WQ0031857_Staff Report_20240221

State of North Carolina
Division of Water Resources

Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Staff Report

FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 1 of 5

To: NPDES Unit Non-Discharge Unit Application No.: WQ0031857
Attn: Zachary Mega Facility Name: Oak Island Satellite WRF

From: Bryan Lievre
Wilmington Regional Office

Note: This form has been adapted from the non-discharge facility staff report to document the review of both non-
discharge and NPDES permit applications and/or renewals. Please complete all sections as they are appli cable.

I. GENERAL AND SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? Yes or No
a. Date of site visit: 9/7/2023
b. Site visit conducted by: Michael Meilinger & Tyler Benson
c. Inspection report attached? Yes or No
d. Person contacted: Bobby Poarch and their contact information: (910) 465 - 3240 ext.
e. Driving directions: 5406 E Yacht Drive, Oak Island, Brunswick Co., NC 28465
2. Discharge Point(s): NA
Latitude: Longitude:
Latitude: Longitude:
3. Receiving stream or affected surface waters: NA
Classification:
River Basin and Subbasin No.
Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream uses:
II. PROPOSED FACILITIES: NEW APPLICATIONS - NA
1. Facility Classification: (Please attach completed rating sheet to be attached to issued permit)
Proposed flow:
Current permitted flow:
2. Are the new treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal system? Yes or No
If no, explain:
3. Are site conditions (soils, depth to water table, etc) consistent with the submitted reports? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
4. Do the plans and site map represent the actual site (property lines, wells, etc.)? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
5. Is the proposed residuals management plan adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
6. Are the proposed application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) acceptable? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E2D187-306E-4F48-8288-EF883F056586
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 2 of 5
7. Are there any setback conflicts for proposed treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
8. Is the proposed or existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
9. For residuals, will seasonal or other restrictions be required? Yes No N/A
If yes, attach list of sites with restrictions (Certification B)
Describe the residuals handling and utilization scheme:
10. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters:
11. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only):

III. EXISTING FACILITIES: MODIFICATION AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
1. Are there appropriately certified Operators in Charge (ORCs) for the facility? Yes No N/A
ORC: Bobby Poarch Certificate #: 12971 Backup ORC: Sunny Wright Certificate #:28813
2. Are the design, maintenance and operation of the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal
system? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
Description of existing facilities: as noted in previous permit issued 8/16/2017, including an influent pump
station, a fine screen, anoxic tanks with mixers, aeration tanks, membrane tanks and filters, a disinfection system,
an effluent pump station, a 75,000 gallon elevated tank, 2.71 acres of spray utilization areas, two high-rate
infiltration basins and a groundwater lowering system.
Proposed flow: 400,000 gpd
Current permitted flow: 400,000 gpd
Explain anything observed during the site visit that needs to be addressed by the permit, or that may be important
for the permit writer to know (i.e., equipment condition, function, maintenance, a change in facility ownership,
etc.)
Many of the diffusers within both treatment trains were found to have been broken during the 9/7/2023
inspection. Please see copy of the attached inspection report. According to a 2/20/2024 telcon between Bryan
Lievre (DWR) and Bobby Poarch (ORC), none of the repairs have been completed but the system has not had any
flow through it since 9/6/2023.
Are the site conditions (e.g., soils, topography, depth to water table, etc) maintained appropriately and adequately
assimilating the waste? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
3. Has the site changed in any way that may affect the permit (e.g., drainage added, new wells inside the compliance
boundary, new development, etc.)? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
4. Is the residuals management plan adequate? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
5. Are the existing application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) still acceptable? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
6. Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program: Statement is based on
historical sampling results as results not available since 11/2017 sample event
7. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
8. Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E2D187-306E-4F48-8288-EF883F056586
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 3 of 5
9. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain: Three monitoring wells (i.e., MW-1, MW-2 & MW-3) were reportedly triangulated around
the perimeters of Basins 1 & 2.

10. Are the monitoring well coordinates correct in BIMS? Yes No N/A
If no, please complete the following (expand table if necessary):
Monitoring Well Latitude Longitude
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
11. Has a review of all self-monitoring data been conducted (e.g., DMR, NDMR, NDAR, GW)? Yes or No
Please summarize any findings resulting from this review: Since the date of issuance of the last permit
(8/16/2017), the system has been issued eight (8) violation for exceedances of nitrate in the WWTF effluent
(9/2017, 10/2017, 11/2017, 12/2017, 11/2022, 2/2023, 3/2023 & 5/2023). GW sample results not available since
11/17/2017 sample event.
Provide input to help the permit writer evaluate any requests for reduced monitoring, if applicable.
12. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? Yes or No
If yes, please explain: No GW sample results since 11/2017 sample event, although ORC reportedly has results
which were not provided to DEQ
13. Check all that apply:
No compliance issues Current enforcement action(s) Currently under JOC
Notice(s) of violation Currently under SOC Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments (i.e., NOV, NOD, etc.)
As mentioned within #12 above, numerous violations have been issued for nitrate limit exceedances.
Enforcement of civil penalties were issued regarding the 2/2023 and 5/2023 exceedances (i.e., LV-20230188 &
LV-2023-0208, respectively) and these penalties have been paid by the system.
If the facility has had compliance problems during the permit cycle, please explain the status. Has the RO been
working with the Permittee? Is a solution underway or in place?
Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
14. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes No N/A
If yes, please explain: Provide copies of GW sampling results since 11/2017 & provide information on plans to
repair existing treatment system.
15. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters: N/A
16. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only): NA

DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E2D187-306E-4F48-8288-EF883F056586
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 4 of 5
IV. REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? Yes or No
If yes, please explain: See Item V.
2. List any items that you would like the NPDES Unit or Non-Discharge Unit Central Office to obtain through an
additional information request:
Item Reason
See Item V.

3. List specific permit conditions recommended to be removed from the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

4. List specific special conditions or compliance schedules recommended to be included in the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

5. Recommendation: Hold, pending receipt and review of additional information by regional office
Hold, pending review of draft permit by regional office
Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
Issue
Deny (Please state reasons: )
6. Signature of report preparer:
Signature of regional supervisor:
Date:

DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E2D187-306E-4F48-8288-EF883F056586
2/21/2024
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 5 of 5

V. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
1. Please include add info for all groundwater monitoring results from 2018 to current date.

2. Please request verification that the town is going to make needed repairs to both treatment trains and timeline for
repairs.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 37E2D187-306E-4F48-8288-EF883F056586