NC0041181_Draft Permit_20241001

ROY COOPER , 1iI
Governor y
ELIZABETH S.BISER
Secretary '�«w.�'`
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
October 1, 2024
Mr. Andy Paul
Caldwell County Schools
1914 Hickory Blvd SW
Lenoir,NC 28645
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0041181
Happy Valley Elementary School WWTP
Class WW-1 WPCS
Caldwell County
Dear Permittee:
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the draft
permit for your facility. Please review this draft carefully to ensure your thorough understanding of the
information,conditions,and requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
➢ Updated the Sample Type for Total Nitrogen from"Composite"to"Calculated".
➢ Added"Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen(TKN)"and"NO3-N+NO2-N"to the list of Effluent Characteristics in
Sections A. (1.)to reflect the recent changes to the Total Nitrogen Monitoring Requirements
➢ Monitoring for turbidity has been added to determine compliance with 15A NCAC 02B.0211 (21).
➢ Monitoring for dissolved oxygen has been added to determine compliance with 15A NCAC 02B.0211
(6).
➢ Instream monitoring for temperature was added to determine compliance with 15A NCAC 02B.0211
(18).
➢ Updated Section A. (3)to reflect current federal requirements for Electronic Reporting of Discharge
Monitoring Reports.
➢ Updated Map.
The NPDES standard conditions(Parts II,III,and IV) that are a part of the permit are not included in this draft
document(cover,map,and Part I).The conditions are the same as in your current permit except that agency and
division names have been updated. The latest version is available at https://bit.ly/3k5NFaL and can be viewed
online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice in
newspapers having circulation in the general Caldwell County area,per EPA requirements. Please provide your
comments,if any,to me at the e-mail address below no later than 30 days after receiving this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period,the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning the draft,please contact me at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
LeA46:dir- Nit(rr-e4,,
Environmental Specialist I
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D_E
�� 512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh.North Carolina 27699-1617
"OB"IIAHiN�^ 919.707.9000
0.0.1m.m of Enwa enW Quality

Page 2 of 2
NPDES Permit NC0041181
cc: NPDES Files
Asheville Regional Office
Wastewater Operator Certification Group

Permit NC0041 181
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)
In compliance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards
and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the
Caldwell County Schools
are hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Happy Valley Elementary School WWTP
1350 Yadkin River Road
Caldwell County
to receiving waters designated as the Yadkin River in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin in accordance
with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV
hereof.
This permit shall become effective
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on October 31, 2028.
If the permittee intends to continue to discharge at the facility beyond the term of this permit, a
renewal application must be submitted no later than May 4, 2028 (180 days before the expiration of
this permit)
Signed this day
John E. Hennessy, Section Chief Regional Operations
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
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Permit NC0041181
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked. As of this permit issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer
effective. Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the
permit conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions included herein.
The Caldwell County Schools are hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.008 MGD wastewater treatment system that includes the
following components:
➢ Septic tank
➢ Dosing tank with dual dosing bells (8,000 gallons)
➢ Dual sand filter beds
The system is located at the Happy Valley Elementary School WWTP off Yadkin River Road (1350
Yadkin River Road) in Caldwell County.
2. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001 at the location specified on the attached map
into the Yadkin River [Stream Index#: 12-(1); HUC: 030401010102], currently a class C; Trout
stream in sub-basin 03-07-01 of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin.
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Permit NC0041181
PART I.
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 02B.0500 et seq.]
Grade WW-1 Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and
monitored' by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT
CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
eDMR Code Average Maximum Frequency Type Location
Flow Influent or
0.008 MGD Weekly Instantaneous
50050 Effluent
BOD, 5-day(20°C) 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L 2/Month Grab Effluent
C0310
Total Suspended Solids 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L 2/Month Grab Effluent
C0530
NH3 as N Monitor& Report Monthly Grab Effluent
C0610
Temperature Monitor& Report Weekly Grab Effluent
00010
Temperature Monitor& Report Weekly Grab U&D3
00010
TKN Monitor& Report Quarterly Grab Effluent
00625
NO3-N+NO2-N 2 Monitor& Report Quarterly Grab Effluent
00630
Total Nitrogen 2
(NO2+NO3+TKN) Monitor& Report Quarterly Calculated Effluent
C0600
Total Phosphorus Monitor&Report Quarterly Grab Effluent
C0665
pH Not<6.0 nor>9.0
00400 Standard Units 2/Month Grab Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen Monitor& Report Weekly Grab Effluent
00300
Turbidity4(NTU) Monitor& Report Weekly Grab Effluent
00070
Footnote:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR
application system. See Special Condition A(3.).
2. For a given wastewater sample, TN=TKN+NO3-N+NO2-N,where TN is Total Nitrogen, TKN is
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen,and NO3-N+NO2-N are Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen,respectively.
3. Sample Locations: U=approximately 75 feet upstream from outfall. D=approximately 125 feet
downstream from outfall.
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Permit NC0041 181
4. Effluent turbidity shall not cause receiving-stream turbidity to exceed 10 NTU. If background turbidity
naturally exceeds 10 NTU,the effluent shall not cause background turbidity to increase. Exceeding this
permit limit will require sufficient instream sampling(upstream and/or downstream)to verify
compliance(effluent vs.background) [NCAC 02B. 0211 (21)].
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER THAN TRACE
AMOUNTS.
A. (2.) NUTRIENT REOPENER FOR HIGH ROCK LAKE
[NCGS 143.215.1 (B)]
This permit may be reopened and modified to implement nutrient requirements in accordance with any
future TMDL and/or nutrient management strategy for High Rock Lake.
A. (3.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and
program reports. The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on
December 21, 2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this
permit (Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D. (6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (a)1
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's
Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report(eDMR) internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
submitted electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter
monitoring data and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be
accessed at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the
facility being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have
broadband access, then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements
may be granted and discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1.1,
2, 3) or alternative forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to
the following address:
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Permit NC0041181
NC DEQ /Division of Water Resources/Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last day of the month following
the issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day of the month following the
commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21, 2025, the permittee must electronically report the following compliance
monitoring data and reports, when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b)Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division(see"How to Request a
Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9),the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time
of each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify
the initial recipient for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the
entity(EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program)that is the
designated entity for receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for
each type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the
appropriate electronic reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES
Electronic Reporting Rule is found at:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-24954/national-pollutant-discharge-
elimination-system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the"Reporting Requirements" section
above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an
electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to
the Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to
the Division for written approval at least sixty(60) days prior to the date the facility would be
required under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a
temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring
data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re-applies for
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Permit NC0041181
and is granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic
reporting waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request
may submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that the approved
reporting waiver request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on
the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.)
1'l
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part
II, Section B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II,
Section B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR
reporting purposes.
For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user
account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North
Carolina's eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit
the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system shall
make the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF
CERTIFICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED:
"I cert , under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my
direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel
properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or
persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the
information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate,
and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information,
including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)1
The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR
submissions. These records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the
date of the report. This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR
122.41].
6 of 6

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NC0041181 -Happy Valley Elementary School WWTP Facility
Caldwell County Schools Location --)
Receiving Stream: Yadkin River Stream Class: C ; Tr Map not to scale
Latitude: 35°59' 45" N Longitude: 81°33' 30"W
Sub-basin: 03-07-01 Stream Segment: 12-(1) .Na Caldwell County
River Basin: Yadkin Pee-Dee HUC#: 030401010102