HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0089524_Draft Permit_20220526ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Mr. Randy Hoffer, Regional Utility Manager
Pluris Hampstead, LLC
1095 NC Hwy 210
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Dear Permittee:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
May 31, 2022
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0089524
Pluris Hampstead WWTP
Grade WWNC Biological WPCS
Pender 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:
➢ Section A. (2.) has been updated to include new electronic submission information for testing results.
➢ Section A. (5.) has been updated regarding electronic submission of effluent data. Federal regulations
require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs).
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 Pender 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
919-707-3712, or via e-mail at sydney.carpenter@ncdenr.gov.
cc: NPDES File [Laserfiche]
Wilmington Regional Office [Laserfiche]
Operator Certification Program
Aquatic Toxicology Unit
�D_E
NORTH CAROLINA
Depa,tm nt of Environmental Dual
Sincerely,
Sydney Carpenter
Environmental Specialist I
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919.707.9000
NPDES Permit NC0089524
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
In compliance with the provisions 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,
Pluris Hampstead, LLC
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Pluris Hampstead WWTP
9795 Hogans Trail
Hampstead
Pender County
to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to Island Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin in
accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I,
II, III, and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on January 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 August 4, 2026 (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
NPDES Permit NC0089524
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.
Pluris Hampstead, LLC
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing domestic 0.25 MGD wastewater treatment facility. This facility is
located at the Pluris Hampstead WWTP, 9795 Hogans Trail, Hampstead in Pender County. The
wastewater treatment system includes the following components:
• One (1) 5,735-gallon influent wet well with odor control system
• Two (2) rotary drum fine screens with a washing press
• Two (2) 0.75 MGD rotary screen systems with containment
• One (1) 125,000-gallon pre-anoxic/flow equalization basin with two (2) submersible mixers and
three (3) 1,200 GPM feed forward pumps
• Two (2) 38,120-gallon pre -aeration basins with air diffusers
• One (1) 50,640-gallon post anoxic basin with two (2) submerged mixers
• Three (3) 20,198-gallon MBR basins with eight (8) 0.04 micron membrane units and cleaning
system
• Three (3) 257 GPM centrifugal permeate pumps
• Seven (7) 350 SCFM at 8.5 psig blowers
• One (1) 3 8,120-gallon aerobic digester basin with air diffusers
• One (1) effluent wash water well with two (2) 128 GPM submersible wash well pumps
• One (1) sanitary collection sump with 40 GPM transfer pump (spare available)
• One (1) effluent composite sampler
• One (1) effluent flow meter/recorder
• One (1) 55-gallon drum with dual 280 GPH metering pumps
• One (1) 55-gallon drum alum chemical feed system with dual 1.6 GPH metering pumps and
containment
• One (1) 55-gallon drum Micro-C chemical feed system with dual 20.0 GPH metering pumps and
containment
• 400 KW standby generator
2. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001 at the location specified on the attached map
into an unnamed tributary to Island Creek, currently classified C;Sw waters [Stream Index: 18-74-
50] in sub -basin 03-06-23 [HUC: 030300070805] of the Cape Fear River Basin.
3. Operate a shared treatment facility with high -rate infiltration non -discharge permit WQ0037287.
Page 2 of 8
NPDES Permit NC0089524
PART I
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 15A NCAC 02B.0500 et seq.]
Grade WWNC Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored'
by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
eDMR Code
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location2
Flow (MGD)
50050
0.25 MGD
Continuous
Recording
Effluent
BOD, 5 day (20°C) (mg/L)
C0310
5.0 mg/L
7.5 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) (mg/L)
C0530
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N (mg/L)
(April 1 — October 31)
C0610
1.1 mg/L
5.5 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N (mg/L)
(November 1 — March 31)
C0610
2.2 mg/L
11.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean)
31616
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
pH
00400
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
00300
Daily Average > 5.0 mg/L
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
00300
Monitor & Report
Weekly
Grab
U & D
Total Residual Chlorine (pg/L) 3
50060
17 pg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C)
00010
Monitor & Report
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C)
00010
Monitor & Report
Weekly
Grab
U & D
Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 4
C0600
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus (TP) (mg/L)
C0665
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Chronic Toxicity 5
TGP3B
See Footnote 5
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Table A. (1.) Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the NC DWR's eDMR
application system [see Section A. (5)].
2. U = Upstream approximately 50 feet from the outfall; D = Downstream approximately 870 ft from the
outfall. Locations shall be approved by the Wilmington Regional Office. All instream samples shall be
collected during a discharge event.
3. Limit and monitor only if the facility adds chlorine or chlorine derivatives for cleaning the MBR units and is
in contact with the wastewater, or is added to water that is eventually discharged. The Division shall consider
all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the permit. However, the Permittee
shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina certified laboratory (including
field certified), even if these values fall below 50 µg/L.
4. Total Nitrogen (TN) = (NO2-N + NO3-N) + TKN, where (NO2-N + NO3-N) and TKN are Nitrite/Nitrate
Nitrogen and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, respectively.
Page 3 of 8
NPDES Permit NC0089524
5. Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia dubia) at 88.6% during the months of January, April, July, and October
[see Section A. (2)].
All samples collected should be from a representative discharge event.
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER THAN
TRACE AMOUNTS.
A. (2.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY)
[15A NCAC 02B .0200]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant
mortality to Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 88.6%.
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
January, April, July, and October. 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.ATB@ncdenr.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
Page 4 of 8
NPDES Permit NC0089524
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 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. (3.) EFFLUENT MERCURY ANALYSIS
[NCGS 143-215.3 (a)(2)]
The Permittee shall provide one effluent mercury analysis, using EPA Method 1631E, in conjunction
with the next permit renewal application. The analysis should be taken within 12 months prior to the
application 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. (4) BIOCIDE CONDITION
[G.S. 143-215, 143-215.1]
The Permittee shall not use any biocides except those approved by the Division and in conjunction with
the permit application. Prior to designating a biocide for the alternate disinfection, the Biocide
Worksheet Form 101 must be submitted and Division approval obtained. The Wilmington Regional
Office shall be notified no later than the next business day if the alternative backup disinfection system
is used. Additional monitoring in conjunction with an alternative biocide addition event to demonstrate
compliance may be required.
Page 5 of 8
NPDES Permit NC0089524
A. (5.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING — DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and program
reports. The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on December
21, 2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this
permit (Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D. (6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (a)I
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic
Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
submitted electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter
monitoring data and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be
accessed at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility
being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband
access, then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted
and discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1.1, 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.
Page 6 of 8
NPDES Permit NC0089524
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
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
Page 7 of 8
NPDES Permit NC0089524
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/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].
Page 8 of 8
Discharge Point
0°'6
�e G
Sources: Esri; HERE, Garmin, Ilermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS,
FAO-NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase„-1GN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri
Japan,METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and
the GIS User Communi y
Pluris Hampstead WWTP
NPDES Permit NC0089524
Receiving Stream: UT to Island Creek
Stream Index: 18-74-50 Longitude: 77° 46' 45" W
River Basin: Cape Fear Latitude: 34° 21' 08" N
Stream Class: C; Sw Sub -Basin: 03-06-23
�'1