis/Hugh Waters 32.1 TOTAL ACRES IN COUNTY 227.9 Burke County - 26-01 Hazel Wood Estate/Horace Wood 32.2 26-02 HazeI Wood Estate/Horace Wood 37.3 26-03 Hazel Wood Estate/Horace Wood 39.5 26-04 Hazel Wood Estate/Horace Wood 30.7 26-05 Hazel Wood Estate/Horace Wood 26.1 TOTAL ACRES IN COUNTY 165.8 TOTAL AVAILABLE ACRES 905.7 L� Due to the close proximity of off -site residences, this land application site shall receive residuals by subsurface injection only. A buffer of twenty (20) feet shall be maintained around the rock outcrop located on this site. Due to the close proximity of off -site residences, these sites shall receive residuals by subsurface injection only. The water table shall be shown to be at least three (3) feet below the land surface prior to the application of any residuals on these sites. 5. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6(a) to 143-215.6(c). 6. 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 the fee accordingly may cause the Division to initiate action to revoke this permit as specified by 15 NCAC 2H .0205 (c)(4). 7. The issuance of this permit does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and all statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other government agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction. 8. The Permittee, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permit, 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. 9. This permit may be modified, or revoked and reissued to incorporate any conditions, limitations and monitoring requirements the Division of Water Quality deems necessary in order to adequately protect the environment and public health. 10. This permit shall become voidable unless the agreements between the Permittee and the landowners/lessees are in full force and effect. The land owner agreements are considered expired concurrent with the expiration date of the permit and must be renewed at the same time the permit is renewed. Permit issued this the third day of September, 1997 NORTH CAR /INA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION �A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director TDivision of Water Quality By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Permit Number WQ0001669 10