NC0057703_Issued ATC_20200501

March 23, 2020

Mr. Michael A. Melton
Engineering Manager
Aqua NC, Inc.
202 Mackenan Drive
Cary, North Carolina 27511

SUBJECT: Authorization to Construct
A to C No. 057703A06
Aqua NC, Inc.
The Cape WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0057703

Dear Mr. Melton:

A letter of request for an Authorization to Construct was received January 23, 2020, by the
Division of Water Resources (Division), and final plans and specifications for the subject project
have been reviewed and found to be satisfactory. Authorization is hereby granted for the
construction of modifications to the existing 0.26 MGD The Cape WWTP, with discharge of
treated wastewater into the Cape Fear River in the Cape Fear River Basin.

This authorization results in an increase in design and permitted capacity to 0.40 MGD,
and is awarded for the construction of the following specific modifications:

Installation of two (2) 695 GPM submersible centrifugal pumps for Mainsail Pump Station,
one (1) 1 MGD manual bar screen, one (1) 350 GPM submersible centrifugal pump for
flow equalization basin, one (1) flow splitter box, two (2) 150,000 GPD aeration basins,
five (5) 687 SCFM blowers for aeration basins and sludge holding tanks, two (2) 22’
diameter circular secondary clarifiers, three (3) 155 GPM RAS airlift pumps, three (3) 70
GPM return scum airlift pumps, two (2) 150 GPM WAS airlift pumps, two (2) 55 SCFM
blowers for clarifier RAS airlift pumps, three (3) dual media tertiary filters with a total of
six (6) filter cells, six (6) submersible backwash pumps, three (3) mudwell pumps, two (2)
banks of UV disinfecting lights, one (1) 7,855-gallon post-aeration chamber, two (2) 162
SCFM blowers for filter air scour and post-aeration chamber, one (1) effluent flow
measurement meter with V-notch weir, two (2) 800 GPM vertical turbine effluent pumps,
two (2) sodium hydroxide feed pumps for alkalinity supplementation, two (2) sodium
hypochlorite feed pumps for filter maintenance, two (2) calcium thiosulfate feed pumps for
dechlorination; modification to convert an existing 100,000 gallon aeration basin to an
aerated sludge holding tank; construction of one (1) new precast concrete control building;

Mr. Michael A. Melton, Engineering Manager
March 23, 2020
Page 2 of 3

in conformity with the project plans, specifications, and other supporting documentation
comprising the ATC Permit Application package submitted to the Department of
Environmental Quality.

This ATC is issued in accordance with Part III, Paragraph A of NPDES Permit No.
NC0057703 issued effective July 1, 2017, and shall be subject to revocation unless the wastewater
treatment facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions and limitations specified in
Permit No. NC0057703.

It is the Owner’s responsibility to ensure that the as-constructed project meets the
requirements of all applicable regulations and statutes, the ATC Permit Application package, and
all of the requirements contained herein. Failure to comply may result in penalties in accordance
with North Carolina General Statute §143-215.6A through §143-215.6C.

The sludge generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed of in accordance
with G.S. 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.

In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including those as may
be required by the Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment or disposal facilities.

The Wilmington Regional Office, telephone number(910) 796-7215, shall be notified at
least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an on site
inspection can be made. 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.

Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of this permitted facility, a
certification must be received from a Professional Engineer certifying that the permitted facility
has been installed in accordance with the NPDES Permit and the ATC Permit Application package.
Mail the Certification to: Division of Water Resources, WQ Permitting – NPDES, 1617 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.

Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, 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 Certification Commission.

The Permittee must also employ a certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and
grade to comply with the conditions of T15A: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

Mr. Michael A. Melton, Engineering Manager
March 23, 2020
Page 3 of 3

weekends and holidays, must properly manage the facility, must document daily operation and
maintenance of the facility, and must comply with all other conditions of T15A:8G.0202.

A copy of the project plans and specifications shall be maintained on file by the
Permittee for the life of the facility.

During the construction of the proposed additions/modifications, the Permittee shall
continue to properly maintain and operate the existing wastewater treatment facilities at all times,
and in such a manner, as necessary to comply with the effluent limits specified in the NPDES
Permit.

You are reminded that it is mandatory for the project to be constructed in accordance with
the North Carolina Sedimentation Pollution Control Act, and when applicable, the North Carolina
Dam Safety Act. In addition, the specifications must clearly state what the contractor’s
responsibilities shall be in complying with these Acts.

Prior to entering into any contract(s) for construction, the recipient must have obtained all
applicable permits from the State.

The issuance of this ATC 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.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Min Xiao at
telephone number [phone].

Sincerely,

for S. Daniel Smith
Director, Division of Water Resources

With Engineer’s Certificate attached:
cc: NPDES File
Central Files

ecopy: John F. Phillips, P.E.
Diehl & Phillips
Email: [e-mail]
DWR Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Programs

Without Engineer’s Certificate attached:
cc: New Hanover County Health