NC0058891_Draft Permit_20231009

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Mr. Leonard Cottom
Hawksnest Utilities, Inc.
2058 Skyline Drive
Seven Devils, NC 28604
Dear Permittee:
SATe
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
October 10, 2023
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NCO058891
Valley Creek WWTP
Grade WW-2 WPCS
Watauga County
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Enclosed with this letter is a copy
of the draft permit for your facility. Please review this draft carefully to ensure your thorough
understanding of the information, conditions, and requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
➢ Added effluent monitoring for turbidity to the table in Section A. (L) and the table in Section A.
(2) to determine compliance with 15A NCAC 02B.0211 (21) for Trout waters.
➢ Updated eDMR language for electronic data submission in Part I. A. (4).
➢ Updated the monthly average NH3 as N effluent limit for the summer months (April 1 — October
31) for 0.01 MGD flow based on the IWC calculations and 2016 NH3 guidance document. The
monthly average summer limit for NH3 as N will be 16.1 mg/L. The changes can be found in
Part I. A. (L).
➢ Added the monthly average and daily maximum NH3 as N effluent limits for the winter months
(November 1 — March 31) for 0.01 MGD flow based on the IWC calculations and 2016 NH3
guidance document. The monthly average winter limit for NH3 as N will be 32.4 mg/L and the
weekly average winter limit will be 35.0 mg/L. The changes can be found in Part 1. A. (L).
The NPDES standard conditions (Parts II, III, and IV) that are a part of the permit are not included in
this draft document (cover, map, and Part I). The conditions are the same as in your current permit
except that agency and division names have been updated. The latest version is available at
https://bit.ly/3k5NFaL and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a
notice in newspapers having circulation in the general Johnston County area, per EPA requirements.
Please provide your comments, if any, to me at the e-mail address below no later than 30 days
after receiving this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit.
D � ��� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
NOHIH CAHOLINh 919.707.9000
O.""M of Em1;; al Owl

Page 2 of 2
NPDES Permit NCO058891
If you have questions concerning the draft, please contact me at caroline.robinsonkdeq.nc.gov.
Sincerely,
Environmental Specialist II
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting

Permit NC0058891
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
In compliance with the provisions 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,
Hawksnest Utilities, Inc.
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Valley Creek WWTP
NCSR 1151
Foscoe
Watauga County
to receiving waters designated as Valley Creek in subbasin 04-02-01 of the Watauga River Basin in
accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I,
II, III, and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on August 31, 2028.
If the permittee intends to continue to discharge at the facility beyond the term of this permit, a
renewal application must be submitted no later than March 4, 2028 (180 days before the expiration of
this permit).
Signed this day
Richard E. Rogers, Jr., Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7

Permit NC0058891
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby revoked. As of this
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.
Hawksnest Utilities, Inc. is hereby authorized to:
Continue to operate an existing 0.01 MGD wastewater treatment system that includes the
following components:
• Influent holding tank
• Bar screen
• Aeration basin
• Clarifier with sludge return
• Aerated sludge holding tank
• Tablet chlorinator with chlorine -contact chamber
• Dechlorination
• Re -aeration chamber
The facility is located at the Valley Creek WWTP off NCSR 1151 near Foscoe in Watauga
County.
2. After receiving an Authorization to Construct (ATC) permit from the Division, including the
Division's approval of the Permittee's justification for the need to expand the plant to 0.09 MGD,
expand the facility to 0.09 MGD.
3. Discharge from said wastewater treatment works via Outfall 001 at the location specified on the
attached map into Valley Creek [Stream Index 8-4], a waterbody currently classified C-Trout
waters within subbasin 04-02-01 [HUC: 060101030301] of the Watauga River Basin.
Page 2 of 7

Permit NC0058891
Part I.
Grade WW-2 Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
A. (L) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS - 0.01 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expansion above 0.01 MGD or
permit expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be
limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT
MONITORING
PARAMETER
LIMITATIONS
REQUIREMENTS
[Parameter Codes]
Monthly
Daily
Measurement
Sample
Sample
Average
Maximum
Frequency
Type
Location
Flow
50050
0.01 MGD
Continuous
Recorder
Effluent or
Influent
Total Residual Chlorine
50060
28 µg/L'
2/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids
C0530
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
BOD 5-Day
C0310
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Temperature
00010
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen
00300
> 6.0 mg/L daily average
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
pH
00400
Not < 6.0 or > 9.0 standard
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
units
Fecal Coliform
31616
200 / 100 ml
400 / 100 ml
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
(geometric mean)
Ammonia (NH3 as N)
C0610
16.1 mg/L
3 5. 0 mg/L
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
(April 1 — October 31)
Ammonia (NH3 as N)
C0610
32.4 mg/L
3 5. 0 mg/L
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
(November 1 — March 31)
Dissolved Oxygen
00300
Weekly
Grab
U & D 2
Temperature
00010
Weekly
Grab
U & D 2
Turbidity
00070
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) — TRC effluent concentrations reported below 50µg/L shall be deemed compliant with
this permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to submit all concentrations reported by North Carolina -certified
test methods (including field certified), even if these concentrations fall below 50µg/L.
2. U = Upstream 50 feet above the outfall; D = Downstream at NC Hwy 105.
3. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR system, [see. A.
(4)].
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER
THAN TRACE AMOUNTS.
Page 3 of 7

Permit NC0058891
A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS- 0.09 MGD
[15ANCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning after expansion above 0.01 MGD and lasting until permit expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by the
Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT
MONITORING
PARAMETER
LIMITATIONS
REQUIREMENTS
[Parameter Codes]
Monthly
Daily
Measurement
Sample
Sample
Average
Maximum
Frequency
Type
Location
Flow
50050
0.09 MGD
Continuous
Recorder
Effluent
Temperature 1
00010
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine
(TRC)2
50060
17 µg/L 2
2/Week
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen
00300
> 6.0 mg/L daily
average
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
pH
00400
Not < 6.0 or > 9.0 standard
units
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Fecal Coliform
31616
200 / 100 ml
400 / 100 ml
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
(geometric mean)
Total Suspended Solids
C0530
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
BOD 5-Day
C0310
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
Ammonia (NH3 as N)
C0610
2.0 mg/L
10.0 mg/L
2/Month
Composite
Effluent
[Apr 01 to Oct 31]
Ammonia (NH3 as N)
C0610
4.0 mg/L
20.0 mg/L
2/Month
Composite
Effluent
[Nov 01 to Mar 31 ]
Total Nitrogen
C0600
Semi -Annually
Composite
Effluent
O2+NO3+TKN
Total Phosphorus
C0665
Semi -Annually
Composite
Effluent
Temperature
00100
Weekly
Grab
U & D 3
Dissolved Oxygen
00300
Weekly
Grab
U & D 3
Turbidity
00070
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Fnntnntea•
1. This discharge temperature shall not increase the ambient instream temperature by more than 0.50C (0.91F), and in no
case exceed 201C (68117).
2. Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) — TRC effluent concentrations reported below 50µg/L shall be deemed compliant.
However, the Permittee shall continue to report all levels detected by NC -certified test methods (including field
certified), even if these concentrations fall below 50µg/L.
3. U = Upstream — 50 feet above the discharge; D = Downstream at NC Highway 105.
4. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR System, [see. A.
(4•)].
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER
THAN TRACE AMOUNTS.
Page 4 of 7

Permit NC0058891
A. (3.) FLOW JUSTIFICATION
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Any request to expand permit flow above 0.01 MGD must include a documented justification
addressing the need for specific design flows.
A. (4.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and
program reports. The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on
December 21, 2015.
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 Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (a)1
The permittee shall report 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. The eDMR system may be
accessed at: https:Hdeq.nc.�zov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
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 following address:
NC DEQ / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
reported via the eDMR system no later than the last calendar day of the month following the
completed reporting period. Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last
Page 5 of 7

Permit NC0058891
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.
Starting on December 21, 2025, the permittee must electronically report the following compliance
monitoring data and reports, when applicable:
Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316 (b) Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see "How to Request a
Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time
of each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify
the initial recipient for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the
entity (EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program) that is the
designated entity for receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2 (b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for
each type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the
appropriate electronic reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES
Electronic Reporting Rule is found at:
https://www.federalre ig ster.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-24954/national-pollutant-discharge-
elimination-system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section
above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an
electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to
the Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers 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 submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a
temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring
data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re -applies for
and is granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic
reporting waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request
may submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that the approved
reporting waiver request is effective.
Page 6 of 7

Permit NC0058891
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on
the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.)
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part
Il, 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:
hqp:Hdeq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/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. "
5. 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].
Page 7 of 7

Outfall 001
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p
O t
f
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A �� 1 •
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1 •� �Y � f/Ira
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NCO058891- Valley Creek WWTP
Hawksnest Utilities, Inc.
Receivin¢ Stream: Valley Creek Steam Segment: 8-4
Stream Class: C; Trout USGS Ouad: Valle Crucis
Basin: Watauga River Sub -Basin: 04-02-01
Latitude: 360 08' 49" N Longitude: 810 48' 44" W
HUC: 060101030301
Facility
ILocation
r
/Ar`�_,l�JF Watauga County
•�/ �j,�(, Map not to scale