WQ0002004_Final Permit_20020218

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Michael F. Easley,
William G. Ross Jr
Gregory J. Thorpe,
John R. Bass
Bass Farms, Inc.
PO Box 126
Spring Hope, NC 27882
Dear Mr. John R. Bass:
Governor
Secretary
Ph.D., Acting
/ • •
NCDENR
Director NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
February 18, 2002
Subject: Permit No. WQ0002004
Bass Farms, Inc. - Bass Farms Sausage
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Nash County
In accordance with your application received May 21, 2001, we are forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0002004, dated
February 18, 2002, to Bass Farms, Inc. for the construction and operation of the subject wastewater treatment and spray
irrigation facilities. This permit serves as a renewal for existing permit WQ0002004 with no requested modifications.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until January 31, 2007, shall void Permit No. WQ0002004 issued
August 13, 1999, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified therein. Please pay particular attention
to the monitoring requirements in this permit. Failure to establish an adequate system for collecting and maintaining the
required operational information will result in future compliance problems.
Please pay particular attention to Condition I.6 and Condition 1.7 requiring installation of waste level gauges in the
holding ponds and an irrigation system evaluation.
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 the North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office
of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made this
permit shall be final and binding.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Sue Homg#ood at [phone] extension 502.
Sinter y,
�J
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
cc: Nash County Health Department
Raleigh Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Raleigh Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
Water Quality Central Files
NDPU Files
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycledil0% post -consumer paper

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM 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
Bass Farms, Inc.
Nash County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 5000 GPD (four days of operation per week) spray irrigation treatment and disposal facility
consisting of a grease trap, 10,000 gallon aeration basin, a settling tank, an effluent pump station, two 137,000 gallon
holding ponds, a spray irrigation pump, approximately 27,769 square feet of spray irrigation area in Field 1,
approximately 26,036 square feet of spray irrigation area in Field 2, and the addition of an estimated SO acres of land
application area for use during emergency situations only, to serve Bass Farms, Inc. - Bass Farms Sausage, with r
discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received May 21, 2001, and in conformity with
the project plan, specifications, and other supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until January 31, 2007, shall void Permit No.
WQ0002004 issued August 13, 1999, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The spray irrigation facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated at all times so that there is no
discharge to the surface waters, nor any contamination, of ground waters which will render them
unsatisfactory for normal use. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the
creation of nuisance conditions or failure of the irrigation area to adequately assimilate the wastewater, the
Permittee shall take immediate corrective actions including those actions that may be required by the
Division of Water Quality (Division), such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment and disposal facilities.
2. 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.
3. The residuals generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed in accordance with General
Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.
4. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.

The following buffers shall be maintained:
a) 400 feet between wetted area and any residence or places of public assembly under separate
ownership,
b) 150 feet between wetted area and property lines,
c) 100 feet between wetted area and wells,
d) 100 feet between wetted area and drainageways or surface water bodies,
e) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways,
f) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and we]Is, and
g) 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines.
Some of the buffers specified above may not have been included in previous permits for this waste
treatment and disposal system. These buffers are not intended to prohibit or prevent modifications, which
are required by the Division, to improve performance of the existing treatment facility. These buffers do,
however, apply to modifications of the treatment and disposal facilities which are for the purpose of
increasing the flow that is tributary to the facility. These buffers do apply to any expansion or
modification of the spray irrigation areas and apply in instances in which the sale of property would cause
any of the buffers now complied with, for the treatment and disposal facilities, to be violated. The
applicant is advised that any modifications to the existing facilities will require a permit modification.
A waste -level gauge to monitor waste levels shall be installed in both holding ponds within 60 days of
issuance of this permit. This gauge shall have readily visible permanent markings indicating the
maximum liquid level at the top of the temporary liquid storage volume, and the top of the damelevations.
Caution must be taken not to damage the integrity of the liner when installing the gauge.
7. Within six months of permit issuance the Permittee will submit a permit modification request that will
include an existing irrigation system evaluation. This evaluation shall include a calibration of all irrigation
nozzles to determine the actual flow disposal rate and a scaled layout of all irrigated acres. Discrepancies
between the existing system and the designed system will be noted (such as the approved half circles being
operated as full circles and the addition of any spray nozzles). This evaluation shall be signed, sealed and
dated by a Professional Engineer. After review of this evaluation the Division may require changes to be
made to the irrigation system or additional reporting and/or monitoring may be added to this permit.
H. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
2. Upon classification of the facility by the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification
Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to,.
be in responsible charge (ORC) of the wastewater treatment facilities. The operator must hold a certificate
of the type and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification assigned to the wastewater
treatment facilities by the WPCSOCC. The Permittee must also employ a certified back-up operator of the
appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0202. The ORC of the
facility must visit each Class I facility at least weekly and each Class II, III, and IV facility at least daily,
excluding weekends and holidays, and must properly manage and document daily operation and
maintenance of the facility and must comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0202.
3. A suitable year round vegetative cover shall be maintained.
4. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition that will
cause runoff.
Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the spray field.
2

The facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to prevent the
discharge of any wastewater resulting from the operation of this facility.
The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 52 inches over anytwelve (12) month perio-1
for Field I. The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 26 inches over any twelve (i
month period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.35 inches per hour for Field 2.
Nutrient loading for the spray irrigation area shall not exceed 200 pounds of plant available nitrogen
(PAN) per acre.
9. Prior to the use of the emergency land application area, a detailed map showing property boundaries and
all buffers will be developed for the area. This shall be kept on site by thepermittee with all other records.
In addition, land application area boundaries shall be clearly marked on each site prior to and during
application.
10. Prior to the use of the emergency land application area, the irrigation equipment will be calibrated to
ensure that the wastewater will be applied at a rate not to exceed an instantaneous rate of 0.35 inches per
hour and a weekly rate not to exceed 0.35 inches per week.
1 I . Nutrient Ioading at the emergency application site shall not exceed 125 pounds of plant available nitrogen
per acre.
12. No type of wastewater other than that from Bass Farms, Inc. - Bass Farms Sausage shall be sprayed onto
the irrigation area.
13. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or while
normal maintenance is being performed.
14. PubIic access to the land application sites shall be controlled during active site use. Such controls n
include the posting of signs showing the activities being conducted at each site.
15. Freeboard in the holding ponds shall not be less than two feet at any time.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses) deemed necessary by
the Division to insure surface and ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling
reporting schedule shall be followed.
2. Adequate records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking the amount of wastewater disposed. These
records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following information:
a. date of irrigation,
b. volume of wastewater irrigated,
c. field irrigated,
d. length of time field is irrigated,
e. continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date hydraulic (inches/acre) loadings for each field,
f. continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date PAN (by calculation) loadings
g. weather conditions, and
h. maintenance of cover crops.
3. Influent flow shall be continuously monitored and daily average flow values shall be reported on Form
NDMR. Flow may be estimated from water use records provided water use is metered. Daily avera
values shall be calculated by dividing monthly flow volume by the number of days in the month.
M

4
7.
The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to irrigation
every March, July, and October for the following parameters:
BOD5
TSS
Fecal Coliform
pH
NH3 as N
NO3 as N
TKN
Magnesium
Sodium
Calcium
Sodium Adsorption Ratio
by Calculation
Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition III 2) on Form NDAR-1
and three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition III 3 and III 4) on Form
NDMR-1 shall be submitted on or before the last day of the following month. All information shall be
submitted to the following address:
NC Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
A representative annual soils analysis (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted on each spray
field 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
Cation Exchange Capacity
Noncompliance Notification:
Manganese
Percent Humic Matter
pH
Exchangeable Sodium Percentage
Base Saturation (by calculation)
Potassium
Sodium
Zinc
Phosphorus
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Raleigh Regional Office, telephone number [phone],
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 at the wastewater treatment facility which results in the treatment of significant
amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such as the dumping of the
contents of a sludge digester; the known passage of a slug of hazardous substance through the facility;
or any other unusual circumstances.
b. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility incapable of
adequate wastewater treatment such as mechanical or electrical failures of pumps, aerators,
compressors, etc.
Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or treatment facility resulting in a by-pass directly to
receiving waters without treatment of all or any portion of the influent to such station or facility.
d. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out of compliance with
its permit limitations.
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.
4

IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
The existing groundwater monitoring wells MW-1 and MW-2 shall remain temporarily abandoned by
securing the wellheads to prevent access by hand. Each well shall have a lockable cap in order tr'
reasonably ensure against unauthorized access and use [15A NCAC 2C .0108 (c)(7)]. The wells shall
further secured by placing a compatible watertight cap or seal onto the riser pipe to prevent potential
contamination from entering the wells.
No land application of waste activities shall be undertaken when the seasonal high water table is less than
three feet below land surface.
The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15A NCAC 2L
Groundwater CIassifications and
constructed prior to December 31,
or (2) at the property boundary,
Groundwater Quality Standards
remediation action in addition
215.6A(a)(1).
Standards. The Compliance Boundary for the disposal system
1983 is established at either (1) 500 feet from the waste disposal area,
whichever is closest to the waste disposal area. An exceedance of
at or beyond the Compliance Boundary is subject to immediate
to the penalty provisions applicable under General Statute 143-
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.
4. Any additional groundwater monitoring as deemed necessary by the Division shall be provided.
V. INSPECTIONS
Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure propF
operation of the subject facilities.
2. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment 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 to the Division or other permitting authority.
Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division may, upon presentation of
credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on or related to the disposal 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 maintained 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 facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions of
this permit, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting data.
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the application
and other supporting data.

This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to change ownership, or there
is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must be submitted to the Division 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. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject thePermittee to an
enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-2I5.6A to 143-
215.6C.
The issuance of this permit does not exempt 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, including but not limited to applicable river buffer rules in 15A NCAC 213 .0200,
erosion and sedimentation control requirements in 15A NCAC Ch. 4 and under the Division's General
Permit NCG0100000, and any requirements pertaining to wetlands under 15A NCAC 2B .0200 and 2H
.0500.
6. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by thePermittee for the
life of the project.
7. 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
revolve this permit as specified by 15A NCAC 2H .0205 (c)(4).
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 andlimitations
as it may deem appropriate.
Permit issued this the 18`h of February, 2002
NORTH 7OLINAMANAGEMENT COMMISSION
.Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0002004