NC0044806_Draft Permit_20231114

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Town of Atlantic Beach
Attn: Bryane Gerald
PO Box 10
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
Dear Permittee:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
November 14, 2023
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NCO044806
Atlantic Beach WTP
Grade I Physical Chemical WPCS
Carteret 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:
➢ Section A. (2) has been updated regarding the submission of aquatic toxicity test results.
➢ The Schedule of Compliance condition for Total Copper has been removed.
➢ Section A. (3) has been updated to reflect current federal requirements for Electronic Reporting
of Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs).
In addition to the renewal application submitted in February 2022, the Town requested an extension of
the Schedule of Compliance for Total Copper. After a review of DMR data for the past three years, it
appears the facility is capable of meeting the limits of 1.85 ug/L Monthly Avg and 2.90 ug/L Daily Max.
The Division has removed the condition from the permit and the limits for Total Copper will become
effective upon permit issuance.
Please note that Bogue Sound is listed as an impaired waterbody on the North Carolina 303(d) Impaired
Waters List. Addressing impaired waters is a high priority with the Division, and instream data will
continue to be evaluated. If there is noncompliance with permitted effluent limits and stream
impairment can be attributed to your facility, then mitigative measures may be required.
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 Carteret County area, per EPA requirements.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
jg� QEQ :> 512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center 1 Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
a..o�
919.707.9000

Page 2 of 2
NPDES Permit NCO044806
DRAFT Permit Renewal
Please provide your comments, if any, to me at the 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. If you have questions concerning the draft, please
contact me at 919-707-3712, or via e-mail at sydney.deuterman(&deq.nc.gov.
Sincerely,
)4bJ��
Sydney Deuterman
Environmental Specialist II
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting
cc: NPDES File [Laserfiche]
Wilmington Regional Office [Laserfiche]
Operator Certification Program
Aquatic Toxicology Unit
Shellfish Sanitation
Division of Marine Fisheries
US Fish and Wildlife Service
NC Wildlife Resources Commission

NPDES Permit NCO044806
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
DES
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, the
Town of Atlantic Beach
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Atlantic Beach WTP
101 East Drive
Atlantic Beach
Carteret County
to receiving waters designated as Bogue Sound in the White Oak 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 July 31, 2027.
Signed this day
Richard E. Rogers, Jr.
Director, Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 8

NPDES Permit NCO044806
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby revoked, and
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.
Town of Atlantic Beach
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an ion exchange water treatment plant with a discharge of softener
backwash/rinse wastewater. This facility currently has a design potable flowrate of 2.5 MGD and a
maximum, monthly average wastewater discharge of 0.0573 MGD. This facility is located at the
Atlantic Beach WTP, 101 East Drive in Atlantic Beach in Carteret County. Water and wastewater
treatment components consist of.
• Two (2) 2 ft diameter particulate filters
• Five (5) 8 ft diameter water softeners with brine regeneration system
• Backwash pumps and controls for softeners operation
• One (1) 12 ft x 12 ft settling basin for wastewater
• Tablet system for dechlorination
• Chemical usage consists of:
o Fluoride
o Sodium polyphosphate
o Sodium chloride
o Sodium hypochlorite
2. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001 at the location specified on the attached
map into Bogue Sound [Stream Segment: 20-36-(8.5)], a waterbody currently classified SA;
HQW in subbasin 03-05-03 [HUC: 030203010704] of the White Oak River Basin.
Page 2 of 8

NPDES Permit NCO044806
PART I
A. (1) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[ 15A NCAC 0213.0400 et seq., 0213.0500 et seq.]
Grade I Physical Chemical WPCS [15A NCAC 08G .0306]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge filter backwash and water softener backwash/rinse from Outfall
001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
(eDMR Code]
EFFLUENT LIMITS
MONITORING
REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location2
Flow (MGD) [50050]
Monitor & Report
Weekly
Instantaneous
Effluent
Duration of Discharge (hours) [813811
Monitor & Report
Weekly
Instantaneous
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) [C0530]
10.0 mg/L 1
15.0 mg/L
2/Month
Composite
Effluent
pH (s.u.) [004001
> 6.8 and < 8.5 standard units
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine 3 (pg/L) [50060]
-T
13 pg/L
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
Salinity (ppth) [00480]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Conductivity (pmhos/cm) [00094]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) [70295]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Turbidity (NTU) [00070]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Grab
Effluent
Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/L) [C0610]
Monitor & Report
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Total Copper (pg/L) [010421
1.85 pg/L
2.90 pg/L
Monthly
Composite
Effluent
Whole Effluent Toxicity 4 [TGE3E]
See Footnote 4
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Footnotes:
l . The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the NC DWR's eDMR
application system [see Section A. (3)].
2. Effluent = sample point after dechlorination and before discharge to DOT storm drain.
3. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the
permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina
certified laboratory (including field certified), even if these values fall below 50 µg/L.
4. Acute Toxicity 24-hour Pass/Fail Monitoring using Mysidopsis bahia at 90% effluent during the months of
January, April, July, and October [See Section A. (2)].
All samples collected should be from a representative discharge event.
Page 3 of 8

NPDES Permit NCO044806
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN
OTHER THAN TRACE AMOUNTS.
A. (2) CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL MONITORING (QUARTERLY)
[15A NCAC 02B .0500 et seq.]
The permittee shall conduct acute toxicity tests on a quarterly basis using protocols defined in the
North Carolina Procedure Document entitled "Pass/Fail Methodology For Determining Acute Toxicity
In A Single Effluent Concentration" (Revised -December 2010, or subsequent versions). The
monitoring shall be performed as a Mysid Shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia) 24-hour static test. The effluent
concentration at which there may be at no time significant acute mortality is 90% (defined as treatment
two in the procedure document). The tests will be performed during the months of January, April,
July, and October. These months signify the first month of each three-month toxicity testing quarter
assigned to the facility. Effluent sampling for this testing must be obtained during representative
effluent discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all
treatment processes.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered electronically using
the Division's eDMR system for the month in which it was performed, using the parameter code
TGE3E. Additionally, DWR Form AT-2 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
Or, results can be sent to the email, [e-mail].
eq.nc.gov.
Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later than 30
days after the end of the reporting period for which the report is made.
Test data shall be complete, accurate, include all supporting chemical/physical measurements and all
concentration/response data, and be certified by laboratory supervisor and ORC or approved designate
signature.
Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is
employed for disinfection of the waste stream.
Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is
required, the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the aquatic toxicity (AT) test
form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number, county, and the month/year of the
report with the notation of "No Flow" in the comment area of the form. The report shall be submitted
to the Water Sciences Section at the address cited above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, then
monthly monitoring will begin immediately. Upon submission of a valid test, this monthly test
requirement will revert to quarterly in the months specified above.
Page 4 of 8

NPDES Permit NCO044806
Should any test data from either these monitoring requirements or tests performed by the North
Carolina Division of Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit
may be re -opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits.
NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control
organism survival and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will
require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month following
the month of the initial monitoring.
USE OF A DIFFERENT TEST ORGANISM
The permittee may request the use of a different test organism upon documentation that the alternate test
organism would provide an equal or greater level of protection and is appropriate based on the
characteristics of the discharge and receiving stream. Such documentation would consist of one of the
following:
1. For saltwater classified streams, a fathead minnow may be assigned as the acute testing species
if the salinity of the receiving stream at the point of discharge is <5 ppt throughout the tidally
influenced cycle. This determination may be based on the best professional judgment of DWR
staff or data collection provided by the permittee and approved by DWR staff. This evaluation
should include vertical profiles of salinity/conductivity measurements at both high tide and low
tide over several 24 hr cycles.
2. Three consecutive "side -by -side" tests with results indicating that the alternate test organism is
as or more sensitive to the facility's effluent. Each test series would consist of two separate
toxicity tests conducted on the same sample of effluent with the length of exposure specified by
the permit, the only difference between the tests being the organism used.
3. An alternate plan developed by the permittee and approved by the Aquatic Toxicology Branch
that demonstrates an equal level of protection is offered by the test organism.
For items 2 and 3, it must also be demonstrated that viable and standardized culture techniques are
available for that organism and standardized testing methodologies have been developed and validated.
This demonstration should meet guidance provided by EPA in Section 6 of EPA-821-R-02-012, Short
Term Methods for Estimating the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater
Organisms. Fifth Edition, 2002. Requests to use a different test organism and supporting documentation
should be sent to NC DWR, WSS at the address listed above.
A. (3) ELECTRONIC REPORTING - DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[G.S. 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
Page 5 of 8

NPDES Permit NC0044806
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:Hdeg.nc.gov/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
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).
Electronic Submissions
Page 6 of 8

NPDES Permit NC0044806
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 i ster.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-24954/national-pollutant-discharge-
elimination-system-npdes-electronic-report i ng-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.
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. Sip-natory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. O l.)
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part
II, Section B. (I I .)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II,
Section B. (I 1.)(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
Page 7 of 8

NPDES Permit NC0044806
Carolina's eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit
the following web page:
http://deg.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:
7 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.)I
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 8 of 8

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Atlantic Beach WTP
NPDES Permit NCO044806
Receiving Stream: Bogue Sound
Lon its 76° 44' 20" W Stream Index: 20-36-(8.5)
Latitude: 34° 42' 06" N River Basin: White Oak
HUC: 030203010704 Stream Class: SA; HQW
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SCALE
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