WQ0004942_Final Permit_19960322

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 22, 1996
Mr. Richard C. O'Neal, Maintenance Supervisor
Perquimans County Schools
P.O. Box 337
Hertford, NC 27944
Subject: Permit No. WQ0004942
Perquimans County Schools
Perquimans Middle School
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Perquimans County
Dear Mr. O'Neal:
In accordance with your application received November 6, 1995, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0004942, dated March 22, 1996, to Perquimans County Schools for the continued
operation of the subject wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities. Please note several changes.
The instantaneous loading rate has been increased to 0.165 inches per hour based on a site investigation by
the Division. Also approval has been granted for pump run timers to be used for flow calculation to
replace the malfunctioning impeller flow meter presently installed.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 2001, shall void Permit
No. WQ0004942 issued July 1, 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.
One set of approved plans and specifications is being forwarded to you. If you need additional
information concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Randy Kepler at [phone] extension 544.
cc: Perquimans County Health Department
Washington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Washington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Bob Cheek, Groundwater Section, Central Office
Training and Certification Unit, No change in ratings
Facilities Assessment Unit
Sincerely,
A. Presto Howard, Jr., P.E.~�
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
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
Perquimans County Schools
Perquimans County
1 • I . WE
continued operation of a 4,350 GPD spray irrigation treatment and disposal facility consisting of a 120
GPM pump station into the septic tank, a 24,000 gallon septic tank, a 150 GPM pump station and force
main to the sand filter, a 1,256 square foot surface sand filter, a 40 GPM pump station with duplex pumps
and high water alarms, an in line chlorine vault with flow meter and chlorinator, approximately 843 linear
feet of two inch force main, a 189,000 gallon storage lagoon with artificial liner, a 64 GPM pump station
with duplex pumps and high water alarms, approximately 540 feet of dual three inch force main, two -one
acre spray fields with eight spray heads each, and associated piping, valves, and appurtenances to serve
Perquimans Middle School, with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application
received November 6, 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. WQ0004942 issued July 1, 1991, and shall be .subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. 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 Permittee shall take immediate
corrective actions including those actions that may be required by the Division of
Environmental Management, 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.
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. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is
prohibited.
5. 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 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.
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 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 Pernuttee 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 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 Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202.
3. A suitable vegetative cover shall be maintained.
4. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a
condition that will cause runoff.
5. Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the spray field.
6. 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.
7. The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 52.0 inches over any twelve
(12) month period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.165 inches per hour.
8. No type of wastewater other than that from Perquimans Middle School shall be sprayed
onto the irrigation area.
9. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation
occurs or while normal maintenance is being performed.

10. 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.
11. Freeboard in the storage lagoon shall not be less than two feet at any time.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses)
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. 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 (flow may be measured by pump run timers),
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, weather conditions, and
g. maintenance of cover crops.
3. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior
to irrigation every April, August, and December for the following parameters:
BOD5 TSS
Fecal Coliform pH
NH3 as N
4. Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition Ill 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 condition I113) on Form NDMR-1
shall be submitted on or before the last day of May, September, and January. All
information shall be submitted to the following address:
NC Division of Environmental Management
Water Quality Section
Facility Assessment Unit
PO Box 29535
Raleigh, NC 27626-0535
5. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Washington Regional Office, telephone
number 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 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 rendlcrs the facility
incapable of adequate wastewater treatment, such as mechanical or electrical failures <}f
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; or
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 15 days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report must outline
the actions taken or proposed to bc� taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.
IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Monitor wells MW-1, MW-2, and MW-3 shall be sampled annually every March for the
following parameters:
Water Level pH
Nitrate (NO3-N) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Ammonia Nitrogen Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Chlorides Fecal Coliforms
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/1, 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 shall be sent to the Groundwater Section, Permits
and Compliance Unit, P.Q. Box 29578 Raleigh, N.C. 27626-0578 on Form GW-59
[Compliance Monitoring Report Form] every April.
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).
H

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 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 of Environmental Management or other permitting authority.
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.
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
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 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. 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).
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 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).

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.
9. 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 the Twenty Second day of March, 1936
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
A. Preston Poward, Jr., P.L., Director ,
Division of nvironmental Management
By Authority of the Environmental Management
Permit Number WQ0004942
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