NC0026697_Draft Permit_20220531

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Clay County Water & Sewer District
Attn: Dusty Beal, Director
238 Jarrett Road
Hayesville, NC 28904
Dear Permittee:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
May 31, 2022
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0026697
Clay County WWTP
Grade II Biological WPCS
Clay County
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the draft
permit for your facility. Please review this draft carefully to ensure your thorough understanding of the
information, conditions, and requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
1. Language has been updated in Section A. (1), A. (2), A. (3) and Section A. (6) to require electronic
submission of effluent data. Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring
reports (DMRs).
2. The facility grade has been added in Section A. (1), A. (2), and A. (3).
3. Monthly average and weekly average effluent limits for NH3 as N (November 1 — March 31) have been
added in Section A. (1).
4. Language for effluent mercury analysis has been updated in Section A. (5).
5. An updated outfall map has been included.
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 except that agency and
division names have been updated. The latest version is available at https://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx and can be viewed
online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice in
newspapers having circulation in the general Clay County area, per EPA requirements. Please provide your
comments, if any, to me at the address below no later than 30 days after receiving 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 the draft, please contact me at
919-707-3619, or via e-mail at [e-mail].
1:tE
NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Environmental Wanly
Sincerely,
ro61\1
a,
Siying Chen
Environmental Specialist
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting Unit
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000

cc: NPDES File [Laserfiche]
NCDEQ Asheville Regional Office [email]
Operator Certification Program [email]
Public Water Supply — Nicole Hairston [email]
Public Water Supply — Kimberly Barnett [email]
£ D_E
NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Environmental Dual;\ sip00.6"
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000

Permit NC0026697
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, the
Clay County Water & Sewer District
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Clay County WWTP
238 Jarrett Road
Hayesville
Clay County
to receiving waters designated as the Hiwassee River in the Hiwassee 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 August 31, 2027.
If the permittee intends to continue to discharge at the facility beyond the term of this permit, a renewal
application must be submitted no later than March 4, 2027 (180 days before the expiration of this
permit).
Signed this day
Richard E. Rogers, Jr.
Director, Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 8

Permit NC0026697
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.
The Clay County Water & Sewer District
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.3 MGD wastewater treatment facility that includes the following
components:
• Bar screen and selector tanks
• Twin 30-horsepower blowers
• Twin 150,000-gallon aeration tanks
• Two split clarifiers
• Two aerobic digesters
• Chlorine disinfection
• Dechlorination
• Chart recorder and flow meter
• 1 — meter Belt Filter Press and polymer feed system
This facility is located at the Clay County WWTP (238 Jarrett Road, Hayesville) in Clay County.
2. After receiving an Authorization to Construct (ATC) permit from the Division, and submitting an
acceptable Engineer's Certification Form to the Division at completion of the construction, begin
operating new facilities sufficient to treat 0.47 MGD of wastewater, and
3. After receiving an Authorization to Construct (ATC) permit from the Division, and submitting an
acceptable Engineer's Certification Form to the Division at completion of the construction, begin
operating new facilities sufficient to treat 0.64 MGD of wastewater, and
4. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into the Hiwassee
River [Stream segment 1-(16.5)], classified WS-IV waters in sub -basin 04-05-01 [HUC:
060200020203] in the Hiwassee River Basin.
Page 2 of 8

Permit NC0026697
Part I
A. (1)
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS [0.3 MGD]
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 02B.0500 et seq.]
Grade WW-2 Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G.0302]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expansion to 0.47 MGD
or expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be
limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER
[Parameter Code]
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Wee
Average kly
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample Type
Sample
Location2
Flow 50050
[ ]
0.3 MGD
Continuous
RecordingInfluent
or
Effluent
BOD, 5 day (20°C)3 [C0310]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent &Effluent
Total Suspended Solids3 [C0530]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
NH3 as N [C0610]
(April 1— October 31)
11.0 mg/L
33.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
as N
(November 1 — March 31) [C0610]
31.7 mg/L
35 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen [00300]
Weekly
Grab
Effluent,
U & D
Fecal Coliform [31616]
(geometric mean)
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine4 [50060]
28 pg/L
2/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Mercury5 [COMER]
See Footnote 5
Grab
Effluent
Total Nitrogen (NO2+NO3+TKN) [C0600]
Semi-annually
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus [C0665]
Semi-annually
Composite
Effluent
Temperature (°C) [00010]
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C) [00010]
Weekly
Grab
U & D
pH [00400]
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The Permittee shall submit discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using the Division's eDMR submittal
system [see A. (6)].
2. U: at least 50 feet upstream from the outfall. D: at least 100 feet downstream from the outfall.
3. The monthly average effluent BODS and Total Suspended Solids concentrations shall not exceed 15% of the
respective influent value (85% removal).
4. The Division shall consider all effluent total residual chlorine 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/L.
5. Total Mercury must be sampled once during the permit cycle [see A. (5)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
A. (2) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS [0.47 MGD]
Page 3 of 8

Permit NC0026697
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 02B.0500 et seq.]
Grade WW-2 Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G.0302]
During the period beginning upon expansion above 0.30 MGD and lasting until expansion above 0.47
MGD or expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be
limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER
[Parameter Code]
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Weekly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location2
Flow [50050]
0.47 MGD
Continuous
Recording
Influent or
Effluent
BOD, 5 day (20°C)3 [C0310]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids3 [C0530]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
NH3 as N [C0610]
(April 1— October 31)
5.7 mg/L
17.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N [C0610]
(November 1 — March 31)
15.8 mg/L
35.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen [00300]
Weekly
Grab
Effluent,
U & D
Fecal Coliform [31616]
(geometric mean)
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine4 [50060]
28 pg/L
2/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Mercury5 [COMER]
See Footnote 5
Grab
Effluent
Total Nitrogen [C0600]
(NO2+NO3+TKN)
Semi-annually
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus [C0665]
Semi-annually
Composite
Effluent
Temperature (°C) [00010]
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C) [00010]
Weekly
Grab
U & D
pH [00400]
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The Permittee shall submit discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
submittal system [see A. (6)].
2. U: at least 50 feet upstream from the outfall. D: at least 100 feet downstream from the outfall.
3. The monthly average effluent BODS and Total Suspended Solids concentrations shall not exceed 15% of
the respective influent value (85% removal).
4. The Division shall consider all effluent total residual chlorine 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/L.
5. Total Mercury must be sampled once during the permit cycle [see A. (5)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 4 of 8

Permit NC0026697
A. (3)
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS [0.64 MGD]
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 02B.0500 et seq.]
Grade WW-2 Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G.0302]
During the period beginning upon expansion above 0.47 MGD 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
[Parameter Code]
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Weekly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location2
Flow [50050]
0.64 MGD
Continuous
Recording
Influent or
Effluent
BOD, 5 day (20°C)3 [C0310]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids3 [C0530]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
NH3 as N [C0610]
(April 1— October 31)
5.7 mg/L
17.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N [C0610]
(November 1 — March 31)
15.8 mg/L
35.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen [00300]
3/Week
Grab
Effluent,
U&D
Fecal Coliform [31616]
(geometric mean)
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine4 [50060]
28 pg/L
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Mercury5 [COMER]
See Footnote 5
Grab
Effluent
Total Nitrogen [C0600]
(NO2+NO3+TKN)
Semi-annually
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus [C0665]
Semi-annually
Composite
Effluent
Temperature (°C) [00010]
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C) [00010]
3/Week
Grab
U & D
pH [00400]
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The Permittee shall submit discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
submittal system [see A. (6)].
2. U: at least 50 feet upstream from the outfall. D: at least 100 feet downstream from the outfall.
3. The monthly average effluent BODS and Total Suspended Solids concentrations shall not exceed 15% of
the respective influent value (85% removal).
4. The Division shall consider all effluent total residual chlorine 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/L.
5. Total Mercury must be sampled once during the permit cycle [see A. (5)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 5 of 8

Permit NC0026697
A. (4) DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.) REOPENER
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
The Division may reopen and modify this permit if data from the receiving stream indicates that this
discharge is the primary cause of low dissolved oxygen downstream.
A. (5) EFFLUENT MERCURY ANALYSIS
[NCGS 143-215.1(b)]
The Permittee shall provide one effluent mercury analysis, using EPA Method 1631E, in conjunction
with the next permit renewal application. The analysis shall be taken within 12 months prior to the
renewal application due date. Any additional effluent mercury measurements conducted from the
effective date of this permit and up to the application date shall also be submitted with the renewal
application.
If the result of the mercury analysis is not provided with the application, the application may be returned
as incomplete and the Permittee considered non -compliant.
A. (6) 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.) (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.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
Page 6 of 8

Permit NC0026697
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, 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/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
Page 7 of 8

Permit NC0026697
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 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)1
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/di visions/water-resource s/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].
Page 8 of 8

0.04 0.08
Miles
Outfall 001
NC Cal, Maxar, Copyright©2013 National Geographic Society
Carolina DOT, Tennessee STS.G16, © OpepStreetMap, Mic
METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, NPS, US Census Bureau, USDA
aaiop� B9 21:EG 2
D i
Clay County Water & Sewer District
Clay County WWTP
NPDES Permit NC0026697
238 Jarrett Road, Hayesville
Receiving Stream: Hiwassee River
Stream Segment: 1-(16.5)
River Basin: Hiwassee
County: Clay
Stream Class: WS-IV
Sub -Basin #: 04-05-01
HUC: 060200020203
Outfall 001
Bridge /
\/ /
M M . 'V3
Scale
1:24,000
BM2EG6
1865
Facility Location
Clay County
Outfall 001: 350 03' 14" N, 83° 48' 52" W
USGS Quad: Hayesville