NC0020184_Permit (Modification)_19981125

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NPDES DOCUMENT SCANNiNO COVER SHEET
NPDES Permit: NC0020184
Gastonia — Long Creek WWTP
Document Type: Permit Issuance
Wasteload Allocation
Authorization to Construct (AtC)
q- Permit Modification
Correspondence
201 Facilities Plan
Instream Assessment (67B)
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Permit
History
Document Date: November 25, 1998
IrTZI s document is printed oa rename pMper-1 swore&&ay
coJMteat on the X-4e-ze:-ge Mile

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources A14
Division of Water Quality • •
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Wayne McDevitt, Secretary D E N R
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
November 25, 1998
Mr. Don Carmichael, P.E.
City of Gastonia
Post Office Box 1748
Gastonia, North Carolina 28053-1748
Subject: NPDES Permit Modification/Settlement
And Water Quality Monitoring Plan
Approval — Revised
Permit No. NCO020184
Long Creek WWTP
Permit No. NCO074268
Crowders Creek WWTP
Gaston County
Dear Mr. Carmichael:
On October 7, 1998, the Division sent the modification and settlement of the Long Creek
WWTP and Crowders Creek WWTP permits and a letter documenting and explaining the
modifications to these permits. Approval of the Water Quality Monitoring Plan for Long Creek
WWTP was also included with this letter.
Larry Cummings (Gastonia) noted a few errors that were made on the effluent sheets of
the Long Creek WWTP and Crowders Creek WWTP permits. On the Long Creek WWTP
effluent sheet (with a permitted flow equal to 16.0 MGD), the sample type for lead should be
composite (not grab). On the Crowders Creek WWTP effluent sheet, the sample type for
cadmium should be composite (not grab) and the mercury sample type should be grab (not
composite). The Division recognizes that grab sampling facilitates better clean sampling for
mercury analysis.
The Division has not enclosed an entire permit for both the Long Creek WWTP and
Crowders Creek WWTP. Please find enclosed the modified sections of the permit referenced in
the preceding paragraph. Replace the original sections in your permit with the newer enclosed
sections and discard the original sections. All other terms and conditions contained in the
original permit remain unchanged and in full effect. These permit modifications are issued
pursuant to the requirements of North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.1 and the Memorandum
of Agreement between North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper

Mr. Carmichael
Page 2
November 25, 1998
The Division also enclosed another copy of the approved Water Quality Monitoring Plan
for Long Creek WWTP.
If you have any questions, please contact Paul Clark at [phone], ext. 580.
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
David A Goodrich
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Central Files
Mooresville Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Roosevelt Childress, EPA
NEDES.Unit.(Permit.Files))
Point Source Compliance/Enforcement Unit

.i .
Permit No. NCO020184
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
-:: ;;• j. „- . DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
•lk h T F _ q7
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
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,
City of Gastonia
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at
Long Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
Old Spencer Mountain Road
Gastonia
Gaston County
to receiving waters designated as Long Creek in the Catawba River Basin
in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I,
II, 111, and IV hereof.
The permit shall become effective November 25, 1998
This permit and the authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on January 31, 2000
Signed this day November 25, 1998
Original Signed By
David A. Goodri^h
A. Preston Howard, Jr., ., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission

' Permit No. NCO020184
{ ' SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT LOVER SHEET
City of Gastonia
is hereby authorized to: �+
` 1. Continue to operate an existing 8.0 MGD wastewater treatment facility consists of influent
lift station, a mechanical bar screen and grit removal, primary clarifiers, trickling filters,
polishing ponds with floating aerators, dual chlorine contact chambers with dechlorination, a
static aerator; sludge lagoons, and sludge drying beds. Facilities under construction for
expansion to 16.0 MGD wastewater treatment facility include mechanical bar screens,
cyclone.. grit,. removal, anaerobic/anoxic/oxic. basins, caustic and alum feed,, secondary -
clarifiers, tertiary filters; chlorine disinfection"with dechlorination, static post aeration, and
sludge digesters. Wastewater treatment facility is located at Long Creek Wastewater
Treatment Plant, Old Spencer Mountain Road, Gastonia, Gaston County (See Part III of this
permit), and
2. Prior to relocation of discharge point, discharge wastewater from said treatment works at the
location specified on the attached map into Long Creek which is classified Class C waters in
the Catawba River Basin.
3. After relocation of discharge point, discharge wastewater from said treatment works at the
location specified on the attached map into South Fork Catawba River which is classified
Class WS-V waters in the Catawba River Basin.

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Latitude:350 31' 35" City of Gastonia
Longitude.820 24' 10" N(30020184
USGS Quad#114SE
River Basin#:030836 Gaston County
Receiving Stream: South Fork Long Creek�P
Stream Class:C
Catwba River

A.(1)EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS-PERMITTED DISCHARGE TO S. FORK CATAWBA RIVER; Permit No. NG0020184
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expansion to 16.0 MGD, the Permittee is authorized fo discharge,from outfall(s)
serial number 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below:
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3 �EN E `t i .�. .� M;.=s,. "i . � � N^.' _ J 4' .,a ..c,. _ .,., .,. �� �' w.s»
ri • _ on ,Y ee Y. _ai y easuremen �a amp a amp e
R Aiera a Maximum,, Frequenc 1
Average. % g y Type Location 0.,
Flow Continuous Recording I or
BOD, 5-day, 20oC (April 1 - October 31) 11.0 mg/l Daily Composite
BOD, 5-day, 20°C (November 1 - March 31) 22.0 mg mg Daily Composite
mg/lmg y TSS
(April - October mg ally Composite In
(November 1 - Marchmg ally Composite
Dissolved Oxygen3 Urab E,U,D
Fecal o i orm geome nc mean ml. 4001100 ml Daily Grab
empera ure ai ly Urab ,
otal ResidualChlorine 28.0 ug ai y Grab
Conductivity Daily ra ,
Total Nitrogen 2+ 3 + Monthly omposi e
Total osp orus ----Wonthly Composite
Chronic ToxiCjty4 Quarterly omposi e
Mercury ug/l Weekly Grab
a mium2/month Composite
Antimony mon Composite
Beryllium mon Composite
Chloride I 21monthComposite
Chloroform monGrab
Notes:
i Sample locations: E - Effluent, I - Influent, U - Upstream, D - Downstream. Instream monitoring will not be required during the remainder of the
permit period. Instead, a synoptic instream sampling event will be conducted. See Supplement to Effluent Limitations and Monitoring
Requirements Page -Special Condition A(5).
2 The monthly average effluent BOD5 and Total Suspended Solids concentrations shall not exceed 15% of the respective influent value (85% removal).
3 The daily average dissolved oxygen effluent concentration shall not be less than 6.0 mgll.
4 Chronic Toxicity (Cerioda hnia , PIF, no significant mortality at 10%; March, June, September, and December; See Supplement to Effluent Limitations and
Monitoring Requirements Page-Special Condition A(3).
5 The detection limit for mercury is 0.2 ugll. If the measured levels of mercury are below the detection limit, then the measurement is considered to be zero
for purposes of compliance evaluation and should be reported on the DMR as < 0.2 ugll.,
The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units and shall be monitored daily at the effluent by grab sample.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.

A.(2) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS-PERMITTED DISCHARGE TO S. FORK CATAWBA RIVER Permit No.NC0020184
During the period beginning after the expansion to 16.0 MGD and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall(s) serial number
001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below:
MITS
�'.:_�-..`r"•ri..$`vi ^a7 ��' .,:e'.,< 7f.M.Ecr. _ _�.m:'? ' .%.�`x. c' `+•ekt` !W�=.c, <y.
f` fx �• r.- ��,�*. �� "s ! on Y. ee y a' y�-it easuremen v amp a r= amp e.
._ � <. r�° Average' Average' MaximuFarequency �, _ TYPe ' b Location'
I-low 115.0 MUD Continuous Kedording or E-
130D, 5-day, 20OC (April 1 -October 31) _ 5.0 mg mg aj y Composite • .
BOD, 5-day, 20oC (November 1 - March 31) 70.0 mg mg Daily omposi e . ,
TSS mg mg ai y omposi e =
(April - October rnoll Daily omposi e
(November 1 - arc moll Daily Uomposite
Dissolved Oxygen Daily Urab ,
Fecal o i orm (geometric mean m ml Daily Grab E •
Temperature Daily Grab ,
otal ResidualChlorine 26.0 ug as y Urab
Conductivity Daily ra ,
75'Fal Nitrogen z+ NO3 + 800 Ibslday ee y Composi e
Total i rogen z+ NU3 + 6.0 Mg/14 WeeRly omposi e
-To-Fa-To-Fal P55sphorus 1.0 mg Meekly omposi e
Chronic ToxicitY5 QuarterlF_ omposi e
Cyanide ug ug Weekly Grab
Mercury ug Weekly Grab
n +mony2/month omposi e
Beryllium 2/montn Composite——
a mium 27month Uomposite
Chloride2/month ----Composite
Uhlorolorm 2/montfi Grab
ea mon omposi e
1 Sample locations: E- Effluent, I - Influent, U - Upstream, D -Downstream. Instream monitoring will not be required during the remainder of the
permit period. See Supplement to Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements Page -Special Condition A(5).
2 The monthly average effluent BOD5 and Total Suspended Solids concentrations shall not exceed 15% of the respective influent value (85% removal).
3 The daily average dissolved oxygen effluent concentration shall not be less than 6.0 mgll.
4 800 lbs/day TN limit applies only from April 1 through October 31, 1999. 6.0 mgll TN limit applies April 1 through October 31, 2000 and April 1 through
October 31, 2001 (or earlier if new permit issued prior to this date).
s Chronic Toxicity (Cerioda hnia , PIF, no significant mortality at 19%; March, June, September, and December; See Supplement to Effluent Limitations and
Monitoring Requirements Page-Special Condition A(4).
6 The detection limit for cyanide is 10.0 ugli. If the measured levels of cyanide are below the detection limit, then the measurement is considered to be zero
for purposes of compliance evaluation and should be reported on the DMR as < 10.0 ugll.
7 The detection limit for mercury is 0.2 ugll. If the measured levels of mercury are below the detection limit, then the measurement is considered to be zero
for purposes of compliance evaluation and should be reported on the DMR as < 0.2 ug/l.
The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units and shall be monitored daily at the effluent by grab sample.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.

Permit No. NCO020184
SUPPLEMENT TO EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
A(3) ,CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT_LIMIT (QRTRLY)
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit chronic toxicity using test procedures outlined in the "North
Carolina- Ceriodaphnia Chronic' Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised November 1995, or subsequent
versions.
The effluent concentration ai which. there may be no observable inhibition of reproduction or significant
mortality is 10 % (defined a's treatment two in the•procedure document). The permit holder shall perform
quarterly monitoring using this procedure to establish compliance with the permit condition. The tests will be
performed during the months of March, June, September, and December. Effluent sampling for this testing
shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge
Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the month in which it was performed, using the parameter code TGP3B.
Additionally, DWQ Form AT-1 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
Attention: Environmental Sciences Branch
North Carolina Division of
Water Quality
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh,North Carolina 27607
Test data shall be complete and accurate and include all supporting chemical/physical measurements performed
in association with the toxicity tests, as well as all dose/response data. 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 Iocated 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 Environmental Sciences
Branch at the address cited above. . .
Should any single quarterly monitoring indicate a failure to meet specified limits, then monthly monitoring will
begin immediately until such time that a single test is passed. Upon passing, this monthly test requirement will
revert to quarterly in the months specified above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor, during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, then monthly
monitoring will begin immediately until such time that a single test is passed. Upon passing, this monthly test
requirement will revert to quarterly in the months specified above.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of
Water Quality 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.
QCL P/F Version 9196

1 Permit No. NC0020184
SUPPLEMENT TO EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
A(4). CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QRTRLY)
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit chronic toxicity using test procedures outlined in the "North
Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised November 1995, or subsequent
versions.
The effluent concentration at which there may be no observable inhibition of reproduction or significant
mortality is 19 % (defined as treatment two in the procedure document). The permit holder shall perform
quarter monitoring using this procedure to establish compliance with the permit condition. The tests will be
performed during the months of March, June, September, and December. Effluent sampling for this testing
shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge
Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the month in which it was performed, using the parameter code TGP3B.
Additionally, DWQ Form AT-1 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
Attention: Environmental Sciences Branch
North Carolina Division of
Water Quality
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh,North Carolina 27607
Test data shall be complete and accurate and include all supporting chemical/physical measurements performed
in association with the toxicity tests, as well as all dose/response data. 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 Environmental Sciences
Branch at the address cited above.
Should any single quarterly monitoring indicate a failure to meet specified limits, then monthly monitoring will
begin immediately until such time that a single test is passed. Upon passing, this monthly test requirement will
revert to quarterly in the months specified above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, then monthly
monitoring will begin immediately until such time that a single test is passed. Upon passing, this monthly test
requirement will revert to quarterly in the months specified above.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of
Water Quality 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.
QCL PIF Version 9196

Permit No. NCO020184
SUPPLEMENT TO EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
A(5). SYNOPTIC STREAM SAMPLING EVENT
Gastonia shall conduct eight synoptic flow-sampling events to occur during low flow conditions in an effort to
identify the dissolved oxygen (DO) sag location on the South Fork Catawba River downstream of Long Creek
WWTP. A permanent instream monitoring station will then be established at this location. A water quality
monitoring plan will be prepared, submitted to, and approved by the Division. This monitoring plan will be an
enforceable part of the Long Creek WWTP NPDES permit. All data collected as part of this monitoring
requirement will be reported within one month after sample collection. Following identification of the DO sag,
the permit will be modified to include the DO sag location as an instream monitoring station.

ARL
•ur °
Taal of 05astollita
P.O.BOX 174e
1ins#aniA, ur#lj (lZttrulitTtt 28D�3-1748
DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
October 21, 1998
Mr. Paul Clark
NCDENR/DWQco
P.O. Box 29535
Raleigh, NC 27626-0535 N) s
RE: Confirmation of Phone Conversation of October 20, 1998 ,o
Dear Mr. Clark:
From our discussion Tuesday, October 20, 1998, regarding the new NPDES permits
for the Crowders and Long Creek WWTPs, it is my understanding that you will assist
us-with the following items:
• Mail to the City a copy of the South Fork River monitoring plan, as
approved by NCDENRIDWQ,
• Mail to the City a copy of the permit limits pages, with several typos
corrected:
• Long Creek Pb sample type - composite
• Crowders Cd sample type - composite
• Crowders Hg sample type - grab.
Thank you for your assistance with these items. My pretreatment staff and I will
certainly be looking forward to working with you in your new position with the
Pretreatment Unit. Please call if we can be of any assistance.
Sincerely,
Larry Cu ings
Assistant Superintendent WWTD
Per.doc"

;ITY OF GASTQNIA Tl) :704-867-0120 SEP 16 '98 9 :46 No .003 P .03
Dl"FT
AUGUST 13, 1998
PROPOSAL TO MONITOR DISSOLVED OKYtyEN IN SOUTH]FORK RIVER
DURING LOW FLOW CONDITIONS
CITY OF GASTONIA
WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIVISION
• City staff Nvill monitor the DO in the South YaTk: River, via boat, front below the dam at
SperIcer MOuntain to above the dwn at McAdcnvillc during; low flow conditions.
• DO will be moniton:d for 5 conscetitivc clays fallowing dctcrminalion of low flow
conditions.
• Low flow conditions will lie determined by:
i consecutive duys of flow below 100 MGD, as dutennined from USGS
gu,ing station rmiding,s, or
• aero flow over the d,un at Spencer Mountain, as determined by City staff
during the routine sircmi monitoring required at the dam by NPDES permit.
• DO sample points will includo:
+ u point between dmu at Spencer Mountain mid bridge at SR2003
• upstream of hydroelectric plzvit,prior to ru-cvtry of racmay ivater into river
• dowmstrearn of hydrnelcwic plan(, brJow Te-entry of raceway water into
river
• upstr=n of Ciompton Knowles dischargc
• dawnstrcam of Crompton KnowJcs discharge
• upstream ofdatu at McAdmiville
+ upsmam ;tact dati,nstrcarn of way other discharge or tributwy not noted
above, but loctitccl by staff daring;monitoring event
• at 3pproximatclY A mile intervals betivuen above noted points.
• City staff understand that any special insimctions rcg;arding performanee of this project will
by provided by DWQ including specific techniques or sample locations.
• City staff will .alert the DWQ of approaching; lore flows and pending monitoring event_
D1VQ may assist or provide technical expertise as nay be mquirod.
• City staff will return all data acid develop a•rcpori as relates to DO status in the South Fork
RiVer,
• ^I3y agreeing to p'` e�tH. dv for W4}, is C:ity� understands that the NPDES required
strewn monitoring sites will reduce iyo sites, one upstreamn at the old Rarrlo water
int�t4�e acid otze-down t ers are at the 5penccr Mounta�ii
sfclo,cloC