HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0000680_Draft Permit_20220405 STATE '
c� tv y
;� i 4, 4Z,<- n,
ROY COOPER i t
Governor , lids I ,M' I.
ELIZABETH S.BISER ,,` „ 2„*' F '-.
Secretary
�a aw,v�`
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
April 5,2022
Ms. Diane R. Hardison,Environmental Manager
Domtar Paper Company,LLC
P.O.Box 747
Plymouth,North Carolina 27962
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit
Permit NC0000680
Domtar Paper Company WWTP
Martin County
Facility Class IV
Dear Ms. Hardison:
Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the Draft Permit for your facility. Please review the draft very
carefully to ensure thorough understanding of the conditions and requirements it contains.
The Draft Permit contains the following significant changes from your current permit:
• Electronic Reporting Requirement special condition was added to the permit to meet new
EPA Rule requirements,please see A. (13.).
• A Clean Water Act Section 316(b) to meet the requirements of the 316(b) Rule was added to
the permit,please see A. (24.)
• Thresholds that have been used for Alternate Sampling for Chloroform (pH,kappa factor,
and total C102 application rate) have been updated since the facility no longer uses
hardwood for production of fluff pulp,please see A. (4.).
• Monitoring for BOD (summer),Total Suspended Solids, and NH3 has been reduced from
Daily to 2/Week based on the DWR guidance. •
• Dioxin fish tissue monitoring has been reduced from every other year to once every 5 years
due to the continued decline in fish tissue concentration of dioxin and furan.
• Instream sampling for summer months (July,August,September, October) has been
reduced from 3/Week to Weekly based on the long-term compliance of the facility with
D.O. standard.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
DEQ� P Q ti
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1611
TM cAwa INA � 919.707.9000
w
oen n of r,T.w ...0 o,. f owxW\ /
r
• Limits for Chloroform,AOX,pentachlorophenol,and trichlorophenol at Outfall 001 were
modified in accordance with 40 CFR 430.100 and 430.20,based on the latest production
data (2018-2020).
• The DW
R is unable to reduce the requirements for surveillance by the security guards since
this is condition of the variance from 24-hour staffing that is mandatory for all Grade IV
facilities and further weakening of these requirements is not warranted.
Please provide any comments you have regarding the draft permit to this office by May 11
29, 2022. At this time, the Division is also publishing a notice in the newspapers of general
circulation in Martin County,inviting public comment on the draft major modification. Following
the 30-day comment period,we will review all pertinent comments received and take appropriate
action on the permit modification.
The NPDES Standard Conditions (Parts II, III,and IV) are not included with this draft. They can
be found at the following link if you would like to review them in conjunction with this draft permit.
https://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx
If you have any questions about the NPDES permit process,please contact me at the following e-
mail address: sergei.chernikov@ncdenr.gov, or telephone number: 919-707-3606.
Sincerely, ak._
Sergei Chernikov,Ph.D.
Environmental Engineer III
Complex NPDES Permitting Unit
cc: NPDES Files
EPA Region IV(e-copy)
Washington Regional Office/Surface Water Protection(e-copy)
Aquatic Toxicology Unit(e-copy)
TACU (e-copy)
-y�� North
512N Carolinaorth Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
J Salisbury Street I I611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh North Carolina 27699-1611
NORTH OAROl NA 919.707.9000
Da.mrmw rooffrooments1o..i\ /6.°
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
Draft 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,
Domtar Paper Company, LLC
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at:
Domtar Paper Company, LLC
NC Highway 149
Martin County
to receiving waters designated as the Roanoke River in the Roanoke River Basin in
accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth
in Parts I, II, Ill and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on
Signed this day
Richard E. Rogers, Jr., Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
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.
Domtar Paper Company, LLC is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate existing treatment facilities (outfall 001) consisting of two primary
settling ponds with a total area of 71.3 acres, a 72 acre aeration pond, two retention
ponds containing a total of 292.5 acres, and sludge ponds; discharge non-contact
turbine cooling water (outfall 002); and discharge stormwater runoff and, during
significant rain events, ice maker drain water, non-contact air conditioning cooling
water, and non-contact drip pan water(outfall 005); from the Domtar Paper Company,
LLC facility located on NC Highway 149, Martin County, and
2. Discharge from said treatment works at the locations specified on the attached map
into the Roanoke River which is classified C-Swamp waters in the Roanoke River
Basin.
Page 2of19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 001)
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] Facility Physical-Chemical Grade IV
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the
permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. This includes discharges from pulp mills,
bleach plants, paper machines, and power/recovery/causticizing operations. Such discharges shall
be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Maximum Frequency Type Location.'
Flow 55.0 MGD 82.5 MGD Continuous Recording E
BOD, 5-day, 20°C 9340 lb/day 18119 2/Week Composite E
(Summer) lb/day
BOD, 5-day, 20°C (Winter) 18680 36239 Daily Composite E
lb/day lb/day
Total Suspended Residue 40793 77218 2/Week Composite E
lb/day lb/day
NH3-N (Summer) 1600 lb/day 2400 lb/day 2/Week Composite E
NH3-N (Winter) 3200 lb/day 4800 lb/day 2/Week Composite E
Temperature(°C) Daily Grab E
Dissolved Oxygen Daily Grab E
pH 2 Daily Grab E
Total Phosphorus(lb/day) Monthly Composite E
Total Nitrogen Monthly Composite E
(NO2+NO3+TKN)(Ib/day)
Chronic Toxicity 3 Quarterly Composite E
Dioxin 4 1.3 pg/L Quarterly Composite E
AOX 5 1409 lb/day.3 2,1511.3 Weekly Composite E
lb/day
Trichlorophenol6 27.1 lb/day Suspended Composite E
Pentachlorophenol6 4.29 lb/day Suspended Composite E
Temperature(°C) See A(7) Grab U, D
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L See A(7) Grab U, D
Conductivity See A(7) Grab U, D
Notes:
1. Sample Locations: E - Effluent. For instream monitoring information, see condition A.(7.).
2. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
3. Chronic Toxicity(Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 6.8%; February, May, August and November; see condition A.(5.).
4. For compliance purposes, the dioxin effluent sample shall be collected at the combined inlet to the
wastewater treatment plant; see condition A.(8.).
5.AOX monitoring shall be in accordance with the Domtar Cluster Rule Sampling Plan (dated 8/11/2000) or
subsequent modifications approved by the Division. AOX data shall be submitted on a quarterly basis along
with other Cluster Rule effluent data; refer to condition A.(10.).
6. Monitoring is suspended for these compounds as long as chlorophenolic-containing biocides are not used.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or foam in other than trace amounts.
Summer shall mean April 1 - October 31, while winter shall mean November 1 - March 31.
Page 3 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 002)
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] Facility Physical-Chemical Grade IV
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall(s) serial number 002. This discharge is non-
contact turbine cooling water. It shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Maximum Frequency Type Location1
Flow(MGD) Monthly Instantaneous E
Temperature(°C)2 Monthly Grab E
Total Residual Chlorine3, pg/L Monthly Grab E
pH4 Monthly Grab E
Notes:
1. Sample Locations: E - Effluent.
2. The temperature of the effluent shall be such as not to cause an increase in the temperature of
the receiving stream of more than 2.80C and in no case cause the ambient water temperature
to exceed 32.00C.
3. Monitoring requirements only apply if chlorine is added to the cooling water.
4. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
The permittee shall obtain authorization from the Division of Water Quality prior to utilizing any
biocide in the cooling water; see condition A (6). There shall be no chromium, zinc, or copper
added to the treatment system except as pre-approved additives to biocidal compounds.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 4 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
A. (3.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 005)
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] Facility Physical-Chemical Grade IV
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 005. This includes discharges from stormwater
during significant rain events, ice maker drain water, non-contact air conditioning cooling water, and
non-contact drip pan water. Such discharge shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as
specified below:
EFFLUENT MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Maximum Frequency Type Location1
Flow(MGD) Annually Estimate E
Temperature(°C)2 Annually Grab E
Total Residual Chlorine3, pg/L Annually Grab E
pH 4 Annually Grab E
Notes:
1. Sample Locations: E - Effluent.
2. The temperature of the effluent shall be such as not to cause an increase in the temperature of
the receiving stream of more than 2.80C and in no case cause the ambient water temperature
to exceed 32.00C.
3. Monitoring requirements only apply if chlorine is added to the cooling water.
4. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
The permittee shall obtain authorization from the Division of Water Quality prior to utilizing any
biocide in the cooling water; see condition A (6). There shall be no chromium, zinc, or copper
added to the treatment system except as pre-approved additives to biocidal compounds.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 5 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
A. (4.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 006)
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] Facility Physical-Chemical Grade IV
During the period beginning upon the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the
discharge of wastewater from bleach plant 6 and bleach plant 7 through outfall 006 shall be limited
and monitored by the Permittee as specified below and in Condition A (10):
Effluent Characteristics Limits Monitoring Requirements 2
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Maximum Frequency Type3 Location'
Flow 2 Weekly Calculated E
Chloroform 4 9.36 lb/day 15.6 lb/day Weekly Grab E
2,3,7,8 Tetrachloro-dibenzo- < 10 pg/L Quarterly Composite E
p-dioxin (TCDD)
2,3,7,8 Tetrachloro-dibenzo- 31.9 pg/L Quarterly Composite E
p-furan (TCDF)
Trichlorosyringol < 2.5 .tg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
3,4,5-Trichlorocatechol < 5.0 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
3,4,6-Trichlorocatechol < 5.0 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
3,4,5-Trichloroguaiacol < 2.5 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
3,4,6-Trichloroguaiacol < 2.5 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
4,5,6-Trichloroguaiacol < 2.5 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
2,4,5-Trick c ophcnol < 2.5 µg/LF Quarterly Composite E
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol < 2.5 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
Tetrachlorocatechol < 5.0 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
Tetrachloroguaiacol < 5.0 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol < 2.5 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
Pentachlorophenol < 5.0 µg/L5 Quarterly Composite E
pH of the first CIO2 7.79 Weekly Grab E
bleaching stage 6
Kappa factor of the first 2.42 Weekly Calculated E
C102 bleaching stage 6
Total bleach line C102 21.1 Weekly Calculated E
application rate (lb/ADT)6
Footnotes are shown on the following page.
Page 6 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
Footnotes to table A (4) on previous page:
1. Sample Location: E — Discharge point of where the combined bleach plant effluent sewer
enters the wastewater treatment system. Effluent is composed of Bleach Plant 6 effluent and
Bleach Plant 7 effluent. See condition A (10).
2. Monitoring and flow calculations monitoring shall be in accordance with the Domtar Cluster
Rule Sampling Plan (dated 8/11/2000) or subsequent modifications approved by the Division.
Chemical results for Cluster Rule parameters (Internal Outfall 006 + AOX from Outfall 001)
shall be reported on a quarterly basis; refer to condition A (10).
3. Sample Type: Calculated- calculate separate flows for Bleach Plant 6 and Bleach Plant
water balance or flow meters, and report total bleach plants flow (acid + alkaline
7 byate
p
waste streams) in DMRs. Grab- collect separate automated grab samples over a 24-hour
period from sampling point using the ISCO Cluster Rule Volatile Organic Compound
sampler (or similar sampler), which will then be composited separately by the lab and
analyzed as 24-hr composite sample. Composite- collect separate automated composite
samples over a 24-hour period from sampling point then prepare and analyze a single
flow-proportioned composite sample.
4. Per 40 CFR 430.02 (f) chloroform monitoring is suspended due to the submission of the
"Certification in lieu of monitoring". If conditions of certification are violated and chloroform
sampling is performed, then for compliance purposes, the permittee must report the total
chloroform mass loading.
5. Limits are based on Minimum Levels (ML) specified in 40 CFR 430.01.
6. Units are pounds per air-dried ton of pulp product. If limit is exceeded the permittee will be in
violation unless:
(a) DWQ is notified within 30 days of the exceedance, and
(b) Compliance with the chloroform limit is demonstrated by taking one sample to
monitor effluent for chloroform within 7 days of exceeding the value. If the
sample demonstrates compliance, process monitoring will resume in lieu of
monitoring for chloroform.
Compliance with the chloroform effluent limit can be demonstrated by either sampling each
fiberline for chloroform or by monitoring process parameters.
In order to continue exemption from the chloroform monitoring requirements the permittee must
meet conditions specified in 40 CFR 430.02 (f) (6). Periods of start-up, shutdown, or
instrumental malfunction will not be considered for the purposes of demonstrating compliance.
Page 7 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
A. (5.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY) — (Outfall 001)
[15A NCAC 02B.0500]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant
mortality to Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 6.8%.
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 February, May, August, and November. 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 electronically using
the Division's eDMR system for the months in which tests were performed, using the parameter
code TGP3B for the pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value. Additionally, DWR Form
AT-3 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
Or, results can be sent to the email, ATForms.ATBncdenr.gov.
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
Page 8 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
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.
A. (6.) BIOCIDE CONDITION
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
The permittee shall obtain authorization from the Division of Water Quality prior to utilizing any
biocide in the cooling water. The Permittee shall notify the Director in writing not later than ninety
(90) days prior to instituting use of any additional biocide used in cooling systems which may be
toxic to aquatic life or other than those previously reported to the Division of Water Quality. Such
notification shall include completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101 and a map locating the
discharge point and receiving stream. Concentrations of chromium, copper or zinc added to
biocides shall not exceed applicable water quality standards or action levels in the receiving stream,
as determined by calculations from the Biocide Worksheet Form 101 with Supplemental Metals
Analysis worksheet.
A. (7.) STREAM SAMPLING
[15A NCAC 02B.0500 ET SEQ.]
Upstream samples shall be taken at a point in-line with the access road to the old pump house
(west end of Tallow Island) at a location near the center of the Roanoke River. Downstream
samples shall be taken at river marker#17. During four summer months (July through October)
stream sampling shall be conducted once per week as water column profile samples at the surface
and at one meter depth increments to, but not including, the river bottom. For the months of April,
May, and June, stream samples shall be taken once per week using top and bottom grab samples.
For the remained of the year (November through March), only monthly surface grab samples will be
required.
During events of instream dissolved oxygen levels at or below 4.0 mg/L, the facility will monitor
instream at the above locations, the NC 45 Bridge, Conaby Creek and river marker#10. The
instream monitoring during these events shall be water column profiles. In addition, upon the
discovery of any event of river DO below 4.0 mg/L the permittee must inform the Division's
Washington Regional Office as soon as possible. The permittee may then be required to
discontinue discharge and/or conduct additional instream monitoring at the discretion of the Division
Director or his/her designee.
Page 9 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
A. (8.) DIOXIN MONITORING
[NCGS 143-215.1]
For compliance purposes, the point of compliance shall be defined as the influent before the
wastewater treatment facility. Compliance with the daily maximum permit limit shall be
demonstrated by determining the TCDD concentration at this location.
Adequate sample volume shall be collected to perform the analysis. The total sample volume shall
be collected and preserved in accordance with Part II, Section C Monitoring and Records. The
sample shall be analyzed in accordance with the appropriate method of analysis specified in
Analytical Procedures and Quality Assurance for Multimedia Analysis of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-
para-dioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans by High Resolution Gas Chromatography/High
Resolution Mass Spectrometry, EPA, 1987 (EPA Method 1613), or another equivalent analytical
protocol approved by the Division. A single sample may be analyzed to determine compliance with
the daily maximum effluent limitation. Alternatively, a sample volume may be collected to enable
the sample to be split (duplicate analysis). If the analysis of either split sample is below the
detection limit, the quantity, for the purposes of compliance evaluation, is considered to be zero. If
both splits are positive, the results of the two analyses shall be averaged to determine compliance
with the daily maximum effluent limitation. If the measurement is below detection limits, the quantity
for the of compliance evaluation i purposes p s considered to be zero. The detection limit using these
methods for the purpose of compliance evaluation is considered to be 10 picograms per liter. The
dioxin isomer to be monitored and limited by this permit is 2,3,7,8 TCDD.
Fish tissue analysis will be performed, as a minimum, at one station established upstream of the
discharge and at two stations downstream in accordance with the approved monitoring plan. The
monitoring plan is an enforceable part of this permit. All dioxin data collected as part of this
monitoring requirement will be reported within three months of receiving the finalized analyses from
the data collection.
In addition to the monitoring required on the effluent pages, the permittee shall perform a fish tissue
analysis for dioxin, performed once every five years. This shall include TCDD and TCDF analyses.
A. (9.) CLUSTER RULE BMPs
[NCGS 143-215.1]
The permittee must implement the best management practices (BMPs) specified in Section A
below. The primary BMP objective is to prevent leaks and spills of spent pulping liquors, soap, and
turpentine. A secondary objective is to contain, collect, and recover at the immediate process area,
or otherwise control, those leaks, spills and intentional diversions should they occur. BMPs must be
developed according to best engineering practices and must be implemented in a manner that takes
into account the specific circumstances at the mill.
Section A. BMP Implementation Requirements
1. The permittee must return spilled or diverted spent pulping liquors, soap, and turpentine to the
process to the maximum extent practicable, recover such materials outside the process, or
discharge spilled or diverted material at a rate that does not disrupt the receiving wastewater
treatment system.
Page 10 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
2. The permittee must establish a program to identify and repair leaking equipment items. This
program must include: (i) Regular daily visual inspections of process area with equipment items in
spent pulping liquor, soap, and turpentine service; (ii) Immediate repair of leaking equipment items,
when possible. Leaking equipment items that cannot be repaired during normal operations must be
identified, temporary means for mitigating the leaks must be provided, and the leaking equipment
items repaired during the next maintenance outage; (iii) Identification of conditions under which
production will be curtailed or halted to repair leaking equipment items or to prevent pulping liquor,
soap, and turpentine leaks and spills; and (iv)A means for tracking repairs over time to identify
those equipment items where upgrade or replacement may be warranted based on frequency and
severity of leaks, spills, or failures.
3. The permittee must operate continuous, automatic monitoring systems that the mill determines
are necessary to detect and control leaks, spills, and intentional diversions of spent pulping liquor,
soap, and turpentine. These monitoring systems should be integrated with the mill process control
system and may include, e.g., high level monitors and alarms on storage tanks; process area
conductivity (or pH) monitors and alarms; and process area sewer, process wastewater, and
wastewater treatment plant conductivity (or pH) monitors and alarms.
4. The permittee must enact a program of initial and refresher training of operators, maintenance
personnel, and other technical and supervisory personnel who have responsibility for operating,
maintaining, or supervising the operation and maintenance of equipment items in spent pulping
liquor, soap, and turpentine service. The refresher training must be conducted at least annually and
the training program must be documented.
5. The permittee must prepare a brief report that evaluates each spill or intentional diversion of
spent pulping liquor, soap, or turpentine that is not contained at the immediate process area. The
report must describe the equipment items involved, the circumstances leading to the incident, the
effectiveness of the corrective actions taken to contain and recover the spill or intentional diversion,
and plans to develop changes to equipment and operating and maintenance practices as necessary
to prevent recurrence. Discussion of the reports must be included as part of the annual refresher
training.
6. The permittee must enact a program to review any planned modifications to the pulping and
chemical recovery facilities and any construction activities in the pulping and chemical recovery
areas before these activities commence. The purpose of such review is to prevent leaks and spills
of spent pulping liquor, soap, and turpentine during the planned modifications, and to ensure that
construction and supervisory personnel are aware of possible liquor diversions and of the
requirement to prevent leaks and spills of spent pulping liquors, soap, and turpentine during
construction.
7. The permittee must install and maintain secondary containment (i.e., containment constructed of
materials impervious to pulping liquors)for spent pulping liquor bulk storage tanks equivalent to the
volume of the largest tank plus sufficient freeboard for precipitation. An annual tank integrity testing
program, if coupled with other containment or diversion structures, may be substituted for
secondary containment for spent pulping liquor bulk storage tanks.
8. The permittee must install and maintain secondary containment for turpentine bulk storage
tanks.
9. The permittee must install and maintain curbing, dikes or other means of isolating soap and
turpentine processing and loading areas from the wastewater treatment facilities.
10. The permittee must conduct wastewater monitoring to detect leaks and spills, to track the
effectiveness of the BMPs, and to detect trends in spent pulping liquor losses. Such monitoring
must be performed in accordance with Section E.
Section B. BMP Plan Requirements
Page 11of19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
1. The permittee must prepare and implement a BMP Plan. The BMP Plan must be based on a
detailed engineering review as described in this section. The BMP Plan must specify the
procedures and the practices required for the mill to meet the requirements of Section A, the
construction the mill determines is necessary to meet those requirements including a schedule for
such construction, and the monitoring program (including the statistically derived action levels) that
will be used to meet the requirements of Section E. The BMP Plan also must specify the period of
time that the mill determines the action levels established under Section D may be exceeded
without triggering the responses specified in Section E.
2. The permittee must conduct a detailed engineering review of pulping and chemical recovery
operations--including but not limited to process equipment, storage tanks, pipelines and pumping
systems, loading and unloading facilities, and other appurtenant pulping and chemical recovery
equipment items in spent pulping liquor, soap, and turpentine service--for the purpose of
determining the magnitude and routing of potential leaks, spills, and intentional diversions of spent
pulping liquors, soap, and turpentine during the following periods of operation: (i) process start-ups
and shut downs; (ii) maintenance; (iii) production grade changes; (iv) storm or other weather
events; (v) power failures; and (vi) normal operations.
3. As part of the engineering review, the permittee must determine whether existing spent pulping
liquor containment facilities are of adequate capacity for collection and storage of anticipated
intentional liquor diversions with sufficient contingency for collection and containment of spills. The
engineering review must also consider: (i)the need for continuous, automatic monitoring systems to
detect and control leaks and spills of spent pulping liquor, soap, and turpentine; (ii) the need for
process wastewater diversion facilities to protect end-of-pipe wastewater treatment facilities from
adverse effects of spills and diversions of spent pulping liquors, soap, and turpentine; (iii) the
potential for contamination of storm water from the immediate process areas; and (iv)the extent to
which segregation and/or collection and treatment of contaminated storm water from the immediate
process areas is appropriate.
4. The permittee must amend its BMP Plan whenever there is a change in mill design,
construction, operation, or maintenance that materially affects the potential for leaks or spills of
spent pulping liquor, turpentine, or soap from the immediate process areas.
5. The permittee must complete a review and evaluation of the BMP Plan once every five years
except as provided in Section B.4. As a result of this review and evaluation, the permittee must
amend the BMP Plan within three months of the review if the mill determines that any new or
modified management practices and engineered controls are necessary to reduce significantly the
likelihood of spent pulping liquor, soap, and turpentine leaks, spills, or intentional diversions from
the immediate process areas, including a schedule for implementation of such practices and
controls.
6. The BMP Plan, and any amendments thereto, must be reviewed by the senior technical
manager at the mill and approved and signed by the mill manager. Any person signing the BMP
Plan or its amendments must certify to the Division under penalty of law that the BMP Plan (or its
amendments) has been prepared in accordance with good engineering practices and in accordance
with this regulation. The permittee is not required to obtain approval from the Division for the BMP
Plan or any amendments thereto.
Section C. BMP Recordkeepinq Requirements
1. The permittee must maintain on its premises a complete copy of the current BMP Plan and the
records specified in Section C.2 and must make such BMP Plan and records available to the
Division for review upon request.
2. The permittee must maintain the following records for three years from the date they are
created: (i) records tracking the repairs performed in accordance with the repair program described
Page 12 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
in Section A; (ii) records of initial and refresher training conducted in accordance with Section A; (iii)
reports prepared in accordance with Section A; and (iv) records of monitoring required by Sections
A and E.
Section D. Establishment of Wastewater Treatment System Influent Action Levels
1. The permittee must conduct a monitoring program per Section D.2, for the purpose of defining
wastewater treatment system influent characteristics (or action levels), described in Section D.3,
that will trigger requirements to initiate investigations on BMP effectiveness and to take corrective
action.
2. The permittee must employ the following procedures in order to develop the action levels
required by Section D:
• Monitoring parameters. The permittee must collect 24-hour composite samples and analyze the
samples for a measure of organic content (e.g., Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) or Total Organic
Carbon (TOC)). Alternatively, the mill may use a measure related to spent pulping liquor losses
measured continuously and averaged over 24 hours (e.g., specific conductivity or color).
• Monitoring locations. The permittee must conduct monitoring at the point influent enters the
wastewater treatment system. For the purposes of this requirement, the permittee may select
alternate monitoring point(s) in order to isolate possible sources of spent pulping liquor, soap, or
turpentine from other possible sources of organic wastewaters that are tributary to the wastewater
treatment facilities (e.g., bleach plants, paper machines and secondary fiber operations).
3. A wastewater treatment influent action level is a statistically determined pollutant loading
determined by a statistical analysis of six months of daily measurements. The action levels must
consist of a lower action level, which if exceeded will trigger the investigation requirements
described in Section E, and an upper action level, which if exceeded will trigger the corrective action
requirements described in Section E. Action levels developed under this Section must be revised
using six months of monitoring data after any change in mill design, construction, operation, or
maintenance that materially affects the potential for leaks or spills of spent pulping liquor, soap, or
turpentine from the immediate process areas.
Section E. BMP Monitoring, Corrective Action, and Reporting Requirements
1. The permittee must conduct daily monitoring of the influent to the wastewater treatment system
in accordance with the procedures described in Section D for the purpose of detecting leaks and
spills, tracking the effectiveness of the BMPs, and detecting trends in spent pulping liquor losses.
2. Whenever monitoring results exceed the lower action level for the period of time specified in the
BMP Plan, the permittee must conduct an investigation to determine the cause of such exceedance.
Whenever monitoring results exceed the upper action level for the period of time specified in the
BMP Plan, the permittee must complete corrective action to bring the wastewater treatment system
influent mass loading below the lower action level as soon as practicable.
3. Although exceedances of the action levels will not constitute violations of an NPDES permit,
failure to take the actions required by Section E.2 as soon as practicable will be a permit violation.
4. The permittee must report to the Division the results of the daily monitoring conducted pursuant
to Section E.1. Such reports must include a summary of the monitoring results, the number and
dates of exceedances of the applicable action levels, and brief descriptions of any corrective actions
taken to respond to such exceedances. Submission of such reports shall be annually, by March 31 st
of the following year.
Section F. BMP Definitions
Page 13 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
1. Action Level: A daily pollutant loading that when exceeded triggers investigative or corrective
action. Mills determine action levels by a statistical analysis of six months of daily measurements
collected at the mill. For example, the lower action level may be the 75th percentile of the running
seven-day averages (that value exceeded by 25 percent of the running seven-day averages) and
the upper action level may be the 90th percentile of the running seven-day averages (that value
exceeded by 10 percent of the running seven-day averages).
2. Division: North Carolina DENR, Division of Water Quality, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh,
North Carolina 27699-1617.
3. Equipment Items in Spent Pulping Liquor, Soap, and Turpentine Service: Any process vessel,
storage tank, pumping system, evaporator, heat exchanger, recovery furnace or boiler, pipeline,
valve, fitting, or other device that contains, processes, transports, or comes into contact with spent
pulping liquor, soap, or turpentine. Sometimes referred to as "equipment items."
4. Immediate Process Area: The location at the mill where pulping, screening, knotting, pulp
washing, pulping liquor concentration, pulping liquor processing, and chemical recovery facilities are
located, generally the battery limits of the aforementioned processes. "Immediate process area"
includes spent pulping liquor storage and spill control tanks located at the mill, whether or not they
are located in the immediate process area.
5. Intentional Diversion: The planned removal of spent pulping liquor, soap, or turpentine from
equipment items in spent pulping liquor, soap, or turpentine service by the mill for any purpose
including, but not limited to, maintenance, grade changes, or process shutdowns.
6. Mill: The owner or operator of a direct or indirect discharging pulp, paper, or paperboard
manufacturing facility subject to this section.
7. Senior Technical Manager: The person designated by the mill manager to review the BMP Plan.
The senior technical manager shall be the chief engineer at the mill, the manager of pulping and
chemical recovery operations, or other such responsible person designated by the mill manager
who has knowledge of and responsibility for pulping and chemical recovery operations.
8. Soap: The product of reaction between the alkali in kraft pulping liquor and fatty acid portions of
the wood, which precipitate out when water is evaporated from the spent pulping liquor.
9. Spent Pulping Liquor: For kraft and soda mills "spent pulping liquor" means black liquor that is
used, generated, stored, or processed at any point in the pulping and chemical recovery processes.
10. Turpentine: A mixture of terpenes, principally pinene, obtained by the steam distillation of pine
gum recovered from the condensation of digester relief gases from the cooking of softwoods by the
kraft pulping process. Sometimes referred to as sulfate turpentine.
A. (10.) EFFLUENT GUIDELINE SAMPLING PLAN
[NCGS 143-215.1]
The bleach plant effluent sample (Dutfall 006 located at the confluence of the effluent lines for
Bleach Plant 6 and Bleach Plant 7) shall be analyzed for 2,3,7,8-TCDD in accordance with EPA
Method 1613. A single sample may be analyzed to determine compliance with the daily maximum
effluent limitation. Alternatively, a sample volume may be collected to enable the sample to be
split (duplicate analysis). If the analysis of either split sample is below the Minimum Level (ML),
the quantity is considered to be zero for compliance evaluation. If both splits are positive, the
results of two analyses shall be averaged to determine compliance. The Minimum Level for
2,3,7,8-TCDD by EPA Method 1613 is 10 pg/L.
The bleach plants effluent sample (Outfall 006) shall be analyzed for the 12 chlorinated phenolic
compounds in Condition, A (4) in accordance with EPA Method 1653. A single sample may be
analyzed to determine compliance with the daily maximum effluent limitation. Alternatively, a
sample volume may be collected to enable the sample to be split (duplicate analysis). If the
Page 14 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
analysis of either split sample is below the Minimum Level (ML), the quantity is considered to be
zero for compliance evaluation. If both splits are positive, the results of two analyses shall be
compliance.
averaged to determine The Minimum Levels for each of the 12 chlorinated compounds
9
are the same as the Daily Maximum concentrations listed in Condition A (4).
The final wastewater treatment plant effluent sample (Outfall 001) shall be analyzed for AOX in
accordance with EPA Method 1650, or subsequent test methods approved by the Division.
The permittee may request future monitoring modifications to the Cluster Rule requirements,
including 1) use of ECF certification in lieu of monitoring for chloroform in the bleach plant effluent
(Outfall 006) if applicable; 2) demonstrating compliance using samples collected less frequently
than every four hours; 3) using automated composite volatile samplers for chloroform sampling;
and 4) using automated composite samplers for chlorophenolic and TCDD/TCDF sampling. Such
future requests will be evaluated in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H.0114.
The flow calculations for internal Outfall 006 shall not be subject to accuracy requirements
specified under Part II, Section D.3. This exclusion is similar to that provided for pump log flow
calculations.
Chemical data for Cluster Rule parameters (all Outfall 006 parameters and AOX from Outfall 001)
shall be submitted to the Division on a quarterly basis (January-March, April-June, July-
September, October-December). Quarterly submissions shall be due 60 days following the last
day of each quarter (Due dates are May 31, August 31, November 30, February 28). Chemical
data shall be submitted on Division-approved DMR forms, with a separate form provided each
month.
A. (11.) SLUDGE RESIDUALS FROM PLYMOUTH WWTP
[NCGS 143-215.1]
The permittee is authorized to accept wastewater sludge residuals from the Town of Plymouth
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant in situations deemed an emergency by both the Division
and the POTW (situations such as abnormally prolonged rainfall). Sludge residuals shall be added
into the influent of the Domtar wastewater treatment system.
A. (12.) VARIANCE TO 24-HOUR STAFFING BY CERTIFIED OPERATOR
[NCGS 143-215.1]
The existing variance to 24-hour staffing coverage at your WWTP by certified operators may
continue under the following conditions:
1. The facility shall maintain all current systems, operating strategies, monitoring and operator
training as outlined in the letter dated January 30, 2006.
2. The permittee shall maintain and have available for review by Division staff the documentation
of the wastewater treatment operator's training.
3. Failure of the monitoring system to detect and report a malfunction, or the failure of an
appropriate person in responding to a problem must be documented and reported to the
Washington Regional Office. Failure of a monitoring device or failure to respond to a problem will
not be a mitigating factor in any enforcement action.
Page 15 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
4. This variance shall remain in effect until permit expiration, and will be reviewed with the renewal
of the NPDES permit for this facility. A request for renewal of this variance should be submitted with
the permit renewal request.
5. The remote alarm system must be a polling SCADA alarm. If the existing alarm system is
different from the required, the upgrade must be completed before this variance can be considered
valid.
6. Security guards must conduct surveillance routes around entire wastewater system every four
hours when the ORC is not on site. Security guards must be trained to recognize potential problems
at the site and report them immediately to the member of the environmental team who is currently
on call.
7. The permittee must continue to maintain and implement an effective Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan for its Plymouth facility which includes preparedness measures for
major storm events. Domtar must survey the entire wastewater treatment system as soon as safely
possible and no later than 48 hours after a major storm event, to ensure safe and stable operations.
An official in responsible charge must immediately report any failures of the wastewater treatment
system due to major storm events to the Washington Regional Office within 24 hours of discovery.
8. This variance may be rescinded at the discretion of the Director in the event that the compliance
status or conditions at the facility change.
A. (13.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF MONITORING REPORTS
[G.S. 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.) (all
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.qov/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,
Page 16of19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
1.1, 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.
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(I)(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/2015/10/22/2015-24954/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
Page 17 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
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)l
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.qov/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 of fines 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].
A. (24.) CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 316 (B)
[40 CFR 125.95]
Page 18 of 19
NPDES Permit No. NC0000680
Based on evaluation of the 316(b) study reports, the Department concludes that the existing
configuration at this facility represents BTA for meeting the impingement and entrainment
requirements of the Rule. The permittee shall continue to comply with the Cooling Water Intake
Structure Rule per 40 CFR 125.95.
Nothing in this permit authorizes take for the purposes of a facility's compliance with the Endangered
Species Act.
Page 19 of 19
1 {.r
• �.• _
'R. +I .„+= yr_ ± . ~_ , s r` - + t. „y- - ••
n,0 .4 li;; e#r, qb s.' - ': .`- Outfall 005 ►- _:s -= :' -_ .:
• - y ►- - - - - i ' = Lat: 35° 51' 50" +- _ .._ - c
•
r r - - m ♦ , ." u- + cp-. f; Lon 76°46' 54" ; -' . _-`.- - - '
—+� iy `a ....
�y♦y - +-•.' • . J •f.� .' .- i =` ►.► y�1— t-._ i — 4,•C r.
='= Outfall 002 • � � o -.- � -. -V a rr ;
•
t y f
. Lat: 35° 51'45" ' / `. `_' _...�_•. _ 1 w
�1.�_{�♦~ Long: 76°46' 26" " ',•�' \ 1. WY
}_ ...~ _a ••+ j7iiir. . fig ! � r' h: •' d
I,
`_� _ _ _ _ y •t I i
if
•
_ irk.. i „� r i7 ..�
II 11'3:5'5C375."-IC.ge
, , `' Outfall 001 Ply'ri{ou'tt
•
k I'
_� - ' i"—'r'� ` Lat: 35°51' 50" 1
�" ,ter- ►, Long: 76°46' 03„
►
I10J511DAa i 414,lE I
'� - } '.
L
_ • I. ►Rt1:5 �•.. _ 7�. v { =,fir'-. f
ill
'.� 1 ,ia rr '-� j1
l
Ili
Av1 Of _
li. _ ' 4"n .' ' 1, r "' ' M,:'. 1
1y {Eli1 v i
...
k re M ` 1
10° .\,,.'. \\ ..., : . 1 PA".._V: . ' t.:11
10
1 V
«: `art • ' I 1 •r,..,� • •
...' .k li Si,I
USGS Quad#:_ D31 SE Ni Domtar Paper Company
Subbasin #: 030209 Martin County
8-Digit HUC 03050101
Receiving Stream: Roanoke
River NC0000680
Stream Class: C-Sw