WQ0039506_Issuance of Permit_20180711

ROY COOPER
Governor
.27
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
Water Resources LINDA CULPEPPER
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Interim Director
July 11, 2018
Warren Wood, City Manager
City of Hickory
76 North Center St.
Hickory, NC 28601
Subject: Permit No. WQ0039506
City of Hickory
Northwest Plantation Phase 1 (Force Main Only)
Wastewater Collection System Extension Permit
Catawba County
Dear Mr.Wood:
In accordance with your application received September 22, 2017, and additional information received
on January 11, 2018, May 30, 2018, and July 2, 2018, we are forwarding herewith Permit No.
WQ0039506, dated July 11, 2018,to City of Hickory(Permittee)for the construction and operation upon
certification of the subject wastewater collection system extension. This permit shall be effective from
the date of issuance until rescinded, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified
therein. This cover letter and supplement shall be considered a part of this permit and are therefore
incorporated therein by reference.
Please pay particular attention to the following conditions contained within this permit:
Condition 1.1: No flow shall be made tributary to the subject sewer system until an application for the
permitting of the individual simplex grinder pumps and service laterals has been
submitted to and approved by the Division. [15A NCAC 02T.0304(b)].
Condition 11.1: This permit shall not be automatically transferable; a request must be made and
approved.
Condition 11.4: Requires that the wastewater collection facilities be properly operated and maintained
in accordance with 15A NCAC 2T .0403 or any individual system-wide collection system
permit issued to the Permittee.
It shall be responsibility of the Permittee to ensure that the as-constructed project meets the
appropriate design criteria and rules. Failure to comply may result in penalties in accordance with North
Carolina General Statute §143-215.6A through §143-215.6C, construction of additional or replacement
wastewater collection facilities, and/or referral of the North Carolina-licensed Professional Engineer to
the licensing board.
Nothing Compares.
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
919-807-6300

City of Hickory
Permit No.WQ0039506 5
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the right
to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days following receipt of this permit.
This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of North Carolina
General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh,
NC 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made,this permit shall be final and binding.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Monti Hassan at(919)807-
6314 or via e-mail at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
U)_..0-A,..,0, --- -ca---
for Linda Culpepper
Interim Director, Division of Water Resources
by Deborah Gore,Supervisor
Pretreatment, Emergency Response, Collection System Unit
cc: Daniel Shabeldeen, PE;Shabeldeen Engineering, PA([e-mail])
Mooresville Regional Office,Water Quality Section Regional Operations
Water Resources Central Files:WQ0039506
PERCS(electronic copy)
Page 2 of 8

Environmental
Quality
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina as
amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations, permission is hereby granted to
City of Hickory
for the construction and operation of approximately 240 linear feet of 1.5-inch pressure sewer and
approximately 2,005 linear feet of 2-inch pressure sewer to serve 15 four-bedroom residential homes as
part of the Northwest Plantation Phase 1 (Force Main Only) project, and the discharge of 7,200 gallons
per day of collected domestic wastewater into the City of Hickory's existing sewerage system, pursuant
to the application received September 22, 2017, and additional information received on January 11,
2018, May 30, 2018, and July 2,2018, and in conformity with the project plans, specifications, and other
supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environmental Quality and
considered a part of this permit.
The individual simplex grinder pumps and service laterals tying into the described pressure sewers
shall be permitted separately.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until rescinded and shall be subject to the
specified conditions and limitations contained therein.
for Linda Culpepper
Interim Director, Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number: WQ000039506
Permit Issued: July 11,2018
Treatment Facility: Northeast WWTF(NC0020401)
Page 3 of 8

SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
The Permittee is hereby authorized to:
Construct, and then operate upon certification the aforementioned wastewater collection extension.
Permitting of this project does not constitute an acceptance of any part of the project that does not
meet 15A NCAC 2T; the Division's Gravity Sewer Minimum Design Criteria adopted February 12, 1996 as
applicable; and the Division's Minimum Design Criteria for the Fast-Track Permitting of Pump Stations
and Force Mains adopted June 1, 2000 as applicable, unless specifically mentioned herein. Division
approval is based on acceptance of the certification provided by a North Carolina-licensed Professional
Engineer in the application. It shall be the Permittee's responsibility to ensure that the as-constructed
project meets the appropriate design criteria and rules.
Construction and operation is contingent upon compliance with the Standard Conditions and any Special
Conditions identified below.
I. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
1. No flow shall be made tributary to the subject sewer system until an application for the permitting
of the individual simplex grinder pumps and service laterals has been submitted to and approved by
the Division. [15A NCAC 021.0304(b)].
2. No flow in excess of the quantity permitted herein, 7,200 GPD, shall be made tributary to the
subject sewer system until an application for permit modification for an increase in flow has been
submitted to and approved by the Division. [15A NCAC 02T.0304(b)]
Page 4 of 8

II. STANDARD CONDITIONS
1. This permit shall not be transferable. In the event there is a desire for the wastewater collection
facilities to change ownership, or there is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request
shall be submitted to the Division accompanied by documentation from the parties involved, and
other supporting materials as may be appropriate. The approval of this request shall be considered
on its merits and may or may not be approved. [15A NCAC 02T.0104; G.S. 143-215.1(d3)]
2. This permit shall become voidable unless the wastewater collection facilities are constructed in
accordance with the conditions of this permit; 15A NCAC 2T; the Division's Gravity Sewer Minimum
Design Criteria adopted February 12, 1996 as applicable; the Division's Minimum Design Criteria for
the Fast-Track Permitting of Pump Stations and Force Mains adopted June 1,2000 as applicable; and
other supporting materials unless specifically mentioned herein. [15A NCAC 02T.0110]
3. This permit shall be effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the
application and other supporting data. [15A NCAC 02T.0110]
4. The wastewater collection facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times. The
Permittee shall maintain compliance with an individual system-wide collection system permit for the
operation and maintenance of these facilities as required by 15A NCAC 2T .0403. If an individual
permit is not required,the following performance criteria shall be met: [15A NCAC 2T.0108(b)]
a. The sewer system shall be effectively maintained and operated at all times to prevent discharge
to land or surface waters, and to prevent any contravention of groundwater standards or
surface water standards.
b. A map of the sewer system shall be developed and shall be actively maintained.
c. An operation and maintenance plan including pump station inspection frequency, preventative
maintenance schedule, spare parts inventory and overflow response has been developed and
implemented.
d. Pump stations that are not connected to a telemetry system shall be inspected every day (i.e.
365 days per year). Pump stations that are connected to a telemetry system shall be inspected
at least once per week.
e. High-priority sewer lines shall be inspected at least once per every six-months and inspections
are documented.
f. A general observation of the entire sewer system shall be conducted at least once per year.
g. Overflows and bypasses shall be reported to the appropriate Division regional office in
accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0506(a),and public notice shall be provided as required by North
Carolina General Statute§143-215.1C.
h. A Grease Control Program is in place as follows:
1. For public owned collection systems, the Grease Control Program shall include at least
biannual distribution of educational materials for both commercial and residential users and
Page 5 of 8

the legal means to require grease interceptors at existing establishments. The plan shall also
include legal means for inspections of the grease interceptors, enforcement for violators and
the legal means to control grease entering the system from other public and private satellite
sewer systems.
2. For privately owned collection systems,the Grease Control Program shall include at least bi-
annual distribution of grease education materials to users of the collection system by the
permittee or its representative.
3. Grease education materials shall be distributed more often than required in Parts (1) and (2)
of this Subparagraph if necessary to prevent grease-related sanitary sewer overflows.
i. Right-of-ways and easements shall be maintained in the full easement width for personnel and
equipment accessibility.
j. Documentation shall be kept for Subparagraphs (a) through (i) of this Rule for a minimum of
three years with exception of the map,which shall be maintained for the life of the system.
5. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to a water resources staff member at the Mooresville
Regional Office,telephone number(704) 663-1699, as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24
hours,following the occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of either of the following:
a. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that renders the facility
incapable of adequate wastewater transport, such as mechanical or electrical failures of
pumps, line blockage or breakage,etc.;or
b. Any SSO and/or spill over 1,000 gallons; or
c. Any SSO and/or spill, regardless of volume,that reaches surface water
Voice mail messages or faxed information is permissible, but this shall not be considered as the
initial verbal report. Overflows and spills occurring outside normal business hours may also be
reported to the Division of Emergency Management at telephone number [phone] or (919)
733-3300. Persons reporting any of the above occurrences shall file a spill report by completing and
submitting Part I of Form CS-SSO (or the most current Division approved form) within five days
following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report must outline the actions taken or proposed
to be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur. Part II of Form CS-SSO (or the most current
Division approved form) can also be completed to show that the SSO was beyond control. [G.S. 143-
215.1C(a1)]
6. Construction of the gravity sewers, pump stations, and force mains shall be scheduled so as not to
interrupt service by the existing utilities nor result in an overflow or bypass discharge of wastewater
to the surface waters of the State. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
7. Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of these permitted facilities, the completed
- Engineering Certification form attached to this permit shall be submitted with the required
supporting documents to the address provided on the form. A complete certification is one where
the form is fully executed and the supporting documents are provided as applicable. Any
wastewater flow made tributary to the wastewater collection system extension prior to completion
of this Engineer's Certification shall be considered a violation of the permit and shall subject the
Permittee to appropriate enforcement actions.
Page 6 of 8

,
If the permit is issued to a private entity with an Operational Agreement, then a copy of the
Articles of Incorporation, Declarations/Covenants/Restrictions, and Bylaws that have been
appropriately filed with the applicable County's Register of Deeds office shall be submitted with
the certification.
A complete certification is one where the form is fully executed and the supporting documents are
provided as applicable. Supporting documentation shall include the following:
a. One copy of the project construction record drawings (plan & profile views of sewer lines &
force mains) of the wastewater collection system extension. Final record drawings should be
clear on the plans or on digital media (CD or DVD disk) and are defined as the design drawings
that are marked up or annotated with after construction information and show required buffers,
separation distances, material changes, etc.
b. Changes to the project that do not result in non-compliance with this permit, regulations, or the
Minimum Design Criteria should be clearly identified on the record drawings,on the certification
in the space provided,or in written summary form.
Prior to Certification (Final or Partial): Permit modifications are required for any changes resulting in
non-compliance with this permit (including pipe length increases of 10% or greater, increased flow,
pump station design capacity design increases of 5%or greater, and increases in the number/type of
connections), regulations, or the Minimum Design Criteria. Requested modifications or variances to
the Minimum Design Criteria will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and each on its own merit.
Please note that variances to the Minimum Design Criteria should be requested and approved
during the permitting process prior to construction. After-construction requests are discouraged by
the Division and may not be approved, thus requiring replacement or repair prior to certification &
activation. [15A NCAC 02T.0116]
8. Gravity sewers installed greater than ten percent below the minimum required slope per the
Division's Gravity Sewer Minimum Design Criteria shall not be acceptable and shall not be certified
until corrected. If there is an unforeseen obstacle in the field where all viable solutions have been
examined, a slope variance can be requested from the Division with firm supporting documentation.
This shall be done through a permit modification with fee. Such variance requests will be evaluated
on a case-by-case basis. Resolution of such request shall be evident prior to completing and
submitting the construction certification. [ 15A NCAC 02T.0105(n)]
9. A copy of the construction record drawings shall be maintained on file by the Permittee for the life
of the wastewater collection facilities. [15A NCAC 02T.0116]
10. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit; 15A NCAC 2T; the
Division's Gravity Sewer Design Criteria adopted February 12, 1996 as applicable; the Division's
Minimum Design Criteria for the Fast-Track Permitting of Pump Station and Force Mains adopted
June 1, 2000 as applicable; and other supporting materials may subject the Permittee to an
enforcement action by the Division, in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes§143-215.6A
through §143-215.6C, construction of additional or replacement wastewater collection facilities,
and/or referral of the North Carolina-licensed Professional Engineer to the licensing board. [15A
NCAC 02T.0104; 15A NCAC 02T.0108(b-c)]
Page 7 of 8

11. In the event that the wastewater collection facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the
creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including
those as may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement
facilities. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
12. The issuance of this permit shall not exempt the Permittee from complying with any and all statutes,
rules, regulations, or ordinances that may be imposed by the Division any other Federal, State, or
Local government agencies which have jurisdiction or obtaining other permits which maybe required
by the Division or any other Federal,State,of Local government agencies. [G.S.143-215.1(b)]
13. The Permittee shall provide for the pump station and force main the following items:
a. Pump Station Reliability[15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(1)]:
1. Pump stations, except when exempted by Subparagraph (j)(2) of 15A NCAC 02T.0305,
shall be designed with multiple pumps such that peak flow can be pumped with the
largest pump out of service.
2. A standby power source or pump is required at all pump stations except for those pump
stations subject to Subparagraph (j)(2) of 15A NCAC 02T.0305. Controls shall be
provided to automatically activate the standby source and signal an alarm condition.
3. As an alternative to Part (c) for pump stations with an average daily design flow less
than 15,000 gallons per day as calculated using 15A NCAC 02T.0114, a portable power
source or pumping capability may be utilized. It shall be demonstrated to the Division
that the portable source is owned or contracted by the permittee and is compatible
with the station. If the portable power source or pump is dedicated to multiple pump
stations, an evaluation of all the pump stations' storage capacities and the rotation
schedule of the portable power source or pump, including travel timeframes, shall be
provided in the case of a multiple station power outage.
4. As an alternative to Part (ii)for pump or vacuum stations connecting a single building to
an alternative sewer system, wet well storage requirements shall be documented to
provide 24-hours' worth of wastewater storage or, exceed the greatest power outage
over the last three years or the documented response time to replace a failed pump,
whichever is greater. Documentation shall be required pursuant to the permit
application.
b. All pump stations designed for two pumps or more shall have a telemetry system to provide
remote notification of a problem condition to include power failure and high water alarm. [15A
NCAC 02T.0305(h)(1)(E)]
c. High water audio and visual alarm. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(1)(F)]
d. Pump stations shall have a permanent weatherproof sign stating the pump station identifier,24-
hour emergency number and instructions to call in case of emergency.Simplex pump or vacuum
stations serving a single-family residence shall have a placard or sticker placed inside the control
panel with a 24-hour emergency contact number. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(2)]
e. Screened vents for all wet wells. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(3)]
f. The public shall be restricted access to the site and equipment. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(4)]
g. Air relief valves shall be provided at all high points along force mains where the vertical distance
exceeds ten feet. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(5)]
Page 8 of 8

ENGINEERING CERTIFICATION
Permittee: City of Hickory Issue Date:July 11,2018
Permit No: WQ0039506 County: Catawba
Project: Northwest Plantation Phase 1(Force Main Only)
This project shall not be considered complete nor allowed to operate in accordance with Condition 7 of this permit
until the Division has received this Certification and all required supporting documentation,which includes:
• One copy of the project construction record drawings (plan & profile views of sewer lines&force mains)
of the wastewater collection system extension. Final record drawings should be clear on the plans or on
digital media (CD or DVD disk) and are defined as the design drawings that are marked up or annotated
with after construction information and show required buffers, separation distances, material changes,
etc.
Permit modifications are required for any changes resulting in non-compliance with this permit. A detailed
description for partial certifications should be attached to this form along with any certification comments.
Certification should be submitted in a manner that documents the Division's receipt. The Permittee is responsible
for tracking all partial certifications up until a final certification is received.
PERMITTEES CERTIFICATION
I, the undersigned agent for the Permittee, hereby state that this project has been constructed pursuant to the
applicable standards&requirements,the Professional Engineer below has provided applicable design/construction
information to the Permittee, and the Permittee is prepared to operate & maintain the wastewater collection
system permitted herein or portions thereof.
Printed Name,Title Signature Date
ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATION
I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in the State of North Carolina, having
been authorized to observe (0 periodically, ❑ weekly, ❑ full time) the construction of the project name and
location as referenced above for the above Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and
diligence was used in the observation of the following construction: approximately 240 linear feet of 1.5-inch
pressure sewer and approximately 2,005 linear feet of 2-inch pressure sewer to serve 15 four-bedroom residential
homes as part of the Northwest Plantation Phase 1 (Force Main Only) project, and in conformity with the project
plans,specifications,supporting documents,and design criteria subsequently filed and approved. I certify that the
construction of the above referenced project was observed to be built within substantial compliance and intent of
the approved plans and specifications.
North Carolina Professional Engineer's Seal w/signature&date:
•
0 Final ❑ Partial(include description)
•
Send the Completed Form&Supporting Documentation to the Following Address:
DWR WATER QUALITY PERMITTING SECTION
WASTEWATER BRANCH—PERCS UNIT
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699