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NC0023981_Fact Sheet_20240528
Fact Sheet NPDES Permit No. NCO023736 Permit Writer/Email Contact: Gary Perlmutter, gary.perlmutter@deq.nc.gov Date Initiated: May 28, 2024 Division/Branch: NC Division of Water Resources / NPDES Municipal Permitting Unit Fact Sheet Template: Version 09Jan2017 Permitting Action: ❑ Renewal ❑ Renewal with Expansion ❑ New Discharge N Modification (Fact Sheet should be tailored to mod request) Note: A complete application should include the following: • For New Dischargers, EPA Form 2A or 2D requirements, Engineering Alternatives Analysis, Fee • For Existing Dischargers (POTW), EPA Form 2A, 3 effluent pollutant scans, 4 2nd species WET tests. • For Existing Dischargers (Non-POTW), EPA Form 2C with correct analytical requirements based on industry category. Complete applicable sections below. If not applicable, enter NA. 1. Basic Facility Information Facility Information Applicant — Facility Name: City of Lenoir — Lower Creek WWTP Applicant Address: P.O. Box 958, Lenoir, NC 28645 Facility Address: 1905 Broadland Rd, Lenoir, NC 28645 Permitted Flow: 6.0 MGD Facility Type/Waste: MAJOR Municipal; 87% domestic, 13% industrial 1 Facility Class: Grade IV Treatment Units: Bar Screen, Grit Removal, Activated (aerobic/anaerobic/anoxic) Sludge, Clarifiers, Sludge Digestion, Chlorination, Dechlorination Pretreatment Program (Y/N) Yes County: Caldwell Region Asheville From permitted industrial flow of 0.767 MGD. Briefly describe the proposed permitting action and facility background: The City of Lenoir had requested a modification to the NPDES permit for its Lower Creek WWTP, submitting an application on March 4, 2024. The permit renewal was issued in June 2021 and included Total Silver limits of 0.14 µg/L monthly average and 0.93 µg/L daily maximum. The permit also included a three-year compliance schedule with a Water Effects Ratio (WER) study option to meet the Total Silver limits by August 1, 2024. With the Page 1 of 5 modification request, the City submitted a WER study report, dated February 2024 and a WER Checklist. Review of the draft report found errors requiring return to the City for corrections. An amended WER report was received on May 20, 2023, review of which found it acceptable. This 6.0 MGD facility serves the communities of Lenoir and Gamewell. The WWTP treats a combination of domestic and industrial wastewater with a pretreatment program involving three Categorical Industrial User (CIUs): Stallergenes Greer and two facilities of Exela Pharma Sciences: Augusta and Michelle. All three CIUs are under 40 CFR 439 — pharmaceutical category. 2. Receiving Waterbody Information Receiving Waterbody Information Outfalls/Receiving Stream(s): Outfall 001/Lower Cr Stream Segment: 11-39-(0.5)b Stream Classification: C Drainage Area (mi): 47.9 Summer 7Q 10 (cfs) A 11.75 Winter 7Q10 (cfs): 16.77 Nr 30Q2 (cfs): - Average Flow (cfs): 68 IWC (% effluent): 44% 303(d) listed/parameter: Benthos Subject to TMDL/parameter: State-wide Mercury TMDL, Lower Creek Turbidity TMDL Basin/HUC: Catawba / 03050101 USGS Topo Quad: Lenoir, NC 3. Effluent Data Summary and WER study review Effluent data for Outfall 001 is summarized in Table 1 for the period of August 2021 (effective date of the current permit) April 2024. Table 1. Effluent Data Summary Outfall 001. Parameter Units Average Max Min Permit Limit' Total Silver µg/L 3.1 < 5 < 0.5 MA = = 0.14 DM 0.93 1 MA = Monthly Average, DM = Daily Maximum. From the data review, all results were nondetects at < 0.5 and < 5 µg/L except one detection at 0.7 µg/L on 9/6/2022. Review of the amended WER study report and accompanying checklist found them to be complete and properly conducted. Four rounds of WER studies were conducted, three using Ceriodaphnia dubia and one Page 2 of 5 using the Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) as a second species. Study species used are consistent with the permit toxicity testing requirements [see permit conditions A. (3.) Chronic Toxicity Permit Limit and A. (4.) Effluent Pollutant Scan: subsection "Additional Toxicity Testing Requirements for Municipal Permit Renewal."]. No issues were found in the review and the recommended WER-based silver limits were found to be appropriately derived. 4. Water Quality -Based Effluent Limitations (WQBELs) Reasonable Potential Analysis (RPA) for Toxicants If applicable, conduct RPA analysis and complete information below. The need for toxicant limits is based upon a demonstration of reasonable potential to exceed water quality standards, a statistical evaluation that is conducted during every permit renewal utilizing the most recent effluent data for each outfall. The RPA is conducted in accordance with 40 CFR 122.44 (d) (i). The NC RPA procedure utilizes the following: 1) 95% Confidence Level/95% Probability; 2) assumption of zero background; 3) use of '/2 detection limit for "less than" values; and 4) streamflows used for dilution consideration based on 15A NCAC 2B.0206. Effective April 6, 2016, NC began implementation of dissolved metals criteria in the RPA process in accordance with guidance titled NPDES Implementation of Instream Dissolved Metals Standards, dated June 10, 2016. An RPA was run on effluent silver data sampled from August 2021 February 2024, yielding a reasonable potential to exceed the current permit silver limits of 0.19 µg/L monthly average and 0.93 µg/L daily maximum, based on several nondetects at < 5 µg/L and one detect at 0.7 µg/L. The WER study recommended 7.7 µg/L chronic and 7.7 µg/L acute limits were then compared against the effluent data; an amended RPA was run using the lowest WER of 6.6413 as a multiplier to the instream Total Silver chronic and acute standards, yielding allowable concentrations of 0.9 µg/L chronic and 6.0 µg/L acute. The maximum predicted value of 2.8 µg/L was greater than the chronic allowable concentration, resulting in the finding of a reasonable potential to exceed the chronic WER-based Total Silver stream standard. The above WER-based chronic and acute allowable concentrations has been placed in the permit as monthly average and daily maximum limits, respectively. For continued consideration of WER-based silver limits during the next permit cycle, a special condition has been added requiring the Permittee to run a confirmation WER study for submittal with the permit renewal application. Other WQBEL Considerations If applicable, describe any compliance schedules proposed for this permit renewal in accordance with 15A NCAC 2K0107(c)(2)(B), 40CFR 122.47, and EPA May 2007 Memo: The current permit has a 3-year compliance schedule with a WER study option (available for any/all metals) for Silver and Zinc. Based on the potential issuance of the draft permit modification in July 2024 with an effective date of August 1, 2024, that being the compliance date for Total Silver and Total Zinc limits, the compliance schedule has been removed from the permit. 5. Antibacksliding Review Sections 402(o)(2) and 303(d)(4) of the CWA and federal regulations at 40 CFR 122.44(1) prohibit backsliding of effluent limitations in NPDES permits. These provisions require effluent limitations in a reissued permit to be as stringent as those in the previous permit, with some exceptions where limitations may be relaxed (e.g., based on new information, increases in production may warrant less stringent TBEL limits, or WQBELs may be less stringent based on updated RPA or dilution). Are any effluent limitations less stringent than previous permit (YES/NO): Yes. Page 3 of 5 If YES, confirm that antibacksliding provisions are not violated: Total Silver limits were modified as less stringent based on results of WER study, using the lowest resulting WER of four rounds as a multiplier to the current Total Silver standards as site -specific limits. 6. Summary of Proposed Permitting Actions Table 2. Current Permit Conditions and Proposed Changes. Parameter Current Permit' Proposed Change Basis for Condition/Change Flow MA 6.0 MGD No change 15A NCAC 213.0505 MA = 0.14 µg/L WQBEL. Reasonable potential to DM = 0.93 µg/L MA = 0.9 µg/L exceed allowable WER-based Total Silver Monitor monthly DM = 6.0 µg/L discharge concentration found after 3-yr compliance Monitor monthly evaluation of WER study report and schedule submitted effluent data. Compliance Remove from Permit modification expected to be Schedule for Total Special Condition permit modification issued and in effect by the compliance Silver and Toal Zinc date of 8/1/2024. WER confirmation No requirement Add special To verify continued use of WER condition consideration in next permit renewal 'MGD = Million gallons per day, MA = Monthly Average, WA = Weekly Average, DM = Daily Maximum. 13. Public Notice Schedule: Permit to Public Notice: xx/xx/2024. Per 15A NCAC 2H .0109 & .0111, The Division will receive comments for a period of 30 days following the publication date of the public notice. Any request for a public hearing shall be submitted to the Director within the 30 days comment period indicating the interest of the party filing such request and the reasons why a hearing is warranted. 14. NPDES Division Contact: If you have questions regarding any of the above information or on the attached permit, please contact Gary Perlmutter at (919) 707-3611 or via email at gary.perlmutter(a-bdeq.nc.gov. 15. Fact Sheet Addendum (if applicable): Were there any changes made since the Draft Permit was public noticed (Yes/No): If Yes, list changes and their basis below: Page 4 of 5 16. Fact Sheet Attachments (if applicable): • WER study report, amended • WER checklist • Request to modify permit with application • Effluent silver data, Aug 2021 — Feb 2024 • Modified RPA Page 5 of 5 ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director City of Lenoir Attn: Jeff Church, Utilities Dir. PO Box 958 Lenoir, NC 28645 Subject: Permit Modification Application No. NCO023981 Lower Creek WWTP Caldwell County Dear Applicant: NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality March 07, 2024 The Water Quality Permitting Section acknowledges the March 7, 2024, receipt of your permit modification application and supporting documentation. Your application will be assigned to a permit writer within the Section's NPDES WW permitting branch. Per G.S. 150B-3 your current permit does not expire until permit decision on the application is made. Continuation of the current permit is contingent on timely and sufficient application for renewal of the current permit. The permit writer will contact you if additional information is required to complete your permit renewal. Please respond in a timely manner to requests for additional information necessary to allow a complete review of the application and renewal of the permit. Information regarding the status of your renewal application can be found online using the Department of Environmental Quality's Environmental Application Tracker at: https://decl.nc.gov/permits-regulations/permit-quidance/environmental-application-tracker If you have any additional questions about the permit, please contact the primary reviewer of the application using the links available within the Application Tracker. Sinc rely Wren Th dford Administrative Assistant Water Quality Permitting Section cc: Elisa Triplett-ORC ec: WQPS Laserfiche File w/application �D-F North Carolina Department of Envirnnmernal Quality I DWision of Water Resources AsheW9e Regional Office 1 2090 U5. Hkfiwr y 70 1 5—nanoa. North Carolina 28778 �srr\ r 828.296.4500 ff RECEIVED F LEMAR 0 7 2024 O+Y ""'""�.. NCDE o .�z¢ f� f>�, � ,� �,. �, ,,. 1 Q/DWR/NPDES v li��...- 1-H is i l(I " t*Cit kTl fo 5 Lower Creek Wastewater Treatment Public Utilities PO Box 958 Lenoir, NC 28645 March 4, 2024 Gary Perlmutter, NC DENR/Division of Water Quality NPDES Permitting Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 SUBJECT: Major Permit Modification Request for the City of Lenoir Lower Creek WWTP NCO023981 Dear Mr. Perlmutter, The City of Lenoir would like to request a major permit modification of the NPDES NCO023981 wastewater treatment discharge for the City of Lenoir Lower Creek Wastewater Treatment plant. The current permit expires 212812026. 1 am requesting a less stringent Silver limit in accordance to favorable data results that have been submitted from a WER study conducted by ETT Environmental, Inc. I have included the NPDES Form 2A Application for a major modification. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Elisa Triplett, WWTP Superintendent Irtriplett@ci.lenoir.nc.us (828) 757-4462 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba BASIC APPLICATION INFORMATION PART A. BASIC APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR ALL APPLICANTS: All treatment works must complete questions A.1 through A.8 of this Basic Application Information Packet. A.I. Facility Information. Facility Name Lower Creek WWTP Poll on RECEIVED Mailing Address PO Box 958 Lenoir, NC 28645 MAR 0 7 2024 Contact Person Elisa Triplett Title Plant Superintendent Telephone Number (828) 757-2198 Facility Address 1905 Broadland Road (not P.O. Box) Lenoir, NC 28645 A.2. Applicant Information. If the applicant is different from the above, provide the following: Applicant Name City of Lenoir Mailing Address PO Box 958 Lenoir, NC 28645 Contact Person Mr. Jeff Church Title Public Utilities Operations Manager Telephone Number (828)757-4459 Is the applicant the owner or operator (or both) of the treatment works? X❑ owner ❑ operator Indicate whether correspondence regarding this permit should be directed to the facility or the applicant. X❑ facility ❑ applicant A.3. Existing Environmental Permits. Provide the permit number of any existing environmental permits that have been issued to the treatment works (include state -issued permits). NPDES NCO023981 PSD UIC Other RCRA Other A.4. Collection System Information. Provide information on municipalities and areas served by the facility. Provide the name and population of each entity and, if known, provide information on the type of collection system (combined vs. separate) and its ownership (municipal, private, etc.). Name Population Served Type of Collection System Ownership Lenoir 18,219 separate municipal Gamewell 4,028 separate municipal Total population served 22,245 EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 2 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PE�Major TION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Modification Catawba A.S. Indian Country. a. Is the treatment works located in Indian Country? Yes X❑ No b. Does the treatment works discharge to a receiving water that is either in Indian Country or that is upstream from (and eventually flows through) Indian Country? ❑ Yes X❑ No A.S. Flow. Indicate the design flow rate of the treatment plant (i.e., the wastewater flow rate that the plant was built to handle). Also provide the average daily flow rate and maximum daily flow rate for each of the last three years. Each year's data must be based on a 12-month time period with the 1211 month of "this year" occurring no more than three months prior to this application submittal. a. Design flow rate 6.0 mgd Two Years Ago(2017) Last Year(2018) This Year(1/2 2019) b. Annual average daily flow rate 2.678 3.055 2.848 C. Maximum daily flow rate 7.25 7.636 5.269 A.7. Collection System. Indicate the type(s) of collection system(s) used by the treatment plant. Check all that apply. Also estimate the percent contribution (by miles) of each. X❑ Separate sanitary sewer 100 Combined storm and sanitary sewer % A.8. Discharges and Other Disposal Methods. a. Does the treatment works discharge effluent to waters of the U.S.? X❑ Yes ❑ No If yes, list how many of each of the following types of discharge points the treatment works uses: i. Discharges of treated effluent ii. Discharges of untreated or partially treated effluent iii. Combined sewer overflow points iv. Constructed emergency overflows (prior to the headworks) 0 V. Other 0 b. Does the treatment works discharge effluent to basins, ponds. or other surface impoundments that do not have outlets for discharge to waters of the U.S.? ❑ Yes X❑ No If yes, provide the following for each surface impoundment: Location: Annual average daily volume discharge to surface impoundment(s) mgd Is discharge ❑ continuous or ❑ intermittent? C. Does the treatment works land -apply treated wastewater? ❑ Yes X❑ No If yes, provide the following for each land application site: Location. Number of acres: Annual average daily volume applied to site: mgd Is land application ❑ continuous or ❑ intermittent? d. Does the treatment works discharge or transport treated or untreated wastewater to another treatment works? ❑ Yes X❑ No EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 3 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba If yes, describe the mean(s) by which the wastewater from the treatment works is discharged or transported to the other treatment works (e.g., tank truck, pipe). If transport is by a party other than the applicant, provide: Transporter Name Mailing Address Contact Person Title Telephone Number ( ) For each treatment works that receives this discharge, provide the following: Name Mailing Address Contact Person Title Telephone Number ) If known, provide the NPDES permit number of the treatment works that receives this discharge Provide the average daily flow rate from the treatment works into the receiving facility. mgd e. Does the treatment works discharge or dispose of its wastewater in a manner not included in A.8. through A.8.d above (e.g., underground percolation, well injection): ❑ Yes X❑ No If yes, provide the following for each disposal method: Description of method (including location and size of site(s) if applicable): Annual daily volume disposed by this method: Is disposal through this method ❑ continuous or ❑ intermittent? EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 4 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba WASTEWATER DISCHARGES: If you answered "Yes" to question A.8.a, complete questions A.9 through A.12 once for each outfall (including bypass points) through which effluent is discharged. Do not include information on combined sewer overflows in this section. If you answered "No" to question A.8.a, go to Part B, "Additional Application Information for Applicants with a Design Flow Greater than or Equal to 0.1 mgd." A.9. Description of Outfall. a. Outfall number 001 b. Location Lenoir 28645 (City or town, if applicable) (Zip Code) Caldwell NC (County) (State) 35 52'55" -81 34'35" (Latitude) (Longitude) C. Distance from shore (if applicable) N/A ft d. Depth below surface (if applicable) N/A ft e. Average daily flow rate 2.771 mgd f. Does this ouffall have either an intermittent or a periodic discharge? ❑ Yes X❑ No (go to A.9.g.) If yes, provide the following information: Number f times per year discharge occurs: Average duration of each discharge: Average flow per discharge: mgd Months in which discharge occurs: g. Is ouffall equipped with a diffuser? ❑ Yes X❑ No A.10. Description of Receiving Waters. a. Name of receiving water Lower Creek b. Name of watershed (if known) United States Soil Conservation Service 14-digit watershed code (if known): C. Name of State Management/River Basin (if known): Catawba River Basin United States Geological Survey 8-digit hydrologic cataloging unit code (if known): d. Critical low flow of receiving stream (if applicable) acute cfs chronic cfs e. Total hardness of receiving stream at critical low flow (if applicable). mg/l of CaCO3 EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 5 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba A.11. Description of Treatment a. What level of treatment are provided? Check all that apply. Primary X ❑ Secondary X❑ Advanced ❑ Other. Describe: b. Indicate the following removal rates (as applicable): Design BOD5 removal or Design CBOD5 removal 95 % Design SS removal 95 Design P removal N/A Design N removal 85 Other C. What type of disinfection is used for the effluent from this outfall? If disinfection varies by season, please describe: Chlorination using chlorine gas If disinfection is by chlorination is dechlorination used for this outfall? X❑ Yes ❑ No Does the treatment plant have post aeration? ❑ Yes X C No A.12. Effluent Testing Information. All Applicants that discharge to waters of the US must provide effluent testing data for the following parameters. Provide the indicated effluent testing required by the permitting authority for each outfall through which effluent is discharged. Do not include information on combined sewer overflows in this section. All information reported must be based on data collected through analysis conducted using 40 CFR Part 136 methods. In addition, this data must comply with QA/QC requirements of 40 CFR Part 136 and other appropriate QA/QC requirements for standard methods for analytes not addressed by 40 CFR Part 136. At a minimum, effluent testing data must be based on at least three samples and must be no more than four and one-half years apart. Outfall number: 00' MAXIMUM DAILY VALUE AVERAGE DAILY VALUE PARAMETER Value Units Value Units Number of Samples pH (Minimum) 6.0 S.U. pH (Maximum) 8.8 S.U. Flow Rate 7.77 MGD 2.771 MGD 1642 Temperature (Winter) 22.6 °C 11.3 °C 458 Temperature (Summer) 28.4 °C 21.1 °C 660 For pH please report a minimum and a maximum daily value MAXIMUM DAILY AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ANALYTICAL ML/MDL Conc. Units Conc. Units Number of METHOD Samples CONVENTIONAL AND NON CONVENTIONAL COMPOUNDS BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN BOD5 22.0 mg/1 4.1 mg/l 1118 SM 521OB-2001 2.0 DEMAND (Hach LDO) (Report one) CBOD5 FECAL COLIFORM 11,000 /100m1 11 /100ml 1118 SM 9222D-1997 1 TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS) 280 1 m /I 8.6 m /I 1118 SM 254OD-1997 2.5 END OF PART A. REFER TO THE APPLICATION OVERVIEW (PAGE 1) TO DETERMINE WHICH OTHER PARTS OF FORM 2A YOU MUST COMPLETE EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 6 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba BASIC APPLICATION INFORMATION PART B. ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS WITH A DESIGN FLOW GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 0.1 MGD (100,000 gallons per day). All applicants with a design flow rate >_ 0.1 mgd must answer questions BA through B.6. All others go to Part C (Certification). B.1. Inflow and Infiltration. Estimate the average number of gallons per day that flow into the treatment works from inflow and/or infiltration. 105,000 gpd Briefly explain any steps underway or planned to minimize inflow and infiltration. Active inspection and repair program utilized by the City of Lenoir wastewater collections division B.2. Topographic Map. Attach to this application a topographic map of the area extending at least one mile beyond facility property boundaries. This map must show the outline of the facility and the following information. (You may submit more than one map if one map does not show the entire area.) a. The area surrounding the treatment plant, including all unit processes. b. The major pipes or other structures through which wastewater enters the treatment works and the pipes or other structures through which treated wastewater is discharged from the treatment plant. Include outfalls from bypass piping, if applicable. c. Each well where wastewater from the treatment plant is injected underground. d. Wells, springs, other surface water bodies, and drinking water wells that are: 1) within '/4 mile of the property boundaries of the treatment works, and 2) listed in public record or otherwise known to the applicant. e. Any areas where the sewage sludge produced by the treatment works is stored, treated, or disposed. f. If the treatment works receives waste that is classified as hazardous under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by truck, rail, or special pipe, show on the map where the hazardous waste enters the treatment works and where it is treated, stored, and/or disposed. B.3. Process Flow Diagram or Schematic. Provide a diagram showing the processes of the treatment plant, including all bypass and all piping backup power sources or redunancy in the system. Also provide a water balance showing all treatment units, including disinfection (e.g., chlorination and dechlorination). The water balance must show daily average flow rates at influent and discharge points and approximate daily flow rates between treatment units. Include a brief narrative description of the diagram. B.4. Operation/Maintenance Performed by Contractor(s). Are any operational or maintenance aspects (related to wastewater treatment and effluent quality) of the treatment works the responsibility of a contractor? ❑ Yes X❑ No If yes, list the name, address, telephone number, and status of each contractor and describe the contractor's responsibilities (attach additional pages if necessary). Name: Mailing Address: Telephone Number: f a Responsibilities of Contractor: B.5. Scheduled improvements and Schedules of Implementation. Provide information on any uncompleted implementation schedule or uncompleted plans for improvements that will affect the wastewater treatment, effluent quality, or design capacity of the treatment works. If the treatment works has several different implementation schedules or is planning several improvements, submit separate responses to question B.5 for each. (If none, go to question B.6.) a. List the outfall number (assigned in question A.9) for each outfall that is covered by this implementation schedule. N/A b. Indicate whether the planned improvements or implementation schedule are required by local, State, or Federal agencies. ❑ Yes X❑ No EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 7 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Major Modification Catawba Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 C. If the answer to B.5.b is "Yes," briefly describe, including new maximum daily inflow rate (if applicable). d. Provide dates imposed by any compliance schedule or any actual dates of completion for the implementation steps listed below, as applicable. For improvements planned independently of local, State, or Federal agencies, indicate planned or actual completion dates, as applicable. Indicate dates as accurately as possible. Schedule Actual Completion Implementation Stage MM/DD/YYYY MM/DD/YYYY Begin Construction End Construction Begin Discharge Attain Operational Level e. Have appropriate permits/clearances concerning other Federal/State requirements been obtained? ❑ Yes ❑ No Describe briefly: B.6. EFFLUENT TESTING DATA (GREATER THAN 0.1 MGD ONLY). Applicants that discharge to waters of the US must provide effluent testing data for the following parameters. Provide the indicated effluent testing required by the permitting authority for each outfall through which effluent is discharged. Do not include information on combine sewer overflows in this section. All information reported must be based on data collected through analysis conducted using 40 CFR Part 136 methods. In addition, this data must comply with QA/QC requirements of 40 CFR Part 136 and other appropriate QA/QC requirements for standard methods for analytes not addressed by 40 CFR Part 136. At a minimum effluent testing data must be based on at least three pollutant scans and must be no more than four and on -half years old. Outfall Number: 001 MAXIMUM DAILY AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ANALYTICAL MUMDL Conc. Units Con Units Number of METHODc. Samples CONVENTIONAL AND NON CONVENTIONAL COMPOUNDS AMMONIA (as N) 10.2 mg/I 0.68 mg/I 1118 SM 4500NH3 D- 0.25 1997 CHLORINE (TOTAL 50 Ngll 13 (<20) Ng/I 1118 SM 4500CI G 20 RESIDUAL, TRC) 2000 DISSOLVED OXYGEN 11.0 mgll 8.5 mg/I 1118 SM 4500 O G2001 0.1 (Hach LDO) TOTAL HL SM 4500 Norg B NITROGEENN (TKTKN) 12.6 mg/I 4.98 mg/I 125 1997 (NH3 D- 0.25 1997) NITRATE PLUS NITRITE 8.17 mg/l 4.5 mg/1 125 SM 450ONO3 D- 0.10 NITROGEN 1997 OIL and GREASE 1.6 mg/1 <1.0 mg/I 3 SM 191h 5520B 1.0 PHOSPHORUS (Total) 9.05 mg/1 2.47 mgll 125 SM 4500 P E 0.05 1999 TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS 185 mg/1 86 mg/I 3 SM 19th 2540C 1 (TDS) OTHER END OF PART B. REFER TO THE APPLICATION OVERVIEW (PAGE 1) TO DETERMINE WHICH OTHER PARTS OF FORM 2A YOU MUST COMPLETE EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 8 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba BASIC APPLICATION INFORMATION PART C. CERTIFICATION All applicants must complete the Certification Section. Refer to instructions to determine who is an officer for the purposes of this certification. All applicants must complete all applicable sections of Form 2A, as explained in the Application Overview. Indicate below which parts of Form 2A you have completed and are submitting. By signing this certification statement, applicants confirm that they have reviewed Form 2A and have completed all sections that apply to the facility for which this application is submitted. Indicate which parts of Form 2A you have completed and are submitting: x❑ Basic Application Information packet Supplemental Application Information packet: X❑ Part D (Expanded Effluent Testing Data) X❑ Part E (Toxicity Testing: Biomonitoring Data) X❑ Part F (Industrial User Discharges and RCRA/CERCLA Wastes) ❑ Part G (Combined Sewer Systems) ALL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION. 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 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 fine and imprisonment for knowing violations. Name and official title Jeff Church , Public Utilities Operations Manager Signaturure J�'11 Cch' Telephone number (828) 757-4459 Date signed 31112024 Upon request of the permitting authority, you must submit any other information necessary to assure wastewater treatment practices at the treatment works or identify appropriate permitting requirements. SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO: NCDENR/ DWQ Attn: NPDES Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 9 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: Major Modification RIVER BASIN: Catawba SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION INFORMATION PART D. EXPANDED EFFLUENT TESTING DATA Refer to the directions on the cover page to determine whether this section applies to the treatment works. Effluent Testing: 1.0 mgd and Pretreatment Works. If the treatment works has a design flow greater than or equal to 1.0 mgd or it has (or is required to have) a pretreatment program, or is otherwise required by the permitting authority to provide the data, then provide effluent testing data for the following pollutants. Provide the indicated effluent testing information and any other information required by the permitting authority for each outfall through which effluent is discharged. Do not include information on combined sewer overflows in this section. All information reported must be based on data collected through analyses conducted using 40 CFR Part 136 methods. In addition, these data must comply with QA/QC requirements of 40 CFR Part 136 and other appropriate QA/QC requirements for standard methods for analytes not addressed by 40 CFR Part 136. Indicate in the blank rows provided below any data you may have on pollutants not specifically listed in this form. At a minimum, effluent testing data must be based on at least three pollutant scans and must be no more than four and one-half years old. Outfall number: 001 (Complete once for each outfall discharging effluent to waters of the United States.) POLLUTANT MAXIMUM DAILY DISCHARGE AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE ANALYTICAL METHOD MUMDL Conc. Units Mass Units Conc. Units Mass Units Number of Samples METALS (TOTAL RECOVERABLE), CYANIDE, PHENOLS, AND HARDNESS. ANTIMONY <10 pg/I <10 N9/1 3 EPA 200.7 10 ARSENIC <10 Ng/I <10 Ng/I 15 EPA 200.7 EPA 200.8 10: 1.0 BERYLLIUM <1 pg/l <1 Ng/I 3 EPA 200.7 1 CADMIUM 5 pg/I <0.2 g/1 FP F 55 EPA 200.7 0.2 CHROMIUM 4 pg/I <1 ug/I 18 EPA 200.7 1 COPPER 25 Pg/I 5.5 Ng/I 35 EPA 200.7 1 LEAD 1.9 p9 /I <0.5 Vg/l 15 EPA 200.7 EPA 200.8 0.5 ; 1.0 MERCURY 9.4 pg/I 2.14 pg/I 17 EPA 1631 0.0010 NICKEL 0.5 pg/I 5 pg/I 35 EPA 200.7 1 SELENIUM <2 pg/1 <1 pg/I 34 EPA 200.7 EPA 200.8 2: 1 SILVER 5 ug/I 0.24 Ng/I 33 EPA 200.7 1 THALLIUM <20 pg/I <7 Ng/I 3 EPA 200.7 1 ; 20 ZINC 161 pg/I 12 Ng/I 17 EPA 200.7 1 CYANIDE 8 pg/I 1.5 pg/I 35 SM 191" 4500- C 5 TOTAL PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS <10 Ng/l <10 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 HARDNESS (as CaCO3) 98.7 mg/l 45.0 mg/t 15 SM 191" 2340- B 0.03 Use this space (or a separate sheet) to provide information on other metals requested by the permit writer EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 10 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba Outfall number: 001 (Complete once for each outfall discharging effluent to waters of the United States.) MAXIMUM DAILY DISCHARGE AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE Number POLLUTANT ANALYTICAL Conc. Units Mass Units Conc. Units Mass Units of METHOD MUMDL Samples VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ACROLEIN <50 Ng/I <50 Ng/1 3 EPA 624 50 ACRYLONITRILE <50 pg/I <50 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 50 BENZENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/1 3 EPA 624 5 BROMOFORM <5 Ng/I <5 vg/I 3 EPA 624 5 CARBON TETRACHLORIDE <5 Yg/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 CHLOROBENZENE <5 pg/1 <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 CHLORODIBROMO- METHANE <5 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 624 5 CHLOROETHANE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/1 3 EPA 624 5 2-CHLOROETHYLVINYL ETHER <10 pg/I <10 pg/I 3 EPA 624 10 CHLOROFORM <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/1 3 EPA 624 5 DICHLOROBROMO- METHANE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/1 3 EPA 624 5 1,1-DICHLOROETHANE <5 Ng/I <5 ug/I 3 EPA 624 5 1,2-DICHLOROETHANE <5 Ng/I <5 Ngll 3 EPA 624 5 TRANS-I,2-DICHLORO- ETHYLENE <5 Ng/I <5 pgll 3 EPA 624 5 1,1-DICHLORO- ETHYLENE <5 pg/I <5 Ngll 3 EPA 624 5 1,2-DICHLOROPROPANE <5 ug/I <5 Pg/l 3 EPA 624 5 1,3-DICHLORO- PROPYLENE <5 Pg/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 ETHYLBENZENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 METHYL BROMIDE 6.28 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 624 5 METHYL CHLORIDE <5 pg/1 <5 Ng/l 3 EPA 624 5 METHYLENE CHLORIDE <5 Ng/I <5 pgll 3 EPA 624 5 1,1, 2, 2-TETRA- CHLOROETHANE <5 pg/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 624 5 TETRACHLORO- ETHYLENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 TOLUENE <5 ug/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 11 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: Major Modification RIVER BASIN: Catawba Outfall number: 001 (Complete once for each outfall discharging effluent to waters of the United States.) POLLUTANT MAXIMUM DAILY DISCHARGE AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE ANALYTICAL METHOD ML/MDL Conc. Units Mass Units Conc. Units Mass Units Number of Samples TRICHLOROETHANE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 TRICHLOROETHANE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 TRICHLOROETHYLENE <5 Ng/1 <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 624 5 VINYL CHLORIDE <5 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 624 5 Use this space (or a separate sheet) to provide information on other volatile organic compounds requested by the permit writer _F_T__F_7_T___7_ — I I __ � ACID -EXTRACTABLE COMPOUNDS P-CHLORO-M-CRESOL <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 2-CHLOROPHENOL <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 2.4-DICHLOROPHENOL <5 Pg/I <5 pg/l 3 EPA 625 5 2,4-DIMETHYLPHENOL <5 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 4,6-DINITRO-0-CRESOL <74 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5: 74 2,4-DINITROPHENOL <84 Ng/I <26 Pg/I 3 EPA 625 26: 27; 84 2-NITROPHENOL <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 4-NITROPHENOL <42 Ng/I <17 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 : 42 PENTACHLOROPHENOL <29 pg/I <26 pg/I 3 EPA 625 25 : 26; 29 PHENOL <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 2 4 6 TRICHLOROPHENOL <5 N9/I <5 N9/I 3 EPA 625 5 Use this space (or a separate sheet) to provide information on other acid -extractable compounds requested by the permit writer T_ BASE -NEUTRAL COMPOUNDS ACENAPHTHENE <5 pg/I <5 pg/1 3 EPA 625 5 ACENAPHTHYLENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 ANTHRACENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 BENZIDINE <89 Ng/I <33 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 ; 89 BENZO(A)ANTHRACENE <5 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 BENZO(A)PYRENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 12 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba Outfall number: 001 (Complete once for each outfall discharging effluent to waters of the United States.) MAXIMUM DAILY DISCHARGE AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE Number POLLUTANT ANALYTICAL Conc. Units Mass Units Conc. Units Mass Units of METHOD ML/MDL Samples 3,4 BENZO- FLUORANTHENE <10 Ng/I <7 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5: 5.4 ;10 BENZO(GHI)PERYLENE <16 Pg/1 8.8 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 ; 16 BENZO(K) FLUORANTHENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 BIS OROETHOXY) METHANE <5 vgll <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 BIS (2- HLOROETHYL)- ETHER <5 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 BIS (2-CHLOROISO- PROPYL) ETHER <5 Ng/I <5 N9/1 3 EPA 625 5 BIS (2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE <32 Ng/I <32 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5; 10; 84 4-BROMOPHENYL PHENYL ETHER <5 Ng/I <5 N9/I 3 EPA 625 5 BUTYL BENZYL PHTHALATE <10 Ng/1 <7 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5: 10 2-CHLORO- NAPHTHALENE <5 Ngll <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 4-CHLORPHENYL PHENYL ETHER <5 pg/1 <5 Pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 CHRYSENE <5 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 DI-N-BUTYL PHTHALATE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 DI-N-OCTYL PHTHALATE <32 pgll <4 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5: 32 DIBENZO(A,H) ANTHRACENE <53 Ng/I <21 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5; 53 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 1,3-DICHLOROBENZENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 1,4-DICHLOROBENZENE <5 Ng/1 <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 3,3-DICHLORO- BENZIDINE <63 Ng/I <5 ug/I 3 EPA 625 5 : 63 DIETHYL PHTHALATE <5 Ng/I <5 ug/I 3 EPA 625 5 DIMETHYL PHTHALATE <5 Vg/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 2,4-DINITROTOLUENE <5 Ng/l <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 2,6-DINITROTOLUENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ngll 3 EPA 625 5 1,2-DIPHENYL- HYDRAZINE <21 Ng/1 <21 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 21 EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 13 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba Outfall number: 001 (Complete once for each outfall discharging effluent to waters of the United States.) MAXIMUM DAILY DISCHARGE AVERAGE DAILY DISCHARGE POLLUTANT Number ANALYTICAL Conic. Units 7MassUnits Conic. Units Mass Units of METHOD MUMDL Samples FLUORANTHENE <5 pg/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 FLUORENE <5 Ng/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 HEXACHLOROBENZENE <5 Ng/l <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 HEXACHLORO- BUTADIENE <5 Ng/I <5 Ngll 3 EPA 625 5 HEXACHLOROCYCLO- PENTADIENE <5 Ng/I <35 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5: 60 HEXACHLOROETHANE <5 pg/I <5 pg/I 3 EPA 625 5 INDENO(1,2,3-CD) PYRENE <5 Ng/I <8 Ngll 3 EPA 625 5: 15 ISOPHORONE <5 pg/I <5 Ngll 3 EPA 625 5 NAPHTHALENE <5 pg/1 <5 pgll 3 EPA 625 5 NITROBENZENE <5 Ngll <5 Ngll 3 EPA 625 5 N-NITROSODI-N- PROPYLAMINE <5 vg/I <5 pgll 3 EPA 625 5 N-NITROSODI- METHYLAMINE <5 ug/l <5 pgll 3 EPA 625 5 N-NITROSODI- PHENYLAMINE <5 Ng/I <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 PHENANTHRENE <5 Ng/l <5.3 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5.1: 5* 3; 5.4 PYRENE <5 Ng/I <5.3 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5.1; 5.3; 5.4 1,2.4- TRICHLOROBENZENE <5 Ng/1 <5 Ng/I 3 EPA 625 5 Use this space (or a separate sheet) to provide information on other base -neutral compounds requested by the permit writer - J I � Use this space (or a separate sheet) to provide information on other pollutants (e.g., pesticides) requested by the permit writer END OF PART D. REFER TO THE APPLICATION OVERVIEW (PAGE 1) TO DETERMINE WHICH OTHER PARTS OF FORM 2A YOU MUST COMPLETE EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22_ Page 14 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION INFORMATION PART E. TOXICITY TESTING DATA POTWs meeting one or more of the following criteria must provide the results of whole effluent toxicity tests for acute or chronic toxicity for each of the facility's discharge points: 1) POTWs with a design flow rate greater than or equal to 1.0 mgd' 2) POTWs with a pretreatment program (or those that are required to have one under 40 CFR Part 403), or 3) POTWs required by the permitting authority to submit data for these parameters. • At a minimum, these results must include quarterly testing for a 12-month period within the past 1 year using multiple species (minimum of two species), or the results from four tests performed at least annually in the four and one-half years prior to the application, provided the results show no appreciable toxicity, and testing for acute and/or chronic toxicity, depending on the range of receiving water dilution. Do not include information on combined sewer overflows in this section. All information reported must be based on data collected through analysis conducted using 40 CFR Part 136 methods. In addition, this data must comply with QA/QC requirements of 40 CFR Part 136 and other appropriate QA/QC requirements for standard methods for analytes not addressed by 40 CFR Part 136. • In addition, submit the results of any other whole effluent toxicity tests from the past four and one-half years. If a whole effluent toxicity test conducted during the past four and one-half years revealed toxicity, provide any information on the cause of the toxicity or any results of a toxicity reduction evaluation, if one was conducted. • If you have already submitted any of the information requested in Part E, you need not submit it again. Rather, provide the information requested in question EA for previously submitted information. If EPA methods were not used, report the reasons for using alternate methods. If test summaries are available that contain all of the information requested below, they may be submitted in place of Part E. If no biomonitoring data is required, do not complete Part E. Refer to the Application Overview for directions on which other sections of the form to complete. E.1. Required Tests. Indicate the number of whole effluent toxicity tests conducted in the past four and one-half years. 220 chronic ❑ acute E.2. Individual Test Data. Complete the following chart for each whole effluent toxicity test conducted in the last four and one-half years. Allow one column per test (where each species constitutes a test). Copy this page if more than three tests are being reported. Test number: 001 Test number: 002 Test number: 003 a. Test information. Test Species & test method number Ceriodaphnia dubia/1002 Ceriodaphnia dubia/1002 Ceriodaphnia dubia/1002 Age at initiation of test <24 <24 <24 Outfall number 001 001 001 Dates sample collected 11/12, 14/2018 2111 13 /2019 5/13,14/2019 Date test started 11/14/2018 2/13/2019 5/14/2019 Duration 7 days 7 days 7 days b. Give toxicity test methods followed. Manual title EPA 821-R-02-013 EPA 821-R-02-013 EPA 821-R-02-013 Edition number and year of publication 41h Ed. 2002 41h Ed. 2002 41h Ed. 2002 Page number(s) 141-189 141-189 141-189 c. Give the sample collection method(s) used. For multiple grab samples, indicate the number of grab samples used. 24-Hour composite X X X Grab d. Indicate where the sample was taken in relation to disinfection. (Check all that apply for each. Before disinfection After disinfection After dechlorination X X X EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 15 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: Major Modification RIVER BASIN: Catawba Test number: 001 Test number: 002 Test number: 003 e. Describe the point in the treatment process at which the sample was collected. Sample was collected: Final effluent Final effluent Final effluent f. For each test, include whether the test was intended to assess chronic toxicity, acute toxicity, or both Chronic toxicity X X X Acute toxicity g. Provide the type of test performed. Static Static -renewal X X X Flow -through h. Source of dilution water. If laboratory water, specify type; if receiving water, specify source. Laboratory water Surface Water 48 hardness Surface Water 48 hardness Surface Water 48 hardness Receiving water i. Type of dilution water. If salt water, specify "natural' or type of artificial sea salts or brine used. Fresh water X X X Salt water j. Give the percentage effluent used for all concentrations in the test series. 44 44 44 k. Parameters measured during the test. (State whether parameter meets test method specifications) pH 7.6 (yes) 7.6 (yes) 7.7 (yes) Salinity Temperature 25.0 (yes) 24.8 (yes) 24.9 (yes) Ammonia Dissolved oxygen 8.2 (yes) 7.9 (yes) 8.5 (yes) I. Test Results. Acute: Percent survival in 100% effluent % % % LC5o 95% C.I. % % o/ 0 Control percent survival % % EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 16 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba Chronic: Test number: 001 Test number: 002 Test number: 003 NOEC % % % IC25 % % % Control percent survival 100 % 100 % 100 % Other (describe) Pass Pass Pass m. Quality Control/Quality Assurance. Is reference toxicant data available? Yes Yes Yes Was reference toxicant test within Yes Yes Yes acceptable bounds? What date was reference toxicant test run (MM/DD/YYYY)? 11 /05l2018 02/08/2019 05/03l2019 Other (describe) E.3. Toxicity Reduction Evaluation. Is the treatment works involved in a Toxicity Reduction Evaluation? ❑ Yes X❑ No If yes, describe: EA. Summary of Submitted Biomonitoring Test Information. If you have submitted biomonitoring test information, or information regarding the cause of toxicity, within the past four and one-half years, provide the dates the information was submitted to the permitting authority and a summary of the results. Date submitted: / / (MM/DD/YYYY) Summary of results: (see instructions) END OF PART E. REFER TO THE APPLICATION OVERVIEW (PAGE 1) TO DETERMINE WHICH OTHER PARTS OF FORM 2A YOU MUST COMPLETE. EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 17 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP. NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION INFORMATION PART F.INDUSTRIAL USER DISCHARGES AND RCRA/CERCLA WASTES All treatment works receiving discharges from significant industrial users or which receive RCRA,CERCLA, or other remedial wastes must complete part F. GENERAL INFORMATION: F.1. Pretreatment program. Does the treatment works have, or is subject ot, an approved pretreatment program? X❑ Yes ❑ No F.2. Number of Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) and Categorical Industrial Users (CIUs). Provide the number of each of the following types of industrial users that discharge to the treatment works. a. Number of non -categorical SIUs. 1 b. Number of CIUs. SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRIAL USER INFORMATION: Supply the following information for each SIU. If more than one SIU discharges to the treatment works, copy questions F.3 through F.8 and provide the information requested for each SIU. F.3. Significant Industrial User Information. Provide the name and address of each SIU discharging to the treatment works. Submit additional pages as necessary. Name: Stallergenes Greer Laboratories Mailing Address: PO Box 800 Lenoir, NC 28645 F.4. Industrial Processes. Describe all the industrial processes that affect or contribute to the SIU's discharge. Biotechnology pharmaceutical facility* manufacture and distribute protein extracts: vials F.5. Principal Product(s) and Raw Material(s). Describe all of the principal processes and raw materials that affect or contribute to the SIU's discharge. Principal product(s): Allergenic extracts and associated intermediator dilution vials empty vials Raw material(s): Acetone (closed loop system) ether allergen source materials (e.g. pollens) F.6. Flow Rate. a. Process wastewater flow rate. Indicate the average daily volume of process wastewater discharge into the collection system in gallons per day (gpd) and whether the discharge is continuous or intermittent. 5,300 gpd X continuous or intermittent) b. Non -process wastewater flow rate. Indicate the average daily volume of non -process wastewater flow discharged into the collection system in gallons per day (gpd) and whether the discharge is continuous or intermittent. 4,900 gpd (X continuous or intermittent) F.7. Pretreatment Standards. Indicate whether the SIU is subject to the following: a. Local limits X❑ Yes ❑ No b. Categorical pretreatment standards X❑ Yes ❑ No If subject to categorical pretreatment standards, which category and subcategory? 40CFR439.27 B (pharmaceutical manufacturing extraction products) EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 18 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba F.8. Problems at the Treatment Works Attributed to Waste Discharge by the SIU. Has the SIU caused or contributed to any problems (e.g., upsets, interference) at the treatment works in the past three years? ❑ Yes X❑ No If yes, describe each episode. RCRA HAZARDOUS WASTE RECEIVED BY TRUCK, RAIL, OR DEDICATED PIPELINE: F.9. RCRA Waste. Does the treatment works receive or has it in the past three years received RCRA hazardous waste by truck, rail or dedicated pipe? ❑ Yes X ❑ No (go to F.12) F.10. Waste transport Method by which RCRA waste is received (check all that apply): ❑ Truck ❑ Rail ❑ Dedicated Pipe FA 1. Waste Description. Give EPA hazardous waste number and amount (volume or mass, specify units). EPA Hazardous Waste Number Amount Units CERCLA (SUPERFUND) WASTEWATER, RCRA REMEDIATION/CORRECTIVE ACTION WASTEWATER, AND OTHER REMEDIAL ACTIVITY WASTEWATER: F.12. Remediation Waste. Does the treatment works currently (or has it been notified that it will) receive waste from remedial activities? ❑ Yes (complete F.13 through F.15.) X ❑ No F.13. Waste Origin. Describe the site and type of facility at which the CERCLA/RCRA/or other remedial waste originates (or is excepted to origniate in the next five years). F.14. Pollutants. List the hazardous constituents that are received (or are expected to be received). Include data on volume and concentration, if known. (Attach additional sheets if necessary.) F.15. Waste Treatment a. Is this waste treated (or will be treated) prior to entering the treatment works? ❑ Yes ❑ No If yes, describe the treatment (provide information about the removal efficiency): b. Is the discharge (or will the discharge be) continuous or intermittent? ❑ Continuous ❑ Intermittent If intermittent, describe discharge schedule. END OF PART F. REFER TO THE APPLICATION OVERVIEW (PAGE 1) TO DETERMINE WHICH OTHER PARTS OF FORM 2A YOU MUST COMPLETE EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 19 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION INFORMATION PART G. COMBINED SEWER SYSTEMS If the treatment works has a combined sewer system, complete Part G. G.1. System Map. Provide a map indicating the following: (may be included with Basic Application Information) a. All CSO discharge points. b. Sensitive use areas potentially affected by CSOs (e.g., beaches, drinking water supplies, shellfish beds, sensitive aquatic ecosystems, and outstanding natural resource waters). C. Waters that support threatened and endangered species potentially affected by CSOs. G.2. System Diagram. Provide a diagram, either in the map provided in G.1 or on a separate drawing, of the combined sewer collection system that includes the following information. a. Location of major sewer trunk lines, both combined and separate sanitary. b. Locations of points where separate sanitary sewers feed into the combined sewer system. C. Locations of in -line and off-line storage structures. d. Locations of flow -regulating devices. e. Locations of pump stations. CSO OUTFALLS: Complete questions G.3 through GA once for each CSO discharge point. G.3. Description of Outfall. a. Outfall number b. Location (City or town, if applicable) (Zip Code) (County) (State) (Latitude) (Longitude) C. Distance from shore (if applicable) ff d. Depth below surface (if applicable) ft e. Which of the following were monitored during the last year for this CSO? ❑ Rainfall ❑ CSO pollutant concentrations ❑ CSO frequency ❑ CSO flow volume ❑ Receiving water quality f. How many storm events were monitored during the last year? GA. CSO Events. a. Give the number of CSO events in the last year. events (❑ actual or ❑ approx.) b. Give the average duration per CSO event. hours (❑ actual or ❑ approx.) EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 20 of 22 F LITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO02398 Major Modification Catawba C. Give the average volume per CSO event. million gallons (❑ actual or ❑ approx.) d. Give the minimum rainfall that caused a CSO event in the last year Inches of rainfall G.5. Description of Receiving Waters. a. Name of receiving water: b. Name of watershed/river/stream system: United State Soil Conservation Service 14-digit watershed code (if known): C. Name of State Management/River Basin: United States Geological Survey 8-digit hydrologic cataloging unit code (if known): G.6. CSO Operations. Describe any known water quality impacts on the receiving water caused by this CSO (e.g., permanent or intermittent beach closings, permanent or intermittent shell fish bed closings, fish kills, fish advisories, other recreational loss, or violation of any applicable State water quality standard). END OF PART G. REFER TO THE APPLICATION OVERVIEW (PAGE 1) TO DETERMINE WHICH OTHER PARTS OF FORM 2A YOU MUST COMPLETE. EPA Form 3510-2A (Rev. 1-99). Replaces EPA forms 7550-6 & 7550-22. Page 21 of 22 FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: RIVER BASIN: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 Major Modification Catawba PART E. TOXICITY TESTING DATA POTWs meeting one or more of the following criteria must provide the results of whole effluent toxicity tests for acute or chronic toxicity for each of the facility's discharge points: 1) POTWs with a design flow rate greater than or equal to 1.0 mgd; 2) POTWs with a pretreatment program (or those that are required to have one under 40 CFR Part 403); or 3) POTWs required by the permitting authority to submit data for these parameters. • At a minimum, these results must include quarterly testing for a 12-month period within the past 1 year using multiple species (minimum of two species), or the results from four tests performed at least annually in the four and one-half years prior to the application, provided the results show no appreciable toxicity, and testing for acute and/or chronic toxicity, depending on the range of receiving water dilution. Do not include information on combined sewer overflows in this section. All information reported must be based on data collected through analysis conducted using 40 CFR Part 136 methods. In addition, this data must comply with QA/QC requirements of 40 CFR Part 136 and other appropriate QA/QC requirements for standard methods for analytes not addressed by 40 CFR Part 136. • In addition, submit the results of any other whole effluent toxicity tests from the past four and one-half years. If a whole effluent toxicity test conducted during the past four and one-half years revealed toxicity, provide any information on the cause of the toxicity or any results of a toxicity reduction evaluation, if one was conducted. • If you have already submitted any of the information requested in Part E, you need not submit it again. Rather, provide the information requested in question EA for previously submitted information. If EPA methods were not used, report the reasons for using alternate methods. If test summaries are available that contain all of the information requested below, they may be submitted in place of Part E. If no biomonitoring data is required, do not complete Part E. Refer to the Application Overview for directions on which other sections of the form to complete. E.I. Required Tests. Indicate the number of whole effluent toxicity tests conducted in the past four and one-half years. 22E] chronic ❑ acute E.2. Individual Test Data. Complete the following chart for each whole effluent toxicity test conducted in the last four and one-half years. Allow one column per test (where each species constitutes a test). Copy this page if more than three tests are being reported. 2"d species testing for permit renewal Test number: 004 Test number: 005 Test number: 006 a. Test information. Test Species & test method number Fathead Minnow/1000 (2nd Fathead Minnow/1000 (2nd Fathead Minnow/1000 species testing) species testing) (2nd species testing) Age at initiation of test <24 <24 <24 Outfall number 001 001 001 Dates sample collected 8/13,16,17/2018 11/12,14,15/2018 2/11,13,14/2019 Date test started 8/17//2018 11/15/2018 2/14/2019 Duration 7 days 7 days 7 days b. Give toxicity test methods followed. Manual title EPA 821-R-02-013 EPA 821-R-02-013 EPA 821-R-02-013 Edition number and year of publication 4th Ed. 2002 41h Ed. 2002 4th Ed. 2002 Page number(s) 141-189 141-189 141-189 c. Give the sample collection method(s) used. For multiple grab samples, indicate the number of grab samples used. 24-Hour composite X X X Grab d. Indicate where the sample was taken in relation to disinfection. (Check all that apply for each. Before disinfection After disinfection After dechlorination X X X NPDES FORM 2A Additional Information FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: Renewal RIVER BASIN: Catawba 2"d species testing for permit renewal Test number: 004 Test number: 005 Test number: 006 e. Describe the point in the treatment process at which the sample was collected. Sample was collected: Final effluent Final effluent Final effluent f. For each test, include whether the test was intended to assess chronic toxicity, acute toxicity, or both Chronic toxicity X X X Acute toxicity g. Provide the type of test performed. Static Static -renewal X X X Flow -through h. Source of dilution water. If laboratory water, specify type; if receiving water, specify source. Laboratory water Surface Water 48 hardness Surface Water 48 hardness Surface Water 48 hardness Receiving water i. Type of dilution water. If salt water, specify "natural' or type of artificial sea salts or brine used. Fresh water X X X Salt water j. Give the percentage effluent used for all concentrations in the test series. 11,22,44,88,100 11,22,44,88,100 �11�,22,44,�88,100 k. Parameters measured during the test. (State whether parameter meets test method specifications) pH 6.4 (yes) 7.0 (yes) 7.2 (yes) Salinity Temperature 25.0 (yes) 25.1 (yes) 25.1 (yes) Ammonia Dissolved oxygen 6.9 (yes) 6.8 (yes) 7.1 (yes) I. Test Results. Acute: Percent survival in 100% effluent % % % LC50 95% C.I. % % % Control percent survival % Other (describe) NPDES FORM 2A Additional Information FACILITY NAME AND PERMIT NUMBER: Lower Creek WWTP, NCO023981 PERMIT ACTION REQUESTED: Major Modification RIVER BASIN: Catawba Chronic: 2"d Species for permit renewal NOEC 100 % 100 % 100 % IC25 >100 % >100 % >100 % Control percent survival 97.5 % 97.5 % 97.5 % Other (describe) Chv >100 % >100 % >100 % m. Quality Control/Quality Assurance. Is reference toxicant data available? Yes Yes Yes Was reference toxicant test within acceptable bounds? Yes Yes Yes What date was reference toxicant test run (MM/DD/YYW)? 08/14/2018 11/06,11/13/2018 02/06 , 02/13/2019 Other (describe) E.3. Toxicity Reduction Evaluation. Is the treatment works involved in a Toxicity Reduction Evaluation? ❑ Yes X0 No If yes, describe: EA. Summary of Submitted Biomonitoring Test Information. If you have submitted biomonitoring test information, or information regarding the cause of toxicity, within the past four and one-half years, provide the dates the information was submitted to the permitting authority and a summary of the results. Date submitted: / / (MM/DD/YYYY) Summary of results: (see instructions) NPDES FORM 2A Additional Information E T environmental, Inc. P.O. Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29606 (864) 877-6942 . FAX (864) 877-6938 Craftsman Court, Greer, SC 29650 WATER EFFECT RATIO STUDY City of Lenoir Lower Creek WWTP NPDES Permit #NC0023981 Metal: Silver Issued: February 2024 Amended 5/20/24 Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag Page 1 of 112 ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 SUMMARY OF RESULTS The results of the Water Effect Ratio modify the silver limits as follows; Average Silver Limit Revised Limit Using WER: 7.7 ug/L Maximum Silver Limit Revised Limit Using WER: 7.7 ug/L EPA or state regulators may adjust the limits based on "what is needed", derived from historical reported values for silver in site effluent. Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag Page 2 of 112 ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 1.0 INTRODUCTION The City of Lenoir Lower Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) discharges effluent to Lower Creek southwest of the town. ETT Environmental has been retained to conduct a Water Effect Ratio for the facility to determine if proposed silver limits for the effluent discharge are unnecessarily overprotective of aquatic life. This is to be accomplished through the calculation of a water effect ratio (WER), comparing the acute effects of silver upon surrogate aquatic test organisms (the water flea Ceriodaphnia dubia and the Fathead Minnow) living in laboratory dilution water to the acute effects of silver to the same test species in simulated downstream receiving water. The Lower Creek WWTP discharges effluent to Lower Creek under NPDES permit # NC 0023981. At sites with very low metal limits, a permittee may conduct a site -specific study to determine if the permit limit for silver should be modified to account for the unique characteristics of the receiving stream. This is done by determining a Water Effect Ratio (WER), which is multiplied against the national water quality criterion to calculate a site -specific criterion. Methodology for determining a WER is provided in the Interim Guidance on Determination and Use of Water -Effect Ratios for Metals (EPA-823-B-94-001). This report presents the results of three rounds of WER primary test determinations using acute tests with the invertebrate Ceriodaphnia dubia and a single round of WER secondary test determinations using acute tests with the vertebrate Pimephales promelas (Fathead Minnow). Using the Interim Guidance, a Final WER is determined and the site specific criterion is calculated. Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 Page 3 of 112 2.0 METHODS 2.1 Overview As delineated in the EPA Interim Guidance, a minimum of three rounds of side -by -side tests with the primary test organism (Ceriodaphnia dubia) are required. Each round includes a 48 Hour acute definitive test in which silver is spiked into laboratory dilution water (13% DMW - 50 mg/L hardness) alongside a test where silver is spiked into simulated downstream water. A 48 Hour LCso is calculated for each test, and a WER is determined based upon the ratio of the LCso in simulated downstream water divided by the LCso in laboratory dilution water. A final WER (fWER) is determined based upon all three individual WER values. A WER is also determined for a secondary species, which in this case is the Fathead Minnow - Pimephales promelas. Acute definitive tests (48 Hour) with the secondary species also are conducted as acute tests, with the endpoint being an LCso. 2.2 Simulated Downstream Water Simulated downstream water was prepared using proportional flow at the time of sampling. 2.3 Measured Concentrations All calculations were based upon measured concentrations of silver in the laboratory water and downstream water. In acute tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas measured concentrations of total silver were conducted for each test concentration at test initiation and at test termination. Dissolved silver also was measured at test initiation and test termination. 2.4 Laboratory Water Due to the relatively low hardness of the receiving stream and effluent, 13% DMW (diluted mineral water at —50 mg/L hardness) was used as the laboratory water into which silver was spiked. Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 Page 4 of 112 2.5 Determination of Final Water Effect Ratio Type I WERs most accurately simulate design -flow conditions, so these values are used directly in determination of the EWER. Type II WERs are not representative of the design flow conditions, but can be used in two ways. First, a Type II WER can be considered a conservative estimate of the WER at design flow conditions, since the WER will typically be lower for higher stream flows. Type II WERs are also used to calculate the highest WER (hWER) that would provide adequate protection under design flow conditions. The hWER incorporates the highest concentration of metal in the effluent (HOME) which will not cause the site specific criterion to be exceeded downstream. The HCME is then used to predict the hWER at design flow conditions. The HCME is calculated as follows; HCME= [CCC x WER x (eFLOW+uFLOW)] - [(uCONC)(uFLOW)] eFLOW where; CCC= criterion continuous concentration WER= the Type II WER which is experimentally determined eFLOW= effluent flow at time of sampling uFLOW= upstream flow at time of sampling uCONC= silver concentration upstream at time of sampling The hWER is calculated as follows; hWER= (HCME) x (eFLOWdf) + (uCONCdf) x (uFLOWdf) (CCC) x (eFLOWdf+ uFLOWdf) where df indicates the value under design flow conditions. In this study two of the primary WERs were Type I WERs and the third was a Type II WER. According to the Interim Guidance, with this combination, the final water effect ratio (EWER) is the lowest of a) the geometric mean of the Type I WERs, or b) the lowest hWER. Method 1 (determining WERs for areas in or near plumes), was used. Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag Page 5 of 112 ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 Determination of Type 1 vs. Type 2 Conditions Type I tests are tests conducted when downstream flow is <2 times the design flow. Type II tests are tests conducted when downstream flow is >2 times the design flow. The flows for this study are summarized as follows; Upstream flow Effluent Flow Design 11.75 mgd 9.23 mgd Round 1 47.70 mgd 2.248 mgd Round 2 36.37 mgd 1.985 mgd Round 3 9.93 mgd 2.074 mgd 3.2 Water Effect Ratios for Each Round of Tests Downstream Flow 21.0 mgd 49.95 mgd Type 2 3 8.3 6 mgd Type 1 12.00 mgd Type 1 The experimentally derived (hardness adjusted) WERs for total recoverable silver for acute testing with Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas are summarized as follows; Total Ag Dis. Ag Date Species WER WER Round 1. 3/22/23 primary 6.8920 NA Round 2 5/24/23 primary 6.8693 7.1290 Round 3 10/25/23 primary 6.4613 NA Round 4 6/28/23 secondary 4.8931 NA Because the WER for the secondary test was within a factor of three of the low Type I value in the primary test, the secondary test is considered to confirm the primary test results. Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag Page 6 of 112 ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 3.3 Calculation of Highest Concentration of Metal in Effluent (HOME) Values Calculations of HCME values are provided in Table 1. HCME (total recoverable) values ranged from 30.7000 ug/L in Round 3 to 90.1215 ug/L in Round 1. 3.4 Calculation of hWER Values Calculations of hWER values are provided in Table 1. hWER (total recoverable) values ranged from 16.4536 ug/L in Round 3 to 67.3738 ug/L in Round 1. 3.5 Calculation of Final Water Effect Ratio (fWER) As noted above, when two rounds of testing are Type I, and a single round is Type II, the Interim Guidance requires that the fWER be calculated as the lowest of either 1) the geometric mean of the Type I WERs or 2) the lowest WER. The results are summarized as follows; Geometric Mean Lowest Tyne 1 WER fWER Total Rec. Cu 6.5155 16.4536 The WER values for acute tests with fathead minnows were not used in the calculations. Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag Page 7 of 112 ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 3.6 Calculation of Site Specific Average Limit for Silver The site specific criterion (S) is adjusted by multiplying the hardness adjusted CCC times the f WER. Site Specific CCC = S = [(ccc) x (fWER)] [0.6129A x 6.5155B ] = 3.9930 ug/L A: recalculated CCC (ug/L) at site hardness (34.7 mg/L) B: geometric mean of Type I WERs The site specific CCC (S) is then adjusted using EPA procedures and incorporating the effluent IWC as follows; Proposed effluent average limit = 7.7 µg/L (using Total Recoverable Silver MER) Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag Page 8 of 112 ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 3.7 Calculation of Site Specific Maximum Limit for Silver The site specific criterion (S) is adjusted by multiplying the hardness adjusted CMC times the fWER. Site Specific CMC = S = [(cmc) x (fWER)] [0.6129A x 6.5155B ] = 3.9930 ug/L A: recalculated CMC (ug/L) at site hardness (34.7 mg/L) B: geometric mean of Type I WERs The site specific CMC (S) is then adjusted using EPA procedures and incorporating the effluent IWC as follows; Proposed effluent average limit = 7.7 µg/L (using Total Recoverable Silver fWER) Lenoir Lower WER Study -Ag Page 9 of 112 ETT Environmental, Inc.; 2/24 TABLE 1. DERIVATION OF TOTAL SILVER fWERS WITH HARDNESS ADJUSTMENT Facility: Lenoir Lower Creek T-Ag WER # 1: 3/22123 2: 05/24/23 3: 10/25/23 3: 6/28123 nCMC= e(1.72[ln(hardness)]-6.59) Upstream Design Flow: 11.75 mgd 56.00% adj EC50=e(1.72[In(site water hard-In(lab water hard)]) Effluent Design Flow: 9.231 mgd 44.00% Upstream Design Conc.: 0 ppb WER Type Lab Water Hardness EC50 Ad' EC50 Site Water Hardness EC50 Ad' EC50 Original Hard. Adj. WER WER CMC @ CCC @ site hard site hard Upstream Effluent Flow Flow Upstream Effluent Hardness Hardness HCME hWER 2 48.0000 0.57021 0.2922 32.5401 2.0137 NA 3.5316 6.8920 0.58851 0.5885 47.7000 2.2480 32.0000 44.0000 90.1215 67.3738 1 50.0000 1.12201 0.4633 29.8965 3.1823 NA 2.8363 6.8693 0.5087 0.5087 36.3700 1.9850 30.0000 28.0000 67.5209 58.3974 1 50.0000 0.80541 0.5366 39.4869 3.4674 NA 4.3052 6.4613 0.82091 0.8209 9.9300 2.0740 37.5000 49.0000 30.7000 16.4536 fish 48.0000 4.93171 3.1291 36.8440 15.3109 NA 3.1046 4.8931 0.72871 0.7287 93.3800 2.2210 36.7000 42.9000 153.4804 92.6667 Final WER fWER = geometricmean ofT e1 WERs = = Water Quality Criteria - A - Adjusted for WER Assigned Effluent Hardness: 34.7 m /L CCC(total)= Sccc= 3.993 = [e (1.72[ln(hardness)]-6.59)]*fWER CMC = Seme 3.993 = e 1.72 In hardness -6.59 *EWER Geometric Mean Calculation for Type 1 WERs - Total Silver Date WER nat log (In-mean)2 Type 1 #1 6.8693 1.9271 0.0009 Type 1 #2 6.4613 1.8658 0.0009 mean 1.8964 sum 0.0019 s= 0.0433 SE= 0.0306 A= 1.8742 Adjusted Geometric Mean: 6.5155 Calculation of Total Recoverable Effluent Limits Formulas Ct (acute) = ScMc * CF * [1+(Kp * (TSSA(1+�)) * 1000000)] Ct (chronic) = Sccc CF * [1+(Kp * (TSSA(1+�)) * 1000000)] Sccc/cmc CF I Cd Effluent Limit Ct Effluent Limit Ad'. for IWC Chronic mo. average) 3.993 0.85 1 3.3942 3.4 7.7 Acute(daily max 3.993 0.85 1 3.3942 3.4 7.7 u /L u /L Page 10 of 112 ET environmental, Inc. P.O. Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29606 APPENDIX A (864) 877-6942 . FAX (864) 877-6938 Craftsman Court, Greer, SC 29650 WATER EFFECT RATIO STUDY City of Lenoir, N.C. Lower Creek WWTP Primary Species - Round 1 Metal: Silver March 2023 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag ETT Environmental; 3/23 Page 11 of 112 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 METHODS 2.1 Experimental Design 2.2 Laboratory Dilution Water 2.3 Upstream and Effluent Sample Collection 2.4 Chemical Analyses 2.5 Preparation of Test Solutions 2.6 Test Organisms kjll� oI.Y�1 rlI1F.y 3.1 Laboratory Water 3.2 Simulated Downstream Water 3.3 Upstream Waters 4.0 CALCULATION OF WATER EFFECT RATIO 5.0 DISCUSSION LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix Al. Reference Toxicant Quality Control Chart for Ceriodaphnia dubia Appendix A2. Survival Data for Acute Definitive Tests Appendix A3. Measured Concentrations of Total Recoverable Silver in Test Solutions Appendix A4. Water Chemistry Measurements for Acute Definitive Tests Appendix A5. Chain of Custody Records Appendix A6. Statistical Analysis Results Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 12 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 1.0 INTRODUCTION The City of Lenoir, N.C. Lower Creek wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges effluent into LowerCreek under NPDES Permit NC0023981. ETT Environmental has been retained to conduct a "site specific study" to determine if permitted silver limits for each effluent discharge are unnecessarily overprotective of aquatic life. This is to be accomplished through the calculation of a water effect ratio (WER), comparing the acute effects of silver upon the surrogate aquatic test organism Ceriodaphnia dubia living in laboratory dilution water to the acute effects of silver to the same test species in simulated downstream receiving water. The study used the methodology provided in the Interim Guidance on Determination and Use of Water -Effect Ratios for Metals (EPA-823-B-94-001). On March 21, 2023, Lower Creek WWTP personnel collected a grab effluent water sample. Acute toxicity tests for the Water Effect Ratio study were initiated on March 22, 2023. Laboratory Location: NCDNR Certification # Study Director: Study Scientist: Study Technicians: Study Dates: ETT Environmental, Inc. 4 Craftsman Court Greer, SC 29650 ;1767►.1 Robert W. Kelley, Ph.D. Amy McMahon Jennifer Christian March 22-24, 2023 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 13 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 2.0 METHODS 2.1 2.2 Experimental Design The design of the study involved spiking silver into test solutions and assessing the acute toxicity of the test solutions with 48 Hour Acute Definitive tests using the surrogate test organism Ceriodaphnia dubia. The two test solutions assessed were 1) laboratory dilution water, and 2) simulated downstream water at measured conditions on the day of sampling (4.5% effluent). Acute toxicity tests were set according to U.S. EPA protocols (EPA 821-R-02-012 Method 2002), modified according to the following parameters; Test type: Temperature: Light: Test Chambers: Test Solution Volume: Renewal of Test Solutions: Test Organism Age: # Neonates/Cup: # Replicates/Concentration: Feeding Regime: Aeration: Dilution Factor: Test Duration: Endpoints: Laboratory Dilution Water Acute Static 250C fl 100 ft.-candles; 16 hr light/8 hr dark 30 mL plastic cups 25 mL None < 24 hr 5 4 None None 0.7 48 Hours Survival The laboratory dilution water used in all tests was diluted mineral water (DMW). In this first round of tests the DMW was prepared at a hardness of 48.0 mg/L. This dilution water was prepared by adding Perrier water to ultra -pure water to obtain the desired final hardness. The procedure for the preparation of this water may be found in the EPA manual Short Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms (EPA 82 1 -R-02-013). * Dilution water during the period of testing was prepared as follows; Amount Hardness Conductivity Alkalini pH 20 L 48.0 mg/L 114 µmhos/cm 48.1 mg/L 8.0 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag ETT Environmental; 3/23 Page 14 of 112 2.3 Sample Collection Sampling Locations The effluent discharges into Lower Creek. The effluent samples were collected as composite samples. As received the effluent had no measureable residual chlorine (<0.05 mg/L). Effluent flow in the 24 hour period preceding sample collection was 2.248 mgd. Upstream water samples were collected as grab samples upstream from the effluent discharge point. Upstream flow was estimated based on flow at the USGS station located at Johns River at Arney's Store (the closest USGS station to the WWTP). This estimate was calculated as follows. On the day of sample collection the flow at the USGS monitoring station was 312 cfs. The 25th percentile flow at the USGS station (50 cfs) was assumed to be the 7Q10 flow. Thus, on the day of sample collection, the Johns River flow was 6.24 times the 7Q10 flow (312 cfs / 50 cfs). The 7Q10 upstream flow at the discharge point of the WWTP on Lower Creek is 11.75 cfs. When the factor of 6.24 is applied to the Lower Creek 7Q10 flow, it is thereby estimated that the upstream flow on Gunpowder Creek on the day of sample collection was 6.24 x 11.75 cfs = 73.76 cfs (47.7 mgd) All samples were collected in half gallon plastic jugs and preserved in coolers at 0-6°C. Samples were transferred to an ETT courier by WWTP personnel. 2.4 Chemical Analyses Dissolved oxygen and pH were measured in one surrogate of each test concentration at the beginning and end of the test. Temperature was monitored in three surrogate test cups in the incubator daily. Dissolved Oxygen and pH were measured with the use of a Orion 4 Star meter. The meter is calibrated daily. Alkalinity, hardness, total suspended solids (TSS), total organic carbon (TOC), and specific conductance were measured on each laboratory water and effluent sample collected. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 15 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 Total recoverable silver was measured on each test solution at the beginning and end of the test. Dissolved silver also was measured for each test concentration at the beginning and end of the test. Silver analyses were conducted by ETT Environmental of Greer, SC using Standard Methods 181h Edition Method 3111B (flame atomic absorption), and concentrated to achieve a detection limit of 10 ug/L (or lower with concentration). 2.5 Preparation of Test Solutions 2.5.1 Simulated Downstream Water Based upon the measured effluent flow (2.248 mgd) and the estimated upstream flow (47.7 mgd) , a simulated downstream sample was prepared using 4.5% effluent and 95.5% upstream water. 2.5.2 Silver Spiking Silver was spiked as silver nitrate (Ag NO3) into laboratory water and the simulated downstream water. Prior to spiking the total recoverable silver in each effluent sample was measured. Each day a batch of simulated downstream water was prepared. A microliter syringe was used to add the correct volumes of the stock solution to each simulated effluent or control concentration to achieve the desired nominal concentration of silver. 2.6 Test Organisms The test organism used for this study was the daphnid Ceriodaphnia dubia. Test organisms were neonates of less than 24 hours in age which were obtained from individual cultures at ETT Environmental, Inc. These cultures are set weekly with reproduction of the first three broods tracked for all culture organisms. Only neonates from broods of eight or larger, produced by culture trays demonstrating less than 10% mortality and greater than a mean of 15 young per female (3 broods) are used for testing. Culture sensitivity is monitored through the use of semi-monthly reference toxicant testing. Voucher specimens from the culture are set aside on a monthly basis and taxonomically verified by a staff macroinvertebrate taxonomist. Culture organisms are subject to the same light, temperature, and feeding regimes as used for testing. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 16 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 Laboratory Water 3.1.1 Acute Toxicity Testing Results The acute definitive test with Ceriodaphnia dubia in laboratory water spiked with silver showed a 48 Hour LCso of 0.5702 ug/L Total Recoverable Silver. A 48 Hour LCso of Dissolved Silver could not be determined because concentrations were too low for accurate measurement. Due to the pattern of the data, the values were calculated using the logistic method. The survival data at each concentration are summarized as follows; Nominal Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag Measured Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag and (Dissolved Ag) 48 Hour Mortality 0 ug/L <1.0 ug/L (<1.0) 0% 0.25 ug/L 6.9 ug/L 0% 0.35 ug/L 0.38 ug/L 0% 0.50 ug/L 0.69 ug/L 100% 0.71 ug/L 0.95 ug/L 100% 1.02 ug/L 1.60 ug/L 100% Survival data for the test may be found in Appendix A2. Results of measured concentrations of total recoverable and dissolved silver are provided in Appendix A3. Statistical analysis results are found in Appendix A6. 3.1.2 Chemical Anal The pH in the spiked dilution water test ranged from a minimum of 8.0 to a maximum of 8.5. Dissolved oxygen was generally at the saturation point in all treatments throughout the test. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 17 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 3.2 Simulated Downstream Water 3.2.1 Acute Toxicity Testing Results The acute definitive test with Ceriodaphnia dubia in downstream water spiked with silver showed a 48 Hour LCso of 2.0137 ug/L Total Recoverable Silver and a 48 Hour LCso of 1.7783 ug/L of Dissolved Silver. Due to the pattern of the data, the value was calculated using the logistic method. The survival data at each concentration are summarized as follows; Nominal Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag Measured Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag and (Dissolved Ag) 48 Hour Mortality 0 ug/L <5.0 ug/L (<5.0) 0% 1.02 ug/L 0.7 ug/L (0.45) 0% 1.02 ug/L 1.13 ug/L (0.8) 5% 1.43 ug/L 1.4 ug/L (1.4) 20% 2.04 ug/L 3.15 ug/L (2.40) 85% 2.92 ug/L 3.24 ug/L (3.20) 100% Measured concentrations were generally higher than nominal concentrations. A significant suppression in survival was noted at a nominal concentration of 2.04 ug/L of total silver. Survival data for the test may be found in Appendix A2. Results of measured concentrations of total recoverable and dissolved silver are provided in Appendix A3. Statistical analysis results are found in Appendix A6. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 18 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 3.2.2 Chemical Anal The pH in the simulated downstream water ranged from a minimum of 7.3 to a maximum of 8.3. Dissolved oxygen was generally near the saturation point in all treatments throughout the test. Other water chemistry parameters are summarized as follows; Parameter Effluent Total Recoverable Silver (ug/L) <5.0 Dissolved Silver (ug/L) <5.0 Alkalinity (mg/L) 21.9 Conductivity (umhos/cm) 315 Hardness (mg/L) 44.0 Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) 5.2 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 6.8 It may be seen that the effluent water was characterized by low alkalinity, hardness, TOC and TSS. 3.3 Upstream Waters Water quality parameters measured on upstream waters are provided in the following table; Parameter Result Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) <5.0 Dissolved Silver (µg/L) <5.0 Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) <1.0 Alkalinity (mg/L) 29.8 Hardness (mg/L) 32 Conductivity (µmhos/cm) 87 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 3.0 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 19 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 4.0 CALCULATION OF WATER EFFECT RATIO As noted in the results section, acute testing indicated an LCso of 0.5702 ug/L of total recoverable silver in laboratory dilution water and an LCso of 2.01372 ug/L of total recoverable silver in 4.5% Lower Creek WWTP downstream water. The laboratory dilution water LCso values must be adjusted to downstream water hardness in order to calculate the Water Effect Ratio, using the EPA formula, as follows; LCso x (downstream hardness/laboratory water hardness)1.72 T-Cu: 0.5702 ug/L x (32.54/48)0.9422 = 0.2922 ug/L Dis-Cu: NA (values too low to obtain measured concentrations) The Water Effect Ratio can thus be calculated as follows; Water Effect Ratio (WER) = LCso in Effluent = 2.0137 ug/L = 6.8920 (Total Recoverable Silver) LCso in Lab Water 0.2922 ug/L A final water effect ratio (FWER) will be calculated using the individual WERs from three rounds of testing. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 20 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 ROUND 1 -APPENDIX Al Reference Toxicant Quality Control Chart Ceriodaphnia dubia See Round 3 Appendix C. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag Page 21 of 112 ETT Environmental; 3/23 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag ROUND 1 -APPENDIX A2 Survival Data for Acute Definitive Tests ETT Environmental; 3/23 Page 22 of 112 Nominal ea®® ®aa ea®a WER 48 Hour Acute Toxici Test Facility: DMW Metal: Ag Sample ID: Start Date: 03/22/23 Time: 3:30 By: AM End Date: 03/24/23 Time: 2:30 By: AM Eff. Log #: EEFU stream Loa #: TEST ORGANISMS Test Organism: Cerioda hnia dubia for Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: l-L 3-16-23, M-R 3- S-X 3-10; A-F 3-10 corr. by Date Removed: 03/26/23 5/10/24 Between 1700 hrs 2200 hrs for fathead minnows or mysids I 3/21/23 corr by RWK 4/10/24 I Source: Tem erature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It / 8 hr dk; 50-100 ft-candles Laboratory Water DMW / SSF A 50 m hardness Downstream Water Preoaration effluent volume volume Date: Test Solution Preparation: Date: 03/22/23 Prep By W RK Metal Salt: A NO3 Stock. Soln: Nominal Conc, mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 0 u 0.00 mL 500 mL 0.17 u 3 uL mL 500 mL 0.25 u 4 uL mL 500 mL 0.35 u 6 uL mL 500 mL u mL mL u mL mL u mL mL u mL mL Water Chemistry Time: Analyst. D.O.(m ) H DMW Start Final m S.U. m L S.U. Downstream Start Final m S.U. m S.U. eam Start m s.u. rs! uent Start m S.U. Test solution volume: 25 mt.. Test vessels 1 oz, plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Page 23 of 112 Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Nominal I I Initial # Conc. I Rep. organ) 0.0 u(B A 5 5 c 5 D 5 fl c," A 5 24 hr Mortality 48 hr 0 0 0 0 i TEST ORGANISMS 5 5 Test Organism: Cerioda hnia dubia kD 5 5 for Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: S-X 3-10; A-F 3-10 Date Removed: 03/21/23 Between 1700 hrs 2200 hrs 5 5 5 5 0.70 u A B 5 5 for fathead minnows or mysids Source: C 5 5 � TS 15 I I s I Tamner t—')d_'JFi r I.iaht 1.S hr It I R hr dk, SO —MO ft_enndles 1.02 A 5 5 DMW / SSF50 m hardness u B 5 5 stream Water Pre aration C 5 5 ELaboratoryWater uent ream volume Prep. Date: D 5 5 volume Prep. By: o©tea ea�a ea�a . ®ate® ear® N_n= �■® nm�® ®®tea e®tea ®®tea e®tea Test Solution Preparation: Date: 02/04/22 Prep By AM Metal Salt: 1�1 �� Stock. Solm I2.72 m Nominal Conc. mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 0 ugfL 0.000 mL 500 mL 0.50 ug/L 0.039 mL 500 mL 0.70 ug/L 0.055 mL 500 mL 1.02 It L 0.080 mL 5CO mL 1.43 u 0.113 mL 500 mL 2.02 u 0.161 tnL 500 mL 2.92 u 0.230 mL 500 mL 4.17 u L 0.328 mL 500 mL Water Chemist Time: 02:30 PM Analyst: ,z D.O.(m ) pH DMW Start Final 7.9 m 9.0 S.U. 8.6 mgiL 3.5 S.U. Downstream Start Final 9.0 m 7.5 S.U. m S. U. U stream Start 9.8 m 7.4 S.U. Effluent Start 9.4 m 7.n S.U. Test solution volume: 25 mL. Test vessels t oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Page 24 of 112 Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Mortality 24 hr 48 hr ear® ear® e®tea ®®tea -- �e®tea e®tea ea�a e©tea . e©tea ,e®tea e®tea saw® WER 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: Lenoir Lower Metal: Ag Sample ID: Start Date: 03/22/23 Time: 02:30 PM By: JZ End Date: 03/24/23 Time: 2:30 By: JC Eff. Log #: 64422 711111FU stream Log #: 64423 TEST ORGANISMS Test Or anism: Cerioda hnia dubia for Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: S-X 3-10;A-F 3-10 Date Removed: 03/21/23 Between 1700 hrs 2200 hrs for fathead minnows or mysids Source: Temperature 24-26 C. Uaht 16 hr It 18 hr dk; 50-100 ft-candles DMW / SSF 50 m hardness nstream Water Pre aration [LaboratoryWater %fluent stream 4.5% volume 180 mL Pre . Date: 3-22-23 95.5% volume 3820 mL Prep. By: Test Solution Preparation: Date: 03/22/23 Prep By RWK Metal Salt: A NO3 Stock. Soln: 6.35 TWL Nominal Conc. mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 0 u 0.000 mL 500 mL 0.70 u 0.055 mL 500 mL 1.02 u 0.080 mL 500 mL 1.43 u 0.113 mL 500 mL 2.02 u 0.161 mL 500 mL 2.92 u 0.230 mL 500 mL 4.17 u 0.328 mL 500 mL 5.96 u 0.469 mL 500 mL Water Chemistry Time: 2:30 Analyst: 1Z D.O.(m ) PH DMW Start Final 7.9 m L 8.0 S.U. 8.6 m L 8.5 S.U. Downstream Start Final 9.0 m 7,5 S.U. 8.5 m 8.3 S.u. U stream Start 9.8 MWL La S.U. Effluent Start 9.4 ma/L 7.0 s.u. Page 25 of 112 ROUND 1 - APPENDIX A3 Measured Concentrations of Total Recoverable Silver in Test Solutions Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag ETT Environmental; 3/23 Page 26 of 112 Measured Total Recoverable and Dissolved Silver Lenoir Lower Creek - Primary Species Site Specific Study March 2023 Samole: Spiked Dilution Water (Diluted DMWInitial Date: 3/22/23 Nominal Total Ag Measured Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) Initial Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Mean % of Nominal 0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 0.35 0.38 0.38 109% 0.501 0.69 0.69 138% 0.71 0.95 0.95 134% 1.02 1.60 1.60 157% 1.43 2.04 1.60 1.90 1.75 86% Samole: Simulated Downstream Initial Date: 3/22/23 Nominal Total Ag Measured Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) Initial Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Mean % of Nominal 0.00 0.60 0.50 6.00 0.70 0.70 0.70 100% 1.02 0.85 1.40 1.13 lll% 1.431 1.80 1.00 1.40 98% 2.04 3.15 3.15 154% 2.92 3.24 3.24 111 % Dissolve values for DMW were too low to obtain measured concentrations 11 _ _ Measured Dis. Ag (µg/L) Initial Day 2 Mean Measured Dis. Ag (µg/L) Initial Day 2 Mean % Dissolved 0.60 0.80 0.70 0.20 0.70 0.45 64% 0.80 0.80 71% 2.40 0.40 1.40 100% 2.40 2.40 76% 4.601 1.80 3.20 99% Page 27 of 112 ROUND 1 - APPENDIX A4 Water Chemistry Measurements for Acute Definitive Tests Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag See Appendix A2 ETT Environmental; 3/23 Page 28 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag ROUND 1 - APPENDIX A5 Chain of Custody Documentation ETT Environmental; 3/23 Page 29 of 112 ETT +r4� 7 vR �fl �T: � � L l �'•�' PO Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29606-7414 (864)877-6942, (800)891-2325 Shipping Address: 4 Craftsman Ct, Greer, SC 29650 www.ettla6.arg CHAIN OF CUSTODY RECORD Page of Client: . t Program Containers Preservative Parameters Facility: z�' Whole Ernuent Toxicity State: IVC NPDES 600 l$� Acute Chronic Test Organisms u ti ❑ = r � U _ O Q = (Composite only) (Grab or Composite) ¢ o U U o ' z Sign, and Print below3 G v .^ O 1=H2SO4 2=HCL -_ y eq a r i U the dotted line i' v `—' .N — '-1iMO' 0 0 = a ? V — ei ° SAMPLE ID t! Composite Stan Date Time Sample Collection Dalc Time CollecteJ by c v U E o c� y .- O Z e.. O � ¢ r; �_ C7 O > — a=NaOH 5=2nAc 5= ou,cr U = U ¢ o U o V — .. U — ❑ = - •.,—. T o — T_ _ U J..1 F =' �i 3 � Chemical Analysis & Other ^ "erEee 6 21 {'fclt~en F Lam!5 r,�sE G 3 -�---- -' y q23 . ate.. Special Instructions: Sample Custody Transfer Record Secure Receipt Sample Date Time Relinquished By / Organization Received By / > anizat' t Area Tem °C Preserved? Z(2 (4 z 1 Gd .2 COMPOSITE SAMPLING PROCEDURES TEAIPERATURE MONITORING PROCEDURES HOLD TIME PROCEDURES Composite samples must be collected over a 24 hour period. Sample temperature during collection and transport must be between For toxicity testing the sample must first be used within 36 hours Time Proportional: 1 sample each flour for 24 hours. Equal volui 0.0 and 6.0 *C. Samples must not be frozen. Use water ice in sealed bags. of sample collection (completion of composite sample). or at minimum 1 sample every 4 hours over 24 hours. Sample may not be used after 72 hours from sample collection. Flow Proportional: As per instructions in NPDES permit. Page 30 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 1 Ag ROUND I - APPENDIX A6 Statistical Analysis Results ETT Environmental; 3/23 Page 31 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: DMW Date: 3l22/2023 T A9 gamma 0 1 E-05 alpha -0.244 beta -75 sury 0 100 test conc 0.25 100 0.38 100 0.69 0 0.95 0 1.6 0 LC50 0.57016427 a 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 0.25 1 100 denom 0.38 1.00000182 99.99982 0.69 500.537068 0.199785 0.95 16672487.4 6E-06 1.6 3.9464E+14 2.5E-13 IC25 2 50 actual mean predicted reproduction 10011 _ 90 Page 32 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test Lenoir Lower Date: 3/22/2023 T Ag gamma 0 1E-05 alpha 0.304 beta -8.8 sury 0 100 test cone 0.7 100 1.13 95 1.4 80 3.15 15 3.24 0 LC50 2.01372425 0 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 0.7 1.017626757 98.26786 denom 1.13 1.109908212 90.09754 1.4 1.249256377 80.04762 3.15 6.528590349 15.31724 3.24 7.157039675 13.97226 IC25 2 50 90 ` 80 70 60 50 40 101 �0 0.5 1 1.5 2 a actual mean actual mean predicted reproduction 2.5 3 predicted reproduction 3.5 1 Page 33 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: Lenoir Lower Date: 31=023 Dis Ag gamma 0 1 E-05 alpha 0.25 beta -13.3 sury 0 100 testconc 0.45 100 0.8 95 1.4 80 2.4 15 3.2 0 LC50 1.77827941 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 0.45 1.000357179 99.96429 denom 0.8 1.00991305 99.01843 1.4 1.25120219 79.92313 2.4 6.650869995 15.03563 3.2 30.76980759 3.249939 IC25 2 50 "0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 ® predicted reproduction actual mean predicted reproduction .E actual mean i 3.5 Page 34 of 112 ET environmental, Inc. P.O. Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29606 APPENDIX B (864) 877-6942 . FAX (864) 877-6938 Craftsman Court, Greer, SC 29650 WATER EFFECT RATIO STUDY City of Lenoir, N.C. Lower Creek WWTP Primary Species - Round 2 Metal: Silver May 2023 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag ETT Environmental; 5/23 Page 35 of 112 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 METHODS 2.1 Experimental Design 2.2 Laboratory Dilution Water 2.3 Upstream and Effluent Sample Collection 2.4 Chemical Analyses 2.5 Preparation of Test Solutions 2.6 Test Organisms kjll� oI.Y�1 rlI1F.y 3.1 Laboratory Water 3.2 Simulated Downstream Water 3.3 Upstream Waters 4.0 CALCULATION OF WATER EFFECT RATIO 5.0 DISCUSSION LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix B 1. Reference Toxicant Quality Control Chart for Ceriodaphnia dubia Appendix B2. Survival Data for Acute Definitive Tests Appendix B3. Measured Concentrations of Total Recoverable Silver in Test Solutions Appendix B4. Water Chemistry Measurements for Acute Definitive Tests Appendix B5. Chain of Custody Records Appendix B6. Statistical Analysis Results Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 36 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 1.0 INTRODUCTION The City of Lenoir, N.C. Lower Creek wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges effluent into LowerCreek under NPDES Permit NC0023981. ETT Environmental has been retained to conduct a "site specific study" to determine if permitted silver limits for each effluent discharge are unnecessarily overprotective of aquatic life. This is to be accomplished through the calculation of a water effect ratio (WER), comparing the acute effects of silver upon the surrogate aquatic test organism Ceriodaphnia dubia living in laboratory dilution water to the acute effects of silver to the same test species in simulated downstream receiving water. The study used the methodology provided in the Interim Guidance on Determination and Use of Water -Effect Ratios for Metals (EPA-823-B-94-001). On May 23, 2023, Lower Creek WWTP personnel collected a grab effluent water sample. Acute toxicity tests for the Water Effect Ratio study were initiated on May 24, 2023. Laboratory Location: NCDNR Certification # Study Director: Study Scientist: Study Technicians: Study Dates: ETT Environmental, Inc. 4 Craftsman Court Greer, SC 29650 ;1767►.1 Robert W. Kelley, Ph.D. Amy McMahon Jennifer Christian May 24-26, 2023 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 37 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 2.0 METHODS 2.1 2.2 Experimental Design The design of the study involved spiking silver into test solutions and assessing the acute toxicity of the test solutions with 48 Hour Acute Definitive tests using the surrogate test organism Ceriodaphnia dubia. The two test solutions assessed were 1) laboratory dilution water, and 2) simulated downstream water at measured conditions on the day of sampling (5.2% effluent). Acute toxicity tests were set according to U.S. EPA protocols (EPA 821-R-02-012 Method 2002), modified according to the following parameters; Test type: Temperature: Light: Test Chambers: Test Solution Volume: Renewal of Test Solutions: Test Organism Age: # Neonates/Cup: # Replicates/Concentration: Feeding Regime: Aeration: Dilution Factor: Test Duration: Endpoints: Laboratory Dilution Water Acute Static 250C fl 100 ft.-candles; 16 hr light/8 hr dark 30 mL plastic cups 25 mL None < 24 hr 5 4 None None 0.7 48 Hours Survival The laboratory dilution water used in all tests was diluted mineral water (DMW). In this first round of tests the DMW was prepared at a hardness of 50.0 mg/L. This dilution water was prepared by adding Perrier water to ultra -pure water to obtain the desired final hardness. The procedure for the preparation of this water may be found in the EPA manual Short Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms (EPA 82 1 -R-02-013). * Dilution water during the period of testing was prepared as follows; Amount Hardness Conductivity Alkalini pH 20 L 50.0 mg/L 116 µmhos/cm 49.4 mg/L 7.9 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag ETT Environmental; 5/23 Page 38 of 112 2.3 Sample Collection Sampling Locations The effluent discharges into Lower Creek. The effluent samples were collected as composite samples. As received the effluent had no measureable residual chlorine (<0.05 mg/L). Effluent flow in the 24 hour period preceding sample collection was 1.985 mgd. Upstream water samples were collected as grab samples upstream from the effluent discharge point. Upstream flow was estimated based on flow at the USGS station located at Johns River at Arney's Store (the closest USGS station to the WWTP). This estimate was calculated as follows. On the day of sample collection the flow at the USGS monitoring station was 238 cfs. The 25th percentile flow at the USGS station (50 cfs) was assumed to be the 7Q10 flow. Thus, on the day of sample collection, the Johns River flow was 4.76 times the 7Q10 flow (238 cfs / 50 cfs). The 7Q10 upstream flow at the discharge point of the WWTP on Lower Creek is 11.75 cfs. When the factor of 4.76 is applied to the Lower Creek 7Q10 flow, it is thereby estimated that the upstream flow on Gunpowder Creek on the day of sample collection was 4.76 x 11.75 cfs = 56.26 cfs (36.37 mgd) All samples were collected in half gallon plastic jugs and preserved in coolers at 0-6°C. Samples were transferred to an ETT courier by WWTP personnel. 2.4 Chemical Analyses Dissolved oxygen and pH were measured in one surrogate of each test concentration at the beginning and end of the test. Temperature was monitored in three surrogate test cups in the incubator daily. Dissolved Oxygen and pH were measured with the use of a Orion 4 Star meter. The meter is calibrated daily. Alkalinity, hardness, total suspended solids (TSS), total organic carbon (TOC), and specific conductance were measured on each laboratory water and effluent sample collected. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 39 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 Total recoverable silver was measured on each test solution at the beginning and end of the test. Dissolved silver also was measured for each test concentration at the beginning and end of the test. Silver analyses were conducted by ETT Environmental of Greer, SC using Standard Methods 181h Edition Method 3111B (flame atomic absorption), and concentrated to achieve a detection limit of 10 ug/L (or lower with concentration). 2.5 Preparation of Test Solutions 2.5.1 Simulated Downstream Water Based upon the measured effluent flow (1.985 mgd) and the estimated upstream flow (36.37 mgd) , a simulated downstream sample was prepared using 5.2% effluent and 94.8% upstream water. 2.5.2 Silver Spiking Silver was spiked as silver nitrate (Ag NO3) into laboratory water and the simulated downstream water. Prior to spiking the total recoverable silver in each effluent sample was measured. Each day a batch of simulated downstream water was prepared. A microliter syringe was used to add the correct volumes of the stock solution to each simulated effluent or control concentration to achieve the desired nominal concentration of silver. 2.6 Test Organisms The test organism used for this study was the daphnid Ceriodaphnia dubia. Test organisms were neonates of less than 24 hours in age which were obtained from individual cultures at ETT Environmental, Inc. These cultures are set weekly with reproduction of the first three broods tracked for all culture organisms. Only neonates from broods of eight or larger, produced by culture trays demonstrating less than 10% mortality and greater than a mean of 15 young per female (3 broods) are used for testing. Culture sensitivity is monitored through the use of semi-monthly reference toxicant testing. Voucher specimens from the culture are set aside on a monthly basis and taxonomically verified by a staff macroinvertebrate taxonomist. Culture organisms are subject to the same light, temperature, and feeding regimes as used for testing. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 40 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 Laboratory Water 3.1.1 Acute Toxicity Testing Results The acute definitive test with Ceriodaphnia dubia in laboratory water spiked with silver showed a 48 Hour LC5o of 1.1220 ug/L Total Recoverable Silver and 1.0233 ug/L Dissolved SIlver. Due to the pattern of the data, the values were calculated using the logistic method. The survival data at each concentration are summarized as follows; Nominal Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag Measured Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag and (Dissolved Ag) 48 Hour Mortality 0 ug/L <1.0 ug/L (<1.0) 0% 0.35 ug/L 0.30 ug/L 0% 0.50 ug/L 0% 0.71 ug/L 0.60 ug/L 0% 1.02 ug/L 1.05 ug/L 80% 1.43 ug/L 1.50 ug/L 100% Survival data for the test may be found in Appendix B2. Results of measured concentrations of total recoverable and dissolved silver are provided in Appendix B3. Statistical analysis results are found in Appendix B6. 3.1.2 Chemical Analyses The pH in the spiked dilution water test ranged from a minimum of 7.9 to a maximum of 8.3. Dissolved oxygen was generally at the saturation point in all treatments throughout the test. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 41 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 3.2 Simulated Downstream Water 3.2.1 Acute Toxicity Testing Results The acute definitive test with Ceriodaphnia dubia in downstream water spiked with silver showed a 48 Hour LC50 of 3.1823 ug/L Total Recoverable Silver and a 48 Hour LC50 of 3.0120 ug/L of Dissolved Silver. Due to the pattern of the data, the value was calculated using the logistic method. The survival data at each concentration are summarized as follows; Nominal Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag Measured Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag and (Dissolved Ag) 48 Hour Mortality 0 ug/L <1.0 ug/L (<1.0) 0% 1.4 ug/L 1.55 ug/L (1.2) 0% 2.0 ug/L 2.4 ug/L (2.05) 0% 2.9 ug/L 2.75 ug/L (2.2) 15% 4.2 ug/L 2.9 ug/L (2.8) 25% 6.0 ug/L 5.2 ug/L (4.8) 100% Measured concentrations were generally higher than nominal concentrations. A significant suppression in survival was noted at a nominal concentration of 4.2 ug/L of total silver. Survival data for the test may be found in Appendix B2. Results of measured concentrations of total recoverable and dissolved silver are provided in Appendix B3. Statistical analysis results are found in Appendix B6. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 42 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 3.2.2 Chemical Anal The pH in the simulated downstream water ranged from a minimum of 7.3 to a maximum of 8.2. Dissolved oxygen was generally near the saturation point in all treatments throughout the test. Other water chemistry parameters are summarized as follows; Parameter Effluent Total Recoverable Silver (ug/L) <5.0 Dissolved Silver (ug/L) <5.0 Alkalinity (mg/L) 52.6 Conductivity (umhos/cm) 307 Hardness (mg/L) 28.0 Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) <5.0 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) <5.0 It may be seen that the effluent water was characterized by low alkalinity, hardness, TOC and TSS. 3.3 Upstream Waters Water quality parameters measured on upstream waters are provided in the following table; Parameter Result Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) <5.0 Dissolved Silver (µg/L) <5.0 Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) <5.0 Alkalinity (mg/L) 31.9 Hardness (mg/L) 30 Conductivity (µmhos/cm) 91 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) <5.0 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 43 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 4.0 CALCULATION OF WATER EFFECT RATIO As noted in the results section, acute testing indicated an LC50 of 1.1220 ug/L of total recoverable silver in laboratory dilution water and an LC50 of 3.1823 ug/L of total recoverable silver in 4.5% Lower Creek WWTP downstream water. The laboratory dilution water LC50 values must be adjusted to downstream water hardness in order to calculate the Water Effect Ratio, using the EPA formula, as follows; LC50 x (downstream hardness/laboratory water hardness)1.71 T-Cu: 1.1220 ug/L x (29.90/50)0.122 = 0.4633 ug/L Dis-Cu: 1.0233 ug/L x (29.90/50)0.122 = 0.4225 ug/L The Water Effect Ratio can thus be calculated as follows; Water Effect Ratio (WER) (Total Recoverable Silver) Water Effect Ratio (WER) (Dissolved Silver) = LC50 in Effluent LC50 in Lab Water 3.1823 ug/L = 6.8693 0.4633 ug/L LC50 in Effluent = 3.0120 ug/L = 7.1290 50 in Lab Water 5 ug/L A final water effect ratio (FWER) will be calculated using the individual WERs from three rounds of testing. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 44 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 ROUND 2 -APPENDIX B1 Reference Toxicant Quality Control Chart Ceriodaphnia dubia See Round 3 Appendix C. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag Page 45 of 112 ETT Environmental; 5/23 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag ROUND 2 -APPENDIX B2 Survival Data for Acute Definitive Tests ETT Environmental; 5/23 Page 46 of 112 Notni"al Mortality ®tea e®tea e®tee■ e®tea e®tea AM=tea e® e®tea ®®-® e®�a e®�a e©�a e�a�a e®�® -� a®tee■ F e®tea e®tea e®tea �e®tea e®�® e®�® e®�® o_-- em�� WER 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: DMW Metal: Ag Sample ID: Start Date: 05/24/23 Time: 11:30 By: AM End Date: 05/26/23 Time: 11:45 By: JC Eff. Log #: U stream Log#: TEST ORGANISMS st Organism: Cerioda hnia dubia Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: G-L 5-I I, M-R 5-11 Date Removed: 05/23/22 05/23/23 corr. by RWK 5/10/24 Between 1700 hrs. 2200 hrs fathead minnows or mysids Source: nperature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It / 8 hr dk; 50-100 ft-candles iboratory Water DMW / SSF @ 50 mgfL hardness €wnstream Water Preparation effluent volume Prep. Date: upstream volume Prep. By: Test Solution Preparation: Date: 05/23/23 Prep By AM Metal Salt: A NO3 Stock. Soln; 6.35 m L Nominai Conc. mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 0.17 U 0.01 mL 500 mL 0.25 u 0.02 mL 500 mL 0.35 u 0.03 mL 500 mL 0.5 u 0.04 mL 500 mL 0.7 u 0.06 ML 500 mL 1.02 U 0.08 mL 500 mL 1.43 u 0.11 mL 500 mL u mL mL Water Chemistry Time: Analyst: D.O.(m H DMW Start Final 7.9 m L 7.9 S.U. 8.0 m 8.3 S.U. Downstream Start Final m S.U. m S.U. U stream Start m S.U. Effluent Start m S.u. Test solution volume: 25 mL. Test vessels 1 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Page 47 of 112 Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance 24 hr Mortality 48 hr ■NEE TEST ORGANISMS Test Organism: Cerioda hnia dubi77 for Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: G-L 5-I 1, M-R 5- ,, Date Removed: 05/23/23 Between 1700 hrs 2200 hrs for fathead minnows or mysids Source: Temperature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It 18 hr dk; 50-100 fit -candles Laborato Water DMW / SSF 50 m hardness Downstream Water Preparation % effluent % u stream 5.2% volume 208 Prep. Dater 05/24/23 94.8% voltune 3792 1 Pre . By: AM Test Solution Preparation: Date: 05/23/23 Prep By AM Meta' salt: A NO3 [=St.k.n: 6.35 m Nominal Conc. mL Stock Soln, Volume Prepared 0.7 U 0.06 ML 500 mL 1.02 u 0.08 mL 500 mL 1.43 u 0.11 JUL 500 mL 2.04 u 0.16 mL 500 mL 2.92 u 0.23 mL 500 mL 4.17 u 0.33 mL 500 mL 5.96 ugil, 0.47 mL 500 mL u mL mL Water Chemistry Time: Aonlv.w D.O.(m ) PH DMW Start Final 7.9 m L 7.9 S.U. 8.0 m L 8.3 SAL Downstream Start Final 8.2 m L 7.3 S.U. 8.3 m L 9.2 SAL Upstream Start 9.2 m 7.3 S.U. Effluent Start 7.9 MWL 7.3 S.u. Test solution volume: 25 mL Test vessels 7 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Page 48 of 112 ROUND 2 - APPENDIX B3 Measured Concentrations of Total Recoverable Silver in Test Solutions Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag ETT Environmental; 5/23 Page 49 of 112 Measured Total Recoverable and Dissolved Silver Lenoir Lower Creek - Primary Species Site Specific Study May 2023 Samole: Spiked Dilution Water (Diluted DMWInitial Date: 5/24/23 Nominal Total Ag Measured Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) Initial Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Mean % of Nominal 0 <1.0 <1.0 0.25 0.40 0.20 0.30 120% 0.351 0.50 0.71 0.60 1 1 1 1 0.60 8500 1.02 1.60 0.50 1.05 103% 1.40 1.90 1.10 1.50 1070YO Samole: Simulated Downstream Initial Date: 5/24/23 Nominal Total Ag Measured Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) Initial Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Mean % of Nominal 0.00 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 1.40 1.90 1.20 1.55 111% 2.00 2.60 2.20 2.40 120% 2.901 3.40 2.10 2.7U59 4.20 2.90 2.90 2.96.00 5.30 5.10 5.2 Measured Dis. Ag (µg/L) Initial Day 2 Mean % Dissolved <2 <2 0.90 0.90 l.so 1.80 Measured Dis. Ag (µg/L) Initial Day 2 Mean % Dissolved <l.o <1.0 0.70 1.10 1.30 1.20 77% 2.20 1.90 2.05 85% 2.40 2.00 2.20 80% 2.90 2.70 2.80 97% 5.30 4.30 4.80 92% Page 50 of 112 ROUND 2 - APPENDIX B4 Water Chemistry Measurements for Acute Definitive Tests Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag See Appendix B2 ETT Environmental; 5/23 Page 51 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag ROUND 2 - APPENDIX B5 Chain of Custody Documentation ETT Environmental; 5/23 Page 52 of 112 ETT PO Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29606-7414 (864) 877-6942, (B00) 891-2325 Shipping Address: 4 Craftsman Ct, Greer, SC 29650 www.ettlah.arg CHAIN OF CUSTODY RECORD F6&v , /. q f(5 Page --/ Of--/ Client: L t' 1- G -(- n `r +7 , Program Containers Preservative Parameters Facility: Gd,,U, er--e f Whole Emucnt Toxicity State: /V C l�PDCS #: �r 7 0G � 7 Acute Chronic I Test Organisms Q < a o (Composite only) (Grab or Composite) �' �' U L G U o „ " Z U S e L Th -•• -_ — � :7 U Sign, and Print below " " 3' e c a an E t=H2S01 a=Het H r 2 rr'. e Z in `o N of E the doped fine w E Ci U v — y 3=I{NOi G = .^ c� .fl c H - SAMPLE ID t? C Z 4 a N c H o 2 4-NaOH u ° o o— ^ 3 a IMAM = T Cst Composite Stan Date Time Sample Collection Dale Time Collected by � U h Cn U > 6 odwZ.Ac fia Odxr � ra U U U � L• � '� to _ U U F- 3 L Chemical Analysis 8: Other �f�. t G � �3 �3 - -----�-- lg Up�6r�►� U -------------- ------------- Special Instructions: Sample Custody Transfer Record Secure Receipt Sample Date Time Relin wished B / Organization Received By / Organization Area Temp 'C Preserved? 5-j3-a3 105IJ C -'� 0-E •�� 13 4 2t G 'OMPOSITE SAhlPLIArG PROCEDURES TEMPERATURE MONITORING PROCEDURES HOLD TIME PROCEDURES ,omposite samples must be collected over a 24 hour period. Sample temperature during collection and transport must be between For toxicity testing the sample must first be used within 36 hours 'ime Proportional: I sample each hour for 24 hours. Equal volu 0.0 and 6.0'C. Samples must not be frozen. Use water ice in sealed bags. of sample collection (completion of composite sample). it at minimum I sample every 4 hours over 24 hours. Sample may not be used after 72 hours from sample collection. :low Proportional: As per instructions in NPDES permit. Page 53 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 2 Ag ROUND 2 -APPENDIX B6 Statistical Analysis Results ETT Environmental; 5/23 Page 54 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: DMW Date: 5/2-4 � T Ag gamma 0 1E-05 alpha 0.05 beta -49 SUN 0 100 test conc 0.35 100 0.5 100 0.6 100 1.05 80 1.5 0 LC50 1.12201845 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 0.35 1 100 denom 0.5 1.000000034 100 0.6 1.00000164 99.99984 1.05 1.243722659 80.40378 1.5 483.2543605 0.20693 IC25 2 50 actual mean Page 55 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: DMW Date: 5/24/2023 Dis Ag gamma 0 1 E-05 alpha 0.01 beta -25 sury 0 100 test conc 0.35 100 0.5 100 0.7 100 0.9 80 1.8 0 LC50 1.02329299 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 0.35 1.000008734 99.99913 denom 0.5 1.000419793 99.95804 0.7 1.01620316 98,40552 0.9 1.248096557 80.12201 1.8 461.2697026 0.216793 IC25 2 50 actual mean predicted reproduction 1001. 90.:------------ -- . __.._......-.............. ........... ..... ..... ... ........ .___...----------- _._... --- 80 ........ _.... - 70 60- 50 _ 40 30 - ---- - ..._._...._.._._..---------------- ---- - .......... 20.........__..........__._......_.._ 10.. _ 00 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2 actual mean ® predicted reproduction Page 56 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: Lenoir Lower Date: 5/2412023 T A9 gamma 0 1 E-05 alpha 0.5 beta -29 SUN 0 100 test cone 1.55 100 2.2 100 2.76 85 2.9 75 5.2 0 LC50 3.16227766 0 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 1.56 1.000125855 99.98742 denom 2.2 1.01036063 98.97456 2.75 1.172156406 85.31285 2.9 1.336062521 74.8468 5.2 526,3669472 0.189982 IC25 2 50 actual mean predicted reproduction 100, 90 70 60 -_ 50 40 101 00 1 3 iw actual mean 4 5 ® predicted reproduction Ctl Page 57 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: Lenoir Lower Date: 5/24/2023 Dis Ag gamma 0 1 E-05 alpha 0.48 beta -34 sury 0 100 test cons 1.3 100 1.9 100 2.2 85 2.8 75 4.8 0 LC50 3.01995172 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 1.3 1.000003934 99.99961 denom 1.9 1.001067562 99.89336 2.2 1.009301042 99.07847 2.8 1.327382216 75.33625 4.8 937.5492133 0.1 C6661 IC25 2 50 actual mean predicted reproduction m-actual mean ® predicted reproduction Page 58 of 112 ET environmental, Inc. P.O. Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29606 APPENDIX C (864) 877-6942 . FAX (864) 877-6938 Craftsman Court, Greer, SC 29650 WATER EFFECT RATIO STUDY City of Lenoir, N.C. Lower Creek WWTP Primary Species - Round 3 Metal: Silver October 2023 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag ETT Environmental; 10/23 Page 59 of 112 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 METHODS 2.1 Experimental Design 2.2 Laboratory Dilution Water 2.3 Upstream and Effluent Sample Collection 2.4 Chemical Analyses 2.5 Preparation of Test Solutions 2.6 Test Organisms kjll� oI.Y�1 rlI1F.y 3.1 Laboratory Water 3.2 Simulated Downstream Water 3.3 Upstream Waters 4.0 CALCULATION OF WATER EFFECT RATIO 5.0 DISCUSSION LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix C1. Reference Toxicant Quality Control Chart for Ceriodaphnia dubia Appendix C2. Survival Data for Acute Definitive Tests Appendix C3. Measured Concentrations of Total Recoverable Silver in Test Solutions Appendix C4. Water Chemistry Measurements for Acute Definitive Tests Appendix C5. Chain of Custody Records Appendix C6. Statistical Analysis Results Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 60 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 1.0 INTRODUCTION The City of Lenoir, N.C. Lower Creek wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges effluent into LowerCreek under NPDES Permit NC0023981. ETT Environmental has been retained to conduct a "site specific study" to determine if permitted silver limits for each effluent discharge are unnecessarily overprotective of aquatic life. This is to be accomplished through the calculation of a water effect ratio (WER), comparing the acute effects of silver upon the surrogate aquatic test organism Ceriodaphnia dubia living in laboratory dilution water to the acute effects of silver to the same test species in simulated downstream receiving water. The study used the methodology provided in the Interim Guidance on Determination and Use of Water -Effect Ratios for Metals (EPA-823-B-94-001). On October 24, 2023, Lower Creek WWTP personnel collected a grab effluent water sample. Acute toxicity tests for the Water Effect Ratio study were initiated on October 25, 2023. Laboratory Location: NCDNR Certification # Study Director: Study Scientist: Study Technicians: Study Dates: ETT Environmental, Inc. 4 Craftsman Court Greer, SC 29650 ;1767►.1 Robert W. Kelley, Ph.D. Amy McMahon Jennifer Christian October 25-27, 2023 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 61 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 2.0 METHODS 2.1 2.2 Experimental Design The design of the study involved spiking silver into test solutions and assessing the acute toxicity of the test solutions with 48 Hour Acute Definitive tests using the surrogate test organism Ceriodaphnia dubia. The two test solutions assessed were 1) laboratory dilution water, and 2) simulated downstream water at measured conditions on the day of sampling (17.3% effluent). Acute toxicity tests were set according to U.S. EPA protocols (EPA 821-R-02-012 Method 2002), modified according to the following parameters; Test type: Temperature: Light: Test Chambers: Test Solution Volume: Renewal of Test Solutions: Test Organism Age: # Neonates/Cup: # Replicates/Concentration: Feeding Regime: Aeration: Dilution Factor: Test Duration: Endpoints: Laboratory Dilution Water Acute Static 250C fl 100 ft.-candles; 16 hr light/8 hr dark 30 mL plastic cups 25 mL None < 24 hr 5 4 None None 0.7 48 Hours Survival The laboratory dilution water used in all tests was diluted mineral water (DMW). In this first round of tests the DMW was prepared at a hardness of 50.0 mg/L. This dilution water was prepared by adding Perrier water to ultra -pure water to obtain the desired final hardness. The procedure for the preparation of this water may be found in the EPA manual Short Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms (EPA 82 1 -R-02-013). * Dilution water during the period of testing was prepared as follows; Amount Hardness Conductivity Alkalini pH 20 L 50.0 mg/L 114 µmhos/cm 48.7 mg/L 8.1 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag ETT Environmental; 10/23 Page 62 of 112 2.3 Sample Collection Sampling Locations The effluent discharges into Lower Creek. The effluent samples were collected as composite samples. As received the effluent had no measureable residual chlorine (<0.05 mg/L). Effluent flow in the 24 hour period preceding sample collection was 2.074 mgd. Upstream water samples were collected as grab samples upstream from the effluent discharge point. Upstream flow was estimated based on flow at the USGS station located at Johns River at Arney's Store (the closest USGS station to the WWTP). This estimate was calculated as follows. On the day of sample collection the flow at the USGS monitoring station was 104 cfs. The 25th percentile flow at the USGS station (80 cfs) was assumed to be the 7Q10 flow. Thus, on the day of sample collection, the Johns River flow was 1.3 times the 7Q10 flow (104 cfs / 80 cfs). The 7Q10 upstream flow at the discharge point of the WWTP on Lower Creek is 11.75 cfs. When the factor of 1.3 is applied to the Lower Creek 7Q10 flow, it is thereby estimated that the upstream flow on Lower Creek on the day of sample collection was 1.3 x 11.75 cfs = 15.37 cfs (9.93 mgd) All samples were collected in half gallon plastic jugs and preserved in coolers at 0-6°C. Samples were transferred to an ETT courier by WWTP personnel. 2.4 Chemical Analyses Dissolved oxygen and pH were measured in one surrogate of each test concentration at the beginning and end of the test. Temperature was monitored in three surrogate test cups in the incubator daily. Dissolved Oxygen and pH were measured with the use of a Orion 4 Star meter. The meter is calibrated daily. Alkalinity, hardness, total suspended solids (TSS), total organic carbon (TOC), and specific conductance were measured on each laboratory water and effluent sample collected. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 63 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 Total recoverable silver was measured on each test solution at the beginning and end of the test. Dissolved silver also was measured for each test concentration at the beginning and end of the test. Silver analyses were conducted by ETT Environmental of Greer, SC using Standard Methods 18th Edition Method 3111B (flame atomic absorption), and concentrated to achieve a detection limit of 10 ug/L (or lower with concentration). 2.5 Preparation of Test Solutions 2.5.1 Simulated Downstream Water Based upon the measured effluent flow (2.074 mgd) and the estimated upstream flow (9.93 mgd) , a simulated downstream sample was prepared using 17.3% effluent and 82.7% upstream water. 2.5.2 Silver Spiking Silver was spiked as silver nitrate (Ag NO3) into laboratory water and the simulated downstream water. Prior to spiking the total recoverable silver in each effluent sample was measured. Each day a batch of simulated downstream water was prepared. A microliter syringe was used to add the correct volumes of the stock solution to each simulated effluent or control concentration to achieve the desired nominal concentration of silver. 2.6 Test Organisms The test organism used for this study was the daphnid Ceriodaphnia dubia. Test organisms were neonates of less than 24 hours in age which were obtained from individual cultures at ETT Environmental, Inc. These cultures are set weekly with reproduction of the first three broods tracked for all culture organisms. Only neonates from broods of eight or larger, produced by culture trays demonstrating less than 10% mortality and greater than a mean of 15 young per female (3 broods) are used for testing. Culture sensitivity is monitored through the use of semi-monthly reference toxicant testing. Voucher specimens from the culture are set aside on a monthly basis and taxonomically verified by a staff macroinvertebrate taxonomist. Culture organisms are subject to the same light, temperature, and feeding regimes as used for testing. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 64 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 Laboratory Water 3.1.1 Acute Toxicity Testing Results The acute definitive test with Ceriodaphnia dubia in laboratory water spiked with silver showed a 48 Hour LC5o of 0.8054 ug/L Total Recoverable Silver and 0.5754 ug/L Dissolved Silver. Due to the pattern of the data, the values were calculated using the logistic method. The survival data at each concentration are summarized as follows; Nominal Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag Measured Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag and (Dissolved Ag) 48 Hour Mortality 0 ug/L <1.0 ug/L (<1.0) 0% 1.0 ug/L 0.40 ug/L 0% 1.4 ug/L 0.65 ug/L 30% 2.0 ug/L 1.05 ug/L 85% 2.9 ug/L 1.65 ug/L 100% 4.2 ug/L 2.45 ug/L 100% Survival data for the test may be found in Appendix C2. Results of measured concentrations of total recoverable and dissolved silver are provided in Appendix C3. Statistical analysis results are found in Appendix C6. 3.1.2 Chemical Analyses The pH in the spiked dilution water test ranged from a minimum of 8.1 to a maximum of 8.3. Dissolved oxygen was generally at the saturation point in all treatments throughout the test. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 65 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 3.2 Simulated Downstream Water 3.2.1 Acute Toxicity Testing Results The acute definitive test with Ceriodaphnia dubia in downstream water spiked with silver showed a 48 Hour LC50 of 3.4674 ug/L Total Recoverable Silver. An 48 Hour LCso of for Dissolved Silver could not be determined because the spiked silver did not stay in solution. Due to the pattern of the data, the value was calculated using the logistic method. The survival data at each concentration are summarized as follows; Nominal Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag Measured Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag and (Dissolved Ag) 48 Hour Mortality 0 ug/L <1.0 ug/L 0% 4.2 ug/L 2.5 ug/L 0% 6.0 ug/L 3.15 ug/L 0% 12.2 ug/L 3.7 ug/L 95% 17.4 ug/L 4.25 ug/L 100% 24.8 ug/L 4.75 ug/L 100% Measured concentrations were generally higher than nominal concentrations. A significant suppression in survival was noted at a measured concentration of 3.7 ug/L of total silver. Survival data for the test may be found in Appendix C2. Results of measured concentrations of total recoverable and dissolved silver are provided in Appendix C3. Statistical analysis results are found in Appendix C6. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 66 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 3.2.2 Chemical Anal The pH in the simulated downstream water ranged from a minimum of 7.3 to a maximum of 8.1. Dissolved oxygen was generally near the saturation point in all treatments throughout the test. Other water chemistry parameters are summarized as follows; Parameter Effluent Total Recoverable Silver (ug/L) <0.5 Dissolved Silver (ug/L) <0.5 Alkalinity (mg/L) 24.4 Conductivity (umhos/cm) 39.6 Hardness (mg/L) 49.0 Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) 4.2 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 4.6 Typographical error. The conductivity was 396 umhos/cm; verifieed by checking the conductivity benchsheet records. Corr. by RWK 5/10/24 It may be seen that the effluent water was characterized by low alkalinity, hardness, TOC and TSS. 3.3 Upstream Waters Water quality parameters measured on upstream waters are provided in the following table; Parameter Result Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) <0.5 Dissolved Silver (µg/L) <0.5 Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) <1.0 Alkalinity (mg/L) 32.1 Hardness (mg/L) 37.5 Conductivity (µmhos/cm) 90 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 10.7 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 67 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 4.0 CALCULATION OF WATER EFFECT RATIO As noted in the results section, acute testing indicated an LCso of 0.8054 ug/L of total recoverable silver in laboratory dilution water and an LCso of 3.4674 ug/L of total recoverable silver in 17.3% Lower Creek WWTP downstream water. The laboratory dilution water LCso values must be adjusted to downstream water hardness in order to calculate the Water Effect Ratio, using the EPA formula, as follows; LCso x (downstream hardness/laboratory water hardness)1.71 T-Cu: 0.8054 ug/L x (39.49/50)" = 0.5366 ug/L Dis-Cu: 0.5754 ug/L x (39.49/50)1 72 = 0.4225 ug/L The Water Effect Ratio can thus be calculated as follows; Water Effect Ratio (WER) (Total Recoverable Silver) = LCso in Effluent LCso in Lab Water = 3.4674 ug/L = 6.4613 0.5366 ug/L A final water effect ratio (FWER) will be calculated using the individual WERs from three rounds of testing. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 68 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 ROUND 3 -APPENDIX C1 Reference Toxicant Quality Control Chart Ceriodaphnia dubia Note: Original report mistakenly inserted reference toxicant data for Pimephales promelas in this section. It has now been replaced by the correct Ceriodaphnia dubia reference toxicant data. Corr. by RWK 5/10/24 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag Page 69 of 112 ETT Environmental; 10/23 ACUTE FEFTC - 2022 -23 dubia; Toxicant NaCl,. Fight to Left 2,84-------------------- 2.5 -------------------- 2K Za 2M 2M 243 20 1 242 242 2A2 242 241 2A2 242 21H ---------- 233 a �� 226 2M 222 222 222 Am,227 229 J 22 ---- ---- — -- x 2� 2�fi - 2m 2M 2@ 202 2� 2 2� 202 2 2oe 2m 2W 2M 2M 2W 2M 21k' cc - 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — - co N N Date N N ❑ MEAN ❑ LC56 ❑ UPPER ❑ LOWER LIGL S LGL ARE +1- 2 STD D FROM MEAN Page 70 of 112 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Benchsheet Test Method: EPA 821 R-02-012 Method 2002 Ceriodaphnia dubia Client: 11-1-23 AD C DUBIA REF TOX Sample ID: NaCI Lab ID# 11-1-23 AD C DUBIA R Start Date: 11/01/23 Time: 01:40 PM Set By: Ended By: JC JG End Date: 11/03/23 Time: 02:15 PM Test Vessel Test Solution Volume Incubator Transfer Volume Dilution Water Ceriodaphnia dubia 30 mL plastic cup 25 mL #1 0.05 mL MHSF Randomization pattern per SOP lNeonates from common holding vessel Light: 50 -100 ft-c. 16 hr light / 8 hr dark TEST ORGANISMS for Ceriodaphnia dubia Date Removed: 31-Oct Between: 1700 and: 2200 Pime hales promelas Source: Days old: M sido sis Bahia Source: a s old: Test Organisms Pre Fed by: AM Time: 11:10 MORTALITY DATA ®�Cum lative Mortality 21 0 k 72 96 Comments: Initial Final Temp ID.O. JpH I I By: Temp D.O. I I By: 24.41 8.31 7.71 JJC 24.71 8.21 8.111 JG 24.4 8.31 7.71 JJC 24.71 8.41 8.411 JG 24.4 8.31 7.71 JJC 24.71 8.41 8.311 JG 24.41 8.31 7.71 JJC 24.71 8.21 8.4 JG 24.41 8.31 7.811 JC 24.71 8.41 8.411 JG 24.41 8.31 7.811 JC 24.71 8.61 8.41 JG °C Im /L °C m 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Statistics Statistical Method: Spearman Karber 48 Hour LC50 = 2.28 g/L NaCl Lower Confidence Limit 2.22 Upper Confidence Limit 2.35 Page 71 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag ROUND 3 -APPENDIX C2 Survival Data for Acute Definitive Tests ETT Environmental; 10/23 Page 72 of 112 Nominal Conc. Rep. Initial ii organisms Mortality 24 hr 48 hr 0.0 ugfL A 5 0 B 5 0 C 5 0 n}` D 5 0 0.2 ug/L A 5 0 B 5 0 Wo. - C D 5 5 0 0 0.3 u L A 5 0 B 5 0 ,L; C 5 0 D 5 0 0.4 A 5 0 ug/L _ B 5 0 a ' -'." C 5 0 D 5 0 0.5 u A 5 0 B 5 0 C 5 0 D 5 0 0.7 A 5 0 u B 5 0 C 5 0 D 5 0 1.0 A 5 0 u L B 5 0 C 5 0 D 5 0 1.4 ug/L A 5 2 B 5 0 C 5 3 D 5 1 A u B C D WER 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: DMW Metal: j Sample ID: Batch 10-22-23 Start Date: 10/25/23 Time: 11:00 By: AM End Date: 10/27/23 Time: 10:43 By: JC Eff. Log #: 65991 'C,°� {-: Upstream Log #: 65992 TEST ORGANISMS Test Organism: Cerioda hnia dubia for Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: i-L 10-19, M-R 10-1 Date Removed: 10/24/23 Between 1700 hrs 2200 hrs for fathead minnows or mysids Source: Temperature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It / 8 hr dk; 50-100 ft-candles Laboratory Water DMW / SSF @ 50 m L hardness Downstream Water Preparation % effluent volume Prep. Date: % upstream! volume Prep. By: Test Solution Preparation: Date: 10/24/23 Prep By AM Metal Salt: A NO3 I Stock. Soln: 6.35 m¢ L Nominal Conc. mL Stock Soln, Volume Prepared 0.17 ug/L 0.01 mL 500 mL 0.25 ug/L 0.02 mL 500 mL 0.35 ug/L 0.03 mL 500 mL 0.5 ug/L 0.04 mL 500 mL 0,7 ug/L 0.06 mL 500 mL 1.02 ug/L 0.08 mL 500 mL 1.43 ug/L 0.11 mL 500 mL ug/L mL mL Water Chemistry Time: Analyst: D.O. (mg/L) pH DMW Start Final 8.0 m L 8 t S.U. 8.6 m L 83 S.U. Downstream Start Final m L S.U. m L S.U. Upstream Start m /L S.U. Effluent Start m L S.U. Test solution volume: 25 mL. Test vessels 1 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL, Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Page 73 of 112 Conc. so MortalityNominal 24 hr 48 hr MINE NEE eINENEE'En' 0 e©EENa MIEN EM nm�a nin= tea ®®tea Mea�a E= LIE e®E■® e�NEE® NINE MINE MINE r ©m ' e_-- MINE MENNEN M_.E= mm �� MEN NEE MINE mm MENNEN� MEN NINE M-EIIE n_-- MEN MINE MEN :e110 MEN WER 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: DMW Metal: A Sample ID: Batch 10-22-23 Start Date: 10/30/23 Time: 1:40 By: AM End Date: 11/01/23 Time: 1:05 B : AM Eff. Log #: 65991 � " � Upstream Log #: 65992 TEST ORGANISMS Test Organism: Cerioda hnia dubia for Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: i-L 10-19, M-R 10-1 Date Removed: 10/24/23 Between 1700 hrs 2200 hrs for fathead minnows or mysids Source: Temnrrnture'd-NF f' 1 .iuht 1 h hr It / R hr dk• 50-i no ft-candles Laboratory Water DMW / SSF @ 50 m L hardness Downstream Water Preparation Luent tream volume Prep. Date: volume Prep. Hvy Test Solution Preparation: Date: 10/24/23 Prep By AM etal Salt: A NO3 Esmwck.Soln: 6.35 mtr L Nominal Cone. mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 2.04 u L 0.16 mL 500 mL 2.92 u 0.23 mL 500 mL 4.17 U 0.33 mL 500 mL UQ L mL mL U L mL mL U L mL mL U L mL mL ugLL mL mL Water Chemistry Analyst: -Time: D.O. (mg/L) H DMW Start Final 8.0 m L s.t S.U. 8.6 m L 83 s.u. Downstream Start Final m L S.U. m S.U. Upstream Start m L S.U. Effluent Start mg/L S.U. Test solution volume: 25 mL. Test vessels I oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL Page 74 of 112 Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance 24 hr nm�Mortality a ®tea EM ee■s■��s ®®ors e®�■rs ea�a ®tea ®®-� ee® ■ie E mm ea�a eia�a e©tea OEM e© a ea�a m e®tea eaNEWa reINENEE� In= eINEN■� I WE48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: LENOIR Metal: Ag Sample ID: LOWER CREEK Start Date: 10/25/23 Time: l 1:00 By: AM End Date: 10/27/23 Time: 11:03 By: is Eff. Log #: 65991 =U stream Log #: 65992 TEST ORGANISMS Test Organism: Cerioda hnia dubia for Ceriodaphnia duhia Source: i-L 10-19, M-R 10-1 Date Removed: 10/24/23 Between 1700 hrs 2200 hrs for fathead minnows or mysids Source: Temperature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It / 8 hr dk; 50-100 ft-candles Laboratory Water DMW / SSF R 50 m hardness Downstream Water Preparation % effluent 17.3% volume 692 Prep. Date: 10/25/23 upstream 82.7% volume 3308 Prep. By AM Test Solution Preparation: Date: 10/24/23 Prep By AM Metal Salt: AgNO13 Stock. So1n: 635 m_ Nominal Cone. mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 0.7 u 0.06 mL 500 mL 1.02 u 0.09 mL 500 MI., 1.43 u L 0.11 mL 500 mL 2.04 u 0.16 mL 500 mL 2.92 U L 0.23 mL 500 mL 4.17 u 0.33 mL 500 mL 5.96 u /L 0.47 mL 500 mL u&,/L mL mL Water Chemistry Time: Analyst: D.O.(m L) pH DMW Start Final 8.0 m L aA S.U. 8.6 m 83 S.U. Downstream Start Final 8.5 m 7.3 S.U. 8.5 ma L 8.1 S.U. U stream Start 8.4 m L 7.2 S.U. Effluent Start 8.3 mQ L 7.0 s.u. Test solution volume: 25 mL. Test vessels 1 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Page 75 of 112 •24 Mortality hr s8 hr ee■�� e®tea e®tea Eem.ee■■�a ®tea ®ee�a e®tea e®tea em em�� e=�� ■ m�■ee TEST ORGANISMS Ceriodaphnia dubia Date Removed: Between fathead minnows or mysids Source: r • /I///L r I i� Source: i-L 10-19, M-R 10-1 10/24/23 1700 hrs 2200 hrs Temperature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It / 8 hr dk; 50-100 fl-candles Laboratory Water DMW / SSF 250 m4 hardness Downstream Water Preparation 17.3% volume 259.5 1'rep Date: l0/30/23 Lfluent stream 82.7% volume 1240.5 Prep. 3`. AM Test Solution Preparation: Date: 10/24/23 Prep By AM Metal Salt: A NO3 Stock. Soin: 6.35 m Nominal Conc. mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 12.16 u 0.96 mL 500 mL 17.37 u 1.37 mL 500 mL 24.81 U 1.95 mL 500 mL U mL nil. U mL m1. u mL m 1- ugIL mL mL u mL mL Water Chemist Time: D.O.(m L) PH DMW Start Final 8.0 m s.: S.U. 8.6 ma 8.3 S.U. Downstream Start Final 8.5 m 7.3 S-u. 8.5 m B I S.U. Upstream Start 8.4 m L 7.2 S.U. Effluent Start 8.3 m 7.0 S.U. Test solution volume: 25 mL. Test vessels 1 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Page 76 of 112 Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance ROUND 3 -APPENDIX C3 Measured Concentrations of Total Recoverable Silver in Test Solutions Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag ETT Environmental; 10/23 Page 77 of 112 Measured Total Recoverable and Dissolved Silver Lenoir Lower Creek - Primary Species Site Specific Study October 2023 Sample: Spiked Dilution Water (Diluted DMWInitial Date: 10/25/23 Nominal Total Ag Measured Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) Initial Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Mean % of Nominal 0 <1.0 <1.0 0.70 0.30 0.30 43% 1.001 0.50 0.30 0.40 40% 1.40 0.50 0.80 0.65 46% 2.00 0.80 1.30 1.05 53% 2.90 1.30 2.00 1.65 57% 4.20 2.30 2.60 2.45 58% Sample: Simulated Downstream Initial Date: 10/25/23 Nominal Total Ag Measured Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) Initial Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Mean % of Nominal 0.00 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 4.20 1.90 3.10 2.50 60% 6.00 3.70 2.60 3.15 53% 12.201 4.20 3.20 3.70 30% 17.40 3.80 4.70 4.25 24% 24.80 4.60 4.90 4.75 19% + + Measured Dis. Ag (µg/L) Initial Day 2 Mean % Dissolved <1.0 <1 0.20 0.60 0.40 133% 0.20 0.80 0.50 125% 0.30 0.80 0.55 85% 0.40 0.80 0.60 57% 1.30 1.40 1.35 82% 1.70 2.50 1 2.10 1 86% Measured Dis. Ag (µg/L) Initial Day 2 Mean % Dissolved <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 0.80 0.60 0.70 28% 0.80 0.70 0.75 24% 1.70 1.90 1.80 49% 1.30 1.60 1.45 34% 1.80 1.90 1.85 39% Page 78 of 112 ROUND 3 - APPENDIX C4 Water Chemistry Measurements for Acute Definitive Tests Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag See Appendix C2 ETT Environmental; 10/23 Page 79 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag ROUND 3 -APPENDIX C5 Chain of Custody Documentation ETT Environmental; 10/23 Page 80 of 112 ETT M �- r+w WIN shrc 'eta' PO Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29806-7414 (864) 877-6942, (800) 891-2325 Shipping Address: 4 Craftsman Ct, Greer, SC 29650 www.ettlah.org CHAIN OF CUSTODY RECORD flow LC eFF- a 011t 000 Page of Client: fit. Program V Containers Preservative Parameters Facility: �0 Whole Effluent rac;e;h• a State: C NPDES #: Acute Chronic I Test Organisms is Q U(Composite only) (Grab or Composite) Q c= L U y 'o J __ Sign, and Print below °: 3 c I=H250a 3= HCL N L = •oa •= = Wu > i the dotted line E: L' U ,v 3=HNO'o c� m n o o SAMPLE ID U U Composite Stnrt Date Time Sample Collection DNc Time Collected by a U v O riJ ri 0 z m.. 0 3e y m = y C7 9 a=NaOH 6= Other :? 4 o U O U CJ c r, T o T o U ^ C 3 2 Chemical Analysis &Other L 1-otrercreE k f�arlP Catl�Sle � .5FF i>5-aY�a3 too;NQ — Q I J LowerGrcek- ,L f(�S(Q— ufs-�`"�"m � l� (�59ga ------------- ------------- ------------- Special Instructions: Sample Custody Transfer Record Secure Receipt Sample Date Time Relinquished B / Organization Received ayj Or anization Area Temp °C Preserved? / 0-J,1-.ol3 �-- L3JAL 0yr, 0.9 COMPOSITE SAMPLING PROCEDURES TEMPERATURE MONITORING PROCEDURES HOLD TIME PROCEDURES Composite samples must be collected over a 24 hour period. Sample temperature during collection and transport must be between For toxicity testing the sample must first be used within 36 hours Time Proportional: 1 sample each hour for 24 hours. Equal volui 0.0 and 6.0'C. Samples must not be frozen. Use water ice in sealed bags. of sample collection (completion ofcomposite sample). or at minimum 1 sample every 4 hours over 24 hours. Sample may not be used after 72 hours from sample collection. Plow Proportional: As per instructions in NPDES permit. Page 81 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 3 Ag ROUND 3 - APPENDIX C6 Statistical Analysis Results ETT Environmental; 10/23 Page 82 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: tenairCbtver y m W Date: 10/25/2023 T Ag gamma 0 1E-05 alpha -0.094 beta -15 sury 0 100 test conc 0.4 100 0.65 80 1.05 15 1.65 0 2.45 0 LC50 0.80537844 0 J predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 0.4 1.010471478 98.9637 denom 0.65 1.247511149 80.1596 1.05 6.628480352 15.08641 1.65 107.9390625 0.926449 2.45 1405.576714 0.071145 IC25 2 50 101 ,off �0 0.4 . 0.8 1.2 1 s- actual mean actual mean predicted reproduction 2 2.4 2.8 ® predicted reproduction Page 83 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Surviv@I Test: te#vaW+evffr Date: 10125/2023 Dis Ag gamma 0 1E-05 alpha -0.24 beta -851 sury 0 100 test conc 0.5 100 0.55 80 0.6 15 1.35 0 2.1 0 LC50 0.57543994 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 0.5 1.005585677 99.44463 denom 0.55 1.188403113 84.14653 0.6 5.677932705 17.61204 1.35 4.6869E+13 2.13E-12 2.1 5.6799E+20 1.76E-19 IC25 2 50 actual mean predicted reproduction 20 -- - - - _ _.. _ --- ------ _ _ -- ---- 10 00 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2 2.4 *actual mean ® predicted reproduction Page t34 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: Lenoir Lower Date: 10/25/2023 T Ag gamma 0 1 E-05 { alpha 0.54 beta -103 sury 0 100 test oonc 2.5 100 3.15 100 3.7 5 4.25 0 4.75 0 LC50 3,4673685 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 2.5 1.000000442 99.99996 denom 3.15 1.013650038 98.65338 3.7 19.26118153 5.191789 4.25 8992.723258 0.01112 4.75 1302039.656 7.68E-05 IC25 2 50 actual mean predicted reproduction Page 85 of 112 ET environmental, Inc. P.O. Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29606 APPENDIX D (864) 877-6942 . FAX (864) 877-6938 Craftsman Court, Greer, SC 29650 WATER EFFECT RATIO STUDY City of Lenoir, N.C. Lower Creek WWTP Secondary Species - Round 4 Metal: Silver June 2023 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag ETT Environmental; 6/23 Page 86 of 112 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 METHODS 2.1 Experimental Design 2.2 Laboratory Dilution Water 2.3 Upstream and Effluent Sample Collection 2.4 Chemical Analyses 2.5 Preparation of Test Solutions 2.6 Test Organisms kjll� oI.Y�1 rlI1F.y 3.1 Laboratory Water 3.2 Simulated Downstream Water 3.3 Upstream Waters 4.0 CALCULATION OF WATER EFFECT RATIO 5.0 DISCUSSION LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix D 1. Reference Toxicant Quality Control Chart for Pimephales promelas Appendix D2. Survival Data for Acute Definitive Tests Appendix D3. Measured Concentrations of Total Recoverable Silver in Test Solutions Appendix D4. Water Chemistry Measurements for Acute Definitive Tests Appendix D5. Chain of Custody Records Appendix D6. Statistical Analysis Results Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 87 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 1.0 INTRODUCTION The City of Lenoir, N.C. Lower Creek wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges effluent into LowerCreek under NPDES Permit NC0023981. ETT Environmental has been retained to conduct a "site specific study" to determine if permitted silver limits for each effluent discharge are unnecessarily overprotective of aquatic life. This is to be accomplished through the calculation of a water effect ratio (WER), comparing the acute effects of silver upon the surrogate aquatic test organism Ceriodaphnia dubia living in laboratory dilution water to the acute effects of silver to the same test species in simulated downstream receiving water. The study used the methodology provided in the Interim Guidance on Determination and Use of Water -Effect Ratios for Metals (EPA-823-B-94-001). In order to confirm the results of the study it is required to conduct a round of testing with a second species, the vertebrate fish Pimephales promelas. This report presents the results of water effect ratio testing with Pimephales promelas. On June 27, 2023, Lower Creek WWTP personnel collected a grab effluent water sample. Acute toxicity tests for the Water Effect Ratio study were initiated on June28, 2023. Laboratory Location: NCDNR Certification # Study Director: Study Scientist: Study Technicians: Study Dates: ETT Environmental, Inc. 4 Craftsman Court Greer, SC 29650 022 Robert W. Kelley, Ph.D. Amy McMahon Jennifer Christian June 28-30, 2023 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 88 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 2.0 METHODS 2.1 2.2 Experimental Design The design of the study involved spiking silver into test solutions and assessing the acute toxicity of the test solutions with 48 Hour Acute Definitive tests using the surrogate test organism Piemphales promelas. The two test solutions assessed were 1) laboratory dilution water, and 2) simulated downstream water at measured conditions on the day of sampling (2.3% effluent). Acute toxicity tests were set according to U.S. EPA protocols (EPA 821-R-02-012 Method 2000), modified according to the following parameters; Test type: Temperature: Light: Test Chambers: Test Solution Volume: Renewal of Test Solutions: Test Organism Age: # Larvae/Cup: # Replicates/Concentration: Feeding Regime: Aeration: Dilution Factor: Test Duration: Endpoints: Laboratory Dilution Water Acute Static 250C fl 100 ft.-candles; 16 hr light/8 hr dark 400 mL plastic cups 200 mL None < 24 hr 10 2 None None 0.7 48 Hours Survival The laboratory dilution water used in all tests was diluted mineral water (DMW). In this first round of tests the DMW was prepared at a hardness of 48.0 mg/L. This dilution water was prepared by adding Perrier water to ultra -pure water to obtain the desired final hardness. The procedure for the preparation of this water may be found in the EPA manual Short Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms (EPA 82 1 -R-02-013). * Dilution water during the period of testing was prepared as follows; Amount Hardness Conductivity Alkalini pH 20 L 48.0 mg/L 112 µmhos/cm 46.4 mg/L 7.9 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag ETT Environmental; 6/23 Page 89 of 112 2.3 Sample Collection Sampling Locations The effluent discharges into Lower Creek. The effluent samples were collected as composite samples. As received the effluent had no measureable residual chlorine (<0.05 mg/L). Effluent flow in the 24 hour period preceding sample collection was 2.221 mgd. Upstream water samples were collected as grab samples upstream from the effluent discharge point. Upstream flow was estimated based on flow at the USGS station located at Johns River at Arney's Store (the closest USGS station to the WWTP). This estimate was calculated as follows. On the day of sample collection the flow at the USGS monitoring station was 395 cfs. The 25th percentile flow at the USGS station (50 cfs) was assumed to be the 7Q10 flow. Thus, on the day of sample collection, the Johns River flow was 7.9 times the 7Q10 flow (395 cfs / 50 cfs). The 7Q10 upstream flow at the discharge point of the WWTP on Lower Creek is 11.82 mgd. When the factor of 7.9 is applied to the Lower Creek 7Q10 flow, it is thereby estimated that the upstream flow on Lower Creek on the day of sample collection was 7.9 x 11.82 mgd = 93.38 mgd All samples were collected in half gallon plastic jugs and preserved in coolers at 0-6°C. Samples were transferred to an ETT courier by WWTP personnel. 2.4 Chemical Analyses Dissolved oxygen and pH were measured in one surrogate of each test concentration at the beginning and end of the test. Temperature was monitored in three surrogate test cups in the incubator daily. Dissolved Oxygen and pH were measured with the use of a Orion 4 Star meter. The meter is calibrated daily. Alkalinity, hardness, total suspended solids (TSS), total organic carbon (TOC), and specific conductance were measured on each laboratory water and effluent sample collected. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 90 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 Total recoverable silver was measured on each test solution at the beginning and end of the test. Dissolved silver also was measured for each test concentration at the beginning and end of the test. Silver analyses were conducted by ETT Environmental of Greer, SC using Standard Methods 18t` Edition Method 3111B (flame atomic absorption), and concentrated to achieve a detection limit of 10 ug/L (or lower with concentration). 2.5 Preparation of Test Solutions 2.5.1 Simulated Downstream Water Based upon the measured effluent flow (2.221 mgd) and the estimated upstream flow (93.38 mgd) , a simulated downstream sample was prepared using 2.3% effluent and 97.7% upstream water. 2.5.2 Silver Spiking Silver was spiked as silver nitrate (Ag NO3) into laboratory water and the simulated downstream water. Prior to spiking the total recoverable silver in each effluent sample was measured. Each day a batch of simulated downstream water was prepared. A microliter syringe was used to add the correct volumes of the stock solution to each simulated effluent or control concentration to achieve the desired nominal concentration of silver. 2.6 Test Organisms The test organism used for this study was the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas. Test organisms were fish larvae that were hatched on arrival in laboratory water prior to use in the test. The fish larvae were purchased from Aquatic Biosystems of Fort Collins Colorado and shipped overnight. Every batch of purchased test organisms is tested using a reference toxicant to verify their health and sensitivity. Voucher specimens of every purchased batch are preseved and set aside to be taxonomically verified by a staff taxonomist. Only larvae from broods with <5% mortality during shipping are used. Note: The initial revision of this report mistakenly provided a description of Ceriodaphnia dubia test organisms. This section has been revised to correctly give information about the fathead minnow test organisms. Corr. by RWK 5/10/24 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 91 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 Laboratory Water 3.1.1 Acute Toxicity Testing Results The acute definitive test with Pimephales promelas in laboratory water spiked with silver showed a 48 Hour LCso of 4.9317 ug/L Total Recoverable Silver and 4.0272 ug/L Dissolved Silver. Due to the pattern of the data, the values were calculated using the logistic method. The survival data at each concentration are summarized as follows; Nominal Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag Measured Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag and (Dissolved Ag) 48 Hour Mortality 0 ug/L <1.0 ug/L (<1.0) 0% 4.0 ug/L 3.05 ug/L (2.0) 0% 5.7 ug/L 4.35.2 ug/L (3.55) 10% 8.2 ug/L - ug/L (-) 50% 11.7 ug/L 5.25 ug/L (4.3) 75% 16.7 ug/L 8.7 ug/L (10.7) 100% Survival data for the test may be found in Appendix D2. Results of measured concentrations of total recoverable and dissolved silver are provided in Appendix D3. Statistical analysis results are found in Appendix D6. 3.1.2 Chemical Analyses The pH in the spiked dilution water test ranged from a minimum of 7.8 to a maximum of 7.9. Dissolved oxygen was generally at the saturation point in all treatments throughout the test. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 92 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 3.2 Simulated Downstream Water 3.2.1 Acute Toxicity Testing Results The acute definitive test with Pimephales promelas in downstream water spiked with silver showed a 48 Hour LC50 of 15.3109 ug/L Total Recoverable Silver. An 48 Hour LCso of for Dissolved Silver could not be determined because the spiked silver did not stay in solution. Due to the pattern of the data, the value was calculated using the logistic method. The survival data at each concentration are summarized as follows; Nominal Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag Measured Concentration of Total Recoverable Ag and (Dissolved Ag) 48 Hour Mortality 0 ug/L <1.0 ug/L 0% 5.7 ug/L 4.25 ug/L 0% 8.2 ug/L 5.2 ug/L 0% 11.7 ug/L 7.5 ug/L 20% 23.9 ug/L 17.0 ug/L 55% 34.1 ug/L 25.0 ug/L 100% Measured concentrations were generally higher than nominal concentrations. A significant suppression in survival was noted at a measured concentration of 17 ug/L of total silver. Survival data for the test may be found in Appendix D2. Results of measured concentrations of total recoverable and dissolved silver are provided in Appendix D3. Statistical analysis results are found in Appendix D6. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 93 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 3.2.2 Chemical Anal The pH in the simulated downstream water ranged from a minimum of 7.3 to a maximum of 8.1. Dissolved oxygen was generally near the saturation point in all treatments throughout the test. Other water chemistry parameters are summarized as follows; Parameter Effluent Total Recoverable Silver (ug/L) <0.5 Dissolved Silver (ug/L) <0.5 Alkalinity (mg/L) 49.1 Conductivity (umhos/cm) 257 Hardness (mg/L) 42.9 Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) 4.1 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 4.6 It may be seen that the effluent water was characterized by low alkalinity, hardness, TOC and TSS. 3.3 Upstream Waters Water quality parameters measured on upstream waters are provided in the following table; Parameter Result Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) <5 Dissolved Silver (µg/L) <5 Total Organic Carbon (mg/L) 1.4 Alkalinity (mg/L) 30.0 Hardness (mg/L) 36.7 Conductivity (µmhos/cm) 86 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 21.6 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 94 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 4.0 CALCULATION OF WATER EFFECT RATIO As noted in the results section, acute testing indicated an LCso of 4.9317 ug/L of total recoverable silver in laboratory dilution water and an LCso of 15.3109 ug/L of total recoverable silver in 2.3% Lower Creek WWTP downstream water. The laboratory dilution water LC50 values must be adjusted to downstream water hardness in order to calculate the Water Effect Ratio, using the EPA formula, as follows; LCso x (downstream hardness/laboratory water hardness)1.72 T-Cu: 4.9317 ug/L x (36.8/48)1.72 = 3.1291 ug/L The Water Effect Ratio can thus be calculated as follows; Water Effect Ratio (WER) (Total Recoverable Silver) = LCso in Effluent LCso in Lab Water 15.3109 ug/L = 4.8931 3.1291 ug/L A final water effect ratio (FWER) will be calculated without use of the WER from the second species testing. Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 95 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 ROUND 4 -APPENDIX D1 Reference Toxicant Quality Control Chart Pimephales promelas Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag Page 96 of 112 ETT Environmental; 6/23 ACUTE F EFT X - 2022.23 Fathead Minnow, Toxicant Nab=- M 8.48.48.5 8.48-4AA- 8.5 8.2 8.2 8.2 8. - 83838. 8.1 �* 7.97 $ 7.777.777.77 7.77 L0 7.5- 7. 3 7.26 27 7.28 29 7.22 - 24 7.24 .22 7.29 7. 1 7. .02 - 81 0 6.5 6.5 6.4 5.4 6.4 6 4 6 4 6.4 - - - - - - 6.5 -- r8---3----- 6.2 13.2 6.L 6.t cc 6.0 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 ❑ 11 5.5 21-Jun 08-Jun 16-May 18-Apr 05-Apr 15-Mar 01-Mar 24-Jan 09-Feb 10-Jan 14-Dec 14^Jun 23-10ay 02-May 12-Apr 21-Mar 07-10ar 21-Feb 18-Jan 02-Feb 06-Jan Date ❑ MEAN ❑ LC50 f UPPER ❑ LOWER UCL & LCL ARE +1- 2 STD E FROM MEAN Page 97 of 112 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Benchsheet Test Method: EPA 821 R-02-012 ; Method 2000 Pimephales promelas Client: ETT Reftox Sample ID: NaCI Lab ID# 6-21-23 AD REF TOX P Start Date: 06/21/23 Time: 03:00 PM Set By: Ended By: JG JC End Date: 06/23/23 Time: 02:33 PM Test Vessel Test Solution Volume Incubator Transfer Volume Dilution Water Fathead Minnows 500 mL plastic cup 200 mL #1 0.5 mL MHSF Randomization pattern per SOP Neonates from common holding vessel Light: 50 -100 ft-c. 16 hr light / 8 hr dark TEST ORGANISMS for Ceriodaphnia dubia Date Removed: Between: and: Pime hales promelas Source: ABS Days old: 6 M sido sis Bahia Source: a s old: Test Organisms Pre Fed b JG Time: 1:00 MORTALITY DATA Cumulative Mortality - hr 48 hr 72 hr 96 hr g/L NaCl Comments: Initial Final Temp D.O. pH By: Temp D.O. pH By: 24.71 7.81 7.811 JG 25.21 7.71 8.31 JC 24.71 8.21 7.8 JG 25.21 7.81 8.211 JC 24.71 8.31 7.81 1 JG 25.21 7.81 8.211 JC 24.71 8.21 7.811 JG 25.21 7.71 8.211 JC 24.71 8.21 7.711 JG 25.2F--76T 8.211 JC 24.71 8.31 7.711 JG 25.21 7.51 8.211 JC °C I m /L °C I mJL 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Statistics Statistical Method: Probit 48 Hour LC50 = 7.83 g/L NaCl Lower Confidence Limit NA Upper Confidence Limit NA Page 98 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag ROUND 4 -APPENDIX D2 Survival Data for Acute Definitive Tests ETT Environmental; 6/23 Page 99 of 112 Initial revision of report did not show test end time and initial. Corr. by RWK 5/1024 Nominal Conc. I•: I Mortality !1 .um mm-a a eMENNEEN e®tea e®tea ME ONE ®®tea ®tea ®E NEE NEE e®tea ®_-- ae_- NEE Em OEM�� MEN ©=tea = C m_� NINE SEE MEN -NEW em�a ®tea ®E LIE y E--- MINE eESEENNEW MEN WER 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: DMW Metal: Ag Sample ID: Start Date: 06/28/23 Time: 3:50 By: AM End Date: 06/30/23 Time: 2:55 By: AM Eff. La #: 65107 U stream Lo #: 65108 TEST ORGANISMS Test Organism; Pime hales promelas for Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: Date Removed: Between hrs hrs for fathead minnows or mysids Source: ABS arr as eggs 6/27/23 Temperature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It / 8 hr dk; 50-100 ft-candles DMW / SSF 50 m hardness [Labo,ratoryWater stream Water Pre aration %luent stream volume Prep. Date: volume Prep. RV. Test Solution Preparation: Date: 06/28/23 Prep By AM Metal Salt: A NO3 Stock. Sol.: 31.75 m2/L Nominal Conc. mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 1 u 0.09 mL 600 mL 1.4 ll 0.13 mL 600 mL 2 U 0.19 mL 600 mL 2.8 ugfL 0.26 MI. 600 mL 4 U 0.38 mL 600 mL 5.7 u L 0.54 mL 600 mL 9.2 u 0.77 ML 600 mL u mL mL Water Chemist Time: Analyst: D.O. m H DMW Start Final 7.7 ma 7.9 S.U. 7.8 ma 7.9 S.U. Downstream Start Final m S.U. m S.U. Upstream Start m L s.U' Effluent Start m S.U. Test solution volume: 25 mL. Test vessels 1 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Page 100 of 112 an Mortality 24 hr .; ®®e■�eee ®®tea e��eeee■ WER 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: DMW Metal. Ag Sample ID: Start Date: 06/30/23 Time: 3:00 By: AM End Date: 07/02/23 Time: 3:15 By: AM Eff. Lo #: 111FU stream Log #: TEST ORGANISMS Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: Date Removed: hrs fathead minnows or mysids Source: Temperature 24-26 C. Liaht 16 hr It / 8 hr dk: 50-100 fl-candles Water DMW / SSF na, 50 mPJL hardness Water Preparation effluent I volume Prep. Date: unstream volume Pren. sv: Test Solution Preparation: Date: 06/28/23 Prep By AM Metal Salt: A NO3 Stock. Soln: Nominal Conc, mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 11.7 UFZL 1.11 mL 600 mL 16.7 u L 1.58 mL 600 mL u L mr, mL u L mL mL u L mL mL u L mL mL u mL mL u L mL mL Water Chemistry Time: Analyst: D.O. m ) pH DMW Start Final mg1L S.u. m S.U. Downstream Start Final m L S.U. m S. U. Upstream Start mgZL S.u. Effluent Start m S.u. Test solution volume: 25 mL. Test vessels 1 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Page 101 of 112 Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Original revision of report did not show ending date, time and initial. Corr. by RWK 5110 Nominal Conc. Mortalit3r 24 hr -: hr ®®tea ®®tea ®®tea e®tee■ ®®tea ®®tea ®®tea ®®tea WER 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: LENOIR Metal: Ag Sample ID: LOWER CREEK Start Date: 06/28/23 Time: 3:50 By: AM End Date: 06/30/23 Time: 2:55 By: AM Eff. Log #: 65107 Upstream Log #: 65108 TEST ORGANISMS Test Organism: Pime hales promelas for Ceriodaphnia dubia Source: Date Removed: Between hrs hrs for fathead minnows or mysids Source: ABS arr as eggs 6/27/23 Temperature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It 18 hr dk; 50-100 ft-candles Laboratory Water DMW / SSF a, 50 ma hardness Downstream Water Preparation Lfluent stream 2.3% volume 125.28 Prep. pate: 06/28/23 97.7% volume 5274.72 Prep. By. AM Test Solution Preparation: Date: 06/28/23 Prep By AM tA NO3 LSt,ck. Soln: 31.75 m L Nominal Conc. ml. Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 1 u 0.09 mL 600 mL 1.4 u O.I3 mL 600 mL 2 u L 0.19 mL 600 mL 2.8 u 0.26 mL 600 mL 4 u 0.38 mL 600 mL 5.7 u 0.54 mL 600 mL 8.2 u 0.77 mL 600 mL 11.7 u 1.11 mL 600 mL Water Chemist Time: Analyst: D.O. m ) Ptj DMW Start Final 7.7 m L 7.9 s.u. 7.8 m ae SA Downstream Start Final T1 m 75 S.U. mg, S.U. U stream Start 7.3 m L 7.3 s.u. Effluent Start 6.9 maL — S.U. Test solution volume: 25 mL, Test vessels 1 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Page 102 of 112 on24 hr Mortality 48-hr WER 48 Hour Acute Toxicity Test Facility: LENOIR Metal: Ag Sample ID: LOWER CREEK Start Date: 06/30/23 Time: 3:00 By- AM ,End Date: 07/02/23 Time: 3:20 By: AM Eff. Log #: 65107 JWUpstrearn Log #: 65108 TEST ORGANISMS Test Organism: for Ceriodaphnia duhia Source: Date Removed: Between hrs hrs for fathead minnows or mysids Source: ABS Temperature 24-26 C. Light 16 hr It 18 hr dk; 50-100 ft-candles Laboratory Water DMW / SSF @ 50 m L hardness Downstream Water Preparation Lent ream 2.3% volume 27.84 Prep. mete: 06/30/23 97.7% volume 1172.16 Prep. By: AM Test Solution Preparation: Date: 06/28/23 Prep By AM Metal Salt: Ag NO3 I Stock. Soln: Nominal Cone. mL Stock Soln. Volume Prepared 23.9 u L 2,26 mL 600 mL 34.1 u L +. mL 600 mL U L mL mL U mL m l_ U mL mL U mL mL U mL mL up... mL mL Water Chemistr Time: \nulsst: D.O. m L) H DMW Start Final 8.2 m 8.2 S.U. m S.U. Downstream Start Final m S.U. m S.U. Upstream Start m S.U. Effluent Start m s.u. Test solution volume: 25 ml.. Test vessels 1 oz. plastic cups. Transfer volume 0.05 mL. Test Method: per EPA Interim Guidance Page 103 of 112 ROUND 4 -APPENDIX D3 Measured Concentrations of Total Recoverable Silver in Test Solutions Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag ETT Environmental; 6/23 Page 104 of 112 RWK 5-10-24 Measured Total Recoverable and Dissolved Silver Lenoir Lower Creek - Primary Species Site Specific Study June 2023 Sample: Spiked Dilution Water (Diluted DMWInitial Date: 6/28/23 Nominal Total Ag Measured Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) Initial Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Mean % of Nominal 0 <2.0 0.0 <2.0 2.80 2.80 1.00 1.90 68% 4.001 4.60 1.50 3.05 76% 5.70 6.70 2.00 4.35 % 8.20 11.70 5.00 5.50 5.25% L52%' 16.70 7.00 10.40 8.70 Sample: Simulated Downstream Initial Date: 6/28/23 Nominal Total Ag Measured Total Recoverable Silver (µg/L) Initial Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Mean % of Nominal 0.00 3.60 <1.0 <1.0 5.70 5.10 3.40 4.25 75% 8.20 6.80 3.60 5.20 63% 11.701 9.00 6.00 7.50 22.00 12.00 17.0034.10 16.00 34.00 25.00 d640%/o23.90 Measured Dis. Ag (µg/L) Initial Day 2 Mean % Dissolved <1.0 1.00 <1.0 3.00 2.00 2.50 132% 4.00 0.00 2.00 66% 6.10 1.00 3.55 82% 2.60 6.00 4.30 82% 4.40 17.00 1 10.70 1 123% Page 105 of 112 ROUND 4 - APPENDIX D4 Water Chemistry Measurements for Acute Definitive Tests Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag See Appendix D2 ETT Environmental; 6/23 Page 106 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag ROUND 4 - APPENDIX D5 Chain of Custody Documentation ETT Environmental; 6/23 Page 107 of 112 environmental PO Box 16414, Greenville, SC 29606-7414 (864) 677-6942. (800) 891-2325 Shipping Address: 4 Craftsman Ct, Greer, SC 29650 www.ettlab.arg CHAIN OF CUSTODY RECORD ' D I`o,� � n3 , 2A Y� t i Pt Di -f�^o oscv 7 2��ZI Page of Client: �y G� I- Program Program Containers Presen'ative Pararr /'^ Q «'bale Gm[sent'I'axicin' 1 �1 r� State: C �f' NPDES #: /% �j O j �' Ac ite Chrnnic Test Organiss m ca U (Composite only) (Grab or Composite) 4 o Sign, and Print below u o v 1=11Ct L ? en s �_ the dotted line r sue.. •C .- .� 3-sr€o 4•Naoll SAMPLE [D t? CampasiteSmn nme Time Snmp€c C.11-6— n,[� Time Callccted br U Cn Clai Z a U 9 0 8 O her F 4 V CJ C 1 ❑ '- - • &Other LO►�Cr LrCc E � �—� 7 j• 3 !Q3 G� i�.•to.0 ------- ---- 1 CfF• � (Qs ID�-- UPS�.r�r, ------------- ------------- ------------ kll ffl �L Special instructions: Sample Custody Transfer Record Secure Receipt Sample I)at, Time Relinquished By / Organization Received By / Organization Area Tem 'C Preserved? 7- AI IT r r�2v d COMPOSITE SAMPLING PROCEDURES TEMPER-4TURE MONITORING PROCEDURES HOLD TIME PROCEDURES Composite samples must be collected over a 24 dour period. Sample temperature during collection and transport must be between For toxicity testing the sample must first be used i%idiin 36 hours Time Proportional: 1 sample each hour for 24 hours. Equal volut 0.0 and 6.0 'C. Samples must not be frozen. Use water ice in sealed bags. of sample collection (completion of composite sample). or at minim uni I sample event 4 hours over 24 hours. Sample may not be used afier 72 hours from sample collection. Clow Proportional: As per instructions in NPDES permit. Page 108 of 112 Lower Creek WWTP - WER 4 Ag ROUND 4 - APPENDIX D6 Statistical Analysis Results ETT Environmental; 6/23 Page 109 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: DMW Fish Date: 6/28/2023 T A9 gamma 0 1 E-05 alpha 0.693 beta 41 sury 0 100 test cons 1.9 100 3.05 100 4.35 90 5.25 25 8.7 0 LC50 4.93173804 0 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 1.9 1.000000042 100 denom 3.05 1.000192251 99.98078 4.35 1.1069985 90.33436 5.25 4.045092991 24.72131 8.7 24522.10262 0.004078 IC25 2 50 actual mean predicted reproduction Page 110 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: DMW Fish Date: 6/28/2023 Dis Ag gamma 0 1 E-05 alpha 0.605 beta -39 sury 0 100 test conc 1.3 100 2 100 3.55 90 4.3 25 10.7 0 LC50 4.02717034 0 �3 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 1.3 1.000000005 100 denom 2 1.000007104 99.99929 3.55 1.118115274 89.43622 4.3 4.035177076 24.78206 10.7 15416784.78 6.49E-06 IC25 2 50 -w actual mean actual mean predicted reproduction 10 12 predicted reproduction Page 111 of 112 LOGISTIC MODEL Survival Test: Lenoir Fish Date: 6/28/2023 T Ag gamma 0 1E-05 alpha 1.185 beta 4.5 sury 0 100 test conc 4.25 100 5.2 100 7.5 80 17 45 25 0 LC50 15.3108746 0 0 10( 70 60 50 40 10[ 00 predicted num denominator y 100 1 100 4.25 1.081696036 92.44741 denom 5.2 1.121179186 89.19181 7.5 1.24790137 80.13454 17 2.226936174 44.90474 25 3.607077961 27.72327 IC25 2 50 .--.... -.......... ........... --........_...._._. 4 8 12 -E actual mean actual mean predicted reproduction 16 20 24 28 ® predicted reproduction Page 112 of 112 Ag WER: 2024 Water Effect Ratio (WER) Study Review Checklist Permittee: City of Lenoir - Lower Creek Permit No.: Date reviewed: Reviewer: NCO023981 This checklist is based upon the 1994 Interim Guidance on Determination and Use of Water -Effect Ratios for Metals and applies to Method 1 described therein. The purpose of this checklist is to serve as a useful tool in reviewing Method I WER studies. The checklist does not supercede the 1994 Interim Guidance document. In reviewing a WER study, the acceptability of each toxicity test will be evaluated individually based upon the procedures described in the 1994 Interim WER Guidance. Page 57 of the 1994 guidance states that, "If the procedures used deviated from those specified in the guidance, particularly in terms of acclimation, randomization, temperature control, measurement of metal, and/or disease or disease -treatment, the test should be rejected; if deviations were numerous and/or substantial, the test must be rejected. " Guidance concerning the calculation of the results of each test and the derivation of the individual test WERs and the FWER is also provided in the 1994 Interim WER Guidance. Review of these results will be in accordance with the guidance document. General Information # Question (If yes, place a "Y" in box; if no, place an "N" in box. If question cannot be answered in yes/no format, then place answer in "Comments " section.) Workplan Comments 1994 Guidance page #, part 1. Is the name, location, and description of the discharger provided? j 62, J(3) 2. Is the name of the study investigator provided? 62, J(1) 3. Is the purpose for conducting the study described? — 4. Are requirements that are in the existing permit concerning WET testing, TIE, and/or THE being met? 9 5. Is pretreatment, waste minimization, or source reduction an option? 9 6. Are applicable technology -based limits being met? 9 7. Is a description of each sampling station provided? 62, J(4) Page 1 Permittee: City of Lenoir - Lower Creek Permit No.: NCO023981 Individual Studies # Question (Ifyes, place a "Y" in box; if no, place an "N" in box. If question cannot be answered in yes/no format, then place answer in "Comments" section.) Study 1 Study 2 Study 3 Comments 1994 Guidance page #, part Selecting Primary and Secondary Tests 8. Species used for primary toxicity test? Ceriodaphnia dubia C dubia C dubia C dubia 45-47, C 9. Species used for secondary toxicity test? Pimephales promelas PproinelaS ___ ___ 45-47, C Acquiring and Acclimating Test Organisms 10. Organism culture, hold, acclimation, feed, and handling protocols summarized? r( 47-48, D(1-2) 1 1 . Were the organisms acclimated to site water prior to initiating the test? I( 47, D(l) 12. Were randomization procedures utilized? r( 47, D(1) 53, G(9) Collecting and Handling Upstream Water and Effluent 13. Was rainfall data or stream flow data included and was upstream water unaffected by recent runoff events? Rainfall data should be included. iI fI Provided by POTW 48, E(1) 14. Is the effluent sample representative of normal operations? 48, E(2) 15. Was the plant operating at "normal levels"? Flow data should be included. 49, E(5) 16. Were samples stored at 0-4°C? 48, E(4) 17. Are chains -of -custody for samples included, accurate, and filled out completely? 49, E(6) 18. Were toxicity tests initiated w/in a maximum of 36 hours from the time of sample collection? Test initiation and termination times should be included. 49, E(7) 62, J(1) 19. If predators in the site water are a concern, was the site water filtered through a 37-60 µm sieve or screen? V IV fI No predators in site water 49, E(8) Page 2 Permittee: City of Lenoir Gunpowder Creek Permit No.: NC0023736 # Question (If yes, place a "Y" in box; if no, place an "N" in box. If question cannot be answered in yes/no format, then place answer in "Comments" section.) Study 1 Study 2 Study 3 Comments 1994 Guidance page #, part Laboratory Dilution Water 20. Did the lab water have TOC and TSS <5 mg/L as required? 50, F(2) 21.* Was the hardness of the lab water between the required 40 and 220 mg/L?I( 50, F(3) 22.* Was the lab water hardness (w/in the above range) close to the site water? From 1997 Guidance, page 3, next to lastparagraph I(r i <<1997 Guidance 23. Are the lab water pH and alkalinity appropriate for the hardness used? 50, F(4) Conducting Tests 24. Was the spiking stock solution made from an appropriate reagent? 50-51, G(4)(a-b) 25. Was the same stock solution used for lab water and site water tests? �I �(i 51, G(4)(c) 26. Was a static test run? 51, G(5) 27. If the test ran longer than 48 h, was it a renewal test? 48 hr test 51, G(5) 28. If it was a renewal test, were side -by -side tests renewed at the same time and were proper procedures for renewal followed? i�ri not a renewal test 51, G(5) 29. Was a range finder test conducted? II 51, G(7) 30. Was the dilution factor used in the definitive tests of 0.65 or greater? ��I �I ICI 0.7 dilution factor 53, G(8) 31. Was an unspiked dilution water control for each test used? 53, G(9) 32. Were at least 20 test organisms per treatment used? j l V fI 53, G(9) 33. Were two or more replicates used per treatment? 53, G(9) Page 3 Permittee: City of Lenoir Lower Creek Permit N(Perm it No.: NCO023981 # Question Study 1 Study 2 Study 3 Comments 1994 (If yes, place a "Y" in box; if no, place an "N" in box. If question cannot be Guidance answered yes/no format, then place answer in "Comments " section.) MMEL = page #, part 34. Were the laboratory hard water and the site water prepared in accordance 53, G(10) with appropriate guidelines? 54, G(11) 35. Were the test organisms (already acclimated), added to the test chambers for 54, G(12) the side -by -side tests at the same time? Chemical and Other Measurements 36. Were hardness (or salinity for marine water), pH, alkalinity, TSS, and TOCii 55, H(2) measured at test initiation for both site water and lab water? 37. If "yes" to the above question, did the dissolved oxygen level remain �, 55, H(3) acceptable throughout the entire test? 38. Were dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature measured for each treatment at 55, H(3) the appropriate times during the test? 39. Were both total recoverable and dissolved metal measured for all samples? 54, H(4) 40. Were the metal concentrations measured at the appropriate frequency? 54, H(4)(d) 41. Were QA/QC requirements summarized? 57, H(4)(d)(5) Calculating and Interpreting the Results 42. To prevent roundoff error in subsequent calculations, were at least four 57,1(1) significant digits retained in all endpoints and WERs? 43. Were greater than 10% of control organisms adversely affected (for acute 57, I(2)(b) tests)? 44. The percent of organisms that were adversely affected must have been less 57, than 50%, and should have been less than 37%, in at least one treatment I(2)(c)(1) other than the control. Did this occur? Page 4 Permittee: City of Lenoir - Lower Creek Permit No.: NCO023981 # Question Study 1 Study 2 Study 3 Comments 1994 (If yes, place a "Y" in box; if no, place an "N" in box. If question cannot be Guidance answered in yes/no format, then place answer in "Comments " section.) _ MMEL page #, part 45. For lab water, at least one treatment showed at least 50% of the organisms 57, to be adversely affected? I(2)(c)(2) 46. For site water, at least one treatment showed at least 63% of the organisms ij�iiI 57, to be adversely affected? I(2)(c)(2) 47. Did a lower concentration kill a higher % of organisms than a higher 57, concentration? 1(2)(c)(3) 48. If so, did this occur for more than two concentrations affecting between 20- 57, 80% of the organisms? 1(2)(c)(3) 49. If a static test was run, did the dissolved metal concentration at the end of 48 58, I(2)(e) hours decrease by more than 50% from test initiation? 50. Did it increase by more than 10% from test initiation?I �I — 51. Did each individual test meet all acceptability requirements, as specified in 57,1(2) #43-49 above? 52. Were the LC50 (or EC50) values calculated appropriately and with similar {I �I 58, I(4 & 6) statistics? 53.* Was the hardness of the laboratory dilution water normalized (to obtain an I �(i �I 39-43 adjusted LC50) according to the guidance document? 54. Do the results from the laboratory dilution water compare with results that We do not have access to data from other labs. 59,1(5) were obtained using a comparable laboratory dilution water in one or more Results were comparable to other laboratories? results of the many previous WERs we have done. 55. Is the WER larger than 5? If so, investigate results further as specified in the 61, 1994 Interim Guidance on page 61. 1(7)(c)(3) 56. Were summary tables provided containing metal concentrations and y�l 9 yV 64, J(3) organism response for each concentration? Page 5 Permittee: City of Lenoir - Lower Creek Permit No.: NCO023981 Final Report # Question Final Report Comments 1994 (Ifyes, place a "Y" in box; if no, place an "N" in box. If question cannot Guidance be answered in yes/no format, then place answer in "Comments " section.) page #, part 57. Were toxicity tests conducted at least three weeks apart? ( 48, E(3) 58. Three WERs for primary test developed? y�l( 45, C(1) 59. At least one WER for secondary test developed? yl� 45, C(1) 60. Are the WERs obtained with the primary and secondary tests w/in a factor 61, I(7)(b)(1) of 3? If yes, then results are further confirmed. 61. Does the test with the higher endpoint give the higher WER? If yes, then 61, 1(7)(b)(2) results are further confirmed. 62. Were both total recoverable and dissolved WERs calculated? 60,1(6) 63. Was the final WER calculated as the geometric mean of the three individual There were two Type I WERs, the geometric mean was used. 37-38 test WERs? Provide the final WER in the comments section. 64. Were acute and chronic criteria calculated? If yes, provide the results in the Y Acute (maximum) limit: 7.7 ug/L — comments section. Chronic (average) limit: 7.7 ug/L 65. Were any individual studies eliminated from consideration in the final — WER calculation? If yes, provide an explanation. 66. Was an explanation of "unusual' observations and/or any procedural — deviations provided if necessary? * As an alternative to conducting testing with laboratory water with a hardness between 40 and 220 mg/1 total hardness and then mathematically adjusting the LC50 of the laboratory water to the segment regulatory hardness, testing can be conducted using laboratory water with the total hardness chemically adjusted to be the same as the segment regulatory hardness. If the laboratory water is adjusted, then no mathematical adjustment should be necessary. Additional Comments: Page 6 Freshwater RPA - 95% Probability/95% Confidence Using Metal Translators MAXIMUM DATA POINTS = 58 REQUIRED DATA ENTRY Table 1. Project Information Table 2. Parameters of Concern ❑ CHECK IF HQW OR ORW WQS Name WQS Type Chronic Modifier Facility Name WWTP/WTP Class NPDES Permit Outfal I Flow, Qw (MGD) Receiving Stream HUC Number Stream Class City of Lenoir - Lower Creek WWTP Grade IV NCO023981 001 6.000 Lower Creek 03050101 C ❑ Apply WS Hardness WQC 7Q10s (cfs) 7Q10w (cfs) 30Q2 (cfs) QA (cfs) 1 Q10s (cfs) 11.75 16.77 68.00 9.74 Effluent Hardness - - - - - - - - - - - - - Upstream Hardness Combined Hardness Chronic Combined Hardness Acute 39.34 mg/L (Avg) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25 mg/L (Avg) 31.34 mg/L 32 m /L Data Source(s) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -- Silver data are from DMRs. Total Silver Chronic and Acute criteria modified by multiplying the lowest WER of four rounds. ❑ CHECK TO APPLY MODEL Par01 Par02 Par03 Par04 Par05 Par06E Par07 Par08 Par09 Par10 Par11 Par12 Par13 Par14 Par15 Par16 Par17 Par18 Par19 Par20 Par21 Par22 Par23 Par24 Acute PQL Units Arsenic Aquactic Life C 150 FW 340 ug/L Arsenic Human Health Water Supply C 10 HH/WS N/A ug/L Beryllium Aquatic Life NC 6.5 FW 65 ug/L Cadmium Aquatic Life NC 0.6998 FW 4.0193 ug/L Chlorides Aquatic Life NC 230 FW mg/L Chlorinated Phenolic Compounds Water Supply NC 1 A ug/L Total Phenolic Compounds Aquatic Life NC 300 A ug/L Chromium III Aquatic Life NC 141.6568 FW 1108.0023 ug/L Chromium VI Aquatic Life NC 11 FW 16 pg/L Chromium, Total Aquatic Life NC N/A FW N/A pg/L Copper Aquatic Life NC 9.5584 FW 13.2159 ug/L Cyanide Aquatic Life NC 5 FW 22 10 ug/L Fluoride Aquatic Life NC 1,800 FW ug/L Lead Aquatic Life NC 3.7916 FW 99.6306 ug/L Mercury Aquatic Life NC 12 FW 0.5 ng/L Molybdenum Human Health NC 2000 HH ug/L Nickel Aquatic Life NC 45.0711 FW 413.1087 pg/L Nickel Water Supply NC 25.0000 WS N/A pg/L Selenium Aquatic Life NC 5 FW 56 ug/L Silver Aquatic Life INC 0.387678 FW 2.9288 ug/L Zinc Aquatic Life NC 153.4647 FW 154.9679 ug/L NCO023981 RPA WER, input 5/28/2024 NCO023981 RPA WER, input 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS H1 Effluent Hardness I Date Data BDL=1/2DL Results 1 5/9/2017 89.3 89.3 Std Dev. 2 8/15/2017 32.7 32.7 Mean 3 11/14/2017 52.2 52.2 C.V. 4 2/13/2018 31.1 31.1 n 5 5/8/2018 29.7 29.7 10th Per value 6 8/14/2018 33.4 33.4 Average Value 7 11/13/2018 98.7 98.7 Max. Value 8 2/13/2019 22.1 22.1 9 5/14/2019 18.9 18.9 10 8/13/2019 28.9 28.9 11 11/12/2019 37.1 37.1 12 2/11 /2020 47 47 13 5/12/2020 24.2 24.2 14 8/11 /2020 23.4 23.4 15 11/10/2020 21.4 21.4 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 Use "PASTE SPECIAL- IH2 Values" then "COPY". Maximum data points = 58 24.0803 1 39.3400 2 0.6121 3 15 4 21.68 mg/L 5 39.34 mg/L 6 98.70 mg/L 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 Upstream Hardness Date Data BDL=1/2DL Results 25 25 Std Dev. Mean C.V. n 10th Per value Average Value Max. Value Use "PASTE SPECIAL - Values" then "COPY". Maximum data points = 58 N/A 25.0000 0.0000 1 25.00 mg/L 25.00 mg/L 25.00 mg/L -3- NCO023981 RPA WER, data 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 4 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 5 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 6 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 7 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 8 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 9 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 10 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS Par20 Use "PASTE SPECIAL - Silver Values" then "COPY". Maximum data points = 58 Date Data BDL=1/2DL Results 1 8/9/2021 < 0.5 0.25 Std Dev. 1.1165 2 8/10/2021 < 0.5 0.25 Mean 1.5464 3 9/7/2021 < 0.5 0.25 C.V. 0.7220 4 10/14/2021 < 0.5 0.25 n 42 5 11/15/2021 < 0.5 0.25 6 11/16/2021 < 0.5 0.25 Mult Factor = 1.11 7 12/7/2021 < 0.5 0.25 Max. Value 2.500 ug/L 8 1/27/2022 < 0.5 0.25 Max. Pred Cw 2.775 ug/L 9 2/14/2022 < 5 2.5 10 2/15/2022 < 0.5 0.25 11 3/8/2022 < 5 2.5 12 4/5/2022 < 5 2.5 13 5/16/2022 < 5 2.5 14 5/17/2022 < 5 2.5 15 6/7/2022 < 5 2.5 16 7/12/2022 < 5 2.5 17 8/8/2022 < 5 2.5 18 8/9/2022 < 5 2.5 19 9/6/2022 0.7 0.7 20 10/10/2022 < 5 2.5 21 11/15/2022 < 5 2.5 22 11/15/2022 < 5 2.5 23 12/8/2022 < 0.5 0.25 24 1 /10/2023 < 5 2.5 25 2/12/2023 < 5 2.5 26 2/13/2023 < 5 2.5 27 3/14/2023 < 5 2.5 28 4/11 /2023 < 5 2.5 29 5/15/2023 < 5 2.5 30 5/16/2023 < 5 2.5 31 6/13/2023 < 5 2.5 32 7/25/2023 < 5 2.5 33 8/7/2023 < 5 2.5 34 8/8/2023 < 5 2.5 35 9/12/2023 < 5 2.5 36 10/17/2023 < 0.5 0.25 37 11/13/2023 < 0.5 0.25 38 11/14/2023 < 0.5 0.25 39 12/12/2023 < 0.5 0.25 40 1 /16/2024 < 0.5 0.25 41 2/12/2024 < 0.5 0.25 42 2/13/2024 < 0.5 0.25 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 NCO023981 RPA WER, data - 11 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 12 - 5/28/2024 REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS NC0023981 RPA WER, data - 13 - 5/28/2024 City of Lenoir - Lower Creek WWTP NCO023981 Freshwater RPA - 95% Probability/95% Confidence Using Metal Translators MAXIMUM DATA POINTS = 58 Qw (MGD) = 6.0000 1Ql0S (cfs) = 9.74 7Q10S (cfs) = 11.75 7Q10W (cfs) = 16.77 30Q2 (cfs) = NO 30Q2 DATA Avg. Stream Flow, QA (cfs) = 68.00 Receiving Stream: Lower Creek HUC 03050101 WWTP/WTP Class: Grade IV IWC% @ 1Q10S = 48.84453782 IWC% @ 7Q10S = 44.18052257 IWC% @ 7Q10W = 35.67318757 IWC% @ 30Q2 = N/A IW%C @ QA = 12.03104787 Stream Class: C Outfall 001 Qw = 6 MGD COMBINED HARDNESS (mg/L) Acute = 32 mg/L Chronic = 31.34 mg/L PARAMETER NC STANDARDS OR EPA CRITERIA Cl)REASONABLE POTENTIAL RESULTS RECOMMENDED ACTION TYPE J Applied Chronic Acute0. n # Det. Max Pred Cw Allowable Cw Standard NCO023981 RPA WER, rpa Page 14 of 15 5/28/2024 City of Lenoir - Lower Creek WWTP NCO023981 Freshwater RPA - 95% Probability/95% Confidence Using Metal Translators Outfall 001 Qw = 6 MGD Acute: 5.996 Silver NC 0.387678 FW(7Q10s) 2.9288 ug/L 42 1 2.775 ------------------------------------------------ Chronic: 0.877 RP shown - apply Monthly Monitoring with Limit 24 values > Allowable Cw Page 15 of 15 NC0023981 RPA WER, rpa 5/28/2024