NC0027286_Draft Permit_20221005

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Mr. Shane Fox, Town Manager
Town of Blowing Rock
PO Box 47
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Dear Permittee:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
October 4, 2022
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0027286
Blowing Rock WWTP
Grade III Biological WPCS
Watauga 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:
➢ Ammonia Nitrogen limits have been added to the effluent table in Section A. (1.). In July 2016, the
NPDES program began implementation of revised ammonia criteria based on the potential for toxic
impacts from ammonia. Previously, some 100% domestic discharges were allowed to choose an effluent
toxicity test instead of an ammonia limit. Based on input from EPA in program and permit reviews, that
option is no longer available. As these permits are received for renewal (or major modification),
Ammonia limits are being included in the permit in accordance with the revised criteria. Appropriate
limits have been added in your draft permit in conjunction with a Compliance Schedule in Section A. (2.).
The effluent toxicity test previously in your permit is proposed for removal, as it was only there in lieu of
Ammonia limits.
➢ Chronic Toxicity testing has been removed from this permit for the reasoning stated above.
➢ Section A. (3.) and the footnote #1 in Section A. (1.) have 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 Watauga 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 [e-mail].
NORTH CAROLINAD_ E
Department of Emlronmentel Quality
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

Page 2 of 2
NPDES Permit NC0027286
DRAFT Permit Renewal
Sincerely,
Sydney Carpenter
Environmental Specialist I
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting
cc: NPDES File [Laserfiche]
Winston-Salem Regional Office [Laserfiche]
Operator Certification Program
Aquatic Toxicology Unit

NPDES Permit NC0027286
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,
Town of Blowing Rock
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Blowing Rock WWTP
7190 US Hwy 321 S
Blowing Rock
Watauga County
to receiving waters designated as Middle Fork South Fork New River in the New 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 March 31, 2026.
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 October 2, 2025 (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 7

NPDES Permit NC0027286
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.
Town of Blowing Rock
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.80 MGD wastewater treatment facility. This facility is located at
the Blowing Rock WWTP, 7190 Hwy 321 S, Blowing Rock in Watauga County. The wastewater
treatment system includes the following components:
• Bar screen
• Parallel fine screen
• Parallel grit removal
• Flow splitter
• Flow equalization basin
• Four (4) 200,000-gallon aeration basins
• Two (2) 50,000-gallon secondary clarifiers
• Two (2) RAS/WAS pump stations
• Gas chlorination
• Chlorine contact basin
• Liquid dechlorination (Sodium metabisulfite)
• Reaeration
• Aerobic digester sludge holding tank
• Effluent flow meter
2. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001 at the location specified on the attached map
into Middle Fork South Fork New River, currently classified WS-IV: + waters [Stream Index: 10-1-
2-(1)] in sub -basin 05-07-01 [HUC: 050500010201] of the New River Basin.
Page 2 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0027286
PART I
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 15A NCAC 02B.0500 et seq.]
Grade III 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
Weekly
Average
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location2
Flow (MGD)
[50050]
0.80 MGD
Continuous
Recording
Effluent
BOD, 5 day (20°C) (mg/L) 3
[C0310]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) (mg/L) 3
[C0530]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/L) 5
(April 1— October 31)
[C0610]
2.0 mg/L
6.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/L) 5
(November 1 — March 31)
[C0610]
4.0 mg/L
12.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
[00300]
Daily average > 5.0 mg/L
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Ox
Oxygen (mg/L)
yg ( g )
[00300]Monitor
& Report
p
3/Week
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream2
Total Residual Chlorine (pg/L) 4
[50060]
Daily Maximum of 28 pg/L
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean)
[31616]
200/100 ml
400/100 ml
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C)
[00010]
Monitor & Report
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C)
[00010]
Monitor & Report
Daily
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream2
pH
[00400]
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Nitrogen (mg/L)
(NO2-N+NO3-N+TKN)
[C0600]
Monitor & Report
Semi -Annually
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus (TP) (mg/L)
[C0665]
Monitor & Report
Semi -Annually
Composite
Effluent
Table A. (1.) Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR system.
[see Section A. (3)]
2. Upstream: 100 feet above discharge point; Downstream: 500 feet above the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge.
Upstream and Downstream samples shall be grab samples. Stream samples shall be collected three times per
week during June, July, August and September, and once per week during the remaining months of the year.
3. The monthly average effluent BOD5 and Total Suspended Solids concentrations shall not exceed 15% of the
respective monthly average influent value (85% removal).
Page 3 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0027286
4. 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.
5. See Section A. (2) for a compliance schedule regarding Ammonia Nitrogen limits over the next three years.
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.) SCHEDULE OF COMPLIANCE FOR AMMONIA NITROGEN
[G.S. 143-215.1 (b)]
(a.) No later than one year from the effective date of this permit, the Permittee shall submit to the
Division a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for Division approval, summarizing the strategy or
actions to be taken to achieve compliance with the Ammonia Nitrogen limitations listed in Section
A. (1.). This plan will include specific dates for completion or implementation of each action.
(b.) No later than two years from the effective date of this permit, the Permittee shall submit to the
Division a summary of actions taken towards achieving compliance with the Ammonia Nitrogen
limitations specified in Section A. (1.).
No later than three years from the effective date of this permit, the Permittee shall achieve
compliance with Ammonia Nitrogen limitations specified in Section A. (1.).
(d.) Upon approval of the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) by the Division, the report, actions, and
implementation dates become an enforceable part of this permit. Any modifications to the schedule
shall be requested to the Division at least ninety (90) days before the deadline. Modifications to the
schedule more than four months will be subject to public notice.
(e.) Annual summaries and the CAP shall include the owner's name, NPDES permit number, and
a Permittee contact person and shall be submitted to:
NCDEQ / Division of Water Resources NCDEQ / Division of Water Resources
NPDES Permitting Winston-Salem Regional Office
1617 Mail Service Center 450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Winston-Salem, NC 27105
(c.)
A. (3.) 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):
Page 4 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0027286
• Section B. (11.)
• Section D. (2.)
• Section D. (6.)
• Section E. (5.)
Signatory Requirements
Reporting
Records Retention
Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (a)1
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.
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
Page 5 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0027286
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
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:
Page 6 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0027286
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 7 of 7

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the GIS User Communi y
Blowing Rock WWTP
NPDES Permit NC0027286
Receiving Stream: Middle Fork S Fork New River
Stream Index: 10-1-2-(1)
River Basin: New
Stream Class: WS-IV: +
Longitude: 81° 40' 12" W
Latitude: 36° 08' 27" N
Sub -Basin: 05-07-01