HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0004095_Final Permit_19910114State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 2761
James G. Martin, Governor
William W. Cobey, Jr., Secretary
January 14, 1991
Mr. W.A. Schimming,Manager, Environmental Affairs
Texasgulf, Inc.
Route3, Box 48
George T. Everett, Ph.D.
Director
Aurora, North Carolina 27806 Subject: Permit No. WQ0004095
Dear Mr- Sehimming:
Texasgulf, Inc,
Land Application of Sludge
Beaufort County
In accordance with your application received September 7, 1990, we are forwarding
herewith Permit No. WQ0004095, dated January 14, 1991, to Texasgulf, Inc. for the operation
of a land application of sludge program. This permit entails site approval only. No sludge may
be applied until appropriate sludge analysis is submitted and a permit amendment is issued.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until December 31, 1995, 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 to you,
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, P.O. Box 11666, Raleigh, NC 27604. Unless such demands are made
this permit shall be final and binding.
One set of approved plans and specifications is being forwarded to you. If you need
additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Dana Bolden at 9191733-5083,
Sincerely,
T.
cc: Beaufort County Health Department
Groundwater Section
Environmental Waste Disposal, Inc.
Washington Regional Office
Training and Certification
.Pollution Prevention Pays
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone 919-733-7015
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
SLUDGE LAND APPLICATION 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
Texasgulf, Incorporated
Beaufort County
FOR THE
operation of a sludge land application program consisting of disposal of domestic wastewater
treatment sludge to approximately 34.3 acres of disposal area with no discharge of wastes to the
surface waters, pursuant to the application received September 7, 1990 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 December 31, 1995, and shall be
subject to the following specked conditions and limitations:
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1: The Washington Regional Office, phone no. (919) 946-6481, and the appropriate
local governmental official (county manager/city manager) shall be notified at least
twenty-four (24) hours prior to the initial application of the sludge so that an
inspection can be made of the application sites and application method. Such
notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during the normal office hours
from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding State
Holidays. Also the Beaufort County Manager's office must be notified prior to the
initial application so that they will be aware that the operation has commenced.
2. This permit shall become voidable if the soils fail to adequately absorb the wastes
and may be rescinded unless the sites are maintained and operated in a manner
which will protect the assigned water quality standards of the surface waters and
ground waters.
The land application program shall be effectively maintained and operated as a
non -discharge system to prevent the discharge of any wastes resulting from the
operation of this program.
4. 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.
5. In the event that the land application program is not operated satisfacrily,
including the creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall cease applying
sludge to the sites and take any immediate corrective actions, including the
construction of additional or replacement wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
6. No crops for direct human consumption shall be raised on these sites for a period of
18 months following sludge application.
7. Maximum slope for sludge application shall be 10% for surface application and
18% for subsurface applications.
8. The following buffers zones shall be maintained:
a) 400 feet from residences under separate ownership for surface application
method, however the buffer zone requirement may be reduced to a minimum of
100 feet upon written consent of the owner.
b) 200 feet from residences under separate ownership for injection method,
however the buffer zone requirement may be reduced to a minimum of 100 feet
upon written consent of the owner.
c) 100 feet from "SA and SB" classified waters and public surface water supplies
for both methods,
d) 50 feet from "WS" classified waters and other streams, creeks, lakes, rivers,
and surface water drainage ways for injection method.
e) 100 feet from "WS" classified waters and other streams, creeks, lakes, rivers
and surface water drainage ways for surface application method,
f) 100 feet from property lines for both methods,
g) 50 feet from public right of ways for surface application methods,
h) 25 feet from public right of ways for subsurface disposal methods,
i) 10 feet from upslope interceptor drains and surface water diversions for both
methods,
j) 25 feet from downslope interceptor drains, surface water diversions,
groundwater drainage systems and surface drainage ditches for both methods.
9. A copy of this permit shall be kept at the land application site when sludge is being
applied during the life of this permit. A spill prevention and control plan shall be
kept in all sludge transport and application vehicles.
10. All sludges included in this permit must be stabilized by a process to significantly
reduce pathogens (as described in 40 CFR Part 257, Appendix II) prior to
application or incorporation. An evaluation of all sludges as specified in condition
II 4 must be conducted as to their ability to demonstrate compliance with this
requirement. A copy of this report must be submitted to the Assistant Chief for
Operations, Division of Environmental Management, Water Quality Section,
Operations Branch, PO Box 27687, Raleigh, NC 27611-7687, within six (6)
months of the permit issue date.
11. Specific sludge application area boundaries shall be clearly marked on each site
prior to and during sludge application.
12. No sludge at any time shall be stored at any application site.
IL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
The facilities and disposal sites shall be properly maintained and operated at all
times.
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2. A suitable vegetative cover as listed in condition. II 3, shall be maintained in
accordance with the crop management plan approved by this Division.
3 . The application rates shall not exceed the following for the specified crops:
ro s PAN (lbs/acrehyear)
Corn 200
Soybeans 150
Wheat 100
Grass 200
4. No sludges shall be applied to sites listed in this permit until Texasgulf has applied
for and received an amendment to this permit to allow sludge application.
5. The lifetime heavy metal loadings shall not exceed the following for the
corresponding Cation Exchange Capacities (CEC):
Parameter
CEC < 5
Lead (lbs/acre)
500
Zinc (lbs/acre)
250
Copper (lbs/acre)
125.
Nickel (lbs/acre)
125
Cadmium (lbs/acre)
4.5
b. The Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to be in
responsible charge of the land application operation. The operator must hold a
certificate of the grade at least equivalent to the classification assigned to the land
application program by the Certification Commission.
7. Adequate procedures shall be provided to prevent surface runoff from carrying any
disposed or stored sludge material into any surface waters.
8. Animals shall not be grazed on sludge applied land within a 30-day period
following the sludge application. Application sites that are to be used for grazing
shall have fencing that will be used to prevent access after each application.
9. Surface applied sludge will be plowed or disced within twenty-four (24) hours after
application on lands with no cover crop established.
10. For areas that are prone to flooding or within the 100-year flood elevation, sludge
may be applied only during periods of dry weather. The sludge must be
incorporated into the soil within twenty-four (24) hours of application.
11. Appropriate measures must be taken to control public access to the land application
sites during active site use and for the 12-month period following the last sludge
application event. Such controls may include the posting of signs indicating the
activities being conducted at each site.
12. Adequate provisions shall be taken to prevent wind erosion and surface runoff from
conveying pollutants from the sludge application area onto the adjacent property or
into the surface waters.
13. _ Sludge shall not be applied in inclement weather or until 24 hours following a
rainfall event of 1/2-inch or greater in 24 hours. Any emergency sludge disposal
measures must first be approved by the Division of Environmental Management.
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14. The site shall be adequately limed to a soil pH of at least 6.5 prior to sludge
application. Sludge may be applied to sites with a pH of less than 6.5 provided a
sufficient amount of lime is also applied to achieve a final pH of the lime, sludge
and soil mixture of at least 6.5.
1I1, MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, sludge, soil, or plant tissue
analyses) deemed necessary by the Division of Environmental Management to
insure protection of the environment will be established and an acceptable sampling
and reporting schedule shall be followed. If monitoring data indicates minimal or
no concern to the Division, reduction of monitoring requirements may be pursued
after two annual reporting periods.
2. Proper records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking all disposal activities.
These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to the following
information:
a) source of sludge
b) date of sludge application
c) location of sludge application (site, field, or zone #)
d) method of application
e) weather conditions
f) soil conditions
g) type of crop or crop to be grown on field
h) volume of sludge applied in gallons/acre and dry tons/acre
i) annual and cumulative totals of dry tons/acre of sludge, annual and cumulative
pounds/acre of each heavy metal (which shall include, but not be limited to
lead,nickel, cadmium, copper and zinc), annual pounds/acre of plant available
nitrogen (PAN), and annual pounds/acre of phosphorus applied to each field.
3. A representative annual soils analysis shall be conducted of each site receiving
sludge in the respective calendar year and the results maintained on file by the
Permittee for a minimum of five years. The soils analysis shall include but is not
necessarily limited to the following parameters:
Standard Soil Fertility Test
% Base Saturation
Phosphorus
Potassium
Lead
Zinc
Magnesium
pH
Manganese
Cation Exchange Capacity
Sodium
Nickel
Cadmium
Copper
Calcium
4. A quarterly sludge analysis and annual Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure
(TCLP) analysis shall be conducted by the Permittee and the results maintained on
file by the Permittee for a minimum of five years. If land application occurs at a
frequency less than quarterly, sludge analysis will be required for each instance of
land application. The sludge analysis shall include but is not necessarily limited to
the following parameters:
% total solids
Magnesium
Chlorides
Sulfate
Phosphorus
Potassium
Lead
Zinc
Copper
Nickel
2
Cirgium Chromium
Sodium calcium
Total Nitrogen Ammonia Nitrogen
Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrogen pH
Plant Available Nitrogen (by calculation)
The TCLP analysis shall include the following parameters:
Arsenic
Barium
Benzene
Cadmium
Carbon tetrachloride
Chlordane
Chlorobenzene
Chloroform
Chromium
o-Cresol
m-Cresol
p-Cresol
Cresol
2,4-D
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethylene
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
Endrin
Heptachlor (and its hydroxide)
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene
Hexachloroethane
Lead
Lindane
Mercury
Methoxychlor
Methyl ethyl ketone
Nitrobenzene
Pentachlorophenol
Pyridine
Selenium
Silver
Tetrachloroethylene
Toxaphene.
Trichloroethylene
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
Vinyl chloride .
Three copies of all monitoring and reporting requirements as specified in conditions
III 1, 1112,1113 and III 4 shall be submitted annually on or before March I of
the following year to the following address:
NC Division of Environmental Management
Water Quality Section
Facility Assessment Unit
PO Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611-7687
6. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Washington, Regional Office
telephone no. (919) 946-6481, 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 with the land application program which results in the land
application of significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or
characteristic.
b. Any failure of the land application program resulting in a release of sludge
material to receiving waters.
c. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out
of compliance with the conditions and limitations of this permit or the
parameters on which the system was designed.
d. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the
facility incapable of adequate sludge treatment.
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e. Any spillage or discharge from a vehicle or piping system transporting se to
the application site.
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.
1V. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Piezometers shall be installed at sites 4, 5, and 6 to monitor the depth to
groundwater. The exact location of these piezometers shall be approved by the
Washington Regional Office from which a well construction permit must be
obtained.
2. No land application of waste activities shall be undertaken when the seasonal high
water table is less than three feet below land surface.
Prior to beginning waste disposal operations, three (3) monitor wells, one (1)
upgradient and two (2) downgradient, shall be installed at site number 4 to monitor
groundwater quality. The well(s) shall be constructed such that the water level in
the well is never above or below the screened (open) portion of the well at any time
during the year. However, the exact location and construction details for these
wells shall be approved by the Washington Regional Office, from which a well
construction permit must be obtained.
4. The monitoring wells shall be sampled initially after construction and thereafter
every March, July, and November for the following parameters:
NO3 (10.0) Ammonia Nitrogen
TDS (500.0) TOC
pH (6.5 - 8.5 Standard Units) Chloride (250,0)
Fecal Coliforms (1/100m1)
Volatile Organic Compounds - In November only (by Method 1 or Method
2 below).
Method 1: Method 6230D (Capillary - Column), - "Standard Methods For The
Examination of Water and Wastewater", 17th ed., 1989_
Method 2: Method 502.2 "Methods For The Determination of Organic Compounds
in Drinking Water", U.S. EPA - 600/4-88/039.
The measurement of water level must be made prior to sampling for the remaining
parameters.
The measuring points (top of well casing) of all monitoring wells shall be surveyed
relative to mean sea level (M.S.L.). The depth of water in each well shall be
measured from the surveyed point on the top of the casing. The water level
elevations shall then be determined relative to M.S.L.
The numbers in parentheses represent the maximum allowable concentrations in
groundwater for the various analytical parameters, as specified in 15 NCAC 2L
[Groundwater Classifications and Standards]. Unless otherwise specified, the units
for these concentrations are expressed as milligrams per liter.
0
If TOC concentrations greater than 10 mg/1 are deteA. 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.
If any volatile organic compounds are detected by method 6230D, or the equivalent
method 502.2, then EPA methods 604 and 611 must also be run to detect other
organic compounds which may be present. The results of all analyses specified in
the monitoring requirements, including 604 and 611 if required, must be submitted
simultaneously.
The results of the sampling and analysis shall be sent to the .N.C. Division of
Environmental Management on Form GW-59 (Compliance Monitoring Report
Form) every April, August, and December.
5. The Compliance Boundary for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15
NCAC 2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards. An exceedance of
Groundwater Quality Standards beyond the Compliance Boundary is subject to
penalty provisions applicable under General Statute 143-215.6(1)a. The sale of
property, by the Permittee, which is within or contiguous to the disposal system site
may alter the location of the Compliance Boundary.
For facilities permitted on or after December 30, 1983, the Compliance Boundary is
established at the lesser of 250 feet from the sludge disposal field, or 50 feet within
the property boundary.
If the title to any property which may affect the location of the Compliance Boundary
is changed, the Permittee shall notify the DEM Director within 14 days. The
Director shall then establish a modified Compliance Boundary which will be done as
a modification to the Permit.
The REVIEW BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15
NCAC 2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards. A REVIEW BOUNDARY
is established around disposal systems midway between the Compliance Boundary
and the perimeter of the waste disposal area. When the concentration of any
substance equals or exceeds the maximum allowable concentration of that substance
at the REVIEW BOUNDARY, as determined by monitoring, the permittee shall
either (i) 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, (ii) submit a plan for the alteration of
existing site conditions, facility design or operational controls that will prevent a
violation of standards at the Compliance Boundary, and implement that plan upon its
approval by the Director.
6. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the
Division, shall be provided.
V . INSPECTIONS
1. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the sludge storage, transport, 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
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any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken by the Permittee_ This log of
f ^&
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 by the Division of
Environmental Management or other permitting authority.
2. 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 and facility
at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this permit;
may inspect or copy any records that must be kept under the terms and conditions
of this permit; or may obtain samples of groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. This permit shall become voidable unless the land application activities are carried
out in accordance with the conditions of this permit and in the manner approved by
this Division.
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 a name change of the Permittee, 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. Prior to any transfer of this land, a notice shall be given to the new owner that gives
full details of the materials applied or incorporated at this site.
5. This permit shall become voidable unless the agreements between the Permittee and
the landowners/lessees are in full force and effect.
6. The following are approved sites for sludge application (see attached zap):
Site No.
Owner .Lessee
_Application Area(excluding buffers
acres
TG1
Texasgulf, Inc.
5.5
TG2
Texasgulf, Inc.
4.4
TG3
Texasgulf, Inc.
4.6
TG4
Texasgulf, Inc.
9.5
TG5
Texasgulf, Inc.
6.5
TG6
Texasgulf, Inc.
4.8
Total 34.3
7. 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.
8. 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 15 NCAC 2H .0205 (c)(4).
:1
9. 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.
10. A set of approved documents for the subject project must be retained by the
applicant for the life of the permit.
11. The Penn-iittee, 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.
12. This permit may be modified, or revoked and reissued to incorporate any
conditions, limitations and monitoring requirements the Division of Environmental
Management deems necessary in order to adequately protect the environment and
public health.
Pen -nit issued this the 14th day of January, 1990
C�Z�]�M ►/:1
George T. E�--erqtf, ]
Division of En on
By Authority of the
Permit No. WQ0004095
AL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Management Commission
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