WQ0041136_Staff Report_20231018

State of North Carolina
Division of Water Resources

Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Staff Report

FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 1 of 5

To: NPDES Unit Non-Discharge Unit Application No.: WQ0041136
Attn: Leah Parente Facility name: Cervini Farms WWTP

From: Melanie Kemp
Asheville Regional Office

Note: This form has been adapted from the non-discharge facility staff report to document the review of both non-
discharge and NPDES permit applications and/or renewals. Please complete all sections as they are applicable.

I. GENERAL AND SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? Yes or No
a. Date of site visit: September 30, 2022
b. Site visit conducted by: Melanie Kemp
c. Inspection report attached? Yes or No In LF
d. Person contacted: Danielle Hunter, ORC and their contact information: 828-551-7961 ext.
e. Driving directions: Take I-40 W from ARO, then take exit 46A to get on I-26 E. Take exit 40 towards NC-
280/191. Turn right on Ladson rd and facility is located on the left.
2. Discharge Point(s):
Latitude: Longitude:
Latitude: Longitude:
3. Receiving stream or affected surface waters:
Classification:
River Basin and Subbasin No.
Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream uses:
II. PROPOSED FACILITIES: NEW APPLICATIONS
1. Facility Classification: (Please attach completed rating sheet to be attached to issued permit)
Proposed flow:
Current permitted flow:
2. Are the new treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal system? Yes or No
If no, explain:
3. Are site conditions (soils, depth to water table, etc) consistent with the submitted reports? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
4. Do the plans and site map represent the actual site (property lines, wells, etc.)? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
5. Is the proposed residuals management plan adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
DocuSign Envelope ID: A10CBF9B-D315-41E2-BA6E-5156557BA75D
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 2 of 5
6. Are the proposed application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) acceptable? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
7. Are there any setback conflicts for proposed treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
8. Is the proposed or existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
9. For residuals, will seasonal or other restrictions be required? Yes No N/A
If yes, attach list of sites with restrictions (Certification B)
Describe the residuals handling and utilization scheme:
10. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters:
11. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only):

III. EXISTING FACILITIES: MODIFICATION AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
1. Are there appropriately certified Operators in Charge (ORCs) for the facility? Yes No N/A
ORC: Danielle Hunter Certificate #: 23477 Backup ORC: Robert Barr Certificate #:8928
2. Are the design, maintenance and operation of the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal
system? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
Description of existing facilities:
7,010 gpd reclaimed water generation and dedicated utilization facility treating domestic wastewater for
utilization in greenhouse hydroponic systems consisting of: a pump station with two 34 gallon per minute
(GPM) grinder pumps; two (in series) 8,000 gallon septic tanks with effluent filters; a 6,500 gallon flow
equalization tank with two 30 GPM pumps; a 5,000 gallon recirculation tank with two 42 GPM
recirculation pumps serving two 2,865 gallon EZ Treat filter media pods; a 5,000 gallon recirculation tank
with two 42 GPM recirculation pumps serving two 2,865 gallon EZ Treat filter media pods, and a 20 GPM
alkalinity feed pump serving an EZ Treat calcite filter pod that returns to the 6,500 flow equalization tank;
a 1,500 disc filter pump tank with two 15 GPM pumps; two 1.5 inch (in) disc filtration systems with a
backwash line return to first septic tank; a turbidity meter; two ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems each
with four lamps; a 1,500 final pump tank with two 28 GPM pumps; an effluent by-pass line return to first
septic tank; a 35,827 gallon synthetically lined 5-day upset pond; a flow meter; hydroponic tank level
transducers to control flow between irrigation tanks and prevent overflow; a backup 500 kilowatt (kW)
generator (only 41 kW is required for the reclaimed water facility); and all associated piping, valves,
controls, and appurtenances
Proposed flow: 7,010 gpd
Current permitted flow: Same as above
Explain anything observed during the site visit that needs to be addressed by the permit, or that may be important
for the permit writer to know (i.e., equipment condition, function, maintenance, a change in facility ownership, etc
The facility is unable to test for clostridium and coliphage (required by permit) as there are no NC
laboratories that can perform this test.
3. Are the site conditions (e.g., soils, topography, depth to water table, etc) maintained appropriately and adequately
assimilating the waste? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
4. Has the site changed in any way that may affect the permit (e.g., drainage added, new wells inside the compliance
boundary, new development, etc.)? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
5. Is the residuals management plan adequate? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
DocuSign Envelope ID: A10CBF9B-D315-41E2-BA6E-5156557BA75D
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 3 of 5
6. Are the existing application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) still acceptable? Yes or No N/A
If no, please explain:
7. Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
8. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
9. Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
10. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
11. Are the monitoring well coordinates correct in BIMS? Yes No N/A
If no, please complete the following (expand table if necessary):
Monitoring Well Latitude Longitude
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
12. Has a review of all self-monitoring data been conducted (e.g., DMR, NDMR, NDAR, GW)? Yes or No
Please summarize any findings resulting from this review:
The site has historically had trouble meeting BOD and ammonia limits. There have been no violations since
April 2022, but the facility has only been processing a minor amount of wastewater during property
transactions.
Provide input to help the permit writer evaluate any requests for reduced monitoring, if applicable.
13. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
14. Check all that apply:
No compliance issues Current enforcement action(s) Currently under JOC
Notice(s) of violation Currently under SOC Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments (i.e., NOV, NOD, etc.)
If the facility has had compliance problems during the permit cycle, please explain the status. Has the RO been
working with the Permittee? Is a solution underway or in place?
After performing an engineering analysis, Cervini discovered that staff were occasionally disposing of
cleaning agents in the washroom sink drain within the greenhouse, which was affecting the wastewater
treatment process and likely contributing to limits violations. The entire system was pumped and the
facility ceased the disposal of cleaning agents down these drains.
Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
15. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes No N/A
If yes, please explain:
16. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters:
17. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only):

DocuSign Envelope ID: A10CBF9B-D315-41E2-BA6E-5156557BA75D
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 4 of 5
IV. REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
2. List any items that you would like the NPDES Unit or Non-Discharge Unit Central Office to obtain through an
additional information request:
Item Reason

3. List specific permit conditions recommended to be removed from the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

4. List specific special conditions or compliance schedules recommended to be included in the permit when issued:
Condition Reason
System operation Notify the ARO when greenhouse operations resume and the treatment system
is processing typical wastewater flows.

5. Recommendation: Hold, pending receipt and review of additional information by regional office
Hold, pending review of draft permit by regional office
Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
Issue
Deny (Please state reasons: )
6. Signature of report preparer:
Signature of regional supervisor:
Date: 10/18/2023

DocuSign Envelope ID: A10CBF9B-D315-41E2-BA6E-5156557BA75D
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 5 of 5

V. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
It should be noted that the most current permit was not included with the application package and was issued
09/30/2020. Section III of form NDPONC 06-16 incorrectly states that the most recent permit was issued
07/25/2023.
Due to past limits violations related to greenhouse operations, the ARO will monitor sampling results once the
system is processing regular flows, to ensure treatment is effective.
DocuSign Envelope ID: A10CBF9B-D315-41E2-BA6E-5156557BA75D