NC0026000_Authorization to Construct_19991029

NPDES DOCUMENT SCANNING COVER SHEET
NPDES Permit:
NC0026000
Tabor City WWTP
Document Type:
Permit Issuance
Wasteload Allocation
J'. r
Authorization to Construct (AtC5
Permit Modification
Complete File - Historical
Engineering Alternatives (EAA)
Correspondence
Owner Name Change
Instream Assessment (67b)
Speculative Limits
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Document Date:
October 29, 1999
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content on the re'rerse side

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Bill Holman, Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
October 29, 1999
Mr. Al J. Leonard, Jr.
Town of Tabor City
P.O. Box 655
Tabor City, North Carolina 28463
r.A
NCDENR
Subject: Authorization to Construct
ATC No. 026000ACB
NPDES Permit No. NC0026000
Tabor City WWTP
Columbus County
Dear Mr. Leonard:
The Division of Water Quality's NPDES Unit has reviewed Tabor City's request for an
Authorization to Construct at the Tabor City WWTP. The Division finds the proposed
improvements and design to be satisfactory and hereby grants authorization for the following:
• installation of a pump station, force main, and tertiary filter system;
• installation of a submersible aerator near the outlet of the chlorine contact chamber, for
post -aeration; and
• installation of all related structures, piping, controls, and other appurtenances as presented
in the plans and specifications.
In approving this project, the Division is recognizing certain special circumstances at the Tabor
City WWTP and is therefore making an exception to the normal design guidelines for such
projects. Tabor City's average plant flow remains at half or less of the 1.1 MGD design flow and
is not expected to increase soon. The pump station and filter units have been designed for the
treatment plant's present wastewater flow rather than its design flow as is usually the case. In
addition, locating the new aerator in the chlorine contact chamber removes part of the chamber
from service and reduces the disinfection capacity of the system to some degree. Given the low
plant flow conditions at the plant, both of these designs are acceptable for the foreseeable future.
In the event that plant flows increase substantially or the new units become essential to meeting
permit limits, the City and the Division will have to determine whether these system designs are
still adequate.
This Authorization to Construct is issued in accordance with Part IlI, Paragraph A of NPDES
Permit No. NC0026000 issued November 15, 1994, and shall be subject to revocation unless the
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer On the Internet at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/NPDES

Tabor City WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0026000
ATC No. 026000ACB
Page 2
wastewater treatment facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions and limitations
specified in Permit No. NC0026000.
Additional Conditions
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 this Division, such.as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment or disposal facilities.
The Permittee shall notify the Wilmington Regional Office, telephone number [phone], at
least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities, so that an in -place
inspection can be made. Such notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during the
normal office hours of 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 the modified facility, the Permittee
shall provide the Division with a certification from a professional engineer certifying that the
permitted facility has been installed in accordance with the NPDES Permit, this Authorization to
Construct, and the approved plans and specifications. Mail the Certification to the NPDES Unit,
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.
The Permittee shall employ a certified water pollution control treatment system operator to be in
responsible charge (ORC) of the water pollution control treatment system. The operator must
hold a certificate of the type and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification
assigned to the water pollution control treatment system 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 Title 15A, Chapter 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
weekends and holidays; and must properly manage and document daily operation and
maintenance of the facility and comply with all other conditions of Title 15A, Chapter 8G, .0204.
Once the facility is classified, the Permittee must submit a letter to the Certification Commission
which designates the operator in responsible charge within: (A) Sixty calendar days prior to
wastewater being introduced into a new system or (B) within 120 calendar days of (i) after
receiving notification of a change in the classification of the system requiring the designation of a
new ORC and back-up ORC or (ii) a vacancy in the position of ORC or back-up ORC.
The Operational Agreement between the Permittee and the Environmental Management
Commission is incorporated herein by reference and is a condition of this Permit.
Noncompliance with the terms of the Operational Agreement shall subject the Permittee to all
sanctions provided by G. S. 143-215.6 for violation of or failure to act in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Permit.
Failure to abide by the requirements contained in this Authorization to Construct may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance with North
Carolina General Statute 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.

Tabor City WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0026000
ATC No. 026000ACB
Page 3
The issuance of this Authorization to Construct does not excuse 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.
The Permittee shall maintain a copy of the approved plans and specifications on file for the life
of the facility. One (1) copy of the approved plans and specifications is enclosed for your records.
If you have any questions about this Authorization to Construct, please contact Mike Templeton,
at [phone], extension 541.
Sincerely,
t4( T. Stevens
Director
Enclosures: Project Plans and Specifications (approved)
Engineer's Certification Form
cc: Mr. Bill Lester, Jr., Hobbs Upchurch (w/ certification form)
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Central Files
NPDES Unit Files

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Wayne McDevitt, Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
June 23, 1999
Mr. Al J. Leonard, Jr.
Town of Tabor City
P.O. Box 655
Tabor City, North Carolina 28463
A7A
NCDENR
Subject: Request for Additional Information
ATC No. 026000ACB
NPDES Permit No. NC0026000
Tabor City WWTP
Columbus County
Dear Mr. Leonard:
The Division of Water Quality acknowledged your request for an Authorization to Construct at the
Tabor City WWTP, in February. The project was assigned to me for review.
I have completed my initial technical review of the project and am forwarding several comments
(attached) to you and to Bill Lester of Hobbs Upchurch for your consideration. Please provide the
requested information at your earliest convenience.
If you have any questions about this request, please call me at [phone], extension 541.
Sincerely,
Michael E. Templeton
NPDES Unit
Enclosures: ATC Review Comments, 026000ACB
cc: Mr. Bill Lester, Jr., Hobbs Upchurch (w/ comments)
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality
Central Files
NPDES Unit Files
Please note DWQ's
new mailing address!
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/

NCDENR/ DWQ
NPDES Unit
ATC REVIEW COMMENTS
June 20, 1999
Tabor City WWTP
ATC No. 026000ACB
Tertiary Filter System
General
• The design average flow for the improvements should equal at least the permitted flow for the
facility (1.1 MGD), which represents the average daily flow for the peak month.
• The design peak flow should be the peak hourly flow expected at the facility, which is typically the
design average flow times an appropriate peaking factor.
Pump Station and Force Main
• The pump station includes two centrifugal pumps, each rated at 400 gpm (576,000 gpd),
approximately the 1998 average flow. The pump station should be sized to handle the design peak
hourly flow with one pump off-line.
• Submit a construction sequence plan that will ensure continuous operation of the treatment facility
throughout the project (NCAC 2H .0138(b)(9)). The plan should address the sequence of events for
connecting and starting up the new pump station and other units to the existing system. The project
specifications should require that there be no interruption of plant services as result of construction
activities.
Effluent Filters
• The hydraulic loading for the filters is 4.7 gpm/ft2 at the design average flow of 1.1 MGD, with
three of the four units on-line, and 3.5 gpm/ft2 with four units on-line. The filters should be designed
to not exceed 5 gpm/ft2 at the peak hourly flow with one unit off-line.
• Provide any available performance data from bench or pilot scale tests or from other similar
installations, to document the expected performance of the filters. The data should include influent
characteristics, operating conditions, need for chemical aids, and resulting effluent quality.
• Provide additional information regarding the effect of pumping (floc shear) on filter performance,
and on the need to provide a chlorine line to the filters for occasional cleaning to control bacterial
growth.
Post -Aeration
• Provide design criteria and calculations for the unit.
1

MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 5, 1999
TO:
Kim Murphy
NPDES Unit
Point Sources Branch, WQ
THROUGH: Rick Shiver
Water Quality Reg anal Supervisor
FROM: Mike Williams
Environmental : pecialist
SUBJECT: Authorization to Construct
Town of Tabor City
NPDES Permit NC0026000
ATC No. 026000 ACB
Columbus County
Attached please find the staff report, rating sheet and topographical map of the
subject facility. The Town of Tabor City is preparing to upgrade the existing WWTP serving
the Town of Tabor City by construction and installation of a lift station and tertiary sand
filters. The Town is also proposing to eliminate two existing polishing basins to improve the
effluent quality.
This office has no objection to the construction and installation as proposed. The
effluent has experienced toxicity problems during the past two years. It is anticipated that
construction of the tertiary filters and elimination of aged polishing ponds will enhance the
overall quality of the effluent and reduce effluent toxicity. If you have any questions
concerning this report, please advise.
MW:taborcty.ap9
cc: Wilmington Regional Office

SOC PRIORITY PROJECT: NO
If Yes, SOC No. N/A
To: Permits and Engineering Unit
Water Quality Section
Attention: Kim Murphy
(Review Engineer)
Date: April 5, 1999
AUTHORIZATION TO CONSTRUCT
NPDES PERMIT
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
County: Columbus
Permit No. NC0026000
PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION
I. Facility and Address: Town of Tabor City
P.O. Drawer 655
Tabor City, North Carolina 28463
2. Date of On -Site Investigation (if conducted):
3. Report Prepared by: Mike Williams
4. Contact Persons and Telephone Number: Al Leonard [phone]
Bill Lester [phone]
5. Verified Discharge Point(s), List for all discharge points:
Latitude: 340856 Longitude: 785126
Attach a USGS map extract and indicate treatment facility site and discharge point
on map.
USGS Quad No: K23NE USGS Quad Name: Tabor City East
6. Site size and expansion area consistent with application ?
X Yes No If No, explain:
7. Topography (relationship to flood plain included): Site elevation is approximately 75
ft. amsl. Located adjacent to swamp. Approximately 10-15 foot elevation change.
8. Location of nearest dwelling: No residential dwellings within 1/2 mile.

PART II - DESCRIPTION OF DISCHARGE AND TREATMENT WORKS
1. Existing treatment facility
a. What is the permitted flow limit? 1.1 MGD
b. What the flow capacity approved by previous Authorizations to Construct?
1.1 MGD
c. What is the actual design treatment capacity of the existing facility? 1.1 MGD
d. What construction activities were approved by Authorizations to Construct issued
in the past two (2) years and what are the dates of these authorizations: None.
The last A to C was issued in the spring of 1996.
e. Please provide a description of existing or substantially constructed wastewater
treatment facilities: Collection system, lift station, primary extended aeration
basin, clarifier, secondary extended aeration basin, secondary clarifier, polishing
pond, post aeration polishing pond, chlorine contact basin, and aerated sludge
digester.
2. Please provide a description of proposed wastewater treatment facilities: Installa
tion of a pump station and 4 tertiary filters. The application also includes elimination
of the existing polishing basins.
3. Residuals handling and utilization/disposal scheme: Land applied at the site.
a. If residuals are being land applied, please specify DWQ Permit No:
WQ0001936 Town of tabor City
Telephone No: 653-3458
b. Residuals stabilization: PSRP X
PFRP
Other
c. Landfill: N/A
d. Other disposal/utilization scheme (Specify): N/A
4. Treatment plant classification (attach completed rating sheet): Class III
5. SIC Code(s): 4952
Wastewater Code(s): Primary 01 Secondary
Main Treatment Unit Code: 055X3

6. Important SOC, JOC or Compliance Schedule dates:
Dates
Submission of Plans and Specifications: N/A
Begin Construction: N/A
Complete Construction: N/A
PART III - EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Town of Tabor City is requesting construction and installation of a lift station and
four tertiary filters to improve the effluent quality prior to discharge to the receiving stream.
The Town is also requesting elimination of an existing polishing basin and elimination of
a post aeration polishing basin which were constructed years ago to serve a proposed yam
processing plant which was never built. Much of the old Town treatment plant was
constructed to serve the yam processing facility, and is therefore oversized for the amount
of domestic waste received. Throughout the years, the town has eliminated the use of
several lagoons and basins. Now, the final two polishing basins are to be eliminated, which
should improve the effluent quality. This office has no objection to the construction of the
lift station, tertiary filters and elimination of the polishing ponds as proposed.
Signature of Report Preparer
C/g1
ate
Water Quality Regional Supervisor Date