WQ0002005_Final Permit_19991112

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Bill Holman, Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
November 12, 1999
Mr. Robert Johnson
PO Box 40
Rose Hill, North Carolina 28458
Dear Mr. Johnson
4 • •
EL
NCDENR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Subject: Permit No. WQ0002005
House of Raeford, Inc.
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Duplin County
In accordance with your application received February 12, 1999, we are forwarding herewith Permit
No. WQ0002005, dated November 12, 1999, to House of Raeford, Inc, for the continued operation of the
subject wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until October 31, 2004, shall void Permit No-
WQ0002005 issued November 14, 1994, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified
therein. Please pay particular attention to condition II. 10, condition H. 16, condition IV. 2, condition
IV. 5, condition VI. 9, and to the effluent and groundwtaer monitoring requirements in this permit.
Failure to establish an adequate system for collecting and maintaining the required operational information
will result in future compliance problems.
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 thirty (30) days following receipt of this permit.
This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the 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 y ntact -Sue Homewood at (919)
733-5083 extension 502
Kerr T. Stevens
cc: Duplin County Health Department
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Wilmington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/10% post -consumer paper

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM PERMIT
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
Howe of Raeford, Inc.
Duplln County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 800,000 GPD spray irrigation treatment and disposal facility. This facility consists of a 775
GPM influent pump station with dual pumps, a wedgewire screening unit, a 500 square foot dissolved air flotation
unit, two stabilization lagoons (one 7.755 million gallons and another 8.175 million gallons capacity) in series, a 950
GPM transfer pump station with dual pumps and liquid chlorine feed system, a 35 million gallon storage lagoon
days storage capacity), 2,000 GPD irrigation pump station with dual pumps, and approximately 147 acres of irrigatk
fields and 41 additional acres used only for crop maintenance to serve House of Raeford, Inc., with no discharge of
wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received February 12, 1999 and in conformity with the project
plan, specifications, and other supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until October 21, 2004, shall void Permit No.
WQ0002005 issued November 14, 1994, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The spray irrigation facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated at all times so that there is no
discharge to the surface waters, nor any contamination of ground waters which will render them
unsatisfactory for normal use. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the
creation of nuisance conditions or failure of the irrigation area to adequately assimilate the wastewater, the
Pern-ittee shall take immediate corrective actions including those actions that may be required by the
Division of Water Quality (Division), such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment and disposal facilities.
2. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages to surface or
groundwaters resulting from the operation of this facility.
The residuals generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed in accordance with General
Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.
4. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.

The following buffers shall be maintained;
a) 400 feet between wetted area and any residence or places of public assembly under separate
ownership,
b) 150 feet between wetted area and property lines,
c) 100 feet between wetted area and wells,
d) 100 feet between wetted area and drainageways or surface water bodies,
e) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways,
f) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and wells, and
g) 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines.
Some of the buffers specified above may not have been included in previous permits for this waste
treatment and disposal system. These buffers are not intended to prohibit or prevent modifications, which
are required by the Division, to improve performance of the existing treatment facility. These buffers do,
however, apply to modifications of the treatment and disposal facilities which are for the purpose of
increasing the flow that is tributary to the facility. These buffers do apply to any expansion or
modification of the spray irrigation areas and apply in instances in which the We of property would cause
any of the buffers now complied with, for the treatment and disposal facilities, to be violated. The
applicant is advised that any modifications to the existing facilities will require a permit modification.
6. The 13.1 acre reserve area included on sheet 17A of the approved plans shall be maintained for the life of
the permit.
H. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE RE UIREMENTS
1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
2. Upon classification of the facility by the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification
Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to
be in responsible charge (ORC) of the wastewater treatment facilities. The operator must hold a certificate
of the type and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification assigned to the wastewater
treatment facilities by the WPCSOCC. The Permittee must also employ a certified back-up operator of the
appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions of 15A NCAC SG .0202. The ORC of the
facility must visit each Class I facility at Ieast weekly and each Class II, 111, and IV facility at least daily,
excluding weekends and holidays, and must properly manage and document daily operation and
maintenance of the facility and must comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC 80.0202.
The crop management plan developed for this facility shall be followed except for nutrient loadings that
are limited by this permit.
4. A vegetative cover of Bermuda grass and winter cover crop shall be maintained.
5. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition that will
cause runoff.
6. Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the spray field.
7. The facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to prevent the
discharge of any wastewater resulting from the operation of this facility.

III
8. The hydraulic application rate shall not exceed the following instantaneous application rates and
cumulative loadings:
ZONE Weekly Application Rate
(in inches per week)
lA
1.50
1B
1.50
2A
0.80
2B
0.80
3A
see condition 11. 9
3B
see condition U. 9
4
1.50
5A
1.00
5B
1.00
6A
0.75
6B
1.00
Annual Application Rate
(in inches per year)
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
30.0
30.0
80.0
60.0
60.0
50.0
60.0
9. Zones 3A and 3B shall be utilized only when irrigation for crop maintenance is necessary_ When soil
moisture content is less than 50 percent and there is an actively growing crop, irrigation may occur as
necessary to bring the soil moisture content up to 50 percent.
10. The application of plant available nitrogen (by calculation) shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 250
pounds per acre per growing season of Coastal Bermuda grass, and a cumulative loading of 50 pounds per
acre per growing season of a winter cover crop.
11. No type of wastewater other than that from House of Raeford, Inc. shall be sprayed onto the irrigate
area.
12. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or while
normal maintenance is being performed.
13. Public access to the land application sites shall be controlled during active site use. Such controls may
include the posting of signs showing the activities being conducted at each site.
14. Freeboard in the three lagoons shall not be less than two feet at any time.
15. The irrigation field surfaces shall be scarified as necessary to prevent the sealing of the surface sufficient
to cause ponding on the irrigation sites.
16. A protective vegetative cover shall be established and maintained on all lagoon/storage pond
embankments (outside toe of embankment to maximum pumping elevation), berms, pipe runs, and surface
water diversions. Trees, shrubs, and other woody vegetation shall not be allowed to grow on the
lagoon/waste storage pond embankments. All trees shall be removed in accordance with good engineering
practices. Lagoon/waste storage pond areas shall be accessible, and vegetation shall be kept mowed.
MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses) deemed necessary by
the Division to insure surface and ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling
reporting schedule shall be followed.
3

Adequate records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking the amount of wastewater disposed. These
records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following information:
a. date of irrigation,
b. volume of wastewater irrigated,
c. field irrigated,
d. length of time field is irrigated,
e. continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date hydraulic (inches/acre) loadings for each field,
f. continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date plant available nitrogen (pounds/acre) Ioadings for each
field,
g. weather conditions, and
h. maintenance of cover crops.
3. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to irrigation
every twice per month for the following parameters:
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
Total Coliform pH
NH3 as N NO3
PAN by calculation '
4. Samples shall be collected monthly from the surface waters at the five locations marked by an X on figure
1 and analyzed by a certified laboratory for the following parameters:
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Ammonia Nitrogen
NO3 Fecal Coliform
Total Organic Carbon
5. Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition III 2) on Form NDAR-1
shall be submitted on or before the last day of the following month. Three (3) copies of all effluent
monitoring data (as specified in conditions 1113 and 111 4) on Form NDMR-1 shall be submitted on or
before the last day of the following month. All information shall be submitted to the following address:
NC Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
Non -Discharge CompIiance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
6. A representative annual soils analysis (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted on each spray
field and the results maintained on file by the Permittee for a minimum of five years. The Standard Soil
Fertility Analysis shall include, but is not necessarily limited to, the following parameters;
Acidity Manganese Potassium
Calcium Percent Humic Matter Sodium
Copper pH Zinc
Magnesium Exchangeable Sodium Percentage Phosphorus
Cation Exchange Capacity Base Saturation (by calculation)
4

A soil scientist or agronomist shall submit two interim reports per year and one annual report to
the Wilmington Regional Office. Each interim site visit shall be performed prior to the crop planting, if
planting occurs, or prior to each crop growth season. The interim report shall be submitted within C
month of the site visit and should contain, but not be limited to, the following:
a. Visual observations of land conditions, irrigation patterns and lagoon levels;
b. Nutrient loading analysis using an average of current effluent concentrations;
c. Crop management recommendations;
d. Vegetation (plant tissue) analysis;
e. Any recommendations for improving conditions at the spray irrigation sites for the next crop.
An annual report should be submitted by the soil scientist or agronomist to the Wilmington Regional
Office on or before January 31 of each year and should contain, but be limited to the following:
a. Results of the past year's strategy, including the effectiveness of changes which may have been
performed based upon interim evaluations;
b. Monthly irrigation logs for the year. The logs should denote the maximum weekly irrigation rate
for each month;
c. Recommendations for the next year, including waterway management, micronutrient additions,
irrigation recommendations, and crop manageme,it recommendations.
9. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Wilmington Regional Office, telephone number 910-39K-
3900, as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours or on the next working day following
occurrence or first knowledge. of the occurrence of any of the following:
a. Any occurrence at the wastewater treatment facility which results in the treatment of significant
amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such as the dumping of the
contents of a sludge digester; the known passage of a slug of hazardous substance through the facility;
or any other unusual circumstances.
b. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility incapable of
adequate wastewater treatment such as mechanical or electrical failures of pumps, aerators,
compressors, etc.
c. Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or treatment facility resulting in a by-pass directly to
receiving waters without treatment of all or any portion of the influent to such station or facility.
d. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out of compliance with
its permit limitations_
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form within five
(5) 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.

IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Existing monitor wells MW-1, MW-2, MW-3, MW-4, MW-5, MW-6, MW-7, MW-8, MW-9 and MW-10
shall be sampled every February, .Tune and September for the following parameters:
Water Level pH
Chlorides Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Fecal Coliforms Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Nitrate Nitrogen Sulfate
Sodium
The measurement of water levels must be made prior to sampling for the remaining parameters. The depth
to water in each well shall be measured from the surveyed point on the top of the casing.
If TOC concentrations greater than 10 mgll are detected in any downgradient monitoring well, additional
sampling and analysis must be conducted to identify the individual constituents comprising this TOC
concentration. if the TOC concentration as measured in the background monitor well exceeds 10 mgll,
this concentration will be taken to represent the naturally occurring TOC concentration. Any exceedances
of this naturally occurring TOC concentration in the downgradient wells shall be subject to the additional
sampling and analysis as described above.
The results of the sampling and analysis must be received on Form GW-59 (Groundwater Quality
Monitoring: Compliance Report Form) by the Groundwater Section, Permits and Compliance Unit,
1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1636 on or before the last working day of the month
following the sampling month.
2. In accordance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 2L .0107 (d), any water supply wells situation within
the compliance boundary of the facility will be abandoned in accordance with the mehtods and procedures
outlined under 15A NCAC 2C .0113 within ninety (90) days of permit issuance.
3. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be provided.
4. The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15A NCAC 2L,
Groundwater Classifications and Standards. The Compliance Boundary is for the disposal system
constructed after December 31, 1983 is established at either (1) 250 feet from the waste disposal area, or
(2) 50 feet within the property boundary, whichever is closest to the waste disposal area. An exceedance
of Groundwater Quality Standards at or beyond the Compliance Boundary is subject to immediate
remediation action in addition to the penalty provisions applicable under General Statute 143-
215.6A(a)(1).
In accordance with 15A NCAC 2L, a REVIEW BOUNDARY is established around the disposal systems
midway between the Compliance Boundary and the perimeter of the waste disposal area. Any exceedance
of standards at the Review Boundary shall require remediation action on the part of the permittee.
5. Any person conduction or controlling an activity which is conducted under the authority of a permit issued
by the Division and which results in an increase in concentration of a substance in excess of the standards:
(1) at or beyond a review boundary, shall demonstrate, through predictive calculations or modeling, that
natural site conditions, facility design and operational controls will prevent a violation of standards at the
compliance boundary; or submit a plan for alteration of existing site conditions, facility design or
operational controls that will prevent a violation at the compliance boundary, and implement that plan
upon its approval by the Director, or his designee.
141

(2) at or beyond a compliance boundary, shall assess the cause, significance and extent of the violation of
standards and submit the results of the investigation, and a plan and proposed schedule for corrective
action to the Director, or his designee. The permittee shall implement the plan tLs approved by and
accordance with a schedule established by the Director, or his designee. In establishing a schedule .
Director, or his designee shall consider any reasonable schedule proposed by the permittee.
V. INSPECTIONS
1. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure proper
operation of the subject facilities.
2. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and disposal facilities to prevent
malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors and discharges which may cause or lead to the release of
wastes to the environment, a threat to human health, or a nuisance. The Permittee. shall keep an inspection
log or summary including at least the date and time of inspection, observations made, and any
maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken by the Permittee. This log of inspections shall be
maintained by the Permittee for a period of three years from the date of the inspection and shall be made
available upon request to the Division or other permitting authority.
3. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division may, upon presentation of
credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on or related to the disposal site or facility at
any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this permit; may inspect or copy any
records that must be maintained under the terms and conditions of this permit, and may obtain samples of
groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
This permit shall become voidable unless the facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions or
this permit, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting data.
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the application
and other supporting data.
3. This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to change ownership, or there
is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must be submitted to the Division accompanied
by an application fee, documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting materials as may be
appropriate. The approval of this request will be considered on its merits and may or may not be
approved.
4. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the Permittee to an
enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6A to 143-
215.6C.
5. The issuance of this permit does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and all statutes,
rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other government agencies (local, state, and
federal) which have jurisdiction.
6. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee for the
life of the project.
7. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within thirty (30) days aft--
being billed by the Division. Failure to pay the fee accordingly, may cause the Division to initiate actioi
revoke this permit as specified by 15A NCAC 2H .0205 (c)(4).

The Permittee, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permit, shall request its extension.
Upon receipt of the request, the Commission will review the adequacy of the facilities described therein,
and if warranted, will extend the permit for such period of time and under such conditions and limitations
as it may deem appropriate.
9. The Permittee shall continue to investigate expansion of the existing irrigation system and within one year
shall submit either a permit modification for an irrigation system expansion or documentation showing
compliance with all hydraulic and nutrient loading conditions in this permit.
10. The subject wastewater treatment and disposal facilities shall be connected to an operational publicly
owned wastewater collection system within 180 days of its availability to the subject facilities, if the
subject wastewater treatment or disposal facilities are in noncompliance with the terms and conditions of
this non -discharge permit or the governing statutes or regulations. Prior to the initiation of these
connection activities, appropriate approval must be received from this Division.
Permit issued this tl)p 12'b day of November, 1999
-0)V
c
AL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0002005

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