WQ0018708_Agronomist Report_20000502

FROM : BAY TREE LAKES
James A. Graham
C:ommitNioner
PHONE NO. : 910 532 2283
iClirti TnnIfina'
Prpartmertt n Agrirnitum
anti (Glimmer Arrilirto
(Agi'tI2t17n1'I>:ttti.LY]t'
To: Mr, Steven Jones, President, Lake Creek Corporation
•
Prom: Rick Morris, NCDA&CS Regional Agronomist TR
Date: May 2, 2000
Subject: Agronomist Report
Lake Creek Corporation currently has a permitIthat allows for up to 20,000 gallons of wastewater
to be discharged into surface waters of the state. The companyihas applied for a new permit that
will require land application of up to 40,000 gallons of wastewater per day through spray
irrigation. I visited -the site to determine. if it is suitable to receive wastewater.
May. 04 20001 22 : 15PM P1
Dr. Richard C. Rule])
Director
Site 'Evaluation •
•
On 3/13/2000, I accompanied Mr. Steven Jones of Lake Creek Corporations to the proposed land
application site to collect soil samples for the land application pennit. Thesite consists of 11.56
acres of coastal bermuda that were sprigged last. spring. The predominant soils on the site are
Wagram, Centenary and Leon. Of these, Wagram and Centenary are best suited for coastal
bermuda. .
Standard soil test procedures were used to assess nutrient levels in the .soil. Samples were
collected -from depths of 0.4 inches and 4-12 inches. The 4- to 12-inch samples were collected
for background information only. The bermuda stand was fair but ;appeared to be) acking in
nutrition.
Reconsmc'ndations
t. Ci•np Selection
The current crop of coastal bermuda is adequate for the proposed land application program.
Bermuda tolerates sodium -levels- from -wastewater better than other crops;_therefore, it sh6uld he
the primary receiver crop for wastewater. A winter cover crop Of rye or oats should be planted
between Sept. 30 and Oct. 15 to serve as a scavenger crop for residual nutrients. These crops are
best suited to the site's soil, climate and economic Qoticiit.ions. If plhmting is timed properly,.t.he
following seeding rates will be sufficient: rye at 1-2 bushels/acre, or oats at 1-2 bushels/acre.
2. Crop Management
Hybrid bermuda is the more desirable type of forage for this land application program. 1 did not
see signs of common berrnuda in the field, but if the owner wishes to kill common bermuda in

FROM : BAY TREE LAKES
PHONE NO. : 910 532 2293 May. 04 2000 02:15PM' P2
the future, a herbicide program can be prescribed, I did find a number of volunteer hardwood
saplings in the field that should be bush -hogged before the site is managed for hay. Weed control
is notmandatory with this land application program because weeds use nutrients. If weed control
becomes necessary, the local agronomist or county extension agent can help. Any cover crop
planted should be removed from the site before coastal berrnuda comes out of dormancy.
_; ot� I_ y tc oa�.tal bLirn da tha ttrsImarragcthlor,lla �s G baled, tnd i emav� fro i the site
9 m �a 5°�'C� weeks_-` four COo()E atiV�e� Xtet1S1011 agei`}'t oiIocalragronornisthmay1
d r3t Cix1F111�itCly�P\,G)�� ,� _,�
able tRfclp�yott�l�c�'" to fi hay fiarrner.�to��asfiist u ith"haivcst.'
3. Soil Testing
Soil samples should be submitted annually to a qualified laboratory for analysis, When
submitting soil samples from a waste application site, always request a heavy metal analysis.
Samples pulled on 3/13/00 indicate a pH range of 6.4-6.5. The target pH for coastal bermuda is
6.5. The soil test lime recommendation suggest 0.5 ton/lime acre for sample number 1-4. The pH
in this case is so close to the target pH that the recommended lime application can be suspended
for this year. Whenever lime is applied, I strongly suggest the application of dolomitic lime
because it. meets compliance. regulations and immobilizes heavy metals.
Recommendations are based solely on analyses of the 0- to 4-inch samples. Test results indicate
very low phosphorus, potassium and copper index levels. Since the wastewater contains low
levels of these nutrients, it is important to follow soil test report recommendations. Whether or
not Lake Creek Corporation elects to apply additional phosphorus or copper; T suggest applying
additional potassium at the rate of 180-2`10 lbs/acre. A fail application of 40-50 lbs/acre, while
not mandatory, will also help promote a healthy root system, All soil samples submitted have
metal levels that are within normal background levels and within DWQ guidelines.
4. Waste Application -
The constituents of primary concern with most land application programs are nitrogen, salts and
heavy metals. Lake Creek Corporation sends its wastewater effluent to Microbac Laboratories, •
Inc., of lyayettevillc for. analysis. The waste report 1 reviewed indicated very few nutrients as well
as metals. The current permit under which Lake Creek Corporation is operating allows discharge
of 20,000 gals of waste water/day into surface waters of the state. The new permit that is being
pursuer] specifies a 40,000-gal/day application rate by spray irrigation.
Although the site contains 11.65 acres of coastal bermuda, only 5 acres of coastal can receive
waste water. This takes into account a 50-ft buffer restriction around the perimeter of the field
and approximately 1.6 acres that have a spodic horizon and probably represent. a Leon soil.,If
40,000 gallons per day is applied to 5 acres of coastal, that rate equates to 0.3 inch of wastewater
per day.. Application rates are subject to change, depending upo►i storage capacity and weather
conditions. I have not talked with the engineer working on this project to see what his projected
application rate will be. Therefore, I will use the 0.3-inch-water/day value to address nitrogen
and salt concerns for this report.. Funding of wastewater should not be a problem for the Wagram
and Centenary soils with this land applic;ativu pi�,64AM.

FROM : BAY TREE LAKES
PHONE NO. : 910 532 228,E May. 04 2080 02: 1PM P1
Bay Tree currently has a 90-day temporary storage capacity for! wastewater. if it receives the new
permit, it- will double the volume applied thereby reducing the storage capacity. Storage capacity
is essential to hold wastewater during periods of wet weather. !
5. Nitrogen and Sodium
Nitrogen and sodium will be the limiting elements in this land application program, although
nitrogen amounts.are not high in the waste. The waste analysis from Microbac Laboratories .
indicates the total Kjeldahl nitrogen to be'3.22 mg/1, which equates to 0.0268 lb of nitrogen per
1000 gallons. A 40,000-gallon/day application rate would require application of 8000 gals of
waste water/acre/day. This further equates to a nitrogen loading rate of 0.214 lb/day or 6.4
lbs/month if 0.3 in per acre per day is applied.
Theg`ronornt rate_,ort.iliogca,that should be appl eel t i_, ricl Li iinud.il�anges floe .4 ;ail
be//ton of hays I C site is gi;a�ed,�2�5�10 oi..tlie tulalrnitrogcri from t ha3J lnoducti'on
standpornt. s_reduced '11he Soils onthi Isite,hae,theipo ci,tyal_to oducc"`" 4 ons.of ha per acrev
rlclial 5'U�lls,of r,i�trtrgen/aecan`bpp ic1 clo�iacivci seccicd crops:
The sodium in the wastewater was reported at 17.7 ppm, which equates to 0.143 lb of sodium per
1000 gallons. A loading rate of 8000 gals/acre/day would apply about 1.14 lbs/acre/day or 34.23
lbs/acre/month of sodium. As these figures indicate, the primary receiver crop must be tolerant to
salt. Bermuda is tolerant., and soil test data do not indicate a sodium problem for this land -
application program. If the 40,000-gallon application rate -is approved, I would monitor sodium
levels through plant and soil test data to determine if modifications' in the application rate are
needed. if sodium begins to accumulate in the soil, gypsum may be recommended to displace
sodium. -
The overall fertility of this site needs improvement before yields can be maximized. It. will take
approximately 200 lbs of nitrogen per acre to achieve a yield of 4 tons/acre. I do not believe. •
Lake Creek will be able to maximize yield because of the low nutrient volume in the wastewater.
1 would suggest that plant tissue samples be collected during the, growing season to monitor the
overall health of the crop. Plant analysis may indicate the need for supplemental nutrition.
Summary
The Lake Creek Corporation land application site should be acceptable to receive wastewater
from the Bay Tree Lakes Residential ,Subdivision. Neither soil test nor wastewater reports
indicate excessive Icvcls of heavy metals or nutrients. The current nutritional levels on the land
application site are poor; therefore, crop response will -be slow initially. 1 have concerns that the
amount. of nutrition supplied through the wastewater will not be sufficient. Supplemental
nutrition Will probably be necessary.
The owners may consider tipplyitig Up tc 50 lbs of commercial nitrogen per acre in t.hc spring of
the year when the potassium is broadcast. This practice helps the crop get off to good start. Such
an application may provide the supplemental nutrition the crop needs .without creating concerns
about nitrates in groundwater. 1_`'1]avG'enc] tit yafiac:%iliy� oi';theT ubli it.ion7ic'.777T2.'t.`.l00ti'
Aicirtc7 i�»reizr arr Ar C.,;wliich you m•ty find,benefiCial�

I wish you the best of luck with your land application program. If I can be of further agronomic
assistance, feel free to give me a call.
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