Chapter 7 Stormwater-Wastewater

Chapter 7
Stormwater and Wastewater Programs

7.1 Federal and State Stormwater Programs

The goal of the DWQ stormwater discharge permitting regulations and programs is to prevent
pollution from entering the waters of the state via stormwater runoff. These programs
accomplish this goal by controlling the source(s) of pollutants. These programs include NPDES
Phase I and II regulations, HQW/ORW stormwater requirements, and requirements associated
with the Water Supply Watershed Program. Currently, there are no individual stormwater
permits listed for the New River basin and Phase I regulations are not applicable; however, there
are a few local governments and/or counties that are affected by other water quality protection
programs. Those affected are listed in Table 11.

7.1.1 NPDES Phase I

Phase I of the EPA stormwater program started with Amendments to the Clean Water Act
(CWA) in 1990. Phase I required NPDES permit coverage to address stormwater runoff from
medium and large stormwater sewer systems serving populations of 100,000 or more people.
There are no NPDES Phase I stormwater permits issued in the New River basin.

Phase I also had requirements for ten categories of industrial sources to be covered under
stormwater permits. Industrial activities which require permitting are defined in categories
ranging from sawmills and landfills to manufacturing plants and hazardous waste treatment,
storage or disposal facilities. Construction sites disturbing greater than five acres are also
required to obtain an NPDES stormwater permit under Phase I of the EPA stormwater program.
Excluding construction stormwater general permits, there were no general stormwater permits or
individual stormwater permits issued in this basin under Phase I.

7.1.2 NPDES Phase II

The Phase II stormwater program is an extension of the Phase I program that will include permit
coverage for smaller municipalities and includes construction activities down to one acre. The
local governments permitted under Phase II will be required to develop and implement a
comprehensive stormwater management program that includes six minimum measures:

(1) Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts.
(2) Public involvement/participation.
(3) Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
(4) Construction site stormwater runoff control.
(5) Post-construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment.
(6) Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.

Chapter 7 – Stormwater and Wastewater Programs 77

Construction sites greater than one acre will also be required to obtain an NPDES stormwater
permit under Phase II of the EPA stormwater program in addition to erosion and sedimentation
control approvals.

Those municipalities and counties required to obtain a NPDES stormwater permit under the
Phase II rules are identified using 1990 US Census Designated Urban Areas and the results of the
2000 US Census. Currently, there are no municipalities or counties identified as an urban area in
the New River basin.

2005 Recommendations
Even though none of the municipalities were identified as federally designated urban areas,
DWQ recommends that the local governments and county officials develop stormwater
management programs that go beyond the six minimum measures listed for Phase II rules.
Implementation of stormwater programs should help reduce future impacts to streams in the
basin. To the extent possible, local governments should identify sites for preservation or
restoration. DWQ and other DENR agencies will continue to provide information on funding
sources and technical assistance to support local government and county stormwater programs.

7.1.3 State Stormwater Programs – Sensitive Waters

The State Stormwater Management Program was established in the late 1980s under the
authority of the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) and North
Carolina General Statute 143-214.7. This program (Administrative Code 15A NCAC 2H .1000)
affects development activities that require either (1) an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (for
disturbances of one or more acres) or (2) a CAMA major permit within one of the 20 coastal
counties and/or development draining to Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) or High Quality
Waters (HQW). The State Stormwater Management Program requires developments to protect
these sensitive waters by maintaining a low-density of impervious surfaces, maintaining
vegetative buffers, and transporting runoff through vegetative conveyances. Low-density
development thresholds vary from 12 to 30 percent built-upon area (impervious surface)
depending on the classification of the receiving stream. If low-density design criteria cannot be
met, then high-density development requires the installation of structural best management
practices (BMPs) to collect and treat stormwater runoff from the project. High-density BMPs
must control the runoff from the 1 or 1.5-inch storm event (depending on the receiving stream
classification) and remove 85 percent of the total suspended solids.

Table 11 shows the counties in the New River basin where permits may be required under the
state stormwater management program under ORW stormwater rules. All development requiring
an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (for disturbances of one or more acres) must obtain a
stormwater permit.

2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue implementing the state stormwater program with the other DENR agencies
and local governments. Local governments should develop local land use plans that minimize
impervious surfaces in sensitive areas. To the extent possible, communities should integrate
state stormwater program requirements with other stormwater programs in order to be more
efficient and gain the most water quality benefits for protection of public health and aquatic life.

Chapter 7 – Stormwater and Wastewater Programs 78

Table 11 Communities in the New River Subject to Stormwater and/or Water Supply
Watershed Stormwater Requirements

NPDES
State
Stormwater
Program
Water Supply
Watershed Stormwater
Requirements
Local Government Phase I Phase II*
Municipalities
Boone X
Blowing Rock X
Jefferson
West Jefferson X
Lansing
Sparta
Counties
Ashe X X
Alleghany X
Watauga X X

7.1.4 Water Supply Watershed Stormwater Rules

The purpose of the Water Supply Watershed Protection Program is to provide a proactive
drinking water supply protection program for communities. Local governments administer the
program based on state minimum requirements. There are restrictions on wastewater discharges,
development, landfills and residual application sites to control the impacts of point and nonpoint
sources of pollution. The program attempts to minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff by
utilizing low density development or stormwater treatment in high density areas.

2005 Recommendations
The Towns of Blowing Rock, Boone and West Jefferson in the New River basin in water supply
watersheds have EMC approved water supply watershed protection ordinances. DWQ
recommends continued implementation of the local water supply watershed protection
ordinances to ensure safe and economical treatment of drinking water. To the extent possible
communities should also integrate water supply watershed protection ordinances with other
stormwater programs in order to be more efficient and gain the most water quality benefits for
both drinking water and aquatic life.

Chapter 7 – Stormwater and Wastewater Programs 79

7.2 Federal and State Wastewater Programs

7.2.2 NPDES Wastewater Discharge Permit Summary

Discharges that enter surface waters through a pipe,
ditch or other well-defined point of discharge are
broadly referred to as 'point sources'. Wastewater point
source discharges include municipal (city and county)
and industrial wastewater treatment plants and small
domestic wastewater treatment systems serving schools,
commercial offices, residential subdivisions and
individual homes. Stormwater point source discharges
include stormwater collection systems for
municipalities and stormwater discharges associated
with certain industrial activities. Point source dischargers in North Carolina must apply for and
obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Discharge permits
are issued under the NPDES program, which is delegated to DWQ by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
The primary pollutants associated
with point source discharges are:

ƒ Oxygen-consuming wastes
ƒ Nutrients
ƒ Sediments
ƒ Color
ƒ Toxic substances including chlorine,
ammonia and metals.

Currently, there are 17 permitted
wastewater discharges in the New River
basin. Table 12 provides summary
information (by type and subbasin)
about the discharges. The types of
dischargers listed in the table are
described in the inset box (right).
Facilities are mapped in each subbasin
chapter, and a complete listing of
permitted facilities is included in
Appendix VI.

The majority of NPDES permitted
wastewater flow into the waters of the
New River basin is from six municipal
wastewater treatment plants (WWTP).
Nonmunicipal dischargers contribute
only 14 percent of the total wastewater
flow into the New River basin. Recent
data indicates that only one minor
facility (West Jefferson WWTP)
exceeded daily or weekly averages.
Refer to Section 2.3 for more
information related to this facility.
Types of Wastewater Discharges

Major Facilities: Wastewater treatment plants with
flows ≥1 MGD (million gallons per day); and some
industrial facilities (depending on flow and potential
impacts to public health and water quality).
Minor Facilities: Facilities not defined as Major.
100% Domestic Waste: Facilities that only treat
domestic-type waste (from toilets, sinks, washers).
Municipal Facilities: Public facilities that serve a
municipality. Can treat waste from homes and
industries.
Nonmunicipal Facilities: Non-public facilities that
provide treatment for domestic, industrial or
commercial wastewater. This category includes
wastewater from industrial processes such as
textiles, mining, seafood processing, glass-making
and power generation, and other facilities such as
schools, subdivisions, nursing homes, groundwater
remediation projects, water treatment plants and
non-process industrial wastewater.

Chapter 7 – Stormwater and Wastewater Programs 80

Table 12 Summary of NPDES Dischargers and Permitted Flows for the New River Basin
(September 2004)

New River Subbasin
Facility Categories 05-07-01 05-07-02 05-07-03 TOTAL
Total Facilities 10 4 3 17
Total Permitted Flow (MGD) 6.01 1.58 0.65 8.24
Major Discharges 1 0 0 1
Total Permitted Flow (MGD) 4.82 0.0 0.0 4.82
Minor Discharges 9 4 3 16
Total Permitted Flow (MGD) 1.19 1.58 0.65 3.42
100% Domestic Waste 4 1 2 7
Total Permitted Flow (MGD) 0.08 0.01 0.05 0.14
Municipal Facilities 3 2 1 6
Total Permitted Flow (MGD) 5.92 0.55 0.60 7.07
Nonmunicipal Facilities 7 2 2 11
Total Permitted Flow (MGD) 0.09 1.03 0.05 1.17

7.2.2 Septic Systems and Straight Piping

In the New River basin, wastewater from many households is not treated at wastewater treatment
plants associated with NPDES discharge permits. Instead, it is treated on-site through the use of
permitted septic systems. Wastewater from some of these homes illegally discharges directly to
streams through what is known as a "straight pipe". In other cases, wastewater from failing
septic systems makes its way to streams or contaminates groundwater. Straight piping and
failing septic systems are illegal discharges of wastewater into waters of the State.

With on-site septic systems, the septic tank unit treats some wastes, and the drainfield associated
with the septic tank provides further treatment and filtration of the pollutants and pathogens
found in wastewater. A septic system that is operating properly does not discharge untreated
wastewater to streams and lakes or to the ground’s surface where it can run into nearby surface
waters. Septic systems are a safe and effective long-term method for treating wastewater if they
are sited, sized and maintained properly. If the tank or drainfield are improperly located or
constructed, or the systems are not maintained, nearby wells and surface waters may become
contaminated, causing potential risks to human health. Septic tanks must be properly installed
and maintained to ensure they function properly over the life of the system. Information about
the proper installation and maintenance of septic tanks can be obtained by calling the
environmental health sections of the local county health departments. See Appendix VIII for
contact information.

Chapter 7 – Stormwater and Wastewater Programs 81

The discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage can be extremely harmful to humans and
the aquatic environment. Pollutants from illegally discharged household wastewater contain
chemical nutrients, disease pathogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Although DWQ
ambient monitoring of the waters in the New River basin show a relatively small percentage of
fecal coliform bacteria samples exceeding state standards for primary recreation, smaller streams
may contain a higher concentration of bacteria and other pollutants. The economies of the
counties in this basin are highly dependent upon river recreation, especially from tourists and
seasonal residents.

In order to protect human health and maintain water quality, straight pipes must be eliminated
and failing septic systems should be repaired. The NC Wastewater Discharge Elimination
(WaDE) Program is actively helping to identify and remove straight pipes (and failing septic
systems) in the western portion of North Carolina. This program uses door-to-door surveys to
locate straight pipes and failing septic systems, and offers deferred loans or grants to
homeowners who have to eliminate the straight pipes by installing a septic system.

In the New River basin, the Appalachian District Health Department took the lead in the
Ashe/Alleghany Straight Pipe Elimination Project. WaDE provided technical assistance and
funding was provided by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), the NC
Department of Commerce – Division of Community Assistance (DCA), and the Appalachian
Regional Commission (ARC). Each funding source provided $400,000 for a total of $1.2
million. The purpose of the project was to repair or replace straight pipes or failing septic
systems identified during the survey. Any sites that were found to have straight pipes or failing
septic systems were repaired or replaced. The results of the surveys are presented in Table 13.

Table 13 Results of the Ashe/Alleghany Straight Pipe Elimination Project

Lead
Agency
Ashe and Alleghany County Health
Departments
Project Dates April 2000 through March 2003
Terms of Funding 2 years
Homes Visited Est. 6,200
Inspections Completed Est. 2,800
Violations Found 625
Corrections with Assistance 295
Total Corrections* 323
% Households Surveyed Est. 45%
* Information updated October 2003.

2005 Recommendations
The WaDE Program in collaboration with the Local Health Departments should request
additional funding from the CWMTF (Chapter 12) and Section 319 Program (Chapter 12) to
continue the straight pipe elimination program for the New River basin. Additional monitoring
of fecal coliform throughout tributary watersheds where straight pipes and failing septic systems
Chapter 7 – Stormwater and Wastewater Programs 82

are a potential problem should be conducted in order to narrow the focus of the surveys. For
more information on the WaDE Program, contact DENR On-Site Wastewater Section (OSWW)
– NC Division of Environmental Health (DEH), toll free at 1-866-223-5718 or visit their website
at http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/oww/Wade/wade.htm.

Additional precautions should be taken by local septic system permitting authorities to ensure
that new systems are sited and constructed properly and that an adequate repair area is also
available. Educational information should also be provided to new septic system owners
regarding the maintenance of these systems over time. DWQ has developed a booklet that
discusses actions individuals can take to reduce stormwater runoff and improve stormwater
quality entitled Improving Water Quality In Your Own Backyard. The publication includes a
discussion about septic system maintenance and offers other sources of information. To obtain a
free copy, call [phone]. The following website also offers good information in three easy
to follow steps: http://www.wsg.washington.edu/outreach/mas/water_quality/septicsense/septicmain.html.
Chapter 7 – Stormwater and Wastewater Programs 83