NC0090026_Draft Permit_20230110

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
David Price, Director of Utilities
Town of Surf City
PO Box 2475
Surf City, NC 28445
Dear Mr. Price
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
January 10, 2023
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0090026
Surf City WTP
Grade I Physical Chemical WPCS
Pender County
The Division has reviewed your request for an individual NPDES permit. Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the
draft permit for your facility. Please review this draft carefully to ensure your thorough understanding of the
information, conditions, and requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant proposed limitations, monitoring and reporting
requirements:
➢ Effluent limitations and monitoring requirements are outlined in Section A. (1) of the draft permit. The
proposed discharge has numeric and/or narrative limitations on pH, total suspended solids, total residual
chlorine. Monitoring will be required for flow, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and other
pollutants of concern.
➢ Water treatment plants utilizing ion exchange technology are required to perform whole effluent toxicity
(WET) testing. As detailed in Section A. (2) of the draft permit, chronic toxicity testing will be required
on a quarterly basis as a pass/fail limit. Based on the results of the CORMIX model prepared by
Groundwater Management Associates, Inc., WET testing will be performed at an effluent concentration
of 4.72%.
➢ Additional effluent monitoring will be required no later than 2 years after the commencement of
discharge as specified in Section A. (3).
➢ Instream sampling location requirements have been outlined in Section A. (4).
➢ 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. The requirement to begin reporting discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's
Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet application is outlined in Section A. (5) of the
draft permit. Facility owners must register to use the eDMR system and can find the registration forms on
our website at the following link: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr/user-
registration
Please note that Topsail Sound is listed as an impaired waterbody on the North Carolina 303(d) Impaired Waters
List. Addressing impaired waters is a high priority with the Division, and instream data will continue to be
evaluated. If there is noncompliance with permitted effluent limits and stream impairment can be attributed to
your facility, then mitigative measures may be required.
NORTH CAROLINAD_ E
Oeperbnent of Environmental Quality
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919.707.9000

Page 2 of 2
NPDES Permit NC0090026
DRAFT Permit
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 latest version is available at https://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx and can be viewed
online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice in
newspapers having circulation in the general Pender County area, per EPA requirements. Please provide your
comments, if any, to me at the address below no later than 30 days after receiving this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning the draft, please contact me at
919-707-3712, or via e-mail at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Sydney Carpenter
Environmental Specialist I
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting
cc: NPDES File [Laserfiche]
Wilmington Regional Office [Laserfiche]
Operator Certification Program
Aquatic Toxicology Unit
DMF/Shellfish Sanitation
US Fish and Wildlife Service
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Highfill Infrastructure Engineering, P.C. — Vance Brooks, P.E.
Highfill Infrastructure Engineering, P.C. — Kevin Hancock, E.I.

Permit NC0090026
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 Surf City
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Surf City WTP
102 H2o P1
Surf City
Pender County
to receiving waters designated as Topsail Sound in subbasin 03-05-05 of the White Oak 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 10

Permit NC0090026
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby revoked,
and as of this 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 Surf City
is hereby authorized to:
1. Upon completion of construction of the new treatment components, and notification to the
Division of Water Resources before start-up, operate a greensand water treatment plant with a
discharge of softener brine wastewater from ion exchange units. This water treatment plant has a
design potable flowrate of 2.6 MGD and an estimated wastewater discharge of approximately
0.071 MGD. This facility is located at the Surf City WTP on 102 H2o P1 in Surf City, Pender
County. Water treatment includes the following existing components:
• Flow meter
• Aerator
• Filter influent wet well w/ pumps
• Manganese greensand filters
• Cation exchange softener
• Clearwell (finished water)
• Backwash waste basin
• Brine waste basin
• Chemical usage consists of:
o Sodium permanganate
o Sodium hypochlorite
o Sodium chloride
o Ammonium sulfate
o Zinc orthophosphate
o Chloramines
o Dechlorination
Proposed new treatment components for the softener brine waste discharge include the
following:
• Flow meter
• Wet well w/ pumps
• Dechlorination
• Force main w/ effluent diffuser
2. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001 at the location specified on the attached
map into the Topsail Sound [Stream Segment: 18-87-10], a waterbody currently classified SA;
HQW in subbasin 03-05-05 [HUC: 030203020403] of the White Oak River Basin.
Page 2 of 10

Permit NC0090026
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]
Beginning with the effective date of this 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:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
[eDMR Code]
EFFLUENT LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location
Flow (MGD) [50050]
Monitor & Report
2/Month
Instantaneous
Effluent
Duration of Discharge (Hours) [81381]
Monitor & Report
2/Month
Instantaneous
Effluent
Salinity (ppth) [00480]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Salinity (ppth) [00480]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Grab
U & D
Conductivity (pmhos/cm) [00094]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Conductivity (pmhos/cm) [00094]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Grab
U & D
pH [00400]
> 6.8 and < 8.5 standard units
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
pH [00400]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Grab
U & D
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) [00300]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Grab
Effluent,
U & D
Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) [C0530]
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
2/Month
Composite
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine (pg/L)3 [50060]
13.0 pg/L
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) [70295]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Turbidity (NTU) [00070]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Grab
Effluent
Total Copper (tag/L) [01042]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Chloride (mg/L) [00940]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Lead (tag/L) [01051]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Zinc (tag/L) [01092]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Manganese (tag/L) [01055]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/L) [C0610]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Nitrogen (mg/L) [C0600]
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus (mg/L) [C0665]
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Page 3 of 10

Permit NC0090026
Whole Effluent Toxicity [TGP3E]
Monitoring 4
Pass/Fail
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Total Arsenic (fag/L) [01002]
Monitor & Report
Annually
Composite
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the NC DWR's eDMR
application system [see Section A. (5)].
2. See Section A. (4) for instream sampling locations.
3. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/1 to be in compliance with the
permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina
certified laboratory (including field certified), even if these values fall below 50 µg/l.
4. Chronic WET Pass/Fail (Mysidopsis bahia) at 4.72% effluent during the months of January, April,
July, and October. [see Section A. (2)].
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN
OTHER THAN TRACE AMOUNTS.
A. (2) CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY)
[15A NCAC 02B .0500 et seq.]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of growth or significant
mortality to Mysidopsis bahia at an effluent concentration of 4.72%.
The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, quarterly monitoring using procedures described
below to establish compliance with the permit condition. The tests will be performed during the
months of January, April, July, and October. These months signify the first month of each
three-month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent sampling for this testing must
be obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted
final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a failure or
ChV below the permit limit, then multiple -concentration testing shall be performed (at a
minimum) in each of the two following months. as described in EPA Method 1007.0, Mysid,
Mysidopsis bahia, Survival, Growth, and Fecundity Test, as described in Short -Term Methods
for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Marine and Estuarine
Organisms, Third Edition, EPA821-R-02-014, October 2002.
The test procedure will be based on EPA Method 1007.0, Mysid, Mysidopsis bahia, Survival,
Growth, and Fecundity Test, as described in Short -Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic
Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Marine and Estuarine Organisms, Third Edition,
EPA-821-R-02-014, The procedure will be performed as written with the following exceptions:
• The test treatments will consist of a control and 4.72% effluent concentration
("pass/fail,") or a control and five effluent concentrations, one of which will be
4.72% and one of which will be 2.36%.
• Mortality for pass/fail tests will be evaluated using the t test described in Section
11.3 in Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents to Freshwater and
Page 4of10

Permit NC0090026
Marine Organisms, Fifth Edition. EPA-821-R-02-012, October 2002, applying an
alpha level of 0.05.
• The growth endpoint for pass/fail tests will be determined using Appendix G of
Short -Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving
Waters to Marine and Estuarine Organisms, Third Edition, EPA-821-R-02-014,
October 2002, applying an alpha level of 0.01.
• Mortality and growth endpoints for multiple -concentration tests will be determined
using hypothesis testing as described in EPA Method 1007.0, Mysid, Mysidopsis
bahia, Survival, Growth, and Fecundity Test, as described in Short -Term Methods
for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Marine and
Estuarine Organisms, Third Edition, EPA-821-R-02-014, October 2002.
• Fecundity will not be evaluated.
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. For pass/fail
results, report using the parameter code TGP3E and for reporting Chronic Value results use the
parameter code THP3E. Additionally, DWR Form AT-4 (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.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina
Page 5 of 10

Permit NC0090026
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 growth, 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) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF DISCHARGE
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.21(k)(5)(vi), no later than 2 years after the commencement of
discharge from the proposed facility the applicant is required to complete and submit Tables A, B,
and C of NPDES application Form 2C. Please note that all data generated must be reported to the
approved detection level or lower reporting level of the procedure. Practical Quantitation Limit
levels can be found on the DWR website at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-
resources/water-resources-data/water-sciences-home-page/microbiology-inorganics-
branch/methods-pqls-qa. Two copies of Tables A, B, and C of NPDES application Form 2C shall be
submitted to:
Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Permitting Branch / NPDES
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1621
A. (4) INSTREAM SAMPLE LOCATIONS
[15A NCAC 02B .0500 et sect]
The Permittee shall collect grab samples at the designated locations and frequency during a
continuous discharge event after a minimum of 1 hour of continuous discharge has occurred. Effort
should be made to collect the sample several feet below the surface water level or at the median
water depth of the sound at the point at which the sample is being taken. Every effort should be
made to replicate the same sample location and depth each time instream samples are taken. To
provide a point of comparison the required effluent grab sample should be collected at the same
time.
In accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0505(c)(4), stream sampling may be discontinued when flow
conditions or extreme weather conditions could result in injury or death of the person(s) collecting
the samples. In such cases, on each day that sampling is discontinued, written justification for the
discontinuance shall be specified in the monitoring report for the month in which the event
occurred. This provision also applies to influent and effluent sampling.
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Permit NC0090026
16 feet 16 feet
Upstream - U > D - Downstream
90°
NO SCALE
"U" and "D" Mark the sample
locations
Location Description:
U = upstream (north of diffuser) at least 16 feet, perpendicular to diffuser
D = downstream (south of diffuser) at least 16 feet, perpendicular to diffuser
Center of Diffuser
Pipe
DISCHARGE LINE
80 ft from shoreline
A. (5) ELECTRONIC REPORTING - 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.
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Permit NC0090026
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the
facility being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have
broadband access, then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements
may be granted and discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1,
1.1, 2, 3) or alternative forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be
submitted to the following address:
NC DEQ / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month
and reported via the eDMR system no later than the last calendar day of the month following the
completed reporting period. Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the
last day of the month following the issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the
last day of the month following the commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21, 2025, the permittee must electronically report the following
compliance monitoring data and reports, when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see "How to Request
a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
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
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Permit NC0090026
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section
above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain
an electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver
request to the Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted
in writing to the Division for written approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the
facility would be required under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports.
The duration of a temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At
such time, monitoring data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless
the permittee re -applies for and is granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the
Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an
approved reporting waiver request may submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the
Division for the period that the approved reporting waiver request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found
on the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.)
(d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in
Part II, Section B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in
Part II, Section B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority
for eDMR reporting purposes.
For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user
account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North
Carolina's eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please
visit the following web page:
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."
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Permit NC0090026
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 10 of 10

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS,
FAO, NPS, NRCAN, G oBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri
Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and
the GIS Use/Communi y
Surf City WTP
NPDES Permit NC0090026
Receiving Stream: Topsail Sound
Longitude: 77° 32' 58" W
Latitude: 34° 25' 51" N
HUC: 030203020403
Stream Index: 18-87-10
River Basin: White Oak
Sub -Basin: 03-05-05
Stream Class: SA; HQW