HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0033325_Final Permit_20230522ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
GREGORY J. MARTIN — COUNTY MANAGER
BLADEN COUNTY
POST OFFICE BOX 965
ELIZABETHTOWN, NORTH CAROLINA 28337
Dear Mr. Martin:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
May 22, 2023
Subject: Permit No. WQ0033325
Tobermory Well WWTF
Wastewater Irrigation System
Bladen County
In accordance with your permit renewal request received on February 23, 2023, we are forwarding
herewith Permit No. WQ0033325 dated May 22, 2023, to Bladen County for the continued operation of the
subject wastewater treatment and irrigation facilities.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance through November 30, 2030, shall replace
Permit No. WQ0033325 issued April 6, 2017, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations therein.
The Permittee shall submit a renewal application no later than June 3, 2030.
Please pay attention to the monitoring requirements listed Attachments A and B for they may differ
from the previous permit issuance. Failure to establish an adequate system for collecting and maintaining
the required operational information shall result in future compliance problems.
The Division has removed the following permit condition since the last permit issuance dated
April 6, 2017:
➢ Old Condition VI.2 — The Division has removed this condition because permits are not
voidable.
The following permit conditions are new since the last permit issuance dated April 6, 2017:
➢ Condition IIL13 — This condition requires the Permittee establish and maintain a protective
vegetative cover on certain areas of the site.
➢ Condition II1.14 —This condition requires the Permittee test and calibrate metering equipment
annually.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, the Permittee
has the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days following receipt of
this permit. This request shall 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 at 6714 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6714. Otherwise, this permit shall be final and binding.
D � North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality i Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
NORTH CAROLINA
'.'roMMm 0; /I 919,707.9000
Mr. Gregory J. Martin
May 22, 2023
Page 2 of 2
If you need additional information concerning this permit, please contact Leah Parente at (919)
707-3656 or leah.parenteddeq.nc.ov.
Richard E. Rogers, Jr.,
Division of Water Resi
cc: Bladen County Health Department (Electronic Copy)
Fayetteville Regional Office, Water Quality Regional Operations Section (Electronic Copy)
Laserfiche File (Electronic Copy)
Digital Permit Archive (Electronic Copy)
NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
RALEIGH
WASTEWATER IRRIGATION SYSTEM PERMIT
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina as
amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations
PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO
Bladen County
Bladen County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 1,143 gallon per day (GPD), 8,000 gallons per week maximum, wastewater
treatment and irrigation facility consisting of:
a pre-engineered metal building; 1-inch Schedule 80 PVC chemical feed lines; two chemical feed vaults; a
10,000 gallon capacity polyethylene tank; a 40 gallon per minute (GPM) irrigation pump; a 1.5-inch
Schedule 80 PVC irrigation line; a 1.5-inch movable rubber irrigation hose with a sprinkler head capable
of irrigating in a circular fashion with a minimum radius of 50 feet to irrigate sod production areas for
transplant and use off site; a 0.72 acre spray irrigation area; and all associated piping, valves, controls, and
appurtenances
to serve the Tobermory Well WWTF, with no discharge of wastes to surface waters, pursuant to the
application received on February 23, 2023, and in conformity with the Division -approved plans and
specifications considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance through November 30, 2030, shall replace Permit
No. WQ0033325 issued April 6, 2017, and shall be subject to the following conditions and limitations:
I. SCHEDULES
1. The Permittee shall request renewal of this permit on Division -approved forms no later than June 3,
2030. [15A NCAC 02T .0105(b), 02T .0109]
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Shell Version 200201 Page 1 of 8
IL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. The Permittee shall maintain and operate the subject non -discharge facilities so there is no discharge to
surface waters, nor any contravention of groundwater or surface water standards. In the event the
facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions due to improper
operation and maintenance, or failure of the irrigation areas to assimilate the effluent, the Permittee
shall take immediate corrective actions, including Division required actions, such as the construction
of additional or replacement wastewater treatment or disposal facilities. [15A NCAC 02T
.0108(b)(1)(A)]
2. This permit shall not relieve the Permittee of their responsibility for damages to groundwater or surface
water resulting from the operation of this facility. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)(1)(A)]
3. Effluent quality shall not exceed the limitations specified in Attachment A. [15A NCAC 02T .0505(b)]
4. Application rates, whether hydraulic, nutrient, or other pollutant, shall not exceed those specified in
Attachment B. [15A NCAC 02T .0505(c), 02T .0505(n)]
Wastewater irrigation fields permitted on or after December 30, 1983, have a compliance boundary that
is either 250 feet from the wastewater irrigation area, or 50 feet within the property boundary,
whichever is closest to the wastewater irrigation area. Any exceedance of groundwater standards at or
beyond the compliance boundary shall require corrective action. Division -approved relocation of the
compliance boundary shall be noted in Attachment B. Multiple contiguous properties under common
ownership and permitted for use as a disposal system shall be treated as a single property with regard
to determination of a compliance boundary. [ 15A NCAC 02L .0106(d)(2), 02L .0107(b), 02T .0105(h),
G.S. 143-215.1(1), G.S. 143-215.1(k)]
6. The review boundary is midway between the compliance boundary and the wastewater irrigation area.
Any exceedance of groundwater standards at or beyond the review boundary shall require preventative
action. [15A NCAC 02L .0106(d)(1), 02L .0108]
7. The Permittee shall apply for a permit modification to establish a new compliance boundary prior to
any sale or transfer of property affecting a compliance boundary (i.e., parcel subdivision). [15A NCAC
02L .0107(c)]
8. No wells, excluding Division -approved monitoring wells, shall be constructed within the compliance
boundary except as provided for in 15A NCAC 02L .0107(g). [15A NCAC 02L .0107]
9. Except as provided for in 15A NCAC 02L .0107(g), the Permittee shall ensure any landowner who is
not the Permittee and owns land within the compliance boundary shall execute and file with the Bladen
County Register of Deeds an easement running with the land containing the following items:
a. A notice of the permit and number or other description as allowed in 15A NCAC 02L .0107(f)(1);
b. Prohibits construction and operation of water supply wells within the compliance boundary; and
c. Reserves the right of the Permittee or the State to enter the property within the compliance boundary
for purposes related to the permit.
The Director may terminate the easement when its purpose has been fulfilled or is no longer needed.
[I5A NCAC 02L .0107(f)]
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Shell Version 200201 Page 2 of 8
10. The facilities herein were permitted per the following setbacks:
a. The irrigation sites were originally permitted on November 4, 2008. The setbacks for spray
irrigation sites originally permitted or modified from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2018 are as
follows (all distances in feet):
I. Each habitable residence or place of assembly under separate ownership:
400 1
ii. Each habitable residence or place of assembly owned by the Permittee:
200
iii. Each private or public water supply source:
100
iv. Surface waters:
100
v. Groundwater lowering ditches:
100
vi. Surface water diversions:
25
vii. Each well with exception of monitoring wells:
100
viii. Each property line:
150 ','
ix. Top of slope of embankments or cuts of two feet or more in vertical height:
15
x. Each water line:
10
xi. Subsurface groundwater lowering drainage systems:
100
xii. Each swimming pool:
100
xiii. Public right of way:
50
xiv. Nitrification field:
20
xv. Each building foundation or basement:
15
' Habitable residences or places of assembly under separate ownership constructed after the
facilities herein were originally permitted or subsequently modified are exempt from this
setback.
2 Setbacks to property lines are not applicable when the Permittee, or the entity from which the
Permittee is leasing, owns both parcels separated by the property line.
3 Per setback waivers recorded in the Bladen County Register of Deeds, reduced setbacks from
the wetted area to any property line are as follows:
Parcel No.
Deed Book / Page
Setback
Easement
18090
00759 / 0221
5 feet
145 feet
28326
00759 / 0225
5 feet
145 feet
[15A NCAC 02T .0506(a), 02T .0506(d), 02T .0506(e), 02T .0506(f)]
b. The storage and treatment units were originally permitted November 4, 2008. The setbacks for
storage and treatment units originally permitted or modified from September 1, 2006 to August 31,
2018 are as follows (all distances in feet):
I. Each habitable residence or place of assembly under separate ownership: 100,
ii. Each private or public water supply source: 100
iii. Surface waters: 50
iv. Each well with exception of monitoring wells: 100
v. Each property line: 50 2
' Habitable residences or places of assembly under separate ownership constructed after the
facilities herein were originally permitted or subsequently modified are exempt from this
setback.
2 Setbacks to property lines are not applicable when the Permittee, or the entity from which the
Permittee is leasing, owns both parcels separated by the property line.
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Shell Version 200201 Page 3 of 8
[15A NCAC 02T .0506(b), 02T .0506(e), 02T .0506(f)]
III. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. The Permittee shall operate and maintain the subject facilities as a non -discharge system. [15A NCAC
02T .0500]
2. The Permittee shall maintain an Operation and Maintenance Plan, which shall include operational
functions, maintenance schedules, safety measures, and a spill response plan. [15A NCAC 02T
.0507(a)]
3. Upon the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission's (WPCSOCC)
classification of the subject non -discharge facilities, the Permittee shall designate and employ a certified
operator in responsible charge (ORC), and one or more certified operators as back-up ORCs. The ORC
or their back-up shall operate and visit the facilities as required by the WPCSOCC. [15A NCAC 02T
.0117]
4. The Permittee shall maintain vegetative cover on the irrigation sites, such that crop health is optimal,
allows even effluent distribution, and allows inspection of the irrigation system. [15A NCAC 02T
.0507(b)]
5. The Permittee shall take measures to prevent effluent ponding in or runoff from the irrigation sites
listed in Attachment B. [15A NCAC 02T .0507(c)]
6. The Permittee shall not irrigate treated effluent during inclement weather, or when the soil is in a
condition that will cause ponding or runoff. [15A NCAC 02T .0505(x)]
7. Irrigation equipment shall be tested and calibrated once per permit cycle. [15A NCAC 02T .0507(d)]
8. Only treated effluent from the Tobermory Well WWTF shall be irrigated on the sites listed in
Attachment B. [15A NCAC 02T .0501]
9. The Permittee shall not allow vehicles or heavy machinery on the irrigation area, except during
equipment installation or maintenance activities. [15A NCAC 02T .0507(e)]
10. The Permittee shall prohibit public access to the wastewater treatment, storage, and irrigation facilities.
[I5A NCAC 02T .0505(q)]
11. The Permittee shall dispose or utilize generated residuals in a Division -approved manner. The iron
scale generated from these treatment facilities shall be removed from the storage tanks as necessary,
dried, and transported to the Bladen County transfer station for disposal. [15A NCAC 02T .0508, 02T
.1100].
12. The Permittee shall not divert or bypass untreated or partially treated wastewater from the subject
facilities. [15A NCAC 02T .05050)]
13. A protective vegetative cover shall be established and maintained on all berms, pipe runs, erosion
control areas, surface water diversions, and earthen embankments (i.e., outside toe of embankment to
maximum allowable temporary storage elevation on the inside of the embankment). Trees, shrubs, and
other woody vegetation shall not be allowed to grow on the earthen dikes or embankments. Earthen
embankments shall be kept mowed or otherwise controlled and accessible. [ 15A NCAC 02T .0507(g)]
14. Metering equipment shall be tested and calibrated annually. [15A NCAC 02T .0507(d)]
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Shell Version 200201 Page 4 of 8
IV. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Permittee shall conduct and report any Division required monitoring necessary to evaluate this
facility's impact on groundwater and surface water. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(c)]
2. A Division -certified laboratory shall conduct all analyses for the required effluent, groundwater, and
surface water parameters. [15A NCAC 02H .0800]
3. Flow through the treatment facility shall be continuously monitored, and daily flow values shall be
reported on Form NDMR. Facilities with a permitted flow less than 10,000 GPD may estimate their
flow from water usage records provided the water source is metered. [15A NCAC 02T .0105(k), 02T
.0108(c)]
4. The Permittee shall monitor the treated effluent at the frequencies and locations for the parameters
specified in Attachment A. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(c)]
5. The Permittee shall maintain records tracking the amount of effluent irrigated. These records shall
include the following information for each irrigation site listed in Attachment B:
a. Date of irrigation;
b. Volume of effluent irrigated;
c. Site irrigated;
d. Length of time site is irrigated;
e. Continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date hydraulic (inches/acre) loadings;
f Continuous monthly and year-to-date loadings for any non -hydraulic parameter specifically
limited in Attachment B;
g. Weather conditions; and
h. Maintenance of cover crops.
[I5A NCAC 02T .0108(c)]
6. Three copies of all monitoring data (as specified in Conditions IV.3. and IVA.) on Form NDMR for
each PPI and three copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in Condition IV.S.) on
Form NDAR-1 for every site in Attachment B shall be submitted on or before the last day of the
following month. If no activities occurred during the monitoring month, monitoring reports are still
required documenting the absence of the activity. All information shall be submitted to the following
address:
Division of Water Resources
Information Processing Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
[I5A NCAC 02T .0105(l)]
7. The Permittee shall maintain a record of all residuals removed from this facility. This record shall be
maintained for five years, and shall be made available to the Division upon request. This record shall
include:
a. Name of the residuals hauler;
b. Non -Discharge permit number authorizing the residuals disposal, or a letter from a municipality
agreeing to accept the residuals;
c. Date the residuals were hauled; and
d. Volume of residuals removed.
[15A NCAC 02T .0508(b)]
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Shell Version 200201 Page 5 of 8
8. A maintenance log shall be kept at this facility. This log shall be maintained for five years, and shall
be made available to the Division upon request. This log shall include:
a. Date of flow measurement device calibration;
b. Date of irrigation equipment calibration;
c. Visual observations of the plant and plant site; and
d. Record of preventative maintenance (e.g., changing of equipment, adjustments, testing, inspections
and cleanings, etc.).
[15A NCAC 02T .0507(h)]
9. An annual representative soils analysis (i.e., Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted on
each irrigation site listed in Attachment B. These results shall be maintained at the facility for five
years, and shall be made available to the Division upon request. Each Standard Soil Fertility Analysis
shall include the following parameters:
Acidity
Exchangeable Sodium Percentage
Phosphorus
Base Saturation (by calculation)
Magnesium
Potassium
Calcium
Manganese
Sodium
Cation Exchange Capacity
Percent Humic Matter
Zinc
Copper
pH
[15A NCAC 02T .0108(c)]
10. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report to the Fayetteville Regional Office, telephone number (910) 433-3300,
within 24 hours of first knowledge of the following:
a. Treatment of wastes abnormal in quantity or characteristic, including the known passage of a
hazardous substance.
b. Any process unit failure (e.g., mechanical, electrical, etc.) rendering the facility incapable of
adequate wastewater treatment.
c. Any facility failure resulting in a discharge to surface waters.
d. Any time self -monitoring indicates the facility has gone out of compliance with its permit
limitations.
e. Ponding in or runoff from the irrigation sites.
Emergencies requiring reporting outside normal business hours shall call the Division's Emergency
Response personnel at telephone number (800) 662-7956, (800) 858-0368, or (919) 733-3300. All
noncompliance notifications shall file a written report to the Fayetteville Regional Office within five
days of first knowledge of the occurrence, and this report shall outline the actions proposed or taken to
ensure the problem does not recur. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)(1)(A)]
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Shell Version 200201 Page 6 of 8
V. INSPECTIONS
1. The Permittee shall perform inspections and maintenance to ensure proper operation of the wastewater
treatment and irrigation facilities. [15A NCAC 02T .0507(i)]
2. The Permittee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and irrigation facilities to prevent malfunctions,
facility deterioration, and operator errors that may result in discharges of wastes to the environment,
threats to human health, or public nuisances. The Permittee shall maintain an inspection log that
includes the date and time of inspection, observations made, and maintenance, repairs, or corrective
actions taken. The Permittee shall maintain this inspection log for a period of five years from the date
of the inspection, and this log shall be made available to the Division upon request. [15A NCAC 02T
.0507(h), 02T .0507(i)]
Division authorized representatives may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and inspect any
property, premises, or place related to the wastewater treatment and irrigation facilities permitted herein
at any reasonable time for determining compliance with this permit. Division authorized
representatives may inspect or copy records maintained under the terms and conditions of this permit,
and may collect groundwater, surface water, or leachate samples. [G.S. 143-215.3(a)(2)]
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. Failure to comply with the conditions and limitations contained herein may subject the Permittee to a
Division enforcement action. [G.S. 143-215.6A, 143-215.613, 143-215.6C]
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the permit
application, and Division -approved plans and specifications. [G.S. 143-215.1(d)]
3. Unless specifically requested and approved in this permit, there are no variances to administrative codes
or general statutes governing the construction or operation of the facilities permitted herein. [15A
NCAC 02T .0105(n)]
4. The issuance of this permit does not exempt the Permittee from complying with all statutes, rules,
regulations, or ordinances that other jurisdictional government agencies (e.g., local, state, and federal)
may require. [15A NCAC 02T .0105(c)(6)]
5. If the permitted facilities change ownership, or the Permittee changes their name, the Permittee shall
submit a permit modification request on Division -approved forms. The Permittee shall comply with
all terms and conditions of this permit until the permit is transferred to the successor -owner. [G.S. 143-
215.1(d3)]
6. The Permittee shall retain a set of Division -approved plans and specifications for the life of the facilities
permitted herein. [15A NCAC 02T .0105(o)]
7. The Permittee shall maintain this permit until the proper closure of all facilities permitted herein, or
until the facilities permitted herein are permitted by another authority. [15A NCAC 02T .01050)]
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Shell Version 200201 Page 7 of 8
8. This permit is subject to revocation or modification upon 60-day notice from the Division Director, in
whole or part for:
a. violation of any terms or conditions of this permit or Administrative Code Title 1 SA Subchapter
02T;
b. obtaining a permit by misrepresentation or failure to disclose all relevant facts;
c. the Permittee's refusal to allow authorized Department employees upon presentation of credentials:
i. to enter the Permittee's premises where a system is located or where any records are required
to be kept;
ii. to have access to any permit required documents and records;
iii. to inspect any monitoring equipment or method as required in this permit; or
iv, to sample any pollutants;
d. the Permittee's failure to pay the annual fee for administering and compliance monitoring; or
e. a Division determination that the conditions of this permit are in conflict with North Carolina
Administrative Code or General Statutes.
[15A NCAC 02T .01 10)
9. Unless the Division Director grants a variance, expansion of the facilities permitted herein shall not
occur if any of the following apply:
a. The Permittee or any parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the Permittee has been convicted of
environmental crimes under G.S. 143-215.6B, or under Federal law that would otherwise be
prosecuted under G.S. 143-215.6B, and all appeals of this conviction have been abandoned or
exhausted.
b. The Permittee or any parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the Permittee has previously abandoned
a wastewater treatment facility without properly closing the facility.
c. The Permittee or any parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the Permittee has not paid a civil
penalty, and all appeals of this penalty have been abandoned or exhausted.
d. The Permittee or any parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the Permittee is currently not compliant
with any compliance schedule in a permit, settlement agreement, or order.
e. The Penmittee or any parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the Permittee has not paid an annual
fee.
[15A NCAC 02T .0120(b), 02T .0120(d)]
10. This permit shall not be renewed if the Permittee or any affiliation has not paid the required annual fee.
[15A NCAC 02T .0120(c)]
Permit issued this the 22" d day of May 2023
NORTH CARIOLINA EN,VIRONMEr1VT�L MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Richard E. Rogers, Jr., Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0033325
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Shell Version 200201 Page 8 of 8
ATTACHMENT A — LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
PPI 001— WWTF Effluent
Permit Number: WQ0033325 Version: 3.0
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
EFFLUENT LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
PCS
Code
Parameter Description
Units of
Measure
Monthly
Average
`� eekly Average
Daily Minimum Daily Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
00940
Chloride (as Cl)
mg/L
Annually
Grab
50050
Flow, in Conduit or thru Treatment Plant
Gallons
8,000
Monthly
Estimate
01045
Iron, Total (as Fe)
mg/L
Annually
Grab
1. Annual sampling shall be conducted in June.
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Attachment A Page 1 of 1
THIS PAGE BLANK
ATTACHMENT B — APPROVED LAND APPLICATION SITES AND LIMITATIONS
Bladen County — Tobermory Well WWTF
Permit Number: WQ0033325 Version: 3.0
IRRIGATION AREA INFORMATION
APPLICATION LIMITATIONS
Field
Owner
County
Latitude
Longitude
Net
Dominant
Parameter
Hourly
Yearly
Units
Acreage
Soil Series
Rate
Max
BuA — Butters
1
Bladen County
Bladen
34.818088'
-78.885426'
0.72
fine sand, 0 to
01284 — Non -Discharge Application Rate
1.0
20.46
inches
2% slopes
Totals
0.72
WQ0033325 Version 3.0 Attachment B Page 1 of 1
FIGURE 1 — SITE MAP
Tobermory Well
8129 Chickenfoot Road
St. Pauls, North Carolina 28384
Field 1
1
•. . rwrNw
Permit Number: WQ0033325 Version 3.0