WQ0002648_Response to Notice_20240531

Scott Cole, NCLSS
312 Copples Road Ext
Asheboro, NC 27205
[phone]
NCDEQ — Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Attn: Ms. Jennifer Graznak and Ms. Caitlin Williams
450 Hanes Mill Road Suite 300
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Re: Seagrove-Ulah WWTP permit WQ0002648 — Notice of Violation initial response
Ms. Graznak and Ms. Williams,
Thank you for working with Seagrove-Ulah Metropolitan Water District as we begin implementing actions to
address elevated Nitrogen concentration within the irrigation spray field.
As you know, our system is aging and is slated for replacement soon. Seagrove-Ulah, along with Randolph
County and City of Asheboro has explored the possibility of pumping all wastewater to the City of Asheboro
Wastewater Treatment Plant; however, this option has recently been terminated/suspended due to project funding
($12M). We are continuing with the plan for a new treatment plant that will produce treated wastewater suitable
for discharge through our spray field.
Until the new treatment plant is constructed and in operation, Larry and I have discussed actions that could be
implemented in effort to reduce Nitrogen levels below the 2L Standard of 10.0 mg/L. These actions include the
following:
• Removal / trimming of trees to allow grass establishment for increased Nitrogen uptake.
o Trees within the spray field have created areas where grass cover cannot be established due to
large, shaded areas.
• Recirculation of the wastewater from the lagoon back to the digestor for additional treatment and contact
with carbon sources for denitrification.
• Addition of pretreatment components for wastewater polishing prior to delivery to the spray fields.
o I have been in contact with AQWA to discuss the AX MAX and AX100 treatment units to deter-
mine if this could reasonably be added to our system until the new plant is in operation. Discus-
sions are on -going.
• Reducing the spray frequency of the lower elevation spray zones.
o Increasing the spray frequency of the up -slope fields may provide the effluent more contact with
carbon sources for denitrification.
Additionally, we will have MW-2 and MW-3 resampled and will submit our findings to your office for review.
Please review this information and contact me at your convenience to discuss our actions.
Thank you,
Scott Cole
NC Licensed
Seagrove-Ulah Metropolitan Water District — 13
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