NC0000175_Issuance of Permit_19970122

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State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
January 22,1997
Mr. Carl Horvat
Unimin Corporation
P.O. Box 588
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
., �-4••
C) FE FR
Subject: NPDES Permit Issuance
Permit No. NC0000175
Quartz Operation
Mitchell County
Dear Mr. Horvat:
In accordance with the application for a discharge permit received on June 20, 1996, the Division is
forwarding herewith the subject NPDES permit. This permit is issued pursuant to the requirements of North
Carolina General Statute 143 -215.1 and the Memorandum of Agreement between North Carolina and the US
Environmental Protection Agency dated December 6,1983.
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, Post Office Drawer
27447, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 -7447. Unless such demand is made, this decision shall be final and
binding.
Please take notice this permit is not transferable. Part 1I, EA. addresses the requirements to be followed
in case of change in ownership or control of this discharge.
This permit does not affect the legal requirements to obtain other permits which may be required by the
Division of Water Quality or permits required by the Division of Land Resources, Coastal Area Management
Act or any other Federal or Local governmental permit that may be required.
If you have any questions concerning this permit, please contact Susan Wilson at telephone number (919)
733 -5083, extension 555.
Sincerely,
Original Signed BY
David A Goodrich
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Central Files
Asheville Regional Office
Mr. Roosevelt Childress, EPA
Permits and Engineering Unit
Facility Assessment Unit
Aquatic Survey & Toxicology Unit
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 -0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled / 10% post - consumer paper

Permit No. NC0000175a
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
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,
Unimin Corporation
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Quartz Operation
off NC Highway 226
Mitchell County
to receiving waters designated as the North Toe River 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.
The permit shall become effective March 1, 1997.
This permit and the authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on December 31, 2001.
Signed this day January 22, 1997.
Original Signed By
David A. Goodrich
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Mangement Commission

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Permit No. NC0000175
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
Unimin Corporation
Quartz Operation
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate a wastewater treatment plant for process wastewater from mineral
extraction consisting of dewatering cyclones, screw classifier, vacuum filters, alum, lime, and
polymer feed, Jadar solids removal system, stabilization ponds, pH adjustment, emergency
pond, mix/reactor tanks, thickener, multimedia filter, filter press, flow measurement located
at Unimin Quartz Operation, NC Highway 226, Spruce Pine, Mitchell County (See Part III of
this Permit), and
2. Discharge stormwater (Outfall 002) and wastewater (Outfall 001) from said treatment works
at the location specified on the attached map into the North Toe River which is classified a
Class C Trout waters in the French Broad River Basin.
All discharges shall be in accordance with the attached schedules:
Part L• Wastewater Monitoring, Controls and Limitations for Permitted Discharges
Part II: Stormwater Monitoring, Controls and Limitations for Permitted Discharges
Part III: Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits
Part IV: Annual Administering and Compliance Monitoring Fee Requirements
Part V: Limitations Reopener
This permit does not relieve the permittee from responsibility for compliance with any other
applicable federal, state or local law, rule, standard, ordinance, order, judgement or decree.

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ROAD CLASSIFICATION
PRIMARY HIGHWAY LIGHT -DUTY ROAD. HARD OR
HARD SURFACE IMPROVED SURFACE
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
HARD SURFACE EEw UNIMPROVED ROAD
Latitude 25055'98"
Map # D10NE
Stream Class
Discharge Class
Receiving Stream
Design 0 3.6 MG
Longitude 82006'11"
Sub -basin 04 -03 -06
C -trout
41
North Toe River
Permit expires 12/31/01
SCALE 1:24 000
0 1 MILE
0 7000 FEET
1 0 1 KILOMETER
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
QUAD LOCATION
Unimin Corporation
NCO000175
Mitchell County
Quartz Operation

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PART I
WASTEWATER MONITORING, CONTROLS AND LIMITATIONS FOR
PERTYu i i cV DISCHARGES
SECTION A• FINAL LIMITATIONS AND CONTROLS FOR WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
i
This permit shall be modified or revoked and reissued to incorporate toxicity limitations and
monitoring requirements in the event toxicity testing or other studies conducted on the effluent or
receiving waters indicate that detrimental effects may be expected in the receiving stream as a result of
this discharge.
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Part I Page I

A. (1). EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS FINAL
Permit No. NC0000175
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and tasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall(s) serial number
001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
Flow
Total Suspended Residue
Total Fluoride 2
Total Fluoride
Settleable Solids
Turbidity 3
pH4
Chloride 5
Chronic Toxicitv6
LIMITS
Monthly Weekly
Average Average
3.6 MGD
1320 Ibs/day
218.0 Ibs/day
109.0 Ibs/day
Notes:
Sample locations: E - Effluent, I - Influent, U - Upstream above the facility intake, D - Downstream at Penland Bridge. Instream samples shall be grab samples
and shall be conducted 31week.
2 The total fluoride limit of 109 Ibs/day shall be met upon the completion of the tertiary treatment system and startup of Unimin discharge NPDES No.
NC0000361. Unimin shall inform the Asheville Regional Office at the time of discharge.
3 The discharge shall not cause the turbidity of the receiving water to exceed 10 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds these levels due to natural background
conditions, the discharge level cannot cuase any increase in the turbidity of the receiving water.
4 The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 10.0 standard units.
5 Chloride shall be monitored quarterly during the same months as toxicity testing.
6 Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 11 %; January, April, July, and October, See Part I Condition C. (1).
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Part I Page 2
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Daily
Measurement
Sample
I
Sample
Maximum
Frequency I
Type
Location'
Continuous
Recordinq
I or E
26401bs/day
Daily
Composite
E
436 Ibs/dav
Daily
Composite
E, U, D
218.0 Ibs/day
Daily
Composite
E, U, D
Dail/
Grab
E
Dail/
Grab
E, U��� D
Daily
Grab
E, U, D
Quarterly
Composite
E
Quarterly
Composite
E
Notes:
Sample locations: E - Effluent, I - Influent, U - Upstream above the facility intake, D - Downstream at Penland Bridge. Instream samples shall be grab samples
and shall be conducted 31week.
2 The total fluoride limit of 109 Ibs/day shall be met upon the completion of the tertiary treatment system and startup of Unimin discharge NPDES No.
NC0000361. Unimin shall inform the Asheville Regional Office at the time of discharge.
3 The discharge shall not cause the turbidity of the receiving water to exceed 10 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds these levels due to natural background
conditions, the discharge level cannot cuase any increase in the turbidity of the receiving water.
4 The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 10.0 standard units.
5 Chloride shall be monitored quarterly during the same months as toxicity testing.
6 Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 11 %; January, April, July, and October, See Part I Condition C. (1).
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Part I Page 2

Permit No. NC0000175
1. The permittee shall comply with Final Effluent Limitations by the effective date of the permit.
2. Permittee shall at all times provide the operation and maintenance necessary to operate the
existing facilities at optimum efficiency.
I. CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS /FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QRTRLY)
The pern-ittee is required to perform the toxicity test as specified below.
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit chronic toxicity using test procedures
outlined in the "North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure,"
Revised November 1995, or subsequent versions.
The effluent concentration at which there may be no observable inhibition of reproduction
or significant mortality is u% (defined as treatment two in the procedure document). The
permit holder shall perform guart monitoring using this procedure to establish
compliance with the permit condition. The tests will be performed during the months of
January. . Aril. July. and October. Effluent sampling for this testing 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 parametc. cr do TGP3B. Additionally, DWQ Form AT -1 (original) is to be sent to the
following address:
Attention: Environmental Sciences Branch
North Carolina Division of
Water Quality
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
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 Environmental Sciences
Branch at the address cited above.
Should any single quarterly monitoring indicate a failure to meet specified limits, then
monthly monitoring will begin immediately until such time that a single test is passed.
Upon passing, this monthly test requirement will revert to quarterly in the months
specified above.
Part I Page 3

Permit No. NC0000175
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is
required, then monthly monitoring will begin immediately until such time that a single test
is passed. Upon passing, 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 Quality 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.
2. BIOCIDE CONDITION
The permittee shall not use any biocides except those approved in conjunction with the
permit application. The permittee shall notify the Director in writing not later than
ninety (90) days prior to instituting use of any additional biocide used in cooling- systems
which may be toxic to aquatic life other than those previously reported to the Division of
Water Quality. Such notification shall include completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101
and a map locating the discharge point and receiving stream.
3. TURBIDITY
In the event that violations of the turbidity standard of the North Carolina Water
Quality Standards occur as a result of this discharge, this permit shall be modified, or
alternately, revoked and reissued to incorporate limitations sufficient to protect the
receiving waters.
4. SOLIDS
Solids removed or resulting from the wastewater treatment process shall be contained and
disposed of in such a manner as to prevent any contamination of the surface waters of the
State.
S. FLUORIDE
This permit shall be modified, or revoked and reissued to incorporate new fluoride effluent
limitations in the event that acute or chronic bioassay testing or other studies results in a
change in the North Carolina Water Quality Standard for fluoride.
This permit shall be modified, or revoked and reissued to incorporate new limitations in
the event that production changes are requested by any of the existing fluoride using
industries or should any new fluoride using discharge request to locate on the North Toe
River.
Part I Page 4

PART II
STORMWATER MONITORING, CONTROLS AND LIMITATIONS FOR
PERMITTED DISCHARGES
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee
is authorized to discharge stormwater, overflow from facilities that recycle process wastewater, and /or
effluent from mine dewatenng. Such discharges shall be controlled, limited, and monitored as specified
below:
1. The Penmittee shall implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to ensure that contaminants do
not enter surface waters via stormwater that comes in contact with any unstabilized overburden, raw
materials, intermediate products, finished products, byproducts or waste products located on the site of
the sources covered by this permit. A BMP plan shall be developed in accordance with Part II, Section C
of this permit for each facility covered by this permit.
2 The Permittee shall implement management practices and the Erosion and Sedimentation Control
Plan that are included in the mining permit which have been approved by the Division of Land
Resources. The approved permit is considered a requirement or condition of this permit. Deviation from
the approved permit, or approved amendment to the permit, shall constitute a violation of the tams and
conditions of this permit. A signed copy of the issued mining permit including the approved Erosion and
Sedimentation Control Plan and the Reclamation Plan shall be maintained on the site at all times. Once an
area is released by the Division of Land Resources in accordance with NCGS Chapter 74, Article 7, it shall
no longer be subject to this permit.
3. Equipment utilized during the mining activity on a site must be operated and maintained in such a
manner as to prevent the potential or actual pollution of the surface or ground waters of the state. Fuels,
lubricants, coolants, and hydraulic fluids, or any other petroleum products, shall not be discharged on to
the ground or into surface waters. Spent fluids shall be disposed of in a manner so as not to enter the
surface or ground waters of the state and in accordance with applicable state and federal disposal
regulations. Any spilled fluids shall be cleaned up to the maximum extent practicable and disposed of in
a manner so as not to allow their entry into the surface or ground waters of the state.
4 Above ground bulk storage of petroleum products and storage of Section 313 Water Priority
Chemicals shall have secondary containment devices within the first 12 months of permit coverage for
existing discharges and prior to beginning operations for new discharges to prevent leaks and spills from
contaminating stormwater runoff.
Part 11 Page 1

A. (5). EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING: REQUIREMENTS - MINE DEWATERING AND /OR OVERFLOW FROM FACILITIES THAT
RUCYCLE' PROCESS WASTEWATER.
Mine dewatering and /or overflow from facilities that recycle process wastewater shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:
Effluent (_haracteristics
177M. grimm
' Sample Locations: E - Effluent
1 Total Flow shall be continuous flow measurement. Altematively, pump curves and pump logs may be used as a means to record flow.
2 Turbidity monthly average limitation:
Trout waters 10 NTUs
Non -trout lakes and all saltwaters 25 NTUs
Freshwater non -trout streams 50 NTUs
3 Total Suspended Solids for Industrial Sand Mining shall be limited to a monthly average of 25 mg /I and a daily maximum of 45 mg /L
4 Total Suspended Solids for Phosphate Rock Mining shall be limited to a monthly average of 30 mg /1 and a daily maximum of 60 mg /L
LIMP Conditions
1. The permittee shall utilize best management practices to ensure that contaminants do not enter the surface waters
as a result of blasting at the site.
2. The permittee shall obtain authorization from the Division of Environmental Management prior to utilizing any chemical additive for purposes of
flocculation.
The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units in fresh waters, and shall not be less than 6.8 standard units
nor greater than 85 standard units for salt waters, and shall be monitored monthly at the effluent by grab samples. (The pH for discharges into
streams designated swamp waters may be lower.)
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than tram amounts.
Sample
LP
Pair 11 Page 2 `
Mon. AvgAve. gaily Max. Fmquog
UK
Total Flowl
Settleable Solids
0.1 ml /l 0.2 ml /1 Monthly
Grab
Turbidity2
Monthly
Grab
Total Suspended Solids 3
Monthly
Grab
Total Suspended Solids 4
Monthly
Grab
' Sample Locations: E - Effluent
1 Total Flow shall be continuous flow measurement. Altematively, pump curves and pump logs may be used as a means to record flow.
2 Turbidity monthly average limitation:
Trout waters 10 NTUs
Non -trout lakes and all saltwaters 25 NTUs
Freshwater non -trout streams 50 NTUs
3 Total Suspended Solids for Industrial Sand Mining shall be limited to a monthly average of 25 mg /I and a daily maximum of 45 mg /L
4 Total Suspended Solids for Phosphate Rock Mining shall be limited to a monthly average of 30 mg /1 and a daily maximum of 60 mg /L
LIMP Conditions
1. The permittee shall utilize best management practices to ensure that contaminants do not enter the surface waters
as a result of blasting at the site.
2. The permittee shall obtain authorization from the Division of Environmental Management prior to utilizing any chemical additive for purposes of
flocculation.
The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units in fresh waters, and shall not be less than 6.8 standard units
nor greater than 85 standard units for salt waters, and shall be monitored monthly at the effluent by grab samples. (The pH for discharges into
streams designated swamp waters may be lower.)
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than tram amounts.
Sample
LP
Pair 11 Page 2 `

A. (b). MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
- LAND DISTURBING AC— lTVITTES.
Stormwater discharges from any disturbed areas during land grading operations (except for sand and gravel
mining operations) shall be monitored
by the permittee as specified below:
Stormwater Discharge
Units
Monitoring
Egluiremen ts
Characteristics
Measurement
Sample
Sample*
Emquc=
I=
Location
Total Suspended Solids
mg/1
once /year
Grab
SDO
Settleable Solids
ml /1
once /year
Grab
SDO
Turbidity
NT'Us
once /year
Grab
SDO
PH
Standard
once /year
Grab
SDO
*Sample Locations: SDO - Stormwater Discharge Outfall
Total precipitation and duration of the event measured shall be a representative storm event.
Storm Event Milk
Characteristic
Total Event Precipitation inches once /year
Event Duration hours once /year
Part 11 Page 3•
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PART II
SECTION B• MINIMUM MONITORING AND REPORTING REOUI EM EI`r*S (unless otherwise
approved in writing by the Division of Water Quality)
1. All erosion and sedimentation control facilities shall be inspected by or under the direction of the
permittee at least once every seven calendar days and within 24 hours after any storm event that results
in a discharge of runoff of stormwater from the site.
2 Stormwater runoff discharges shall be inspected by visual observation for color, foam, outfall
staining, visible sheens and dry weather flows at the above frequency to evaluate the effectiveness of the
stormwater control facilities or practices. If any visible off -site sedimentation is leaving the property,
corrective action shall be taken to reduce the discharge of sediments.
3. The pennittee shall keep a record of inspections. Visible sedimentation found off the site shall be
recorded with a brief explanation as to the measures taken to prevent future releases as well as any
measures taken to clean up the sediment that has left the site. This record shall be made available to DWQ
or authorized agent upon request.
4. A log of the sampling data and of activities taken to implement BMPs associated with the vehicle
maintenance activities shall be maintained and incorporated into the BMP Plan.
5. A log of the sampling data and of activities taken to implement the BMP Plan shall be kept on site
for the duration of the permit term and made available to the Director immediately upon request.
6. For purposes of the stormwater sampling required in this permit, all samples shall be collected from
the discharge resulting from a representative storm event (See Part III, Standard Conditions, Section A).
Samples shall be collected at intervals not less than one year apart. If the stormwater runoff is controlled
by a detention pond, the following sampling requirements apply:
(a) If the detention pond detains for 24 hours the runoff generated by one inch of rainfall, a grab
sample of the discharge from the pond shall be collected within the first 30 minutes of discharge.
(b) If the detention pond discharges only in response to a storm event exceeding a ten year design
storm (See Part III, Standard Conditions, Section A), visual observations of the discharge for
color, foam, outfall staining, visible sheens and dry weather flows, are required but analytical
sampling shall not be required.
(c) If the detention pond discharges only in response to a storm event exceeding a 25 -year, 24-
hour storm (See Part II, Standard Conditions, Section A), the pond shall be considered a non-
discharging stormwater control system and not subject to NPDES requirements, unless the
discharge causes a violation of water quality standards.
7. The analytical results of samples analyzed in accordance with the terms of this permit shall be
submitted on forms provided by the Director no later than January 31 for the previous year in which
sampling was required to be performed.
Part 11 Page 4

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SECTION C: SCHEDULE OF COMPLIANCE
L The permittee shall comply with Final Limitations and Controls specified for stormwater discharges
in accordance with the following schedule:
For the land disturbance activities:
a. Implement BMVs and stormwater controls, as appropriate on the effective date of permit
coverage, at existing operations.
b. Develop and implement BMFs and stormwater controls, as appropriate, prior to beginning
land disturbance activity at new operations.
2 Permittee shall at all times provide the operation and maintenance necessary to operate the
permitted stormwater controls at optimum efficiency.
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PART III
STANDARD CONDITIONS FOR NPDES PERMITS
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33
USC 1251, et. seq.
Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management
practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters of the United States. BMPs also include
treatment requirements, operation procedures, and practices to control plant site runoff, spillage
or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.
Liquid raw materials (excluding water), manufactured products, waste materials or by- products
with a single above ground storage container having a capacity of greater than 660 gallons or
with multiple above ground storage containers having a total storage capacity of greater than
1,320 gallons.
., v-.,
a Arithmetic Mean: The arithmetic mean of any set of values is the summation of the
individual values divided by the number of individual values.
b. Geometric Mean: The geometric mean of any set of values is the Nth root of the product of the
individual values where N is equal to the number of individual values. The geometric mean
is equivalent to the antilog of the arithmetic mean of the logarithms of the individual
values. For purposes of calculating the geometric mean, values of zero (0) shall be considered
to be one (1).
c. Weighted by Flow Value: Weighted by flow value means the summation of each
concentration times its respective flow divided by the summation of the respective flows.
The period from midnight of one day until midnight of the next day. However, for purposes of
this permit, any consecutive 24 -hour period that reasonably represents the calendar day may be
used for sampling.
The rainfall runoff from or through any coal storage pile.
Part III Page 1

a. The "average monthly concentration," other than for fecal coliform bacteria, is the sum of the
concentrations of all daily discharges sampled and /or measured during a calendar month on
which daily discharges are sampled and measured, divided by the number of daily
discharges sampled and /or measured during such month (arithmetic mean of the daily
concentration values). The daily concentration value is equal to the concentration of a
composite sample or in the case of grab samples is the arithmetic mean (weighted by flow
value) of all the samples collected during that calendar day. The average monthly count for
fecal coliform bacteria is the geometric mean of the counts for samples collected during a
calendar month. This limitation is identified as "Monthly Average" under "Other Limits" in
Part I of the permit.
b. The "average weekly concentration," other than for fecal coliform bacteria, is the sum of the
concentrations of all daily discharges sampled and /or measured during a calendar week
(Sunday /Saturday) on which daily discharges are sampled and measured divided by the
number of daily discharges sampled and /or measured during such week (arithmetic mean of
the daily concentration values). The daily concentration value is equal to the concentration of
a composite sample or in the case of grab samples is the arithmetic mean (weighted by flow
value) of all the samples collected during that calendar day. The average -weekly count for
fecal coliform bacteria is the geometric mean of the counts for samples collected during a
calendar week. This limitation is identified as "Weekly Average" under "Other Limits" in
Part I of the permit.
c. The "maximum daily concentration" is the concentration of a pollutant discharge during a
calendar day. If only one sample is taken during any calendar day the concentration of
pollutant calculated from it is the "Maximum Daily Concentration ". It is identified as
"Daily Maximum" under "Other Limits" in Part I of the permit.
d. The "average annual concentration," other than for fecal coliform bacteria, is the sum of the
concentrations of all daily discharges sampled and /or measured during a- calendar year on
which daily discharges are sampled and measured divided by the number of daily discharges
sampled and /or measured during such year (arithmetic mean of the daily concentration
values). The daily concentration value is equal to the concentration of a composite sample or
in the case of grab samples is the arithmetic mean (weighted by flow value) of all the
samples collected during that calendar day . The average yearly count for fecal coliform
bacteria is the geometric mean of the counts for samples collected during a calendar year. This
limitation is identified as "Annual Average" under "Other Limits" in Part I of the permit.
e. The "daily average concentration" (for dissolved oxygen) is the minimum allowable amount of
dissolved oxygen required to be available in the effluent prior to discharge averaged over a
calendar day. If only one dissolved oxygen sample is taken over a calendar day, the sample is
considered to be the "daily average concentration" for the discharge. It is identified as
"daily average" in the text of Part I.
f. The "quarterly average concentration" is the average of all samples taken over a calendar
quarter. It is identified as "Quarterly Average Limitation" in the text of Part I of the-permit.
g. A calendar quartei is defined as one of the following distinct periods: January through March,
April through June, July through September, and October through December.
Part III Page 2

8. pWO or "the Division"
The Division of Water Quality, Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources.
au
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission.
9W.M.M.N.MVIM ,
Any substance designated under 40 CFR Part 116 pursuant to Section 311 of the Clean Water Act.
11. Landfill
A disposal facility or part of a disposal facility where waste is placed in or on land and which is
not a land treatment facility, a surface impoundment, an injection well, a hazardous waste long-
term storage facility or a surface storage facility.
a. The "monthly average discharge" is defined as the total mass of all daily discharges
sampled and /or measured during a calendar month on which daily discharges are sampled
and measured, divided by the number of daily discharges sampled and /or measured during
such month. It is therefore, an arithmetic mean found by adding the weights of the pollutant
found each day of the month and then dividing this sum by the number of days the tests were
reported. The limitation is identified as "Monthly Average' in Part I of the permit.
b. The "weekly average discharge" is defined as the total mass of all daily discharges sampled
and /or measured during the calendar week (Sunday - Saturday) on which daily discharges
are sampled and measured, divided by the number of daily discharges sampled and /or
measured during such week. It is, therefore, an arithmetic mean found by adding the weights
of pollutants found each day of the week and then dividing this sum by the number of days
the tests were reported. This limitation is identified as "Weekly Average" in Part I of the
permit.
c. The "maximum daily discharge" is the total mass (weight) of a pollutant discharged during a
calendar day. If only one sample is taken during any calendar day the weight of pollutant
calculated from it is the "maximum daily discharge." This limitation is identified as "Daily
Maximum," in Part I of the permit.
d. The "average annual discharge" is defined as the total mass of all daily discharges sampled
and /or measured during the calendar year on which daily discharges are sampled and
measured, divided by the number of daily discharges sampled and /or measured during such
year. It is, therefore, an arithmetic mean found by adding the weights of pollutants found
each day of the year and then dividing this sum by the number of days the tests were reported.
This limitation is defined as "Annual Average" in Part I of the permit.
13. Other Measurements
a. Flow, (MGD): The flow limit expressed in this permit is the 24 hours average flow, averaged
monthly. It is determined as the arithmetic mean of the total daily flows recorded during the
calendar month.
Part III Page 3

b. An "instantaneous flow measurement" is a measure of flow taken at the time of sampling,
when both the sample and flow will be representative of the total discharge.
c. A "continuous flow measurement" is a measure of discharge flow from the facility which occurs
continually without interruption throughout the operating hours of the facility. Flow shall
be monitored continually except for the infrequent times when there may be no flow or for
infrequent maintenance activities on the flow device.
T—NUM"M MrOT-Tam �.
The Director of the Division of Water Quality.
I - DO ..
Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but specifically not limited to, any
pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, or
concentrated animal feeding operation from which pollutants are -0r may be discharged to waters
of the state.
-. 4 -�
A storm event that measures greater than 0.1 inches of rainfall and that is preceded by at least 72
hours in which no storm event measuring greater than 0.1 inches has occurred. A single storm
event may contain up to 10 consecutive hours of no precipitation. For example, if it rains for 2
hours without producing any collectable discharge, and then stops, a sample may be collected if a
rain producing a discharge begins again within the next 10 hours. - . , : -
17. Runoff Coefficient
The fraction of total rainfall that is not infiltrated into or otherwise retained by the soil,
concrete, asphalt or other surface upon which it falls that will appear at the conveyance as
runoff.
. P�►�::rm
a. Composite Sample: A composite sample shall consist of:
(1) a series of grab samples collected at equal time intervals over a 24 hour period of discharge
and combined proportional to the rate of flow measured at the time of individual sample
collection, or
(2) a series of grab samples of equal volume collected over a 24 hour period with the time
intervals between samples determined by a preset number of gallons passing the sampling
point. Flow measurement between sample intervals shall be determined by use of a flow
recorder and totalizer, and the present gallon interval between sample collection fixed at
no greater than 1/24 of the expected total daily flow at the treatment system, or
(3) a single, continuous sample collected over a 24 hour period proportional to the rate of flow.
In accordance with (1) above, the time interval between influent grab samples shall be no
greater than once per hour, and the time interval between effluent grab samples shall be no
greater than once per hour except at wastewater treatment systems having a detention time of
greater than 24 hours. In such cases, effluent grab samples may be collected at time intervals
evenly spaced over the 24 hour period which are equal in number of hours to the detention time
of the system in number of days. However, in no case may the time interval between effluent
Part III Page 4

grab samples be greater than six (6) hours nor the number of samples less than four (4) during a
24 hour sampling period.
b. Grab Sample: Grab samples are individual samples collected over a period of time not
exceeding 15 minutes; the grab sample can be taken manually. Grab samples must be
representative of the discharge or the receiving waters.
z, •s- FT&MG .L F LIL - L
Spill containment for the contents of the single largest tank within the containment structure plus
sufficient freeboard to allow for the 25 -year, 24 -hour storm event.
MwMyrs M139129
A chemical or chemical category which:
a . Is listed in 40 CFR 372.65 pursuant to Section 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986, also titled the Emergency Planning and Community
Right -to -Know Act of 1986;
b. Is present at or above threshold levels at a facility subject to SARA title III, Section 313
reporting requirements; and
c. That meet at least one of the following criteria:
(1) Is listed in appendix D of 40 CFR part 122 on either Table H (organic priority pollutants),
Table III (certain metals, cyanides, and phenols) or Table IV (certain toxic pollutants and
hazardous substances);
(2) Is listed as a hazardous substance pursuant to section 311(b)(2)(A) of the CWA at 40 CFR
116.4; or
(3) Is a pollutant for which EPA has published acute or chronic water quality criteria.
RMI MM . L 03M M.
Includes, but is not limited to: raw materials; fuels; materials such as solvents, detergents, and
plastic pellets; finished materials such as metallic products; raw materials used in food
processing or production; hazardous substances designated under section 101(14) of CERCLA; any
chemical the facility is required to report pursuant to section 313 of Title III of SARA; fertilizers;
pesticides; and waste products such as ashes, slag and sludge that have the potential to be
released with stormwater discharges.
�L c 1 •
Includes, but is not limited to: releases of oil or hazardous substances in excess of reportable
quantities under section 311 of the Clean Water Act (Ref: 40 CFR 110.10 and CFR 117.21) or section
102 of CERCLA (Ref: 40 CFR 302.4).
!PL *10 L •
The flow of water which results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following
rainfall or as a result of snowmelt.
24. SMrmwater Associated with Industrial Activity
Part III Page 5

The discharge from any point source which is used for collecting and conveying stormwater and
which is directly related to manufacturing, processing or raw material storage areas at an
industrial site. The term does not include discharges from facilities or activities excluded from
the NPDES program.
The following categories of facilities are considered to be engaging in "industrial activity":
a. Facilities subject to stormwater effluent limitations guidelines, new source performance
standards, or toxic pollutant effluent standards under 40 CFR Subchapter N, Parts 400-471
(except facilities which are exempted under (k) of this definition);
b. Facilities classified as Standard Industrial Classifications 24 (except 2434), 26 (except 265 and
267), 28, 29, 30, 311, 32, 33, 3441, 373;
c. Facilities classified as Standard Industrial Classifications 10 through 14 (mineral industry)
including active or inactive mining operations (except for areas of coal mining operations
meeting the definition of a reclamation area under 40 CFR 434.11(1)) and oil and gas
exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations, or transmission facilities that
discharge stormwater contaminated by contact with or that has come in contact with, any
overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished products; byproducts or waste
products located on the site of such operations; inactive mining operations are mining sites
that are not being actively mined, but which have an identifiable owner /operator;
d. Hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities, including those that are operating
under interim status or a permit under Subtitle C of RCR&
e. Landfills, land application sites, and open dumps that receive or have received any industrial
v. astcs (w ante that is received from any of the facilities described under this definition) _ .._.
including those that are subject to regulation under Subtitle D of RCRA;
f. Facilities involved in the recycling of materials, including metal scrapyards, battery
reclaimers, salvage yards and automobile junkyards, including but limited to those classified
as Standard Industrial Classification 5015 and 5093;
g. Steam electric power generating facilities, including coal handling sites,
h . Transportation facilities classified as Standard Industrial Classifications 40, 41, 42, 44, and 45
which have vehicle maintenance shops, equipment cleaning operations, or airport deicing
operations. Only those portions of the facility that are either involved in vehicle
maintenance (including vehicle rehabilitation, mechanical repairs, painting, fueling and
lubrication), equipment cleaning operations, airport deicing operations, or which are
otherwise identified under (a) -(g) or (i) -(k) of this definition are associated with industrial
activity;
Treatment works treating domestic sewage or any other sewage sludge or wastewater
treatment device or system, used in the storage treatment, recycling, and reclamation of
municipal or domestic sewage, including lands dedicated to the disposal of sewage sludge that
are located within the confines of the facility, with a design flow of 1.0 mgd or more, or
required to have an approved pretreatment program under 40 CFR part 403. Not included are
farm lands, domestic gardens or lands used for sludge management where sludge is
beneficially reused and which are not physically located in the confines of the facility, or
areas that are in compliance with section 405 of the CWA;
Part III Page 6

j. Construction activity including clearing, grading and excavation activities except: operations
that result in the disturbance of less that five acres of total land area which are not part of a
larger common plan of development or sale;
k. Facilities under Standard Industrial Classifications 20, 21, 22, 23, 2434, 25, 265, 267, 27, 283,
285, 30, 31 (except 311), 323, 34 (except 3441), 35, 36, 37 (except 373), 38, 39, 4221 -25, (and which
are not otherwise included within (a)-Q) of this definition).
For the categories of industries identified in (a) through (j) of this definition the term includes,
but is not limited to, stormwater discharges from industrial plant yards; immediate access roads
and rail lines used or traveled by carriers of raw materials, manufactured products, waste
material, or by- products used or created by the facility; material handling sites; refuse sites;
sites used for the application or disposal of process wastewaters; sites used for the storage and
maintenance of material handling equipment; sites used for residual treatment, storage, or
disposal; shipping and receiving areas; manufacturing buildings; storage areas (including tank
farms) for raw materials, and intermediate and finished products, and areas where industrial
activity has taken place in the past and significant materials remain and are exposed to
stormwater. For the categories of industries identified in (k), the term includes only stormwater
discharges from all areas listed in the previous sentence (except access roads) where material
handling equipment or activities, raw material, intermediate products, final products, waste
material, by- products, or industrial machinery are exposed to stormwater.
Material handling activities include the: storage, loading and unloading, transportation, or
conveyance of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, by- product or waste
product. The term excludes areas located on plant lands separated from the plant's industrial
activities, such as office buildings and accompanying parking lots as long as the drainage from
the excluded areas is not mixed with stormwater drained from the above described areas.
Industrial facilities (including industrial facilities that are Federally or municipally owned or
operated that meet the description of the facilities listed in (a) -(k)) include those facilities
designated under 40 CFR 122.26(a)(1)(v).
The precipitation event of a duration which will produce the maximum peak rate of runoff for
the watershed of interest resulting from a rainfall event of an intensity expected to be equaled or
exceeded, on the average, once in ten years.
The flow corresponding to the time period over which the sample collection occurs. The total
flow calculated based on the size of the area draining to the outfall, the amount of the built -upon
(impervious) surfaces within the drainage area, and the total amount of rainfall occurring during
the sampling period.
•._ MOW M-1 I
Any pollutant listed as toxic under Section 307(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act.
Vehicle rehabilitation, mechanical repairs, painting, fueling, lubrication, vehicle cleaning
operations, or airport deicing operations.
Part III Page 7

29. Visible Sedimentatiozj
Solid particulate matter, both mineral and organic, that has been or is being transported by
water, air, gravity, or ice from its site of origin which can be seen with the unaided eye.
Any non - containerized accumulation of solid, non - flowing waste that is used for treatment or
storage.
•1M• , P - •►a� •►
The permittee must comply with all conditions of this permit. Any permit noncompliance
constitutes a violation of the Clean Water Act and is grounds for enforcement action; for permit
termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or denial of a permit renewal
application.
a. The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under section
307(a) of the Clean Water Act for toxic pollutants and with standards for sewage sludge use or
disposal established under section 405(d) of the Clean Water Act within the time provided in
the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions or standards for sewage sludge
use or disposal, even if the permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement. ... - �.- .,• - -�.-
b. The Clean Water Act provides that any person who violates a permit condition is subject to a
civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 per day for each violation. Any person who negligently
violates any permit condition is subject to criminal penalties of $2,500 to $25,000 per day of
violation, or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both. Any person who knowingly
violates permit conditions is subject to criminal penalties of $5,000 to $50,000 per day of
violation, or imprisonment for not more than 3 years, or both Also, any person who violates a
permit condition may be assessed an administrative penalty not to exceed $10,000 per
violation with the maximum amount not to exceed $125,000. [Ref: Section 309 of the Federal
Act 33 U.S.C. 1319 and 40 CFR 122.41 (a)]
c. Under state law, a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation
may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms,
conditions, or requirements of a permit. [Ref: North Carolina General Statutes § 143- 215.6A]
d. Any person may be assessed an administrative penalty by the Administrator for violating
section 301, 302, 306, 307, 308, 318, or 405 of the Act, or any permit condition or limitation
implementing any of such sections in a permit issued under section 402 of the Act.
Administrative penalties for Class I violations are not to exceed $10,000 per violation, with
the maximum amount of any Class I penalty assessed not to exceed $25,000. Penalties for Class
II violations are not to exceed $10,000 per day for each day during which the violation
continues, with the maximum amount of any Class II penalty not to exceed $125,000.
2. Duty to Mitigate_
The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge or sludge use
or disposal in violation of this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting
human health or the environment.
Part III Page 8

•• r,11 •.
Except as provided in permit conditions on "Bypassing" (Part III, C4) and "Power Failures" (Part
III, C -7), nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee from any
responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties for noncompliance pursuant to NCGS 143-215.3,143-215.6
or Section 309 of the Federal Act, 33 USC 1319. Furthermore, the permittee is responsible for
consequential damages, such as fish kills, even though the responsibility for effective compliance
may be temporarily suspended.
• <.•• U .•
Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action or relieve
the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the permittee is or may
be subject to under NCGS 143 - 215.75 et seq. or Section 311 of the Federal Act, 33 USG 1321.
Furthermore, the permittee is responsible for consequential damages, such as fish kills, even
though the responsibility for effective compliance may be temporarily suspended.
The issuance of this permit does not convey any property rights in either real or personal
property, or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to private property or any
invasion of personal rights, nor any infringement of Federal, State or local laws or regulations.
iii �• -. 1i �• - .•��.� •�
This permit does not authorize or approve the construction of any onshore or offshore physical
structures or facilities or the undertaking of any work in any navigable waters. _.._ ... .
7. Severability
The provisions of this permit are severable, and if any provision of this permit, or the
application of any provision of this permit to any circumstances, is held invalid, the application
of such provision to other circumstances, and the remainder of this permit, shall not be affected
thereby.
The permittee shall furnish to the Permit Issuing Authority, within a reasonable time, any
information which the Permit Issuing Authority may request to determine whether cause exists
for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating this permit or to detennine compliance with
this permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the Permit Issuing Authority upon request,
copies of records required to be kept by this permit.
If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after the expiration date
of this permit, the permittee must apply for and obtain a new permit.
The permittee is not authorized to discharge after the expiration date. In order to receive
automatic authorization to discharge beyond the expiration date, .the permittee shall submit
such information, forms, and fees as are required by the agency authorized to issue permits no
Part III Page 9

later than 180 days prior to the expiration date. Any permittee that has not requested renewal at
least 180 days prior to expiration, or any permittee that does not have a permit after the
expiration and has not requested renewal at least 180 days prior to expiration, will subject the
permittee to enforcement procedures as provided in NCGS 143 -215.6 and 33 USC 1251 et. seq.
IM ...
All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Permit Issuing Authority shall be
signed and certified.
a. All permit applications shall be signed as follows:
(1) For a corporation: by a responsible corporate officer. For the purpose of this Section, a
responsible corporate officer means: (a) a president, secretary, treasurer or 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 operating facilities employing more
than 250 persons or having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding 25 million (in
second quarter 1980 dollars), if authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated
to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures.
(2) For a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor,
respectively, or
(3) For a municipality, State, Federal, or other public agency: by either a principal executive
officer or ranking elected official.
b. All reports required by the permit and other information requested by the Permit Issuing
Authority shall be signed by a person described above or by a duly authorized representative
of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:. -- •• - --�
(1) The authorization is made in writing by a person described above;
(2) The authorization specified either an individual or a position having responsibility for
the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity, such as the position of plant
manager, operator of a well or well field, superintendent, a position of equivalent
responsibility, or an individual or position having overall responsibility for
environmental matters for the company. (A duly authorized representative may thus be
either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position.); and
(3) The written authorization is submitted to the Permit Issuing Authority.
c. Certification. Any person signing a document under paragraphs a. or b. of this section shall
make the following certification:
"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 any
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."
Part III Page 10

' !li e • i
This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a
request by the permittee for a permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a
notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition.
'ilk U•. � •� ;• .. .. ..�• ; ,_. . -��� .<�•�
The issuance of this permit does not prohibit the permit issuing authority from reopening and
modifying the permit, revoking and reissuing the permit, or terminating the permit as allowed
by the laws, rules, and regulations contained in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 122
and 123; Title 15A of the North Carolina Administrative Code, Subchapter 2H .0100; and North
Carolina General Statute 143 -215.1 et. al.
14. Previous Permits
All previous National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits issued to this facility,
whether for operation or discharge, are hereby revoked by issuance of this permit. [The exclusive
authority to operate this facility arises under this permit. The authority to operate the facility
under previously issued permits bearing this number is no longer effective. ) The conditions,
requirements, terms, and provisions of this permit authorizing discharge under the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System govern discharges from this facility.
"1a� t %1AA IMINLM 4,a OW n1l 1041 11L MONIGM01 t 1 0 •� •01i
■ -• •. •
Pursuant to Chapter 90A-44 of North Carolina General Statutes, and upon classification of the - -.
facility by the Certification Commission, the permittee shall employ a certified wastewater
treatment plant operator in responsible charge (ORC) of the wastewater treatment facilities.
Such operator must hold a certification of the grade equivalent to or greater than the
classification assigned to the wastewater treatment facilities by the Certification Commission.
The permittee must also employ a certified back -up operator of the appropriate type and any
grade to comply with the conditions of Title 15A, Chapter SA .0202. The ORC of the facility
must visit each Class I facility at least weekly and each Class 11, 111, and IV facility at least
daily, excluding weekends and holidays, and must properly manage and document daily
operation and maintenance of the facility and must comply with all other conditions of Title 15A,
Chapter 8A .0202. Once the facility is classified, the permittee shall submit a letter to the
Certification Commission which designates the operator in responsible charge within thirty
days after the wastewater treatment facilities are 50% complete.
The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of
treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the permittee
to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance also
includes adequate laboratory controls and appropriate quality assurance procedures. This
provision requires the operation of back -up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems which are
installed by a permittee only when the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the
conditions of the permit.
Part III Page 11

MNM-W-r-MWM-MMTr.T- Wien
It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been
necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the
condition of this permit.
MART MM - •. ,,, - , WM ,
a. Definitions
(1) "Bypass" means the known diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment
facility including the collection system, which is not a designed or established or
operating mode for the facility.
(2) "Severe property damage" means substantial physical damage to property, damage to
the treatment facilities which causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and
permanent loss of natural resources which can reasonably be expected to occur in the
absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays
in production.
b. Bypass not exceeding limitations.
The permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause effluent limitations to be
exceeded, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These
bypasses are not subject to the provisions of Paragraphs c. and d. of this section
c. Notice
(1) Anticipated bypass. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall
submit prior notice, if possible at least ten days before the date of the bypass; including an
evaluation of the anticipated quality and affect of the bypass.
(2) Unanticipated bypass. The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as
required in Part III, E. 6. of this permit. (24 hour notice).
d. Prohibition of Bypass
(1) Bypass is prohibited and the Permit Issuing Authority may take enforcement action
against a permittee for 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 permittee submitted notices as required under Paragraph c. of this section.
(2) The Permit Issuing Authority may approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its
adverse affects, if the Permit Issuing Authority determines that it will meet the three
conditions listed above in Paragraph d. (1) of this section.
Part III Page 12

5. Unsets
a. Definition.
"Upset " means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary
noncompliance with technology based permit effluent limitations because of factors beyond
the reasonable control of the permttee. 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.
b. Effect of an upset.
An upset constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with such
technology based permit effluent limitations if the requirements of paragraph c. of this
condition are met. No determination made during administrative review of claims that
noncompliance was caused by upset, and before an action for noncompliance, is final
administrative action subject to judicial review.
c. Conditions necessary for a demonstration of upset.
A permittee 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 that the perndttee can identify the cause(s) of the upset;
(2) The permittee facility was at the time being properly operated; and
(3) The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Part III, E.6.(b)(B) of. this
permit.
(4) The permitter complied with any remedial measures required under Part III, B. 2. of this
permit.
d. Burden of proof.
In any enforcement proceeding the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has
the burden of proof.
I,. -, r
Solids, sludges, filter backwash, or other pollutants removed in the course of treatment or control
of wastewaters shall be utilized /disposed of in accordance with NCGS 143 -215.1 and in a manner
such as to prevent any pollutant from such materials from entering waters of the State or
navigable waters of the United States. The permittee shall comply with all existing federal
regulations governing the disposal of sewage sludge. Upon promulgation of 40 CFR Part 503, any
permit issued by the Permit Issuing Authority for the utilization /disposal of sludge may be
reopened and modified, or revoked and reissued, to incorporate applicable requirements at 40 CFR
Part 503. The permittee shall comply with applicable 40 CFR Part 503 Standards for the Use and
Disposal of Sewage Sludge (when promulgated) within the time provided in the regulation, even
if the permit is not modified to incorporate the requirement. The permittee shall notify the
Permit Issuing Authority of any significant change in its sludge use or disposal practices.
7. J'ower Failures
The permittee is responsible for maintaining adequate safeguards as required by DWQ
Regulation, Title 15A, North Carolina Administrative Code, Subchapter 2H, .0124 Reliability,
to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes during electrical power
Part III Page 13

failures either by means of alternate power sources, standby generators or retention of
inadequately treated effluent.
N 1.
Samples collected and measurements taken, as required herein, shall be characteristic of the
volume and nature of the permitted discharge. Samples collected at a frequency less than daily
shall be taken on a day and time that is characteristic of the discharge over the entire period
which the sample represents. All samples shall be taken at the monitoring points specified in
this permit and, unless otherwise specified, before the effluent joins or is diluted by any other
wastestream, body of water, or substance. Monitoring points shall not be changed without
notification to and the approval of the Permit Issuing Authority.
m;-... .,
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month
and reported on a monthly Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Form (DWQ No: MR 1, 1.1, 2, 3) or
alternative forms approved by the Director, DWQ, postmarked no later than the 30th day
following the completed reporting period.
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..
Duplicate signed copies of these, and all other reports required herein, shall be submitted to the. •�
following address:
9
Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
Post Office Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 -0535
Appropriate flow measurement devices and methods consistent with accepted scientific practices
shall be selected and used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of measurements of the volume of
monitored discharges. The devices shall be installed, calibrated and maintained to ensure that
the accuracy of the measurements are consistent with the accepted capability of that type of
device. Devices selected shall be capable of measuring flows with a maximum deviation of less
than + 10% from the true discharge rates throughout the range of expected discharge volumes.
Once- through condenser cooling water flow which is monitored by pump logs, or pump hour meters
as specified in Part I of this permit and based on the manufacturer's pump curves shall not be
subject to this requirement.
Test procedures for the analysis of pollutants shall conform to the EMC regulations published
pursuant to NCGS 143 - 215.63 et. seq, the Water and Air Quality Reporting Acts, and to
regulations published pursuant to Section 304(g), 33 USC 1314, of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, as Amended, and Regulation 40 CFR 136; or in the case of sludge use or disposal,
approved under 40 CFR 136, unless otherwise specified in 40 CFR 503, unless other test procedures
have been specified in this permit.
Part III Page 14

To meet the intent of the monitoring required by this permit, all test procedures must produce
minimum detection and reporting levels that are below the permit discharge requirements and
all data generated must be reported down to the minimum detection or lower reporting level of
the procedure. If no approved methods are determined capable of achieving minimum detection
and reporting levels below permit discharge requirements, then the most sensitive (method with
the lowest possible detection and reporting level) approved method must be used.
The Clean Water Act provides that any person who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly
renders inaccurate, any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this permit
shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 per violation, or by
imprisonment for not more than two years per violation, or by both. If a conviction of a person is
for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this paragraph, punishment
is a fine of not more than $20,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 4
years, or both.
.. 04 -, T .,
Except for records of monitoring information required by this permit related to the permittee's
sewage sludge use and disposal activities, which shall be retained for a period of at least five
years (or longer as required by 40 CFR 503), the permittee shall retain records of all monitoring
information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart
recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required by this permit,
for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the sample, measurement, report or application. - - -:
This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time.
M: N M. M. 94
For each measurement or sample taken pursuant to the requirements of this permit, the permittee
shall record the following information:
a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
b. The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements;
c. The date(s) analyses were performed;
d. The individual(s) who performed the analyses;
e. The analytical techniques or methods used; and
f. The results of such analyses.
The permittee shall allow the Director, or an authorized representative (including an
authorized contractor acting as a representative of the Director), upon the presentation of
credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to;
a. Enter upon the permittee's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or
conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of this permit;
b. Have access to and copy any records that must be kept under the conditions of this permit;
c. Inspect any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or
operations regulated or required under this permit; and
d. Sample of monitor for the purposes of assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized
by the Clean Water Act, any substances or parameters at any location.
Part III Page 15

All discharges authorized herein shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of this
permit. The discharge of any pollutant identified in this permit more frequently than or at a
level in excess of that authorized shall constitute a violation of the permit.
•. -•.11141
The permittee shall give notice to the Director as soon as possible of any planned physical
alterations or additions to the permitted facility. Notice is required only when:
a. The alteration or addition to a permitted facility may meet one of the criteria for determining
whether a facility is a new source in 40 CFR Part 12229 (b); or
b. The alteration or addition could significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of
pollutants discharged. This notification applies to pollutants which are subject neither to
effluent limitations in the permit, nor to notification requirements under 40 CFR Part 122.42
(a)(1).
c. The alteration or addition results in a significant change in the permittee's sludge use or
disposal practices, and such alternation, addition or change may justify the application of
permit conditions that are different from or absent in the existing permit, including
notification of additional use or disposal sites not reported during the permit application
process or not reported pursuant to an approved land application plan.
.. -. 5 1!., .,t• 1 =
The permittee shall give advance notice to the Director of any planned changes in the permitted
facility or activity which may result in noncompliance with permit requirements.
4. jlHpSfEIi
This permit is not transferable to any person except after notice to the Director. The Director may
require modification or revocation and reissuance of the permittee and incorporate such other
requirements as may be necessary under the Clean Water Act.
Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in this permit.
a. Monitoring results must be reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) (See Part III. D. 2
of this permit) or forms provided by the Director for reporting results of monitoring of sludge
use or disposal practices.
b. If the permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently than required by the permit, using test
procedures specified in Part I11, D. 4. of this permit or in the case of sludge use or disposal,
approved under 40 CFR 503, or as specified in this permit, the results of this monitoring shall
be included in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR.
c. Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of measurements shall utilize an
arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified by the Director in the permit.
Part III Page 16

t ,. ..�
a. The permittee shall report to the central office or the appropriate regional office any
noncompliance which may endanger health or the environment. Any information shall be
Provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee became aware of the
circumstances. A written submission shall also be provided within 5 days of the time the
permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The written submission shall contain a
description of the noncompliance, and its cause; the period of noncompliance, including exact
dates and times, and if the noncompliance 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 noncompliance.
b. The following shall be included as information which must be reported within 24 hours under
this paragraph:
(1) Any unanticipated bypass which exceeds any effluent limitation in the permit.
(2) Any upset which exceeds any effluent limitation in the permit.
(3) Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of the pollutants listed by the
Director in the permit to be reported within 24 hours.
c. The Director may waive the written report on a case -by -case basis for reports under paragraph
b. above of this condition if the oral report has been received within 24 hours.
The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Part Ill. E. 5 and 6. of
this permit at the time monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the
information listed in Part III. E. 6. of this permit.
Where the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit
application, or submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in any report to the
Director, it shall promptly submit such facts or information.
The permittee shall report by telephone to either the central office or the appropriate regional
office of the Division as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours or on the next working
day following the occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of any of the following-
a. Any occurrence at the water pollution control facility which results in the discharge of
significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such as the
dumping of the contents of a sludge digester; the known passage of a slug of hazardous
substance through the facility; or any other unusual circumstances.
b. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility incapable
of adequate wastewater treatment such as mechanical or electrical failures of pumps,
aerators, compressors, etc.
c. Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or treatment facility resulting in a by -pass
directly to receiving waters without treatment of all or any portion of the influent to such
station or facility.
Part III Page 17

Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form
within 5 days following first knowledge of the occurrence.
.•,
Except for data determined to be confidential under NCGS 143- 215.3(a)(2) or Section 308 of the
Federal Act, 33 USC 1318, all reports prepared in accordance with the terms shall be available
for public inspection at the offices of the Division of Water Quality. As required by the Act,
effluent data shall not be considered confidential. Knowingly making any false statement on any
such report may result in the imposition of criminal penalties as provided for in NCGS 143 -
215.1(b)(2) or in Section 309 of the Federal Act.
The Clean Water Act provides that any person who knowingly makes any false statement,
representation, or certification in any record or other document submitted or required to be
maintained under this permit, including monitoring reports or reports of compliance or
noncompliance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 per
violation, or by imprisonment for not more than two years per violation, or by both
7 �� • •�i�i:i :iX•]iil:i�i�i�l�ri.�
0 WO 7771 1, •11 • 1
No construction of wastewater treatment facilities, additions to the plant's treatment capacity or
change(s) to the type(s) of process(es) utilized at the treatment plant shall be begun until Final ..:.. ..._ ._ r
Plans and Specifications have been submitted to the Division. Construction may not begin until
written approval and an Authorization to Construct has been issued by the Division to the
permittee.
The permittee shall, upon written notice from the Permit Issuing Authority, conduct groundwater
monitoring as may be required to determine the compliance of this facility with the current
groundwater standards.
The permittee shall notify the Permit Issuing Authority as soon as it knows or has reason to believe:
a. That any activity has occurred or will occur which would result in the discharge, on a routine
or frequent basis, of any toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge
will exceed the highest of the following "notification levels ",
(1) One hundred micrograms per liter (100 ug /1);
(2) Two hundred micrograms per liter (200 ug /1) for acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred
micrograms per liter (500 ug /1) for 2.4- dinitrophenol and for 2- methy14.6- dinitrophenol;
and one milligram per liter (1 mg /1) for antimony,
(3) Five (5) times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit
application.
Part III Page 18

b. That any activity has occurred or will occur which would result in any discharge, on a non-
routine or infrequent basis, of a toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that
discharge will exceed the highest of the following "notification levels ";
(1) Five hundred micrograms per liter (500 ug /1);
(2) One milligram per liter (1 mg /1) for antimony;
(3) Ten (10) times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit
application.
PART IV
STANDARD CONDITIONS FOR NPDES PERMITS
The permittee must pay the annual administering and compliance monitoring fee within 30 (thirty)
days after being billed by the Division. Failure to pay the fee in a timely manner in accordance with
15A NCAC 2H .0105(b)(4) may cause this Division to initiate action to revoke the permit.
PART V
LIMITATIONS REOPENER
This permit shall be modified , or revoked and reissued, to comply with any applicable effluent
guideline or water quality standard issued or approved under sections 302(b)(2)(c) and (d), 304(b)(2) and
307(a) of the Clean Water Act, if the effluent guideline or water quality standard so issued or
approved:
a. contains different conditions or is otherwise more stringent than any effluent limitation in the
permit; or
b. controls and pollutant not limited in the permit.
The permit as modified or reissued under this paragraph shall also contain any other requirements in
the Act then applicable.
Part III Page 19

r
BUNCOMBE COUNTY
ss.
NORTH CAROLINA
r �
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said
County and State, duly commissioned, qualified
and authorized by law to administer oaths,
personally appeared Mischelle Miller
Who, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
that he (she) is LEGAL BILLING CLERIC .
of ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES COMPANY,
engaged in publication of a newspaper known as
THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN -TIMES
published, issued, and entered as second class
mail in the City of Asheville, in said County
and State; that he (she) is authorized to make
this affidavit and sworn statement; that the
notice or other legal advertisement, a true
copy of which is attached hereto, was published
in THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES on the following
date: OCTOBER 22,1996
and that the said newspaper in which said
notice, paper, document or legal advertisement
was published was, at the time of each and
every publication, a newspaper meeting all of
the requirements and qualifications of Section
1 -597 of the General Statutes of North Carolina
and was a qualified newspaper within the
meaning of Section 1 -597 of the General
Statutes of North Carolina.
This 29th day of OCTOBER 1996
i V riP-A)L4M -
(Signature of person making affidavit)
Sworn to and subscribed before me
This 29th day of OCTOBER 1996
SMW ' (Notary public)
My CommislOW expires: October 24,2001•.
c��
BUNCOMBE COUNTY
ss.
NORTH CAROLINA
r �
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said
County and State, duly commissioned, qualified
and authorized by law to administer oaths,
personally appeared Mischelle Miller
Who, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
that he (she) is LEGAL BILLING CLERIC .
of ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES COMPANY,
engaged in publication of a newspaper known as
THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN -TIMES
published, issued, and entered as second class
mail in the City of Asheville, in said County
and State; that he (she) is authorized to make
this affidavit and sworn statement; that the
notice or other legal advertisement, a true
copy of which is attached hereto, was published
in THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES on the following
date: OCTOBER 22,1996
and that the said newspaper in which said
notice, paper, document or legal advertisement
was published was, at the time of each and
every publication, a newspaper meeting all of
the requirements and qualifications of Section
1 -597 of the General Statutes of North Carolina
and was a qualified newspaper within the
meaning of Section 1 -597 of the General
Statutes of North Carolina.
This 29th day of OCTOBER 1996
i V riP-A)L4M -
(Signature of person making affidavit)
Sworn to and subscribed before me
This 29th day of OCTOBER 1996
SMW ' (Notary public)
My CommislOW expires: October 24,2001•.
c��

additional dischargers wiU in uthiaeporlioiveOnf i tuhm w mtewrnhedu. r
2. NPDES No. NC0000175.
Unimin Corp., PO Bcx S88,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777 has
applied for a permit renewal
for a facility located at
Unimin Quartz Operation, off
NC Hwy 226, near Spruce
Pine, Mitchell Co. The focill-
ty is permitted to discharge
up to 3.6 MGD of treated
industrial wastewater b
stormwater into the North
Toe River, a Class C -Trout
stream in the French Brood
River Basin, which has a
7Q10 flow of 45 cfs. Fluoride
is water quality limited. For
some parameters, the avail-
able load capacity of the
immediate receiving water
will be consumed. This may
affect future water quality
I based effluent limitations for
additional dischargers within
this portion of the watershed.
3 NPDES No. NC0000361.
Unimin Corp., PO Box 588,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777 has
applied for a permit renewal
for a facility located at
Unimin - Schoolhouse Quartz
Operation, off Hwy 19 East,
.near Spruce Pine, Avery Co.
The facility is permitted to
discharge up to 2.16 MGD of
treated industrial wastewa-
ter 6 stormwater into the
North Toe River, a Class
C -Trout stream in the French
Broad River Basin, which
has a 7Q10 flow of 30 cfs. Flu-
oride is water quality limit-
ed. For some parameters,
the available load capacity of
the immediate receiving
water will be consumed. This
may affect future water qual-
ity based limitations for addi-
tional dischargers within this
- portion of the watershed.
4. NPDES No. NC0027898. NC
Dept of Correction, B31 West
Morgan St., Raleigh, NC
27603 has applied for a permit
renewal for a facility located
at Yancey Correctional Cen-
ter 04670, County Rood 1138,
approx. four miles west of
Burnsville, Yancey Co. The
facility dischargers 0.0177
MGD of treated domestic
wastewater from one outfoll
into an unnamed tributary to
the Cone River, a Class
C -Trout stream in the French
Broad River Basin which has
a 7Q10 flow of 0.05 cfs. No
Parameters are water quali-
ty limited, but this discharge
may affect future alloca-
tions.
S. NPDES No. NC0003S3. The
Feldspar Corp., 1040 Crown
Point Parkway, Suite 270,
Atlanta, GA 30338 has applied
for a permit renewal for a
facility located at The Feld -
spor Corp., NCSR 1121 in
spruce Pine, Mitchell Co.
The facility is permitted to
discharge 3.5 MGD of treated
industrial wastewater from
three outfolls into the North
Toe River, a Class C -Trout
stream in the French Broad
l River which has o 7Q10 flow
re43.00 cfs. Fluoride is water
quality limited. For some
Parameters, the available
load capacity of the immedi-
ate receiving water will be
consumed. This may affect
future water quality based
effluent limitations for oddi-
tioncll dischargers within this
portion of the watershed.
6. NPDES No. NC0084620.
Unimin Corp., PO 588,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777 has
applied for a permit renewal
i modification for a facility
located at Unimin Crystal
Operation, east of NC Hwy
226, southeast of Spruce Pine,
Mitchell Co. The facility has
requested a permit modifica-
tion to' discharge up to 0.36
MGD of treated industrial
wastewater into the North
Toe River, a Class C -Trout
stream in the French Broad
River Basin, which has a
7Q10 flow of 41 cfs. Fluoride
is water quality limited. For
some parameters, the avoil-
oble load capacity of the
Immediate receiving water
will be consumed. This may
affect future water quality
based effluent limitations for
additional dischargers within
this portion of the watershed.
October 22, 1996 (6200)
(Notary Public)
My CommissJ.on expires: October 24,2001

the proposed permit. A public
i- ewspar liorpuratmi, IV-+V —'
Crown Point Parkway, Suite
meeting may be held where the
270, Atlanta, GA 30338 has
,. Director of fie Division of
applied for a permit renewal for
Environmental' management
a facility located at The Feldspar
finds a significant degree of
Corporation, NCSR 1121 in
public interest in a Proposed,
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County.
permit.
The facility is . permitted to.
discharge 3.5 MGD of treated
A. copy. of the draft ermit is
P p
industrial wastewater from three
available by writing or calling the
outfalls into the North Toe River,
Division of Environmental
a Class C -Trout stream In the
Management, P.O. Box 29535, .
French Broad River Basin which
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-
has a 7Q10 flow of 43.00 cis.
0535,[phone].,
Fluoride is water quality limited.
The application and other.,
For some parameters, the
- available load capacity of the
! information may be inspected at
receiving water will
these locations during normal
,immediate
be consumed. This may affect
office hours. Copies of the
future water. quality based
information on file are available
effluent limitations for additional
upon request and payment of
dischargers within this portion of
the costs of reproduction. All
watershed.
such comments or requests
regarding a proposed permit
°the
' 4. NPDES, No. NC0084620.
should make reference to the
Unimin Corporation, Post Office
NPDES permit number listed
Box 588, Spruce Pine, NC
below.
28777 has applied for a permit
i
renewal and modification for a,
Date: Oct. 18,1996
facility located at Unimin Crystal
David A. Goodrich for • ,
Operation, east of NC Highway
.
A. Preston Howard Jr. P.E.,
226, southeast of Spruce Pine,
Director
Mitchell County.. The facility has _
Division of Environmental
requested a permit modification•.
i to discharge up to 0.36 MGD of.
Management
treated industrial: wastewater
Public. notice of intent to Issue a
into the North Toe,.; River,' a:
State NPDES permit to the
,
.:.Class C -Trout -:stream • in the
following:
French'. Broad River..:: Basin,
1
which has a 7010 flow of 41 cfs.
1. NPDES No. NC0000400. K -T
:Fluoride is water quality limited.
Feldspar Corporation, Box 309,
For some parameters,. the-
Spruce Pine, NC 28777 has,-
available load capacity of the
applied for a permit renewal for.:
immediate receiving water will
a facility located at K T Feldspar
. be 'consumed. This may affect
Corporation, on NCSR 1151
future.' water quality, based
l west of Spruce Pine, Mitchell effluent limitations for additional
` County. The facility is permitted
_ dischargers within this.portion of
. discharge . 1.73, MGD of
the watershed:
[to
treated industrial _ wastewater
#3737/-106 -23-96
` from orie outfall into North.Toe .
—
River, a Class C -Trout stream in
the French Broad River Basin.:
which has_ a 7Q10. flow of 44.0
cis. Fluoride is ' water quality
limited. For some parameters, ':
' the available load capacity of.
the immediate receiving water
will be consumed. This may
ZZ
affect future water quality based.
L6
effluent limitations for additional
t
dischargers withtn'this portioq&
V&1430
the watershed.
2. NPDES No. NC0600175.
Unimin Corporation,' P.O.; Box.
588, ' Spruce Pine, North
Carolina 28777 has applied for-.

r . -Y
A..
�.dt
s Fz
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION'
POST OFFICE-B& 29515
RALEIGH; NORTH CAROLINA
•. 27626 -0535 '...:" ,; :: , .
NOTIFICATION OF INTENT
TO ISSUE A STATE NPDES'
On the basis of •thorougn .staff
review and application of Article
21 of Chapter :143, General
Statutes of North - Carolina,
Public Law 92 -500 and other
lawful standards ' ;and
regulations, the North Carolina
Environmental . Management
Commission proposes to' issue
a permit 'to .discharge to.the
persons listed ,below effective
12/9/96 and subject *to .special
conditions.
Persons 'Wishing to comment
upon or object to the proposed
determinations are invited to
submit same in writing to the
above address no later than
11/22/96. All comments
received prior to that date will be
considered in the formulation of
final determinations • regarding
the proposed .permit. A public
meeting may be held where the
Director of the Division of
Environmental Management
.finds a significant degree of
public interest in a proposed
permit.
A. copy. of the draft permit is
available by writing or calling, the
Division of . Environmental
.Management, P.O. Box 29535,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-
0535, (919)733 -7015. 1
The, application and other
Information may be inspected at
these _locations during normal
office hours. Copies of the
information on file are available
upon request and payment of
the costs of reproduction. All
such comments or requests
regarding a proposed permit
should make .reference to the
NPDES permit number listed
below.
Date: Oct. 18, 1996
David A. Goodrich for ,
A. Preston Howard Jr., P.E.,
Director
Division of Environmental
Management
a permit renewal for a facility
located at Unimin Quartz
Operation, off NC Highway 226,
near: _Spruce .Pine, Mitohell.,
'Count-The facility is pemiitted
to discharge up to 3.6 MGD of'
treated -industrial wastewater
and, 'stormwater into the North
Toe River; 'A Class . C -Trout
stream`• din the: French_ Broad `
River Basin, which has a 7010
flow of 45 cfs: Fluoride is water
quality '.limited.;.' For some
parameters, the .available load
capacity' of the immediate
receiving water will be
consumed. This may affect
future water quality , based
effluent limitations for additional
dischargers within this portion of
the watershed.
3. -NPDES No::N00000353; .Tbe
Feldspar Corporation, ..1040,
Crown Point Parkway, Suite..
270, Atlanta, GA :30338. has
applied for a permit renewal for.
a facility located at The Feldspar '
Corporation, NCSR 1121 ,in
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County.
The facility is. permitted to
discharge 3.5 MGD of treated
Industrial wastewater from three
outfalls into the. North Toe River,
a Class C -Trout stream in the
French Broad River Basin which
has a 7010 flow of 43.00 cfs."
Fluoride is water quality limited.
For some parameters, the..
available load capacity of the
immediate receiving water will
be consumed. This may affect
future water. quality 'based.'
-effluent limitations for additional -
-dischargers within this portion of.
the watershed.
4. NPDES No. NC0084620.
Unimin Corporation, Post Office
Box . 588, : Spruce Pine, NC
28777 has applied for a permit
renewal and modification for a
facility located at Unimin Crystal
Operation, east of NC Highway
226, southeast of Spruce Pine,
Mitchell County. The facility has
'requested a permit modification .
to discharge up to 0.36 MGD of

= FACTSHEET
'NC0000175
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
419-A 06111, el-.1
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
PERMIT TO DISCHARGE TREATED WASTEWATER
Application, No. NC0000175 Date: 10/15/96
1. SYNOPSIS OF APPLICATION
ADDlicant's Name
Unimin Corporation
ADDlicant'LAddress
258 Elm Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
Facility Address
NC Hwy. 266
Spruce Pine
Tvoe of Oneration
Process includes milling, processing, and flotation of ore to produce feldspar, mica, and
quartz. Mica and sand are by- products of the feldspar flotation process.
pesien Capacity of Facilitv
3.6 MGD. Much of the water is recycled, so the facility rarely discharges up to this
level.
ADDlicant's Receiving Water
Ftecejving Stream:Ad Zk j aver
d a ale a,,
Page 1

FACTSHEET
'NC0000175
Classification: C -Tr
See Attachment A for a map showing the discharge location(s).
Descrintion of Wastewater Treatment Facilities
A wastewater treatment plant for process wastewater from mineral extraction consisting of
dewatering cyclones, screw classifier, vacuum filters, alum, lime, and polymer feed, Jadar
solids removal system, stabilization ponds, pH adjustment, emergency pond, mix/reactor
tanks, thickener, multimedia filter, filter press, flow measurement
Summary of Existing Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation
See Attachment B (for operating facilities).
Tvne of Wastewater (as reported by applicant).
100 % Industrial
' ; • ' • �• ��� a �M ICI
See attached copy of Effluent Page(s) from Draft Permit.
The applicant will be required to monitor regularly for flow and those parameters
limited in Section 2 above with sufficient frequency to ensure compliance with the
permit conditions. Frequency, methods of sampling, and report dates will be
specified in the final permit.
001 IrU_ 10MUMAIW&ONOMMOU12 RIM11011111
TO-MIN Cy 11115111111 R1 W41W Willi 1-0.
TAS CO:W
Page 2

FACTSHEET
'NC0000175
The limits become effective on the date of permit issuance.
5. PROPOSED SPECIAL CONDITIONS WHICH WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICAr1T
IMPACT ON THE DISCHARGE
Chronic Toxicity
Fluoride Re- opener
6. BASIS FOR PROPOSED EFFLUENT LIMITS
There are no federal guidelines for processing of ore for quartz and feldspar. The
fluoride limit is based on allocated load to the five mining facilities which produce
quartz (in close proximity). The total load from all plants is based on protection of
an instream fluoride level of 1.8 mg/l. Total suspended solids is based on
treatability levels from the WWTP and BPJ. North Carolina has no water quality
standard for total suspended solids.
Chloride is a by- product from the precipitation process and has been recommended
for quarterly monitoring (there is no NC water quality standard for chloride, but
there is an action level).
The toxicity testing requirement is placed on all major facilities and other facilities
with complex wastestreams (Departmental memo 7/22/87). The toxicity limit is
based on the instream waste concentration under 7Q10 conditions.
The pH limit was based on the water quality standards contained in NCAC 2B
.0211.
Turbidity and settleable solids monitoring are included due to the potential for solids
from the ore processing and the wastewater treatment process to be in the effluent.
7. REOUESTED VARIANCES OR ALTERNATIVES TO REQUIRED
STANDARDS,
None
8. DISCUSSION OF PREVIOUS NPDES PERMIT CONDITIONS
The previous effluent sheet/li rdts are attached. No major changes have been made
to the permit.
The NPDES Permit 1*irB f 9W02/3l/2001
831U IvWte0 All 003y
Page 3

FACTSHEET
'NC0000175
9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD
The administrative record, including application, draft permit, fact sheet, public
notice, comments received, and additional information is available by writing the
Division of Water Quality, Water Quality Section, P. O. Box 29535,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 -0535. The above documents are available for
review and copying at the Archdale Building, 9th Floor, Water Quality Section,
Permits and Engineering Unit, 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina
27611 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Copies will be provided at a charge of 10 cents per page.
Additional information concerning the permit application may be obtained at the
above address during the hours stated in item No. 9 by contacting: Susan Wilson at
(919) 733 -5083, extension 555.
11. PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR PERMIT ISSUANCE
Draft Permit to Public Notice - 10/23/96
Permit Scheduled to Issue - 12/9/96
12. PROCEDURES FOR THE FORMULATION OF FINAL DETERMINATIONS
a. Comment Period
The Division of Water Quality proposed to issue an NPDES Permit to this applicant
subject to the effluent limitations and special conditions outlined above. These
determinations are tentative and are open to comment from the public.
16 ZZ NVr
83'U TVWJW AS QXd
Page 4

' s
FACTSHEET
'NC0000175
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the permit application
or on the Division of Water Quality's proposed determinations to the
following address:
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
WATER QUALITY SECTION
POST OFFICE BOX 29535
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27626 -0535
All comments received within thirty days following the date of public notice will be
considered in the formulation of final determinations with regard to this application.
b. Public Hearing
The director of the Division of Water Quality may hold a public hearing if there is a
significant, degree of public interest in a proposed permit or group of permits. ,
Public notice of such a hearing will be circulated in newspapers in the geographical
area of the discharge and to those on the Division of Water Quality's mailing list at
least thirty days prior to the hearing.
C. Anneal Hearines
An applicant whose permit is denied, or is granted subject to conditions he deems
unacceptable, shall have the right to a hearing before the Commission upon making
written demand to the Director within 30 days following issuance or denial of the
permit.
d. Issuance oae hermit when no hearing is held
If no public hearing or appeal hearing is held, and after review of the comments
received, the Division of Water Quality's determinations are substantially
unchanged, the permit willib7e issued and become effective immediately. This will
be the final action of le bDiGr%isiblt of Water Quality.
M1W IVULNM A8 GM
Page 5

` FACTSHEET
NC0000175
If a hearing is not held, but there have been substantial changes, public notice of the
Division of Water Quality's revised determinations will be made. Following a 30-
day comment period, the permit will be issued and will become effective
immediately. This will be the final action of the Division of Water Quality unless a"
f. } public or appeal hearing is granted.
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JW-12 -1996 1145 WIMIN CORP. - MIDWEST
IIn
VWW Octiolxr 24. 1995 cc:
To: A [.atscb
From B. Sbalter
+1e15434382e P.09
D. Bradley
R Z3clim
Subject: Diepood of Wawwatcr 1ieabnent Solids for NC Anthorhation to Construct
Q=rts Pleat - W*"u*"%L4 '0-0 " (NC 0000175 )
The solids generated ftcm ttw cunent Quarts w+astewsw ucann nt are disposed of on -sire In
a pe mi ted mine wm m cell covered under Xmth Cs=olins Whims Permit 061 -04. 'I7re
ootkb limm tertiary a vaunem w M be disposed of at the tame locsriwL
71s solid waste matc ial removed by The Quints waste treat facility consists prima:* of
nm4oxie, nor�baz=do^ inwginiie compounds and naturally occurring minerals.
Mn permiuW disposal taCihty has been. designed to aors slope stabilizatiotl wW erasion
vmd sediment conorA
Schoolhouse Quarix Harris Site (NC 0000361)
The solids generated 4om dw Sc loolbouse Quartz waste treatnxnt plant will comist of a
variety of naturally cw ur ng =nersh aed hmga me pavcgg arcs which am non -toxio and
non- hazwdom in nanxre..
The mining waste colt into which rltis material will be placed will ire oovcred under Nerdy
Carolins Along permit #06 -03. The roquired soil erosion and sediment amnul measures
em iaoarixuated in Mining Permit 06-03.
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%%\I SO ST4T`c1P V
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 4
0 ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
100 ALABAMA STREET, S.W.
PROI ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303 -3104
DEC 1 0 1996
REF: 4WM -SWPFB
Mr. Steve Tedder
Chief, Water Quality Section
NC Dept. of Environment, Health,
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
P. 0. Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 -0535
RE: NPDES Overview
Dear Mr. Tedder:
DEC J6 0"6
wA r
S� QUACI l`y
o�
In accordance with the EPA /DEM MOA we have completed review of
the following draft permit(s) and have no objections to the
proposed permit conditions.
NPDES No. Facilitv
NC0000175 Unimin Coporation /Quartz Operation,) j�r�>`it�` y
NC0000353 The Feldspar Corporation /I
NC0000400 K -T Feldspar Corporation
We request. we be afforded an additional review opportunity
only if significant changes are made to the permit(s) prior to
issuance, or if significant objections to the permit(s) are
received. Otherwise, please send us one copy of the final
permit(s) when issued.
If you have any questions, please call Darryl Willi_p_*ns at
(404) 562 -9297.
Sincerely,
Douglas4. Mundrick, P.E., Chief
Surface Water Permits and
Facilities Branch
Water Management Division
L6 ZZ wi^
"III 1'VUN 2J Ae Coed
RacycledlRocyclablo • Printed with Vegetable 06 Based Inks on 10011. Regded Paper (40% Postconsumer)

'10/17/1996 12:10 7042516452
V
PAGE 02
DR I -P & E Oct 14 '96 16 :13 P. Wrx
D[Vnl<)N OF WA'TER QUALITY
Octcbex 14, 1996
11: 11. 7.7 %J • i
To: Fouest WeSts11
Mike packer
From: Susan .A. Wilsot
Paul airkp(,
subicct: Minim 1Va6lities on Ctlt North Toe River
Please review the enclosed sup lemem effluent sbteets, and spei,-�a1 vex►ditluub (�rtinas auy
stor nwater laWAge, if appli�lm) rpgrding the rem" of the mininglprocrssmg
facali im locaicd on #lac North Toe River ib the French Broad River Basin. The following
sammAr%zes the, P&E's review of thew facilities:
• No,chxrtges are proposed to the fluoride- loadings as each facility fref. Wes letter
6l"1:] /99 The P& Unit would line to be involved in the future re- allocation
developmeut of fluoride at dime facilities.
• P&C recolumends effluent monitoring fmquencies (TA TSS) of weclrly for facilities
<1 MUD,, daily for facilities > I MCA) [rwa facilirlas reflect This frequelucy).
• P&B finds that ipstream mwitaritng be weekly for facilities tl MOD. 3/week
for facilities > 1 MGD, This should provide the Division ample data Lo nsview daring
tiles next permit cycle. [Sorrw facilities curmntiy have daily insftwn rnonitorinS].
• As recommeuded by your of]<iocti chloride monitoring has been irnpte=Mted quarterly
(during die saaw mouths as toxicity tfng).
• Ef =t settleable solids, PH, and tzubidity monitoring have been continued on a daily
frequency.
Reviewed by..
Date:
i
Femli*F=giW'C:xjj)g-

DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
October 14, 1996
Memorandum
To: Forrest Westall
Mike Parker
From: Susan A. Wilso
Paul Clarkplb(,
Subject: Mining Facilities on the North Toe River
Please review the enclosed supplement, effluent sheets, and special conditions (minus any
stormwater language, if applicable) regarding the renewal of the mining/processing
facilities located on the North Toe River in the French Broad River Basin. The following
summarizes the P&E's review of these facilities:
• No changes are proposed to the fluoride loadings at each facility [ref. SWT's letter
6/21/95]. The ME Unit would like to be involved in the future re- allocation
development of fluoride at these facilities.
•
ME recommends effluent monitoring frequencies (TF, TSS) of weekly for facilities
<1 MGD; daily for facilities > 1 MGD [most facilities reflect this frequency].
•
ME recommends that instream monitoring be weekly for facilities <1 MGD; 3 /week
for facilities > 1 MGD. This should provide the Division ample data to review during
the next permit cycle. [Some facilities currently have daily instream monitoring].
• As recommended by your office, chloride monitoring has been implemented quarterly
(during the same months as toxicity testing).
• Effluent settleable solids, pH, and turbidity monitoring have been continued on a daily
frequency.
Reviewed by:
Regional Supervisor.
Permits & Engineering:
IM
II

MINING FACILITIES, NORTH TOE RIVER
NOTES TO FILE
NC0000175 (Unimin Quartz). Located at River Mile 28.6, this facility is
the last mine of the five in close proximity. This facility was recently permitted
to construct a tertiary treatment system to meet a fluoride limit of 109 lbs /day
[see note under NC0000361 ].
Stormwater is covered under the NPDES permit.
This is classified as a IWOR' permit.
Instream total fluoride data indicate some elevated fluoride levels both up and downstream.
DWQ is aware of the potential overallocation of total fluoride [SWT letter 6121/95].
[See memo to ARO 10/14/96]
/0
October 15, 1996

MINING FACILITIES, NORTH TOE RIVER
FACILITIES:
NC0000361 (Schoolhouse Quartz). Located at River Mile 41.5, this is
the fast mine discharge of the five within close proximity. This facility was
recently permitted to construct a tertiary treatment system to meet a fluoride limit
of 109 lbs /day. The UNIMIN facility NC0000175 traded 109 lbs/day fluoride
load to the Schoolhouse facility, which subsequently reduced its existing load
of 219 lbs/day to 109 lbs /day.
Stormwater is covered under GP NCG020112.
NC0000353 (The Feldspar Corporation). Located at River Mile 33.8,
this facility has phased effluent limits. After Unimin Crystal begins to
discharge directly to North Toe River, Feldspar's total fluoride monthly average
limit will decrease from 225 to 174 lbs/day. As noted in Mike Parker's
staff report (7/18/96), the facility has never discharged from
outfalls 002 and 003 (both of which are non - contact cooling water
discharges). Can one or both of these outfalls be deleted since it
appears the facility is not discharging from these outfalls (are
these routed to the treatment plant ?)
P&E is investigating stormwater permitting status at this facility. After
computer server becomes operational, stormwater permitting status will be
updated.
NC0084620 ( Unimin Crystal). Located at River Mile 33.8, this facility
currently discharges to the Feldspar plant (NC0000353). UNIMIN requested
an increase in flow from 0.173 MGD to 0.36 MGD for incidental wastewater
associated with the process. The facility is to begin discharging directly via this
permit in the near future. The increase in flow increased the IWC, and
consequently, the toxicity testing percentage.
NC0000400 (K -T Feldspar Corporation). Located at River Mile 29.2,
this facility does not have a non - contact cooling water discharge. The
Biocide Condition will be omitted from this permit, unless the
region provides a reason for retaining this condition. Review of
instream monitoring data for the period January 1993 through July 1996
indicated six violations of the fluoride water quality standard at the downstream
station. Feldspar facility (NC0000353) did not have any violations over the
same time period.
P&E is investigating stormwater permitting status at this facility. After
computer server becomes operational, stormwater permitting status will be
updated.
NC0000175 ( Unimin Quartz). Located at River Mile 28.6, this facility is
the last mine of the five in close proximity. This facility was recently permitted
to construct a tertiary treatment system to meet a fluoride limit of 109 lbs/day
[see note under NC0000361].
Stormwater is covered under the NPDES permit.

MINING FACILITIES ON THE NORTH TOE RIVER
Permit Limits and Monitoring Requirements
Facility
Unimin Schoolhouse Qtz.
Feldspar
Unimin Qtr. (processing - new)
Unimin Crystal
NC(OX)O175
K -T Feldspar
NCO085839
NPDES No
NC0000361
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
NCO000353
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
NC0084620
PF (MGD)
NC0000400
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
Frey.
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
Freq.
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
Freq.
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
Frey.
PF (MGD)
2.16
35
70
3.5
TSS ( #/da)
1320
0.173
daily
142
1.73
weekly
TSS (mg/1)
TF ( # /da )
�
109
218
daily
174
349
daily
50
100
wcckly
132
264
weekly
TF (mg/I_
6.1
12.1
daily
6
12
daily
35
70
10
9.1
19.2
10
TSS (#/dap
450
721
daily
1568
3137
daily
86.6
173.2
weekly
1240
2480
weekly
TSS (mg/l)
25
40
54
108
60
120
86
172
(daily --
SS
monitor
daily
monitor
daily
monitor
daily
monitor
daily
pH (SU)
6 -10
daily
6 -10
daily
6 -10
daily
6 -10
daily
Turb(NTU)
10
daily
10
daily
10
daily
10
daily
Tux
P/F 10 %n
Qtrly
P/F 11%
Qtrly
LC5(n65 %Qtrly
P/F 6 %n
Qtrly
U,D
TF,Turb
TF,Turb,
TF (wkly)
TF,Turb,
(daily)
pH
Turb,
pH
(daily)
pH (daily)
(daily --
3 /week)
Facility
Unimin Qtr.
Unimin Qtr. (processing - new)
NPDES No
NC(OX)O175
NCO085839
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
Frey.
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
Freq.
PF (MGD)
3.6
0.682
TF ( # /da )
218
436
daily
200
4W
weekly
TF (mg/l�
7.3
14.5
35
70
TSS ( #/da)
1320
2640
daily
142
284
weekly
TSS (mg/1)
44
88
25
50
SS
monitor
daily
monitor
daily
pH (SU)
6 -10
daily
6 -10
daily
Turh(NTU)
10
daily
10
weekly
Tux
P/F 11%
Qtrly
P/F 1.15%
Qtrly
U,D
TF,'I'urb
TF, rurb
pH
(weekly)
(daily --
3 /week)
THIS IS THE CURRENT MONITORING AND LIMIT SCHEME FOR THE MINING IACILITIES AS OF 10/96.
October 16, 1996

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Asheville Regional Office
MEMORANDUM
e��
IDEHN
WATER QUALITY SECTION
August 15, 1996
TO: Dave Goodrich
Permits and Engineers g Unit
THROUGH: Forrest R. Westa 1
Regional Water Qu Supervisor
FROM: Mike Parker%
Environmental Chemist
SUBJECT: Staff Reports
Feldspar Mining Company's
Avery and Mitchell County's
I have completed the staff reports and recommendations for
the following facilities:
The Feldspar Corporation
NPDES
Permit
No.
NC0000353
K -T Feldspar Corporation
NPDES
Permit
No.
NC0000400
Unimin Corporation- Schoolhouse
NPDES
Permit
No.
NC0000361
Unimin Corporation - Crystal
NPDES
Permit
No.
NCO084620
Unimin Corporation - Quartz
NPDES
Permit
No.
NC0000175
It is requested that all of these permits be sent to public
notice and issued at the same time with the same expiration
dates. As you know all of these permit are interdependent on
each other because of the fluoride allocation in the North Toe
River. The total allocation of fluoride (574 lbs /day) is
allocated between these companies.
Also, please refer to the attached letter dated June 21,
1995, to Representative Charles Buchanan from Steve Tedder,
advising that the fluoride allocation will not be reduced when
the permits are reissued.
Interchange Building, 59 Woodfin Place FAX [phone]
A
Asheville, North Carolina 28801 n Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer
Voice 704 -251 -6208 50% recycles / 10% post- consumer paper

Dave Goodrich Memo
August 15, 1996
Page Two
Additionally, chlorides have been noted in the results of
the Annual Pollutant Analysis data provided by these companies.
It may need to be added to the permits as a new parameter. If it
is decided to be added it is recommended that monitoring only be
conducted until we have adequate data to determine it limits are
necessary.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the staff
reports, please call me at 704 - 251 -6208.
0

-State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
June 21, 1995
Representative Charles Buchanan
Route 1, Box 273
Green Mountain, North Carolina 28740
Re: Fluoride
Dear Representative Buchanan:
Asue
AIM lk
DEHNF=?,
1-..1
This correspondence is to clarify our position and hopefully to address concerns expressed by several
feldspar and quartz processing operations near Spruce Pine concerning fluoride limitations within their
NPDES permits.
The Water Quality Section of the Division of Environmental Management has worked closely with the
mining facilities on the fluoride allocation issue for several years. In 1985 we worked with the mining
operations to allocate the available assimilative capacity of the North Toe River in consultation with the
mining interests in that area.
0 The industries have expressed concerns that we may modify the allocations upon permit renewal in
1996. Although an error in mass calculations has been noted, I can assure you that there will not be a
reduction in allowable pounds allocated to these facilities for fluoride upon permit re- issuance. We will
continue to monitor the situation as the allocation for fluoride has been exhausted in the North Toe River
near Spruce Pine.
I have relayed this information previously to Unimin Corporation and to Charles Case and Lucius
Pullen.
If there are additional questions, please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely
Steve W. Tedder, Chief
'Water Quality Section
SWT: ps n
cc: Forrest Westall
Don Safrit
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 -0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post - consumer paper

SOC PRIORITY PROJECT: Yes No XX
IF YES, SOC NUMBER
TO: PERMITS AND ENGINEERING UNIT
WATER QUALITY SECTION
ATTENTION: Susan Wilson
DATE: August 14, 1996
NPDES STAFF REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
COUNTY Mitchell
PERMIT NUMBER NC0000175
PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Facility and Address: Unimin Corporation - Quartz Operations
Mailing: Post Office Box 588
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
2. Date of Investigation: February 20, 1996
3. Report Prepared By: Michael R. Parker
4. Persons Contacted and Telephone Number: Roy Riddle
'' 704/765 -4283
S. Directions to Site: From the intersection of U. S. Highway
19E and North Carolina Highway 226 in Spruce Pine, travel
North on NC Highway 226 approximately 2.6 miles. Unimin
Corporation is located on the left side of the highway.
6. Discharge Point(s), List for all discharge points:
Latitude: 350 55, 58" Longitude: 820 06, 11"
Attach a USGS map extract and indicate treatment facility site and
discharge point on map.
U.S.G.S. Quad No. D10NE U.S.G.S. Quad Name Spruce Pine, N. C.
7. Site size and expansion area consistent with application?
X Yes No If No, explain:
8. Topography (relationship to flood plain included): The wastewater
treatment facility is located upland away from the river and is
not subject to flooding.
Page 1

r
9. Location of nearest dwelling: Greater than 500 feet.
10. Receiving stream or affected surface waters: North Toe River
a. Classification: C -trout
b. River Basin and Subbasin No.:040306
C. Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream
uses: fishing, wading, fish and wildlife propagation,
industrial water supply, irrigation.
PART II - DESCRIPTION OF DISCHARGE AND TREATMENT WORKS
1. a. Volume of wastewater to be permitted 3.6 MGD (Ultimate
Design Capacity)
b. What is the current permitted capacity of the Wastewater
Treatment facility? 3.6 MGD
C. Actual treatment capacity of the current facility (current
design capacity 3.6 MGD
d. Date(s) and construction activities allowed by previous
Authorizations to Construct issued in the previous two years:
December 22, 1995
e. Please provide a description of existing or substantially
'constructed wastewater treatment facilities: The existing
wastewater treatment facilities consist of influent pumps,
six hydrocyclones, a screw classifier, vacuum filters,
chemical feed system, Jadar solids removal system, two
stabilization ponds, pH adjustment by caustic or acid,
emergency overflow pond, flow measuring and recording
equipment and sludge disposal and construct a new influent
tank, equalization tank, reactor tank, mix tank, holding
tank, clarifier, sludge thickener, pressure sludge filter,
and piping and appurtenances.
f. Please provide a description of proposed wastewater treatment
facilities:
g. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters: None anticipated.
h. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only): NA
in development approved
should be required not needed
Page 2

• f.
2. Residuals handling and utilization /disposal scheme: Sludge or
tailings removed from the clarifiers are taken to the company's
landfill.
a. If residuals are being land applied, please specify DEM
Permit Number
Residuals Contractor
Telephone Number
b. Residuals stabilization: PSRP PFRP OTHER
C. Landfill:
d. Other disposal /utilization scheme (Specify):
3. Treatment plant classification (attach completed rating sheet):
Class IV.
4. SIC Codes(s): 3295
Primary 41 Secondary
Main Treatment Unit Code: 51102
PART III - OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
i
1. Is this facility being constructed with Construction Grant Funds
or are any public monies involved. (municipals only)? NA
2. Special monitoring or limitations (including toxicity) requests%
NA
3. Important SOC, JOC, or Compliance Schedule dates: (Please
indicate) NA
Date
Submission of Plans and Specifications
Begin Construction
Complete Construction
4. Alternative Analysis Evaluation: Has the facility evaluated all
of the non- discharge options available. Please provide regional
perspective for each option evaluated. NA
Page 3

Spray Irrigation:
Connection to Regional Sewer System:
Subsurface:
Other disposal options:
5.
Other
Special Items:
NA
PART
IV -
EVALUATION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Unimin Corporation- Quartz has submitted a request for renewal of
NPDES Permit No. NC0000175 for the continued discharge of
industrial process wastewater from the production of feldspar,
quartz, mica and sand..
There are no effluent guidelines for this industry and the
effluent limits were developed using production and process
information and the North Carolina Water Quality Standard for
fluoride of 1.8 mg /l. It has been determined there is a maximum
assimilative capacity of 574 lbs /day of fluoride in the North
Toe River at the mouth of Little Bear Creek. The 574 lbs /day of
fluoride are divided between four other dischargers, Unimin
Corporation - Schoolhouse Quartz Operation, The Feldspar
Corporation, Unimin Corporation - Crystal Operation, K -T Feldspar
Corporation and Unimin Corporation- Quartz Operation, all of which
have similar industrial processes and wastewater characteristics.
Each company discharges or proposes to discharge fluorides to the
North Toe River. All of the permits for these companies are
interdependent on each other because of the total assimilative
capacity of the fluoride is allocated between these five
industries and all of the permits should be issued at the same
time.
There have been no changes in the processes and waste
characteristics since the permit was issued. Effluent limits and
monitoring requirements should remain the same as in the existing
permit with the addition of chloride. Since thloride is indicated
as 140 mg /l in the effluent based on the APA, we may want to add
this parameter to the permit; possibly monitoring at a weekly
frequency.
It is recommended that the permit issued.
Si ature of Repo
ater Qua ity gional
�' 9, ,W
Date
Page 4
Supervisor

RATING SCALE FOR CLASSIFICATION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEMS
Name of Facility: ai✓ ��Ar� u
Owner or Contact Person: ZZW
Mailing Address: p. 1.7,a
County: /11:f /l Telephone: ;7W— 76
Present Classification: New Facility Existing Facility
NPDES Per. No. NCO 0 QQ / 7 Nondisc. Per. No.W0 Health Dept.Per No.
Rated by: -.f Telephone: 7rJ5%�+a� = Si?,F�Date:7/�S/�4 -�
Reviewed by: Health Dept. Telephone:
Regional Office Telephone:
Central Office Telephone:
ORC: Grade: Telephone:
Check Classification(s): Subsurface Spray Irriciation Land Ap lication
Wastewater Classification: (Circle One) 1 II III Total Points: %
SUBSURFACE CLASSIFICATION
(check all units that apply)
1. _septic tanks
2. pump tanks
3. siphon or pump - dosing systems
4. sand filters
5. grease trap/interceptor
6 oil/water separators
7._ _ _ _gravity subsurface treatment and disposal:
8. presture subsudace treatment and disposal:
SPRAY tRRICaATtON CIASSIFiCATiON
(check all units that apply)
1.
preliminary treatment (definition no. 32 )
2.
lagoons
3.
septic tanks
4-pump
tanks
5.
pumps
6.
sand filters
7.
grease trap./interceptor
e.
olltwater separators
9.
_ _disinfection
1t).
chemical addition for nutrientlalgae control
11.
spray irrigation of wastewater
in addition to the above classifications, pretreatment of wastewater in excess of these components shalt
be rated using the point rating system and will require an operator with an appropriate dual certification.
LAND APPLICATION/RESIDUALS CLASSIFICATION (Applies only to permit holder)
1. Land application of btosolids, residuals or contaminated soils on a designated site.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY CLASSIFICATION
The following systems shall be assigned a Class I classification. unless the flow is of a significant quantity or the technology is unusually
complex, to require consideration by the Commission on a case -by -case basis: (Check if Appropriate)
1. OiUwater Separator Systems consisting only of physical separation. rumps and disposal;
2. _ _Septic Tank/Sand Fiber Systems consisting only of septic tanks, dosing apparatus, pumps,sand filters, disinfection
and direct discharge;
3. _Lagoon Systems consisting only of preliminary ireatment. lagoons, pumps, disinfection, necessary chemical treatment for
algae or nutrient control, and direct discharge;
4. Closed -loop Recycle Systems;
5_Qroundwater Remediation Systems consisting only of oiUwater separators, pumps, air - stripping, carbon adsorption, disinfection
and disposal;
6. Aquacufture operations with discharge to surface waters;
7ti_Water Plant sludge handling and back -wash water treatment;
8. Seafood processing consisting of screening and disposal.
9.^_Single- family discharging systems, with the exception of Aerobic Treatment Units, will be classified if permitted after July 1,
1993 or if upon inspection by the Division, it is found that the system Is not being adequately operated or maintained. Such
systems will be ratified of the classification or reclassification by the Commission, in writing.

The following scale is used for rating wastewater treatment facilities: (circle appropriate points.l
ITEM POINTS
(1) Industrial Pretreatment Units or industrial Pretreatment' Program (see definition No. 33) ..................... ..............................4
(2) DESIGN FLAW OF PLANT IN gpd (rot applicable to non-contaminated cooling waters, sludge handing facilities for
water purification plants, totally dosed cycle systems(see definition No. 11), and facilities consisting only of Item
(4)(d) or Items (4)(d) and (11)(d)) .
0 20.000.. ....................................................................................................... ..............................1
20.001 - 50.000 .. .................................................................................................... ..............................2
50.001 - 100. 000 .................................................................................................... ..............................3
100.001 - 250. 000 ................................... . ....................... ....................................................................... A
250.001 - 500.000 .. .............................................................................................. ........... »..................5
500.001 - 1,000.000 .. .......................................................................................... ................... »..........A
. . .... . . ........ .
1.000,001 - 2.000.000 ........... .... ............................... ............ ..................I..............................
2.000.001 rate 1 Int for
(and up) addflbnal each 200.000 gpd capacity up to a maximum of ........ ..
Design Flow (gpd
PRELIMINARY UNrIS/PROCESS ESS ( (see d de e nition N o32)
(a)
BarScra ens ................................................................................................................. ..............................1
or
(b)
Mechanical Screens. Stadc Screens or Comminuting Devices_._._.........._ .......... .......... »._....._._..... ». ».2
(c)
Grit Removal ................................................................................................................ ..............................1
or
(d)
Mechanical or Aerated Grlt Removal ............................................................................... ..............................2
(e)
Flow Measuring Device .................................................................................................. ..............................1
(f)
or
Instrumented Flow Measurement ............................................................................... ..............................11::�
(g)
Preaeratl on ................................................................................................................. ..............................2
(h)
influent Flow tgwNuti on ................... » ..................................................................................................... 2
(1)
Grease or Oil Separators Gravity._ .............._..._..............»..............»........._.........»... ..........._..._..............2
Mechanical.. .................................................................................................... ..............................3
DissolvedAir Flotsllon ................................................................. ............................... ..............................E
11)
.....................
Prechlorinatlon. ....................................................»............................... ..............................5
(4) PRI MARYTREATMENT UVn'SIPROCESSES
(a)
Septic Tank (sus definition No. 43) .............................................................................. ..............................2
(b)
Imhoff Tank ...... ... .......... _.........................................................................................................................
(c)
Primary ClarOfefs.. ... .... .......................5
.............................. ............ .............................. ...............................
(d)
Settling Ponds or Settling Tanks for Inorganic Novi-toxic Materials (sludge handling facilities for water
purification plants, sand, gravel. stone, and other mining operations except recreational activities such as gett-
....................... .
or gold mining) ......................................................................... ...............................
(5) SECONOARYTREATL*NTLHMrn.n,c*;�.ca
(a)
Carbonaceous Stage
(1) Aeration -High Purity Oxygen System. ......... ....................... ..........» .........._..................20
DiffusedAir System .......................................................................... .............................10
Mechanical Air System (fixed. floating or rotor) ..._...»......_..._ ..._..._..._......_... »... »...e
SeparateSludge Reiteration ............................................................... ..............................3
(11) Td&AV Fixer
HighRate .. ..............................»........»........................................ ..._..........................7
StandardRate ....... ....................... ... ......... ........_ ............... .......... .— ... ........................ 5
Packed Tower.. .... ........................... ..............................5
.......... ..... ............................... ..
(10) Biological Aerated Filter or Aerated Biological Filter ------------------------------------ 10
(N) Aerated Lagoons ............................................................................. .............................10
(v) Rotating Biological Contactors ........................................................ ............ »................10
(vi) Sand Filters - intermittent biological. ....................... ........................................................ 2
Recirculatingbiological ...................................................................... ..............................3
(vii) Stabilization Lagoons ................................ .. .................................................................. A
(VIII) clarifier.............................................................. .............................................................
(lx) Single stage system for combined carbonaceous removal d BOO and nitrogenous removal by
nitrification (see dennition No. 12)(Points for this Item have to be in addition to items
(5)(a)(1) through (5)(a)(vill).
Utilizing ilia extended aeration process (see definition No.3a) ........... ... »..........................2
utilizing other than the extended aeration process......................... .............._.........._. »..e
(x ) Nutrient additions to enhance BOO removal ....................................... .._ ........................... 5
(XI) Biological Culture (*Super Bugs') additlon .......................................... ..............................5
(b)
Nitrogenous Stage
(Ij Aeration - High Purity Oxygen System........................_.................... .._..........................20
OWuuWAir System .......................................................................... .............................10
Mechanical Air System (fixed. floating or rotor) ...................................................... A
SeparateSludge Reaeration ............................................................. ..............................3
(11) Trickling Filter -High Rate ............................_..................................._. .......................... .....7
StandardRate .................................................................«.............. ..............................5
Packed Tower.. .... ......» .................. ..............................S
.......... ..... ............................... ..
(111) Biological Aerated Filter or Aerated Biological Filter ...»...».»»_.»». __.- _. » ». »_... ». »... » ». ».10
(Iv) Rotating Biological Contactors ......................................................... .............................10
(v) - Sand Filter - Intermittent biological ..... ... . .......................................... ..............................2
Recirculating biological..
(Vi) Clarifier ...................».............................. ...............................
............................. ..
(6) TERTIARY ORAOVANCEDTREATMEINT UNnWROCESSES
(a)
Activated Carbon Beds -
without carbon regeneration .................................................................. ..............................5
with carbon regeneration......... ....................... _ ........................................... ............... ........ 15
(b)
Powdered or Granular Activated Carbon Food-
without carbon regeneration .» ............ .. .............. »..........». .................. ....... ..........................
withcarbon regeneration ..............................................................„....... ........................ »....15
(a)
Air stripping ..... ............................................ .......... ... ............. .« ................. ...................... ...... »..........
(d)
Denitrfliation Process ................................................................................................. .............................10
(e)
El ectrodialysis ................................................................................................... ....................»....... » ». »..5
(f)
Foam Separ ation. ...................................................................... ............................ .......... ........5
(g)
Ion Exchange.. .. ... ». ................ ............5
(h)
Land Application of Treated Effluent (see definition No. 22b) (not applicable for sand. gravel. storm
and other similar mining operations) by high rate IMOtraUon »._..._......._... »..._ .. ._ ............. »... »... 4
(1)
Microscreens ................................................ ..................... ............................... ..5
(1)
Phosphorous Removal by Biological Processes (See definition No. 26) ........................... .............................20
(k)
Polishing Ponds - without aeration ............... _ ...................................... .. .............................................. .....2
withaeration .................................................................................... ..............................5

�., rost ^ration ctnsdade .............................................................................................................................. 0
diffusedor mechanical .......................................................................... ..............................2
(m) Reverse Osmosis.. ........... ...... .................................................................................. ..............................5
.....
(n) Sand or Mixed -Media Filters - low rate ........................................................ .......... ........................I.......
,• (o) Treatment high rate ................................ ........... .....................
processes for removal of metal or cyanide............ ...... .......
• (p) treatment processes for removal of toxic materials other than metal or ryanlde».»» .... .............. ». »... »... „ ». „.15
(7) SI110GETREATMENT
(a) Sludge Digestion Tank Heated ( anaerobic) ................................................................. .............. „..............10
Aerobic.... ............................................................................................... ..............................5
Unheated(anaerobic).. .. ... .................................................................... ..............................3
(b) Sludge Stabilization (chemical or thermal) .................................................................... ..............................5
(c) Sludge Drying Beds - Gravity ................................................................................»..... ..............................2
VacuumAssisted ........................................................................................................ ..............................5
(d) Sludge Elutdatbn... ... ... ............................................................... ..............................5
(a) Sludge Conditioner (chemical or thermal) .„....._ ......................„......................»....... .............................:
(1) Sludge Thickener ( gravity) ..................................................................................... ...............................
(9) Dissolved Air Flotation Unit (not applicable to a unit rated as ( 3)(1) j .............................................................
(h) Sludge Gas Utilization (including gas storage) ....... » ......... » ......... » ................................ ..............................2
(I) Sludge Holding Tank Aerated .................................................................................... ..............................5
Non-aerated ........ ..... ... ............... .................................. ..............................2
................... ..... ........... .........
(j) Sludge Incinerator (rot including activated carbon regeneration) ................................. ..............................}.�
(k) Vacuum Flher, Centrifuge, or Filter Press or other similar dewatering devices. ..... »....» .. „ ....... „ „ .... „ .....
.... „...1
(8) RESIDUALS UTILIZATIONDISPOSAL ( induding incinerated ash)
(a) Lagoons. ...... .. .. .................................... ..............................2
(b) Land Application (surface and subsurface) (see definition 22a)
by contracting to a land application operator or landfill operator who holds the land application permit
or landfill permit ....... ...............................
(c) Dedicated Landllll(bunal) by the permittee of the wastewater treatment facility.. .. .................... „. ».. „...
(9) DISWL-nCN
(a) Chlorination .........:..................................................................................................... ..............................5
(b) Dechiorfnation ............................................................................................................ ..............................5
(c) Ozone ........................................................................................................................ ..............................5
(d) Radiation. »5
(10) CHEMICAL ADDITION SYSTF.M(S) (acs deflnhlon fVO. 9) (not applicabis to chemical addhbne rated as hem (3)Q),
(5)(a)(xl , .(t6)(a). (6)(b), (7)(b). (7)(e). (9a). (9)(b) or (9)(c) 5 points each:
List[ C! .............„.........................................................„...................... .... ............................
♦+(s .�. .................................................................................................. ...............................
(11) EOt1S UfVf t5/ PRC+ CESS ES ........................................................................................ ...............................
(a) Holding Ponds, Holding Tanks or Settling Ponds for Organic or Toxic Materials including wastes from mining
operations containing nitrogen or phosphorus compounds in amounts significantly greater than is common
fordomestic wastewater. ...... ..... .. ... .. .......... ...4
..... .................... ........... ......... ......... ............................. . ......
(b) Effluent How Equalization (not applicable to storage basins which are inherent In land application systems) --- 2
(c) Stage Discharge (not applicable to storage basins Inherent in land application ...
(d) Pumps . ... .. ........... ...... ......................................................................................... ...............................
(0) Stand -By Power Supply ............................................................................................... ..............................3
(1) Thermal Pollution Control Device ......................................................................... ...............................
TOTAL. POINTS .......................................... ..............................»
CIASSIFiCATICN
r+
Cues1 . .................................................................. ............................... .5 -25 Points
ClassII ................................................................................... „...................26 -50 Points
CIM in.............................................................................. ..........................51 -65 Points
ClassfV............................................................................. ..........................66•Up Points
_.--------------------------------------------------
Facilities having a rating of ore through four points. Inclusive, do not require a csnified operator.
Facilities having an activated sludge process will be assigned a minimum dasstflcation of Class IL
Facilities having treatment processes for the removal of metal or cyanide will be assigned a minimum classification of Class It.
Facilities having treatment processes for the biological removal of phosphors will be assigned a minimum classification of Class III.
4004 DF.FYY1TK)NS
The following definitions shall apply throughout this Subchapter.
(1) Activated Carbon Beds. A physicalichemical method for reducing soluble organic material from wastewater effluent; The column -type beds used in this
method %ill have a lbw rate varying from two to eight gallons per minute per square loot and may be either uplbw or downtlow carbon beds. Carbon may or
may not be regenerated on the wastewater treatment plant site;
(2) Aerated Lagoons. A basin In which all solids are maintained In suspension and by which biological oxidation or organic matter Is reduced through artificially
accelerated transfer of oxygen on a how - through basis;
(3) Aeration. A process of bringing about Intimate-contact between air or high purity oxygen in a liquid by spraying, agitation or dlffusion;(3a) Extended
Aeration. An activated sludge process utilizing a minimum hydraulic detention time of 18 hours.
(4) Agriculturally managed site. Any she on which a crap is produced, managed and harvested (Crop includes grasses. grains. trees, eta);
(5) Air Stripping. A process by which the ammonium Ion is first convened to dissolved ammonia (pH adjustment) with the arrvttonia then released to the
allnosphom by physical means; or other similar processes which remove petroleum products such as benzene. toluene, and xylene;
(6) Carbon Regeneration. The regeneration of exhausted carbon by the use of a Iumace to provide extremely high temperatures which volatilize and oxldize the
absorbed impurities;
(7) Carbonaceous Stage. A stage of wastewater treatment designed to achieve 'secondary effluent smhs;
(8) Centrifuge. A mecharticai device in which centrifugal force is used to separate solids from squids or to separate liquids of different dansh'„as;
(9) Chemical AWMon Systems. The addition of chemkntl(s) 10 wastewater at an application point for purposes of Improving solids removal, pH adjustment.
alkalinity control. etc.• the capability to experiment with different chemicals and dlHuent appiicatlon points to achieve a specific result will be considered one
system; the capability to add chemicals) to dual units will be rated as one system; capability to add a chemical at a different application points for different
purposes wis result in the systems being rated as separate systems;
(10) Chemical Sludge Conditioning. The addition of a chemical compound such as Urns, ferric chloride. or a polymer to wet sludge to coalesce the mass prior to
No application to a dswatertrg device;
(11) Closed Cycle Systems Use of holding ponds or holding tanks for containment of wastewater containing Inorganic- non loxic materGds from sand, gravel.
crushed stone or other similar operations. Such "am shall carry a maximum of two points regardless of pumping facilities or any other appurtenances;
(12) Combined Removal of Carbonaceous SOD and Nitrogenous Removal by Nhrtticatbn• A single stage system required to achieve pertnt effluent limits an SOD
and ammonia nitrogen within the same biological reactor,
(13) Dechlonnatbn. The partial or complete reduction of residual chlorins In a ikprld by any chemical or physical process:
(14) Denhnficatlon Process. The conversion of nftrate- nitrogen to nitrogen gas;

(15) Electmdfalysls, Process for removing Ionized sans from water through the use of ion- selective Ion- exchange membranes;
(16) Fitter Press. A process operated mechanically for partially dewatering sludge;
(17) Foam Separation. The planned frothing of wastewater or wastewater effluent as a means of removing excessive amounts of detergent materials thrdugh
the Introduction of air in the form of fine bubbles; also called loam fractionation.
(18) Grit Removal. The process of removing grit and other heavy mineral matter from wastewater;
(19) Imhoff Tank. A deep two story wastewater tank consisting of an upper sedimentation chamber and a lower sludge digestion chamber.
(20) instrumented Flow Measurement. A device which Indicates and records rate of flow;
(21) ion Exchange. A chemical process in which Ions from two different molecules are exchanged;
(22) Land application:
(a) Sludge Disposal. A final sludge disposal method by which wet sludge may be applied to land either by spraying on the surface or by subsurface Injection
(1.9, chisel plow); (not applicable for types of sludge described In (11) d this Rule);
(b) Treated Effluent, The process of spraying treated wastewater onto a land area or other methods of application of wastewater onto a land area as a
means of final disposal or treatment;
(23) Microscreen, A low speed, continuously back- washed, rotating drum finer operating under gravity conditions as a polishing method for removing
suspended solids from effluent;
(24) Nitrfflaation Process. The biochemical conversion of unoxidized nitrogen (ammonia and organic nitrogen) to oxidized nitrogen (usually nitrate);
(25) Nitrogenous Stage. A separate stage of wastewater treatment designed for the specific purpose of converting ammonia nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen;
(26) Phosphate Removal, Biological. The removal of phosphorus from wastewater by an oxkJanoxic process designed to enhance luxury uptake of phosphorus
by the microorganisms;
(27) Polishing Pond. A holding pond following secondary treatment with sufficient detention time to allow settling of finely suspended solids;
(28) Post Aeration Aeration following conventional secondary treatment units to Increase effluent D.O. or for any other purpose;
(29) Post Aeration. (Cascade) A polishing method by which dissolved oxygen is added to the effluent by a nonmechanical, gravity means of flowing down a
series of steps or weirs; The flow occurring across the steps or weirs moves In a fairly thin layer and the operation of the cascade requires no operator
adjustment; thus, zero points are assigned even though this is an essential step to meeting the limits of the discharge permit;
(30) Powdered to Granular Activated Carbon Feed. A biophysical carbon process that utilizes biological activity and organic absorption by using powdered or
granular activated carbon; Virgin or regenerated carbon Is feed controlled Into the system;
(31) Preaeratlon. A tank constructed to provide aeration prior to primary treatment;
(32) Preliminary Units. Unit operations in the treatment process, such as screening and comminution, that prepare the liquor for subsequent major operations;
(33) Industrial Pretreatment.
(a) Pre - treatment Unit, Industrial. The conditioning of a waste at its source before discharge, to remove or to neutralize substances injurious to sewers and
treatment processes or to effect a partial reduction in load on the treatment process which is operated by the same governing body as the wastewater
treatment plart being rated;
b) Pre - treatment Program, Industrial - must be a State or EPA required program to receive points an the rating sheet;
(34) Primary Clarifiers. The first settling tanks through which wastewater is passed In a treatment works for the purpose of removing settleable and suspended
solids and BOD which is associated with the solids;
(35) Pumps. All influent, effluent and irk -plant pumps,
(36) Radiation. Disinfection or sterilization process utilizing devices emitting ultraviolet or gamma rays;
(37) Reverse Osmosis. A treatment process in which a heavy contaminated liquid is pressurized through a membrane forming nearly pure liquid free from
suspended solids;
(38) Rotating Biological Contractors. A fixed biological growth process in which wastewater flows through tanks In which a series of partially submerged circular
surfaces are rotated;
(39) Sand Filters:
(a) Intermittent Biological. Filtration of effluent following septic tanks, lagoons, or some other treatment process In which further biodacomposnion is
expected to produce desired effluents; Hydraulic loadintg rates on these filters are computed in gpolac and have a resulting low gpm/sf (less than one);
b) Recirculating biological - the sane type of sand finer as defined in Subparagraph (39) (a) of this Rule with the added capability to mcircie effluent back
through the sand filter,
(40) Sand or Mixed -Medla Fitters. A polishing process by which effluent limits are achieved through a further reduction of suspended solids;
(a) low rate — gravity, hydraulically loaded fitter with loading rates in the one to three gpnvsl range;
(b) high to)@ — a pressure, hydraulically loaded filter with loading rates in the five gpm/sf range; At arty rate, the loading rate will exceed three gpm/sf;
(41) Secondary Clarifiers. A tank which follows the biological unit of treatment plant and which has the purpose of removing sludges associated with the
biological treatment units;
(42) Separate Sludge Reiteration. A part of the contact stabilization process where the activated sludge Is transferred to a tank and aerated before returning it
to the contact basin;
(43) Septic Tani. A single-story settling tank In which settled sludge is in contact with the wastewater flowing through the tank; snail not be applicable for
septic tank systems serving single family residences having capacity of 2,000 gallons or less which discharge to a nitrification field;
(44) Sludge Digestion The process by which organic or volatile matter and sludge is gasified, Iquefied, mineralized or converted into more stable organic matter
through the activity of living organisms, which includes aerated holding tanks;
(45) Sludge Drying Beds. An area comprising natural or annicial layers of porous materials upon which digested sewage Nudge Is dried by drainage and
evaporation;
(46) Sludge Elutriation. A process of sludge conditioning In which certain Constituents are removed by successive washings with fresh water or plant effluent;
(47) Sludge Gas Utilization. The process of using sewage gas for the purpose of heating buildings. driving engines, etc.;
(48) Sludge Holding Tank (Aerated and Nonaerated). A tank utilized for small wastewater treatment plants not containing a digester in which sludge may be
kept fresh, and supernatant withdrawn prior to a drying method (Le. sludge drying beds); This may be done by adding a amaff amount of air simply to keep the
sludge fresh, but not necessarily an amount that would be required to achieve stabilization of organic matter. A nonaerated tank would singly be used to
decant sludge prior to dewaterkg and would not allow long periods (several days of detention) without resulting odor problems;
(49) Sludge Incinerators. A fumace designed to hum sludge and to reprove all molstum and combustible materials and reduce the sludge to a sterile ash;
(50) Sludge Stabilization (Chemical or Thermal). A process to make treated sludge loss odorous and putrescibie, and to reduce the pathogenic organism
content; This may be done by pH adjustment, chlorine dosing, or by heat treatment;
(51) Sludge Thickener. A type of sedimentation tank In which the sludge is permitted to settle and thicken through agitation and gravity;
(52) Stabilization Lagoon. A type of oxidation lagoon in which biological oxidation of organic matter Is effected by natural transfer of oxygen to the water from
air (not a polishing pond);
(53) Stand -By Power Supply, On she or portable electrical generating equipment;
(54) Static Screens. A stationary screen designed to remove solids, including non- blodagradable particulate (floatable solids, suspended solids and BOD
reduction) from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment systems;
(55) Tertiary Treatment A. stage of treatment following secondary which is primarily for the purpose of effluent polishing; A settling lagoon or sand or coal filter
might be employed for this purpose;
(56) Thermal Pollution Control Device. A device providing for the transfer of heat from a fluid flowing In tubes to another fluid outside the tubes, or vice versa;
or other means of regulating liquid temperatures;
(57) Thermal Sludge Conditioner. A conditioning process by which heat Is added for a protracted period of Ume to Improve the dewaterabilny of sludge by the
solubilizing and hydrauffzing of the smaller and more highly hydrated sludge particles;
(58) Toxic Materials. Those wastes or combinatkxts of wastes. Including disease - causing agents which after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation
or assimilation Into any organism, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will cause death, disease, behavioral
abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions In reproduction) or physical deformations, In such organisms or the!
offspring; Toxic materials Include, by way of Illustration and not nmhalion: lead, cadmlum, chromium, mercury, vanadium, arsenic, zinc, ortho- ritrochlombenzene
(ONCE), polychlorinated biphsn>yls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphtenyi trichbrosthans (DDT); and any other materials that have or may hereafter be determined to hav
toxic properties;
(59) Trickling Finer. A blologkati treatment unit consisting of a material such as broken sane or rock over which wastewater is distributed; A high rate trickling
finer Is one which operated at between 10 and 30 mgd per acre. A low rate trickling finer is one which is designed to operate at one to four rgd per acre•
(60) Trickling Filter (Packed Tower). A plug flow type of operation In which wastewater flows down through successive layers of media or filtrate material; Oryar
material Is removed continually by the active biological fixed growth In each successive layer. This method may produce 'secondary' quality effluent, or may be
adapted to produce a nitrffled effluent;
(61) Vacuum Filter. Centrifuges,, or Finer Presses. Devices which are designed to remove excess water from ekher digested or undigested sludge prior to dispos:
or further trastment.

-
SOC PRIORITY PROJECT: Yes No XX
IF YES, SOC NUMBER
TO: PERMITS AND ENGINEERING UNIT
WATER QUALITY SECTION
ATTENTION: Susan Wilson
DATE: November 20, 1995
NPDES STAFF REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
COUNTY Mitchell
PERMIT NUMBER NC0000175
PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Facility and Address: Unimin Corporation - Quartz Operations
Mailings Post Office Box 588
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
2. Date of Investigation: November 16, 1995
3. Report Prepared By: Michael R. Parker
4. Persons Contacted and Telephone Number: Roy Riddle
704/765 -4283
5. Directions to Site: From the intersection of U. S. Highway
19E and North Carolina Highway 226 in Spruce Pine, travel
North on NC Highway 226 approximately 2.6 miles. Unimin
Corporation is located on the left side of the highway.
6. Discharge Point(s), List for all discharge points:
Latitude: 350 55' 58" Longitude: 820 06' 11"
Attach a USGS map extract and indicate treatment facility site and
discharge point on map.
U.S.G.S. Quad No. D10NE U.S.a.S. Quad Name Spruce Pine, N. C.
7. Site size and expansion area consistent with application?
X Yes No If No, explain:
S. Topography (relationship to flood plain included): The wastewater
treatment facility is located upland away from the river and is
not subject to flooding.
Page 1

9.
Location of nearest
dwelling:
Greater than
500 feet.
10.
Receiving stream or
affected
surface waters:
North Toe River
a. Classification: C -trout
b. River Basin and Subbasin No.:040306
C. Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream
uses: fishing, wading, fish and wildlife propagation,
industrial water supply, irrigation.
PART II - DESCRIPTION OF DISCHARGE AND TREATMENT WORKS
1. a. Volume of wastewater to be permitted 3.6 MGD (Ultimate
Design Capacity)
b. What is the current permitted capacity of the Wastewater
Treatment facility? 3.6 MGD
C. Actual treatment capacity of the current facility (current
design capacity 3.6 MGD
d. Date(s) and construction activities allowed by previous
Authorizations to Construct issued in the previous two years:
NA
e. Please provide a description of existing or substantially
constructed wastewater treatment facilities: The existing
wastewater treatment facilities consist of influent pumps,
six hydrocyclones, a screw classifier, vacuum filters,
chemical feed system, Jadar solids removal system, two
stabilization ponds, pH adjustment by caustic or acid,
emergency overflow pond, flow measuring and recording
equipment and sludge disposal.
f. Please provide a description of proposed wastewater treatment
facilities: After the existing treatment it is proposed to
pipe the existing effluent to and construct a new influent
tank, equalization tank, reactor tank, mix tank, holding
tank, clarifier, sludge thickener, pressure sludge filter,
pump tank, multi -media tertiary filters and associated pumps,
piping, alarms and appurtenances.
g. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters: None anticipated.
h. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only): NA
in development approved
should be required not needed
Page 2

2. Residuals handling and utilization /disposal scheme: Sludge or
tailings removed from the clarifiers are taken to the company's
landfill.
a. If residuals are being land applied, please specify DEM
Permit Number
Residuals Contractor
Telephone Number
b. Residuals stabilization: PSRP PFRP OTHER
C. Landfill:
d. Other disposal /utilization scheme (Specify):
3. Treatment plant classification (attach completed rating sheet):
Class IV.
4. SIC Codes(s): 3295
Primary 41 Secondary
Main Treatment Unit Code: 51102
PART III - OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
1. Is this facility being constructed with Construction Grant Funds
or are any public monies involved. (municipals only)? NA
2. Special monitoring or limitations (including toxicity) requests:
NA
3. Important SOC, JOC, or Compliance Schedule dates: (Please
indicate) NA
Date
Submission of Plans and Specifications
Begin Construction
Complete Construction
4. Alternative Analysis Evaluation: Has the facility evaluated all
of the non - discharge options available. Please provide regional
perspective for each option evaluated. NA
Page 3

ti
Spray Irrigation:
Connection to Regional Sewer System:
Subsurface:
Other disposal options:
S. Other Special Items: NA
PART IV - EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Unimin Corporation - Quartz has submitted a request for modification
of their NPDES Permit. The Company has requested an Authorization
to Construct a tertiary wastewater treatment system following the
secondary wastewater treatment system currently in operation. The
purpose of the tertiary treatment system is to reduce the amount
of fluorides being discharged at this location. The ultimate goal
is to reduce the present allocation of fluoride of 218 lbs /day to
109 lbs /day and apply the other 109 lbs /day of fluoride to the new
Schoolhouse Quartz Plant to be constructed in Avery County.
Pilot plant studies conducted by Unimin Corporation indicate that
this tertiary plant can reduce the fluoride level to the 109
lbs /day daily average.
The discharge location will not change as a result of this
construction.
Monitoring requirements should remain the same as in the existing
permit. Also, the expiration date should remain the same so
during the next basin wide go round all of the permits for the
feldspar mines will expire at the same time.
It is requested that when the permit is drafted that copies be
sent to the ARO for review prior to sending it to the company.
Based on the data the company has submitted regarding the pilot
plant work it appears that the company can reduce its fluoride
allocation to 109 lbs /day.
It is recommended that the permit modification be made and the
permit issued.
4atuSire of Report reparer
- pata 9 aiu� f) &t
Water Quality Re oval Supervisor
Date
Page 4

RATING SCALE FOR CLASSIFICATION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEMS
Name of Facility: ./Why r'/ �tl1�IdD /O.t/ -- Gc,dt -Tz �tP,rDf!' one
Owner or Contact Person: _(er;4R -(4.f r A ,p
Mailing Address: -�_o i
County: i Telephone: 76
Present Classification: New Facility - Existing Facility
NPDES Per. No. NC00 7 Nondisc. Per. No.WQ Health Dept.Per No.
Rated by: r_ AxA,, Telephone: io Date: // a
Reviewed y: Health Dept. Telephone:
C. k11126,441 Regional Office Telephone:
Central Office Telephone:
ORC :_I �,' ♦ ��� Grade: telephone:
Check Class iication(s): Subsurface Spray IrrigatIOLL Land Application
Wastewater Classification: (Circle One) I it III IV Total Points:
--------------------------------------- -----------------
IMPLANT PROC.FS.SFS AND RR ATED Q041BOL EQUIPMENT WHICH i RF AN INTEGRAL PART OF IN ' lSTRIN a)CT ON Ske1 I f hT RF
CONSIDERED WASTE TREATMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OFC' Si ATION ALSO SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM CONSlsnNQ ONLY OF SEPTIC TANK
AND GRAVITY NITRIFICATION I INES ARE EXEMPT FROM CLASSIFICATICN.
Su6SURFACE CI_ASSIF1CAT1CN
(check all units that apply)
1_ septic tanks
2. pump tanks
3, siphon or pump - dosing systems
4. sand filters
5. grease trap/interceptor
6_ oll /water separators
7. gravity subsurface treatment and disposal:
8. pressure subsurface treatment and disposal:
SPRAY IRRIGATION CLASSIFICATION
(check all units that apply)
1.
preliminary treatment (dernition no. 32 )
2.
lagoons
3.
septic tanks
4.
pump tanks
5.
pumps
6
sand filters
7_
grease trap/interceptor
e.
oil/water separators
9_
disinfection
10.
chemical addition for nutrient /algae control
11.
spray irrigation of wastewater
In addition to the -above classifications, pretreatment of wastewater In excess of these components shall
be rated using the point rating system and will require an operator with an appropriate duel certification.
LAND APPLICATION/RESIDIJALS CLASSIFICATION (Applies only to permit holder)
1. Land application of biosolids, residuals or contaminated soils on a designated site.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY CLASSIFICATION
The following systems shall be assigned a Class I classification, unless the flow is of a significant quantity or the technology is unusually
complex, to require consideration by the Commission on a case -by -case basis: (Check K Appropriate)
1. OiVwater Separator Systems consisting only of physical separation, pumps and disposal;
2. Septic Tank/Sand Filter Systems consisting only of septic tanks, dosing apparatus, pumps.sand tillers. disinfection
and direct discharge;
3. Lagoon Systems consisting only of preliminary treatment, lagoons, pumps, disinfection, necessary chemical treatment for
algae or nutrient control, and direct discharge;
4. Closed -loop Recycle Systems;
5. Groundwater Remediation Systems consisting only of oil/water separators, pumps, air - stripping, carbon adsorption, disinfection
and disposal;
6. Aquacullure operations with discharge to surface waters:
7. Water Plan( sludge handling and back -wash water treatment;
8. Seafood processing consisting of screening and disposal.
9. Single- family discharging systems, with the exception of Aerobic Treatment units, will be classified H permitted after July 1,
1993 or H upon Inspection by the Division, it is found that the system is not being adequately operated or maintained. Such
systems will be notified of the classification or reclassification by the Commission, in writing.

The following scale is used for rating wastewater treatment facilities: (circle appropriate points)
REM POINTS
(1) Industrial Pretreatment Units or industrial Pretreatment Program (see definition No. 33) ................:.... ..............................4
(2) DESIGN
FLAW OF PLANT IN gpd (rot applicable to non- comaminated cooing waters, sludge handling facilities for
water purification plants, totally dosed cycle syslems(ses delirdlion No. 111. and facilities consisting only of item
(4)(d) or Items (4)(d) and (I1)(d)l
0 - 20. 000 .................................................................................................................. ..............................1
20.001 - 50.000 .. .................................................................................................... ..............................2
50.001 - 100. 000 ....................................................................... ............................... .3
100.001 - 250. 000 ..................................................................................................... ..............................4
250.001 - 500, 000 .............................................................................»..................... .............:................5
500.001 1,000,000 .. ........................................................................................ ............................... . A
1.000 001 - 2. 000. 000 ..... ............................... «............................ ............................... ..........
dkonal of
2.000.001 (and up) rate 1 nt a for each 200.000 gpd capacity top to a maximum ....._._ . 42--0./
Design Flow dD
(3) PRELIMINARY UNrTSrPROCESSES (see definitlon No.32)
(a)
Bar Screens ................................................. .......... .................................................................................. 1
or
(b)
Mechanical Screens. Static Screens or comminuting Devloss................................................ ._._...........2
(c)
Grit Rsmwal ................................................................................................................ ..............................1
or
(d)
Mechanical ical or Aerated Grk Removal ............................................................................... ..............................2
(e)
Flow Measuring Device ... ........................................ ... ..... ............. ............................................. .. .............. 1
(f)
or
Instrumented Flow Measurement ............................................................... ............................... .........
(g)
Preaerallon ........................................................... ................................................ ...............................
(h)
Influent Flow Equalization.... ............................................................................ ..............................2
-
(1)
Grease or Oil Separators Gravity ..................... . .... ..................................................................... 2
Mechanical.. .....« .............................................................................................. ..............................3
Dissolved Air Flotation ._ ...... ....................................................................................... ..............................A
())
Prechlorinaton ........................................................................................................... ............... «..............5
(4) PWARYTRFATMENT LNITSIPROCESSES
(a)
Septic Tank (see definition No. 43) .................... . r ... « .......................................................... « ................. 2
(b)
Imhoff Tank.. ««.....««....« ........................................_.»..........«.«............................ ..............................5
(c)
Primary Clarifiers .» ................................................................................................................ ..................5
(d)
Settling Ponds or Setting Tanks for Inorganic Non•loxlo Materials (sludge handling facilities for water
purification plank sand. gravel. stone. and other mining operation except recreational activil(es such as ger
orgold mining) ......... « . .......................................... ...... ....................................................................... .2
(5) SEOONDARYTAEAVAERTLt47SIDFOCESSES
(a)
Carbonaceous Stage
(I) Aeratlon•Hlgh Purity Oxygen System ...... ................................................ ................... 20
DiffusedAir System ..» ................ « .................. ... ......... .. ..................... .: ......................... 10
Mechanical Air System (fixed, floating or rotor) ........................ _ ............................ A
Separate Sludge Reaerailon ........ __ ..............«_.«..._..................... ............_.................5
(11) Tnldding Filter
HighRate ............. « ............... «....».«.........«»............................... ......._......................7
StandardRate ............ «««........_.» ...............«»...«.««....»......... ».. » «........ «.......... ».....5
PackedTower ... ........ « ..... ».. « .......«.»«.................. ........................... «..S
(Ili) Biological Aerated Filler or Aerated Biological Filter _ .___» .._ «....... »._ ». __ .__._ «.__.10
(Iv) Aerated Lagoons ................... «.««.«.. ............ ....... ............................................ » ....... 10
(v) Rotating Biological Conlactors .._._.«_.... ........... ........................................ . »..........10
NOSand Fillers - Intermittent biological. ...».. ................... ................................. .................2
Reckculallrg biological ............. ............. ........................................................................ a
(vll) Stabilization Lagoons ..................»................................................ ...............................
(vql) Clarifier .... .................. » ............ »._». ................................................. ... «............... 5
(Ix) Single stags system for combined cobonaceous removal of BOD and nitrogenous removal by
nitrification (a" definition No. 12XPolnts for this Item have to be In addition to Items
(5)(a)(1) through (5)(a)(vlll).
utilizing the extended aeration process (see definition No.3a) ............ ..............................2
utllizkg other than the extended aeration process » ................«.... ....... «....._....._...._._...a
(x) Nutrient additions to enhance BOD removal » ..... .. ..................................................... ......5
(xl) Biological culture ('Super Bugs') addkon .......................................... ..............................5
(b)
Nitrogenous Stage
(I) Aeration - High Purity Oxygen System .............. ..................................................... 0
Mused Ale System ...................» «... ««............_.«.... .............................................. _..10
Mechanical Air System (fixed. floating or rotor)_... »..._..... ,.»..._..._. ......._..._ ..................A
SeparateSludge Reaeratlon ....... ...» ..... ............ « .............................. ..............................3
(II} Trickling Filter -High Rate ..................................................................... ..............................7
Standard Rate ....................... _._....... ........... » ........................................... ...... »...........
PackedTower.. ..... ........................ ..............................» .S
(Ili) Biological Aerated Flier or Aerated Biological Filter -------------------------------------- 10
(Iv) Rotating Biological Contadors .... « ..................«.............................. .............................10
(v) Sand Filter - Intermittent biological .................................................... ..............................2
Recirculating biological ............... ......« ................ ............................... ..............................2
(VI) ClarUier............................. ... .......« ................................ .................. .......................... »...S
(6) TERTIlI WORADVANCEDTRE11TMENTlNfrS /PROCESSES
(a)
Activated Carbon Beds -
wkhout carbon regeneratlon. ......... .._......«».._ ........ »« .... ...» .................. ............ ».................5
withcarbon regeneraton........»...».»....:..»... ........................ ........................................ ..16
(b)
Powdered or Granular Activated Carbon Food-
without carbon- regeneratlon:.»...».«.....«.... .... ..... .............. .............. ......................... «....5
withcarbon regeneration ............. «. ... .. .............................................................................. 15
(c)
Air stripping ..............«.......» .............................. .......«. ... ... .................. « ............ ................... S
d)
Denitrglcaton Process ...................................... .......«...._....«»...«........».........«... .................. ». «........10
s)
Electrodfalysit..«........_ ......... . . .......... _ ....... ...... «..... .«_.»...»»«......«...«.....«. .. «........_... ».-- ..... ......S
I)
Foam Separation........................................_................«.............»»............«.............. ..............................5
(g)
ion Exchange... _. ... ... ...................................... ..... ............... «......5
(h)
Land Application of Treated Ellluens (see defirAlon No. 22b) (not applicable for sand. gravel. stone
(1)
and other similar mining operations) by high rate InlgtraUon ..._ ._.....« ..._... ..._... »............_.........4
Microscreens ...... .... ...................... ».. ..............«.................... ..............................5
(1)
Phosphorous Removal by Biological Processes (See defirAlon No. 26) . ........................ .............................20
Polishing Ponds without aerattnn......... I .» ....... ............................... .. ..............................2

(1) Post Aeration - cascade ...................................................................... ............................... .....................0
dillusedor mechanical .......................................................................... ..............................2
(m) Reverse Osmosis ........................................................................................................... ..............................5
(n) Sand or Mixed -Media Filters - low rate ........................................................................... ..............................2
highrate ...................................... ..............................�.
(o) Treatment processes for removal of metal or cyanide ...................................................... .............................. S
(p) treatment processes for removal of toxic materials other than metal or cyanide ...................................... _ ...... I 5
(7) SLUOGETREATMENT
(a) Sludge Digestion Tank - Heated ( anaerobic) .................................................................. ........ .....................10
Aerobic................................................................................................................ ....... .......................5
Unheated( anaerobic) .................................................................................................. ...................... ... .. ...3
(b) Sludge Stabilization (chemical or thermal) ............................:........................................ ............ ........ ...... ....5
(c) Sludge Drying Beds - Gravity ........................................................................................ ........................ .... . .2
VacuumAssisted ........................................................................................................ ..............................5
(d) Sludge Outstation ........................................................................................................ ............. ...... ........ ...5
(e) Sludge Conditioner (chemical or thermal) ....................................................................... ............. ..............'1
(1) Sludge Thickener ( gravity) .......................................................................................... ..............................5
(9) Dissolved Air Flotation Unit (not applicable to a unit rated as ( 3)( 1)) ............................... .......................... ....8
(h) Sludge Gas Utilization (including gas storage) ............................................................... ........... ...................2
(I) Sludge Holding Tank - Aerated ..................:.................................................................. ..............................5
Mon - aeraled ...................... ........................................................................................ ............................. .. 2
(() Sludge Incinerator (not Including activated carbon regeneration) ................................ .......... .....................
(k) Vacuum Filler, Centrifuge, or Filter Press or other similar dewatering devices ..................... ............................ .10
(8) RESIDUALS UTILIZATION/DISPOSAL (including incineraled ash)
(a) Lagoons .................................................................................................................... ..............................2
(b) Land Application (surface and subsurface) (see definition 22a)
by contracting to a land application operator or landfdl operator who holds the land application permit
orlandfill permit .......................................................................................................... ..............................2
(c) Dedicated Landlill(budal) by the permfttee of the wastewater treatment facility ......................... _ .................
Q
(9) DtStsf`E
(a) Chlorination ............................................................................................................... ..............................5
(b) Dechlorination ............:............................................................................................... ..............................5
(c) Ozone ........................................................................................................................ ..............................5
(d) Radiation ................................................................................................................... ..............................5
(10) CHEMICAL ADDITION SYSTEM(S) ( see definition No. 9) (not applicable to chemical additions rated as ham (3)0),
la)(A). (6u ) (6)(b), (7)(b). (7)(e). (9a), (9)(b) or (9)(c) 5 points each:
Us
— ..................................................................................................... ...............................
` .............
.............. ..................................................................................... ...............................
( „) MLSCRIANE-0Us UNrfS/PROCESSES
(a) Holding Ponds. Holding Tanks or Settling Ponds for Organic or Toxic Materials Including wastes from mining
operations containing nitrogen or phosphorus compounds In amounts significantly greater than is common
fordomestic wastewater .......................... ............................................................... ..............................4
(b) Effluent Flow Equalization (not applicable to storage basins which are Inherent In land application systems) ...... 2
(c) Stage Discharge (not applicable to storage basins Inherent In land application systems )......._..._..._..........
(d) Pumps .................................................................................................................. ............................... l
(e) Stand -By Power Supply ..................................................................................... ............................... T!
(f) Thermal Pollution Control Device ................................................................................ ............................... 3 r
TOTALPOINTS .......................................... ............................... 3/
ClASSIFlCATICN
Class1 ................................................................................ ...........................5 -25 Points
Class11 ................................................ ............................... ..........................26 -50 Points
C10155if .............................................................................. ..... .....................51 -65 Points
ClassIV ............................................................................. ..........................66 -Up Points
Facilities having a rating of one through four points. Inclusive, do not require a cenifled operator.
Facilities having an activated sludge process wig be assigned a minimum classification of Class It.
Facilities having treatment processes for the removal of metal or cyanide will be assigned a minimum classification d Class 11.
Facilities having treatment processes for the biological removal of phosphorus will be assigned a minimum da"ification of Class 111.
MU DEFINITIONS
The following dellnhlons shall apply throughout this Subchapler.
(1) Activated Carbon Bads. A physleaVchemlcal method for reducing soluble organic material from wastewater effluent; The oolumn -type beds used In this
method will have a flow rate varying from two to eight gallons per minute per square loot and may be either upflow or downflow carbon beds. Carbon may or
may not be regenerated on the wastewater treatment plant site;
(2) Aerated Lagoons. A basin In which all solids are maintained In suspension and by which biological oxidation or organllc (natter Is reduced through artificially
accelerated transfer of oxygen on a flow-through basis;
(3) Aeration. A process of bringing about Intimate contact between air or high purity oxygen In a liquid by spraying, agitation or dltfus)on;(3a) Extended
Aeration- An activated sludge process )ililizing a minimum hydraulic detention time of 18 tours.
(4) Agriculturally managed site. Any she on which a crop Is produced, managed, and harvested (Crop includes grasses, grains, trees, etc.);
(5) Air Stripping. A process by which the ammonium Ion Is first convened to dissolved ammonia (pH adjustment) with the ammonia then released to the
atmosphere by physical means; or other similar processes which remove petroleum products such as benzene, toluene, and xylene;
(6) Carbon Regeneration. The regeneration of exhausted carbon by the use of a furnace to provide extremely high temperatures which volatilize and oxidize the
absorbed Impurities;
(7) Carbonaceous Stage. A stage of wastewater treatment designed to achieve 'secondary' effluent limits;
(8) Centrifuge. A mechanical device In which centrifugal force Is used to separate solids from liquids or to separate liquids of different densi:Ias•
(9) Chemical Addition Systems- The addition of chemlcal(s) to wastewater at an application point for purposes of Improving solids removal, pH adjustment,
alkalinity control, etc.; the capability to experiment with different chemicals and different application points to ad-Java a specific result will be considered one
system; the capability to add chemical(s) to dual units will be rated as one system; capability to add a chemical at a different applicatlon points for different
purposes wig result In the systems being rated as separate systems;
(10) Chemical Sludge Conditioning. The addition of a chemical compound such as Mme, ferric chloride, or a polymer to wet sludge to coalesce the mass prior to
its application to a dewaterkwg device;
(11) Closed Cycle Systems. Use of holdl(wg ponds or holding tanks for containment of wastewater containing Inorganic, non -toxic materials from sand, gravel,
crushed stone or other similar operations. Such systems shah carry a maximum of two points regardless of pumping facilities or any other appurtenances;
(12) Combinod Romoval of Carbonaceous BOG and Nitrogenous Removal by Nitrification- A single stage system required to achieve permit effluent limits on BOD
aryl ­­o, nhrr.nnn w0vin thn samn hloloolcat mac7or.

(15) Electrodialysts. Process for removing Ionized salts from water through the use of Ion•solective Ion exchange membranes;
(16) Flier Press. A process operated mechanically for partially dowatoring sludge;
(17) Foam Separation. The planned Frothing of wastewater or wastewater effluent as a moans of removing excessive amounts of detergent materials though
the introduction of air In the form of line bubbles; also called loam fractionation;
(18) Grit Removal. The process of removing grit and other heavy mineral matter from wastewater;
(19) Imhoff Tank. A deep two story wastewater tank consisting of an upper sedimentation chamber and a lower sludge digestion chamber.
(20) Instrumented Flow Measurement. A device which Indicates and records rate of flow.
(21) Ion Exchange. A chemical process in which Ions from two different molecular are exchanged;
(22) land application:
(a) Sludge Disposal. A final sludge disposal method by which wet sludge may be applied to land either by spraying on the synace or by subsurface injection
Q.s., chisel plow); (not applicable for types of sludge described In (11) of this Rulel;
(b) Treated Effluent. The process of spraying treated wastewater onto a land area or other methods of application of wastewater onto a land area as a
means of linal disposal or treatment;
(23) Microscreen. A low speed, continuously back - washed, totaling drum filter operating under gravity conditions as a polishing method for removing
suspended solids from effluent;
(24) Nitrification Process. The biochemical conversion of unoxldized nitrogen (ammanla and organic nitrogen) to oxidized nitrogen (usually nirate);
(25) Nitrogenous Stage. A sepArals stage of wastewater treatment designed for the specific purpose of convorling ammonia nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen:
(26) Phosphate Removal. Biological. The removal of phosphorus from wastewater by an oxidanoxlo process designed to enhance luxury uptake of phosphorus
by the microorganisms;
(27) Polishing Pond. A holding pond following secondary treatment with sufficient detention time to allow settling of finely suspended solids;
(2e) Post Aeration. Aeration following conventional secondary treatment units to Increase effluent D.O. or for any other purpose:
(29) Post Aeration. (Cascade) A polishing method by which dissolved oxygen Is added to the'eflluert by a nonmechanleal, gravity means of flowing down a
series of steps or weirs; The Ilow occurring across the steps or weirs moves in a fairly thin layer and the operation of the cascade requires no operator
adjustment; thus, zero points are assigned even though this Is an essential step to meeting the limits of the discharge permit;*
(30) Powdered to Granular Activated Carbon Feed. A biophysical carbon process that utilizes biological activity and organic absorption by using powdered or
granular activated carbon; Virgin or regenerated carbon Is load controlled Into the system;
(31) Preasratlon. A tank constructed to provide aeration prior to primary treatment;
(32) Preliminary Units. Unit operations In the treatment process• such as screening and comminution, that prepare the liquor for subsequent major operations;
(33) Industrial Pretreatment.
(a) Pro- treatment Unit. Industrial. The conditioning of a waste at its source before discharge, to remove or to neutralize substances injurious to sewers and
trealment processes or to effect a partial reduction in load on the treatment process which is operated by the came governing body as the wastewater
treatment plant being rated;
b) Pre•Irealment Program. Industrial - must be a State or EPA required program to receive points on the rating sheet;
(34) Primary Clarifiers. The First settling tanks through which wastewater Is passed In a treatment works for Qe purpose of removing settleable and suspended
solids and 800 which Is associated with the solids;
(35) Pumps. All Influent, effluent and in -plant pumps;
(36) Radiation. Disinfection or sterilization process utilizing devices emitting ultraviolet or gamma rays;
(37) Reverse Osmosis. A treatment process in which a heavy contaminated liquid Is pressurized through a membrane forming nearly pure liquid Ires from
suspended solids;
(38) Rotating Biological Contractors. A fixed biological growth process In which wastewater flows through tanks In which a series of partially submerged circular
surfaces are totaled;
(39) Sand Filters:
(a) Intermittent Biological. Filtration of effluent following septic tanks, lagoons, or some other treatment process In which further blodecomposhlon is
expected to produce desired effluents; Hydraulic loading rates on these lifters are computed In gpd/ac and have a resulting low gpm/sl (less than one);
b) Reclrcutwing biological - the sane type of sand filter as defined In Subparagraph (39) (a) of this Rule with the added capability to recycle effluent back
through the sand filter,
(40) Sand or Mixed -Media Filters. A polishing process by which effluent limits are achieved through a further reduction of suspended solids;
(a) low rate — gravity, hydraulically loaded filler with loading rates in the one to three gprrVsi range;
(b) high rate — a pressure, hydraulically loaded filter with loading rates In the five gpmvd range; At ary rate• the loading rate will exceed three gprrt/d;
(41) Secondary Clarifiers. A tank which follows the biological unit of treatment plant and which has the purpose of removing sludges asttoclaled with the
biological treatment units;
(42) Separate Sludge Reseraflon. A part of the contact stabilization process where the activated sludge Is transferred to a lank and aerated before returning it
to the contact basin;
(43) Septic Tank A slngle -dory settling tank In which sallied sludge Is In contact with the wastewater flowing through the tank; shall not be applicable for
septic tank systems serving single family residences having capacity of 2.000 gallons or less which discharge to a nitrification field;
(44) Sludge Digestion The process by which organic or volatile matter and sludge is gasified. Ilquefled, mineralized or convened Into more stable organic matter
through the activity of living organisms, which Inedudee aerated holding tanks;
(45) Sludge Drying Beds. An area comprising natural or anffkGd layers of porous materials upon which digested sewage sludge Is dried by drainage and
evaporation;
(46) Sludge Elutriation. A process of sludge conditioning In which certain constituents are removed by successive washings with fresh water or plant effluent;
(47) Sludge Gas Utilization The process of using sewage gas for the purpose of healing buildings, driving engines, etc.;
(48) Sludge Holding Tank (Aerated and Nonaerated). A tank utilized lor small wastewater treatment plants not containing a digester In which sludge may be
kept Fresh, and supematard withdrawn prior to a drying method (i.e. sludge drying beds); This may be done by adding a small amount of air simply to keep the
sludge fresh, but not necessarily an amount that would be required to achieve stabilization of organic matter. A rlonaerated lank would simply be used to
decant sludge prior to dewaterkg and would not allow long periods (several days of detention) without resulting odor problems;
(49) Sludge Incinerators. A furnace designed to bum'sludge and to remove all moisture and combustible materials and reduce the sludge to a stedle ash;
(50) Sludge Stabilization (Chemical or Thermal} A process to make treated sludge less odorous and putrescible, and b reduce the pathogenic organism
content; This may be done by pH adjustment, chlorine dosing, or by heat treatment;
(51) Sludge Thickener. A type of sedkmentatlon tank In which the sludge is permitted to settle and thicken through agitation and gravity
(52) Stabt6zatlon Lagoon A type of oxidation lagoon In which biological oxidation of organic matter is effected by natural transfer of oxygen to the water from
air (not a polishing pond);
(53) Stand -By Power Supply. On site or portable electrical generating equipment;
(54) Static Screens. A stationary screen designed to remove solids. Including non- blodegradable particulate (Iloatable solids, suspended solids and 800
reduction) from municipal and Industrial wastewater treatment systems;
(55) Tertiary Treatment. A stage d treatment following secondary which Is primarily for the purpose of effluent polishing; A settling lagoon or sand or coal filter
might be employed for this purpose;
(56) Thermal Pollution Control Device. A device providing for the transfer of )eat from a fluid flowing In tubes to another Iluld outside the tubes, or vice versa;
or other means of regulating liquid temperatures;
(57) Thermal Sludge Conditioner. A conditioning process by which )eat Is added for a protracted period of tirne to Improve the dewaterabitity of sludge by the
solubillzing and hydrauflzlrlg of the smaller and meta highly hydrated sludge panicles;
(58) Toxic Matertals. Those wastes or cornbinatlors of wastes. Including disease - causing aQen is which after discharge and upon exposure, Ingestion. Inhalation
or assimilation Into any organism, either directly from the environment or Indirectly by Ingestion through food chake, will cause death, disease, behavioral
abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malluncllons (Including m0unctlons In reproduction) or physical deformations. In such organisms or their
offspring; Toxic materials Include, by way of Itluiratlon and not 11mltatlon: lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, vanadium, arsenic, zinc, onho- nhro-chlorobenzens
(ONCE)• pofychlorinated blphenyls (PCBs) and d hlorodlphenyl trlchloroethane (DDT); and any other materials that have or may hereafter be determined to have
toxic properties;
(59) Trickling Filter. A biological treatment unit consisting of a material such as broken done or rock over which wastewater is disldbuted• A high rate trickling
filter Is one which operated at between 10 and 30 mgd per acre. A low rate trickling lifter Is one which Is designed to operate at one to lour mgd per acre
(60) Trickling Filter (Packed Tower). A plug flow type of operation In which wastewater flows down through successive Layers of media or liftrals material; Organic
material Is removed continually by the active biological fixed growth In each successive layer. This method may produce *secondary' quality effluent, or may be
adapted to produce a nlltrifled effluent;
(61) Vacuum Filter. Centrifuges, or Filter Presses. Devices which are designed to remove excess water Iron either digested or undigested sludge prior to disposal

UNIMIN DOWNSTREAM FL
DATE Dwnstrm Fl
Sorted F
(mg/1)
Jul -94 0.88
0.20
0.20
0.2C
0.44
0.21
0.21
0.21
0.67
0.30
0.30
0.3(
1.00
0.33
0.33
0.3:
0.82
0.39
0.39
0.3C
1.30
0.40
0.40
0.4(
0.77
0.44
0.44
0.44
0.90
0.44
0.44
0.44
0.83
0.45
0.45
0.4E
0.80
0.45
0.45
0.4E
0.82
0.49
0.49
0.4C
0.78
0.52
0.52
0.519
0.68
0.54
0.54
0.54
0.61
0.58
0.58
0.5E
0.92
0.59
0.59
0.5s
0.49
0.60
0.60
0.6C
0.52
0.60
0.60
0.6C
Aug -94 0.68
0.61
0.61
0.61
0.89
0.61
0.61
0.61
0.77
0.61
0.61
0.61
0.63
0.62
0.62
0.619
0.59
0.63
0.63
0.6;
0.76
0.63
0.63
0.6;
0.45
0.67
0.67
0.6 i
0.60
0.68
0.68
0.6E
0.79
0.68
0.68
0.6E
0.61
0.70
0.70
0.7(
0.20
0.70
0.70
0.7(
0.21
0.71
0.71
0.71
0.45
0.75
0.75
0.7E
0.40
0.76
0.76
0.7E
Page 1
I/
0.20
0.21
0.30
0.33
0.39
0.40
0.44
0.44
0.45
0.45
0.49
0.52
0.54
0.58
0.59
0.60
0.60
0.61
0.61
0.61
0.62
0.63
0.63
0.67
0.68
0.68
0.70
0.70
0.71
0.75
0.76

Sep-94
Oct -94
UNIMIN DOWNSTREAM R-
0.44
0.77
0.77
0.77
0.77
0.60
0.77
0.77
0.77
0.77
0.80
0.78
0.78
0.78
0.78
0.75
0.79
0.79
0.79
0.79
1.10
0.79
0.79
0.79
0.79
0.58
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.05
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.70
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.61
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.39
0.81
0.81
0.81
0.81
0.62
0.82
0.82
0.82
0.82
0.63
0.82
0.82
0.82
0.82
0.81
0.83
0.83
0.83
0.83
0.84
0.84
0.84
0.84
0.84
0.80
0.88
0.88
0.88
0.88
0.79
0.89
0.89
0.89
0.89
0.95
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.70
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.90
1.05
0.92
0.92
0.92
0.92
1.37
0.93
0.93
0.93
0.93
1.30
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.95
1.05
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.98
0.96
0.96
0.96
0.96
1.22
0.98
0.98
0.98
0.98
1.20
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.54
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.93
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.96
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
0.71
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
0.30
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
0.80
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
0.95
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.16
Page 2

F-AW
0.90
1.16
0.33
1.00
1.00
0.77
l,jl:1y; /_1►1
1.20
1.20
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.30
1.30
1.30
1.37
1.30
1.30
1.37
1.37
0.79 15% TR MEAN 0.7678110% TR MEAN
Page 3
1.20
1.20
1.22
1.22
1.30
1.30
1.30
1.30
1.37
1.37
0.769120% TR MEAN 0.767
�r