WQ0019504_Final Permit_20070110

o f w A rE9 Michael F. Easley, Governor
`�� p� William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
q ]North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
r
=1 Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
4 Division of Water Quality
January 10, 2007
MR. BARRY L. WEBB, CITY MANAGER
CrrY OF 13ELMONT
POST OFFICE Box 431
BEIMONT, NORTH CAROLI NA 28012
Subject: PennitNo. WQ0019504
City of Belmont
City of Belmont Water Treatment Plant
Distribution/Land Application of Alum
Residuals (503 Exempt)
Gaston County
Dear Mr. Webb:
In accordance with your permit renewal application package received on September 12, 2006, we
are forwarding herewith a renewed Permit No. WQ0019504, dated January 10, 2007, to the City of
Belmont for the operation of a program to distribute/land apply residuals from potable water treatment
processes.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until December 31, 2011; shall void
Permit No. WQ0019504, issued on October 5, 2001; and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations
as specified therein. Make note of this permit's expiration date and that a permit renewal application is
due to the Division of Water Quality (Division) no later than six months prior to that date (i.e., see
Condition VI.7.), as the Division does not send reminders to apply for permit renewal.
This permit approves the continued operation of the residuals land application program for
another five-year cycle.
Please note that on September 1, 2006 State Administrative Code 15A NCAC Subchapter 02T --
Waste not Discharged to Surface Water was adopted. This permit incorporates the requirement of the
new rules. Remember to take the time to review this permit thoroughly, as some of the conditions
contained therein may have been added, changed, or deleted from those in previously issued permits. 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. Of special interest to you may be the following:
♦ Under the State Administrative Code 15A NCAC Subchapter 02T — Waste not Discharged to
Surface Water, the application rates of plant available nitrogen (PAN) shall not exceed the
agronomic rates. Appropriate agronomic rates shall be calculated using expected nitrogen
requirements based on the Realistic Yield Expectations (RYE) for each approved land
application site. See Condition H. 14. for more detail.
♦ Condition II. 10. and 11., regarding setbacks requirement.
♦ Condition II. 13., regarding sources of nutrient and Nutrient Management Plan. N�fi �f rCarolina
)QA( lIbI
Aquifer Protection Section 1636 Mail service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1636 Phone [phone] Customer Service
Internet: http://h2o.enr,state.nc.us 2728 Capital Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27604 Fax [phone]
Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunily/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycledl10% Post Consumer Paper

Mr. Webb
January 10, 2007
Page 2
♦ An Operation and Maintenance Plan requirement. See Condition IV. for more detail.
If any parts, requirements, and/or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have
the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days following receipt of this
permit. This request shall 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 at 6714 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made, this permit shall be final
and binding.
If you need any additional information concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Chonticha
McDaniel by telephone at [phone], or via e-mail at chonticha.mcdaniel ail.net.
Sincer ly
for Alan W. Klimek, P.E.
cc: Dennis Key, Southern Soil Builders, Inc.
Gaston County Health Department
Mooresville Regional Office -Aquifer Protection Section
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
APS Central Files
LAU Files

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
DISTRIBUTION/LAND APPLICATION OF ALUM RESIDUALS 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 Belmont
Gaston County
Itie] :74rt:I
operation of a program for the distribution/land application of alum residuals from the treatment of potable
water. The program shall result in the distribution of up to 200 dry tons per year of residuals from the
sources listed in Condition II.4., with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the renewal
application received on September 12, 2006 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 December 31, 2011; shall void Permit
No. WQ0019504, issued on October 5, 2001; and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations.
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The distribution/land application of residuals 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.
2. This permit shall become voidable if the soils of the land application sites fail to assimilate the
residuals adequately and may be rescinded unless the land application sites are maintained and
operated in a manner that will protect the assigned water quality standards of the surface
waters and groundwater.
3. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages to
surface waters or groundwater resulting from the operation of this program.

4. In the event that the residuals program is not operated satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall cease land applying residuals to the site, contact the
Aquifer Protection Section of the appropriate Division of Water Quality's (Division) regional
office, and take any immediate corrective actions as may be required by the Division.
5. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated residuals or leachate from the residual treatment
facilities is prohibited.
6. All leachate must be reused as a wetting agent for the processing of residuals or routed to the
head of the treatment plant.
7. For residuals to be distributed/land applied, the following shall be satisfied:
The Ceiling Concentrations (Dry Weight Basis) and the Pollutant Monthly Average
Concentrations (Dry Weight Basis) shall be maintained:
Parameter
Ceiling Concentration
(milligrams per kilogram)
Monthly Average
Concentration
(milligrams per kilogram)
Arsenic
75
41
Cadmium
85
39
Copper
4,300
1,500
Lead
840
300
Mercury
57
17
Molybdenum
75
n/a
Nickel
420
420
Selenium
100
100
Zinc
7,500
2,800
8. When residuals are sold or given away, one of the Class A pathogen requirements in 15A
NCAC 02T .1106(b) must 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.
9. No residuals shall be stored at any location other than at the water treatment facility at any
time, unless approval has been requested and obtained from the Division.
10. Maximum slope for the distribution/land application of residuals shall be 10 percent for
surface application and 18 percent for subsurface application.
II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REOUIREMENTS
1. The facilities and distribution/land application program shall be properly maintained and
operated at all times.
2. A copy of this permit shall be maintained in all manned equipment at the land application sites
when bulk residuals are being land applied during the life of this permit. A spill prevention
and control plan shall be maintained in all residuals transport and application vehicles.
0a

Upon classification of the facility and residuals product distribution/land application program
by the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission (WPCSOCC), the
Permittee shall employ a certified operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) of the facility
and program. The operator shall hold a certificate of the type classification assigned to the
facility and program by the WPCSOCC. The Permittee shall also employ a certified back-up
operator of the appropriate type to comply with the conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0202.
4. No residuals other than those generated by the following residuals source -generating facilities
shall be approved for distribution/land application in accordance with this permit:
Residuals
Maldmum
Permittee
Source -Generating
County
Permit Number
Dry Tons
Facility
per Year
City of Belmont
City of Belmont WTP
Gaston
PWS 01-36-015
200.00
TOTAL
200.00
5. No other residuals or Class A EQ residuals product other than that from the residuals source -
generating facilities specified in Condition Il. 4. may be distributedlland applied under this
permit. The Permittee shall request and obtain a permit amendment from the Division for each
additional residual source -generating facility prior to acceptance of those residuals.
All residuals shall be adequately stored to prevent leachate runoff prior to and following
treatment. The finished product may be stored in an elevated silo, placed on a concrete pad,
kept under shelter, covered, or stored in a manner as otherwise approved by the Division until
such time as it is distributed/land applied. If an alternative storage site is to be used, approval
shall first be obtained from the Division.
7. For residuals to be distributed/land applied, the residuals shall be essentially pathogen -free, as
evidenced by the testing of seven separate and representative samples of the residuals for the
presence of fecal conform in accordance with Condition IH.3. of this permit. Distribution/land
application of the residuals shall be strictly forbidden if any sample results in a fecal coliform
density of 1,000 most probable number (MPN) or coliform forming units (CF'U) per gram of
total dry solids. Note that utilization of the geometric mean shall not be allowed to meet this
condition.
8. Adequate provisions shall be taken to prevent wind erosion and surface runoff from conveying
pollutants from residuals treatment area onto adjacent property or into any surface waters.
9. Bulk residuals shall not be applied to the land under the following conditions:
a. If the residuals are likely to adversely affect a threatened or endangered species listed
under section 4 of the Endangered Species or its designated critical habitat;
b. If the application causes prolonged nuisance conditions;
c. If the land fails to assimilate the bulk residuals or the application causes the contravention
of surface water or groundwater standards;
d. If the land is flooded, frozen, or snow-covered or is otherwise in a condition such that
runoff of the residuals would occur;
e. Within the 100-year flood elevation unless the bulk residuals are injected or incorporated
within a 24-hour period following the residuals land application event;

f. During a precipitation event or within 24 hours following a rainfall event of 0.5 inches or
greater in a 24-hour period. Any emergency residuals land application measures shall first
be approved in writing by the Division;
g. If the slope for land is greater than 10 percent when bulk liquid residuals are surface
applied, and if the slope of the land is greater then 18 percent with bulk liquid residuals are
injected or incorporated;
h. If the pH is not maintained in the soil, residuals, and lime mixture, greater than 6.0, on all
land application sites onto which residuals are land applied. The agronomist shall provide
information on the pH best suited for the specified crop and the soil type;
i. If the land does not have an established vegetative cover in accordance with the crop
management plan outlined by the local Cooperative Extension Office, the Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, or other
agronomist unless the bulk residuals are incorporated within a 24-hour period following
the residuals land application event or injected;
j. If the vertical separation of the seasonal high water table and the depth of residuals
application is less than one foot;
k. If the vertical separation of the depth to bedrock and the depth of residuals application is
less than one foot;
1. Application exceeds agronomic rates.
10. For residuals treatment and storage facilities, the following minimum setbacks shall be
adhered to:
Description of Setback
Minimum Setback (feet)
Habitable residence or place of public assembly under separate
ownership or not to be maintained as part of the project site
100
Property lines
50
Private or public water supply
100
Surface waters (streams — intermittent and perennial, perennial
waterbodies, and wetlands)
50
Wells with exception to monitoring wells
100
11. When land applying bulk residuals to any land application site, the following setbacks shall be
maintained at all times:
Setback by type of Residual (feet)
Description of Setback
Liquid
Cake
Private or public water supply
100
100
Surface waters (streams — intermttent and perennial,
perennial waterbodies, and wetlands)
100
25
Surface water diversions (ephemeral streams,
waterways, ditches)
25
0
Groundwater lowering ditches (where the bottom of
the ditch intersects the SHWT)
25
0
Subsurface groundwater lowering system
Wells with exception to monitoring wells
100
100
Bedrock outcrops
25
0
4

12. Specific residual application area boundaries shall be clearly marked prior to and during
distribution/land application.
13_ Upon entering an agreement with landowners to apply bulk residuals to a land application site,
the Permittee shall require of the landowner or lessee/operator a statement detailing the
volume of nutrient sources (waste residuals, manufactured fertilizers, manures, or other animal
waste products) other than the residuals to be applied by the Permittee, that have been applied
to the land, and a copy of the most recent Nutrient Management Plan (NMP), if available, for
the fields within the agreement. For the purpose of this permit condition, a Crop
Management Plan (CMP), Waste Utilization Plan (W[TP) or Certified Nutrient
Management Plan (CNMP) shall also be considered a Nutrient Management Plan.
The NMPs must be provided only for those operations where a NMP (also CMP, WUP, or
CNMP) is required by the US Department of Agriculture — National Resources Conservation
Service (MRCS) or other State Agencies. The Permittee shall rely on the provided information
to calculate appropriate reductions in allowable PAN loading rates. If the calculation shows
that the agronomic rates (including PAN) have already been met or exceeded on a field, no
additional residuals shall be land applied to that field.
14. A suitable, non -direct food chain, vegetative cover crop shall be maintained on all fields to
receive distributed/land applied residuals. When distributing/land applying the residuals, the
application rates of plant available nitrogen (PAN) shall not exceed the agronomic rates.
Appropriate agronomic rates shall be calculated using expected nitrogen requirements based
on the Realistic Yield Expectations (RYE) for each approved land application site. Realistic
Yield Expectations for crop types and specific fields or soils types shall be determined by
using any of the following methods:
a. North Carolina Historical Data for specific crop and soil types as provided by North
Carolina State University Department of Soil Science Webpage at
http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/Mp/nc=w&/vields/
b. Site Specific Historical Data for crop types on specific fields or soil types by calculating
the mean of the best three yields of the last five consecutive crop harvests for each field.
c. If the RYE cannot be determined using methods 13(a) or (b) above, RYE can be
established from specially developed soil interpretation records for Nutrient Management
Planning, Farm Service Agency Records, university trials, or inference from crop
performance on soil with very similar physical and chemical features.
d. Realistic Yields Expectations and acceptable nitrogen application rates that use the above
methodology are required parts of many agricultural planning documents. The Permittee
may use the RYE and appropriate agronomic rates reported in any of the following
documents:
i. Crop management plan as outlined by the local Cooperative Extension Office,
the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the
Natural Resource Conservation Service, or other agronomist.
ii. Waste Utilization Plan as outlined by Senate Bill 1217 Interagency Group -
Guidance Document: Chapter 1. Guidance for the completion of the plan can be
found at hitp://www.enr,state.nc.us/DSWCpages/auidance_docs.html.

iii. Certified Nutrient Management Plan as outlined by Natural Resources
Conservation Services (MRCS). These plans must meet the USDA-NRCS 590
Nutrient Management Standards, which are available at: Rp://ftp-
fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/LA/technical/N590 03-2001.pdf
e. For any crop type for which the RYE and appropriate nitrogen application rate cannot be
determined, the Permittee shall contact the Division to determine necessary action.
15. The lifetime loading for aluminum for any field shall not exceed 10,000 pounds of aluminum
per acre.
16. Surface -applied residuals shall be plowed or disced in within 24 hours after distribution/land
application on fields with no cover crop established. An acceptable cover crop shall be
established within 30 days of the distribution/land application event.
17. For fields that are prone to flooding or those that are within the 100-year flood elevation,
residuals shall be distributed/land applied only during periods of dry weather. The residuals
shall be incorporated into the soil within 24 hours after distribution/land application.
18. Adequate provisions shall be taken to control public access to fields during active use.
19. All recipients of the distributed/land applied residuals shall be provided with an
information/data sheet that contains the following minimum information:
a. The name, address, and telephone number of the person who prepared the residuals.
b. The name, address, and telephone number of the person distributing/land applying the
residuals.
c. A description of the source of or the process by which the residuals were generated.
d. A summary of the results from the most recent round of residuals sampling/monitoring.
e. A summary of the volume of residuals distributedfland applied per acre.
f. A statement that the lifelong cumulative loading rate of aluminum shall not exceed 10,000
pounds per acre and an update of the cumulative load received to date.
g. A summary of the nutrients (i.e., PAN, phosphorus, and potassium) applied per acre.
h. A statement that an acceptable pH of greater than 6.0 must be maintained in the soil,
residuals and lime mixture, on all land application sites to ensure optimum yield for the
crop(s) and a list of recommendations to the recipient of the residuals regarding field use,
soil testing, pH adjustment, and other relevant agronomic information.
M. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any monitoring (i.e., including groundwater, surface water, residuals, soil, or plant tissue
analyses) deemed necessary by the Division to ensure protection of the environment shall be
established, and an acceptable sampling and reporting schedule shall be followed.
2. Proper records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking all distribution/land application
activities. The Permittee shall be responsible for developing and maintaining a consistent field
numbering/identification system. These records shall include, but are not be necessarily
limited to, the following information:
n

a. Source of residuals;
b. Date of residual application;
c. Information regarding the location of residual application (i.e., field owner name, address,
and telephone number; approximate field location; field number, etc.);
d. Method of application;
e. Weather conditions (i.e., sunny, cloudy, raining, etc.);
f. Soil conditions (i.e., dry, wet, frozen, etc.);
g. Type of crop(s) to be grown on field;
h. Volume of residuals applied in gallons per acre, dry tons per acre; and
i. Annual totals of dry tons per acre of residuals, annual pounds per acre of plant available
nitrogen (PAN), and annual pounds per acre of aluminum applied to each field.
All residuals included in this permit shall be monitored annually by the Permittee for
compliance with Condition H. 7. of this permit. The results of all analyses shall be maintained
on file by the Permittee for a minimum of five years.
4. A residual analysis shall be conducted annually from the date of permit issuance by the
Permittee. The results of all analysis shall be maintained on file by the Permittee for a
minimum of five years. The residuals analysis shall include the following parameters:
Aluminum
Ammonia -Nitrogen
Arsenic
Cadmium
Calcium
Copper
Lead
Magnesium
Mercury
Molybdenum
Nickel
Nitrate -Nitrite Nitrogen
Percent Total Solids
PH
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Sodium
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Zinc
Plant Available Nitrogen (by Cale.)
5. A Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP) analysis shall be conducted by the
Permittee once per permit cycle. The TCLP analysis shall include the following parameters
(please note the regulatory level in mg/L in parentheses):
Arsenic (5.0)
Cadmium (1.0)
Chlorobenzene (100.0)
o-Cresol (200.0)
Cresol (200.0)
1,2-Dichloroethane (0.5)
Endrin (0.02)
Hexachlorobenzene (0. 13)
Lead (5.0)
Methoxychlor (10.0)
Pentachlorophenol (100.0)
Silver (5.0)
Trichloroethylene (0.5)
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) (1,0)
Barium (100.0)
Benzene (0.5)
Carbon tetrachloride (0.5)
Chlordane (0.03)
Chloroform (6.0)
Chromium (5.0)
m-Cresol (200.0)
p-Cresol (200.0)
2,4-D (10.0)
1,4-Dichlorobenzene (7.5)
1, 1 -Dichloroethylene (0.7)
2,4-Dinitrotoluene (0.13)
Heptachlor (and its hydroxide) (0.008)
Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (0.5)
Hexachloroethane (3.0)
Lindane (0.4)
Mercury (0.2)
Methyl ethyl ketone (200.0)
Nitrobenzene (2.0)
Pyridine (5.0)
Selenium (1.0)
Tetrachloroethylene (0.7)
Toxaphene (0.5)
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol (400.0)
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (2,0)
Vinyl chloride (0.2)
7

6. Three copies of all required monitoring and reporting requirements as specified in conditions
III 1, III 2, III 3, III 4, and 1115 shall be submitted annually on or before March 1 of the year
following the distribution/land application event to the following address:
NCDENR-DWQ
Information Processing Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
7. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Mooresville 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 with the distribution program which results in the land application of
significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic.
b. Any failure of the distribution program resulting in a release of material 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 residual treatment.
e. Any spillage or discharge from a vehicle or piping system during transportation of
residuals.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form
within five 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.
IV. OPERATION AND MALNTENANCE PLAN
The Permittee shall maintain an Operation and Maintenance Plan (O&M Plan). The O&M Plan
shall:
a. Describe the operations of the program and any associated facilities and equipment in
sufficient detail to show what operations are necessary for the program to function and by
whom the functions are to be conducted,
b. Describe anticipated maintenance of facility and equipment that are associated with the
program,
c. Include provisions for safety measures including restrictions of access to the site and
equipment, as appropriate,
d. Include spill control provisions including:
i. Response to upsets and bypasses including control, containment, and remediation,
ii. Contact information for program personnel, emergency responders, and regulatory
agencies,
H

e. Detailed procedures for sampling and monitoring to ensure that the program stays in
compliance with this Section and any issued permit.
V. INSPECTIONS
The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the residuals storage, transport, and treatment
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 or other permitting authority, upon request.
2. 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 treatment 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 distribution/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 residuals 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 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 the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General
Statute 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.
5. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within 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 2T .0105 (e)(3).
6. 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.
9

7. The Permittee, at least six 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.
8. This permit may be modified, or revoked and reissued to incorporate any conditions,
limitations and monitoring requirements the Division deems necessary in order to adequately
protect the environment and public health.
Permit issued this the 10"3%y of January, 2007.
NORTH
MANAGEMENT COIvIVIISSION
fior Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0019504
10