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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0024406_Draft Permit_20241112 .-�`'5 w ROY COOPER I1 Governor r 1)I' ELIZABETH S.BISER Secretary \744,Q""" "'�«' RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA Director Environmental Quality November 12, 2024 Ms.Jessica Bednarcik,Senior Vice President Environmental,Health and Safety Duke Energy Carolinas,LLC Mail Code EC13K P.O.Box 1006 Charlotte,North Carolina 28201-1006 Subject: Draft NPDES Permit Permit NC0024406 Belews Creek Steam Station Stokes County Facility Class I Dear Ms.Bednarcik: Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the Draft Permit for your facility. Please review the draft very carefully to ensure thorough understanding of the conditions and requirements it contains. The Draft Permit contains the following significant changes from your current permit: • Outfall 003,Outfall 003A,and Outfall 111 have been eliminated since all flows from these outfalls have been re-routed to Outfall 006. • The flow limit for the Dewatering phase (Outfall 006A)has been increased from 2.0 MGD to 3.0 MGD to be consistent with other Duke permits and assure timely excavation of the coal ash. • The Fish Tissue monitoring frequency has been reduced from Annually to 1/5 years based on the review of the fish tissue sampling results. • The Instream monitoring frequency has been reduced from Monthly to Quarterly based on the review of the sampling results. • The Clean Water Act Section 316(b) Special Condition has been updated based on the results of the Division's review of 316(b) documentation submitted by Duke. • Thermal Variance Special Condition has been modified to be consistent with other Duke permits. • The Special Condition for Ash Pond Discharge has been eliminated since all flows to ash pond have been discontinued. • The Instream Waste Concentration for Outfall 006A has been increased to 5.5%due to the increase in flow limit to 3.0 MGD. • The Instream Waste Concentration for Outfall 006 has been reduced to 5.9%based on the most current effluent data reported in the Permit Renewal Application. • The monitoring for Total Arsenic,Total Selenium,Total Mercury,and Chromium (VI) has been reduced to Quarterly based on the results of the Reasonable Potential Analysis (Outfall 006A). • The limits for Total Copper,Total Selenium,Total Molybdenum,Total Aluminum,and Total Lead have been eliminated from Outfall 006A based on the results of the Reasonable Potential Analysis. • The monitoring for Chlorides,Total Copper,Total Molybdenum,Total Aluminum,Total Cadmium, Total Zinc,Total Nickel,Bromide,Total Lead,Total Thallium,Total Barium,Sulfate,and Total I North Carolina Department Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources DE ';‘, 512 North Salisbury Street 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1611 oZu,.m dT" 41'NA mwnr� 919.707.9000 ew Antimony has been eliminated from Outfall 006A based on the results of the Reasonable Potential Analysis and/or effluent data review. • The monitoring for Hardness,Total Nitrogen,Total Phosphorus,and Total Dissolved Solids has been reduced to Quarterly based on the effluent data review(Outfall 006A). • The limits and monitoring for Total Copper and Total Lead have been eliminated from Outfall 006 based on the results of the Reasonable Potential Analysis. • The monitoring for Bromide,Total Nickel,Sulfate,Fluoride,Total Barium,Total Chromium,Total Thallium,and Chlorides has been eliminated from Outfall 006 based on the results of the Reasonable Potential Analysis and/or effluent data review. • The limits for Total Selenium have been added to Outfall 006 based on the results of the Reasonable Potential Analysis. • The downstream monitoring location was relocated to Pine Hall Road Bridge to address safety concerns and access limitations. • The instream sampling for Outfall 111 has been eliminated since Outfall 111 no longer exists. Please provide any comments you have regarding the draft permit to this office by December 30, 2024. At this time,the Division is also publishing a notice in the newspapers of general circulation in Gaston County,inviting public comment on the draft permit. Following the 30-day comment period,we will review all pertinent comments received and take appropriate action on the permit renewal. The NPDES Standard Conditions (Parts II,III,and IV) are not included with this draft. They can be found at the following link if you would like to review them in conjunction with this draft permit. https://bit.ly/2BZ4xa-x If you have any questions about the NPDES permit process,please contact me at the following e-mail address: sergei.chernikov@deq.nc.gov,or telephone number: 919-707-3606. Sincerely, Sergei Chernikov,Ph.D. Environmental Engineer III Industrial NPDES Permitting Unit cc: NPDES Files EPA Region IV (e-copy) Winston-Salem Regional Office /Surface Water Protection (e-copy) Winston-Salem Regional Office /Public Water Supply(e-copy) Aquatic Toxicology Unit(e-copy) TACU (e-copy) D E Q J/ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources v• 512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1611 T"CAROLINA 919.707.9000 w.n w ««..awr o. ,n of en. oti,ltt /"� Permit NC0024406 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES Draft PERMIT TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM In compliance with the provision 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, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the Belews Creek Steam Station 3195 Pine Hall Road (NCSR 1908) Belews Creek Stokes County to receiving waters designated as the West Belews Creek/Belews Lake (Outfalls 001, 005, and 007), and Dan River (Outfall 006) in the Roanoke River Basin. in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other applicable conditions set forth in Parts I, II, and III hereof. This permit shall become effective This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on Signed this day Douglas Dowden Environmental Program Supervisor II Industrial Permitting Unit By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Page 1 of 18 Permit NC0024406 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. Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC is hereby authorized to: 1. Continue to discharge: • Outfall 001: once through cooling water consisting of intake screen backwash, recirculating cooling water, station equipment cooling water and once-through cooling water. This outfall discharges to Belews Lake. • Internal Outfall 002: FGD wastewater and FGD landfill leachate. • Outfall 006. Discharge from the new Lined Retention Basin. Basin will accept wastes from holding basin, ash contact water, various sumps, coal pile runoff, stormwater runoff, cooling tower blowdown, FGD wastewater, and various low volume wastes such as boiler blowdown, oily waste treatment, wastes/backwash from the water treatment processes, coal pile collection basins (collecting contact stormwater from coal piles), plant area wash down water, cooling tower blowdown, equipment heat exchanger water, remediated groundwater, emergency overflow (rain in excess of designed storm event), toe drain, bottom ash purge water, emergency release of anhydrous ammonia, release of ammonia during quarterly testing, landfill leachate, and treated domestic wastewater. • Outfall 005. This is a former stormwater outfall SW002, consisting of once through non-contact chiller water and stormwater. This outfall discharges to Belews Lake. • Internal Outfall 006A. This is a temporary internal outfall for dewatering of the ash basin, it discharges to Dan River through Outfall 006. • Outfall 007. This is an emergency spillway for South Coal Basin. This outfall discharges to Belews Lake. The spillway is designed for a flood greater than 100- year event. Sampling of this spillway is waived due to unsafe conditions associated with sampling during overflow events. • Internal Outfall 009. Domestic wastewater plant. The wastewater from this outfall discharges to Dan River via new Outfall 006. From a facility located at Belews Creek Station, 3195 Pine Hall Road (NCSR 1908), Belews Creek in Stokes County, and 2. Discharge wastewater from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map into Belews Lake, and Dan River, which are classified C and WS-IV waters, respectively, in the Roanoke River Basin. Page 2 of 18 Permit NC0024406 Part I A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 001) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge once-through cooling water and intake screen backwash from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored3 by the Permittee as specified below: PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Daily Average Daily Measurement Sample Type Sample Location1 Maximum Frequency Flow Continuous Pump Logs Effluent Temperature OC Daily Recorder/Grab Upstream Temperature 0C Daily Recorder/Grab Downstream 1 Temperature°C 2 32°C Daily Recorder/Grab Downstream 2 Temperature 0C Daily Recorder/Grab Effluent Notes: 1. Sampling locations: Upstream - Upstream at Southern Railroad crossing of Belews Creek OR East Belews Creek (site 405 or site 419), Downstream- Downstream at the discharge from the Dam, approximately 5.3 miles from the outfall (Downstream 2), and approximately 0.5 miles downstream of Outfall 001 (Downstream 1). Upstream and downstream temperature samples are to be measured one foot below the surface. 2. In no case shall the ambient temperature exceed 32°C as a result of Belews Creek Steam Station operations. The ambient temperature shall be defined as the daily average downstream (Downstream 2) discharge water temperature. In cases where the Permittee experiences equipment problems and is unable to obtain daily temperatures from the existing temperature monitoring system, monitoring must be reestablished within five working days. Temperature monitoring is required only when a discharge from the Lake Dam occurs. 3. Please See Special Condition A. (19.). Chlorination of the once through condenser cooling water and/or auxiliary cooling water, discharged through Outfall 001, is not allowed under this permit. Should Duke Energy wish to chlorinate its condenser cooling water, a permit modification must be requested and received prior to commencing chlorination. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Page 3of18 Permit NC0024406 A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Internal Outfall 002) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.) During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Internal Outfall 002 (treated FGD wet scrubber wastewater). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below: PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Type Sample Location Average Maximum Frequency Flow, MGD Weekly Pump Logs or similar Effluent readings Total Arsenic 8.0 pg/L 18.0 pg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Mercury2 34.0 ng/L 103.0 ng/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Selenium 29.0 pg/L 70.0 pg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Nitrate/nitrite as N 3.0 mg/L 4.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Oil and Grease 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids 30.0 mg/L 50.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Notes: 1. Please See Special Condition A. (19.). 2. The facility shall use EPA method 1631E. All flows shall be reported on monthly DMRs, should no flow occur during a given month, the words "No Flow" shall be clearly written on the front of the DMR. All samples shall be of a representative discharge. The permittee will operate the FGD wastewater system until all coal-fired generation units at the site are retired. Performance of the FGD wastewater treatment system shall be optimized to maximize pollutant reduction and minimize variability. For the purposes of this requirement, optimization may be demonstrated by quarterly averages at or below 12 ug/L for Total Selenium Page 4 of 18 Permit NC0024406 A. (3.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Internal Outfall 006A - dewatering) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the commencement of decanting and lasting until expiration of the permit, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 006A Ash settling basin (Dewatering- removing the interstitial water). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored5 by the Permittee as specified below: PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Type Sample Location Average Maximum Frequency Flow 3.0 MGD1° Daily Pump logs or Effluent estimate Oil and Grease1 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Weekly Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids17 30.0 mg/L 50.0 mg/L Weekly Grab Effluent Total Arsenic,pg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Selenium, pg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Chromium VI, pg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Dissolved Solids, mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Phosphorus, mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Nitrogen(NO2+NO3+TKN),mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Chronic Toxicity2 Monthly Grab Effluent pH3.8 Weekly Grab Effluent Total Mercury4, ng/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Turbidity6, NTU Weekly Grab Effluent Total Hardness,mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Ammonia9 1.0 mg/L 5.0 mg/L Variable Grab Effluent Notes: 1. Monitoring for TSS, oil and grease and all toxicants shall be performed concurrently with the Chronic Toxicity test. 2. Whole Effluent Toxicity shall be monitored by chronic toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 5.5%. See Condition A. (10.) for details. 3. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units. 4. The facility shall employ method 1631 E. 5. Please See Special Condition A. (19.). 6. The discharge from this facility shall not cause turbidity in the receiving stream to exceed 50 NTU. If the instream turbidity exceeds 50 NTU due to natural background conditions, the discharge cannot cause turbidity to increase in the receiving stream. Therefore, if the effluent measurement exceeds 50 NTU, the Permittee shall sample upstream and downstream turbidity in the receiving waterbody, within 24 hours, to demonstrate the existing turbidity level in the receiving waterbody was not increased. All data shall be reported on the DMRs. (See 15A NCAC 2B .0211 (21)). Please See Special Condition A. (18.). NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. 7. The facility shall continuously monitor TSS concentrations when the dewatering process commences and the dewatering pump shall be shutoff automatically when one-half of the Daily Maximum limit (15 minutes average) is exceeded. Pumping will be allowed to continue if interruption might result in a dam failure or damage. The continuous TSS monitoring is only required when the pumps are employed for dewatering. 8. The facility shall continuously monitor pH when the dewatering process commences and the dewatering pump shall be shutoff automatically when the 15 minutes running average pH falls below 6.1 standard units or rises above 8.9 standard units. Pumping will be allowed to continue if interruption might result in a dam failure or damage. The continuous TSS monitoring is only required when the pumps are employed for dewatering. 9. Ammonia limit and monitoring is only applicable in the event of the emergency release of anhydrous ammonia. The sampling should be commenced as soon as possible after the release Page 5 of 18 Permit NC0024406 considering personnel safety and every hour thereafter until the sampling indicates no discharge of ammonia. 10.The flow limit is only applicable to interstitial water. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. The rate for lowering the liquid level in a coal ash pond shall not exceed one (1) foot per day unless a higher rate is supported to the satisfaction of DEMLR and in accordance with NCAC, Title 15A, Subchapter 2K. The facility shall use a floating pump suction pipe with free water skimmed from the basin surface using an adjustable weir. When the facility commences the ash pond dewatering, the facility shall treat the wastewater discharged from the ash pond using physical-chemical treatment, if necessary, to assure state Water Quality Standards are not contravened in the receiving stream. Duke Energy shall notify DWR NPDES Industrial Permitting and DWR Winston-Salem Regional Office, in writing, within seven calendar days of installing additional physical-chemical treatment at this Outfall. If any one of the pollutants (As, Se, Hg, Ni, and Pb) reaches 85% of the allowable monthly average discharge concentration during dewatering, the facility shall immediately discontinue discharge of the wastewater and report the event to the DWR Winston-Salem Regional Office and the DWR Industrial NPDES Permitting via telephone and e-mail. A. (4.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 005) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge once-through non-contact chiller water and stormwater from Outfall 005. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below: PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Daily Average Daily Measurement Sample Type Sample Location Maximum Frequency Flow Weekly Pump Logs or Effluent Estimate Temperature,0C Weekly Grab Effluent TSS, mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Arsenic, pg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Selenium, pg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Hardness, mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Notes: 1. Please See Special Condition A. (19.). There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Page 6 of 18 Permit NC0024406 A. (5.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 006) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning upon the commencement of operations of the new Lined Retention Basin and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 006 (new lined retention basin). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored2 by the Permittee as specified below: PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample Average Maximum Frequency Type Location Flow, MGD Weekly Instantaneous Effluent Oil and Grease 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids 30.0 mg/L 50.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent pH3 Weekly Grab Effluent Total Arsenic, pg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Mercury, ng/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Selenium 52.6 pg/L 787.5 pg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Nitrate/nitrite as N,ring/ QuarterlyGrab Effluent Total Hardness,mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Chronic Toxicity' Quarterly Grab Effluent Ammonia5 1.0 mg/L 5.0 mg/L Daily Grab Effluent Total Iron6 1.0 mg/L 1.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Copper6 1.0 mg/L 1.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Notes: 1. The facility shall use EPA method 1631E. 2. Please See Special Condition A. (19.). 3. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units. 4. Whole Effluent Toxicity shall be monitored by chronic toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 5.9%. See Condition A. (10.) for details. 5. Ammonia limit and monitoring is only applicable in the event of the emergency release of anhydrous ammonia. 6. The limit applies when the chemical metal cleaning waste is being discharged to the basin. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. The facility shall use polymer addition as needed to achieve compliance with the permit limits for the Lined Retention Basin. Except for those discharges authorized below, or when the bottom ash transport water is used in the FGD scrubber, there shall be no discharge of pollutants in bottom ash transport water. Bottom ash transport water shall be discharged to the FGD scrubber during normal operations. If the FGD Scrubber is unavailable to receive bottom ash transport water, the discharge of pollutants in bottom ash transport water(bottom ash purge water)from a properly installed, operated, and maintained bottom ash system to the Lined Retention Basin is authorized under the following conditions: A. To maintain system water balance when precipitation-related inflows are generated from a 10-year storm event of 24-hour or longer duration (e.g., 30-day storm event) and cannot be managed by installed spares, redundancies, maintenance tanks, and other secondary bottom ash system equipment; or B. To maintain system water balance when regular inflows from waste streams other than bottom ash transport water exceed the ability of the bottom ash system to accept recycled water and segregating these other waste streams is feasible; or Page 7 of 18 Permit NC0024406 C. To maintain system water chemistry where current operations at the facility are unable to currently manage pH, corrosive substances, substances or conditions causing scaling, or fine particulates to below levels which impact system operation or maintenance; or D. To conduct maintenance not otherwise described above and not exempted from the definition of transport water in 40 C.F.R.§ 423.11(p), and when water volumes cannot be managed by installed spares, redundancies, maintenance tanks, and other secondary bottom ash system equipment. In no event shall the total volume of the discharge to the Lined Retention Basin exceed a 30-day rolling average of ten percent of the primary active wetted bottom ash system volume. The volume of daily discharges used to calculate the 30-day rolling average shall be calculated using measurements from flow monitors or pump logs. Based on a calculated bottom ash transport system volume of 730,000 gallons, the 30-day rolling average discharge shall not exceed 0.073 MGD. A. (6.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Outfall 007) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 007 - Emergency spillway of the South Coal Pile Basin. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below: PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Daily Measurement Frequency Sample Sample Average Maximum _ Type Location Flow, MGD Per event1 Estimate Effluent pH Per event1 Grab Effluent TSS Per event1 Grab Effluent Oil and Grease Per event1 Grab Effluent Notes: 1. The emergency spillway is designed for a flood greater than 100-year event in Stokes County. Sampling of this spillway is waived due to unsafe conditions associated with sampling during an overflow event. Monitoring is required for any other rain event that might trigger a discharge. Page 8of18 Permit NC0024406 A. (7.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS (Internal Outfall 009) [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Internal Outfall 009 (domestic wastewater plant). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below: PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly r Daily Measurement Sample Sample Average Maximum Frequency Type Location Flow,MGD Monthly Instantaneous Effluent BOD,5-day,20°C 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent TSS 90.0 mg/L 135.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Fecal Coliform(geo.mean) 200/100 mL 400/100 mL Monthly Grab Effluent pH2 Monthly Grab Effluent Temperature,'C Monthly Grab Effluent NH3-N,mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Notes: 1. The permittee shall submit Discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NC DWR's eDMR application system. Please See Special Condition A. (19.). 2. The pH of this internal Outfall will be adjusted in the Lined Retention Basin such that discharges to the Dan River will not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units. Page 9of18 Permit NC0024406 A. (8.) ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS AND DEFINITIONS [NCGS 143-215.3 (a) (2) and NCGS 143-215.66] 1. EPA methods 200.7 or 200.8 (or the most current versions) shall be used for analyses of all metals except for total mercury (EPA Method 1631E). 2. All effluent samples for all external outfalls shall be taken at the most accessible location after the final treatment but prior to discharge to waters of the U.S. (40 CFR 122.41(j)). 3. The term low volume waste sources mean wastewater from all sources except those for which specific limitations are otherwise established in this part (40 CFR 423.11 (b)). 4. The term chemical metal cleaning waste means any wastewater resulting from cleaning any metal process equipment with chemical compounds, including, but not limited to, boiler tube cleaning (40 CFR 423.11 (c)). 5. The term metal cleaning waste means any wastewater resulting from cleaning [with or without chemical cleaning compounds] any metal process equipment including, but not limited to, boiler tube cleaning, boiler fireside cleaning, and air preheater cleaning (40 CFR 423.11 (d)). 6. For all outfalls where the flow measurement is to be "estimated" the estimate can be done by using calibrated V-notch weir, stop-watch and graduated cylinder, or other method approved by the Division. 7. The term "FGD wet scrubber wastewater" means wastewater resulting from the use of the flue- gas desulfurization wet scrubber. 8. There shall be no discharge of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds. 9. The permittee shall report the presence of cenospheres observed in any samples on the DMRs in the comment section. A. (9.) BOILER CLEANING WASTES [40 CFR 423] It has been demonstrated that under certain conditions it is possible to reduce the concentration of metals in boiler cleaning wastes in the range of 92-99+ percent by treatment in ash ponds. Because of dilution problems and the existence of boundary interface layers at the extremities of the plume, it is difficult to prove beyond doubt that the quantity of iron and copper discharge will always be less than one milligram per liter times the flow of metal cleaning when treated in this manner. The application of physical/chemical methods of treating wastewater has also been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of metal cleaning wastes. However, the effectiveness of ash pond treatment should be considered in relation to the small differences in effluent quality realized between the two methods. It has been demonstrated that the presence of ions of copper, iron, nickel and zinc in the ash pond waters was not measurably increased during the ash pond equivalency demonstration at the Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station. Therefore, when the following conditions are implemented during metal cleaning procedures, effective treatment for metals can be obtained at this facility: 1. Large ash basin providing potential reaction volumes in the ratio of 100 to 1. 2. Well-defined shallow ash delta near the ash basin influent. 3. Ash pond pHs of no less than 6.5 prior to metal cleaning waste addition. 4. Four days retention time in ash pond with effluent stopped. 5. Boiler volume less than 86,000 gallons. 6. Chemicals for cleaning to include only one or more of the following: a. Copper removal step- sodium bromate (NaBr02), ammonium carbonate ((NH4)2CO3-H20, and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH). b. Iron removal step- hydrochloric acid (HCl), ammonium bifluoride ((NH4)HF2 and proprietary inhibitors. 7. Maximum dilution of wastewater before entering ash pond: 6 to 1. Page 10 of 18 Permit NC0024406 8. If monitoring of basin effluents (as required by the permit) after treatment of metal cleaning wastes reveals discharges exceed the limits of the permit, Permittee will: 1) re-close the basin discharge, 2) conduct such in-basin sampling as necessary to determine the cause of nonconformance, 3) take appropriate corrective actions, and 4) file a report with EPA including all pertinent data. A. (10.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality to Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 5.5% for Outfall 006A dewatering, and 5.9% for Outfall 006. The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, monthly monitoring for Dewatering (Outfall 006A) and quarterly monitoring for Outfall 006 using test procedures outlined in the "North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised December 2010, or subsequent versions or"North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised- December 2010) or subsequent versions. Effluent sampling for this testing must be obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes. If the monthly/quarterly test procedure results in a failure or ChV below the permit limit, then multiple-concentration testing shall be performed at a minimum, in each of the two following months as described in "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised-December 2010) or subsequent versions. All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Form MR-1 for the months in which tests were performed, usingthe Discharge Monitoring ( ) parameter code TGP3B for the pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value. Additionally, DWR Form AT-3 (original) is to be sent to the following address: Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1621 Or, results can be sent to the email, ATForms.ATBn,deq.nc.gov. Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting period for which the report is made. Test data shall be complete, accurate, include all supporting chemical/physical measurements and all concentration/response data, and be certified by laboratory supervisor and ORC or approved designate signature. Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste stream. Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number, county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of"No Flow" in the comment area of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences Section at the address cited above. Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, monitoring will be required during the following month. Assessment of toxicity compliance is based on the toxicity testing month. Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Page 11 of 18 Permit NC0024406 Division of Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re-opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits. NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control organism survival, minimum control organism reproduction, and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month following the month of the initial monitoring. A. (11.) BIOCIDE CONDITION [NCGS 143-215.1] The permittee shall not use any biocides except those approved in conjunction with the permit application. The permittee shall notify the Director in writing not later than ninety (90) days prior to instituting use of any additional biocide used in cooling systems which may be toxic to aquatic life other than those previously reported to the Division of Water Resources. Such notification shall include completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101 and a map locating the discharge point and receiving stream. Completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101 is not necessary for those outfalls containing toxicity testing. Division approval is not necessary for the introduction of new biocides into outfalls currently tested for whole effluent toxicity. A. (12.) CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 316 (B) [40 CFR 125.95] Based on 40 CFR 125.92 (c) and 40 CFR 125.94 (c) 8v (d), the Director has determined that the existing closed-cycle recirculating system at Belews represents the BTA (Best Technology Available) for meeting the impingement requirements. The permittee shall continue to comply with the Cooling Water Intake Structure Rule per 40 CFR 125.95. Copies of all the study plans, study results, and any other applicable materials should be submitted to: 1) Electronic Version Only (pdf) Division of Water Resources WQ Permitting Section - NPDES 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 2) Electronic Version (pdf) and Hard Copy Division of Water Resources Water Sciences Section 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1621 The facility shall continue to demonstrate that make-up water withdrawals attributed specifically to the cooling portion of the cooling system have been minimized. Nothing in this permit authorizes take for the purposes of a facility's compliance with the Endangered Species Act. A. (13.) STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY INSPECTIONS OF ASH POND DAMS [15A NCAC 02K.0208] The facility shall meet the dam design and dam safety requirements per 15A NCAC 2K. Page 12 of 18 Permit NC0024406 A. (14.) FISH TISSUE MONITORING NEAR ASH POND DISCHARGE(Outfall 006) [NCGS 143-215.3 (a) (2)] The facility shall conduct fish tissue monitoring once per permit cycle and submit the results with the NPDES permit renewal application. The objective of this monitoring is to evaluate potential uptake of pollutants by fish tissue near the ash pond discharge. The parameters analyzed in fish tissue shall include arsenic, selenium, and mercury. The monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with the sampling plan approved by the Division. The plan should be submitted to the Division within 180 days from the effective date of the permit. Upon approval, the plan becomes an enforceable part of the permit. Copies of all the study plans, study results, and any other applicable materials should be submitted to: 1) Electronic Version Only (pdf) Division of Water Resources WQ Permitting Section - NPDES 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 2) Electronic Version (pdf) and Hard Copy Division of Water Resources Water Sciences Section 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1621 A. (15.) PUMPING FROM DAN RIVER INTO BELEWS LAKE [NCGS 143-215.1] The Division recognizes the additional cooling water demand on Belews Lake associated with new scrubbers. The operation of a permanent pump station and cooling water intake structure, receiving water pumped from the Dan River to Belews Lake, is hereby authorized under the following conditions: • Pumping must not lower the flow in Dan River below 110 cfs, which is the Division of Water Resources target flow recommendation for this site. River flow at the pumping location must be checked at a newly installed USGS gauge station near the old USGS Pine Hall gauge station prior to each daily pumping event. • The Dan River pumps intake will be positioned above the river bottom and have an approach velocity less than or equal to 0.5 feet/second at the inlet of the velocity caps and at the 2mm fine mesh traveling screens to minimize fish entrainment and impingement. • The withdrawal location will be near the confluence of the spillway channel below Belews Lake Dam and the Dan River. This is a scoured bottom area that does not provide suitable aquatic habitat. • The facility will perform routine semi-annual lake monitoring to assess limnological conditions in Belews Lake. • Pumping may occur to a maximum water level in Belews Lake of 724.5 feet msl. • Pumping must not occur from April 1 through June 30 of any year, in order to avoid the fish spawning period. • At least 80% of ambient flow as recorded at the new Pine Hall USGS gauge must be bypassed (i.e., withdraw no more than 20% of flow). This approval allows the operation of two 50 cfs velocity caps, a permanent settling pond with approximately 6000 square feet of surface area, a 4-pump pumping station with a capacity not to exceed 100 cfs, force main, an electrical substation with an access road, and a diffuser in Belews Lake. Please note that this authorization does not affect the legal requirements to obtain other Page 13of18 Permit NC0024406 permits or approvals which may be required for this activity by the Division of Water Resources or other agencies, including the Division of Land Resources, or the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Division reserves the right to reopen this permit in the event of unforeseen negative environmental impacts due to this pumping operation. A. BROMIDE REDUCTION EVALUATION (16.) [NCGS 143-215.1] Duke Energy shall investigate technical solutions to reduce bromide in the discharge from Outfall 006. Duke Energy shall submit semi-annual reports on the efforts it undertakes to reduce bromide at the source as well as efforts at downstream water treatment plants to reduce formation of total trihalomethanes (TTHM). Duke Energy shall continue to work with the downstream public water supply systems to find a solution to the issue of the TTHM formation in the distribution system of the downstream water systems. The semi-annual status reports (3 copies) shall be submitted to the Division of Water Resources, Industrial NPDES Permitting Unit. In the event of a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) violation for Total Trihalomethanes (THMs) at the Town of Madison, the City of Eden or any wholesale customers of those systems, Duke Energy will within 14 days of the request provide the latest available bromide monitoring data that can be incorporated into required Public Notices issued by the public water system(s). A. (17.)DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT [NCGS 143-215.1] The domestic wastewater treatment plant shall be properly operated and maintained to ensure treatment of domestic wastewater to secondary levels. A. (18.) INSTREAM MONITORING (Outfall 006) [15A NCAC 02B.0500 ET SEQ.] PARAMETER LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Daily Daily Measurement Sample Type Sample Location1 Average Maximum Frequency Total Arsenic, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Total Selenium, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Total Mercury, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Total Chromium, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Dissolved Lead, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Dissolved Cadmium, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Dissolved Copper, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Dissolved Zinc, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Total Bromide, pg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Page 14 of 18 Permit NC0024406 Total Hardness(as CaCO3),mg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Total Dissolved Solids(TDS),mg/L Quarterly Grab Upstream, Downstream Turbidity2, (NTU) Quarterly Grab Upstream, ( Downstream Notes: 1. Sampling locations: Upstream - approximately 2.7 miles upstream of Outfall 006 at the Highway 311 bridge; Downstream - approximately 3.2 miles downstream of Outfall 006 at the Pine Hall Rd. 2. Please see Note #6 on page 5. The monitoring results shall be reported on the facility's Discharge Monitoring Reports and included with the NPDES permit renewal application. A. (19.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS [G.S. 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: 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. Page 15of18 Permit NC0024406 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 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 Page 16 of 18 Permit NC0024406 4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (LIB 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 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 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]. A. (20.) CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 316 (a) THERMAL VARIANCE [40 CFR 125, Subpart H] The thermal variance granted under Section 316(a) terminates on expiration of this NPDES permit. Should the permittee wish a continuation of its 316(a) thermal variance beyond the term of this permit, reapplication for such continuation shall be submitted in accordance with 40 CFR Part 125, Subpart H and Section 122.21(m)(6) not later than 3.5 years from the effective date of the permit. Reapplication shall include a basis for continuation such as a) plant operating conditions and load factors are unchanged and are expected to remain so for the term of the reissued permit; b) there are no changes to plant discharges or other discharges in the plant site area which could interact with the thermal discharges; and c) there are no changes to the biotic community of the receiving water body which would impact the previous variance determination. The next 316(a) studies shall be performed in accordance with the Division of Water Resources approved plan. The temperature analysis and the balanced and indigenous study plan shall conform to the specifications outlined in 40 CFR 125 Subpart H, the EPA's Draft 316(a) Guidance Manual, dated 1977, and the Region 4 letter to NCDENR, dated June 3, 2010. EPA shall be provided an opportunity to review the plan prior to the commencement of the study. Copies of all the study plans, study results, and any other applicable materials should be submitted to: 1) Electronic Version Only (pdf) Page 17 of 18 Permit NC0024406 Division of Water Resources WQ Permitting Section - NPDES 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 2) Electronic Version (pdf) and Hard Copy Division of Water Resources Water Sciences Section 1623 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1623 A. (21.) COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY [15A NCAC 02L.0107] The compliance boundary for the disposal system shall be specified in accordance with 15A NCAC 02L .0107(a) or (b) dependent upon the date permitted. An exceedance of groundwater standards at or beyond the compliance boundary is subject to remediation action according to 15A NCAC 02L .0106(c), (d), or (e) as well as enforcement actions in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6A through 143-215.6C. The compliance boundary map for this facility is incorporated herein and attached hereto as Attachment A. A. (22.) APPLICABLE STATE LAW (State Enforceable Only) [NCGS 143-215.1(b)] This facility shall meet the General Statute requirements under NCGS § 130A-309.200 et seq. This permit may be reopened to include new requirements imposed under these Statutes. Page 18 of 18 �fe/�, • Outfall 006 • f -• • 1 ,. I s1 1 I ` f l �' leis,• 1 '1 ,1 1 Il 1 I l Outfall 001 ii* 1 Outfall 007 Outfall 005 1 4.1 w a _ .,� .1 I 1 1 sr a i e. 1 / 1!-, ` k NC0024406 - Belews Creek Steam Station Facility X Latitude(001): 36°16'49.5" Receiving Stream(001,005,007):Belews Lake,class C Location Longitude(001): 80'03'40.04" Latitude(005): 36'16'49.81" Longitude(005): 80 04'31.51" Receiving Stream(006):Dan River,Class WS-IV Duke Energy-Belews Steam Station Latitude(007): 3fi 16'42.24"Latitude(006): 36'18'34.95" torth NC0024406 Longitude(007): 80°3'59.12" Longitude(006): 80°04'35.26" Map not to scale • �- �• > . / �; Jk i�� d, f. r ,.,K..�t +,ern,,. �y a ,�. �s yk2ivy\ r r t w *i+.s .z"L T•-<; fP} . ...t rot rS 4- • ' A,,.' R s 'Y w tr 4,11 1 ,� a'f.. J+ ti ,} L •, t 1 .f f rA.: • �fy y.. .r:. k .HMS. ., 0 A r� ` , i e''.• .''-4.t..! ' •.:.--.4... ,...,, , a 4,/..::.' ,,*;1.-,.. . * , . ^ ''$• 44. - ., • p • . } :��+`•• I. oaf - 0 • 4. 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'ENERGY GIMP.SCALE ONF- ASH BASIN WASTE BOUNDARY r AND GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATION 23 f r. �,J•• "f t'.�.`} •_ �� I sE E....4 q WE,',.,.2023 BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION ti + I s FL 11511 IL,.�.t BELEWS CREEK,NORTH CAROLINA _ l� T Sy11Tena .PAT WI ia,._ezT .aA . •f ww.smTerracoro corn A,nusc 4,5,.44..4Aw..