WQ0012748_Staff Report_20240607

State of North Carolina
Division of Water Resources

Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Staff Report

FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 1 of 7

To: NPDES Unit Non-Discharge Unit Application No.: WQ0012748
Attn: Zachary Mega Facility name: Sea Trail WWTF

From: Jordan Cocanower
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 applicable.

I. GENERAL AND SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? Yes or No
a. Date of site visit: 05/24/2024
b. Site visit conducted by: Jordan Cocanower, Bryan Lievre
c. Inspection report attached? Yes or No
d. Person contacted: Matthew Henry, Wastewater Superintendent and their contact information: (910) 253 -
2479
e. Driving directions: 1395 Angel Trace Road, Shallotte
2. Discharge Point(s):
Latitude: Longitude:
Latitude: Longitude:
3. Receiving stream or affected surface waters:
Classification:
River Basin and Subbasin No.
Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream uses:
II. PROPOSED FACILITIES: NEW APPLICATIONS
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:
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6. Are the proposed application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) acceptable? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
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: Jeffrey Leonard Certificate #: 993816 Backup ORC: James Morrison Certificate #:1004104
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: two separate treatment systems that combined can process 0.3 MGD wastewater
(one - 200,000 GPD system and one – 100,000 GPD system). Treated water is sent to three separate golf courses
for water reuse (irrigation). Please see Section V. Additional Review Items for comprehensive descriptions of
the treatment systems.
Proposed flow: 300,000 GPD
Current permitted flow: 300,000 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.) The facility is weathered, but maintenance has taken place to address any issues that could be perceived as
unsafe or that could compromise the structural integrity of the facility.
3. 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:
4. 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:
5. Is the residuals management plan adequate? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
6. Are the existing application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) still acceptable? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
7. Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
8. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
9. Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? Yes or No
If no, please explain: The manually cleaned bar screens are no longer used in both treatment systems. See facility
description in Section V. Additional Staff Review Items.
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10. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
11. 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
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
12. 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: Review Period – 09/2019 through 05/2023 (permit
cycle): A NOD was issued September 29th, 2020 for 3 samples taken July 2020 with daily maximums of ammonia
being exceeded. Two other instances of Ammonia exceedances were logged in BIMS over the review period but
were within an acceptable range, so no action was taken.
Provide input to help the permit writer evaluate any requests for reduced monitoring, if applicable.
13. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
14. 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.)
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?
NOV issued November 2023 in response to noncompliance observed during an August 2023 compliance
inspection. NOV noted deterioration and corrosion within the facility as well as non-functioning diffusers.
Maintenance and repairs have addressed the issues presented in the NOV.
Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
15. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes No N/A
If yes, please explain:
16. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters:
17. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only):

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IV. REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
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

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:

6/7/2024
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V. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
This staff report was completed with the intention of providing supplemental information supporting the renewal
application for WQ0012748 – Sea Trail WWTP. In addition to the items discussed in this section, the following
documents have been attached:
• NOV issued August 2023
• Photolog of repairs and maintenance performed at facility
• Maintenance dates
• Updated site map

Reconnaissance Inspection (05/24/2024):

Inspection performed as part of a staff report for the renewal of the non-discharge permit. Main objectives of the
inspection were to become familiar with the facility, ensure maintained compliance, and to confirm that proper actions
had been taken to address the NOV issued November 2023 over noncompliance observed during a compliance
inspection performed August 2023.
DEQ Employees Present: Bryan Lievre, Jordan Cocanower
Mr. Matthew Henry (Brunswick Wastewater Superintendent) as well as Ms. Krysden Burden (environmental
compliance officer) assisted with the inspection. Mr. Donald Dixon, Deputy Director of Wastewater Operations, was
also onsite.
Both treatment trains were observed during the inspection. Overall, the treatment systems seemed to be functioning
well. Average flow in the facility (150,000 GPD) has been well below what is permitted, and the simultaneous
utilization of both treatment systems is not necessary on a consistent basis. The static screens and grit removal for
both trains, as described in the permit, have been removed and are not being used in the system. The five-day upset
pond is not in regular use, with Mr. Henry stating that he would rather send the wastewater to the West Brunswick
Treatment Plant (WQ0023693) than to utilize the pond. Sea Trail is interconnected to the West Brunswick Treatment
Plant and can send raw waste to the facility at their discretion.
The NOV issued November 2023 made note of deterioration and corrosion within the facility as well as non-
functioning diffusers. During the inspection it was evident that care had been taken to remedy the situation, with new
handrails, new catwalks, and repair welds observed throughout the facility. Deterioration of the facility is consistent
with what would be expected from an aging treatment plant and does not represent a risk to the structural integrity of
the plant or the safety of the staff. During the inspection Mr. Henry discussed Brunswick County's plan to retire Sea
Trail WWTP and divert flows to either Ocean Isle WWTP or West Brunswick WWTP in 2026. No failed diffusers
were readily apparent during the inspection.
The offsite reclamation pond at Sea Trail Golf Resort was visited after concluding the inspection of the facility. This
pond is the central point for the distribution of the treated effluent to the three separate spray fields. The pond
appeared in good shape and adequate signage was observed. The main pump house servicing the reclamation pond
was maintained at a practical level. None of the spray fields (greens) were visited during the inspection.
Staff at Sea Trail WWTP will need to be proactive regarding continued maintenance of the facilities. Aging
infrastructure and limited resources pose problems for many facilities statewide. Providing adequate repairs and
regular maintenance before situations exasperate themselves will help to ensure permit compliance is met. Brunswick
County’s actions to remedy the situations as described in the November 2023 NOV is noted and appreciated.

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FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 6 of 7

Facility Description:

Structures (in flow sequence)
- Influent wet well with flow control valves and effluent to one of three (3) wet wells, as noted below:
o Wet well with duplex pumps to the Sea Trail WWTP (i.e., effluent to the common flow splitter box)
o Wet well with duplex pumps to the West Brunswick Regional WRF (WQ0023693)
o Wet well – currently not used
- Common flow splitter box (to direct flow to the 200,000 gpd system and/or 100,000 gpd system)

- 200,000 gpd system with:
o 25,000-gallon flow equalization basin with dual 280 gallon per minute (gpm) pumps, a 134 cubic feet
per minute (cfm) blower and high-water alarms;
o Flow splitter box;
o Two (2) 125,010-gallon fine-bubble aeration basins with three 500 cfm blowers;
o Two (2) 16,670-gallon clarifiers;
o Two (2) 20,000-gallon aerated sludge holding tanks;
o Two (2) 72 square feet (ft^2) dual-bed tertiary filters with a 106 cfm blower;
o Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection with 3-bank channel UV system with 4 bulbs/bank; and,
o 3,675-gallon dosing tank with dual 600 gpm pumps and high-water alarms.

- 100,000 gpd system with:
o 12,000-gallon flow equalization chamber with dual 100 gpm submersible pumps, a 80 cfm blower,
and high water alarms;
o A flow splitter box;
o Two (2) 62,500-gallon fine-bubble aeration basins;
o Two (2) 10,418-gallon clarifiers;
o A 20,000-gallon aerated sludge holding tank with three (3) 290 cfm blowers;
o Two (2) 34.5 ft^2 tertiary filters with dual 518 gpm backwash pumps, dual 40 gpm wastewater return
pumps, a 55 cfm air-scour blower and high water alarms;
o UV disinfection system with 3-bank channel UV system with 2 bulbs/bank; and,
o 1,885-gallon effluent dosing chamber with dual 190 gpm submersible pumps (which pumps to
200,000 gpd 3,675-gallon dosing tank).

- A five-day upset pond (with gravity discharge from either effluent of either clarifier);
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- An irrigation pond with two (2) 75 horsepower vertical turbine irrigation pumps for spray irrigation at:
o 58.69 acres of spray irrigation area on the Maples Golf Course;
o 57.32 acres of spray irrigation area on the Byrd Golf Course; and/or
o 44.32 acres of spray irrigation area on the Jone Golf Course.
- All associated piping, valves, controls and appurtenances.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 07905734-AE28-483A-9AB8-C8494BFE4137