WQ0000795_Final Permit_20030625

oF w a r�94�
'"'"" Michael F. Easley, Governor
y William C. Ross Jr., Secretary
r North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
-•w�: ; Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
ti ZT Division of Water Quality
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June 25, 2003
A.D.(Zander) Guy, Jr., Mayor
Town of Surf City
PO Box 2475
Surf City, NC 28445
Subject: Permit No. WQ0000795
Town of Surf City
Wastewater Surface Irrigation
Pender County
Dear Honorable Mayor Guy:
In accordance with your request for renewal received January 14, 2003, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0000795, dated June 25, 2003, to Town of Surf City for the continued operation of the subject
wastewater treatment and surface irrigation facilities.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until May 31, 2008, shall void Permit No.
WQ0000795 issued May 12, 1998, 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.
Please read through this permit carefully as some conditions may have been added, or modified
from previous permits issued to this facility. Please pay particular attention to Condition I 1 regarding the
need to improve the irrigation sites.
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 150E 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 contact Sue Homewood at (919) 733-
5083 extension 502.
i
ce 1an W. Klimek,
cc: Pender County Health Department
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Wilmington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Water Quality Central Files
NDPU Files
Non -Discharge Permitting Unit
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh. NC 27699-1617
DENR Customer Service Center
An Equal opportunity Action Employer
Internet h1tp://h2o.enr.sta1e.nc.us/ndpu
Telephone (919} 733-5053 Fax [phone]
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NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
SURFACE 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
Town of Surf City
Pender County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 600,000 GPD wastewater collection, treatment and spray irrigation facility.
The wastewater collection system consists of twenty one (21) pump stations (two 150 GPM, five 100 GPM, one
85 GPM, four 75 GPM, and nine 50 GPM) each with dual submersible pumps, high water alarms and stand-by
power, approximately 21,930 linear feet of 12 -inch force main, approximately 9,575 linear feet of 10 -inch force
main, approximately 9,310 linear feet of 8 -inch force main, approximately 11,195 linear feet of 6 -inch force main,
approximately 2,135 linear feet of 4 -inch force main, approximately 10,075 linear feet of 3 -inch force main,
approximately 1,480 linear feet of 10 -inch gravity sewer, and approximately 105,522 linear feet of 8 -inch gravity
sewer.
The wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facility consists of two grit removal chambers, a flow splitter box, a
barscreen{comminutor unit, three clay -lined aerated lagoons (total volume of approximately 19 million gallons), a
gaseous chlorinator, a chlorine contact chamber, two clay -lined effluent storage ponds (total volume of
approximately 4.7 million gallons, and approximately 88.5 acres of spray irrigation fields.
The above facilities will serve Town of Surf City, with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to
the application received January 14, 2003, and subsequent additional information received by the Division, 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 May 31, 2008, shall void Permit No.
WQ0000795 issued May 12, 1998, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:

1. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. Within 90 days of permit issuance the Permittee shall retain the services of an agronomist or licensed
soil scientist to make recommendations for immediate and long term improvement the irrigation sites.
These recommendations shall specifically address stormwater management strategies as well as crop
improvement strategies. Within 180 days of permit issuance the Permittee shall make all
modificiations to the system as recommended by the agronomist or soil scientist for immediate
improvement of the irrigation sites. A report shall be submitted to the Division of Water Quality,
Wilmington Regional Office, 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington NC 28405-3845 within 30
days of completion of the modifications indicating the actions taken and the current status of the
irrigation sites and the long term management strategies recommended by the agronomist or soil
scientist. The report shall include a copy of the agronomist or soil scientist recommendations.
2. The surface 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 Water Quality (Division), such as the construction of additional or
replacement wastewater treatment and disposal facilities_
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.
6. 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 drainage ways or surface water bodies,
e) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways,
f) 100 feet between treatment/storage units and any wells, and
g) 50 feet between treatment units and property lines.
11. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
2. Upon classification of the wastewater treatment and irrigation facilities by. the Water Pollution
Control System Operators Certification Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall designate and
employ a certified operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) and one or more certified operator(s) to
be back-up ORC(s) of the facilities in accordance with 15A NCAC 8G .0201. The ORC shall visit
the facilities in accordance with 15A NCAC 8G .0204 or as specified in this permit and shall comply
with all other conditions specified in these rules.
3. A suitable year round vegetative cover shall be maintained on all irrigation sites. This includes a
vegetative cover during the winter months to allow the spray irrigation of wastewater. The cover
crop shall be harvested and removed from the site.
4. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition that
will cause runoff.

Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the irrigation 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.
The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 10.73 inches during the period of
December I through March 31, a cumulative loading of 60.38 inches during the period of April I
through November 30 at an instantaneous application rate not which will not cause runoff
8. No type of wastewater other than that from the Town of Surf City shall be irrigated onto the irrigation
area.
9. The disposal system shall be connected to a rain or moisture sensor that shall indicate when
wastewater application is not appropriate in accordance with Condition II(4) of this permit.
10. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or while
normal maintenance is being performed.
11. 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.
12. Freeboard in the lagoons shall not be less than two feet at any time.
13. If not already installed, a waste -level gauge, to monitor waste levels in the storage pond, shall be
installed within 60 days of issuance of this permit. This gauge shall have readily visible permanent
markings indicating the maximum liquid level at the top of the temporary liquid storage volume.
minimum liquid level at the bottom of the temporary liquid storage volume, and top of the darn
elevations. Caution must be taken not to damage the integrity of the liner when installing the gauge.
14. A protective vegetative cover shall be established and maintained on all earthen basin embankments
(outside toe of embankment to maximum pumping elevation), berms, pipe runs, erosion control areas,
and surface water diversions. Trees, shrubs, and other woody vegetation shall not be allowed to grow
on the earthen basin dikes or embankments. Earthen basin embankment areas shall be kept mowed or
otherwise controlled and accessible.
15. The Permittee shall provide for the pump station and force main the following items:
a. Pump on/off elevations located so that 2-8 pumping cycles may be achieved per hour in the pump
station,
b. An air relief valve located at all high points along the force main,
c. A screened vent for the wet well,
d. Fillets located in the wet well at the intersection of the flooring and sidewalls,
c. Three feet of cover (minimum) over the force main or the use of ferrous material where three feet
cannot be maintained,
f. Sufficient devices which will protect the pump station from vandals, and
g. Flood protection if the pump station is located below the 100 -year flood elevation.
I1I. 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.
2. Influent flow shall be Continuously monitored at the headworks of the facility and daily flow values
shall be reported on Form NDMR.

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The Permittee shall install an appropriate flow measurement device consistent with approved
engineering and scientific practices to ensure the accuracy and reliability of influent flow
nieasurenient. Flow measurement devices selected shall be capable of measuring flows with a
maximum deviation of less than 10 percent from true flow, accurately calibrated at a minimum of
once per year, and maintained to ensure that the accuracy of the measurements is consistent with the
accepted capability of that type of device. Records of flow measurement device calibration shall be
kept on file by the Permittee for a period of at least three years. At a minimurn, data to be included in
this documentation shall be:
a. Date of flow measurement device calibration
b. Name of person performing calibration
c. Percent from true flow
Plans and specifications for the flow measuring device shall be prepared by a licensed Professional
Engineer and submitted to the appropriate regional office 30 days prior to installation. The flow
measuring device shall be installed within 1 year of the date of this permit.
The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at a point just prior to
irrigation every March, July, and November for the following parameters:
BODS TSS
Fecal Coliform pH
NH3 as N NO2-NO3
TKN Total Phosphorous
Residual Chlorine Plant Available Nitrogen by calculation
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. weather conditions, and
g. maintenance of cover crops.
Freeboard in the lagoons shall be recorded weekly.
Three (3) copies of all monitoring data (as specified in condition III 2 and 111 3) on Form NDMR-1
and three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition II14, and III 5) on
Form NDAR-1 shall be submitted monthly 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 Compliance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-161.7
7. A representative annual soils analysis (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted on each
irrigation 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:
4

IV.
Acidity
Calcium
Copper
Magnesium
Cation Exchange Capacity
8. Noncompliance Notification:
Manganese
Percent Hurnic Matter
pH
Exchangeable Sodium Percentage
Base Saturation (by calculation)
Potassium
Sodium
Zinc
Phosphorus
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Wilmington Regional Office, telephone number (910)
395-3900, 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 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.
Occurrences outside normal business hours may also be reported to the Division's Emergency
Response personnel at telephone number [phone], [phone], or [phone].
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.
GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
1. Monitor wells (MW -1. 'ti1W-2, MW -3, MW -4 and MW -6) shall be sampled initially after
construction 4 VIW-61 and thereafter every March. July and Novernber for the parameters listed
below. Prior to sampling the parameters, the measurement of water levels must be taken. 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 relative to a common
datum.
Nitrate (NO3-N) Total Ammonia (NH3-N)
Chloride Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Fecal Coliform Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
pH Water Level
Total Phosphorous
For Total Organic Carbon (TOC), if concentrations greater than 10 mg/l are detected in any down -
gradient 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 down -gradient wells shall be subject to the additional sampling and analysis as
described above.

3. Any laboratory selected to analyze parameters must be Division of Water Quality (DWQ) certified
for those parameters required.
4. All reports and documentation ((iW-1, GW -30, GW -59) shall be mailed to the following address:
Groundwater Section
Permits and Compliance Unit
1636 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1636
Updated blank forms (GN -V-1. GW -30. GW -59) may be downloaded from the Groundwater Section's
website at htt :// w.eiinr.state.nc.us/ or requested from the address mentioned 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 (address listed in the "Reporting
/ Documentation" section of the Groundwater Requirements), on or before the last working day of the
month following the sampling month. The data of all groundwater sampling analyses required by the
permit conditions must be reported using the most recent GW -59 form along with attached copies of
the laboratory analyses.
6. Waste application activities shall not occur when the vertical separation between depth of application
and the water table is at less than three (3) feet. Verification of the water table elevation can be
confirmed by water level readings obtained from the monitor well(s) near the site or auger boring(s),
which must be done within 24 hours, prior to application of wastewater. Any open borings must be
properly filled with native soil, prior to application to decrease the chance of any waste
contaminating the groundwater.
7, The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15A NCAC
2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards. The Compliance Boundary for the disposal system
individually permitted on or after December 30, 1983 is established at either 250 feet from the waste
disposal area, or 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 remediation action according to 15A NCAC 2L .0106(d)(2).
8. The 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 action in accordance with 15A NCAC 2L .0106(d)(1).
9. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be
provided.
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.
V1. GENERAL CONDITIONS
L 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
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 exempt 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, including but not limited to applicable river buffer rules in 15A
NCAC 213 .0200, erosion and sedimentation control requirements in 15A NCAC Chapter 4 and under
the Division's General Permit NCG010000, and any requirements pertaining to wetlands under 15A
NCAC 213 .0200 and 2H .0500.
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.
Permit issued this the 250' of June, 2003
NORTH C INA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0000795

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