NC0083712_Draft Permit_20230110

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
Honorable John Chandler
Mayor, Town of Mars Hill
PO Box 368
Mars Hill, NC 28754-0368
January 10, 2023
Subject: DRAFT NPDES PERMIT NC0083712
Mars Hill WTP
Grade I Physical -Chemical Water Treatment Facility
[15A NCAC 08G .0306]
Madison County
Dear Mayor Chandler:
Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the draft permit for your facility. Please review the draft very carefully
to ensure thorough understanding of the conditions and requirements it contains. Your permit is among
several in the French Broad River Basin that the Division has targeted for expedited renewal.
This draft contains the following changes from the existing permit:
• Updated Section A. (4.) to be consistent with current federal requirements for electronic reporting
The NPDES standard conditions (Parts II, III, and IV) that are a part of the permit are not included in this
draft document (cover, map, and Part I). The conditions are the same as in your current permit. The latest
version is available at https://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice
in newspapers having circulation in the general Madison County area, per EPA requirements. Please
provide your comments, if any, to me no later than 30 days after receiving this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning the draft, please contact
me via email at [[e-mail].
ec: NPDES files
Asheville Regional Office
Aquatic Toxicology
1:tE
NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Environmental Duali�
Sincerely,
Emily Richards
Environmental Specialist II
NPDES Program
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

NPDES Permit NC0083712
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
In compliance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards
and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the
Town of Mars Hill
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Town of Mars Hill Water Treatment Plant (WTP)
2085 Water Shed Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754
Madison County
to receiving waters designated as North Fork Big Laurel Creek in the French Broad River Basin, in
accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I,
II, III and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on July 31, 2027.
Signed this day
Richard E. Rogers, Jr., Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0083712
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are
hereby revoked. As of this permit issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is
no longer effective. Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility
arises under the permit conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions included herein.
Town of Mars Hill
is hereby authorized to:
1. continue to operate a wastewater treatment system utilizing conventional water treatment
plant technology [coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration] with a maximum,
monthly average wastewater discharge of 0.025 MGD from media filter backwash and
sedimentation basins with a design potable flowrate of 0.80 MGD and with wastewater
treatment consisting of;
• dechlorination
• wastewater treatment settling lagoon
located at the Town of Mars Hill WTP, 2085 Water Shed Road, Mars Hill, Madison County,
and
2. discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, at the location specified on the attached
map into North Fork Big Laurel Creek [6-112-1-(2)], a waterbody currently classified
C;ORW located within Subbasin 04-03-04 [HUC: 060101051001] of the French Broad River
Basin.
Page 2 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0083712
PART I
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Grade I Physical Chemical WPCS [15A NCAC 08G .0306]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge filter backwash from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited,
monitored and reported' by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT
CHARACTERISTIC
[PARAMETER CODES]
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS1
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location
Flow (MGD) 2
50050
2/Month
Instantaneous 2
or Estimate
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) (mg/1)
C0530
30 mg/1
45 mg/1
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
Turbidity (NTU) 3
00070
50 NTU
50 NTU
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
pH (su)
00400
Not < 6 0 or > 9.0
standard units
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine ()tg/1) 4
50060
28 µg/1
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
Total Zinc (µg/1) 5
01092
Quarterly
Grab
Effluent
Total Aluminum (µg/1)
01105
Quarterly
Grab
Effluent
Hardness - Total as
[CaCO3 or (Ca + Mg)] (mg/L) 5
00900
Quarterly
Grab
Effluent
Hardness - Total as
[CaCO3 or (Ca + Mg)] (mg/L) 6
00900
Quarterly
Grab
Upstream
Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/1)
C0610
Quarterly
Grab
Effluent
Chronic WET Testing 7
TGP3B
Quarterly
Grab
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. Submit Discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR system. See Condition A. (3.).
2. For instantaneous flow monitoring, the duration of the discharge must be reported in addition to the
total flow.
3. Turbidity — Effluent turbidity shall not cause receiving -stream turbidity to exceed 50 NTU. If background
turbidity naturally exceeds 50 NTU, the effluent shall not cause background turbidity to increase. Any discharge
exceeding this permit limit will require sufficient instream sampling (upstream and/or downstream) to verify
compliance (effluent vs. background)." [NCAC 02B. 0211(21)]
4. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the
permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina
certified laboratory (including field certified), even if these values fall below 50 µg/L.
5. Effluent hardness sampling should be performed in conjunction with sampling for hardness dependent metals
(zinc).
6. The Permittee shall sample instream hardness, upstream of the facility's discharge. The sample shall be
representative of the hardness in the receiving stream. If the Permittee is a member of the Monitoring Coalition
Program, sampling for instream hardness may be waived as long as the Monitoring Coalition agrees to sample
hardness at the nearest upstream location, at a minimum frequency of quarterly, and the Permittee has obtained
Page 3 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0083712
approval from DWR -NPDES Permitting Unit that the upstream station being monitored by the Coalition is
representative of the receiving stream for this discharge. The Permittee is responsible for submitting instream
hardness test results with its permit renewal application package. If Coalition membership is cancelled or the
Coalition terminates instream hardness sampling at the approved station, the Permittee will immediately notify
the Division and resume sampling for instream hardness, upstream of its discharge.
7. Chronic WET testing (Ceriodaphnia dubia) 7-day pass/fail test at 3.3% in January, April, July and October. See
Condition A. (2.).
Conditions:
• Samples shall be taken at the outfall but prior to mixing with the receiving waters.
• There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
A. (2.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL MONITORING ONLY (QUARTERLY)
[15A NCAC 02B .0500 et seq.]
The permittee shall conduct quarterly chronic toxicity tests using test procedures outlined in the "North Carolina
Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised December 2010, or subsequent versions.
The effluent concentration defined as treatment two in the procedure document is 3.3%. The testing shall be
performed as a Ceriodaphnia dubia 7-day pass/fail test. The tests will be performed during the months of
January, April, July and October. These months signify the first month of each three month toxicity testing
quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent sampling for this testing must be obtained during representative effluent
discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge
Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the month in which it was performed, using the parameter code TGP3B.
Additionally, DWR Form AT-1 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1621
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 and accurate and include all supporting chemical/physical measurements performed
in association with the toxicity tests, as well as all dose/response data. 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, then monthly
monitoring will begin immediately. Upon submission of a valid test, this monthly test requirement will revert to
quarterly in the months specified above.
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.
Page 4 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0083712
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:
Page 5 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0083712
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see "How to Request a
Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time of
each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify the
initial recipient for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity
(EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program) that is the designated entity
for receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for each
type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate
electronic reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting
Rule is found at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-24954/national-
pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an
electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to the
Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to the
Division for written approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the facility would be required
under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a temporary waiver
shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring data and reports shall be
submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re -applies for and is granted a new
temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers are not
transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request may submit monitoring data
and reports on paper to the Division for the period that the approved reporting waiver request is
effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on the
following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.)
(d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II,
Section B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section
B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting
purposes.
For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user
account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North Carolina's
Page 6 of 7

NPDES Permit NC0083712
eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following
web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system shall make
the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION
WILL BE ACCEPTED:
"I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my
direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel
properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons
who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the
information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am
aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of
fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)1
The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions.
These records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report.
This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41].
Page 7 of 7

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2085 Water Shed Road, Mars Hill 28754
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Receiving Stream: North Fork Big Laurel Creek Stream Class: C;ORW
Stream Segment: 6-112-1-(2) Sub -Basin #: 04-03-04
River Basin: French Broad HUC: 060101051001
County: Madison
SCALE
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35.938964° N,-82.495081° W
NC Grid: D9NW
USGS Quad: Bald Creek, NC