NC0036919_return_20030917

oF.WA rFq Michael F.Easley
Governor
co S' Y' William G.Ross,Jr., Secretary
NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
�K Alan W. Klimek,P.E.,Director
- Division of Water Quality
September 17,2003
Ms.Brenda Respess
25556 U.S. Highway 264 East
Pantego,North Carolina 27860
Subject: NPDES Permit NCO036919
Old Beaufort Elementary School
Proposed operational changes
Dear Ms. Respess:
This letter is in response to your telephone call regarding potential operational changes at your Town's permitted facility,the
former Beaufort Elementary School. You stated that your Town was considering operation of a commercial cafeteria in the
facility and asked for input from the Division regarding this plan.
Your facility discharges to a"zero-flow"stream,a waterbody that has no naturally occurring flow during dry weather
conditions. Potential impacts to water quality at the point of discharge are much greater in such streams,and impacts at the point
of discharge may persist downstream as a result. The Division strongly recommends that all such discharges be connected to
regional collection&treatment systems.
The Division did not object to the change in ownership from Beaufort County Schools to Pantego,as we understand the
need to make use of existing facilities that are still viable. However,please realize that direct discharge of wastewater is at best a
short-term solution for this facility. Annual operation&maintenance costs will only increase. Both the Town and the watershed
would be better served by connecting this facility to a regional system,if it is available.
For those reasons,we cannot approve your request to operate a commercial cafeteria. You must first obtain a major
modification to your existing permit;major modifications are required any time there is a change in wastewater type(s)at a
permitted facility.
➢ If you wish to proceed immediately,complete the enclosed application form and submit it,along with a description of
the proposed cafeteria and how it will contribute to the existing wastewater system. The fee for this type of modification
is$215.00,payable by check to NC DENR.
➢ If you wish to request this change as part of your permit renewal,there will be no modification fee. The enclosed
application and description of the cafeteria should be submitted after April 1,2004(no later than July 3,2004) for
renewal of this permit.
We strongly recommend you evaluate other wastewater disposal options for this facility. To discuss the possibility of
connection to regional sewer,contact Mr.Al Hodge in the Washington Regional Office at(252) 946-6481. If you have any
questions concerning the permit modification process,please contact me at the address or telephone number listed below.
Sincerely,
-mile-
Charles �� 7
H.Weaver,Jr.
NPDES Unit
cc: Central Files
Al Hodge/Washington Regional Office
NPDIS Unit
Mayor Glenda Jackson/Town of Pantego
1617 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone[phone],extension 511 FAX[phone]
VISIT US ON THE INTERNET @ http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/NPDES [e-mail]