WQ0003378_Final Permit_19960327

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
March 27, 1996
William S. Richardson, County Manager
County of Currituck
Ocean Sands Water & Sewer District
Post Office Box 39
Currituck, North Carolina 27929
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Subject: Permit No. WQ0003378
Ocean Sands Water & Sewer District
Wafer Treatment Plant
Surface Sand Adsorption Plant
Currituck County
Dear Mr. Richardson:
In accordance with the renewal request received November 15, 1995, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0003378, dated March 27, 1996, to the Ocean Sands Water & Sewer District for the
continued operation of the subject disposal system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 2001, shall void Permit
No. WQ0003378 issued January 22, 1991, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as
specified therein. Please pay particular attention to the 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, P.O. Drawer
27447, Raleigh, NC 27611-7447. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Michael D. Allen at
[phone] ex�sion 547.
Sincerely, ��ll
A. Pres Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Currituck County Health Department
McDowell & Associates, P.A.
Washington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Washington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Bob Cheek, Groundwater Section, Central Office
Training and Certification Unit (no revised rating)
Facilities Assessment Unit
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post -consumer paper

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
WASTEWATER DISPOSAL 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 THE
Ocean Sands Water & Sewer District
Currituck County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 1500 GPD non -discharge wastewater disposal facility consisting of a surface
sand adsorption pit measuring 20 feet by 25 feet and all associated piping to serve the disposal of
backwash wastewater from the green sand filters located at the Ocean Sands Water & Sewer District's
Water Treatment Plant, with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the renewal request
received November 15, 1995, and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other supporting
data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 2001, shall void Permit
No. WQ0003378 issued January 22, 1991, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective actions, including those
actions that may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or
replacement wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
2. This permit shall become voidable if the soils fail to adequately assimilate the wastes and
may be rescinded unless the facilities are installed, maintained, and operated in a manner
which will protect the assigned water quality standards of the surface waters and ground
waters.
3. 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 North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management.
4. Adequate measures shall be taken to divert stormwater from the adsorption area and to
prevent wastewater runoff.
5. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is
prohibited.

6. 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.
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1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
2. Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, 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 Certification Commission. The Permittee must also employ a
certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions
of Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202. The ORC of the facility must visit each Class I facility at
least weekly and each Class 11,111, and 1V 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 Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202.
3. The facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to
prevent the discharge of any wastewater outside of the high rate infiltration disposal area,
which result from the operation of this facility.
4. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation
occurs or while normal maintenance is being performed.
5. Vegetative growth must be kept out of the sand aborption pit at all times. All vegetation
must be removed manually so that minimal disturbance will occur to the disposal area.
6. The application of chemicals to the sand aborption pit is expressly prohibited.
Any monitoring deemed necessary by the Division of Environmental Management to insure
surface and ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling
reporting schedule shall be followed.
2. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Washington Regional Office, telephone
number [phone], as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours or on the
next working day following the occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of any cf
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 basin or tank; 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 renders 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
of all or any portion of the influent to such station or facility; or
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d. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility is not in compliance
with its permit limitations.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter
form within 15 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.
1. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall
be provided.
2. The CQMPLIANCE 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.
3. Within thirty (30) days of permit reissuance, the permittee shall submit two (2) original
copies of a scaled map (scale no greater than 1 ":100') signed and sealed by a state licensed
land surveyor that indicates all of the following information:
a. the location of the waste disposal system,
b. the location of all property boundaries, and
c. the latitude and longitude of the established horizontal control monument.
The survey shall be conducted using approved practices outlined in North Carolina General
Statutes Chapter 89C and the North Carolina Administrative Code Title 21, Chapter 56.
The surveyor shall establish a horizontal control monument on the property of the waste
disposal system and determine the latitude and longitude of this horizontal control
monument to a horizontal positional accuracy of +/- 10 feet. All other features listed in a.
through e. above shall be surveyed relative to this horizontal control monument. The
positional accuracy of features listed in a. through e. above shall have a ratio of precision
not to exceed an error of closure of 1 foot per 10,000 feet of perimeter of the survey. Any
features located by the radial method will be located from a minimum of two points.
Horizontal control monument shall be installed in such a manner and made of such
materials that the monument will not be destroyed due to activities that may take place on
the property. The map shall also be surveyed using the North American Datum of 1983
coordinate system and shall indicate the datum on the map. All bearings or azimuths shall
be based on either the true or NAD 83 grid meridian. If a Global Positioning System
(GPS) is used to determine the latitude and longitude of the horizontal control monument, a
GPS receiver that has the capability to perform differential GPS shall be used and all data
collected by the GPS receiver will be differentially corrected.
The maps and any supporting documentation shall be sent to the NC Division of
Environmental Management, Washington Regional Office, Groundwater Section, 1424
Carolina Avenue, Washington, NC 27889-3314.

UMMENUMUXUBrel►
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 maintain 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 maintainbd by the Permittee for a
period of three years from the date of the inspection and shall be made available to the
Division of Environmental Management or other permitting authority, upon request.
3. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of Environmental
Management 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.
This permit shall become voidable unless the facilities are constructed in accordance with
the conditions of 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 Pennittee, a formal permit request must be
submitted to the Division of Environmental Management 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. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within thirty
(30) days after being billed by the Division. Failure to pay the fee accordingly may cause
the Division to initiate action to revoke this permit as specified by 15A NCAC 2H .0205)
(c) (4).
5. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Environmental Management in
accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6(a) to 143-215.6(c).
6. The issuance of this permit does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and
all statutes, r€des, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other government
agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.
7. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the
Permittee for the life of this project.
8. 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.
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Permit issued this the twenty-seventh day of March, 1996
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
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A. Presto Poward, Jr., P.E' , Director / J
Division bVEnvironmental Management
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0003378