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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0004979_Draft WW Permit_20150505Permit NC0004979 Page 1 of 17 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES Draft PERMIT TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM In compliance with the provision of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the Plant Allen Steam Station 253 Plant Allen Road (NCSR 2525) Belmont Gaston County to receiving waters designated as the Catawba River (Lake Wylie) and South Fork Catawba River in the Catawba River Basin in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other applicable conditions set forth in Parts I, II, and III. This permit shall become effective This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on May 31, 2020. Signed this day DRAFT __________________________________________________ S. Jay Zimmerman, Director Division of Water Resources By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Permit NC0004979 Page 2 of 17 SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby revoked. As of this permit issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer effective. Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the permit conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions included herein. Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC is hereby authorized to: 1. Continue to discharge:  Once through cooling water (Outfall 001)  Operate a septic tank and ash pond with pH adjustment and discharge domestic wastewater, stormwater runoff, ash sluice, water treatment system wastewaters, FGD system blowdown, landfill leachate, and miscellaneous cleaning and maintenance wash waters (Outfall 002).  Coal yard sump overflow (Outfall 002A) and power house sump overflow (Outfall 002B)  Miscellaneous equipment non-contact cooling and sealing water (Outfall 003)  Miscellaneous non-contact cooling water, vehicle washwater, and intake screen backwash (Outfall 004)  7 potentially contaminated groundwater seeps (Outfall 010)  Toe Drains (Outfall 011) From a facility located at the Plant Allen Steam Station on Plant Allen Road (NCSR 2525), south of Belmont in Gaston County, and 2. Without adding detergents or chemicals of any kind, discharge Asiatic clam/debris filter backwash from the intake filter screen, in accordance with condition A. (10.), and 3. Continue to operate a Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) wet scrubber wastewater treatment system discharging to the ash settling basin through internal outfall 005; consisting of:  A flow equalization tank and a maintenance tank  Feed systems for lime, sulfide, ferric chloride, polymer, hydrochloric acid, and molasses-based nutrient  Two clarifiers  Dual heat exchangers  A selenium reduction bioreactor  A sludge treatment system including three filter presses; and 4. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into the Catawba River (outfalls 002, 002A, 002B, 004, 010, and 011) and the South Fork Catawba River (outfalls 001 and 003) which are classified Class WS-IV B and Class WS-V waters, respectively, in the Catawba River Basin. Permit NC0004979 Page 3 of 17 Part I A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 001) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001- Condenser Cooling Water (CCW). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored2 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Max. Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location Flow Daily Pump Logs Effluent Temperature (June 1 – September 30)1 38.9 ºC (102 ºF) Daily Grab or Instantaneous Effluent Temperature (October 1 – May 31)1 35 ºC (95 ºF) Daily Grab or Instantaneous Effluent Notes: 1. The Regional Administrator has determined pursuant to Section 316(a) of the Act that the thermal component of the discharge assures the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife in and on the receiving body of water. 2. No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). Chlorination of the once through condenser cooling water, discharged through outfall 001, is not allowed under this permit. Should Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC wish to chlorinate its condenser cooling water, a permit modification must be obtained beforehand. Permit NC0004979 Page 4 of 17 A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 002) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 002 – ash pond effluent. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored4 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location Flow Weekly Instantaneous or Estimate Influent or Effluent Oil and Grease 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids 30.0 mg/L 100.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Copper 1 1.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Iron 1 1.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Selenium Monthly Grab Effluent Total Arsenic Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Silver Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Mercury 2 47.0 ng/L 47.0 ng/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Nitrate/nitrite as N Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Nitrogen (NO2 + NO3 + TKN) Semi-annually Grab Effluent Chronic Toxicity 3 Quarterly Grab Effluent Turbidity5 Monthly Grab Effluent pH Between 6.0 and 9.0 standard units Monthly Grab Effluent Footnotes: 1. The limits for total copper and total iron only apply during a chemical metals cleaning. 2. Mercury shall be measured using EPA Method 1631E. 3. Whole Effluent Toxicity shall be monitored by chronic toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 20%. Tests shall be conducted in January, April, July and October, see Condition A. (11.). 4. No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). 5. The discharge from this facility shall not cause turbidity in the receiving stream to exceed 50 NTU. If the instream turbidity exceeds 50 NTU due to natural background conditions, the discharge cannot cause turbidity to increase in the receiving stream. NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Permit NC0004979 Page 5 of 17 A. (3.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 002A) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 002A – Coal Yard Sump Overflows. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored3 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location1 Flow Episodic Estimate Effluent pH Between 6.0 and 9.0 standard units Episodic Grab Effluent Oil and Grease 2 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Episodic Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids 2 30.0 mg/L 100.0 mg/L Episodic Grab Effluent Fecal Coliform Episodic Grab Effluent Total Copper 1.0 mg/L Episodic Grab Effluent Total Iron 1.0 mg/L Episodic Grab Effluent Footnotes: 1. Effluent sampling shall be conducted at a point upstream of discharge to the receiving stream. 2. Monthly average limits for total suspended solids and oil and grease only apply if the overflow occurs for more than 24 hours. 3. No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. All flows shall be reported on monthly DMRs. If no flow occurs during a given month, the words “no flow” should be clearly written on the front of the DMR. Episodic sampling is required per occurrence when sump overflows occur for longer than one hour. All samples shall be of a representative discharge. Permit NC0004979 Page 6 of 17 A. (4.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 002B) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 002B – Power House Sump Overflows. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored4 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location1 Flow Episodic Estimate Effluent pH Between 6.0 and 9.0 standard units Episodic Grab Effluent Oil and Grease2 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Episodic Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids2 30.0 mg/L 100.0 mg/L Episodic Grab Effluent Total Copper3 1.0 mg/L Episodic Grab Effluent Total Iron3 1.0mg/L Episodic Grab Effluent Footnotes: 1. Effluent sampling shall be conducted at a point upstream of discharge to the receiving stream. 2. Monthly average limits for total suspended solids and oil and grease only apply if the overflow occurs for more than 24 hours. 3. The limits for total copper and total iron only apply during a chemical metals cleaning. 4. No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. All flows shall be reported on monthly DMRs. If no flow occurs during a given month, the words “no flow” should be clearly written on the front of the DMR. Episodic sampling is required per occurrence when sump overflows occur for longer than one hour. All samples shall be of a representative discharge. Permit NC0004979 Page 7 of 17 A. (5.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 003) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 003 – miscellaneous equipment non-contact water and sealing water. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored1 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location Flow Weekly Estimate Effluent Footnotes: 1. No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). Chlorination of the once through cooling water, discharged through outfall 003, is not allowed under this permit. If Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC wishes to chlorinate this once through cooling water, a permit modification must be obtained beforehand. A. (6.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 004) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 004- miscellaneous non-contact cooling water, vehicle washwater, and intake screen backwash. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored1 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location Flow Weekly Estimate Effluent Oil and Grease 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Footnotes: 1. No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). Chlorination of the once through cooling water, discharged through outfall 004, is not allowed under this permit. If Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC wishes to chlorinate this once through cooling water, a permit modification must be obtained beforehand. Permit NC0004979 Page 8 of 17 A. (7.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Internal Outfall 005) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until permit expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from internal outfall 005- treated FGD wet scrubber wastewater to ash settling basin. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored2 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location1 Flow Monitor & Report Monthly Pump logs or similar readings Effluent Total Arsenic 10.5 µg/L4 14.5 µg/L4 Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Mercury3 Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Selenium 13.6 μg/L4 25.5 μg/L4 Quarterly Grab Effluent Nitrate/nitrite as N 0.13 mg/L4 0.17 mg/L4 Quarterly Grab Effluent pH Between 6.0 and 9.0 standard units Quarterly Grab Effluent Footnotes: 1. “Effluent” shall be defined as the discharge from the FGD wastewater treatment system prior to discharge to the ash settling basin. 2. No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). 3. The facility shall use method 1631E. 4. Facility is allowed 4.5 years from the effective date of the permit to comply with the TBELs. This time period is provided in order for the facility to budget, design, and construct the treatment system. Permit might be re- opened to implement the final EPA Effluent Guidelines and more stringent limits might be added. All flows shall be reported on monthly DMRs. If no flow occurs during a given month, the words “no flow” shall be clearly written on the front of the DMR. All samples shall be of a representative discharge. DMRs for this outfall shall be submitted only after discharge commences from the FGD system. Sampling is only required when this outfall is discharging. Permit NC0004979 Page 9 of 17 A. (8.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 010) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 010 (combined seep outfall). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored1 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Weekly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency2 Sample Type Sample Location Total Suspended Solids 30.0 mg/L 100.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Arsenic 10.5 µg/L4 14.5 µg/L4 Monthly Grab Effluent Total Mercury3 47.0 ng/L4 47.0 ng/L4 Monthly Grab Effluent Total Selenium 13.6 μg/L4 25.5 μg/L4 Monthly Grab Effluent Nitrate/nitrite as N 0.13 mg/L4 0.17 mg/L4 Monthly Grab Effluent Flow Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent TDS Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Chlorides Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Fluoride Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Barium Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Iron Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Manganese Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Zinc Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Cadmium Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Chromium Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Copper Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Lead Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Nickel Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Temperature Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Specific Conductance Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent pH Between 6.0 and 9.0 standard units Monthly Grab Effluent NOTES: 1 No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). 2 After the first year, the monitoring frequency will be reduced to a semi-annual basis. 3 The facility shall use EPA method 1631E. 4 The limits can be met by installation of the treatment system, re-routing the discharge to the existing treatment system, or discontinuing the discharge. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Permit NC0004979 Page 10 of 17 A. (9.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 011) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 011 – Toe Drains effluent. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored3 by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location Flow Weekly Instantaneous or Estimate Influent or Effluent Oil and Grease 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids 30.0 mg/L 100.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Copper 1 1.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Iron 1 1.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Selenium 13.6 µg/L5 25.5 µg/L5 Monthly Grab Effluent Total Arsenic 10.5 µg/L5 14.5 µg/L5 Quarterly Grab Effluent Chloride Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Silver Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Mercury 2 47.0 ng/L5 47.0 ng/L5 Quarterly Grab Effluent Nitrate/nitrite as N 0.13 mg/L5 0.17 mg/L5 Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Nitrogen (NO2 + NO3 + TKN) Semi-annually Grab Effluent Turbidity4 Monthly Grab Effluent pH Between 6.0 and 9.0 standard units Monthly Grab Effluent Footnotes: 1. The limits for total copper and total iron only apply during a chemical metals cleaning. 2. Mercury shall be measured using EPA Method 1631E. 3. No later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, begin submitting discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR application system. See Special Condition A. (22.). 4. The discharge from this facility shall not cause turbidity in the receiving stream to exceed 50 NTU. If the instream turbidity exceeds 50 NTU due to natural background conditions, the discharge cannot cause turbidity to increase in the receiving stream. NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. 5. The limits can be met by installation of the treatment system, re-routing the discharge to the existing treatment system, or discontinuing the discharge. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Permit NC0004979 Page 11 of 17 A. (10.) SPECIAL CONDITION FOR THE DISCHARGE OF ASIATIC CLAM/DEBRIS FILTER BACKWASH The permittee may backwash the intake filter for Unit 5 condenser cooling water on an as-needed basis. It is understood that this wash water will contain materials indigenous to the Catawba River such as Asiatic clams and light debris. As these are naturally occurring in the river environment, they may be discharged with no adverse affects to the receiving stream. The Permittee may not add any detergent, chemicals or other non-indigenous material to the wash water without explicit permission from the Division of Water Resources. A. (11.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY) (Outfall 002) [15A NCAC 02B .0200 et seq.] The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality to Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 20%. The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, quarterly monitoring using test procedures outlined in the “North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure,” Revised December 2010, or subsequent versions or “North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure” (Revised- December 2010) or subsequent versions. The tests will be performed during the months of January, April, July, and October. These months signify the first month of each three-month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent sampling for this testing must be obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes. If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a failure or ChV below the permit limit, then multiple-concentration testing shall be performed at a minimum, in each of the two following months as described in “North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure” (Revised-December 2010) or subsequent versions. All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the months in which tests were performed, using the parameter code TGP3B for the pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value. Additionally, DWR Form AT-3 (original) is to be sent to the following address: Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1621 Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting period for which the report is made. Test data shall be complete, accurate, include all supporting chemical/physical measurements and all concentration/response data, and be certified by laboratory supervisor and ORC or approved designate signature. Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste stream. Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number, county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of “No Flow” in the comment area of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences Section at the address cited above. Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, monitoring will be required during the following month. Assessment of toxicity compliance is based on the toxicity testing quarter, Permit NC0004979 Page 12 of 17 which is the three month time interval that begins on the first day of the month in which toxicity testing is required by this permit and continues until the final day of the third month. Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re-opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits. NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control organism survival, minimum control organism reproduction, and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month following the month of the initial monitoring. A. (12.) BIOCIDE CONDITION 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 Resources. Such notification shall include completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101 and a map locating the discharge point and receiving stream. Completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101 is not necessary for those outfalls containing toxicity testing. Division approval is not necessary for the introduction of a new biocide into an outfall currently being tested for toxicity. A. (13.) SPECIAL CONDITIONS The following special conditions are applicable to all outfalls regulated by this permit:  There shall be no discharge of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds.  The plans and procedures in place at Allen Steam Station shall be equivalent to that of BMPs (best management practices).  The permittee shall report the presence of cenospheres observed in any samples.  The applicant is permitted to discharge chemical metal cleaning wastes to the ash basin under the conditions outlined in the 1976 Riverbend Ash Basin Equivalency Demonstration and the 1994 Allen Steam Station permit application.  The permittee shall periodically check the diked areas for leaks by a visual inspection and shall report any leakage detected.  If the permittee, after monitoring for at least twelve sampling events, determines that effluent limits are consistently being met, the permittee may request of the Director that the monitoring requirement be reduced to a lesser frequency.  Nothing contained in this permit shall be construed as a waiver by the permittee of any right to a hearing it may have pursuant to State or Federal laws and regulations.  Low volume waste is defined as follows, as per 40 CFR 423.11(b): “Low volume wastes sources include, but are not limited to: wastewaters from wet scrubber air pollution control systems, ion exchange water treatment system, water treatment evaporator blowdown, laboratory and sampling streams, boiler blowdown, floor drains, cooling tower basin cleaning wastes, and recirculating house service water systems. Sanitary and air conditioning wastes are not included.” A. (14.) GROUNDWATER MONITORING WELL CONSTRUCTION AND SAMPLING The permittee shall conduct groundwater monitoring to determine the compliance of this NPDES permitted facility with the current groundwater standards found under 15A NCAC 2L .0200. The monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with the sampling plan approved by the Division. A. (15.) STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY INSPECTIONS OF ASH DAMS The facility shall meet the dam design and dam safety requirements per 15A NCAC 2K. Permit NC0004979 Page 13 of 17 A. (16.) CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 316 (a) THERMAL VARIANCE The thermal variance granted under Section 316(a) terminates on expiration of this NPDES permit. Should the permittee wish a continuation of its 316(a) thermal variance beyond the term of this permit, reapplication for such continuation shall be submitted in accordance with 40 CFR Part 125, Subpart H and Section 122.21(1) (6) not later than 180 days prior to permit expiration. Reapplication shall include a basis for continuation such as a) plant operating conditions and load factors are unchanged and are expected to remain so for the term of the reissued permit; b) there are no changes to plant discharges or other discharges in the plant site area which could interact with the thermal discharges; and c) there are no changes to the biotic community of the receiving water body which would impact the previous variance determination. The next 316(a) studies shall be performed in accordance with the Division of Water Resources approved plan. The temperature analysis and the balanced and indigenous study plan shall conform to the specifications outlined in 40 CFR 125 Subpart H and the EPA’s Draft 316(a) Guidance Manual, dated 1977. EPA shall be provided an opportunity to review the plan prior to the commencement of the study. A. (17.) CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 316 (b) The permittee shall comply with the Cooling Water Intake Structure Rule per 40 CFR 125.95. The permittee shall submit all the materials required by the Rule with the next renewal application. A. (18.) FISH TISSUE MONITORING NEAR ASH POND DISCHARGE The facility shall conduct fish tissue monitoring once during the permit term and submit the results with the NPDES permit renewal application. The objective of this monitoring is to evaluate potential uptake of pollutants by fish tissue near the ash pond discharge. The parameters analyzed in fish tissue shall be arsenic, selenium, and mercury. The monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with the sampling plan approved by the Division. A. (19.) MONITORING OF THE RECEIVING WATER The facility shall conduct semiannual in-stream monitoring (one upstream and one downstream of the ash pond discharge) for arsenic, selenium, mercury, chromium, lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, and total dissolved solids (TDS). In-stream monitoring should be conducted at the stations that have already been established through the BIP monitoring program. The monitoring results shall be submitted with the NPDES permit renewal application. A. (20.) PRIORITY POLLUTANT ANALYSIS The permittee shall conduct a priority pollutant analysis (in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136) once per permit cycle at outfall 002 and submit the results with the application for permit renewal. A. (21.) SEEP POLLUTANT ANALYSIS Seeps with locations identified in Appendix A are classified collectively as Outfall 010. The facility shall continue to implement the Plan for Identification of New Discharges (see Appendix B) to determine if new seeps have emerged. Seeps are ephemeral in nature and enter the river at various changing locations. Seeps entering the river from the upstream edge of permittee’s property to the downstream property boundary shall be calculated as if entering at one location. Permittee shall conduct seep identification survey semi-annually to determine if new seeps have started or that previously identified seeps have significantly changed in size or flow. New seeps identified through the seep survey or otherwise discovered or reported to the permittee shall have their flow calculated, be sampled for parameters indicated with results and location(s) reported to Division of Water Resources within 5 days of detection (location only, sampling results shall be submitted within 30 days of sampling) for administrative inclusion in Appendix A. Permit NC0004979 Page 14 of 17 Newly identified seeps or seeps whose flow increases will not be considered as new outfalls or wastestream requiring modification of the permit as long as total flow of all seeps does not exceed 0.5 million gallons per day (MGD) and pollutant characterization is similar to previously identified seeps identified in Table 1 and formation of seep(s) or increase in flow was not caused by change in operations by permittee. If the pollutant sampling concentration of a new seep exceeds the concentrations in Table 1 the Division will calculate reasonable potential and determine if either administrative inclusion of the seep or formal modification of the permit is necessary. Permittee will be notified by the Division within 30 days of receiving the sampling results if permit modification is necessary. The maximum allowable parameter concentration in Table 1 is determined by multiplying the highest baseline seep concentration levels by 10. Table 1. Seep Monitoring Parameters and Screening Values Parameter Maximum allowable parameter concentration Maximum allowable total flow for all existing and future seeps Chlorides 620.0 mg/L 0.5 MGD Fluoride 2.5 mg/L 0.5 MGD Total Mercury1 (Method 1631E) 47.0 ng/L 0.5 MGD Total Barium 3.07 mg/L 0.5 MGD Total Iron 18.6 mg/L 0.5 MGD Total Manganese 22.5 mg/L 0.5 MGD Total Zinc 2.83 mg/L 0.5 MGD Arsenic1 14.5 µg/L 0.5 MGD Total Cadmium 10.0 µg/L 0.5 MGD Total Chromium 14.2 µg/L 0.5 MGD Total Copper 13.1 µg/L 0.5 MGD Total Lead 25.0 µg/L 0.5 MGD Total Nickel 82.3 µg/L 0.5 MGD Selenium1 25.5 µg/L 0.5 MGD Nitrate/Nitrite as N1 0.17 mg/L 0.5 MGD pH 6.0 – 9.0 0.5 MGD TDS 500.0 mg/L 0.5 MGD TSS 75.0 mg/L 0.5 MGD Temperature monitor 0.5 MGD Specific Conductance monitor 0.5 MGD Notes: 1. Technology Based Effluent Limits. The limits can be met by installation of the treatment system, re- routing the discharge to the existing treatment system, or discontinuing the discharge. A. (22.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS (State Enforceable Only) [G.S. 143-215.1(b)] Proposed federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and specify that, if a state does not establish a system to receive such submittals, then permittees must submit DMRs electronically to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Division anticipates that these regulations will be adopted and is beginning implementation in late 2013. Permit NC0004979 Page 15 of 17 NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this permit (Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):  Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements  Section D. (2.) Reporting  Section D. (6.) Records Retention  Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports 1. Reporting [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (a)] Beginning no later than 270 days from the effective date of this permit, the permittee shall begin reporting discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR’s Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet application. Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and submitted electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter monitoring data and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. Until such time that the state’s eDMR application is compliant with EPA’s Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Regulation (CROMERR), permittees will be required to submit all discharge monitoring data to the state electronically using eDMR and will be required to complete the eDMR submission by printing, signing, and submitting one signed original and a copy of the computer printed eDMR to the following address: NC DENR / DWR / Information Processing Unit ATTENTION: Central Files / eDMR 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband access, then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted and discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1.1, 2, 3) or alternative forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the mailing address above. Requests for temporary waivers from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements must be submitted in writing to the Division for written approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the facility would be required under this permit to begin using eDMR. Temporary waivers shall be valid for twelve (12) months and shall thereupon expire. At such time, DMRs shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re-applies for and is granted a new temporary waiver by the Division. Information on eDMR and application for a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements is found on the following web page: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/admin/bog/ipu/edmr Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last day of the month following the issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day of the month following the commencement of discharge. Permit NC0004979 Page 16 of 17 2. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)] All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II, Section B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting purposes. For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North Carolina’s eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following web page: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/admin/bog/ipu/edmr Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state’s eDMR system shall make the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED: "I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations." 3. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)] The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions. These records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report. This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41]. A. (23.) APPLICABLE STATE LAW (State Enforceable Only) This facility shall meet the requirements of Senate Bill 729 (Coal Ash Management Act). This permit may be reopened to include new requirements imposed by Senate Bill 729. Permit NC0004979 Page 17 of 17 Appendix A The permittee has identified 9 potentially contaminated seeps in the areas adjacent to the Lake Wylie (Catawba River). The locations of the seeps are identified on the map attached to the permit. Existing and newly identified seeps shall be sampled on a monthly basis for the first 12 months. After the first year the monitoring frequency will be reduced to a semi-annual basis. Seep Coordinates and Assigned Outfall Numbers Seep ID Latitude Longitude Outfall number S-1 35010.242’ 8100.625’ 101 S-2 35010.426’ 8100.344’ 102 S-3 (toe drain) 35010.513’ 8100.360’ 103 S-4 (toe drain) 35010.513’ 8100.360’ 104 S-5 35010.621’ 8100.366’ 105 S-6 35010.626’ 8100.369’ 106 S-7 35010.664’ 8100.380’ 107 S-8 35010.706’ 8100.391’ 108 S-9 35011.146’ 8100.394’ 109 Appendix B Plan for Identification of New Discharges.