HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0069841_Sewer Use Ordiance Revision_20220916 (49
UNIONCOUNTY
WATER
Sewer Use Ordinance Revision
Chapter 34, Article III
Council Approval 8/1/2022
RECEIVED
SEP 16 2022
NCDEQIDWRINPDES
Table of Contents
Section I:Revised Sewer Use Ordinance
Section II:Completed 2011 SUO Checklist
Section III:Documentation of Council Adoption
-Communication of Draft Review by DEQ
Section IV:Attorneys Statement
i
e ctn I o
Union County Water
500 North Main Street,Suite
400
Monroe, NC 28112
T 704.296.4210
unioncountync.gov/wat
•
Exhibit A
ARTICLE III.-SEWER USE
DIVISION 1. -GENERALLY
Sec.34-86.-Purpose and policy.
(a) This article sets forth uniform requirements for direct and indirect contributors into the wastewater
collection and treatment system for the county, and enables the county to comply with all applicable
state and federal laws, including the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1251 et seq.) and the general
pretreatment regulations (40 CFR 403). This article shall supersede all prior ordinances, but only to
the extent that such prior ordinances are inconsistent herewith. To the extent this article conflicts
with other ordinances related to the sewer use provisions herein, this article shall supersede such
ordinances.
(b) The objectives of this article are:
(1) To prevent the introduction of pollutants and wastewater discharges into the municipal
wastewater system which will interfere with the operation of the system or contaminate the
resulting sludge;
(2) To prevent the introduction of pollutants and wastewater discharges into the municipal
wastewater system which will pass through the system, inadequately treated, into any waters of
the state or otherwise be incompatible with the system;
(3) To promote reuse and recycling of industrial wastewater and sludges from the municipal
system;
(4) To protect both municipal personnel who may be affected by sewage, sludge, and effluent in
the course of their employment as well as protecting the general public;
(5) To provide for equitable distribution of the cost of operation, maintenance and improvement of
the municipal wastewater system; and
(6) To ensure that the municipality complies with its NPDES or non-discharge permit conditions,
sludge use and disposal requirements and any other federal or state laws to which the
municipal wastewater system is subject.
(c) This article provides for the regulation of direct and indirect contributors to the municipal wastewater
system, through the issuance of permits to certain non-domestic users and through enforcement of
general requirements for the other users, authorizes monitoring and enforcement activities, requires
user reporting and provides for the setting of fees for the equitable distribution of costs resulting from
the program established herein.
(d) This article shall apply to all users of the municipal wastewater system. Except as otherwise
provided herein, the public works administrator shall administer, implement, and enforce the
provisions of this article. Any powers granted to or imposed upon the public works administrator may
be delegated by the public works administrator to other county personnel. By discharging wastewater
into the municipal wastewater system, industrial users located outside the county limits agree to
comply with the terms and conditions established in this article, as well as any permits, enforcement
actions, or orders issued hereunder.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 1.1; Ord. of2-20-2017, § 1)
Sec.34-87. -Definitions and abbreviations.
(a) The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Act or the Act means the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as
amended, 33 USC 1251 et seq.
Action level means the concentration based numeric value that grease interceptor effluent, at the
device's outlet tee and prior to mixing with any other waste water from the contributing establishment's
property, are expected to achieve on a consistent or stipulated basis.
Approval authority means the director of the Division of Water Resources of the North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality, or his or her designee.
Authorized representative of the industrial user.
(1) If the industrial user is a corporation, the term"authorized representative"shall mean:
a. The president, secretary, or a vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal
business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision-making
functions for the corporation; or
b. The manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operation facilities, provided,
the manager is authorized to make management decisions which govern the operation of
the regulated facility including having the explicit or implicit duty of making major capital
investment recommendations and initiate and direct comprehensive measures to assure
long-term environmental compliance with environmental laws and regulations; can ensure
that the necessary systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and
accurate information for control mechanism requirements and where authority to sign
documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate
procedures.
(2) If the industrial user is a partnership or sole proprietorship,the term"authorized representative"
shall mean a general partner or the proprietor, respectively.
(3) If the industrial user is a federal, state or local government facility, the term "authorized
representative" shall mean a director or highest official appointed or designated to oversee the
operation and performance of the activities of the government facility, or their designee.
(4) The individuals described in subsections (1) through (3) of this definition may designate
another authorized representative if the authorization is in writing, the authorization specifies the
individual or position responsible for the overall operation of the facility from which the discharge
originates or having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company, and the
written authorization is submitted to the county.
(5) If the designation of an authorized representative is no longer accurate because a different
individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, or overall
responsibility for environmental matters for the company, a new authorization satisfying the
requirements of this section must be submitted to the control authority prior to or together with
any reports to be signed by an authorized representative.
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical
oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedures for five days at 20 degrees centigrade,
e. . mg/I).
usually expressed as a concentration ( g ,
Building sewer means a sewer conveying wastewater from the premises of a user to the POTW.
Bypass means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a user's treatment
facility.
Categorical standards means national categorical pretreatment standards or pretreatment standard.
Common interceptor means the one or more grease interceptors receiving fats, oils, and/or greases-
laden wastewater from more than one establishment(these may be located at shopping centers, malls,
entertainment complexes, sporting arenas, hotels, multi-tenant"flex"spaces, mixed use spaces, and
other sites where multiple establishments are connected to a single grease interceptor).
Control Authority means the POTW organization if the POTW organization's Pretreatment Program
approval has not been withdrawn.
District means the Union County Water and Sewer District, which operates the county's wastewater
collection and treatment system under interlocal agreement.
Environmental Protection Agency or EPA means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or
where appropriate the term may also be used as a designation for the administrator or other duly
.
official of said agency.
authorized g y
Fats, oils, and greases or grease(s) or FOG means organic polar compounds derived from animal
and/or plant sources that contain multiple carbon chain triglyceride molecules. These substances are
detectable and measurable using analytical test procedures established in 40 CFR 136.
FOG service provider means any third party not in the employment of a user subject to the
requirements of section 34-116 that performs maintenance, repair, and other services on such a user's
grease interceptor at such user's directive.
Food service establishment(s) or FSE means those establishments primarily engaged in activities of
preparing, serving, or otherwise making available for consumption food and/or food products and that use
one or more of the following preparation activities: cooking by frying (all methods), baking (all methods),
grilling, sautéing, rotisserie cooking, broiling (all methods), boiling blanching, roasting, toasting, or
poaching, and infrared heating, searing, barbecuing, and any other food preparation or serving activity
that produces a consumable food product in or on a receptacle requiring washing to be reused.
Grab sample means a sample which is taken from a waste stream on a one-time basis without
regard to the flow in the waste stream and over a period of time not to exceed 15 minutes.
Grease collection device means a device designed to separate greases, oils, and food solids from
the sink wastewater effluent of a user, allowing for FOG and solids retention and removal (which term
includes,without limitation, grease interceptor and grease trap devices).
Grease interceptor means a chambered device for separating grease, oils, and food solids from the
sink wastewater of a user by reducing the incoming wastewater's velocity to allow heavy solids to settle to
the bottom and buoyant grease to float on top prior to the wastewater entering the POTW.
Grease trap means a device designed to separate grease, oils, and food solids from the sink
wastewater of a user through allowing FOG and other solids retention and removal.
Grit interceptor means a chamber or other device in a wastewater line where the velocity of the
flow is reduced so that particulate and solids can settle to the bottom of the device or chamber for
removal.
Holding tank waste means any waste from holding tanks, including but not limited to such holding
tanks as vessels, chemical toilets, campers,trailers, septic tanks, and vacuum-pump tank trucks.
Indirect discharge or discharge means the discharge or the introduction from any non-domestic
source regulated under section 307(b), (c), or (d) of the Act, (33 USC 1317), into the POTW (including
holding tank waste discharged into the system).
Industrial user or user means any person which is a source of indirect discharge.
Industrial waste means non-domestic wastewater, including, but not limited to, process water,
groundwater remediation discharges, contaminated stormwater or surface water remediation discharges,
and other non-domestic discharges from an industrial or commercial facility.
Interference means the inhibition, or disruption of the POTW collection system, treatment processes,
operations, or its sludge process, use, or disposal, which causes or contributes to a violation of any
requirement of the control authority's (and/or POTW's, if different from the control authority) NPDES
collection system, or non-discharge permit or prevents sewage sludge use or disposal in compliance with
specified applicable state and federal statutes, regulations, or permits. The term "interference" includes
prevention of sewage sludge use or disposal by the POTW in accordance with section 405 of the Act, (33
USC 1345) or any criteria, guidelines, or regulations developed pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act
(SWDA) (42 USC 6901 et seq.), the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Marine
Protection Research and Sanctuary Act (MPRSA) or more stringent state criteria (including those
contained in any state sludge management plan prepared pursuant to title IV of SWDA) applicable to the
method of disposal or use employed by the POTW.
Medical waste means isolation wastes, infectious agents, human blood and blood products,
pathological wastes, sharps, body parts, contaminated bedding, surgical wastes, potentially contaminated
laboratory wastes, and dialysis wastes.
National categorical pretreatment standard or categorical standard means any regulation containing
pollutant discharge limits promulgated by the EPA in accordance with sections 307(b) and (c) of the Act
(33 USC 1317) which applies to a specific category of industrial users, and which appears in 40 CFR
405-471.
National pollution discharge elimination system permit or NPDES permit means a permit issued
pursuant to section 402 of the Act(33 USC 1342), or by the state under delegation from the EPA.
National prohibitive discharge standard or prohibitive discharge standard means absolute
prohibitions against the discharge of certain substances; these prohibitions appear in section 34-107 and
are developed under the authority of 307(b)of the Act and 40 CFR 403.5.
New source.
(1) The term "new source" means any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there
may be a discharge of pollutants, the construction of which commenced after the publication of
proposed categorical pretreatment standards under section 307(c) of the Act which will be
applicable to such source if such standards are thereafter promulgated in accordance with said
section 307(c), provided that:
a. The building, structure, facility, or installation is constructed at a site at which no other
source is located;
b. The building, structure, facility, or installation totally replaces the process or production
equipment that causes the discharge of pollutants at an existing source; or
c. The production or wastewater generating processes of the building, structure, facility, or
installation are substantially independent of an existing source at the same site. In
determining whether these are substantially independent, factors such as the extent to
which the new facility is integrated with the existing plant, and the extent to which the new
facility is engaged in the same general type of activity as the existing source, should be
considered.
(2) Construction on a site at which an existing source is located results in a modification rather
than a new source if the construction does not create a new building, structure, facility, or
installation meeting the criteria of subsection (1)b or c of this definition but otherwise alters,
replaces, or adds to existing processes or equipment.
(3) For purposes of this definition, construction of a new source has commenced if the owner or
operator has:
a. Begun, or caused to begin, as part of a continuous on-site construction program:
1. Any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or equipment; or
2. Significant site preparation work including clearing, excavation, or removal of existing
buildings, structures or facilities which is necessary for the placement, assembly, or
installation of new source facilities or equipment; or
b. Entered into a binding contractual obligation for the purchase of facilities or equipment
which are intended to be used in its operation within a reasonable time. Options to
purchase or contracts which can be terminated or modified without substantial loss, and
contracts for feasibility , engineering, and design studies do not constitute a contractual
obligation under this definition.
Non-discharge permit means a permit issued by the state pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1(d) for a waste
which is not discharged directly to surface waters of the state or for a wastewater treatment works which
does not discharge directly to surface waters of the state.
Noncontact cooling water means water used for cooling which does not come into direct contact with
any raw material, intermediate product,waste product, or finished product.
Oil means any animal, mineral, or synthetic pollutant is combustible, viscous, liquid or liquefiable at
room temperature, and soluble in various organic solvents, but not in water.
Oil/water separator means a device designed to separate and retain oil and other light density,
volatile liquids from wastewater for proper disposal, rendering, or recycling. An oil/water separator must
have two access ports to allow for proper inspection, sampling, and cleaning.
Pass through means a discharge which exits the POTW into waters of the state in quantities or
concentrations which, alone or with discharges from other sources, causes a violation, including an
increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation, of the control authority's (and/or POTW's, if different
from the control authority), NPDES, collection system, or non-discharge permit.
Person means any individual, partnership, copartnership, firm, company, corporation, association,
joint stock company, trust, estate, governmental entity or any other legal entity, or their legal
representatives, agents or assigns. This definition includes all federal, state, and local government
entities.
pH means a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, expressed as standard units, and
calculated as the logarithm (base 10) of the reciprocal of the concentration of hydrogen ions expressed in
grams per liter of solution.
Pollutant means any "waste" as defined in G.S. 143-213(18) and dredged spoil, solid waste,
incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, medical wastes, chemical wastes,
biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt
and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste and certain characteristics of wastewater (e.g., pH,
temperature, TSS,turbidity, color, metals, BOD, COD, toxicity, and odor).
POTW treatment plant means that portion of the POTW designed to provide treatment to
wastewater.
Pretreatment or treatment means the reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of
pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater prior to or in lieu of
discharging or otherwise introducing such pollution into a POTW. The reduction or alteration can be
obtained by physical, chemical or biological processes, or process changes or other means, except for
dilution as prohibited by 40 CFR 403.6(d).
Pretreatment program means the program for the control of pollutants introduced into the POTW
from non-domestic sources which was developed by the county in compliance with 40 CFR 403.8 and
approved by the approval authority as authorized by G.S. 143-215.3(a)(14) in accordance with 40 CFR
403.11.
Pretreatment requirements means any substantive or procedural requirement related to
pretreatment, other than a pretreatment standard.
Pretreatment standard means any prohibited discharge standard, categorical standard, or local limit
which applies to an industrial user.
Publicly owned treatment works (POTW) or municipal wastewater system means a treatment works
as defined by section 212 of the Act (33 USC 1292), which is owned in this instance by the county. This
definition includes any devices or systems used in the collection, storage, treatment, recycling, and
reclamation of municipal sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid nature. It also includes sewers, pipes,
and other conveyances only if they convey wastewater to the POTW treatment plant. For the purposes of
this article, the term "POTW' shall also include any sewers that convey wastewaters to the POTW from
persons outside the county who are, by contract or agreement with the county or the district, or in any
other way, users of the county's POTW.
Public works administrator means Union County's Public Works Administrator (water administrator)
who is designated with the responsibility for the pretreatment program and enforcement of this sewer use
ordinance as set forth in section 34-86, unless otherwise provided herein.
Severe property damage means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the user's
treatment facilities which causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural
in the absence of a bypass. Severe property
be expected to occur yp p p Y
resources which can reasonably p
damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production.
Significant industrial user(SIU) means an industrial user that discharges wastewater into a publicly
owned treatment works and that:
(1) Discharges an average of 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater to the POTW
din sanitary, noncontact coolingand boiler blowdown wastewaters); or
(excluding
(2) Contributes process wastewater which makes up five percent or more of the NPDES or non-
discharge permitted flow limit or organic capacity of the POTW treatment plant. In this context,
organic capacity refers to BOD, TSS, and Ammonia; or
(3) Is subject to categorical pretreatment standards under 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR 405-471; or
(4) Is designated as such by the control authority on the basis that the industrial user has a
reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation, or for violating any
pretreatment standards or requirement, or for contributing to violations of the POTW's effluent
limitations and conditions in its NPDES or non-discharge permit, or for contributing to violations
of the POTW's receiving stream standard, or for limiting the POTW's sludge disposal options.
Subject to approval authority approval under 15A NCAC 02H .0907(b), the control authority may
determine that an industrial user meeting the criteria in paragraphs (1) and (2) immediately above
has no reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation or for violating any
pretreatment standards or requirement, or for contributing to violations of the POTW's effluent
limitations and conditions in its NPDES or non-discharge permit, or for contributing to violations of
the POTW's receiving stream standard, or for limiting the POTW's sludge disposal options, and thus
is not a significant industrial user.
Subject to approval authority approval under 15A NCAC 02H .0907(b), the control authority may
determine that an industrial user meeting the criteria in paragraph (3) immediately above meets the
requirements of 40 CFR 403.3(v)(2) and thus is a non-significant categorical industrial user.
Subject to approval authority approval under 15A NCAC 02H .0907(b), the control authority may
determine that an industrial user meeting the criteria in paragraph (3) immediately above meets the
requirements of 40 CFR 403.12(e)(3) and thus is a middle tier significant industrial user. Sampling
and inspection requirements may be cut in half as per 40 CFR 403.8(f)(2)(v)(C) and 403.12(e)(3).
Significant noncompliance (SNC) means the status of noncompliance of a significant industrial user
when one or more of the following criteria are met. Additionally, any industrial user which meets the
criteria in subsections 3, 4, or 8 below shall also be SNC status:
(1) Chronic violations of wastewater discharge limits are defined here as those in which sixty-six
percent (66%) or more of all the measurements taken for the same pollutant parameter (not
including flow) during a six month period exceed (by any magnitude) a numeric pretreatment
standard or requirement including instantaneous limits,as defined by 40 CFR 403.3(1);
(2) Technical review criteria (TRC) violations are defined here as those in which thirty-three percent
(33%) or more of all the measurements taken for the same pollutant parameter during a six-
month period equal or exceed the product of the numeric pretreatment standard or requirement
including instantaneous limits, as defined by 40 CFR 403.3(1) multiplied by the applicable TRC
(TRC is 1.4 for BOD, TSS, and FOG, and 1.2 for all other pollutants(except flow and pH);
(3) Any other violation of a pretreatment standard or requirement as defined by 40 CFR 403.3(1)
(daily maximum, long-term average instantaneous limit, or narrative standard) that the control
authority and/or POTW determines has caused, alone or in combination with other discharges,
interference or pass through (including endangering the health of POTW personnel or the
general public);
(4) Any discharge of a pollutant or wastewater that has caused imminent endangerment to human
health/welfare or to the environment, or has resulted in either the control authority, or the
POTW's if different from the control authority, exercise of its emergency authority under 40 CFR
403.8(f)(1)(vi)(B) and section 34-252 to halt or prevent such a discharge.
(5) Violations of compliance schedule milestones, contained in a pretreatment permit or enforcement
order, for starting construction, completing construction, and attaining final compliance by 90
days or more after the schedule date.
(6) Failure to provide reports for compliance schedule, self-monitoring data, baseline monitoring
reports, 90-day compliance reports, and periodic compliance reports within 30 days from the due
date.
(7) Failure to accurately report noncompliance.
Anyother violation or groupof violations that the control authority and/or POTW determines will
(8)
adverselyaffect the operation or implementation of the local pretreatment program.
p p
Slug load means any discharge at a flow rate or concentration which has a reasonable potential to
cause interference or pass through, or in any other way violates the POTW's regulations, local limits, or
industrial user permit conditions. This can include but is not limited to spills and other accidental
batch discharge; or anyother
_ non-customary
episodic nature; a 9
discharges; discharges of a non routine,
discharges that can cause a violation of the prohibited discharge standards in section 34-107.
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) means a classification pursuant to the Standard Industrial
Classification Manual issued by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget,
1987.
Stormwater means any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation and
resulting therefrom.
Suspended solids means the total suspended matter that floats on the surface of, or is suspended in,
water, wastewater or other liquids, and which is removable by laboratory filtering.
Upset means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance
with categorical pretreatment standards because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the user. An
upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed
treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or
improper operation.
Wastewater means the liquid and water-carried industrial or domestic wastes from dwellings,
commercial buildings, industrial facilities, mobile sources, treatment facilities and institutions, together
with any groundwater, surface water, and stormwater that may be present, whether treated or untreated,
which are contributed into or permitted to enter the POTW.
Wastewater permit has the meaning as set forth in section 34-179.
Waters of the state means all streams, rivers, brooks, swamps, sounds, tidal estuaries, bays,creeks,
lakes, waterways, reservoirs, and all other bodies or accumulations of water, surface or underground,
natural or artificial, public or private, which are contained within, flow through, or border upon the state or
any portion thereof.
(b) The following abbreviations when used in this article, shall have the designated meanings:
BOD Biochemical oxygen demand
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COD Chemical oxygen demand
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
gpd — -- Gallons per day
G.S. North Carolina General Statutes
i ---_—_---- —_ Liter
mg Milligrams —
mgjl Milligrams per liter
NCAC North Carolina Administrative Code
NH3-N ---___-----.----- Ammonia
NPDES ^-~National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
O&M Operation and maintenance
POTW Publicly owned treatment works
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
SIC Standard Industrial Classification
SWDA Solid Waste Disposal Act
TSS w - Total suspended solids
TKN Total kjeldahl nitrogen
USC — — United States Code
WWTP Wastewater treatment plant
1
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 1.2; Ord.of 2-20-2017, § 1)
Sec. 34-88.-Confidential information.
(a) Information and data on a user obtained from reports, questionnaires, permit applications, permits
and monitoring programs and from inspections shall be available to the public or other governmental
agency without restriction unless the user specifically requests and is able to demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the public works administrator that the release of such information would divulge
information, processes or methods of production entitled to protection pursuant to state law as trade
secrets of the user. Any such request must be asserted at the time of submission of the information
or data.
(b) When requested by the person furnishing a report, and when in accordance with applicable law, the
secrets or secret processes shall not be made
portions of a report which might disclose trade
p
made available upon written request to
inspection
public,ublic but shall bep q
available for p by
governmental agencies for uses related to this article, the national pollutant discharge elimination
system (NPDES) permit, non-discharge permit and/or the pretreatment programs; provided,
however, that such portions of a report shall be available for use by the state or any state agency in
judicial review or enforcement proceedings involving the person furnishing the report. Wastewater
constituents and characteristics will not be recognized as confidential information.
(c) All records relating to compliance with pretreatment standards shall be made available to officials of
the approval authority and EPA upon request.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 7)
Sec. 34-89. -Annual publication of significant noncompliance.
At least annually, the public works administrator shall cause to be published in a newspaper of
general circulation that provides meaningful public notice within the jurisdiction(s) served by the POTW, a
list of those industrial users which were found to be in significant noncompliance, also referred to as
reportable noncompliance in 15 NCAC 2H.0903(b)(31) with applicable pretreatment standards and
requirements, during the previous 12 months.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 9)
Secs.34-90-34-106.-Reserved.
DIVISION 2. -GENERAL SEWER USE REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 34-107.-Prohibited discharge standards.
(a) General prohibitions. No user shall contribute or cause to be contributed into the POTW, directly or
indirectly, any pollutant or wastewater which causes interference or pass through. These general
prohibitions apply to all users of a POTW whether or not the user is a significant industrial user or
subject to any national, state, or local pretreatment standards or requirements.
(b) Specific prohibitions. No user shall contribute or cause to be contributed into the POTW the
following pollutants, substances, or wastewater:
(1) Pollutants which create a fire or explosive hazard in the POTW, including, but not limited to,
wastestreams with a closed cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees
Celsius) using the test methods specified in 40 CFR 261.21.
(2) Screenings, rags, hand towels, commercially available "wipes," solid or viscous substances
(including but not limited to FOG of animal or vegetable origin) in amounts that may obstruct
flow into the POTW resulting in interference, but in no case solids greater than one half inch
(1/2") in any dimension.
(3) Petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral oil origin, in amounts that
will cause interference or pass through.
(4) Any wastewater having a pH less than 5.0 or more than 12.0 or wastewater having any other
corrosive property capable of causing damage to the POTW or equipment.
(5) Any wastewater containing pollutants, including oxygen-demanding pollutants (BOD, etc.), in
sufficient quantity, (flow or concentration) either singly or by interaction with other pollutants, to
cause interference with the POTW.
(6) Any wastewater having a temperature greater than 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees
Celsius), or which will inhibit biological activity in the POTW treatment plant resulting in
interference, but in no case wastewater which causes the temperature at the introduction into
the treatment plant to exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit(40 degrees Celsius).
which result in thepresence of toxic gases, vapors or fumes within the POTW in
Anypollutants
(7)
a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems.
(8) Any trucked or hauled pollutants, except at discharge points designated by the county in
accordance with section 34-115.
(9) Any noxious or malodorous liquids, gases, or solids or other wastewater which, either singly or
by interaction with other wastes, are sufficient to create a public nuisance or hazard to life or are
sufficient to prevent entry into the sewers for maintenance and repair.
(10) Any substance which may cause the POTW s effluent or any other product of the POTW such
as residues, sludges, or scums, to be unsuitable for reclamation and reuse or to interfere with
the reclamation process. In no case, shall a substance discharged to the POTW cause the
POTW to be in noncompliance with sludge use or disposal regulations or permits issued under
section 405 of the Act; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances
Control Act, or state criteria applicable to the sludge management method being used.
(11) Any wastewater which imparts color which cannot be removed by the treatment process,
including, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions, which consequently
imparts sufficient color to the treatment plant's effluent to render the waters injurious to public
health or secondary recreation or to aquatic life and wildlife or to adversely affect the palatability
of fish or aesthetic quality or impair the receiving waters for any designated uses.
(12) Stormwater, surface water, groundwater, artesian well water, roof runoff, subsurface
drainage, swimming pool drainage, condensate, and deionized water, unless specifically
authorized by the public works administrator.
(13) Any pollutant that will emulsify grease or oil or cause grease or oil to solidify or become more
viscous, unless authorized by the public works administrator as may be allowed by section 34-
116.
(14) Any sludges, screenings or other residues from the pretreatment of industrial wastes.
(15) Any medical wastes, except as specifically authorized by the public works administrator in a
wastewater discharge permit.
(16) Any material containing ammonia, ammonia salts, or other chelating agents which will
produce metallic complexes that interfere with the municipal wastewater system.
(17) Any material that would be identified as hazardous waste according to 40 CFR 261 if not
disposed of in a sewer except as may be specifically authorized by the public works
administrator.
(18) Any wastewater causing the treatment plant effluent to violate state water quality standards
for toxic substances as described in 15A NCAC 2B.0200.
(19) Wastewater causing, alone or in conjunction with other sources, the treatment plant's effluent
to fail a toxicity test.
(20) Recognizable portions of the human or animal anatomy.
(21) Any wastes containing detergents, surface active agents, or other substances which may
cause excessive foaming in the municipal wastewater system.
(22) At no time, shall two successive readings on an explosion hazard meter, at the point of
discharge into the system (or at any point in the system) be more than five percent(5%) nor any
single reading over ten percent (10%)of the lower explosive limit(LEL) of the meter.
(23) Any wastewater containing any radioactive wastes or isotopes except as specifically approved
by the public works administrator in compliance with applicable state or federal regulations.
(c) Pollutants, substances, wastewater or other wastes. Pollutants, substances, wastewater, or other
wastes prohibited by this section shall not be processed or stored in such a manner that they could
be discharged to the municipal wastewater system. All floor drains located in process or materials
storage areas may be required to discharge to the industrial user's pretreatment facility before
connecting with the system.
(d) Determining user is contributing to POTW. When the public works administrator determines that a
user is contributing to the POTW any of the substances enumerated in subsection (b) of this section,
the public works administrator shall:
(1) Advise the user of the potential impact of the contribution on the POTW in accordance with
section 34-252; and
(2) Take appropriate actions in accordance with division 4 of this article for such user to protect the
POTW from interference or pass through.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.1)
Sec.34-108.-National categorical pretreatment standards.
Users subject to categorical pretreatment standards are required to comply with applicable standards
as set out in 40 CFR 405-471 and incorporated herein.
(1) Where a categorical pretreatment standard is expressed only in terms of either the mass or the
concentration of a pollutant in wastewater, the public works administrator may impose
equivalent concentration or mass limits in accordance with 40 CFR 403.6(c).
(2) When wastewater subject to a categorical pretreatment standard is mixed with wastewater not
regulated by the same standard, the public works administrator shall impose an alternate limit
using the combined wastestream formula in 40 CFR 403.6(e).
(3) A user may obtain a variance from a categorical pretreatment standard if the user can prove,
pursuant to the procedural and substantive provisions in 40 CFR 403.13, that factors relating to
its discharge are fundamentally different from the factors considered by the EPA when
developing the categorical pretreatment standard.
(4) A user may obtain a net gross adjustment to a categorical standard in accordance with 40 CFR
403.15.
(5) A user may request a removal credit adjustment to a categorical standard in accordance with
40 CFR 403.7.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.2)
Sec. 34-109. -Industrial waste survey and local limits.
An industrial waste survey is required prior to a user discharging wastewater containing in excess of
the following daily average discharge limits:
250 mg/I BOD
500 mg/I COD
�. .._ 25 Mg/I [ NH3-N
r-----_--250-------- mg/I
TSS
40 mg/I TKN
0.003 mg/I arsenic
0.003 mg/I 1 cadmium
i 0.061 mg/I copper
1
0.015 mg/I [ cyanide
0.049 mg/I lead
0.0003 i mg/I mercury
0.021 mg/I nickel
5 Mg/I phosphorus
0.005 mg/I silver
0.05 mg/I total chromium
petroleumdrocarbons h
100.0 �- Mg/I totalhydrocarbons
I I
0.175 ------ mg/I --- --- zinc
•
•
Industrial waste survey information will be used to develop user-specific local limits when necessary to
ensure that the POTW s maximum allowable headworks loading is not exceeded for particular pollutants
of concern. Industrial user-specific local limits for appropriate pollutants of concern shall be included in
wastewater permits and are considered pretreatment standards. The public works administrator may
impose mass limits in addition to, or in place of, concentration-based limits.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.3)
Sec.34-110.-State requirements.
State requirements and limitations on discharges shall apply in any case where they are more
stringent than federal requirements and limitations or those in this article.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.4)
Sec. 34-111. -Right of revision.
The county reserves the right to establish limitations and requirements which are more stringent than
those required by either state or federal regulation if determined necessary to comply with the objectives
presented in section 34-86 or the general and specific prohibitions in section 34-107, as is allowed by 40
CFR 403.4.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.5)
Sec. 34-112.-Dilution.
No user shall ever increase the use of process water or, in any way, attempt to dilute a discharge as
a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with the limitations
contained in the national categorical pretreatment standards, unless expressly authorized by an
applicable pretreatment standard, or in any other pollutant-specific limitation developed by the county or
state.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.6)
Sec.34-113.-Pretreatment of wastewater.
(a) Pretreatment facilities. Users shall provide wastewater treatment as necessary to comply with this
article and wastewater permits issued under section 34-179 and shall achieve compliance with all
national categorical pretreatment standards, local limits, and the prohibitions set out in section 34-
107 within the time limitations as specified by EPA, the state, or the public works administrator,
whichever is more stringent. Any facilities necessary for compliance shall be provided, operated, and
maintained at the user's expense. Detailed plans showing the pretreatment facilities and operating
procedures shall be submitted to the county for review, and shall be approved by the public works
administrator before construction of the facility. The review of such plans and operating procedures
shall in no way relieve the user from the responsibility of modifying the facility as necessary to
produce an effluent acceptable to the county under the provisions of this article. Any subsequent
changes in the pretreatment facilities or method of operation shall be reported to the control authority
and be approved by the public works administrator prior to the user's initiation of the changes.
(b) Additional pretreatment measures.
(1) Whenever determined necessary, the public works administrator may require users to restrict
their discharge during peak flow periods, designate that certain wastewater be discharged only
into specific sewers, relocate and/or consolidate points of discharge, separate sewage
wastestreams from industrial wastestreams, and such other conditions as may be necessary to
protect the POTW and determine the user's compliance with the requirements of this article.
(2) The public works administrator may require any person discharging into the POTW to install
and maintain, on their property and at their expense, a suitable storage and flow-control facility
to ensure equalization of flow. A wastewater discharge permit may be issued solely for flow
equalization.
(3) Additional pretreatment measure for FOG as detailed in section 34-116.
(4) Users with the potential to discharge flammable substances may be required to install and
maintain an approved combustible gas detection meter.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.7)
Sec. 34-114.-Accidental discharge/slug control plans.
The public works administrator shall evaluate whether each significant industrial user needs a plan or
other action to control and prevent accidental discharge and slug loads. All SIUs must be evaluated
within one year of being designated as an SIU. The public works administrator may require any user to
develop, submit for approval, and implement such a plan or other specific action. Alternatively, the public
works administrator may develop such a plan for any user. All Sills are required to notify the POTW
immediately of any changes at its facility affecting the potential for spills and other accidental discharge,
discharge of a non-routine, episodic nature, a non-customary batch discharge, or a slug load. An
accidental discharge/slug control plan shall address, at a minimum,the following:
(1) Description of discharge practices, including non-routine batch discharges;
(2) Description of stored chemicals;
(3) Procedures for immediately notifying the control authority of any accidental discharge or slug
load, as required by section 34-202; and
(4) Procedures to prevent adverse impact from any accidental discharge or slug load. Such
procedures include, but are not limited to, inspection and maintenance of storage areas,
handling and transfer of materials, loading and unloading operations, control of plant site runoff,
worker training, building of containment structures or equipment, measures for containing toxic
organic pollutants, including solvents, and/or measures and equipment for emergency
response.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.8)
Sec. 34-115.-Hauled wastewater.
(a) Septic tank waste may be introduced into the POTW only at locations designated by the public
works administrator and at such times as are established by the public works administrator. Such
waste shall not violate this division or any other requirements established by the county. The public
works administrator may require septic tank waste haulers to obtain wastewater discharge permits.
(b) The public works administrator shall require haulers of industrial waste to obtain wastewater
discharge permits. The public works administrator may require generators of hauled industrial waste
to obtain wastewater discharge permits. The public works administrator also may prohibit the
disposal of hauled industrial waste. The discharge of hauled industrial waste is subject to all other
requirements of this article.
(c) Industrial waste haulers may discharge loads only at locations designated by the public works
administrator. No load may be discharged without prior consent of the public works administrator.
The public works administrator may collect samples of each hauled load to ensure compliance with
applicable standards. The public works administration may require the industrial waste hauler to
provide a waste analysis of any load prior to discharge.
Industrial waste haulers must provide a waste-tracking form for every load. This form shall include,
(d)
at a minimum, the name and address of the industrial waste hauler, permit number, truck
identification, names and addresses of sources of waste, and volume and characteristics of waste.
The form shall identify the type of industry, known or suspected waste constituents, and whether any
wastes are RCRA hazardous wastes.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 2.9)
Sec. 34-116.—Fats, oils, and greases control.
(a) The objective of this section is to prevent the introduction and accumulation of fats, oils, and greases
into the POTW which will, or tend to, cause or contribute to sanitary sewer blockages and
obstructions, as well as the prevention of wastewater treatment caused by interference at the POTW
treatment plant.
(b) This section applies to each user that causes or permits the contribution or discharge of wastewater
into the POTW, including, but not limited to, property owners who provide common interceptors for
one or more independent establishments(including tenants). Specifically,this section applies to:
(1) Any FSE, commercial establishment, or industrial establishment (including,without limitation,
any establishment primarily engaged in the business or serving or preparing cooked or
precooked food, cold dairy, or frozen food)that generates wastewater containing FOG, or
similar products;
(2) Upon notification from the control authority, any other commercial establishment that the
public works administrator determines that a grease collection device is necessary to prevent
contribution or accumulation of FOG in the POTW(collectively referenced in this section, as
"FOG users").
(c) FOG users shall install, operate, and maintain each grease collection device at the FOG user's
expense. All grease interceptors required by this section shall be of a type, design, and capacity
approved by the public works administrator. Each installed grease collection device shall be easily
accessible for maintenance and repair, including cleaning.
(d) All FOG users shall adopt and apply a kitchen waste control plan for the proper disposal of FOG and
food solids. Each FOG user must have a delegated lidded storage container for used fryer oil
storage.
(e) Each FOG user shall adopt and apply kitchen best management practices, as such kitchen best
management practices may be detailed through procedures set forth by the public works
administrator, for handling all sources of FOG that are used or generated by the FOG user so as to
reduce and prevent the discharge of FOG into the POTW.
(f) Control authority may inspect any FOG user to ensure compliance with all requirements of this
section, as set forth in section 34-228.
(g) All grease collection devices shall be serviced and emptied of accumulated waste content as
required in order to maintain its design features and its ability, and the volume required, to effectively
intercept and retain FOG and settled solids from FOG-laden wastewaters. Such servicing shall
occur as need, but such servicing shall in no case occur less often than every 90 days (unless
permitted a modification by the public works administrator). The owner of the property on which a
common grease interceptor is located shall be primarily responsible for the maintenance, upkeep,
and repair of the common grease interceptor.
(h) FOG users shall maintain a written record of grease collection device maintenance and service for
three years, as required by this section and section 34-209. All such records must be available for
inspection by the control authority at all times.
(i) For each grease interceptor, access manholes shall be required and shall be installed over each
chamber and each sanitary tee. The access manholes shall extend at least to finished grade and be
designed and maintained to prevent water inflow or infiltration. The access manholes shall also have
readily removable covers to facilitate inspection, grease removal, and wastewater sampling
activities.
(j) Upon notification from the control authority that a FOG user is subject to the terms of an
enforcement action under this article related to the failure of a grease collection device to function
properly by reducing FOG levels within the acceptable levels required by this article, said FOG user
shall not allow wastewater discharge concentration from the subject grease collection device to
exceed the acceptable levels set forth in this article.
(k) Non-FOG sources shall not be allowed to be connected to sewer lines intended to be attached to the
grease collection device for pretreatment.
(I) Users with the potential to discharge one or more of the following pollutants into the POTW, shall be
required to install an oil/water separator and grit interceptor: oil, kerosene, gasoline, naphtha,wax,
any light-density and volatile liquid, or any material with a higher viscosity that causes impact or flow
resistance. Substances that will emulsify oil or grease shall not be used in any oil/water separator
required by this section.
(m) Vehicle wash facilities shall install an oil/water separator and a grit interceptor. A grit interceptor
required by this section or other applicable law shall be installed in a drainage line so that
wastewater flows into the grit interceptor before entering an oil/water separator installed in
accordance with this section.
(n) Vehicle wash facilities shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained to prevent direct or
indirect stormwater from entering into the POTW.
(o) The public works administrator, and the county building code enforcement division (if such division
has jurisdiction) may make determinations of grease collection device, oil/water separator and grit
interceptor need, adequacy, efficiency, size, design, application, location, modification(s), and
byall other applicable law. These determinations will be
conditional usage as provided herein and pp
g
based upon review of all relevant information regarding device performance, the facility site, and the
associated building.These reviews may be conducted as part of an establishment's application for a
building permit.
(p) The public works administrator may establish reasonable procedures regarding FOG that address
the requirements of this section and are not inconsistent herewith. Under any such procedures, a
FOG user may request a modification of any required grease collection device pumping frequency
and/or maintenance and service procedures. Such request for a modification shall conform to the
stipulations and requirements set forth in any such procedures. Any modification must be approved
by the public works administrator in written form before implementation by the FOG user or the FOG
user's FOG service provider.
Secs.34-117-34-143.- Reserved.
DIVISION 3. -FEES
Sec. 34-144.-Purpose.
(a) It is the purpose of this division to provide for the recovery of costs from users of the county
wastewater disposal system for the implementation of the program established herein. The
applicable charges or fees shall be set forth by the district's schedule of charges and fees, as
adopted by the board of commissioners as governing body of the district and amended from time to
time. A copy of these charges and fees will be made publically available.
(b) This division shall not be deemed to modify or supersede any existing or future agreement entered
into by the county.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 3.1; Ord. of 2-20-2017, § 1)
Sec. 34-145.-User charges.
A user charge shall be levied by the district on all users including, but not limited to, persons, firms,
corporations or governmental entities that discharge, cause or permit the discharge of sewage into the
POTW. The user charge shall reflect at least the cost of debt service, operation and maintenance
(including replacement) of the POTW. User charges shall be established by the board of county
commissioners as governing body of the district and reflected in the district's schedule of fees and
charges. Each user shall pay its proportionate cost based on volume of flow. The executive director of
the district shall review annually the sewage contributions of users, the total costs of debt service,
operation and maintenance of the POTW and will make recommendations to the board of county
commissioners as governing body of the district for adjustments in the schedule of charges and fees as
necessary. Charges for flow to the POTW not directly attributable to the users shall be distributed among
all users of the POTW based upon the volume of flow of the users.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 3.2; Ord. of 2-20-2017, § 1)
Sec. 34-146.-Surcharges.
(a) A surcharge may be assessed by the district on all users of the POTW discharging industrial waste
that exceed certain limits or contain certain pollutants. The surcharge amounts and parameters shall
be established by the board of county commissioners as governing body of the district and reflected
in the district's schedule of fees and charges. The executive director of the district shall review
annually the surcharges and may make any recommendations to the board of county commissioners
as governing body of the district for adjustments in the schedule of fees and charges as necessary.
(b) The amount of the surcharges will be based upon the volume of flow and the character and
concentration of the constituents of the wastewater.
(1) The volume of flow used in determining the total discharge of wastewater for payment of user
charges and surcharges shall be based on the following:
a. Metered water consumption as shown in the records of meter readings maintained by the
county; or
b. If required by the county or at the individual discharger's option, other flow monitoring
devices which measure the actual volume of wastewater discharged to the sewer. Such
devices shall be accessible and safely located, and the measuring system shall be
installed in accordance with plans (including device specification) approved by the county.
The meter type and model shall be approved by the county and the metering system shall
be installed at the user's expense. Maintenance, calibration, and routine flow
measurement will be conducted by the user at the user's expense; or
c. Where any user procures all or part of his water supply from sources other than the county,
the user shall install a flow measuring device of a type approved by the county. Such
devices shall be accessible and safely located, and the measuring system shall be
installed in accordance with plans (including device specification) approved by the county.
The meter shall be approved by the county and the metering system shall be installed at
the user's expense. Maintenance, calibration, and routine flow measurement will be
conducted by the user at the user's expense.
(2) The character and concentration of the constituents of the wastewater used in determining
surcharges shall be determined by samples collected and analyzed by the county. Samples
shall be collected in such a manner as to be representative of the actual discharge and shall be
analyzed using procedures set forth in 40 CFR 136.
(3) The determination of the character and concentration of the constituents of the wastewater
discharge by the public works administrator shall be binding as a basis for charges.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 3.3; Ord.of 2-20-2017, § 1)
Sec. 34-147.-Pretreatment program administration charges.
The schedule of charges and fees adopted by the district may include charges and fees for:
(1) Reimbursement of costs of setting up and operating the pretreatment program;
(2) Monitoring, inspections and surveillance procedures;
(3) Reviewing slug control plans, including accidental and/or slug load discharge procedures and
construction plans and specifications;
(4) Permitting;
(5) Other fees as the district may determine necessary to carry out the requirements of the
pretreatment program.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 3.4; Ord.of 2-20-2017, § 1)
Secs. 34-148-34-177.- Reserved.
DIVISION 4.-WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT APPLICATION AND ISSUANCE
Sec. 34-178. -Wastewater dischargers.
It shall be unlawful for any person to connect or discharge to the POTW without first obtaining the
permission of the county or the district. When requested by the public works administrator, a user must
submit information on the nature and characteristics of its wastewater within 30 days of the request. The
public works administrator is authorized to prepare a form for this purpose and may periodically require
users to update this information.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 4.1; Ord. of 2-20-2017, § 1)
Sec. 34-179.—Wastewater permits.
All significant industrial users shall obtain a significant industrial user permit prior to the
commencement of discharge to the POTW. Existing industrial users who are determined by the public
works administrator to be significant industrial users shall obtain a significant industrial user permit within
180 days of receiving notification of the public works administrator determination. Industrial users who do
not fit the significant industrial user criteria may at the discretion of the public works administrator be
required to obtain a wastewater permit.
(1) Significant industrial user determination. All persons proposing to discharge non-domestic
wastewater, or proposing to change the volume or characteristics of an existing discharge of
non-domestic wastewater shall request from the public works administrator a significant
industrial user determination. If the public works administrator determines that the proposed
discharge fits the significant industrial user criteria he or she will require that a significant
industrial user permit application be filed.
(2) Significant industrial user permit application. Users required to obtain a significant industrial
user permit shall complete and file with the county, an application in the form prescribed by the
public works administrator, and accompanied by an application fee in the amount prescribed in
the schedule of charges and fees. Significant industrial users shall apply for a significant
industrial user permit within 90 days after notification of the public works administrator's
determination in subsection (1)of this section. The application shall include at a minimum:
a. Name of industrial user;
b. Address of industrial user;
c. Standard industrial classification (SIC)code(s)or expected classification and industrial user
category;
d. Wastewater flow, including time and duration of expected discharge(s) and variation of
volume or constituents of the discharge(s);
e. Types and concentrations (or mass)of pollutants contained in the discharge;
f. Major products manufactured or services supplied;
g. Description of existing on-site pretreatment facilities and practices;
h. Locations of discharge points;
i. Raw materials used or stored at the site;
j. Flow diagram or sewer map for the industrial user;
k. Number of employees;
I. Operation and production schedules; and
m. Description of current and projected waste reduction activities in accordance with G.S. 143-
215.1(g).
(3) Application signatories and certification. All wastewater discharge permit applications and user
reports must be signed by an authorized representative of the user and contain the following
certification statement:
"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 fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
(4) Application review and evaluation. The public works administrator will evaluate the data
furnished by the user and may require additional information.
a. The public works administrator is authorized to accept applications for the county and shall
refer all applications to the appropriate POTW staff for review and evaluation.
b. Within 30 days of receipt the public works administrator shall acknowledge and accept the
complete application; or if not complete, shall return the application to the applicant with a
statement of what additional information is required.
(5) Tentative determination and draft permit.
a. The POTW staff shall conduct a review of the application and an on-site inspection of the
significant industrial user, including any pretreatment facilities, and shall prepare a written
evaluation and tentative determination to issue or deny the significant industrial user
permit.
b. If the staffs tentative determination in subsection (5)a of this section is to issue the permit,
the following additional determinations shall be made in writing:
1. Proposed discharge limitations for those pollutants proposed to be limited;
2. A proposed schedule of compliance, including interim dates and requirements, for
meeting the proposed limitations; and
3. A brief description of any other proposed special conditions which will have significant
impact upon the discharge described in the application.
c. The staff shall organize the determinations made pursuant to subsections (5)a and b of this
section and the county's general permit conditions into a significant industrial user permit.
(6) Permit supporting documentation. The control authority staff shall prepare the following
documents for all significant industrial user permits:
a. An allocation table (AT) listing permit information for all significant industrial users,
including but not limited to permit limits, permit effective and expiration dates, and a
comparison of total permitted flows and loads with approval authority approved maximum
allowable loadings of the POTW, including flow, on forms or in a format approved by the
approval authority. The AT shall be updated as permits are issued or renewed, and as
permits are modified where the permitted limits or other AT information is revised.
b. The basis, or rationale, for the pretreatment limitations, including the following:
1. Documentation of categorical determination, including documentation of any
calculations used in applying categorical pretreatment standards; and
2. Documentation of the rationale of any parameters for which monitoring has been
waived under 40 CFR 403.12(e)(2).
(7) Final action on significant industrial user permit applications.
a. The public works administrator shall take final action on all applications not later than 90
days following receipt of a complete application.
b. The public works administrator is authorized to:
1. Issue a significant industrial user permit containing such conditions as are necessary
to effectuate the purposes of this article and G.S. 143-215.1;
2. Issue a significant industrial user permit containing time schedules for achieving
compliance with applicable pretreatment standards and requirements;
3. Modify any permit upon not less than 60 days' notice and pursuant to subsection (8)of
this section;
4. Revoke any permit pursuant to section 34-252;
5. Suspend a permit pursuant to section 34-252;
6. Deny a permit application when in the opinion of the public works administrator such
discharge may cause or contribute to pass-through or interference of the wastewater
treatment plant or where necessary to effectuate the purposes of G.S. 143-215.1.
(8) Permit modification.
a. Modifications of permits shall be subject to the same procedural requirements as the
issuance of permits except as listed below. Any changes or new conditions in the permit
shall include a reasonable time for compliance.
1. Changes in the ownership of the discharge when no other change in the permit is
indicated,
2. A single modification of any compliance schedule not in excess of four months,
3. Modification of compliance schedules (construction schedules) in permits for new
sources where the new source will not begin to discharge until control facilities are
operational.
Any changes or new conditions in the permit shall include a reasonable time schedule for
compliance.
b. Within nine months of the promulgation of a national categorical pretreatment standard, the
wastewater discharge permit of users subject to such standards shall be revised to require
compliance with such standard within the time frame prescribed by such standard. Where
a user, subject to a national categorical pretreatment standard, has not previously
submitted an application for a wastewater discharge permit as required by subsection (2)
of this section, the user shall apply for a wastewater discharge permit within 180 days after
the promulgation of the applicable national categorical pretreatment standard.
c. A request for a modification by the permittee shall constitute a waiver of the 60-day notice
required by G.S. 143-215.1(b)for modifications.
(9) Permit conditions.
a. The public works administrator shall have the authority to grant a permit with such
conditions attached as he determines necessary to achieve the purpose of this article.
Wastewater permits shall contain, but are not limited to, the following:
1. A statement of duration (in no case more than five years);
2. A statement of non-transferability;
3. Applicable effluent limits based on categorical standards or local limits or both;
4. Applicable monitoring, sampling, reporting, notification, and recordkeeping
requirements. These requirements shall include an identification of pollutants to be
monitored, sampling location, sampling frequency, and sample type based on federal,
state and local law;
5. Requirements for notifying the POTW in the event of an accidental discharge or slug
load;
6. Requirements to implement a plan or other controls for prevention of accidental
discharges and/or slug loads, if determined by the public works administrator to be
necessary for the user;
7. Requirements for immediately notifying the POTW of any changes at its facility
affecting the potential for spills and other accidental discharges or slug load.
8. A statement of applicable civil and/or criminal penalties for violation of pretreatment
standards and requirements and any applicable compliance schedule.
b. In addition, permits may contain, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Limits on the average and/or maximum rate of discharge, and/or requirements for flow
regulation and equalization.
2. Limits on the instantaneous, daily and/or monthly average and/or maximum
concentration, mass, or other measure of identified wastewater pollutants or
properties.
3. Requirements for the installation of pretreatment technology or construction of
appropriate containment devices, etc., designed to reduce, eliminate, or prevent the
introduction of pollutants into the treatment works.
4. Development and implementation of spill control plans or other special conditions
including management practices necessary to adequately prevent accidental,
unanticipated, or non-routine discharges.
5. Development and implementation of waste minimization plans to reduce the amount
of pollutants discharged to the municipal wastewater system.
6. Requirements for installation and maintenance of inspection and sampling facilities
and equipment.
7. Specifications for monitoring programs which may include sampling locations,
frequency of sampling, number, types, and standards for tests, and reporting
schedules.
8. Requirements for immediate reporting of any instance of noncompliance and for
automatic resampling and reporting within 30 days where self-monitoring indicates a
violation.
9. Compliance schedules for meeting pretreatment standards and requirements.
10. Requirements for submission of periodic self-monitoring or special notification
reports.
11. Requirements for maintaining and retaining plans and records relating to wastewater
discharges as specified in section 34-209 and affording the public works
administrator, or his representatives, access thereto.
12. Requirements for prior notification and approval by the public works administrator of
any new introduction of wastewater pollutants or of any significant change in the
volume or character of the wastewater prior to introduction in the system.
13. Requirements for the prior notification and approval by the public works administrator
of any change in the manufacturing and/or pretreatment process used by the
permittee.
14. Requirements for immediate notification of excessive, accidental, or slug load
discharges, or any discharge which could cause any problems to the system.
15. A statement that compliance with the permit does not relieve the permittee of
responsibility for compliance with all applicable federal and state pretreatment
standards, including those which become effective during the terms of the permit.
16. Other conditions as determined appropriate by the public works administrator to
ensure compliance with this article, and state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
(10) Permit duration. Permits shall be issued for a specified time period, not to exceed five years.
A permit may be issued for a period less than a year or may be stated to expire on a specific
date.
(11) Permit transfer. Wastewater permits are issued to a specific user for a specific operation. A
wastewater discharge permit shall not be reassigned or transferred or sold to a new owner, new
user, different premises, or a new or changed operation, unless such change is a modification
approved in accordance with subsection 8 of this section.
(12) Permit reissuance. A significant industrial user shall apply for permit reissuance by submitting
a complete permit application in accordance with this section a minimum of 180 days prior to
the expiration of the existing permit.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 4.2)
Secs. 34-180-34-196.- Reserved.
DIVISION 5. -REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 34-197.-Baseline monitoring reports.
(a) Within either 180 days after the effective date of a categorical pretreatment standard, or the final
administrative decision on a category determination under 40 CFR 403.6(a)(4), whichever is later,
existing categorical users currently discharging to or scheduled to discharge to the POTW shall
submit to the control authority a report which contains the information listed in subsection (b) of this
section. At least 90 days prior to commencement of their discharge, new sources, and sources that
become categorical users subsequent to the promulgation of an applicable categorical standard,
shall submit to the control authority a report which contains the information listed in subsection (b) of
this section. A new source shall report the method of pretreatment it intends to use to meet
applicable categorical standards. A new source also shall give estimates of its anticipated flow and
quantity of pollutants to be discharged.
(b) Users described in subsection (a)of this section shall submit the following information:
(1) Identifying information. The name and address of the facility, including the name of the
operator and owner.
(2) Environmental permits. A list of any environmental control permits held by or for the facility.
(3) Description of operations. A brief description of the nature, average rate of production, and
standard industrial classifications of the operation carried out by such user. This description
should include a schematic process diagram which indicates points of discharge to the POTW
from the regulated processes.
(4) Flow measurement. Information showing the measured average daily and maximum daily flow,
in gallons per day, to the POTW from regulated process streams and other streams, as
necessary, to allow use of the combined wastestream formula set out in 40 CFR 403.6(e).
(5) Measurement of pollutants.
a. The categorical pretreatment standards applicable to each regulated process.
b. The results of sampling and analysis identifying the nature and concentration, and/or mass,
where required by the standard or by the public works administrator, of regulated pollutants
in the discharge from each regulated process. Instantaneous, daily maximum, and long-
term average concentrations, or mass, where required, shall be reported. The sample shall
be representative of daily operations and shall be analyzed in accordance with procedures
set out in section 34-206.
c. Sampling must be performed in accordance with procedures set out in section 34-207 and
40 CFR 403.12(b)and (g), including 40 CFR 403.12(g)(4).
(6) Certification. A statement, reviewed by the user's current authorized representative and
certified by a qualified professional, indicating whether pretreatment standards are being met on
a consistent basis, and, if not, whether additional operation and maintenance (O&M) and/or
additional pretreatment is required to meet the pretreatment standards and requirements.
(7) Compliance schedule. If additional pretreatment and/or O&M will be required to meet the
pretreatment standards, the shortest schedule by which the user will provide such additional
pretreatment and/or O&M. The completion date in this schedule shall not be later than the
compliance date established for the applicable pretreatment standard. A compliance schedule
pursuant to this section must meet the requirements set out in section 34-198.
(8) Signature and certification. All baseline monitoring reports must be signed and certified in
accordance with section 34-179(3).
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.1)
Sec.34-198. -Compliance schedule progress reports.
The following conditions shall apply to the compliance schedule required by section 34-197(b)(7):
(1) The schedule shall contain progress increments in the form of dates for the commencement
and completion of major events leading to the construction and operation of additional
pretreatment required for the user to meet the applicable pretreatment standards (such events
include, but are not limited to, hiring an engineer, completing preliminary and final plans,
executing contracts for major components, commencing and completing construction, and
beginning and conducting routine operation);
(2) No increment referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall exceed nine months;
(3) The user shall submit a progress report to the control authority no later than 14 days following
each date in the schedule and the final date of compliance including, as a minimum, whether or
not it complied with the increment of progress, the reason for any delay, and, if appropriate, the
steps being taken by the user to return to the established schedule; and
(4) In no event shall more than nine months elapse between such progress reports to the control
authority.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.2)
Sec.34-199.-Reports on compliance with categorical pretreatment standard deadline.
Within 90 days following the date for final compliance with applicable categorical pretreatment
standards, or in the case of a new source following commencement of the introduction of wastewater into
the POTW, any user subject to such pretreatment standards and requirements shall submit to the control
authority a report containing the information described in section 34-197(b)(4) through (6). For users
subject to equivalent mass or concentration limits established in accordance with the procedures in 40
CFR 403.6(c), this report shall contain a reasonable measure of the user's long-term production rate. For
all other users subject to categorical pretreatment standards expressed in terms of allowable pollutant
discharge per unit of production (or other measure of operation), this report shall include the user's actual
production during the appropriate sampling period. All compliance reports must be signed and certified in
accordance with section 34-179(3).
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.3)
Sec. 34-200.-Periodic compliance reports.
(a) All significant industrial users shall, at a frequency determined by the public works administrator but
in no case less than twice per year (in June and December), submit a report indicating the nature
and concentration of pollutants in the discharge which are limited by pretreatment standards and the
measured or estimated average and maximum daily flows for the reporting period. All periodic
compliance reports must be signed and certified in accordance with section 34-179(3).
(b) All wastewater samples must be representative of the user's discharge. Wastewater monitoring and
flow measurement facilities shall be properly operated, kept clean, and maintained in good working
order at all times. The failure of a user to keep its monitoring facility in good working order shall not
be grounds for the user to claim that sample results are unrepresentative of its discharge.
(c) If a user subject to the reporting requirement in this section monitors any pollutant more frequently
than required by the public works administrator, using the procedures prescribed in section 34-206,
the results of this monitoring shall be included in the report.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.4)
Sec. 34-201.-Reports of changed conditions.
Each user must notify the control authority of any planned significant changes to the user's
operations or system which might alter the nature, quality, or volume of its wastewater at least 60 days
before the change. The permittee shall not begin the changes until receiving written approval from the
control authority and/or county.
(1) The public works administrator may require the user to submit such information as may be
determined necessary to evaluate the changed condition, including the submission of a
wastewater discharge permit application under section 34-179.
(2) The public works administrator may issue a wastewater discharge permit under section 34-179
or modify an existing wastewater discharge permit under section 34-179 in response to
changed conditions or anticipated changed conditions.
(3) For purposes of this requirement, significant changes include, but are not limited to, flow or
pollutant increases of twenty percent or greater, and the discharge of any previously unreported
pollutants.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.5)
Sec.34-202.-Reports of potential problems.
(a) In the case of any discharge, including, but not limited to, accidental discharges, discharges of a
nonroutine, episodic nature, a noncustomary batch discharge, or a slug load, that may cause
potential problems for the POTW, the user shall immediately telephone and notify the public works
administrator of the incident. This notification shall include the location of the discharge, type of
waste, concentration and volume, if known, and corrective actions taken by the user.
(b) Within five days following such discharge, the user shall, unless waived by the public works
administrator, submit a detailed written report describing the cause of the discharge and the
measures to be taken by the user to prevent similar future occurrences. Such notification shall not
relieve the user of any expense, loss, damage, or other liability which may be incurred as a result of
damage to the POTW, natural resources, or any other damage to person or property; nor shall such
notification relieve the user of any fines, penalties, or other liability which may be imposed pursuant
to this article.
(c) A notice shall be permanently posted on the user's bulletin board or other prominent place advising
employees whom to call in the event of a discharge described in subsection (a) of this section.
tooccur, are advised
Employers shall ensure that all employees, who may cause such a discharge
of the emergency notification procedure.
(d) All SIUs are required to notify the POTW immediately of any changes at its facility affecting the
potential for spills and other accidental discharge, discharge of a non-routine episodic nature, a non-
customary batch discharge, or a slug load.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.6)
Sec.34-203.-Reports from unpermitted users.
All users not required to obtain a wastewater discharge permit shall provide appropriate reports to
the control authority as the public works administrator may require. All users classified as non-significant
categorical industrial users shall provide appropriate reports to the control authority as the public works
administrator may require. At a minimum, this shall include the annual certification of continuing to meet
the non-significant categorical industrial user criteria as required under 40 CFR 403.12(q).
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.7)
Sec.34-204. -Notice of violation; repeat sampling and reporting.
If sampling performed by a user indicates a violation, the user must notify the public works administrator
within 24 hours of becoming aware of the violation. The user shall also repeat the sampling and analysis
and submit the results of the repeat analysis to the control authority within 30 days after becoming aware
of the violation. If allowed by the public works administrator,the user is not required to resample:
(a) If the control authority monitors at the user's facility at least once a month; or
(b) If the control authority samples between the user's initial sampling and when the user receives the
results of this sampling.
If the control authority has performed the sampling and analysis in lieu of the industrial user and the
POTW sampling of the user indicates a violation, the control authority shall repeat the sampling and
p g
obtain the results of the repeat analysis within thirty days after becoming aware of the violations, unless
one of the following occurs:
(1) The control authority monitors at the user's facility at least once a month; or
(2) The control authority samples the user between their initial sampling and when the POTW
receives the results of this initial sampling; or
(3) The public works administrator requires the user to perform sampling and submit the results
to the POTW within the 30 day deadline of the control authority becoming aware of the
violation.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.8)
Sec.34-205.-Notification of the discharge of hazardous waste.
(a) Discharge of any hazardous waste, as set forth in subsection (b) immediately below, is strictly
prohibited without written notification to and approval by the public works administrator.
(b) Any user who commences the discharge of hazardous waste shall notify the POTW, the EPA
Regional Waste Management Division director, and state hazardous waste authorities, in writing, of
any discharge into the POTW of a substance which, if otherwise disposed of, would be a hazardous
waste under 40 CFR 261. Such notification must include the name of the hazardous waste as set
forth in 40 CFR 261, the EPA hazardous waste number, and the type of discharge (continuous,
batch, or other). If the user discharges more than 100 kilograms of such waste per calendar month to
the POTW, the notification also shall contain the following information to the extent such information
is known and readily available to the user: an identification of the hazardous constituents contained
in the wastes, an estimation of the mass and concentration of such constituents in the wastestream
discharge during the calendar month, and an estimation of the mass and concentration of such
constituents in the wastestream expected to be discharged during the following 12 months. All
notifications must take place no later than 180 days before the discharge commences. The user
shall not begin the discharge until receiving written approval from the POTW. Any notifications under
this subsection need be submitted only once for each hazardous waste discharge. However,
notifications of changed conditions must be submitted under section 34-201. The notification
requirement in this section does not apply to pollutants already reported by users subject to
categorical pretreatment standards under the self-monitoring requirements of sections 34-197, 34-
199, and 34-200.
(b) Dischargers are exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, during a calendar
month in which they discharge no more than 15 kilograms of hazardous wastes, unless the wastes
are acute hazardous wastes as specified in 40 CFR 261.30(d) and 261.33(e). Discharge of more
than 15 kilograms of nonacute hazardous wastes in a calendar month, or of any quantity of acute
hazardous wastes as specified in 40 CFR 261.30(d) and 261.33(e), requires a one-time notification.
Subsequent months during which the user discharges more than such quantities of any hazardous
waste do not require additional notification.
(c) In the case of any new regulation under section 3001 of RCRA identifying additional characteristics
of hazardous waste or listing any additional substance as a hazardous waste, the user must notify
the public works administrator, the EPA Regional Waste Management Waste Division director, and
state hazardous waste authorities of the discharge of such substance within 90 days of the effective
date of such regulations.
(d) In the case of any notification made under this section, the user shall certify that it has a program in
place to reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous wastes generated to the degree it has
determined to be economically practical.
(e) This provision does not create a right to discharge any substance not otherwise permitted to be
discharged by this article, a permit issued thereunder, or any applicable federal or state law.
(Ord. of l 1-21-1994, § 5.9)
Sec. 34-206.-Analytical requirements.
All pollutant analyses, including sampling techniques, to be submitted as part of a wastewater
discharge permit application or report shall be performed by a laboratory certified by the state to perform
the wastewater analyses in accordance with the techniques prescribed in 40 CFR 136, unless otherwise
specified in an applicable categorical pretreatment standard. If 40 CFR 136 does not contain sampling or
analytical techniques for the pollutant in question, sampling and analyses must be performed in
accordance with procedures approved by the EPA and the county. Analysis must be performed by a
state certified lab for each parameter analyzed if such certification exists for that parameter.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.10)
Sec. 34-207.—Grab and composite sample collection.
(a) All wastewater samples must be representative of the user's discharge. Wastewater monitoring and
flow measurement facilities shall be properly operated, kept clean, and maintained in good working
facility good working order shall not
its monitoringin
order at all times. The failure of a user to keep
le results are unrepresentative of its discharge.
be groun
ds for the user to claim that sample p
g
(b) Grab samples must be used for pH, cyanide, total phenols, oil and grease, sulfide, volatile organic
compounds, and any other pollutants as required by 40 CFR 136. The POTW shall determine the
number of grabs necessary to be representative of the user's discharge. Additionally, the public
works administrator may allow collection of multiple grabs during a 24 hour period which are
composited prior to analysis as allowed under 40 CFR 136.
(c) All wastewater composite samples shall be collected with a minimum of hourly aliquots or grabs for
each hour there is a discharge. All wastewater composite samples shall be collected using flow
proportional composite collection techniques, unless time-proportional composite sampling or grab
sampling is authorized by the public works administrator. When authorizing time-proportional
composites or grabs, the samples must be representative and the decision to allow the alternative
sampling must be documented.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.11)
Sec.34-208. -Timing.
Written reports will be deemed to have been submitted on the date postmarked. For reports which
are not mailed, postage prepaid, into a mail facility serviced by the United States Postal Service, the date
of receipt of the report shall govern.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.12)
Sec.34-209.-Recordkeeping.
Users subject to the reporting requirements of this article shall retain, and make available for
inspection and copying, all records of information obtained pursuant to any monitoring activities required
by this article and any additional records of information obtained pursuant to monitoring activities
undertaken by the user independent of such requirements. Records shall include the date, exact place,
method, and time of sampling, and the name of the person taking the samples; the dates analyses were
performed; who performed the analyses; the analytical techniques or methods used; and the results of
such analyses. These records shall remain available for a period of at least three years. This period shall
be automatically extended for the duration of any litigation concerning the user or county, or where the
user has been specifically notified of a longer retention period by the public works administrator.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 5.13)
Sec. 34-210.—Electronic reporting.
The public works administrator may develop procedures for receipt of electronic reports for any
reporting requirements of this article. Such procedures shall comply with 40 CFR 3 and shall be
enforceable under division 7 of this article.
Sec.34-211.—Special reporting requirements for ills in satellite POTWs.
In the case of an industrial user in a satellite POTW organization's jurisdiction, all information
required to be reported to the industrial user's pretreatment program control authority by this article shall
also be reported to the POTW treatment plant organization.
Secs. 34-212-34-226.- Reserved.
DIVISION 6.-COMPLIANCE MONITORING
Sec. 34-227. - Monitoring facilities.
(a) The county requires the user to provide and operate at the user's own expense, monitoring facilities
to allow inspection, sampling, and flow measurement of the building sewer and/or internal drainage
systems. The monitoring facility should normally be situated on the user's premises, but the county
may, when such a location would be impractical or cause undue hardship on the user, allow the
facility to be constructed in the public street or sidewalk area and located so that it will not be
obstructed by landscaping or parked vehicles.
(b) There shall be ample room in or near such sampling manhole or facility to allow accurate sampling
and preparation of samples for analysis. The facility, sampling, and measuring equipment shall be
maintained at all times in a safe and proper operating condition at the expense of the user.
(c) Whether constructed on public or private property, the sampling and monitoring facilities shall be
provided in accordance with the county's requirements and all applicable local construction
standards and specifications. Construction shall be completed within 90 days following written
notification by the county.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 6.1)
Sec. 34-228.-Inspection and sampling.
The control authority will inspect the facilities of any user to ascertain whether the purpose of this
article is being met and all requirements are being complied with. Persons or occupants of premises
where wastewater is created or discharged shall allow the POTW, approval authority and the EPA or their
representative ready access at all reasonable times to all parts of the premises for the purposes of
inspection, sampling, records examination and copying or in the performance of any of their duties. The
POTW, approval authority and the EPA shall have the right to set up on the user's property such devices
as are necessary to conduct sampling, inspection, compliance monitoring and/or metering operations.
Where a user has security measures in force which would require proper identification and clearance
before entry into their premises, the user shall make necessary arrangements with their security guards
so that, upon presentation of suitable identification, personnel from the POTW, approval authority and the
EPA will be permitted to enter, without delay, for the purposes of performing their specific responsibilities.
Denial of the POTW's, approval authority's, or EPA's access to the user's premises shall be a violation of
this article. Unreasonable delays may constitute denial of access. An unreasonable delay, includes,
without limitation, a delay of access of more than 15 minutes during regular business or operational
hours.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 6.2)
Sec.34-229.-Search warrants.
If the control authority, approval authority, or EPA has been refused access to a building, structure,
or property, or any part thereof, and is able to demonstrate probable cause to believe that there may be a
violation of this article, or that there is a need to inspect and/or sample as part of a routine inspection and
sampling program of the POTW designed to verify compliance with this article or any permit or order
issued hereunder, or to protect the overall public health, safety and welfare of the community, then the
POTW, approval authority, or EPA may seek issuance of a search warrant.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 6.3)
Secs.34-230-34-251.-Reserved.
DIVISION 7.-ENFORCEMENT
Sec.34-252.-Administrative remedies.
(a) Notification of violation. Whenever the public works administrator finds that any industrial user has
violated or is violating this article, wastewater permit, or any prohibition, limitation or requirements
contained therein, or any other pretreatment requirement the public works administrator may send or
provide to such a person a written notice stating the nature of the violation. Within 30 days from the
date of this notice, an explanation for the violation and a plan for the satisfactory correction thereof
•
shall be submitted to the county by the user. Submission of this plan does not relieve the discharger
of liability for any violations occurring before or after receipt of the notice of violation.
(b) Consent orders. The public works administrator is hereby empowered to enter into consent orders,
assurances of voluntary compliance, or other similar documents establishing an agreement with the
person responsible for the noncompliance. Such orders will include specific action to be taken by the
discharger to correct the noncompliance within a time period also specified by the order. Consent
orders shall have the same force and effect as an administrative order issued pursuant to subsection
(d)of this section.
(c) Show cause hearing.
(1) The public works administrator may order any industrial user who causes or is responsible for
an unauthorized discharge, has violated this article or is in noncompliance with a wastewater
discharge permit to show cause why a proposed enforcement action should not be taken. In the
event the public works administrator determines that a show cause order should be issued, a
notice shall be served on the user specifying the time and place for the hearing, the proposed
enforcement action, the reasons for such action, and a request that the user show cause why
this proposed enforcement action should not be taken. The notice of the hearing shall be served
personally or by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) at least ten days before
the hearing. Service may be made on any agent or officer of a corporation.
(2) The public works administrator shall review the evidence presented at the hearing and
determine whether the proposed enforcement action is appropriate.
(3) A show cause hearing under this section is not a prerequisite to the assessment of a civil
penalty under section 34-253 nor is any action or inaction taken by the public works
administrator under this subsection (c) subject to an administrative appeal under section 34-
264.
(d) Administrative orders. When the public works administrator finds that an industrial user has violated
or continues to violate this article, permits or orders issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment
requirement the public works administrator may issue an order to cease and desist all such violations
and direct those persons in noncompliance to do any of the following:
(1) Immediately comply with all requirements;
(2) Comply in accordance with a compliance time schedule set forth in the order;
(3) Take appropriate remedial or preventive action in the event of a continuing or threatened
violation;
(4) Disconnect unless adequate treatment facilities, devices or other related appurtenances are
installed and properly operated within a specified time period.
(e) Emergency suspensions.
(1) The public works administrator may suspend the wastewater treatment service and/or
wastewater permit when such suspension is necessary in order to stop an actual or threatened
discharge which presents or may present an imminent or substantial endangerment to the
health or welfare of persons or the environment, interferes with the POTW or causes the POTW
to violate any condition of its NPDES or non-discharge permit.
(2) Any user notified of a suspension of the wastewater treatment service and/or the wastewater
permit shall immediately stop or eliminate the contribution. A hearing will be held within 15 days
of the notice of suspension to determine whether the suspension may be lifted or the user's
waste discharge permit terminated. In the event of a failure to comply voluntarily with the
suspension order, the public works administrator shall take such steps as determined
necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer connection, to prevent or minimize
damage to the POTW system or endangerment to any individuals. The public works
administrator shall reinstate the wastewater permit and the wastewater treatment service upon
proof of the elimination of the noncompliant discharge. The industrial user shall submit a
detailed written statement describing the causes of the harmful contribution and the measures
taken to prevent any future occurrence to the control authority prior to the date of the hearing
described in this subsection.
(f) Termination of permit. The public works administrator may revoke a wastewater discharge permit or
permission to discharge for good cause, including, but not limited to,the following reasons:
(1) Failure to accurately report the wastewater constituents and characteristics of his discharge;
(2) Failure to report significant changes in operations, or wastewater constituents and
characteristics;
(3) Refusal of reasonable access to the user's premises for the purpose of inspection or
monitoring; or
(4) Violation of conditions of the permit or permission to discharge, conditions of this article, or any
applicable state and federal regulations.
Noncompliant industrial users will be notified of the proposed termination of their wastewater permit and
will be offered an opportunity to show cause under this section why the proposed action should not be
taken.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 8.1)
Sec.34-253.-Civil penalties.
(a) Any user who is found to have failed to comply with any provision of this article, or the orders, rules,
regulations and permits issued hereunder, may be assessed a civil penalty of up to $25,000.00 per day
per violation. Penalties between $10,000 and $25,000 per day per violation may be assessed against a
violator only if:
(1) For any class of violation, only if a civil penalty has been imposed against the violator within the
five years preceding the violation; or
(2) In the case of failure to file, submit, or make available, as the case may be, any documents,
data, or reports required by this article, or the orders, rules, regulations and permits issued
hereunder, only if the public works administrator determines that the violation was intentional.
(b) In determining the amount of the civil penalty, the public works administrator shall consider the
following:
(1) The degree and extent of the harm to the natural resources,to the public health, or to public or
private property resulting from the violation;
(2) The duration and gravity of the violation;
(3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality;
(4) The cost of rectifying the damage;
(5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance;
(6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally;
(7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with the pretreatment program;
(8) The costs of enforcement to the county.
(c) Civil penalties, which are not appealed pursuant to section 34-264, or which are appealed but are
upheld by the hearing officer pursuant to section 34-264, may be added to a user's water and/or
wastewater bill.
(d) Appeals of civil penalties assessed in accordance with this section shall be as provided in section
34-264.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 8.2)
Sec. 34-254. -Other available remedies.
Remedies, in addition to those previously mentioned in this article, are available to the public works
administrator who may use any single one or combination against a noncompliant user. Additional
available remedies include, but are not limited to:
(1) Criminal violations. The district attorney may, at the request of the county, prosecute
noncompliant users for violations of law addressed by the provisions of G.S. 143-215.6B, on the
terms and provisions provided therein.
(2) Injunctive relief. Whenever a user is in violation of the provisions of this article or an order or
permit issued hereunder, the public works administrator, through the county's legal counsel,
may petition the superior court of justice for the issuance of a restraining order or a preliminary
and permanent injunction which restrains or compels the activities in question.
(3) Water supply severance. Whenever an industrial user is in violation of the provisions of this
article or an order or permit issued hereunder, water service to the industrial user may be
severed, by direction of the public works administrator to the district, and service will only
recommence, at the user's expense, after it has satisfactorily demonstrated ability to comply.
(4) Public nuisances. Any violation of the prohibitions or effluent limitations of this article or of a
permit or order issued hereunder, is hereby declared a public nuisance and shall be corrected
or abated as directed by the public works administrator. Any person creating a public nuisance
shall be subject to the provisions of applicable law governing such nuisances, including
reimbursing the POTW for any costs incurred in removing, abating or remedying said nuisance.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 8.3; Ord.of 2-20-2017, § 1)
Sec.34-255.-Remedies nonexclusive.
The remedies provided for in this article are not exclusive. The public works administrator may take
any, all, or any combination of these actions against a noncompliant user. Enforcement of pretreatment
violations will generally be in accordance with the county's enforcement response plan. However, the
public works administrator may take other action against any user when the circumstances warrant.
Further, the public works administrator is empowered to take more than one enforcement action against
any noncompliant user.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 8.4)
Secs. 34-256-34-263. -Reserved.
DIVISION 8.—Adjudicatory Hearings
Sec.34-264.—Adjudicatory Hearings.
(a) Adjudicatory hearing. An applicant whose permit is denied, or is granted subject to conditions he
deems unacceptable, a permittee/user assessed a civil penalty under section 34-253, or one
issued an administrative order under section 34-252 shall have the right to an adjudicatory
hearing before a hearing officer designated by the public works administrator upon making written
demand, identifying the specific issues to be contested, to the public works administrator within
30 days following receipt of the wastewater permit (as set forth in section 34-179), permit
decision, civil penalty assessment, or administrative order. Unless such written demand is made
within the time specified herein, the action shall be final and binding and further appeal is barred.
For modified permits, only those parts of the permit being modified may be adjudicated. The
hearing officer shall make a final decision on the contested permit, penalty, or order within 45
days of the receipt of the written demand for a hearing. The public works administrator shall
transmit a copy of the hearing officer's final decision by registered or certified mail as described in
subsection (b) below. The decision is a final decision for the purposes of seeking judicial review.
The terms and conditions of a permit under appeal shall be as follows:
(1) New permits. Upon appeal, including judicial review in the general courts of justice, of
the terms or conditions of a newly issued permit, the terms and conditions of the entire
permit are stayed and the permit is not in effect until either the conclusion of judicial
review or until the parties reach a mutual resolution.
(2) Renewed permits. Upon appeal, including judicial review in the general courts of
justice, of the terms or conditions of a renewed permit, the terms and conditions of the
existing permit remain in effect until either the conclusion of judicial review or until the
parties reach a mutual resolution.
(3) Terminated permits. Upon appeal, including judicial review in the general courts of
justice, of a terminated permit, no permit is in effect until either the conclusion of
judicial review or until the parties reach a mutual resolution.
(b) Official record. When a final decision is issued under subsection (a) of this section, the hearing
officer shall prepare an official record of the case that includes:
(1) All notices, motions, and other like pleadings;
(2) A copy of all documentary evidence introduced;
(3) A certified transcript of all testimony taken, if testimony is transcribed. If testimony is
taken and not transcribed,then a narrative summary of any testimony taken.
(4) A copy of the final decision of the hearing officer.
(c) Judicial review. Any person against whom a final order or decision of the hearing officer is
entered, pursuant to the hearing conducted under subsection (8)(a) of this section, may seek
judicial review of the order or decision by filing a written request for review by the superior court
of the county within 30 days after receipt of notice by registered or certified mail of the order or
decision, but not thereafter, along with a copy to the county. Within 30 days after receipt of the
copy of the written request for review by the court, the hearing officer shall transmit to the
reviewing court the original or a certified copy of the official record.
Secs. 34-265-34-273. -Reserved.
DIVISION 9.-AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES TO DISCHARGE VIOLATIONS
Sec.34-274.-Upset.
(a) An upset shall constitute an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with
categorical pretreatment standards if the requirements of subsection (b)of this section are met.
(b) A user who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through properly
signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that:
(1) An upset occurred and the user can identify the cause of the upset;
(2) The facility was at the time being operated in a prudent and workmanlike manner and in
compliance with applicable operation and maintenance procedures; and
(3) The user has submitted the following information to the public works administrator within 24
hours of becoming aware of the upset:
a. A description of the indirect discharge and cause of noncompliance;
b. The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times or, if not corrected, the
anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue; and
c. Steps being taken and/or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the
noncompliance.
(c) In any enforcement proceeding, the user seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset shall have
the burden of proof.
(d) Users will have the opportunity for a judicial determination on any claim of upset only in an
enforcement action brought for noncompliance with categorical pretreatment standards.
(e) Users shall control production of all discharges to the extent necessary to maintain compliance with
categorical pretreatment standards upon reduction, loss, or failure of its treatment facility until the
facility is restored or an alternative method of treatment is provided. This requirement applies in the
situation where, among other things, the primary source of power of the treatment facility is reduced,
lost, or fails.
(Ord. of 11-21-1994, § 10.1)
Sec.34-275.-Bypass.
(a) When allowed. A user may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause pretreatment standards
or requirements to be violated, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure efficient
operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions of subsections(b)and (c)of this section.
(b) Notice.
(1) If a user knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to the public
works administrator, at least ten days before the date of the bypass, if possible.
(2) A user shall submit oral notice to the control authority of an unanticipated bypass that exceeds
applicable pretreatment standards within 24 hours from the time it becomes aware of the
bypass. A written notice shall also be provided within five days of the time the user becomes
aware of the bypass. The written notice shall contain a description of the bypass and its cause;
the duration of the bypass, including exact dates and times, and, if the bypass has not been
corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce,
eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the bypass. The public works administrator may waive
the written report on a case-by-case basis if the oral report has been received within 24 hours.
(c) Enforcement action.
(1) Bypass is prohibited, and the public works administrator may take an enforcement action
against a user for a bypass, unless:
a. Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;
b. There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment
facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of
equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate backup equipment should
have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a
bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive
maintenance; and
c. The user submitted notices as required under subsection (b)of this section.
(2) The public works administrator may approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its
adverse effects, if the public works administrator determines that it will meet the three conditions
listed in subsection (c)(1)of this section.
(Oi'd. of 11-21-1994, § 10.3)
Secs. 34-276-34-300. -Reserved.
.,„
Section II „,„
Union County Water
500 North Main Street,Suite
400
Monroe, NC 28112
T 704.296.4210
unioncountync.gov/wat
Checklist for SUO updated August 2011
DISCUSSION
The Pretreatment, Emergency Response, and Collection Systems (PERCS) Unit published our 2011 NC DWR Model SUO on our web-site on August 12, 2011.
This Model SUO includes many revisions to address the revisions to NCAC 15A 02H.0900—Local Pretreatment Programs.
Additional comments were received and revisions were made to 1.2 (a) (34) (D) & (E) to clarify that it is the POTW's NPDES permit, not the SIU's. If you
downloaded the Model prior to August 17, please make sure that you review these two sections and make the correction if you feel it is necessary to provide
clarification. The version posted August 17 includes the informational boxes for both the required and optional 2006 streamlinig changes. The August 26, 2011
revision has removed the informational boxes regarding the 2006 required streamlining changes, making it somewhat easier to read. There are 4—2006 Optional
Changes in the model,you may make the same choice as before or make a different choice at this time.
If you use a different numbering system than the Model note the Section number in your SUO in the appropriate column.
Many of these sections contain optional changes that are designed to strengthen or clarify. Please indicate your choice by checking Yes[you did make the change]
or No [you did not make the change].
Several changes are aimed at establishing legal authority for satellite POTW situations. If your POTW is part of such an arrangement you may wish to consult with
your partners to ensure the respective SUOs are compatible with each other and with any other agreements or established procedures.
After all choices have been made and informational boxes removed check the page numbering in the Table of Contents.
WHAT TO SUBMIT TO PERCS FOR SEWER USE ORDINANCE(SUO)REVISIONS
• The revised Sewer Use Ordinace
• The completed 2011 SUO checklist.
o Include discussion about any significant changes that deviate from the Division's 2011 NC Model SUO on the PERCS Web-site.
• Documentation of Council adoption,including signatures and effective date of changes.
o POTWs may submit their SUO as a draft(before adoption) if you wish. This is especially recommended/requested for significant changes, especially
where they deviate from the Division's Model.
• Attorney's Statement.
o Particular attention should be given to sections regarding multiple POTW organizations and to Section 10—Hearings. Several suggestions are presented
in Section 10,however it is up to each POTW to determine what language is compatible with their local hearing procedures.
o See Appendix 2-E of the Comprehensive Guidance for NC Ptretreatment Programs.
SUO Section Type of Change Comments POTW SUO Indicate choices below
DWR Web- Section#if
different from
site SUO DWR Model
page#
All Sections Required 1) The Model SUO contains BRACKETS [ ] 1) References Changed(if needed):
around references to other sections. The Yes X
references inside the brackets will need to be N/A
CHANGED if your SUO IS NOT numbered
the same as the Model SUO.
2) Throughout the SUO, [Town] indicates a 2) [Town] replaced X
place for the name of the organization to be
entered. See first paragraph of 1.1: "for the 3) [POTW Director] changed (if needed)
[Town of ] hereafter referred to as the Yes X
[Town]" N/A
3) If the administrator of the program is not
referred to as the POTW Director replace 4) Brackets Deleted_X
[POTW Director] with the correct reference.
4) In any case, the brackets themselves must be 5) Notes Deleted X
DELETED.
5) The Model SUO also contains several
NOTES to alert the POTW to various
instructions and discussions about how to
adapt the Model SUO to meet your local
needs. REMOVE THESE NOTES from
you SUO before finalizing your SUO.
1.1 (a) & (b) Optional 34-86 1.1 (a) Yes X_ No
1.1 (b) Yes X No
1.1 last two Optional There are 3 choices. Indicate which one is used. 34-86 (d) I. X Yes X No
paragraphs Also indicate if the minor wording changes ?. Yes No X
Publicly Owned Treatment Works or and 3. Yes No—
X
[Town]were made.
1.2 (a)(3)(B) 2006 Optional Indicate which paragraph B was used. 34-87(a)(1)(b) Original _X_Streamlining
If streamlining option was used which phrase _X investment recommendations
was used. investment decisions
1.2(a) (8) Optional Add definition 34-87(a); Yes _ —
No
Control Authority
1.2 (a)(8) Typographical Indicate if this definition was deleted. If"no", 34-87(a); Yes X No
change renumber subsequent definitions. Control Authority — —
1.2 (a) (12) Optional 34-87(a); Yes _X No
Indirect Discharge
1.2 (a) (14) Required for Indicate if the change was made or if it is not 34-87(a); Yes X No N/A
CAs with applicable to your program. Interference —
multiple POTW Optional: X Yes No
organizations Others—indicate if optional change made —
1.2 (a) (18) Optional Indicate the chosen option. 34-87(a); _Remove definition and renumber
New Source _Reference 40 CFR
_X_Retain original definition
1.2 (a) (21) Optional 34-87(a); Yes _ —
No
Non-Discharge
Permit
1.2 (a) (22) Required & Indicate which of the changes were made or if 34-87(a); Req'd for multiple organizations
Optional not applicable to your program Pass through
Yes—X No N/A
Req'd change Yes —X— No
Opt. change Yes No—X
1.2 (a) (25) Optional 34-87(a); Yes X No
Pollutant — —
1.2 (a) (26) Optional 34-87 (a); Yes —X— No
Public Works
Administrator
1.2 (a) (28) Optional 34-87(a); Yes _ —
No
Pretreatment
1.2 (a) (31) Optional 34-87(a); Yes X— No
Pretreatment
Standard
1.2 (a) (34) Optional 34-87(a); Yes _ _
No
Significant
Industrial User
1.2 (a) (34) Optional 34-87(a); Yes _ —
No
Significant
(A) Industrial User
(1)
1.2 (a) (34) Optional Indicate which paragraph (B) was chosen 34-87(a); 1 2 3 X 4
(B) Significant
Industrial User
(2)
1.2 (a) (34) Optional 34-87(a); Yes _X_ No
Significant
(C) Industrial User
(3)
1.2 (a) (34) Optional Indicate which paragraph (D)was chosen 34-87(a); 1 2 _X_3
(D) Significant
Industrial User
(4)
1.2 (a) (34) Optional Included definition 34-87(a); Yes _X_ No
(E Included stream standard criteria Significant Yes X No
) Industrial User; -
not numbered
1.2 (a) (34) Optional 34-87 (a); Yes _ —
No
Significant
(F) Industrial User;
not numbered
1.2 (a) (34) Optional 34-87(a); Yes _X No
Significant
(G) Industrial User;
not numbered _
1.2 (a) (35) Optional 34-87(a); Retained Original:
Significant Non-
Compliance Yes No—X
Deleted"reportable non-compliance"
Yes—X No N/A
1.2(a) (35) Required To be consistent with 40 CFR 403 &NCAC 34-87(a); Yes _X_ No
(A-D) .0900 Significant Non-
Compliance(1-4)
1.2 (a) (35) Optional 34-87(a); Yes —X— No
Significant Non-
(F) Compliance(6)
1.2 (a) (35) Required for Indicate if change made or if not applicable to 34-87(a); Yes X No N/A
(H) CAs with your program Significant Non-
multiple POTW Compliance(8) Yes_X No N/A
organizations If not a required change, indicate if optional
change made
1.2 (a) (43) Optional 34-87(a); Yes _X— No
Waterways of the
State
2.1 (b) (4) Choose an upper pH limit or delete [or more 34-107(b)(4) Upper limit chosen:
than_12.0_su_J Yes X No
2.1 (b) (9— It is suggested that these optional prohibitions be 34-107 (b) Suggestion considered X
23) included (9-23)
2.1 (b) (14) Optional 34-107(13) Yes _X— No
Developed Own Wording*
2.2 (e) Optional 34-108 (5) Yes X— No
2.3 Optional Any changes made to local limits? 34-109 Yes X— No
2.8 (a) 2006 Optional 34-114 Yes X No
4.2 (b) Required Indicate which paragraph(b)was chosen and if 34-179(2) 1 X 2
additional requirements were included if the Additional req's:
2nd paragraph (b)was chosen Yes No X
4.2 (d) (2) Optional Indicate number of days chosen 34-179(4)(b) #of days 30
4.2 (f) Required Use this wording to be consistent with .0916 34-179(6) Yes X— No
4.2 (i) (1) (H) Optional 34-179 Yes X No
(9)(a)(8) — —
4.2 (i) (2) (B) Optional 34-179 Yes _X No
(9)(b)(2)
4.2 (1) Optional Indicate number of days chosen 34-179(12) #of days 180
5.5 Required 34-201 Yes X_ No
5.5 (c) Required& Clarification of changed conditions requirements 34-201 (3) Req: Yes _X No
Optional Percent(%) entered—20
Opt: Yes No—X
5.7 Optional Required if 1.2 (a)(34)(F) Non-Significant 34-203 Yes _X_ No
Categorical has been included in SUO * Developed own wording
5.8 (b) Optional 34-204 Yes X_ No
5.9 (a) Optional 34-205 (b) Yes X_ No
5.10 Optional Choose no change to wording, or change to 34-206 No change
allow possible alternative procedures, or Alt.procedures
change to require all analysis be done by _X Certified lab
certified lab.
5.14 2006 Optional CROMERR change 34-210 Yes X_ No
5.15 Optional for Indicate if the change was made or if it is not 34-211
CAs with applicable to your program.
multiple POTW Yes X No N/A
organizations
6.2 & 6.3 Required Same change to both sections 34-288; Yes_X No
34-229
7 Optional 34-88 Yes No X
8.2 Optional 34-253 (a) Yes X No
9 2006 Optional 34-89 Yes_X No
10 Required 34-264 Yes; 2'Td Version
11.2 Indicate if this section is included in the SUO. N/A Included? Yes No X
If yes, indicate if affirmative defense offered for
additional specific prohibitions (9—23). (9—23)? Yes No
14 Indicate option chosen X Option A
Option B
Section III
, ,k4t
Union County Water
500 North Main Street,Suite
400
Monroe, NC 28112
T 704.296.4210
unioncountync.gov/wat
, ,0 OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND MANAGER
,
1
r 500 N. Main St., Room 921 • Monroe, NC 28112• Phone (704)283-3810• Fax(704)282-0121
/
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA )
SS.:
COUNTY OF UNION )
I, Lynn G. West, Clerk to the Union County Board of Commissioners, do hereby certify
that the attached is a true and correct copy of an excerpt of the minutes of the regular meeting of
the Union County Board of Commissioners held on August 1, 2022, relating to the Industrial
Pretreatment Program and Sewer Use Ordinance.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 9th of September, 2022.
\� � �'7
,, vip,1- Cl. Allo
��� Lynn G. West
Clerk to the Union County Board of
. Commissioners
Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes August 1, 2022
Car Union County, NC Board of
Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Union County Government Center
500 North Main Street Monroe, North Carolina
www.unioncountync.gov
Approved: September 6, 2022
Monday, August 1, 2022 6:00 PM Board Room, First Floor
Closed Session - 5:00 PM
Present: Chairman Dennis Rape; Vice Chairman David Williams; Commissioner
Richard B. Helms, Sr.; Commissioner Stony D. Rushing; and Commissioner
Jerry B. Simpson
Absent: None
Also Present: Mark Watson, County Manager; Michelle Lancaster, Deputy County
Manager; Lynn G. West, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners; Brian
Matthews, Assistant County Manager; Patrick Niland, Assistant County
Manager; Jason Kay, General Counsel; Richard G. Long, Jr., County
Attorney; Beverly Liles, Finance Director; and other interested residents
22-510 Industrial Pretreatment Program & Sewer Use Ordinance
Brian Matthews, Assistant County Manager, reminded that on two occasions, staff has
brought to the Board the potential for two new programs: a Cross Connection Control
Program and an Industrial Pretreatment Program. He stated that the Union County
Water and Sewer District Board of Governors met earlier today to consider the penalties
and fees associated with these programs, and the Board of Governors authorized those
penalties and fees.
He said at this time the Board of Commissioners is responsible for adopting the
Ordinance language that applies to these programs and also the penalties and fees. He
stated that staff has made that presentation previously to the Board of Commissioners
regarding the Ordinance requirements. Mr. Matthews explained that there are penalties
and fees for the enforcement of the Cross-Connection Control Program which have
seven tiers beginning with a Notice of Deficiency to the termination of service if it gets to
the point where they are ignoring the issues. He added there are also some program
fees which include an inspection fee for the commercial and industrial users, a plan
review fee, as well as a program orientation fee.
He stated for the Industrial Pretreatment Program there are seven tiers of fines and
penalties which range from a Notice of Deficiency to Tier 7 which could be as much as
$25,000. Mr. Matthews said these fines are consistent with the State's model of fines
and penalties.
Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes August 1, 2022
Action: Commissioner Simpson moved to (a) Adopt the Ordinance Amending Article
Ill of Chapter 34 of the Union County Code, and (2) approve the penalties
set forth in this ordinance, as adopted by the Union County Water and
Sewer District. The motion passed unanimously by the following vote:
Chairman Rape Aye
Vice Chairman Williams Aye
Commissioner Helms Aye
Commissioner Rushing Aye
Commissioner Simpson Aye
For a copy of the Ordinance, see Exhibit "D" attached hereto, incorporated
herein by reference and made a part of the official minutes.
Exhibit "D" to the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 1, 2022
ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 34 OF THE UNION COUNTY
CODE
WHEREAS, the Union County Board of County Commissioners (the "Board")
heretofore enacted certain ordinances related to Union County's water and wastewater utility
system, particularly an ordinance related to use of Union County's sewer infrastructure which is
now codified in Article III of Chapter 34 of the Union County Code ("Sewer Use Ordinance");
and
WHEREAS, the Sewer Use Ordinance sets forth uniform requirements for direct and
indirect contributors into the wastewater collection and treatment system for Union County and
enables Union County to comply with applicable state and federal laws related to such
wastewater system use; and
WHEREAS, the Sewer Use Ordinance assists with the objectives of preventing the
introduction of pollutants into the wastewater collection and treatment system which interfere
with the operations of the system, promoting reuse and recycling of industrial wastewater and
sludges from the system, protecting the general public,and serving other utility-based and public
purposes;and
WHEREAS, the update and revisions to the Sewer Use Ordinance provided by this
ordinance will allow for local utility regulation of the users of the wastewater collection and
treatment system related to certain direct and indirect contributors into the system; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of Union County and
its residents to amend Article III as hereinafter set forth.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Union County Board of
Commissioners as follows:
1. The Union County Code is hereby amended by replacing the existing Article III of
Chapter 34 of the Union County Code in its entirety with the language for such Article III
as shown on Exhibit A attached to this ordinance.
2. This ordinance is effective September 1, 2022.
Adopted this /Stday of ,9U0►/, , 2022.
Dennis Rape
Chairman, Union County Board of Commissioners
(to/
UNIONCOUNTY
WATER
Record of Council approval can be viewed at https://www.voutube.com/watch?v=TTBzgTCoXW8 .
Minutes 40:50 to 43:25 are applicable to the approval of the IPP SUO update.
A hardcopy of the SUO revision and associated documentation with approved minutes will be submitted
to NCDEQ after the Union County Board of Commissioners Approves the minutes from the August 1,
2022 meeting during the September, 2022 meeting.
Union County Water
500 North Main Street,Suite 400
Monroe, NC 28112
T 704.296.4210
unioncountync.gov/water
Union County requested review of the draft prior to adoption in February and March of 2021. The
communication between DEQ and Union County is included below.
From: Kate Fleming
Sent:Thursday, March 4, 2021 5:23 PM
To: 'Litzenberger, Kristin S' <Kristin.Litzenberger@ncdenr.gov>
Subject: FW: [External] Request; Draft SUO Revision Review
Kristin,
Please see the responses below from Ben Isley, Union County's Legal Counsel, who
has helped prepare the modified SUO.
Regarding severability, this language was not included in the SUO Article of the
Code because we already have a similar severability provision which applies
throughout the Union County Code, including the Article into which the SUO is
codified (as Ms. Litzenberger notes may be a possibility below). This provision is
found in Section 1-4 of the Code. Per DEQ's request, I have pasted the language
of this section of the Code at the bottom of the e-mail for their review. It may also
be accessed online at the following link:
https://library.municode.com/nc/union county/codes/code of ordinances?nodeId=
UNCOCO CH1GEPR.
As to the second issue regarding the conflict provision, this language was
intentionally left out of our proposed draft. My concern is that the conflict language
suggested in the model SUO could be construed broadly and it will inadvertently
have an effect on some other ordinance or part of the Code which deals with
permitting, ordinance penalties, wastewater, or some other tangential issue. This
could result in arguably repealing or invalidating such ordinance language. I will
note I am not aware of any conflicts, but my concern is that I am not thinking of
something that could become an issue later. I would argue that as it relates to
wastewater pretreatment and sewer use, the SUO Article of the Code is more
specific and will clearly govern as it relates to those issues. I would prefer just to
rely on that general statutory interpretation principle, rather than the model SUO
conflict language. Is that language something that is absolutely required as part of
the SUO by DEQ (i.e. they will not approve it without some form of this conflict
language)? If that is the case, then we can work on adding something, but I would
like them to at least hear this concern before doing so.
Thanks,
Ben
Sec. 1-4. - Severability.
SHARE LINK TO SECTIONPRINT SECTIONDOWNLOAD (DOCX) OF SECTIONSEMAIL
SECTION
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the board of commissioners that the sections,
paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Code are severable, and if any phrase,
clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this Code is declared unconstitutional, unenforceable, or
invalid by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such
unconstitutionality, unenforceability, or invalidity shall not affect any of the remaining phrases,
clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this Code, since the same would have been
enacted by the board of commissioners without the incorporation in this Code of any such
unconstitutional, unenforceable, or invalid phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.
Ben Isley
Senior Staff Attorney
T 704.283.3766
benjamin.isley(a�unioncountync.gov
www.unioncountync.gov
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission has been sent by an attorney. It may contain
information that is confidential, privileged, proprietary, or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If you
are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy
or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error,
please delete this message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify
the sender immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender to waive
any privilege, including the attorney-client privilege,that may attach to this communication. Thank you for
your cooperation.
From: Kate Fleming
Sent:Thursday, March 4, 2021 11:27 AM
To: Andy Neff<andy.neff@unioncountync.gov>
Cc: Bart Farmer<bart.farmer@unioncountync.gov>; Josh Brooks<Josh.Brooks@unioncountync.gov>;
Benjamin Isley<beniamin.isles@unioncountync.gov>
Subject: FW: [External] Request; Draft SUO Revision Review
Andy,
Please see the comments from Kristin Litzenberger with DEQ in the attached email thread. The
following are the Sections Kristin has noted as not being included:
SECTION 12-SEVERABILITY
If any provision, paragraph, word, section or article of this ordinance is invalidated by any court of
competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions, paragraphs, words, sections, and chapters shall not be
affected and shall continue in full force and effect.
SECTION 13-CONFLICT
All other ordinances and parts of other ordinances inconsistent or conflicting with any part of this
ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency or conflict.
Once these additions, along with the addition of Phosphorus to the table in Section 34-109 are included,
the SUO Modifications should be ready for approval by the BOCC. At that time I will resubmit those
pages to Krisitn as requested in the email below. I have included the 2011 SUO Model for reference.
Kate Fleming
Industrial Pretreatment Program Manager
Union County
.--e* O& Public Works
8299 Kensington Drive
* t
Waxhaw, NC 28173
A - C 980-425-0735
ry AR° Kate.FlemingQunioncountync.gov
www.unioncountync.gov
From: Litzenberger, Kristin S [mailto:Kristin.Litzenberger(Jncdenr.gov]
Sent:Thursday, March 4, 2021 10:45 AM
To: Kate Fleming<Kate.Fleming@unioncountync.gov>
Subject: RE: [External] Request; Draft SUO Revision Review
WARNING: This email originated outside of our organization.
DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe.
Hi Kate,
I have reviewed the SUO and have only a couple of questions:
1) Section 12—Severability and Section 13—Conflict from the model SUO are missing in your
version. Are these two sections covered elsewhere in another Article? If so, please send those
pages for review.
2) Please fill out the attached checklist when you submit the final SUO so we have a record of what
was changed from the model SUO.
Thanks,
Kristin Litzenberger
Environmental Specialist
Municipal Permitting Unit
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental Quality
919-707-3699
kristin.litzenberger@ncdenr.gov
Nothing Compares..-.,.
Based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Environmental Quality has
adjusted operations to protect the health and safety of the staff and public. Many employees are working remotely
or on staggered shifts.
Please check with the appropriate staff before visiting our offices, as we may be able to handle your requests by
phone or email. We can also provide "in person"discussions via Teams or WebEx if requested. We appreciate your
continued patience as we continue to serve the public during this challenging time.
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be
disclosed to third parties.
From: Kate Fleming [mailto:Kate.Fleming@unioncountvnc.gov]
Sent:Thursday, February 25, 2021 10:17 AM
To: Litzenberger, Kristin S<Kristin.Litzenberger@ncdenr.gov>
Subject: RE: [External] Request; Draft SUO Revision Review
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify.Send all suspicious email as an
attachment to Report Spam.
Hey Kristin,
If by the end of next week is possible, that would be preferred. If circumstances arise where the review
needs to be pushed out further, if you could just let me know I would appreciate it. Again, thank you so
much for your time and quick responses. —Kate Fleming
From: Litzenberger, Kristin S [mailto:Kristin.Litzenberger@ncdenr.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 4:53 PM
To: Kate Fleming<Kate.Fleming@unioncountvnc.gov>
Subject: RE: [External] Request; Draft SUO Revision Review
WARNING: This email originated outside of our organization.
DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe.
Hi Kate,
I will pull the SUO review for Union County up in our queue of projects and will have something back to
you in a week or so unless you need something sooner.
Thanks,
Kristin Litzenberger
Environmental Specialist
Municipal Permitting Unit
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental Quality
919-707-3699
kristin.litzenbergerCa ncdenr.gov
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Based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Environmental Quality has
adjusted operations to protect the health and safety of the staff and public. Many employees are working remotely
or on staggered shifts.
Please check with the appropriate staff before visiting our offices, as we may be able to handle your requests by
phone or email. We can also provide "in person"discussions via Teams or WebEx if requested. We appreciate your
continued patience as we continue to serve the public during this challenging time.
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be
disclosed to third parties.
From: Kate Fleming [mailto:Kate.Fleming@unioncountync.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 2:44 PM
To: Litzenberger, Kristin S<Kristin.Litzenberger@ncdenr.gov>
Subject: RE: [External] Request; Draft SUO Revision Review
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify.Send all suspicious email as an
attachment to Report Spam.
Hi Kristin,
I have been asked to follow-up with you to see when the review of the drafted SUO for Union County
might be complete. A discussion with the Union County Board of Commissioners is coming up soon and
we were hoping to be able to include that the draft had been approved by NCDEQ. Any indication of
when the review may be completed would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and
willingness to look over the document. —Kate Fleming
From: Litzenberger, Kristin S [mailto:Kristin.Litzenberger@ncdenr.gov]
Sent:Thursday, February 11, 2021 11:26 AM
To: Kate Fleming<Kate.Fleming@unioncountync.gov>; Montebello, Michael J
<Michael.Montebello@ncdenr.gov>
Cc: Benjamin Isley<beniamin.isley@unioncountync.gov>
Subject: RE: [External] Request; Draft SUO Revision Review
WARNING: This email originated outside of our organization.
DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe.
Hello,
Acknowledging receipt of the draft SUO, Article Ill revision for Union County Public Works.
We will let you know if we have any questions or concerns during our review.
Thanks,
Kristin Litzenberger
Environmental Specialist
Municipal Permitting Unit
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental Quality
919-707-3699
kristin.litzenberger@ncdenr.gov
.y . Nothing Comparc's ,.0
•
Based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Environmental Quality has
adjusted operations to protect the health and safety of the staff and public. Many employees are working remotely
or on staggered shifts.
Please check with the appropriate staff before visiting our offices, as we may be able to handle your requests by
phone or email. We can also provide "in person"discussions via Teams or WebEx if requested. We appreciate your
continued patience as we continue to serve the public during this challenging time.
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be
disclosed to third parties.
From: Kate Fleming [mailto:Kate.Fleming@unioncountync.gov]
Sent:Thursday, February 11, 2021 10:34 AM
To: Montebello, Michael J <Michael.Montebello@ncdenr.gov>; Litzenberger, Kristin S
<Kristin.Litzenberger@ncdenr.gov>
Cc: Benjamin Isley<benjamin.islet'@unioncountync.gov>
Subject: [External] Request; Draft SUO Revision Review
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify.Send all suspicious email as an
attachment to Report Spam.
Mr. Montebello,
On behalf of Union County Public Works, we are requesting that NCDEQ review the attached drafted
SUO, Article III revision for any additions or issues that would cause the draft to not be approved upon
submission of a complete packet for Industrial Pretreatment Program Approval. If there are any issues
or concerns, please send the comments to Ben Isley (copied) and myself. Thank you!
Kate Fleming
Industrial Pretreatment Program Manager
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Section IV
•
Union County Water
500 North Main Street,Suite
400
Monroe, NC 28112
T 704.296.4210
unioncountync.gov/wat
UNIONCOUNTY
north carolina
August 4, 2022
Mr. Keyes McGee
NPDES Municipal Permitting Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Re: Sewer Use Ordinance and Sewer Use Checklist for Union County, NC
Dear Mr. McGee:
I hereby certify that I am a Senior Staff Attorney employed by Union County,
North Carolina. I certify that I have reviewed the Union County Sewer Use
Ordinance, as adopted by the Union County Board of Commissioners on August 1,
2022 (captioned as "Ordinance Amending Article III of Chapter 34 of the Union
County Code"). I have also reviewed the sewer use ordinance checklist posted on
the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality website (at the following
web address: https://dea.nc.gov/water-quality/surface-water-protection/peres/main-
pretreatment/nc-suo-checklist-8-2011/download). In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H
.0906(b)(1) and 40 CFR 403.9(b)(1), Union County has adequate legal authority to
carry out the pretreatment program set forth in the Union County Sewer Use
Ordinance. The Union County Sewer Use Ordinance also meets approval as to legal
form.
If you have any questions concerning this letter, please feel free to contact
me. I may be reached by telephone at (704) 283-3766, or via e-mail at
beniamin.isley@unioncountync.gov.
Sincerely,
enjamin T. Isley
Senior Staff Attorney
cc:
Andy Neff, Water and Wastewater Division Director
Office of Legal Counsel
500 N.Main St.,Suite 925
Monroe, NC 28112
unioncountync.gov