NC0087947_Draft Permit_20170626

Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ROT COOPER
Cvvemor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
A-Dng Seoe:my
S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
arec?or
June 26, 2017
Mr. William S. Clark
County Manager
Columbus County
111 Washington Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit Renewal
Permit NCO087947
Columbus County POTW
Columbus County
Class 2 Facility
SIC Code 2869
Dear Mr. Clark:
Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the Draft NPDES permit renewal for your facility. Please
review this draft carefully to ensure thorough understanding of the requirements and conditions it
contains. There are several changes from the existing permit, including the following:
• Upstream and effluent hardness quarterly monitoring has been added to the permit as
required by the implementation of the new dissolved metal standards [See A. (1)]
• Some of the wording has changed in Special Condition A. (2), Chronic Toxicity Permit
Limit, please review each paragraph carefully.
• Special Condition A. (3) has been modified to include the specific three years in which the
Effluent Pollutant Scans shall be performed (2018, 2019, and 2020).
• Monitoring for copper and lead has been removed from Effluent Limitations and
Monitoring Requirements [See A. (1)] based on no reasonable potential to exceed water
quality standards.
• Effluent data reported for silver was less than detection, at a detection level of less than 10
µg/L. In accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0500 all test procedures must produce detection
and reporting levels that are below the permit discharge requirements and all data generated
must be reported to the approved detection level or lower reporting level of the procedure.
Currently, DWR's laboratory identifies the Practical Quantitation Limit (PQL) for silver at
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919 807 6300

Page 12
< 1 gg/L. The allowable discharge concentration for your facility is 0.53 µg/L. Therefore,
future sampling for silver as part of the facility's Pretreatment Program and Effluent
Pollutant Scans should analyze these parameters down to the lower reporting level of the
procedure or PQLs as listed above. No limits or additional monitoring requirements for
silver were added to the permit at this time.
• Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports
(DMRs) and program reports. The requirement to continue reporting discharge monitoring
data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR)
internet application has been added to your final NPDES permit. [See Special Condition
A. (5)]
• Regulatory citations have been added to the permit.
Concurrent with this notification the Division is publishing a notice in a newspaper having
circulation in the general Columbus County area, soliciting public comments on this draft permit.
Please provide any written comments you may have to the following: NCDEQ/DWR, NPDES
Permitting Branch, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 no later than 30 days
after receipt of 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 this
draft permit, please call me at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Pa -� Pte,
Bing Bai, Engineer
NPDES Complex Permitting Unit
Hardcopy: NPDES Files
Ecopy: US EPA Region 4
DWR/Aquatic Toxicology Branch/Susan Meadows
DWR/Wilmington Regional Office/Water Quality
DWR/Operator Certification Program/Maureen Kinney

Permit NCO087947
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
IW04t3dIIII
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
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,
Columbus County
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Columbus County POTW
1321 Old 87 Road
Acme, North Carolina
Columbus County
to receiving waters designated as Livingston Creek in the Cape Fear 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 July xx, 2017
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on November 30, 2021.
Signed this day July xx, 2017
Draft
S Jay Zimmerman, P.G , Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission

Peanut NCO087947
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby revoked, and as of this
issuance, any previously issued permit bearing flus 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 herem
Columbus County is hereby authorized to:
1 Continue to operate a 0 05 MGD wastewat,r treatment facility consisting of the following components
• Influent pumping station with (2) submersible pumps
• Influent composite sampler
• One (1) 72,500 gal pre -equalization tank with floating mixer
• Two (2) pre -equalization transfer purr-ps
• Two (2) 212,000 gal SBR reactor tanks with circulation pumps and aeration
• Four (4) blowers
• One (1) 30,000 gal Post -SBR EQ tank with decanter and propeller mixer
• Four (4) tertiary sand filters with inclusive post aeration system and blower
• Chemical feed system for magnesium hydroxide
• One (1) sludge aerobic sludge digester including diffused air, decanter, and waste sludge pumping station
• Effluent composite sampler
• Effluent meter
The facility is located at the Columbus County POTW on 1321 Old 87 Road in Acme, Columbus County
2 Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, at the location specified on the attached map into Livingston
Creek currently classified as C -Swamp waters in subbasm 03-06-17 [HUC 030300051 of the Cape Fear River Basin
Page 2 of 10

Pernut NCO087947
Part I
A. (1) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 15A NCAC 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 treated effluent from Outfall 001 Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by
the Permittee as specified below
Effluent Characteristics
Discharge Limitations
Monitoring Requirements
Parameter Code
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Measuremen
Sample
Sample Location 2
Average
Average
Maximum
t Frequency
Type
Flow 50050
0 05 MGD
Continuous
Recording
Influent or Effluent
BOD, 5 -day, 20°C
C0310
5 0 mg/L
7 5 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent and Effluent
(April 1 — October 31) 3
BOD, 5 -day, 20°C
C0310
10 0 mg/L
15 0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent and Effluent
(November 1 — March 31) 3
Total Suspended Solids 3 C0530
30 0 mg/L
45 0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent and Effluent
NH3 as N
C0610
2 0 mg/L
6 0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
(April 1 — October 31)
NH3 as N
C0610
4 0 mg/L
12 0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
(November 1 — March 31)
pH 00400
Between 6 0 and 9 0 standard units
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen 00300
Daily Average not less than 6 0 mg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C) 00010
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 4 C0600
Monitor and Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus (mg/L) C0665
Monitor and Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Chronic Toxicity 5 TGP3B
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Temperature (°C) 00010
Weekly
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 00300
Weekly
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Conductive mhos/cm 00094
Conductivity (µ )
Weekly
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Hardness- Total as [CaCO3 00900
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
or (Ca + Mg)] (mg/L)
Hardness- Total as [CaCO3 00900
Quarterly
Grab
Upstream
or (Ca + Mg)] (mg/L) 6
Effluent Pollutant Scan NCO]
Monitor and Report
3 per cycle
See A (3)
Effluent
Footnotes
1 The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the NC DWR's eDMR application
system [see A (5)]
2 Upstream = at least 50 feet upstream of the discharge Downstream = at least 50 feet from the discharge Instream
samples shall be grab samples collected weekly during a discharge event
3 The monthly average effluent BODS and Total Suspended Solids concentrations shall not exceed 15% of the
respective mfluent value (85% removal)
4 TN = TKN + NO3-N + NO2-N where TN is Total Nitrogen, TKN is Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, and NO3-N + NO2-N
are Nitrate and Nitnte Nitrogen, respectively
Page 3 of 10

Permit NCO087947
5 Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) limit at 12% with testing in February, May, August and November [see A (2)]
6. The permittee shall sample instream hardness upstream of the facility's discharge The sample shall be
representative of the hardness in the receivir_g stream. If the permittee is a member of a monitoring coalition
program, sampling for instream hardness may be waived as long as the monitoring coalition agrees to sample
hardness at the nearest upstream location, ata minimum frequency of quarterly, and the permittee has obtained
approval from DWR-NPDES Permitting Unit that the upstream station being monitored by the coalition is
representative of the receiving stream for th_s discharge The permittee is responsible for submittmg instream
hardness test results with its permit renewal application package If coalition membership is cancelled or the
coalition terminates instream hardness sampling at the approved station, the permittee will immediately notify the
Division and resume sampling for instream hardness upstream of its discharge.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
f
A. (2) CHRONIC TOXICITY PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY)
[15A NCAC 02B.0200]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibir_ observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality to
Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 12%.
The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, guarterly monitoring using test procedures outlined in the "North
Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chrome Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised December 2010, or subsequent versions or
"North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised- December 20 10) or
subsequent versions. The tests will be performed during the months of February, May, August, and November.
These months signify the first month of each three-month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the facility. 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 test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a failure or ChV below the
permit limit, then multiple -concentration resting 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 Discharge
Monitoring Form (MR -1) for the months in which tests were performed, using the parameter code TGP311 for the
pass/fail results and THP311 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, NC 27699-1621
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
Page 4 of 10

Permit NCO087947
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 quarter,
which is the three month time interval that begins on the first day of the month in which toxicity testing is required
by this permit and continues until the final day of the third month.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina 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 mimmum 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.
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Pe=t NCO087947
A. (3) EFFLUENT POLLUTANT SCAN
[G. S. 143-215.1(b)]
The Permittee shall perform a total of three (3) Effluent Pollutant Scans for all parameters listed below One scan
must be performed in each of the following years: 2018, 2019, and
2020. Analytical methods shall be in
accordance with 40 CFR Part 136 and shall be sufficiently sensitive to determine whether parameters are present in
concentrations greater than applicable
standards and criteria. Samples should be collected with one quarterly toxicity
test each year, and must represent seasonal variation [i.e., do not sample in the same quarter every year]. Unless
otherwise indicated, metals shall be analyzed as "total recoverable."
Ammoma (as N)
Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene
Bis (2-chloroethyl) ether
Chlorine (total residual, TRC)
1,1-dichloroethylene /f
Bis (2-chloromsopropyl) ether
Dissolved oxygen
1,2-dichloropropane
Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Nitrate/Nitnte
1,3-dichloropropylene ;
4-bromophenyl phenyl ether
Kjeldahl nitrogen
Ethylbenzene
Butyl benzyl phthalate
Oil and grease
Methyl bromide
2-chloronaphthalene
Phosphorus
Methyl chloride
4-chlorophenyl phenyl ether
Total dissolved solids
Methylene chloride
Chrysene
Hardness
1, -,2,2 -tetrachloroethane
Di -n -butyl phthalate
Antimony
Tetrachloroethylene
Di-n-octyl phthalate
Arsenic
Toluene
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
Beryllium
1,1,1-tnchloroethane
1,2 -dichlorobenzene
Cadmium
1,1,2 -trichloroethane
1,3 -dichlorobenzene
Chromium
Trichloroethylene
1,4 -dichlorobenzene
Copper
Vinyl chloride
3,3-dichlorobenzmdme
Lead
Acid -extractable compounds:
Diethyl phthalate
Mercury (EPA Method 1631E)
P -chloro -m -cresol
Dimethyl phthalate
Nickel
2 -chlorophenol
2,4-duutrotoluene
Selenium
2,4-dichlorophenol
2,6-duutrotoluene
Silver
2,4 -dimethylphenol
1,2-dmphenylhydrazme
Thallium '
4,6-dnutro-o-cresol
Fluoranthene
Zinc
2,4-dmmtrophenol
Fluorene
Cyanide
2-nmtrophenol
Hexachlorobenzene
Total phenolic compounds
4-nmtrophenol
Hexachlorobutadiene
Volatile organic compounds:
Pentachlorophenol
Hexachlorocyclo-pentadmene
Acrolem
Phenol
Hexachloroethane
Acrylomtnle
2,4,6-tnchlorophenol
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
Benzene
Base -neutral compounds:
Isophorone
Bromoform , `
Acenaphthene
Naphthalene
Carbon tetrachloride
Acenaphthylene
Nitrobenzene
Chlorobenzene
Anthracene
N-mtrosodi-n-propylamme
Chlorodmbromomethane
Benzmdme
N-mtrosodimethylamme
Chloroethane
Benzo(a)anthracene
N-mtrosodmphenylamme
2-chloroethylvmyl ether
Benzo(a)pyrene
Phenanthrene
Chloroform
3,4 benzofluoranthene
Pyrene
Dichlorobromomethane
Benzo(ghl)perylene
1,2,4-tnchlorobenzene
1, 1 -dichloroethane
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
1,2-dichloroethane
Bis (2-chloroethoxy) methane
Reporting. Test results shall be reported on DWR Form -A MR-PPAl (or in a form approved by the Director) by
December 31s' of each designated sampling year. The report shall be submitted to the following address: NC DEQ
/ DWR / Central Files, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617.
Page 6 of 10

Pe=t NCO087947
A. (4) FECAL COLIFORM REOPENER CONDITION
[G.S. 143-215.1 (b)]
The Permittee shall notify the Division at least 90 days prior to accepting any domestic wastewater sources, and
request a permit modification to include fecal coliform limits and monitoring. Since this addition would result in a
change in wastewater characteristics, it will be considered a mayor modification requiring a modification fee
A. (5) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF MONITORING REPORTS
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitormg'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 11 of this permit
(Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits)
• Section B. (11.)
• Section D. (2.)
• Section D. (6 )
• Section E. (5.)
Signatory Requirements
Reporting
Records Retention
Monitoring Reports
1. Reportinp, 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. Until such time that the state's eDMR application is compliant with
EPA's Cross -Media Electronic Reporting Regulation (CRQMERR), permittees will be required to submit all
discharge monitoring data to the state electronically using eDMR and will be required to complete the eDMR
submission by printing, signing, and submitting one signed original and a copy of the computer printed eDMR
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
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 mailing address above 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, 2020, the permittee must electronically report the following compliance monitoring
data and reports, when applicable:
Page 7of10

Permit NCO087947
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.federalre ig ster 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 Ere 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.) (d)1
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 H, Section B. (11.)(b). A
person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting purposes.
Page 8 of 10

Permtt NC0087947
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/ed=
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:
7 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 qualifiedpersonnel 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.)]
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 ]
Page 9 of 10

Per=t NCO087947
J /
Waste Ponds
7 Com
f'o�t�I� Korn•
Riege�
•• •\ i �
Outfall 001
Upstream
11" 8A� 5DoNvnstrean
�
_-x,,70
/ �. ..1
Cem
5,
I SubstI , \• J�
Old H«y 87
Columbus
_ 1 — .' ".^` �: •� f Cern'
County POTNN'
eh Sch i
1r%• LPw�Cd - I&L
BM
•a7n`i •199 .��`� SBM a /�
Cb
` • '' r ` l�ghth�mac ��`='� J�1
L3M iil'-_
SC'4T F 1 14 000
USGS Quad J26S«'.acme. NC
Outfall Facihty
Latitude 34� 19'45 8" N 340 19' 37 8" N
Longitude 78` 12' 20 3" NN' 78° 12' 20 6" W
Stream Class C, Swamp ?forth Facility Location �y
Subbasin 03-06-17 HUC 03030005 Columbus County POTW NCO087947
Recetvtno Stream Livingston Creek Columbus County