WQ0004059_Final Permit_19980224

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources r 4 • •
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Wayne McDevitt, Secretary D E N R
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
February 24, 1998
Robert C. Clay, Vice President
Sugarloaf Utility, Inc.
Post Office Box 1939
McAdenville, North Carolina 28101
Subject: Permit No. WQ0004059
Sugarloaf Utility, Inc.
Atlantic Station
Wastewater Rotary Distributor
Facilities
Carteret County
Dear Mr. Clay,
In accordance with your application received January 22, 1998 we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0004059 dated February 24, 1998 to Sugarloaf Utility, Inc. for the continued operation
of the subject wastewater rotary distributor facilities. This permit transfers ownership and operation
from Sugarloaf Properties, Inc. to Sugarloaf Utilities, Incorporated.
Please be advised, failure to resolve the problems associated with the quality of the groundwater
may result in the areas where the violations are occurring being removed from the permit, reducing the
wastewater flow to the treatment facility, or the requirement to include additional treatment units. The
Division reserves the right to open this permit at any time and require the above items or any other
alternatives, if the groundwater violations are not resolved.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until January 31, 2002, shall void Permit
No. WQ0004059 issued February 28, 1997, 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.
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 2782E-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post -consumer paper

If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Matt Williams at (919)
733-5083 extension 509.
Sincerely 7
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Carteret County Health Department
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Wilmington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Bob Cheek, Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
HIGH RATE INFILTRATION 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
Sugarloaf Utility, Inc.
Carteret County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 100,000 wastewater rotary distributor facilities consisting of an influent bar
screen, a 20,000 gallon aerated flow equalization tank with dual 80 GPM submersible pumps and high
water alarms, flow control box, dual extended aeration package plants each consisting of a 50,000 gallon
aeration tank and a 8,333 gallon clarifier, dual 280 CFM blowers with a stand-by blower of equal
capacity, a 100,000 GPD teritary filter unit including backwash pumps and air scouring blowers, a 8,700
gallon sludge holding tank, a 2,084 gallon chlorine contact tank with dual tablet type chlorinators, an
effluent recording flow meter, a 5,863 gallon effluent dosing tank with submersible pumps and high
water alarms, two 86-foot diameter rotary distributors, an on -site stand-by generator with sufficient
capacity to operate the entire facility, and all associated piping, valves, and appurtenances to serve
Sugarloaf Utility, Inc.'s Atlantic Station with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to
the application received January 22, 1998, 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 January 31, 1998, shall void Permit
No. WQ0004059 issued February 28, 1997, 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 the Division of Water Quality (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. The ponding of wastewater on the surface of the distribution field when the
dosing cycle commences shall be considered as evidence of failure of the soils to
adequately assimilate the wastewater.. Additionally, such failure shall be interpreted as a
violation of this permit condition.

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 Division.
4. Adequate measures shall be taken to divert stormwater from the high rate infiltration 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.
7. The following buffers shall be maintained,
a) 400 feet between high rate infiltration unit and any habitable residence or place of
public assembly under separate ownership or which is to be sold,
b) 200 feet between high rate infiltration unit and any private or public water supply
source and any streams classified as WS or B,
c) 200 feet from mean high water between high rate infiltration unit and any "SA" or
"SB" classified surface waters,
d) 200 feet from normal high water between high rate infiltration unit and any other
stream, canal, marsh, or coastal waters,
e) 200 feet from normal high water between high rate infiltration unit and any Class I or
Class II impounded reservoir used as a source of drinking water,
f) 200 feet between high rate infiltration unit and any other lake or impoundment,
g) 200 feet between high rate infiltration unit and any Drainage systems (ditches, drains,
surface water diversions, etc.) and from any groundwater lowering and surface
drainage ditches,
h) 100 feet between high rate infiltration unit and property lines,
i) 50 feet between treatment units and property lines, and
j) 50 feet between high rate infiltration unit and other treatment units and public right of
ways.
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
high rate infiltration areas and apply in instances in which the sale 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.
A usable green area shall be maintained for wastewater disposal.' The green- area shall
have the capability of accommodating the average daily flow of the facility being served
without exceeding the loading rates of the green area. A "green area", as defined in 15A
NCAC 2H .0404 (g)(7), is an area suitable for waste disposal, either in its natural state or
which has been modified by planting a vegetative cover of grasses or low growing
shrubbery.
II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.

2. Upon classification of the facility by the Water Pollution Control System Operator
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
8A .0202. The ORC of the facility must visit each Class I facility at least weekly and
each Class II, III, 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 8A .0202.
3. The application rates for the high rate infiltration system shall not exceed 10 GPD/ft2.
4. 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.
5. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation
occurs or while normal maintenance is being performed.
6. The rotary distribution fields shall be raked twice weekly during the months April
through October and once a week during the months of November through March.
7. The screenings removed from the wastewater treatment plant shall be properly disposed
in a sanitary landfill or by other means which have been approved by this Division.
8. Vegetative growth must be kept out of the rotary distribution areas at all times. All
vegetation must be removed manually so that minimal disturbance will occur to the
disposal area.
9. The application of chemicals to the distribution field(s) is expressly prohibited.
10. An automatically activated standby power source shall be on site and operational at all
times. If a generator is employed as an alternate power supply, it shall be tested weekly
by interrupting the primary power source.
11. The flow measurement device shall be calibrated annually by a representative of a firm
which is routinely engaged in the calibration of flow measurement devices. Records of
this calibration, including all information pertinent to the calibration, shall be available
during any inspection by Division staff.
12. Diffusers shall be cleaned as needed to ensure that adequate aeration is provided.
Records of this maintenance shall be maintained by the permittee.
13. The chlorine tablets used in the disinfection facility shall be of the kind and type specified
in the plans and specifications approved by the Division.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Any monitoring deemed necessary by the Division to insure surface and ground water
protection will be established and an acceptable sampling reporting schedule shall be
followed.

2. As an indicator of proper operation and maintenance, the facility shall produce an effluent
in compliance with the following limitations:
Parameter Monthly Avera ea Daily Maximums
Flow 100,000 GPD
BOD5 (5-day, 20°C) 10 mg/l
NH3 as N 4 mg/1
TSS 20 mgll
Fecal Coliform 14 per 100 mlb 43 per 100 mI
a Monthly averages for all but fecal coliform shall be the arithmetic mean of all samples
collected during the reporting period.
b Daily maximum shall be the maximum value of all samples collected during the
reporting period.
The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored, by the Permittee, at the point
prior to discharge to the rotary distributors for the following parameters:
Parameter Sampling Point Sampling Frequency Type of Sample
Flow Influent or Effluent Continuous Recording
BOD5 (5-day, 20°C) Effluent *2/Month Composite
NH3 as N Effluent *2/Month Composite
TSS Effluent *2/Month Composite
Fecal Coliform Effluent of first pond *2/Month Grab
Settleable Matter Effluent Daily Grab
Residual Chlorine Effluent Daily Grab
NO3 Effluent * * Triannually Grab
TDS Effluent * * Triannually Grab
TOC Effluent * * Triannually Grab
Chloride Effluent * *Triannually Grab
The effluent pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard
units.
* 2/Month sampling frequency only during the months of April through October.
During the remainder of the year, these parameters shall be monitored monthly.
* * Triannually sampling shall be conducted during March, July, and November.
If Groundwater sampling indicates or predicts problems with compliance with of the
Groundwater Standards, this permit will be modified to include additional and/or more
restrictive limitations.
3. Three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition III 2) on Form
NDMR-1 shall be submitted on or before the last day of April, August, and December.
All information shall be submitted to the following address:
NC Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
Post Office Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
4

4. A record shall be maintained of all residuals removed from this facility. The record shall
include the name of the hauler, 'the permit authorizing the disposal or a letter from a
municipality agreeing to accept the residuals, the date the residuals were hauled, and the
volume of residuals removed.
5. A maintenance log shall be maintained at this facility including, but not limited to, the
following items:
a. Daily sampling results including residual chlorine, settleable matter, and dissolved
oxygen in the aeration basin and at the clarifier weir;
b. Visual observations of the plant and plant site;
c. Record of preventative maintenance (changing of filters, adjusting belt tensions,
alarm testing, diffuser inspections and cleanings, etc.);
d. Date of calibration of flow measurement device;
e. Date and results of power interruption testing on alternate power supply; and
f. Dates fields were raked and arms inspected.
6. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Wilmington 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 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 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
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 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
1. Monitor wells MW-1, MW-2A, MW-3, MW-5, and MW-6 shall be sampled initially after
construction and thereafter every March, July, and November for the following
parameters:
Water Level pH
Chloride Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Fecal CoIiforms Total Organic Compounds (TOC)
Nitrate (NO3) Total Ammonia
Total Phosphorous
Volatile Organic Compounds - In November only using one of the foIIowing:
(A) Standard Method 6230D, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(1) A laboratory must be DWQ certified to run any method used.
(2) The method used must, at a minimum, include all the constituents listed in
Table VIII of Standard Method 6230D.
(3) The method used must provided a PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less which must be
supported by laboratory proficiency studies as required by the DWQ
Laboratory Certification Unit. Any constituents detected above the MDL
but below the PQL at 0.5 ug/L must be qualified (estimated) and reported.
If any volatile organic compounds are detected by the methods listed, then the
Wilmington Regional Office Groundwater Supervisor, telephone number [phone]
must be contacted immediately for further instructions regarding any additional follow-up
analyses required. The results of all initial and follow-up analyses must be submitted
simultaneously.
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.
The measuring points (top of well casing) of all monitoring wells shall be surveyed to
provide the relative elevation of the measuring point for each monitoring well.
If TOC concentrations greater than 10 mg/l 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 mg/l, 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, P.O. Box 29578 Raleigh, N.C. 27626-0578 on or before the last
working day of the month following the sampling month.
2. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division,
shall be provided.
3. 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.
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 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 maintained by
the Permittee for a period of three years from the date of the inspection and shall be made
available to the Division or other permitting authority, upon request.
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
1. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in
the application and other supporting data.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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 in accordance with North Carolina
General Statute 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.

6. 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.
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.
Permit issued this the 24th day of February, 1998
NORTH C OLINA E 1R0 MENTAL MANAGEMENT COMM1SS1ON
�A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0004059