NC0025135_Permit (Issuance)_20160408

Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
April 8, 2016
Mr. Lee Huffman, Manager
Huffman Finishing Company
P.O. BOX 170
Granite Falls, North Carolina 28630
PAT MCCRORY
Governor
DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
Secretary
S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
Director
Subject: Issuance of NPDES Permit Renewal
Permit No. NCO025135
Huffman Finishing Company
Caldwell County
Facility Class II
Dear Mr. Huffman:
Division personnel have reviewed and approved your application for renewal of the subject permit.
Accordingly, we are forwarding the attached NPDES discharge permit. This permit is issued pursuant to
the requirements of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1 and Memorandum of Agreement between
North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dated October 15, 2007 (or as
subsequently amended).
Through further review, several changes were made to the draft permit sent to you on February 10,
2016:
• Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) requirements have been updated. Four main
revisions include: 1) Electronic reporting of DMR data is required effective December 21, 2016; 2)
Electronic reporting requirements of compliance monitoring data and reports have been added; 3) A
section has been added that requires permittees to identify the initial recipient of their electronic
submissions; 4) A section has been added on how to request an electronic reporting waiver. A
footnote was added under Section A. (L) to state "No later than December 21, 2016, begin submitting
discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR application system" and Special
Condition A. (3.) was updated to reflect the eDMR reporting deadline of December 21, 2016.
As identified previously, the renewal permit contains the following significant changes from
your current permit:
• Starting December 21, 2016, federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring
reports (DMRs) and specify that, if a state does not establish a system to receive such submittals, then
permittees must submit DMRs electronically to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The final
NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on December 21, 2015.
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919 707 9000

Page 2 of 3
The requirement to begin reporting discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's
Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet application has been added to your final
NPDES permit. [See Special Condition A. (3.)] For information on eDMR, registering for eDMR
and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following web page:
hl!p:Hdeg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
For more information on EPA's final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule, please visit the following web
site:
http://www2.epa. gov/compliance/final-national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-npdes-
electronic-reporting-rule.
• Effluent limitations for BOD5, TSS, COD, total chromium, sulfide, and total phenol have been updated
based on production data for the last five years.
• Sampling type for effluent TSS has been changed to composite. See Section A. (1.).
• Monitoring requirements for BOD5, TSS, COD, fecal coliform, pH and temperature have been reduced
to 2/week. Monitoring requirements for total nitrogen and total phosphorus have been reduced to
quarterly. See Section A. (1.).
• Effluent samples for silver showed 44 samples < 5 ug/L and 1 sample < 50 ug/L. The Huffman
Finishing WWTP's chronic allowable allocation for silver is 6.25 ug/L. In accordance with NC
Administrative Code Section 15A NCAC 02B .0500, all test procedures must produce detection and
reporting levels that are below the permit discharge requirements and all data generated must be
reported to the approved detection level or lower reporting level of the procedure. DWR's Water
Sciences Section has determined that the Practical Quantitation Limit (PQL) for silver is 1 ug/L. Please
see that the certified laboratory performing the facility's metals analysis can measure to the approved
detection level or lower reporting level. A list of PQL's determined by the Division can be found at
the following website: http:Hdeg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-data/water-
sciences-home-page/microbiology inorganics-branch/methodsTgls-g . The monitoring requirement
for silver is maintained in the permit renewal with a reduced monitoring frequency of quarterly.
• Effluent samples for total phenolic compounds, nickel, and antimony showed no potential to violate
water quality standards and the maximum predicted concentrations were all less than 50% of the
allowable allocations. Limitations and monitoring requirements for nickel and antimony have been
removed from the permit. Limitations for total phenols are based on EPA technology based effluent
limits (TBEL) for Textile Mills, 40 CFR 410.52 and must be maintained in the permit.
• Some of the wording has changed in Special Condition A. (2), Chronic Toxicity Permit Limit, please
review each paragraph carefully.
• DWR would also encourage the facility to fix the outfall pipeline cracks and consider extending the
discharge pipeline in order to have better effluent mix. However, prior to performing any work on the
outfall pipe, the permittee shall contact the Asheville Regional Office for assistance and to obtain any
necessary permits.
If any parts, measurement frequencies or sampling requirements contained in this permit are unacceptable
to you, you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days
following receipt of this letter. 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, North Carolina 27699-6714). Unless such demand is made,
this decision shall be final and binding.
Please note that this permit is not transferable except after notice to the Division. The Division may
require modification or revocation and reissuance of the permit. This permit does not affect the legal

Page 3 of 3
requirements to obtain other permits which may be required by the Division of Water Resources or any
other Federal, State, or Local government permits that may be required.
If you have questions concerning this permit, please contact Yang Song by e-mail
([e-mail]) or phone at [phone].
Sincerely,
Original Signed by Julie Grzyb for
S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G.
Director, Division of Water Resources
Enclosure: NPDES Permit NCO025135
cc: NPDES Unit
Central Files
Asheville Regional Office / Water Quality Program
e-copy:
EPA Region IV
Susan Meadows, Aquatic Toxicity Branch
Shuford Wise, Huffinan Finishing Company ORC

Permit NCO025135
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
In compliance with the provision of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1,
other lawful standards and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental
Management Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
Huffman Finishing Company, Inc.
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at
4919 Hickory Boulevard
southeast of Granite Falls
Caldwell County
to receiving waters designated as the Catawba River (Lake Hickory) in the
Catawba River Basin in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and
other applicable conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective May 1, 2016.
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on January 31, 2020.
Signed this day April 8, 2016.
Original Signed by Julie Grzybs r
S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G.
Director, Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 6

Permit NCO025135
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked. As of this permit issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer
effective. Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the
permit conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions included herein.
Huffman Finishing Company, Inc. is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.250 MGD wastewater treatment facility consisting of the
following components:
➢ Vibrate screen
➢ Flow equalization basin with four floating aerators
➢ Lift pumps
➢ Oxidation ditch
➢ Circular clarifier
➢ Sludge recirculation pumps
➢ Chlorine contact tank
➢ Ultrasonic flow measurement
➢ Chemical dechlorination
➢ Cascade post aeration
➢ Aerobic sludge digester
➢ Sludge holding lagoon
➢ Sludge drying beds
➢ Auxiliary power
The facility is located at Huffman Finishing Company Wastewater Treatment Plant, at 4919
Hickory Boulevard, southeast of Granite Falls, Caldwell County.
2. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into the
Catawba River (Lake Hickory), which are classified WS-IV, B; CA waters in the Catawba River
Basin.
Page 2 of 6

Permit NCO025135
PART I
A. (1) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning upon the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is
authorized to discharge treated wastewater from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitoredi
by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly Average
Daily Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
T e
Sample
Location
Flow
0.250 MGD
Continuous
Recorder
Influent or
Effluent
BOD, 5 day, 20°C
67.6 pounds/day
135.1 pounds/day
2 /Week
Composite
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids
294.6 pounds/day
589.2 pounds/day
2 /Week
Composite
Effluent
COD
810.8 pounds/day
1621.6 pounds/day
2 /Week
Composite
Effluent
Fecal Coliform (geometric
mean)
200/100 mL
400/100mL
2 /Week
Grab
Effluent
pH
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
2 /Week
Grab
Effluent
Temperature
2 /Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Chromium
1.4 pounds/day
2.7 pounds/day
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
Sulfides
2.7 pounds/day
5.4 pounds/day
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Phenols
1.4 pounds/day
2.7 pounds/day
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine 2
28 µg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Total Silver
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
N143 as N
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Nitrogen
(NO2 + NO3 + TKN)
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Chronic Toxicity 3
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Notes
1. No later than December 21, 2016, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR
application system. See Special Condition A.(3.).
2. The TRC limit and monitoring requirements apply only if chlorine is used for disinfection. The facility shall report all
effluent TRC values reported by a NC certified laboratory including field certified. However, effluent values below 50
µg/L will be treated as zero for compliance purposes.
3. Chronic toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F@ 0.96%; March, June, September, and December. See Special Conditions A (2) of
the Supplement to Effluent Limitations.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or foam in other than trace amounts.
Part I, Page 3 of 6

Permit NCO025135
A (2). CHRONIC TOXICITY PERNHT LINHT (QUARTERLY)
[I 5A NCAC 02B .0200 et seq.]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality to
Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 0.96 %.
The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, quarterly monitoring using test procedures outlined in the "North
Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised December 2010, or subsequent versions or
"North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised- December 2010) or subsequent
versions. The tests will be performed during the months of March, June, September and December. These months
signify the first month of each three-month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent sampling for this
testing must be obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final
effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a failure or ChV below the permit
limit, then multiple -concentration testing shall be performed at a minimum, in each of the two following months
as described in "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised -December
2010) or subsequent versions.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge Monitoring
Form (MR-1) for the months in which tests were performed, using the parameter code TGP313 for the pass/fail results
and THP313 for the Chronic Value. Additionally, DWR Form AT-3 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1623 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1623
Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later than 30 days after the end
of the reporting period for which the report is made.
Test data shall be complete, accurate, include all supporting chemical/physical measurements and all
concentration/response data, and be certified by laboratory supervisor and ORC or approved designate signature. Total
residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection of
the waste stream.
Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, the
permittee will complete the information located at the top of the aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility
name, permit number, pipe number, county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of "No Flow" in the
comment area of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences Section at the address cited above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, monitoring will be required
during the following month. Assessment of toxicity compliance is based on the toxicity testing quarter, which is the three
month time interval that begins on the first day of the month in which toxicity testing is required by this permit and
continues until the final day of the third month.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of Water
Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re -opened and modified to include
alternate monitoring requirements or limits.
NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control organism survival,
minimum control organism reproduction, and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will
require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month following the month of the
initial monitoring.
Part I, Page 4 of 6

Permit NCO025135
A (3) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[G. S. 143-215.1(b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and program reports and
specify that, if a state does not establish a system to receive such submittals, then permittees must submit monitoring data
and reports electronically to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule
was adopted and became effective on December 21, 2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this permit (Standard
Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.)
• Section D. (2.)
• Section D. (6.)
• Section E. (5.)
Signatory Requirements
Reporting
Records Retention
Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (a)1
Effective December 21, 2016, the permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC
DWR's Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and submitted
electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter monitoring data and submit
DMRs electronically using the internet. Until such time that the state's eDMR application is compliant with EPA's
Cross -Media Electronic Reporting Regulation (CROMERR), permittees will be required to submit all discharge
monitoring data to the state electronically using eDMR and will be required to complete the eDMR submission by
printing, signing, and submitting one signed original and a copy of the computer printed eDMR to the following
address:
NC DENR / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility being
physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband access, then a temporary
waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted and discharge monitoring data may be
submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1. 1, 2, 3) or alternative forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed
copies shall be submitted to the mailing address above. See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting"
section below.
Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last day of the month following the issuance of the
permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day of the month following the commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21, 2020, the permittee must electronically report the following compliance monitoring data
and reports, when applicable:
Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see "How to Request a Waiver from
Electronic Reporting" section below).
Part I, Page 5 of 6

Permit NC0025135
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time of each electronic
submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify the initial recipient for the electronic
submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity (EPA or the state
authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program) that is the designated entity for receiving electronic NPDES
data [see 40 CFR 127.2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for each type of
electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate electronic reporting
tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule is found at:
http://www2.epa. gov/compliance/final-national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-npdes-electronic-reporting-
rule.
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an electronic reporting
waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to the Division. Requests for temporary
electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to the Division for written approval at least sixty (60) days
prior to the date the facility would be required under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports.
The duration of a temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring
data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re -applies for and is granted a
new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers are not
transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request may submit monitoring data and reports on
paper to the Division for the period that the approved reporting waiver request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on the following
web page: http:Hdeg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II, Section B.
(I I.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section B. (I I.)(b). A person,
and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting purposes.
For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user account and login
credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North Carolina's eDMR system, registering for
eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following web page:
hLtp:Hdeg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system shall make the following
certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED:
7 certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or
supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the
information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons
directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information,
including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations. "
5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)]
The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions. These records
or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report. This period may be extended
by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41].
Part I, Page 6 of 6