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Chapter 7 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56 93
Chapter 7
Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56
Including: Roanoke Sound and small portion of Albemarle and Currituck Sound
7.1 Subbasin Overview
This subbasin includes the Outer Banks from the northern
portion of Dare County south to Oregon Inlet. It also
includes portions of Currituck Sound, Albemarle Sound
and Roanoke Sound. Ecologically, it is within the
Carolinian Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes ecoregions.
Land cover generally consists of beaches, marshes, forested
wetlands and evergreen forests with scattered urbanized
areas, wildlife habitat and recreational areas. Several
public lands and significant natural heritage areas can be
found in this subbasin, including Jockey’s Ridge State
Park, Nags Head Woods Preserve, Run Hill State Natural
Area, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Kitty Hawk
Woods Coastal Reserve.
Portions of Currituck and Dare Counties are in this
subbasin. The Outer Banks have experienced rapid
population growth and development with the Towns of Kill
Devil Hills and Nags Head experiencing growth estimated
at an increase of 39 and 47 percent by 2020, respectively.
Refer to Chapter 11 for more information about population
growth and trends.
Water quality in areas with growing populations would
benefit from individual or community implementation of
backyard wetlands, rain gardens, bioretention areas,
conversion of impervious surfaces, use of cisterns,
streambank protection and restoration.
The Kill Devil Hills Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water
Treatment Plant (WTP) holds the only National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) minor permit in
the subbasin with a permitted discharge of 0.03 MGD. The permit specifies that the facility
monitor whole effluent toxicity (WET). During the last two years of the assessment period,
WET tests show that the facility has failed to meet its 90 percent acute toxicity target effluent
concentration on three occasions for both outfalls (outfall 001 and outfall 002). More
information can be found in Section 7.4.1. There are six non-discharge permits and two
stormwater discharge permits in this subbasin. For the listing of NPDES permit holders, refer to
Appendix III.
A map including the locations of the NPDES facilities and water quality monitoring stations is
presented in Figure 9. Table 18 contains a summary of assessment unit numbers (AU#) and
Subbasin 03-01-56 at a Glance
Land and Water Area
Total area: 109 mi2
Land area: 37 mi2
Water area: 72 mi2
Land Cover (percent)
Surface Water: 70%
Forest/Wetland: 22%
Urban: 7%
Cultivated Crop: <1%
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 2%
Counties
Dare
Municipalities
Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head,
Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores
Monitored Waterbody Statistics
Recreation:
Total: 134.9 mi/22,216.2 ac
Supporting: 134.5 mi/22,211.5 ac
Impaired: 0.5 mi/4.7 ac
Shellfish Harvesting:
Total: 21,045.2 ac
Supporting: 19,258.3 ac
Impaired: 1,786.9 ac
Planning Section
Basinwide Planning Unit
January 8, 2007
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Figure 9 Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56
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02.557.5101.25
Miles
Non-Dischargers
%L Major
#I Minor
NPDES Dischargers
XY Major
#*Minor
Legend
Monitoring Stations¡~Ambient Monitoring Station
!(à Benthic Community
¾r Recreation Locations
Aquatic Life Rating/
Shellfish Harvesting Rating
Impaired
No Data
Not Rated
Supporting
County Boundary
Subbasin Boundary
Municipality
Primary Roads
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
AL Rating REC RatingStation
Year/
ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
Pasquotank 03-01-56SubbasinTable 18
SH Rating
Shellfish
Harvesting
GA
ALBEMARLE SOUND
30f1
Portion of Albemarle Sound in subbasin 03-01-56. Waters
of Albemarle Sound (All waters south and east of a line
running in a southerly direction from Horniblow Point
(North end of Norfolk-Southern Railroad Bridge) to a point
of land on the east side of R
7,713.5 S AcresSB ND S N9A NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Marina
30f2
Colington Harbor swimming beach
0.1 S AcresSB ND I N91 CE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Marina
Enterrococcus Unknown
Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-56
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
AL Rating REC RatingStation
Year/
ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
Pasquotank 03-01-56SubbasinTable 18
SH Rating
Shellfish
Harvesting
GA
Atlantic Ocean
99-(7)a
The waters of the Atlantic Ocean contiguous to that portion
of Pasquotank River Basin that extends from the North
Carolina-Virginia State Line to the northeast tip of Ocracoke
Island
110.1 Coast MilesSB ND S N1 NCE
N12 NCE
N12A NCE
N12B NCE
N14 NCE
N14A NCE
N15 NCE
N16A NCE
N17 NCE
N17A NCE
N18 NCE
N1A NCE
N2 NCE
N23 NCE
N25 NCE
N26 NCE
N26B NCE
N27 NCE
N29B NCE
N3 NCE
N30 NCE
N32 NCE
N34 NCE
N37 NCE
N4 NCE
N40 NCE
N5A NCE
N7 NCE
N7A NCE
N85A NCE
N19 NCE
Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-56
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
AL Rating REC RatingStation
Year/
ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
Pasquotank 03-01-56SubbasinTable 18
SH Rating
Shellfish
Harvesting
GA
99-(7)b
Coastline 0.25 miles north and south of RECMON station
N22 near Old Oregon Rd and NC12
0.5 Coast MilesSB ND I N22 CE Enterrococcus Unknown
99-(7)c
Coastline 0.25 miles north and south of NC0070157
0.5 Coast MilesSB NR S N85 NCE Toxic Impacts WWTP NPDES
Blossie Creek
30-21-12
Entire Creek
33.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP
H-1
Colington Creek
30-19-1a
From Kill Devil Hills Bridge north to Kitty Hawk Bay
758.1 S AcresSC ND S N13A NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Marina
30-19-1b
Wildlife Ramp on Bayview Dr.
0.4 S AcresSC ND I N13 CE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Marina
Enterrococcus
Enterrococcus Unknown
Fresh Water Lake at Kill Devil Hills
30-23
Entire Lake
23.8 FW MilesWS-III;CA ND S N16 NCE
Georges Creek
30-21-10
From source to Roanoke Sound
3.0 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP
H-1
Lighthouse Bay
30-21-11
Entire Bay
19.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP
H-1
Pamlico Sound
30-22i
Portion of Pamlico Sound (from Croatan and Roanoke
Sounds to a line running from Sandy Point south of Stumpy
Point Bay to the northeast tip of Ocracoke Island) in
subbasin 03-01-56
5,150.1 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP
H-6
Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-56
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
AL Rating REC RatingStation
Year/
ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
Pasquotank 03-01-56SubbasinTable 18
SH Rating
Shellfish
Harvesting
GA
Pond Island
30-21-4b
The waters surrounding the Island within 1,000 feet from
shore within subbasin 03-01-56
40.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND S I PRO
H-1
N20A NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Roanoke Sound
30-21e1
Those waters in 03-01-56 in the eastern portion of Roanoke
Sound, from a line running from Northwest Point on
Roanoke Island northward to Rhodoms Point on Colington
Island, thence a line running eastward through Wright
Memorial Monument, to a line running
14,052.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND S S APP
I-2
N24 NCE
N88A NCE
30-21e2
Jockey's Ridge Soundside Access
4.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND I N88 CE Enterrococcus Stormwater Runoff
30-21f
DEH closed area northeast of a line from Rhodams Point to
Mann Point including Buzzard bay
1,177.4 S AcresSA;HQW NR ND I PRO
I-2
Total Suspended Solids WWTP NPDES
Fecal Coliform Bacteria WWTP NPDES
Fecal Coliform Bacteria Marina
30-21g
The waters of Roanoke sound which include those waters
around the Villa Condominium STP Outfall beginning at a
point 35 degrees 57' 54" N- 75 degrees 38' 46" W, thence
200 yards in a southwesterly direction to a point in the
sound at 35 degrees 57' 48" N-
26.3 S AcresSA;HQW NR ND I PRO
H-1
Low Dissolved Oxygen WWTP NPDES
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
30-21h
DEH closed area east of Pond Island adjacent ot HWY 264
bridge
405.0 S AcresSA;HQW ND S I PRO
H-1
N21B NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria WWTP NPDES
30-21i
DEH closed area adjacent to Mill Landing in subbasin 03-
01-56
100.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO
H-1
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
30-21j
DEH closed area in southern portion of Roanoke Sound
adjacent to Big Tim Island
37.1 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO
H-1
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-56
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
AL Rating REC RatingStation
Year/
ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
Pasquotank 03-01-56SubbasinTable 18
SH Rating
Shellfish
Harvesting
GA
Use Categories:Monitoring data type: Use Support Ratings 2006:
AL - Aquatic Life MF - Fish Community Survey E - Excellent S - Supporting, I - Impaired
REC - Recreation MB - Benthic Community Survey G - Good NR - Not Rated
SH - Shellfish Harvesting MA - Ambient Monitoring Site GF - Good-Fair NR*- Not Rated for Recreation (screening criteria exceeded)
ML- Lake Monitoring F - Fair ND-No Data Collected to make assessment
N- DEH RECMON P - Poor NR+-Not rated because draft criteria used for rating
NI - Not Impaired
GA - DEH SS Classification and Growing Area S- Severe Stress CE-Criteria Exceeded > 10% and more than 10 samples
APP- Approved M-Moderate Stress NCE-No Criteria Exceeded
CAO- Conditionally Approved-Open N- Natural Miles/Acres
CAC- Conditionally Approved-Closed FW- Fresh Water
PRO- Prohibited S- Salt Water
Results
Results:
Aquatic Life Rating Summary
NR 1,203.7 S Acrese
NR 0.5 Coast Milee
ND 28,466.3 S Acres
ND 23.8 FW Miles
ND 110.6 Coast Mile
Recreation Rating Summary
22,969.7 S AcresSm
4.7 S AcresIm
23.8 FW MilesSm
110.6 Coast MileSm
0.5 Coast MileIm
6,695.6 S AcresND
Fish Consumption Rating Summary
29,670.0 S AcresIe
23.8 FW MilesIe
111.1 Coast MileIe
Shellfish Harvesting Rating Summary
19,258.3 S AcresSm
1,786.9 S AcresIm
Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-56
100 Chapter 7 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56
lengths, streams monitored, monitoring data types, locations and results, along with use support
ratings for waters in the subbasin.
Many of the waters in subbasin 03-01-56 are classified for shellfish harvesting (Class SA).
Many are also classified as High Quality Waters (HQW) or Outstanding Resource Waters
(ORW). Several management strategies are in place to protect these waters.
Neither benthic samples nor ambient stations are located in this subbasin; however, there are
several recreational monitoring stations (RECMON) located throughout the subbasin. These
stations are evaluated by the NC Division of Environmental Health (DEH). Long-term trends in
water quality cannot be assessed in this subbasin. Refer to the 2006 Pasquotank River Basinwide
Assessment Report http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/esb/Basinwide/PASQUOTANK2006Final.pdf and
Appendix I for more information on monitoring.
Waters in the following sections and in Table 18 are identified by an assessment unit number
(AU#). This number is used to track defined segments in the water quality assessment database,
list 303(d) Impaired waters, and is used to identify waters throughout the basin plan. The AU# is
a subset of the DWQ index number (classification identification number). A letter attached to
the end of the AU# indicates that the assessment is smaller than the DWQ index segment. No
letter indicates that the AU# and the DWQ index segment are the same.
7.2 Use Support Assessment Summary
All surface waters in the state are assigned a classification appropriate to the best-intended use of
that water. Waters are regularly assessed by DWQ to determine how well they are meeting their
best-intended use. Table 19 provides a summary of use support for waters in subbasin 03-01-56.
In subbasin 03-01-56, use support was assigned for aquatic life, recreation, fish consumption and
shellfish harvesting. Waters are Supporting, Impaired, Not Rated and No Data in the aquatic life
and recreation categories on a monitored or evaluated basis. All waters are Impaired in the fish
consumption category on an evaluated basis based on fish consumption advice issued by the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). There are no water supply watersheds
designated in this subbasin.
Criteria for making use support determinations for the shellfish harvesting category were based
on Division of Environmental Health (DEH) Sanitary Surveys (SS) growing area classifications.
The problem parameter for all shellfish waters is the potential for fecal coliform standards
exceedances. Differences in acreage estimates between basin cycles are not just related to
changes in water quality. Changes in acreage are related to more refined methods of estimating
acreages, changes in growing area classifications, extension of closure areas as a result of
additional boat slips, and to changes in use support methodology.
For more information about use support determinations, refer to Appendix II or the Supplemental
Guide to North Carolina’s Basinwide Planning: Support Document for Basinwide Water Quality
Plans found at DWQ’s website http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/SupplementalGuide.htm.
Appendix V provides definitions of the terms used throughout this basin plan.
Chapter 7 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56 101
Table 19 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 03-01-56
Use Support
Rating Aquatic Life Recreation Shellfish Harvesting
Freshwater Saltwater Freshwater Saltwater Freshwater Saltwater
Monitored Waters
Supporting 0 0 23.8 mi 110.6 mi
22,969.7 ac 0 19,258.3 ac
Impaired* 0 0 0 0.5 mi
4.7 ac (0.02%) 0
1,786.9 ac (8.5%)
Total 0 0 23.8 mi 111.1 mi
22,974.4 ac 0 21,045.2 ac
Unmonitored Waters
Not Rated 0 0.5 mi
1,203.7 ac 0 0 0 0
No Data 23.8 mi 110.6 mi
28,466.3 ac 0 6,695.6 ac 0 0
Total 23.8 mi 111.1 mi
28,771.4 ac 0 6,695.6 ac 0 0
Totals
All Waters 23.8 mi 111.1 mi
28,771.8 ac 23.8 mi 111.1 mi
29,670 ac 0 21,045.2 ac
* The noted percent Impaired is the percent of monitored miles/acres only.
7.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired
Waters
The following waters were either identified as Impaired in the previous basin plan (2002) or are
newly Impaired based on recent data. If previously identified as Impaired, the water will either
remain on the state’s 303(d) list or will be delisted based on recent data showing water quality
improvements. If the water is newly Impaired, it will likely be placed on the 2008 303(d) list.
The current status and recommendations for addressing these waters are presented below, and
each is identified by an AU#. Information regarding 303(d) listing and reporting methodology is
presented in Chapter 15.
For more information about use support determinations for the Impaired Class SA waters
presented in Table 20 below, refer to Appendix II or the Supplemental Guide to North Carolina’s
Basinwide Planning: Support Document for Basinwide Water Quality Plans found at DWQ’s
website http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/SupplementalGuide.htm. Refer to Figure 9 for a
map of subbasin 03-01-56.
Table 20 Summary of DEH Growing Areas H-1, I-2 Classifications in Subbasin 03-01-56
Class SA Waters Assessment Unit # Growing Area
Classification DEH Growing Area
Pond Island 30-21-4b PRO H-1
Roanoke Sound
30-21e1
30-21e2
30-21f
30-21g
30-21h
30-21i
30-21j
APP
APP
PRO
PRO
PRO
PRO
PRO
H-1, I-2
PRO=Prohibited, CAC=Conditionally Approved Closed, CAO=Conditionally Approved Open
102 Chapter 7 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56
7.3.1 Eastern Shore of Roanoke Sound Growing Area H-1
The following DWQ Class SA waters and the
Impaired assessment units associated with these
waters are located within Growing Area H-1. If the
entire Class SA water is located within more than one
growing area it is noted in Table 20 or refer to the
basinwide Growing Area map in the Executive
Summary.
According to the Sanitary Survey of Roanoke
Sound, Area H-1 (DEH Shellfish Sanitation &
Recreational Water Quality Section, October 2002
and August 2006), little changes in water quality
were detected. Roanoke Sound is bordered on the
east by the Outer Banks and on the west by Roanoke
Island. H-1 is located in Dare County, undergoing
rapid population growth and large influxes in
seasonal populations. Nags Head has an estimated
permanent population of 3,200 with an increase to
over 60,000 during summer months.
Nags Head area continues to have significant construction of seasonal residences and retail
businesses adding to impervious surface cover. Much of the construction ties into the municipal
wastewater treatment system with land application disposal or package plants with low-pressure
pipe drain fields for final effluent disposal. One of the two septic systems operated by the US
National Park Service was found to be failing during the 2006 survey.
As a result of the 2002 survey an additional 10 acres of shellfishing waters were closed at the
canals of Old Nags Head Cove.
Pond Island [AU# 30-21-4b]
Pond Island (40.3 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Pond Island is classified by DEH
SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to potential fecal coliform bacteria levels. Pond Island
will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters.
Roanoke Sound (Jockey’s Ridge Soundside) [AU# 30-21e2]
Roanoke Sound at Jockey’s Ridge State Park (4.2 acres) is Impaired in the recreation category
based on RECMON exceedences at site N88 for enterococci bacteria. The sampling location is
near the storm drain just south of Jockey’s Ridge. This section of the Roanoke Sound will be
added to the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired recreational waters.
Roanoke Sound [AU# 30-21g]
2002 Status
DEH posted a swimming advisory for a portion of the Roanoke Sound centered around the
discharge associated with the Villas Association, Inc. The Villas is a residential/resort
Chapter 7 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56 103
community in the Town of Nags Head. The advisory was posted in 1998. In 2002, the Villas
Association received a non-discharge permit to eliminate the direct discharge to Roanoke Sound.
The facility is now utilizing a land application method for its treated wastewater.
Current Status
Roanoke Sound (26.3 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. This section of the sound is
classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to potential fecal coliform bacteria
levels. This section of the Roanoke Sound will be remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired
waters for shellfish harvesting.
This segment of the Roanoke Sound [AU# 30-21g] is Not Rated for recreation due to concerns
with the previous WWTP discharges and will remain on the 303(d) list until further bacterial
assessment is completed. No RECOM samples were collected in this section of the Roanoke
Sound. The RECMON sampling location closest to the Villas is near the storm drain just south
of Jockey’s Ridge. DEH has had 35 advisory days at this location since the 2004 swimming
season.
Roanoke Sound [AU# 30-21h, 30-21i and 30-21j]
Current Status
These segments of the Roanoke Sound (542.8 acres) are Impaired for shellfish harvesting. This
portion of the Roanoke Sound is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to
potential fecal coliform bacteria levels. Roanoke Sound will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of
Impaired waters.
7.3.2 Eastern Shore of Roanoke Sound Growing Area I-2
The following DWQ Class SA waters and the
Impaired assessment units associated with
these waters are located within Growing Area
I-2. If the entire Class SA water is located
within more than one growing area it is noted
in Table 20 or refer to the basinwide Growing
Area map in the Executive Summary.
According to the Sanitary Survey of Eastern
Albemarle Sound, Area I-2 (DEH Shellfish
Sanitation & Recreational Water Quality
Section, June 2005), water quality has
improved with a few exceptions. The only
shellfish present in this area is Rangia clams.
The estimated population of this area is
11,000 people, which is a 50 percent increase since the last survey. With the influx of tourists
the population in this area more than triples. There are 15 subdivisions, many of which are
located along waters closed for shellfish harvesting.
104 Chapter 7 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56
Roanoke Sound (Buzzard Bay) [AU# 30-21f]
Roanoke Sound (1,177.4 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. This impaired section runs
from Rhodams Point to Mann Point and includes Buzzard Bay. It is classified by DEH SS as
prohibited in growing area I-2 due to potential fecal coliform bacteria levels. This section of the
Roanoke Sound will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters.
7.3.3 Previously or Currently Impaired Freshwater and Non-Shellfish Harvesting Waters
Albemarle Sound [AU# 30f2]
The Colington Harbor Swimming Beach in the Albemarle Sound (0.1 acres) is Impaired in the
recreation category based on recreational monitoring (RECMON) exceedances at site N91. This
section of Albemarle Sound will be added to the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired recreational
waters.
Atlantic Ocean [AU# 99-(7)b]
This 0.5 mile of coast line is Impaired in the recreation category based on RECMON
exceedences at site N22. This section of the Atlantic coastline will be added to the state’s 303(d)
list of Impaired recreational waters.
Colington Creek [AU# 30-19-1b]
Colington Creek (0.4 acres) is Impaired in the recreation category based on recreational
monitoring (RECMON) exceedances at site N13. During the assessment period extreme
elevated bacteria counts were detected. Shore birds and other waterfowl are abundant in this
area. The predominant southwest winds lead to limited flushing rates and often the waters
become stagnant adjacent to the shoreline. Also, a dock was being built at the end of Dock
Street, which was the location of the sampling site. During construction, sediments that include
bacteria were being re-suspended in the water column by the pumping of pilings and the use of
heavy equipment. This sampling station (N13) has now been dropped and replaced with a
station (N13a) about 200 yards offshore.
7.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts
The surface waters discussed in this section are not Impaired. However, notable water quality
problems and concerns were documented for these waters during this assessment. Attention and
resources should be focused on these waters to prevent additional degradation and facilitate
water quality improvements.
7.4.1 Atlantic Ocean [AU# 99-(7)c]
The Dare County Reverse Osmosis (RO) WTP (Permit NC0070157) for Kill Devil Hills
discharges to an unnamed tributary that reaches this 0.5-mile section of the Atlantic coastline.
The permit specifies that the facility monitor whole effluent toxicity (WET). During the last two
years of the assessment period, WET tests show that the facility has failed to meet its 90 percent
acute toxicity target effluent concentration on three occasions for both outfalls (outfall 001 and
outfall 002). DWQ regional office staff report that outfall 001 is currently in compliance per the
Chapter 7 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56 105
permit; however, outfall 002 is showing high levels of chlorine. DWQ staff is working with the
facility to ensure that both outfalls are in compliance per permit limits.
7.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 03-01-56
The previous sections discussed water quality concerns for specific stream segments. The
following section discusses issues that may threaten water quality in the subbasin that are not
specific to particular streams, lakes, or reservoirs. The issues discussed may be related to waters
near certain land use activities or within proximity to different pollution sources.
Several pump stations contribute to the Kill Devil Hills WWTP non-discharge system (Permit
WQ0002829), which have been non-compliant because of maintenance issues. Improved
operational management and the possible consolidation of ownership of the pump stations would
make inspections easier and maintenance issues could possibly be resolved. The facility is also
expanding from 300,000 GPD to 500,000 GPD.
Town of Nags Head
In the fall of 2000, the Town of Nags Head implemented the Septic Health Initiative to improve
management of septic systems and to reduce a potential source of microbes. This initiative
includes four major programs including a public education program, septic tank inspection and
pumping, water quality monitoring and the development of a long term decentralized wastewater
management plan. This voluntary program is designed to encourage homeowners to have their
septic systems inspected and pumped on a regular basis by providing refunds for inspection costs
and utility credits for septic pumping. A homeowner low interest loan program also promotes
the replacement of failing systems. The development of a decentralized wastewater management
plan is Nags Head's long-term strategy in protecting water quality while allowing the continued
use of on-site wastewater systems. (http://www.townofnagshead.net)
106 Chapter 7 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-56