NC0027341_Draft Permit_20240401

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
March 20, 2024
Jacinda B. Woodward, Senior VP, Power Operations
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
1101 Market Street LP, 2K-C,
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Subject:
Ms. Woodward:
Your Review of Renewal DRAFT
NPDES Permit NCO027341
Fontana Hydro Plant, WPCS Class PCNC
Physical Chemical Not Classified WPCS
Graham County
The NC Division of Water Resources (DWR or the Division) received your application to renew the
subject NPDES permit on March 1, 2023. We regret the delay in processing. Having reviewed
Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVAs) application, we hereby transmit this draft permit for the subject
facility.
Please review this draft carefully to ensure your understanding of its limits and monitoring conditions,
and to correct errors, if any. Concurrent with this notification, the Division will solicit public comment
on this draft by publishing a notice in newspapers having circulation in the general Graham County
area, as required by the NPDES Program. Please provide your written comments, if any, to me, Joe R.
Corporon, P.G. [e-mail]], DEQ/DWR/NPDES Program no later than April 22, 2024
(approximately 30 days after receiving this document). Your written comments are welcome, but they
are not mandatory.
The Division understands that TVA has made no significant alterations to the treatment systems or
processes. We therefore have made only minimal permit updates for renewal.
The NPDES standard conditions (Parts II, III, and IV), are part of this permit but are not included in
this draft document (cover, map, and Part I). The latest version of Parts II, III, and IV are available
at https://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file.
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 -- 919.707.9000

Jacinda B. Woodward, Senior VP, TVA
Renewal of Permit NCO027341
Draft Permit Review
Pg, 2
Following the mandatory 45-day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent
comments, if any, and take appropriate action prior to issuing an NPDES permit final. If you have
questions concerning this draft, please e-mail me at Doe. corporon@ncdenr. gov].
Joe . Corporo , P.G.
Co pliance d Exp ited Permitting Unit
Enclosure: NPDES Permit NCO027341 (Renewal DRAFT)
ec: NPDES Program Files / Laserfiche
ARO [e-mail]
DWR/OCU, Jeffery Talbott [e-mail]]

NPDES Permit NCO027341
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
PDES)
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,
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at
Fontana Hydro Plant
Power House Road (off NC-HWY 28), near Fontana Village
Graham County
to receiving waters designated as the Little Tennessee River in the Little Tennessee 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
2024.
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on August 31, 2028.
Signed this day 2024.
John E. Hennessy, Section Chief
Water Quality Regional Operations
Division of Water Resource
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page I of 9

NPDES Permit NCO027341
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 described herein.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
is hereby authorized to:
1. continue to discharge water from a station sump -flow, wheel -pit leakage, and power house floor
drains (Outfall 001), dewatering sump (Outfa11002), non -contact cooling water (Outfans 003,
004, & 005), and lower/intermediate/upper-gallery leakage (Outfall 006),
these facilities located at Fontana Hydro Plant, Power House Road (off NC-HWY 28), near
Fontana Village, Graham County; and
2. discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, at a location specified on the attached map,
into the Little Tennessee River (Cheoah Lake, Calderwood Lake) [Stream Segment 2-(167)],
currently a Class C; Trout waterbody within hydrological unit 04-04-02 [HUC 060102040401] of
the Little Tennessee River Basin.
Page 2 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO027341
PART I
A. (I.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] [15A NCAC 08G .0302 - WPCS Class PCNC]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is
authorized to discharge waters from the station sump (receiving flow from Units 1-3 floor drains and wheel pit
leakage) from OUTFALL 001. Such discharges shall be limited, monitored and reported' by the Pennittee as
specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
[parameter codes]
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS I
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Fre uenc
Sample
Type
Sample
Location2
Flow (MGD)
50050
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Estimate
E
Free Oil Visual Sheen (yes=1 no=0) 3,4
51689
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Estimate
E
pH (su) 4,5,6
00400
Monitor & Report 6
Footnotes 4, 5
Grab
E
Oil & Grease (O&G) (mg/L) 4,5
00556
15 mg/L
20 mg/L
Footnotes 4, 5
Grab
E
Footnotes:
1. Electronic Reporting of Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMR):
a. The Permittee shall submit Discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR application system.
See Condition A. (6.).
b. Monitoring results obtained during the previous calendar quarter shall be recorded and reported in eDMR no later than
the 301h day following the completed reporting period. The first DMR is due on the 301' day of the month following the
calendar quarter in which the permit was issued. [Quarterly reporting for this permit is in exception to NPDES
standard conditions found in Part I, A. (6.) and Part II, D. (2.). wherein monthly reporting is indicated.]
2. Sample locations: E — Effluent
3. Free Oil Visual Sheen:
a. The tailrace shall be visually inspected for oil sheens at least once a quarter at this hydroelectric facility.
b. Chemical wheel pit cleaning is permitted on a monthly basis. When cleaning of the wheel pit occurs, the tailrace shall
be inspected visually for foam and oil. Cleaning shall be conducted only with pre -approved solvents. Should the
Permittee wish to change cleaning solvents, a written request should be made to the Division including the MSDS for
the proposed solvent. See Use of Biocides — Special Condition A. (5.).
c. Free Oil Visual Sheen shall be reported by entry of the one of the following codes into eDMR:
Yes = 1 (Oil Sheen Visible)
No = 0 (Oil Sheen Not Visible).
4. If oil sheen or visible foam (other than trace amounts) are present, monitoring of the following parameters is required until
presence of oil or foam is abated: pH and O&G.
S. Best Management Practices (BMPs): In lieu of monitoring pH and O&G, BMPs must be employed to ensure that excessive
pollutants are not discharged to the surface waters of the State. These practices shall include, as a minimum, changing oil
absorbent pads quarterly and cleaning accumulated sediment in the bottom of the sump routinely. When these activities
occur confirmation that BMPs have been followed shall be clearly noted in the comments section of eDMR.
6. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units unless ambient river conditions prevent
compliance with this range.
Conditions:
• This permit does not limit mechanical cleaning operations, which do not contribute any wastewater to the discharge. Non -
discharging cleaning operations may be conducted as often as necessary to ensure safety and proper facility operation.
• The Permittee shall discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts.
• All samples collected shall accurately represent the physical and chemical character of a discharge event.
Page 3 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO027341
A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] [15A NCAC 08G .0302 - WPCS Class PCNC]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is
authorized to discharge unwatering sump waters (and, in an emergency, station sump waters) from
OUTFALL 002. Such discharges shall be limited, monitored and reported' by the Permittee as specified
below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
[parameter codes]
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS 1
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Fre uenc
Sample
Type
Sample
Locatiod
Flow (MGD)
50050
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Estimate
E
Free Oil Visual Sheen (yes=1 no=0) 3,4
51689
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Estimate
E
pH (su) 4,5,6
00400
Monitor & Report 6
Footnotes 4, 5
Grab
E
Oil & Grease (O&G) (mg/L) 4,5
00556
15 mg/L
20 mg/L
I Footnotes 4, 5
Grab
E
Footnotes:
1. Electronic Reporting of Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMR):
a. The Permittee shall submit Discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR application system.
See Condition A. (6.).
b. Monitoring results obtained during the previous calendar quarter shall be recorded and reported in eDMR no later than
the 301 day following the completed reporting period. The first DMR is due on the 301h day of the month following the
calendar quarter in which the permit was issued. [Quarterly reporting for this permit is in exception to NPDES
standard conditions found in Part 1, A. (6.) and Part I1, D. (2.). wherein monthly reporting is indicated.]
2. Sample locations: E — Effluent
3. Free Oil Visual Sheen:
a. The tailrace shall be visually inspected for oil sheens at least once a quarter at this hydroelectric facility.
b. Chemical wheel pit cleaning is permitted on a monthly basis. When cleaning of the wheel pit occurs, the tailrace shall
be inspected visually for foam and oil. Cleaning shall be conducted only with pre -approved solvents. Should the
Permittee wish to change cleaning solvents, a written request should be made to the Division including the MSDS for
the proposed solvent. See Use of Biocides — Special Condition A. (5.).
c. Free Oil Visual Sheen shall be reported by entry of the one of the following codes into eDMR:
Yes = 1 (Oil Sheen Visible)
No = 0 (Oil Sheen Not Visible).
4. If oil sheen or visible foam (other than trace amounts) are present, monitoring of the following parameters is required until
presence of oil or foam is abated: pH and O&G.
5. Best Management Practices (BMPs): In lieu of monitoring pH and O&G, BMPs must be employed to ensure that excessive
pollutants are not discharged to the surface waters of the State. These practices shall include, as a minimum, changing oil
absorbent pads quarterly and cleaning accumulated sediment in the bottom of the sump routinely. When these activities
occur confirmation that BMPs have been followed shall be clearly noted in the comments section of eDMR.
6. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units unless ambient river conditions prevent
compliance with this range.
Conditions:
• This permit does not limit mechanical cleaning operations, which do not contribute any wastewater to the discharge. Non -
discharging cleaning operations may be conducted as often as necessary to ensure safety and proper facility operation.
• The Permittee shall discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts.
• All samples collected shall accurately represent the physical and chemical character of a discharge event.
Page 4 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO027341
A. (3.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] [15A NCAC 08G .0302 - WPCS Class PCNC]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge once -through cooling waters from OUTFALLS 003, 004 & 005.
Such discharges shall be limited, monitored and reported' by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
[parameter codes]
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
1
Monthly
Averse
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location
Flow (MGD)
50050
Monitor & Report
Semi-annually
Estimate
E
Temperate (°C) 3
00010
Monitor & Report 3
Semi-annually
Grab
E
pH (su) 4
00400
Monitor & Report 4
Semi-annually
Grab
E
Footnotes:
1. Electronic Reporting of Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMR):
a. The Permittee shall submit Discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR application system.
See Condition A. (6.).
b. Monitoring results obtained during the previous calendar quarter shall be recorded and reported in eDMR no later than
the 301h day following the completed reporting period. The first DMR is due on the 301' day of the month following the
calendar quarter in which the permit was issued. [Quarterly reporting for this permit is in exception to NPDES
standard conditions found in Part I, A. (6.) and Part II, D. (2.). wherein monthly reporting is indicated.]
2. Sample locations: E — Effluent
3. The temperature of the effluent will be regulated so that the temperature of the receiving stream does not increase more
than 0.5°C above the natural water temperature. Receiving water temperature shall not exceed a maximum of 20°C due to
the facility's operation.
4. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units unless ambient river conditions prevent
compliance with this range.
Conditions:
• All non -contact cooling water sample locations shall provide representative samples of the discharge and require sampling
prior to discharge commingling with any other waters or substances, such as stormwater or surface water to enable
characterization of a pollutant of concern.
• The Permittee shall discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts.
• All samples collected shall accurately represent the physical and chemical character of a discharge event.
A. (4.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] [15A NCAC 08G .0302 - WPCS Class PCNC]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is
authorized to discharge waters from the lower, intermediate, and upper galleries from OUTFALL 006. Such
discharges shall be limited, monitored and reported' by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
[parameter codes]
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS 1
Monthly
Averse
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location 2
Flow (MGD)
50050
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Estimate
E
Free Oil Visual Sheen (yes=1 no=0) 3,4
51689
Monitor & Report
Quarterly
Estimate
E
pH (su) 4,5,6
00400
Monitor & Report 6
Footnotes 4, 5
Grab
E
Oil & Grease (O&G) (mg/L) 4,5
00556
15 mg/L
20 mg/L
Footnotes 4, 5
Grab
E
Page 5 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO027341
Footnotes:
1. Electronic Reporting of Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMR):
a. The Permittee shall submit Discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR application system.
See Condition A. (6.).
b. Monitoring results obtained during the previous calendar quarter shall be recorded and reported in eDMR no later than
the 301s day following the completed reporting period. The first DMR is due on the 301h day of the month following the
calendar quarter in which the permit was issued. [Quarterly reporting for this permit is in exception to NPDES
standard conditions found in Part 1, A. (6.) and Part II, D. (2.). wherein monthly reporting is indicated.]
2. Sample locations: E — Effluent
3. Free Oil Visual Sheen:
a. The tailrace shall be visually inspected for oil sheens at least once a quarter at this hydroelectric facility.
b. Chemical wheel pit cleaning is permitted on a monthly basis. When cleaning of the wheel pit occurs, the tailrace shall
be inspected visually for foam and oil. Cleaning shall be conducted only with pre -approved solvents. Should the
Permittee wish to change cleaning solvents, a written request should be made to the Division including the MSDS for
the proposed solvent. See Use of Biocides — Special Condition A. (5.).
c. Free Oil Visual Sheen shall be reported by entry of the one of the following codes into eDMR:
Yes = 1 (Oil Sheen Visible)
No = 0 (Oil Sheen Not Visible).
4. If oil sheen or visible foam (other than trace amounts) are present, monitoring of the following parameters is required until
presence of oil or foam is abated: pH and O&G.
5. Best Management Practices (BMPs): In lieu of monitoring pH and O&G, BMPs must be employed to ensure that excessive
pollutants are not discharged to the surface waters of the State. These practices shall include, as a minimum, changing oil
absorbent pads quarterly and cleaning accumulated sediment in the bottom of the sump routinely. When these activities
occur confirmation that BMPs have been followed shall be clearly noted in the comments section of eDMR.
6. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units unless ambient river conditions prevent
compliance with this range.
Conditions:
• This permit does not limit mechanical cleaning operations, which do not contribute any wastewater to the discharge. Non -
discharging cleaning operations may be conducted as often as necessary to ensure safety and proper facility operation.
• The Permittee shall discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts.
• All samples collected shall accurately represent the physical and chemical character of a discharge event.
A. (5.) USE OF BIOCIDES - SPECIAL CONDITION
[G.S. 143-215, 143-215.1]
The Permittee shall obtain authorization from the Division prior to using any biocide in discharge from that may
be toxic to aquatic life. The Permittee shall notify the Director in writing no later than 90 days prior to using any
biocide not already approved for this facility. The Permittee shall provide such notification by completing a
Biocide Worksheet, Form 101 to include a map indicating the receiving stream and the effluent discharge point.
Concentrations of additives to biocides such as chromium, copper, or zinc shall not exceed applicable water
quality standards or action levels in the receiving stream, as determined by calculations using the Biocide Work
Sheet, Form 101 and the Supplemental Analysis Worksheet.
Page 6 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO027341
A. (6.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF 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
• 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)]
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.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.
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:
NPDES Permit NC0043583, Page 6 of 7
• 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
Page 7 of 9

NPDES Permit NC0027341
(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.federalregistcr.gov/docutnentsl20l 5/ 10/22/2015-24954/nationalpollutant-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.
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 [Sup. To Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.)(d)]
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II,
Section B. (I 1.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part H, 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 Carolina's
NPDES Permit NC0043583, Page 7 of 7.
eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following
web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Page 8 of 9

NPDES Permit NC0027341
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 signfcant 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 9 of 9