HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0022691_Draft Permit_20210914 ROY COOPER cHt pir- -
Governor N
ELIZABETH S.BISER
Secretary
S.DANIEL SMITH NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
September 14,2021
Karen Hamilton
Yes AF Utilities EXP,LLC
5050 South Syracuse Street,Suite 1200
Denver,Co 80237
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0022691
Autumn Forest WWTP
Grade III Biological WPCS
Guilford County
Dear Ms.Hamilton:
Attached with this letter is a copy of the Draft NPDES permit renewal for your facility. Please review
this draft carefully to ensure thorough understanding of the requirements and conditions it contains. We
understand from your renewal application that there have been no significant changes to the treatment
system.There are a few changes in the draft from the existing permit. These changes are summarized
below.
• Regulatory Citations-Language has been added where necessary in the permit to provide regulatory
citations for permit requirements.
• Electronic Reporting-Permit language has been modified to be consistent with the finalization of
federal requirements for electronic reporting.
• Receiving Stream—Previous permits have indicated discharge to Reedy Fork Creek. The name of
the receiving stream is Reedy Fork and this correction has been made where required.
• Location Coordinates—The Latitude-Longitude coordinates for the outfall location on the permit map
have been corrected to be consistent with the location shown on the map and the information
provided in your application.
• Nutrient Monitoring Special Condition—Permit language has been updated for this reopener
condition in Section A. (2)of the permit.
The NPDES standard conditions(Parts II, III,and IV)that are a part of the permit are not included in this
draft document(cover,map,and Part I).The conditions are the same as in your current permit.The latest
version of the standard conditions is available at https://bit.ly/3k5NFaL and can be viewed online or
downloaded as a PDF file.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh.North Carolina 27699-1617
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D+of 6 einand.0 Q+� 919.707.9000
Karen Hamilton
Yes AF Utilities EXP, LLC
Page 2
Concurrent with this notification the Division is publishing a notice in a newspaper having general
circulation in the Guilford County area soliciting public comments on this draft permit. Please provide
any written comments you may have to me no later than 30 days after receipt of this draft permit
Following the 30-day public comment period,the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning this draft permit,
please call me at(919) 707-3629 or contact me by email at bradley.bennett@ncdenr.gov. At this time,
contact by email is the most effective method. If we need to set up a call to discuss any issues we can set
that up through email.
Sincerely,
Bradley Bennett
Compliance and Expedited Permitting Unit
cc: NPDES Files-electronic
Winston-Salem Regional Office/Water Quality—electronic
Operator Certification Program/Maureen Kinney—electronic
Draft Permit NC0022691
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,
Yes AF Utilities EXP, LLC
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Autumn Forest WWTP
3700 Autumn Forest Drive, Browns Summit, NC
Guilford County
to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to Reedy Fork in subbasin 03-06-02 of the
Cape Fear River Basin in accordance with effluent limitations,monitoring requirements,and other
conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on June 30, 2026.
If the permittee intends to continue discharging at the facility beyond the term of this permit,a renewal
application must be submitted no later than January 2,2026(180 days before the expiration of this permit)
Signed this day
S.Daniel Smith
Director,Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7
Draft Permit NC0022691
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.
Yes AF Utilities EXP, LLC is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.082 MGD extended-aeration wastewater treatment facility with
the following components:
• Bar screen
• Flow splitter
• Dual aeration basins
• Dual clarifiers
• Dual effluent chlorination with chlorine contact chamber
• Dechlorination
• Sludge digester
• Equalization Basin
• Aluminum Chloride chemical feed for Phosphorus reduction
This facility is located at the Autumn Forest WWTP at 3700 Autumn Forest Drive, Browns
Summit, Guilford County.
2. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into an unnamed
tributary to Reedy Fork, currently classified WS-V;NSW waters in hydrologic unit 0302020107 of
subbasin 03-06-02 of the Cape Fear River Basin.
Page 2 of 7
Draft Permit NC0022691
PART I
A. (1) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 15A NCAC 02B.0500 et seq.]
Grade III Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G.0302]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration,the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored'
by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Sample Sample
[PCS Code] Frequency Type Location
Flow [50050] 0.082 MGD Continuous RecordingInfluent or
Effluent
BOD,5-day(20°C) [C0310} 7.0 mg/L 10.5 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
Total Suspended Solids [C0530] 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
NH3 as N [C0610] 2.0 mg/L 10.0 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
(April 1—October 31)
NH3 as N [C0610] 4.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Weekly Composite Effluent
(November 1—March 31)
Dissolved Oxygen [C0300] Daily average>6.0 mg/L Weekly Grab Effluent,
U&D
Fecal Coliform(geometric [31616] 200/100 ml 400/100 ml Weekly Grab Effluent
mean)
Total Residual Chlorine [50060] 17 µg/L 2/Week Grab Effluent
(TRC)3
Temperature(°C) [00010] Monitor and Report Weekly Grab Effluent,
U&D
Total Nitrogen [C0600] Monitor and Report Quarterly Composite Effluent
(NO2+NO3+TKN)
Total Phosphorus4 [C0665] 2.0 mg/L Quarterly Average Weekly Composite Effluent
00400 6.0 and 9.0 standard units WeeklyGrab Effluent
pH [ 1 > <
Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the NC DWR's eDMR system[see A.
(3)]•
2. U-Upstream: at least 50 feet upstream from the outfall. D-Downstream:at least 100 feet downstream from the
outfall.
3. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the permit.
However,the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina certified laboratory
(including field certified),even if these values fall below 50 µg/1.
4. Compliance shall be based on a quarterly average of weekly samples.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 3 of 7
Draft Permit NC0022691
A. (2) PERMIT RE-OPENER: SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRIENT MONITORING
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
(a) Pursuant to N.C. General Statues Section 143-215.1 and implementing rules found in Title 15A of
North Carolina Administrative Code, Subchapter 02H, specifically, 15A NCAC 02H.0112(b)(1)
and 02H.0114(a),and Part II, Sections B.12 and B.13. of this Permit, the Director of DWR may
reopen this permit to require supplemental nutrient monitoring of the discharge. The additional
monitoring will be to support water quality modeling efforts within the Cape Fear River Basin,and
shall be consistent with a monitoring plan developed jointly by the Division and affected
stakeholders. In addition,the results of water quality modelling may require that limits for total
nitrogen and total phosphorous be imposed on this permit upon renewal.
(b) The Division may,upon written notification to the permittee,re-open this permit in order to
incorporate or modify effluent limits,monitoring and reporting requirements,and other permit
conditions when it deems such action is necessary to implement TMDL(s)approved by the
USEPA.
A. (3) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports(DMRs)and
program reports. 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.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D. (6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements (Supersedes Section D. (2.)and Section E. (5.) (a)1
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. The eDMR system may be
accessed at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
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,
Page 4 of 7
Draft Permit NC0022691
2, 3)or alternative forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to
the following address:
NC DEQ/Division of Water Resources/Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
See"How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting"section below.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
reported via the eDMR system no later than the last calendar day of the month following the
completed reporting period. 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 21,2025 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).
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:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/20 1 5/10/22/2015-24954/national-po l lutant-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
Page 5 of 7
Draft Permit NC0022691
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://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)I
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part
II, Section B. (11.)(a)or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II,
Section B. (11.)(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:
http://deq.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:
"I 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 offines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention )(Supplements Section D. (6.)1
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].
Page 6 of 7
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Yes AF Utilities EXP, LLC
Autumn Forest WWTP Facility
Location
Receiving Stream: UT to Reedy Fork Stream Class: WS-V;NSW (not to SCol
River Basin: Cape Fear Sub-Basin: 03-06-02
Latitude: 36°11'57" Longitude: 79°43'23"
Stream Segment 16-11-(9) HUC#: 030300020107 NORTH NPDES Permit NC0022691
Grid/Quad: C2ONW/Browns Summit County: Guilford
Page 7 of 7