NC0007820_NOS Monitoring Study_20191114

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LINDA CULPEPPER NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
November 14,2019
CERTIFIED MAIL ITEM 7015 0640 0007 9833 6780
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr.Arnold Allred
Town of Franklinville
P.O.Box 277
Franldinville,NC,27248
Subject: Notice of Selection for Monitoring Study
NPDES Permit Number NC0007820
Franklinville WWTP
Randolph County
Dear Mr.Allied,
This letter is to inform you that your facility,Franklinville WWTP,has been selected by the Division of
Water Resources(DWR) for special investigative monitoring as part of a basin-wide study.
In an effort to assess the levels of emerging compounds throughout the Cape Fear River Basin and to
begin developing a Management Strategy to address and reduce levels of emerging compounds,DWR
will be performing investigative monitoring for 1,4-dioxane and total PFAS at WWTPs discharging
domestic waste<1MGD.This monitoring will include two sampling efforts which will take place over
the next few months. Such investigative actions can be required under 15A NCAC 02B .0508 (b)(2)and
G.S. 143-215.66.
Your facility was selected for this monitoring study because it meets a list of desired characteristics,
including:
• This facility discharges into the Cape Fear River Basin,an area of interest for potentially
elevated PFAS concentrations.
• This facility treats domestic waste largely from an initial raw water source which is currently
being monitored for emerging compounds by the PFAS Monitoring Network in order to
investigate background concentrations of these compounds.
• This facility has no major compliance issues.
• This facility has an accessible sampling point.
• This facility discharges regularly.
Please note that selection of this facility by DWR for investigative monitoring does not imply that this
facility is suspected to discharge high concentrations of emerging compounds. This facility was selected
solely for meeting the above criteria.
Staff from your DWR regional office will contact you to set up two separate sampling events. The
permittee will not be responsible for the cost of sample collection and analysis.However,you may
elect to split samples with DWR for supplementary analysis at a lab of your choosing at your own cost.
(To locate a lab certified to perform 1,4-dioxane analysis using EPA Method 624.1,please
visit https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-data/water-scienceshome-
page/laboratory-certification-branch/certified-laboratory-listings. Be sure to specify 1,4-dioxane by EPA
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Q`ll 512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1611
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method 624.1 when contacting the labs.The Division recommends that the lab uses sufficiently sensitive
test procedures with a target Practical Quantification Level(PQL)of approximately 1 µg/L.)The
collected data will be evaluated to determine next steps to reduce occurrence of 1,4-dioxane and PFAS
throughout the State.
Background
1,4-dioxane and a group of chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS,
also referred to as PFCs)have been found in North Carolina waters. Data reviewed as part of the UCMR
(Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule)indicated elevated concentrations for these compounds in
the Cape Fear River Basin. Ambient monitoring performed by DWR's Water Sciences Section have also
confirmed the presence of these compounds in the Cape Fear River Basin.
1,4-dioxane is a clear liquid that is highly miscible in water. It has historically been used as a solvent
stabilizer and is currently used for a wide variety of industrial and manufacturing purposes. The
compound can be found in industrial solvents,paint stripers and varnishes,and is often produced as a by-
product of chemical processes to manufacture soaps,plastics, and other consumer products.
The U.S. EPA has not established a maximum contaminant level for 1,4-dioxane in drinking water but
has characterized it as"likely to be carcinogenic to humans"and has established a drinking water health
advisory of 35 ug/1. North Carolina has a calculated human health surface water criterion with an
associated estimated lifetime cancer risk of one in one million at a concentration for 1,4-dioxane of 0.35
ugh in water supplies and 80 ug/1 in all other waterbodies (15A NCAC 02B .0208).
PFAS compounds are most often associated with nonstick coatings,plating operations, firefighting foams,
and stain-and water-resistant treatments for clothing, furniture,and carpeting.
PFAS has been found to have adverse effects in laboratory animals and humans when ingested. To
provide Americans with a margin of protection from a lifetime of exposure to PFAS from drinking water,
EPA has established the health advisory levels of 70 ng/1 for two of the most common PFAS compounds
PFOA(perfluorooctanoic acid)and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate).
Additional Information
The Department looks forward to working closely with you on this important public health issue.
Data from the Cape Fear River Basin will be evaluated to determine next steps to reduce the
discharge of 1,4-dioxane and PFAS throughout the state.
Please contact Emily DelDuco at(919) 707-9075 or via email([e-mail])if you
have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Poupart
Water Quality Permitting Section Chief
Division of Water Resources
Cc: Dana Satterwhite,WSS
Winston-Salem Regional Office