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NC0063860_Fact Sheet_20171222
DENR / DWR / NPDES EXPEDITED FACT SHEET - NPDES PERMIT DEVELOPMENT NPDES Permit NCO063860 Derek Denard. Comnlinnee k.. F.xnedited Permitting Unit / 919-R07-6107 7711ar7l11 Q Facility Information Applicant/Facility Name Aqua North Carolina, Inc. Harbor Estates WWTP Applicant Address 202 Mackenan Court, Cary, NC 27511 Facility Address Pine Harbor Rd (NCSR 1113), Charlotte, NC 28278 Permitted Flow (MGD) 0.0416 MGD Type of Waste Discharging 100% domestic < 1MGD Facility Class WW -2 County Mecklenburg Permit Status Renewal Regional Office MRO Stream Characteristics Catawba River Stream Classification WS -V; B (Lake Wylie) 11-(123.5) Drainage basin Neuse Receiving Stream Stream Segment Summer 7Q10 (cfs) 0 Subbasin [HUC] 03-08-34 030501011505 Winter 7Q10 (cfs) 0 Use Support Impaired: fish tissue for PCB & Hg 30Q2 (cfs) 0 303(d) Listed Average Flow (cfs) 80 State Grid D25SW IWC (%) 100% USGS Topo Quad Lake Wylie, SC/NC Facility Summar„: This facility is a minor facility (flow <1 MGD) that receives 100% domestic waste. The design capacity of the treatment system is 0.0416 MGD. The facility consists of the following wastewater treatment units: • bar screen • flow equalization basin • flow Splitter • dual aeration basins • secondary Clarifier • chlorine contact basin • tablet chlorination • tablet dechlorination chamber with aeration • sludge holding tank • effluent pump station • effluent Flow Recording Meter • standby Power Generator • filter backwash from an ion exchange technology water supply well system treatment system which is introduced into the equalization basin by tanker truck from the following water treatment systems: o Fleetwood Acres well system o Old South Lane well system Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Permit NC 0063860 Page l Please note the following changes made since the draft modification: Comments on the draft by the permittee requested that additional parameters that were limited in the previous modification be added to the compliance schedule included in this modification. No data was submitted to support this request to expand the compliance schedule for other parameters. Such additional modification may also require further submittal for public notice. Therefore, the Division has determined that this modification will only include a compliance schedule for Copper and Chloride limits as originally requested. 2. The permittee requested that the achievement date for compliance with Copper and Chloride limits be extended to 48 months from the effective date of the modification. Federal guidelines require that NPDES permit cycle be no greater than 5 years. Therefore, the achievement date for the compliance schedule will coincide with the expiration of the current permit on June 30, 2020. The compliance schedule has been modified to only include three (3) schedule items as listed. See Section Part I A. (2.). 3. A technical correction to Strontium -90 has been made to indicate the correct standard of 8 pCi/L (an annual average) as the permit limit. The narrative standards for radioactive substances are found at 15A NCAC 02B .0211 (17) and 40 CFR 141.26 (adopted by reference). Permit Conditions: The permit includes a condition [Part I, Section A. (2.)] for phased construction when flow reaches 80% design capacity. and a condition. At no time may the flow tributary to the facility exceed the design capacity of the existing units. An engineering alternatives analysis (EAA) is required [Part I, Section A. (3.)] prior to expansion above 0.0416 MGD in accordance with the Lake Wylie Management Plan [EPA Approved: 2/5/1996]. The Management plan recommends TP limit of 2.0 mg/L which will be applied to expansion above 0.075 MGD. After receiving an Authorization to Construct from the Division, after construction and after submittal of an Engineers Certification this permit also allows operation of a wastewater treatment system not to exceed 0.075 MGD with effluent limitations and monitoring requirements in Part I, Section A. (5.). This permit was last modified on April 24, 2017 to include influent from well system uranium filter backwash introduced into the equalization basin. Permit Modification Summar►-: On November 20, 2017, Aqua North Carolina, Inc. requested that a schedule of compliance be inserted into the permit to allow time to achieve compliance with new limits for Total Copper and Total Chlorine. The WWTP plant was not meeting limits for Copper and Chlorine with 100% domestic wastewater with no addition of filter backwash wastewater form the potable water systems. The filter backwash sources were added in the previous permit modification issued April 24, 2017. The permittee proposes to investigate possible treatment options, modeling for the lake with the addition of a diffuser, and to gather more data for these parameters for future analysis of limits. The schedule of compliance found in Part I, Section A. (2.) modifies both effluent tables in Part 1, Sections A. (1.) and A. (3.) as indicated with Footnote 8 as indicated by the following: Effluent MONITORING Characteristics LIMITS REQUIREMENTS1 Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample ILocation [Parameter Codes] Average Maximum Frequency Type_ Total Copper (pg/L) 4151618 01042 00940 7.88 pg/L 230 mg/L 10.47 pg/l, 230 mg/L I Quarterly Quarterly Composite Effluent Composite Effluent Total Chloride (mg/L) 4,5,6,8 8. Compliance with this limit shall commence on , approximately _ months from the permit effective date. See Compliance Schedule Condition A. (2). Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Pennit NCO063860 Page 2 A. (2.) SCHEDULE OF COMPLIANCE (OUTFALL 001) [G.S. 143-215.1(b)] I. Within one year from the effective day of the permit the Permittee shall submit to the Division of Water Resources a Corrective Action Plan summarizing the actions to be taken to achieve compliance with the Total Copper and Total Chloride limits at Outfall 001 and a schedule of activities to implement the Plan. 2. Within two years from the effective date of the permit submit a report to the Division summarizing actions taken in accordance with the Corrective Action Plan. 3. Achieve compliance with Total Copper and Total Chloride limits specified in Section A. (1.) and A. (3.) by June 30, 2020. Upon approval of the Corrective Action Plan by the Division, the report and actions become an enforceable part of this permit. Any modifications to the schedule shall be requested to the Division at least ninety (90) days before the deadline. Modifications to the schedule in excess of four months will be subject to public notice. Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Permit N00063860 Page 3 The following pages 4 through 10 is included as reference for the previous permit modification issued April 24, 2017 and technical correction issued November 2, 2017 (please note correction for Strontium -90 limitation): Permit Conditions: The permit includes a condition [Part I, Section A. (2.)] for phased construction when flow reaches 80% design capacity. and a condition. At no time may the flow tributary to the facility exceed the design capacity of the existing units. An engineering alternatives analysis (EAA) is required [Part I, Section A. (3.)] prior to expansion above 0.0416 MGD in accordance with the Lake Wylie Management Plan [EPA Approved: 2/5/1996]. The Management plan recommends TP limit of 2.0 mg/L which will be applied to expansion above 0.075 MGD. After receiving an Authorization to Construct from the Division, after construction and after submittal of an Engineers Certification this permit also allows operation of a wastewater treatment system not to exceed 0.075 MGD with effluent limitations and monitoring requirements in Part I, Section A. (5.). This permit is being modified to include influent from well system uranium filter backwash introduced into the equalization basin. Permit Modification Summary: This permit reflects discharge at Outfall 001. Additional monitoring for well system uranium filter backwash introduced into the equalization basin by tanker truck from Fleet Acres and Old South Lane well system is included for this modification. Parameters of concern (POCs) included are for ion exchange technology water treatment plants and potential radiological components: Radiological POCs — Radiological POCs (see Table 1. below) are added to Part I Section A. (1) and A. (5) in accordance with the December 5, 2005 memo for Disposal Wastewater Associated with Private Water Supply Wells (with potential radiology components). Narrative Standards for Radiological POCs are found at 15A NCAC 02B .0211 (17). Maximum contaminant level (MCL) for these Radiological POCs are applied as permit limits without benefit of dilution in the receiving stream. The MCL of 30 gg//L for Uranium is based on EPA Federal Criteria [40 CFR 141.66]. For more information on federal guidance and rules see EPA 816-F-01 -003 and 40 CFR Parts 9, 141, and 142. Table 1: Radiological POCs EFFLUENT MONITORING CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS REQUIREMENTS Monthly Daily I Measurement Sample Sample [Parameter Codes] Average Maximum Frequency] Type Location Combined radium -226 and radium -228 (pCi/L) 1,2 11503 5 pCi/L (annual average) Quarterly Grab Effluent Alpha emitters, excluding radon and 1,2 82077 15 pCi/L (annual average) Quarterly Grab Effluent uranium (pCi/L) Beta emitters, excluding potassium -40 and other 1,2 03520 50 pCi/L (annual average) Quarterly Grab Effluent naturally occurring radionuclides (pCi/L) Strontium -90 (pCi/L) 1,2 13501 8 pCi/L (annual average) Quarterly Grab Effluent Tritium (pCi/L) 192 82126 20,000 pCi/L (annualavera el Quarterly Grab Effluent Uranium (gg/L)1'3 22708 130 gg//L (weekly average) Quarterly Grab Effluent Footnotes: 1. All quarterly samples shall be taken 72 to 80 hours after the introduction of offsite wastewater into the equalization tank. In the event that an introduction of offsite wastewater does not occur within a given quarter, a sample shall be taken of the effluent and noted on the DMR as "no introduction of offsite wastewater occurred for this quarter". Fact Sheet Permit Modificatim 2018 -- NPDES Permit N00063860 Page 4 2. If the quarterly value exceeds 4 times the annual average limit, then (a) the sampling frequency shall increase to monthly and (b) a written notification shall be sent to the Water Quality Permitting Section and the Mooresville Regional Office. 3. A quarterly value can be determined from one quarterly sample or it can be determined from the average of multiple samples taken in a period not to exceed 7 consecutive days during the quarter. Water Treatment Plant j N1--1"Pf Permitting Strate28 — In accordance with the current WTP strategy (10/14/2009), parameters (see Table 2 below) are added with limitations to Part I Section A. (1) and A. (5). The WTP strategy also includes adding whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing. The limitations as listed Part I Section A. (1) and A. (5) are based on implementation of dissolved metals standards for freshwater. The additional WTP strategy parameters Turbidity, Salinity and Conductivity that are not already being monitored at the Harbor Estates WWTP were not included for this permit modification because of the small volume and episodic duration of the filter backwash introduction. POCs related to Aquatic Toxicity monitoring were included. Table 2: Water Treatment Plant POCs for Ion Exchange Technolosv EFFLUENT MONITORING CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS REQUIREMENTS Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample [Parameter Codes] Average Maximum Fre uenc Type Location Effluent Total Hardness (mg/L) 00900 00900 100 mg/1 100 mg/1 Quarterly Composite & Upstream Total Copper (µg/L)1'2 01042 7.88 µg/L 10.47 µg/L Quarterly Composite Effluent Total Fluoride (µg/L) 1,2 1 00951 1,800 µg/L 1,800 µg/L Quarterly Composite Effluent Total Chloride (mg/L) 1,2 00940 230 mg/L 230 mg/L Quarterly Composite Effluent Total Zinc (gg/L)1'2 01092 125.7 pg/L 125.7 µg/L Quarterly Compositej Effluent Chronic WET Testing 3 TGP3B Quarterly Grab I Effluent Footnotes: 1. All practical quantitation limits (PQL) must be sufficiently sensitive considering the respective water quality standard for each parameter [see Part H. Section D. (4.)]. 2. All quarterly samples shall be taken 72 to 80 hours after the introduction of offsite wastewater into the equalization tank. In the event that an introduction of offsite wastewater does not occur within a given quarter, a sample shall be taken of the effluent and noted on the DMR as "no introduction of offsite wastewater occurred for this quarter". 3. Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia dubia) 7 -day pass/fail test at 90% in January, April, July and October [See A. (6.)]. Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Permit NCO063860 Page - NPDES Imulementation of Instream Dissolved Metals Standards - Freshwater Standards The NC 2007-2015 Water Quality Standard (WQS) Triennial Review was approved by the NC Environmental Management Commission (EMC) on November 13, 2014. The US EPA subsequently approved the WQS revisions on April 6, 2016, with some exceptions. Therefore, metal limits in draft permits out to public notice after April 6, 2016 must be calculated to protect the new standards - as approved. Table 3. NC Dissolved Metals Water Quality Standards/Aquatic Life Protection Parameter Acute FW, Vg/I (Dissolved) Chronic FW, Vg/I (Dissolved) Acute SW, Vg/I (Dissolved) Chronic SW, µg/I (Dissolved) Arsenic 340 150 69 --- 40 36 --- 8.8 Beryllium 65 6.5 Cadmium Calculation Calculation Chromium III Calculation Calculation --- Chromium VI 16 11 1100 50 Copper Calculation Calculation 4.8 3.1 Lead Calculation Calculation 210 8.1 Nickel Calculation Calculation 74 8.2 Silver Calculation 0.06 1.9 0.1 Zinc Calculation Calculation 90 81 Table 1 Notes: 1. FW= Freshwater, SW= Saltwater 2. Calculation = Hardness dependent standard Only the aquatic life standards listed above are expressed in dissolved form. Aquatic life standards for Mercury and selenium are still expressed as Total Recoverable Metals due to bioaccumulative concerns (as are all human health standards for all metals). It is still necessary to evaluate total recoverable aquatic life and human health standards listed in 15A NCAC 213.0200 (e.g., arsenic at 10 µg/l for human health protection; cyanide at 5 pg/L and fluoride at 1.8 mg/L for aquatic life protection). Table 3. Dissolved Freshwater Standards for Hardness -Dependent Metals The Water Effects Ratio (WER) is equal to one unless determined otherwise under 15A NCAC 02B .0211 Subparagraph (11)(d) Metal NC Dissolved Standard, µg/I Cadmium, Acute WER*{1.136672-[ln hardness](0.041838)) e^{0.9151 [In hardness] -3.1485} Cadmium, Acute Trout waters WER* {1. 136672 -[In hardness](0.041838)) e^{0.9151[In hardness] -3.6236} Cadmium, Chronic WER*{1.101672-[ln hardness](0.041838)) e^{0.7998[ln hardness] -4.4451} Chromium III, Acute WER*0.316 eA10.8190[In hardness]+3.7256} Chromium III, Chronic WER*0.860 e^{0.8190[ln hardness]+0.6848} Copper, Acute WER*0.960 e^{0.9422[ln hardness] -1.700} Copper, Chronic WER*0.960 e^{0.8545[ln hardness] -1.702} Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Permit N00063860 Page 6 Lead, Acute WER*{1.46203-[ln hardness](0.145712)} e^{1.273[ln hardness] -1.460} Lead, Chronic WER*{1.46203-[ln hardness](0.145712)} e^{1.273[1n hardness] -4.705} Nickel, Acute WER*0.998 e^{0.8460[ln hardness]+2.255} Nickel, Chronic WER*0.997 eA10.8460[in hardness]+0.0584} Silver, Acute WER*0.85 • e^{1.72[ln hardness] -6.59} Silver, Chronic Not applicable Zinc, Acute WER*0.978 e^{0.8473[ln hardness]+0.884} Zinc, Chronic WER*0.986 e^{0.8473[ln hardness]+0.884} General Information on the Reasonable Potential Analysis (RPA) The RPA process itself did not change as the result of the new metals standards. However, application of the dissolved and hardness -dependent standards requires additional consideration in order to establish the numeric standard for each metal of concern of each individual discharge. The hardness -based standards require some knowledge of the effluent and instream (upstream) hardness and so must be calculated case-by-case for each discharge. Metals limits must be expressed as `total recoverable' metals in accordance with 40 CFR 122.45(c). The discharge -specific standards must be converted to the equivalent total values for use in the RPA calculations. We will generally rely on default translator values developed for each metal (more on that below), but it is also possible to consider case -specific translators developed in accordance with established methodology. RPA Permitting Guidance/WQBELs for Hardness -Dependent Metals - Freshwater The RPA is designed to predict the maximum likely effluent concentrations for each metal of concern, based on recent effluent data, and calculate the allowable effluent concentrations, based on applicable standards and the critical low -flow values for the receiving stream. If the maximum predicted value is greater than the maximum allowed value (chronic or acute), the discharge has reasonable potential to exceed the standard, which warrants a permit limit in most cases. If monitoring for a particular pollutant indicates that the pollutant is not present (i.e. consistently below detection level), then the Division may remove the monitoring requirement in the reissued permit. 1. To perform a RPA on the Freshwater hardness -dependent metals the Permit Writer compiles the following information: • Critical low flow of the receiving stream, 7Q10 (the spreadsheet automatically calculates the 1 Q 10 using the formula 1 Q 10 = 0.843 (s7Q 10, cfs) 0.993 • Effluent hardness and upstream hardness, site-specific data is preferred • Permitted flow • Receiving stream classification 2. In order to establish the numeric standard for each hardness -dependent metal of concern and for each individual discharge, the Permit Writer must first determine what effluent and instream (upstream) hardness values to use in the equations. Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Permit N00063860 Page 7 The permit writer reviews DMR's, Effluent Pollutant Scans, and Toxicity Test results for any hardness data and contacts the Permittee to see if any additional data is available for instream hardness values, upstream of the discharge. If no hardness data is available, the permit writer may choose to do an initial evaluation using a default hardness of 25 mg/L (CaCO3 or (Ca + Mg)). Minimum and maximum limits on the hardness value used for water quality calculations are 25 mg/L and 400 mg/L, respectively. If the use of a default hardness value results in a hardness -dependent metal showing reasonable potential, the permit writer contacts the Permittee and requests 5 site-specific effluent and upstream hardness samples over a period of one week. The RPA is rerun using the new data. The overall hardness value used in the water quality calculations is calculated as follows: Combined Hardness (chronic) _(Permitted Flow, cfs *Avg. Effluent Hardness, me/L) x WQ 10, cfs *Avis. Upstream Hardnes_ smg/L (Permitted Flow, cfs + s7Q10, cfs) The Combined Hardness for acute is the same but the calculation uses the 1Q10 flow. 3. The permit writer converts the numeric standard for each metal of concern to a total recoverable metal, using the EPA Default Partition Coefficients (DPCs) or site-specific translators, if any have been developed using federally approved methodology. EPA default partition coefficients or the "Fraction Dissolved" converts the value for dissolved metal at laboratory conditions to total recoverable metal at in -stream ambient conditions. This factor is calculated using the linear partition coefficients found in The Metals Translator: Guidance for Calculating a Total Recoverable Permit Limit from a Dissolved Criterion (EPA 823-B-96-007, June 1996) and the equation: Cdivz = 1 Ctotal 1 + { [Kpo] [ss(t+a)] [10-6] } Where: ss = in -stream suspended solids concentration [mg/1], minimum of 10 mg/L used, and Kpo and a = constants that express the equilibrium relationship between dissolved and adsorbed forms of metals. A list of constants used for each hardness -dependent metal can also be found in the RPA program under a sheet labeled DPCs. 4. The numeric standard for each metal of concern is divided by the default partition coefficient (or site-specific translator) to obtain a Total Recoverable Metal at ambient conditions. In some cases, where an EPA default partition coefficient translator does not exist (ie. silver), the dissolved numeric standard for each metal of concern is divided by the EPA conversion factor to obtain a Total Recoverable Metal at ambient conditions. This method presumes that the metal is dissolved to the same extent as it was during EPA's criteria development for metals. For more information on conversion factors see the June, 1996 EPA Translator Guidance Document. Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Permit NC 0063860 Page 8 5. The RPA spreadsheet uses a mass balance equation to determine the total allowable concentration (permit limits) for each pollutant using the following equation: Ca = (0010 + Qw) (Cwgs) — (s7Q10) (Cb) Qw Where: Ca = allowable effluent concentration (gg/L or mg/L) Cwqs = NC Water Quality Standard or federal criteria (gg/L or mg/L) Cb = background concentration: assume zero for all toxicants except NH3* (gg/L or mg/L) Qw = permitted effluent flow (cfs, match s7Q10) s7Q10 = summer low flow used to protect aquatic life from chronic toxicity and human health through the consumption of water, fish, and shellfish from noncarcinogens (cfs) * Discussions are on-going with EPA on how best to address background concentrations Flows other than s7Q10 may be incorporated as applicable: 1 Q 10 = used in the equation to protect aquatic life from acute toxicity QA = used in the equation to protect human health through the consumption of water, fish, and shellfish from carcinogens 30Q2 = used in the equation to protect aesthetic quality The permit writer enters the most recent 2-3 years of effluent data for each pollutant of concern. Data entered must have been taken within four and one-half years prior to the date of the permit application (40 CFR 122.21). The RPA spreadsheet estimates the 95th percentile upper concentration of each pollutant. The Predicted Max concentrations are compared to the Total allowable concentrations to determine if a permit limit is necessary. If the predicted max exceeds the acute or chronic Total allowable concentrations, the discharge is considered to show reasonable potential to violate the water quality standard, and a permit limit (Total allowable concentration) is included in the permit in accordance with the U.S. EPA Technical Support Document for Water Quality -Based Toxics Control published in 1991. 7. When appropriate, permit writers develop facility specific compliance schedules in accordance with the EPA Headquarters Memo dated May 10, 2007 from James Hanlon to Alexis Strauss on 40 CFR 122.47 Compliance Schedule Requirements. 8. The Total Chromium NC WQS was removed and replaced with trivalent chromium and hexavalent chromium Water Quality Standards. As a cost savings measure, total chromium data results may be used as a conservative surrogate in cases where there are no analytical results based on chromium III or VI. In these cases, the projected maximum concentration (95th %) for total chromium will be compared against water quality standards for chromium III and chromium VI. 9. Effluent hardness sampling and instream hardness sampling, upstream of the discharge, are inserted into all permits with facilities monitoring for hardness -dependent metals to ensure the accuracy of the permit limits and to build a more robust hardness dataset. Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Permit NCO063860 Page 9 10. Hardness and flow values used in the Reasonable Potential Analysis for this permit included: Parameter Value Comments (Data Source) Average Effluent Hardness (mg/L) 15.68 October 2016 (Harbor Estates - [Total as, CaCO3 or (Ca+Mg)] Effluent) Average Upstream Hardness (mg/L) 14.53 October 2016 (Harbor Estates - [Total as, CaCO3 or (Ca+Mg)] Upstream) NPDES files - Waste Load 7Q10 summer (cfs) 0 Allocation 10/26/90 1 Q 10 (cfs) 0 RPA calculation Permitted Flow (MGD) 0.0416 Max Monthly Average (DMRsBIMS) Date: January 24, 2017 Permit Writer: Derek Denard Fact Sheet Permit Modification 2018 -- NPDES Pennit NCO063860 Page 10 ƒ m (L o 0 72 00 0 d § § �§ ILI ❑ k J /» k v 2 § t 0 k0 � 0 2 R 2 k / z z c © o I z m E o > 2 a E ■ 0 m IL § ■ . z .. 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