NC0025135_Final Permit_20221212

DocuSign Envelope ID: DBBO3C7B-E5F1-47A4-AF32-E0760BB40343
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Mr. Lee Huffman, Manager
Huffman Finishing Company
P.O. Box 170
Granite Falls, North Carolina 28630
Dear Mr. Huffman:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
December 12, 2022
Subject: Final NPDES Permit
Permit NC0025135
Huffman Finishing Company
Caldwell County
Facility Class II
The Division of Water Resources is forwarding herewith the Final Permit for Huffman Finishing
Company. This permit renewal is issued pursuant to the requirements of North Carolina General
Statute 143-215.1 and the Memorandum of Agreement between North Carolina and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency dated October 15, 2007 (or as subsequently amended).
The Final Permit contains the following significant changes from your Draft Permit:
• The requirement to repair the outfall pipe was added to the Final Permit to address the
colored plume issue and in response to the Public Comments.
The Final Permit maintains the following significant changes contained in the Draft
Permit:
1. The electronic DMR requirement language was updated.
2. The WET language was updated.
3. The effluent limitations requirements for BOD5, TSS, COD, total chromium, sulfide, and
phenol were recalculated based on the current production.
If any parts, measurement frequencies, or sampling requirements contained in this permit are
unacceptable to you, you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty
(30) days following receipt of this letter. This request must be in the form of a written petition,
conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the office of
Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6714. Unless such
a demand is made, this permit shall be final and binding.
Please note that this permit is not transferable except after notice to the Division. The Division may
require modification or revocation and reissuance of the permit. This permit does not affect the legal
requirements to obtain other permits which may be required by the Division of Water Resources or
any other Federal, State, or Local governmental regulations.
GDEQ�i
NORTH CAROLINA
oep.m.m oremrnment Qualm
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: DBBO3C7B-E5F1-47A4-AF32-E0760BB40343
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Sergei Chernikov, telephone
number [phone] or email: [e-mail].
cc: Central Files
NPDES Files
Asheville Regional Office/Water Quality
WSS/Aquatic Toxicology Unit (e-copy)
EPA Region IV (e-copy)
D_E
NORTH CAROLINA
gaparhneM of Environment,/quay
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
�bl alS w POW16u
'-57287E56E81A40D...
Richard E. Rogers, Jr., Director
Division of Water Resources
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD9397C8-F898-4E32-A75A-783205EBCFD6
Permit NC0025135
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
In compliance with the provision of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1,
other lawful standards and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental
Management Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
Huffman Finishing Company, Inc.
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at
4919 Hickory Boulevard
southeast of Granite Falls
Caldwell County
to receiving waters designated as the Catawba River (Lake Hickory) in the
Catawba River Basin in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and
other applicable conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective January 1, 2023.
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on
Signed this day December 12, 2022.
,-DocuSigned by
�bl S w POWkit,
57287C56C81A4OD...
Richard E. Rogers Jr., Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD9397C8-F898-4E32-A75A-783205EBCFD6
Permit NC0025135
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked. As of this permit issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer
effective. Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the
permit conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions included herein.
Huffman Finishing Company, Inc. is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.250 MGD wastewater treatment facility consisting of the
following components:
➢ Vibrate screen
➢ Flow equalization basin with four floating aerators
➢ Lift pumps
➢ Oxidation ditch
➢ Circular clarifier
➢ Sludge recirculation pumps
➢ Chlorine contact tank
➢ Ultrasonic flow measurement
➢ Chemical dechlorination
➢ Cascade post aeration
➢ Aerobic sludge digester
➢ Sludge holding lagoon
➢ Sludge drying beds
➢ Auxiliary power
The facility is located at Huffman Finishing Company Wastewater Treatment Plant, at 4919
Hickory Boulevard, southeast of Granite Falls, Caldwell County.
2. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into the
Catawba River (Lake Hickory), which are classified WS-IV, B; CA waters in the Catawba River
Basin.
Page 2 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD9397C8-F898-4E32-A75A-783205EBCFD6
Permit NC0025135
PART I
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning upon the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is
authorized to discharge treated wastewater from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by
the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly Average
Daily Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location
Flow
0.250 MGD
Continuous
Recorder
Influent or
Effluent
BOD, 5 day, 20°C
68.8 pounds/day
137.5 pounds/day
2 /Week
Composite
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids
299.8 pounds/day
599.5 pounds/day
2 /Week
Composite
Effluent
COD
825.0 pounds/day
1650.0 pounds/day
2 /Week
Composite
Effluent
Fecal Coliform (geometric
mean)
200/100 mL
400/100mL
2 /Week
Grab
Effluent
pH
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
2 /Week
Grab
Effluent
Temperature
2 /Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Chromium
1.4 pounds/day
2.8 pounds/day
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
Sulfides
2.8 pounds/day
5.5 pounds/day
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Phenols
1.4 pounds/day
2.8 pounds/day
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorines
28.0 µg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Total Silver
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Nitrogen
(NOa + NO3 + TKN)
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Chronic Toxicity2
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Notes:
1. The TRC limit and monitoring requirements apply only if chlorine is used for disinfection. The facility shall report all
effluent TRC values reported by a NC certified laboratory including field certified. However, effluent values below 50
µg/L will be treated as zero for compliance purposes.
2. Chronic toxicity (Ceriodaphnia dubia) P/F@ 0.96%; March, June, September, and December. See Special Conditions
A. (2.) of the Supplement to Effluent Limitations.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or foam in other than trace amounts.
The facility shall complete repairs of the outfall pipe within one year of the permit issuance.
Part I, Page 3 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD9397C8-F898-4E32-A75A-783205EBCFD6
Permit NC0025135
A. (2.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY)
[15A NCAC 02B .0200 et seq.]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality to
Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 0.96%.
The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, quarterly monitoring using test procedures outlined in the
"North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," (Revised December 2010, or subsequent
versions) or "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised December
2010, or subsequent versions). The tests will be performed during the months of March, June, September,
and December. These months signify the first month of each three-month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the
facility. Effluent sampling for this testing must be obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall be
performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a failure or ChV below the
permit limit, then multiple -concentration testing shall be performed at a minimum, in each of the two
following months as described in "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test
Procedure" (Revised -December 2010, or subsequent versions).
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered electronically using the
Division's eDMR system for the months in which tests were performed, using the parameter code TGP3B for the
pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value. Additionally, DWR Form AT-3 (original) is to be sent to the
following address:
North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
Or, results can be sent to the email, [e-mail].
Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later than 30 days after
the end of the reporting period for which the report is made.
Test data shall be complete, accurate, include all supporting chemical/physical measurements and all
concentration/response data, and be certified by laboratory supervisor and ORC or approved designate signature.
Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for
disinfection of the waste stream.
Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required,
the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the
facility name, permit number, pipe number, county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of "No
Flow" in the comment area of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences Section at the
address cited above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, monitoring will be
required during the following month. Assessment of toxicity compliance is based on the toxicity testing quarter,
which is the three-month time interval that begins on the first day of the month in which toxicity testing is
required by this permit and continues until the final day of the third month.
Part I, Page 4 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD9397C8-F898-4E32-A75A-783205EBCFD6
Permit NC0025135
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of
Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re -opened and modified to
include alternate monitoring requirements or limits.
NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control organism
survival, minimum control organism reproduction, and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an
invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month
following the month of the initial monitoring.
A. (3.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and program reports.
The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on December 21, 2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this permit
(Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D. (6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (a)1
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic
Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and submitted
electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter monitoring data and
submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be accessed at:
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility being
physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband access, then a
temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted and discharge
monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1.1, 2, 3) or alternative forms approved by
the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the following address:
NC DEQ / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last day of the month following the
issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day of the month following the
commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21, 2025, the permittee must electronically report the following compliance
monitoring data and reports, when applicable:
Part I, Page 5 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD9397C8-F898-4E32-A75A-783205EBCFD6
Permit NC0025135
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see "How to Request a Waiver
from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time of each
electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify the initial recipient
for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity (EPA or
the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program) that is the designated entity for receiving
electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for each type
of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate electronic
reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule is found at:
http s: //www. federalregister. gov/documents/2015/ 10/22/2015-24954/national-pollutant-discharge-
elimination-system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an electronic
reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to the Division.
Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to the Division for written
approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the facility would be required under this permit to begin
submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years and
shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the
Division unless the permittee re -applies for and is granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the
Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved
reporting waiver request may submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that
the approved reporting waiver request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on the
following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II, Section
B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section B. (11.)(b). A
person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting purposes.
Part I, Page 6 of 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD9397C8-F898-4E32-A75A-783205EBCFD6
Permit NC0025135
For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user account and
login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North Carolina's eDMR system,
registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system shall make the
following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION WILL BE
ACCEPTED:
"I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or
supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and
evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or
those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of
my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for
submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)1
The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions. These
records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report. This period
may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41].
Part I, Page 7 of 7