JohnHuisman_WQC May 2024__TarPam_WW_Rule_InfoItemUpdated4252024

Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Strategy
Wastewater Discharge Requirements Rule (15A NCAC 02B .0733)
May 2024 Water Quality Committee
John Huisman
Division of Water Resources, Nonpoint Source Planning Branch
Tar-Pamlico Basin & Estuary Boundaries
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Neuse
Tar-Pamlico
Tar-Pam Estuary Chlorophyll a
(Percent of Samples Exceeding Standard (40ug/L)
2015 - 2020➢The Tar-Pamlico estuary saw an increase in
nuisance algal blooms and fish kills in
1970’s and 1980’s
Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS)
•Strategy “Agreement”, 1994 (1995 TMDL)
•Address chl-a impairment per estuary model
•30% TN Load Reduction; No Increase in TP Load; 1991 Baseline
•Wastewater: Compliance Association w/ Group N&P Caps, noted in permits
•Nonpoint Sources: voluntary plan
•Non-Association Wastewater Rule (1997)
•New or expanding –technology limits, offset loads w/BMP payment
•EMC-Adopted Rules (2000-2001) -Nonpoint Source
•Row Crop Agriculture
•New Development Stormwater
•Riparian Buffer Protection
•Wastewater
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Department of Environmental Quality
Tar-Pamlico Point Source Agreement
•Signed accord b/t Dischargers’ Association, EMC, DEM, DSWC, Enviro’s
•Initiated 1990 after NSW designation
•Association currently 15 members
•Established collective annual end-of-pipe N & P caps
•30% reduction in N, no increase in P; relative to 1991 baseline
•Group cap compliance = individual compliance
•Offset any cap exceedences by funding Ag Cost Share BMPs
•Offset rate $13.5 lb/N = based on Ag BMP cost-effectiveness
•Agreement revised and renewed 1995, 2005, 2015
•Steady compliance w/caps, currently at 70% Nitrogen & 68% Phosphorus
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Tar-Pamlico Basin Association (TPBA) Members
1.Belhaven
2.Bunn
3.Enfield
4.Franklin W&S Authority
5.Greenville Utilities
6.Louisburg
7.Oxford
8.Pinetops
9.Robersonville
10.Rocky Mount
11.Scotland Neck
12.Spring Hope
13.Tarboro
14.Warrenton
15.Washington
Total permitted Flow: 62.495 MGD
•Represents 98.7% permitted Flow in Basin
Need to Move Agreement Content into Rule
•Requirements meet APA definition of “Rule”
•Move will establish enforceable foundation for requirements
•Helps avoid future potential legal challenges
•Modernizes language & improves clarity for regulated community
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Department of Environmental Quality
Rule Readoption Timeline & Next Steps
•March-May: Continue to work w/ TPBA to refine rule language
•June: Complete Draft Regulatory Impact Analysis
•July: WQC Approval to Proceed to EMC
•September: EMC Approval to go to Public Comment
•October-January: Public Hearing, Hearing Officers Deliberate Comments
•March 2025: EMC Adoption
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Questions?
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Department of Environmental Quality
John Huisman
NC DWR- Nonpoint Source Planning Branch
[e-mail]