NC0058891_Draft Permit_20170712

Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ROY COOPER
Govei noy
MICHAEL S REGAN
Sec, ela v
S JAY ZIMMERMAN
Du ecla
July 12, 2017
Hawksnest Utilities
c/o Leonard Cottom
2058 Skyline Drive
Seven Devils, NC 28604
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NCO058891
Valley Creek WWTP
Watauga County
Class WW -2
Dear Permittee:
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. 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:
➢ Section A. (4.) has been added to require electronic submission of effluent data.
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring
reports (DMRs).
➢ Regulatory citations have been added to the permit.
➢ An updated outfall map has been included.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by
publishing a notice in newspapers having circulation in the general Watauga County area,
per EPA requirements. Please provide your comments, if any, to me 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. Please note that this permit is not
transferable except after notice to the Division. The Division may require modification or
revocation and reissuance of the permit. This permit does not affect the legal requirements
to obtain any other Federal, State, or Local governmental permit that may be required. If you
have any questions concerning this permit, please contact Emily Phillips at [phone].
cc: NPDES files
Sincerely,
3
Emily Phillips
Compliance and Expedited Permitting Unit
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
919 807 6300 919-807-6389 FAX
https //deq nc gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-permits/wastewater-branch/npdes-wastewater-permits

Permit NCO058891
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,
Hawksnest Utilities, Inc.
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Valley Creek WWTP
NCSR 1151
Foscoe
Watauga County
to receiving waters designated as Valley Creek in the Watauga 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
September 30, 2022.
Signed this day.
DRAFT
S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G.
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7

Permit NCO058891
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permit's issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked. As of this 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.
Hawksnest Utilities, Inc. is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.01 MGD wastewater treatment system that
includes the following components:
♦ influent holding tank
♦ bar screen
♦ aeration basin
♦ clarifier with sludge return
♦ aerated sludge holding tank
♦ tablet chlorinator with chlorine -contact chamber
♦ dechlorination
♦ re -aeration chamber
The facility is located at the Valley Creek WWTP off NCSR 1151 near Foscoe in
Watauga County.
2. After receiving an Authorization to Construct (ATC) permit from the Division,
including the Division's approval of the Permittee's justification for the need to
expand the plant to 0.900 MGD, and upon receiving Authorization to Operate
from the Division,
3. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, a location specified on
the attached map, into Valley Creek [Stream Segment 8-41, a waterbody
currently classified C -Trout waters within subbasin 04-02-01 of the Watauga
River Basin.
Page 2 of 7

Permit NCO058891
Part I.
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS - 0.01
MGD
[ 15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expansion above 0.010 MGD
or permit expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 001. Such
discharges shall be limited and monitored3 by the Permittee as specified below:
Footnote:
1. Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) - TRC effluent concentrations reported below 50µg/ L shall be
deemed compliant with this permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to submit all
concentrations reported by North Carolina -certified test methods (including field certified), even if
these concentrations fall below 50µg/L.
2. U = Upstream 50 feet above the outfall; D = Downstream at NC Hwy 105.
3. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
system, [see. A. (4.)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 3 of 7
MONITORING
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
PARAMETER
REQUIREMENTS
[Parameter Codes]
Monthly
Daily
Measurement
Sample
Sample
Average
Maximum
Frequency
Type
Location
Flow
50050
0 01 MGD
Continuous
Recorder
Effluent or
Influent
TotalResidual Chlorine
50060
28 pg/L
2/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids
C0530
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
BOD 5 -Day
C0310
30.0 mg/L
45 0 mg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Temperature
00010
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen
00300
> 6 0 mg/L daily average
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
pH
00400
Not < 6.0 or > 9 0 standard
units
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Fecal Coliform
31616
200 / 100 ml
400 / 100 ml
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
(geometric mean)
Ammonia (NH3 as N)
C0610
16 0 mg/L
35.0 mg/L
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
(April 1 -October 31)
Ammonia (NH3 as N)
C0610
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
(November 1 - March 31)
Dissolved Oxygen
00300
Weekly
Grab
U & D 2
Temperature00010
Weekly
Grab
U & D
Footnote:
1. Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) - TRC effluent concentrations reported below 50µg/ L shall be
deemed compliant with this permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to submit all
concentrations reported by North Carolina -certified test methods (including field certified), even if
these concentrations fall below 50µg/L.
2. U = Upstream 50 feet above the outfall; D = Downstream at NC Hwy 105.
3. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
system, [see. A. (4.)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 3 of 7

Permit NCO058891
A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS- 0.09
MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning after expansion above 0.010 MGD and lasting until permit
expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall
be limited and monitored4 by the Permittee as specified below:
Footnotes:
1. This discharge temperature shall not increase the ambient instream temperature by more than
0.50C (0.90F), and in no case exceed 200C (680F).
2. Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) - TRC effluent concentrations reported below 50µg/L shall be
deemed compliant. However, the Permittee shall continue to report all levels detected by NC -
certified test methods (including field certified), even if these concentrations fall below 50µg/L.
3. U = Upstream - 50 feet above the discharge; D = Downstream at NC Highway 105.
4. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
System, [see. A. (4.)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 4 of 7
MONITORING
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
REQUIREMENTS
PARAMETER
[Parameter Codes]
Monthly
Daily
Measurement
Sample
Sample
Average
Maximum
Frequency
Type
Location
Flow
50050
0.090 MGD
Continuous
Recorder
Effluent
Temperature
00010
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine
50060
17 pg/L 2
2/Week
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen
00300
> 6.0 mg/L daily average
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
pH
00400
Not < 6.0 cr > 9.0 standard
units
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Fecal Coliform
31616
200 / 100 rrl
400 / 100 ml
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
(geometric mean)
Total Suspended Solids
C0530
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
BOD 5 -Day
C0310
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
Ammonia (NH3 as N)
[Apr 01 to Oct 31 ]
C0610
2.0 mg/L
10.0 mg/L
2/Month
Composite
Effluent
Ammonia (NH3 as N)
[Nov 01 to Mar 31 ]
C0610
4.0 mg/L
20 0 mg/L
2/Month
Composite
Effluent
Total Nitrogen
NO2+NO3+TKN
C0600
Semi -Annually
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus
C0665
Semi -Annually
Composite
Effluent
Temperature
00100
Weekly
Grab
U & D 3
Dissolved Oxygen
00300
Weekly
Grab
U & D 3
Footnotes:
1. This discharge temperature shall not increase the ambient instream temperature by more than
0.50C (0.90F), and in no case exceed 200C (680F).
2. Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) - TRC effluent concentrations reported below 50µg/L shall be
deemed compliant. However, the Permittee shall continue to report all levels detected by NC -
certified test methods (including field certified), even if these concentrations fall below 50µg/L.
3. U = Upstream - 50 feet above the discharge; D = Downstream at NC Highway 105.
4. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
System, [see. A. (4.)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
Page 4 of 7

Permit NCO058891
A. (3.) FLOW JUSTIFICATION
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Any request to expand this permit (increase flow) must include a documented justification
addressing the need for specific design flows.
A. (4.) 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.) (all
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 (CROMERR), 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 DENR / 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.
Page 5 of 7

Permit NC0058891
Starting on December 21, 2020, 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-s ;rstem-np des -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.
Page 6 of 7

Permit NC0058891
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver
are found on the following web page:
http: / / deg.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 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:
htt-p://deg.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:
'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
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. (6.11
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 7 of 7

T
• � � � , it �
r�ffJ '/
Hawksnest Utilities, Inc.
Valley Creek WWTP
Facility
Location
--
J
ON
..
Basin:
Latitude:
Watauga River Sub -Basin: 04-02-11
36° 08'32" N longitude: 81° 48' 38" W
North
NPDES Permit NCO058891
HUC:
06010103
Watauga Count
00
Outfall
VIA
-ff
---,,
1
7"
ar
,e
WAMM
r
OFJ
Watauga River PAP
Hawksnest Utilities, Inc.
Valley Creek WWTP
Facility
Location
Receiving Stream: Valley Creek Steam Segment: 8-4
Stream Class: C; Trout State Quad: Valle Crucis
(not to scale)
Basin:
Latitude:
Watauga River Sub -Basin: 04-02-11
36° 08'32" N longitude: 81° 48' 38" W
North
NPDES Permit NCO058891
HUC:
06010103
Watauga Count