WQ0001935_Final Permit_19891013

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
James G. Martin, Governor
William W. Coney, Jr., Secretary
October 13, 1989
The Honorable J.G. McNeill, Mayor
Town of Fair Bluff
PO Box 157
Fair Bluff, NC 28439
R. Paul Wilms
Director
Subject: Permit No. WQ0001935
Town of Fair Bluff
Land Application of Wastewater
Treatment Plant Sludge
Columbus County
Dear Mayor McNeill:
In accordance with your application received June 27, 1989, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0001935, dated October 13, 1989, to the Town of Fair Bluff for the operation of
the subject sludge land application program.
This permit shall be. effective from the date of issuance until September 30, 1994, and
shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified therein.
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 documents is being forwarded to you. If you need additional
information concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Jack Floyd at 919/ 733-5083.
Sincerely,
'1
R. Paul Wilms
),
cc: Columbus County Health Departmen
Wilmington Regional Office
Environmental Waste Disposal, Inc
Groundwater Section
Pollution Prevention Pays
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone]
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
Town of Fair Bluff
Columbus County
FOR THE
operation of a sludge land application program consisting of land applying 1,000,000 gallons per
year of sludge from the Town of Fair Bluff Wastewater Treatment Plant to lands specified in
condition No. VI-6 with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application
received June 27, 1989 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 September 30, 1994, and shall
be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. The Wilmington Regional Office, phone no. 919/256-4161, shall be notified at least
twenty-four (24) hours prior to the initial application of sludge to each site so that an
inspection can be made of the disposal sites and disposal 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.
2. This permit shall became voidable if the soils fail to adequately assimilate 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.
3. 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 satisfactorily, 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,
b) 200 feet from residences under separate ownership for injection method,
c) 100 feet from "SA and SB" classified waters, public surface water supplies,
and potable water supply wells 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 method,
h) 10 feet from upslope interceptor drains and surface water diversions for both
methods,
i) 25 feet from downslope interceptor drains, surface water diversions and
groundwater drainage systems for both methods.
9. A copy of this permit shall be kept in all sludge transport and disposal vehicles
during the life of this project.
10. The sludge 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 the sludge must be conducted to determine its ability to comply
with this requirement. A copy of this report must be submitted to Assistant Chief
for Operations, Division of Environmental Management, Water Quality Section,
Operations Branch, PO Box 27687, Raleigh, NC 27611-7687, on or before January
1, 1990.
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 without prior approval
from this Division.
II. 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:
Crot?s PAN fibs/acrelvear)
Corn 150
Soybeans 150
Coastal Bermuda 400
Grasses (fescue, rye) 200
Small Grains 150
4. Sludge shall not be applied to fields that are to be used to grow tobacco.
5. The annual cadmium (Cd) application rate shall not exceed 0.44 pounds per acre per
year.
b. The lifetime heavy metal loadings shall not exceed the following for the
corresponding Cation Exchange Capacities (CEC):
Parameter CDC
Lead (lbs/acre)
500
Zinc (lbs/acre)
250
Copper (lbs/acre)
125
Nickel (lbs/acre)
125
Cadmium (lbs/acre)
4.5
7. Adequate facilities shall be provided to prevent surface runoff from carrying any
disposed or stored material into any surface waters.
S. Animals should not be grazed on sludge applied land within a 30-day period
following the sludge application. Lactating dairy cattle shall not be grazed on
these lands until four (4) months following 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 during periods of dry weather. The sludge must be incorporated
into the soil within twenty-four (24) hours of application.
11. Public access to the land application sites shall be controlled during active site use
and for the 12-month period following sludge application. Such controls must
include the posting of signs showing 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.
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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.
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.
15. No sludge other than that from the Town of Fair Bluff Wastewater Treatment Plant
shall be included in this sludge application program.
16. The amount of sludge applied in a single application shall not exceed the hydraulic
capacity of the soil. In the event subsequent passes are necessary to achieve the
described application rate, sufficient drying time will be allowed between
applications.
17. No sludge having a volatile solids of greater than 50 % shall be applied to the site.
MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. 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.
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) date of sludge application
b) location of sludge application (site, field, or zone #)
c) method of application
d) weather conditions
e) soil conditions
f) type of crop growing on field
g) volume of sludge applied in gallons/ acre and dry tons/ acre
h) annual and cumulative totals of dry tons/ acre of sludge, pounds/
acre of each heavy metal, pounds/ acre of plant available nitrogen (PAN),
and pounds/ acre of phosphorus applied to each field.
3. A representative annual soils analysis shall be conducted of each site 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
E
Manganese
Cation Exchange Capacity
Sodium
Nickel
Cadmium
Copper
Calcium

4. A quarterly sludge analysis and annual EP Toxicity analysis shall be conducted by
the Permittee and the results maintained on file by the Permittee for a minimum of
five years. The sludge analysis shall include but is not necessarily limited to the
following parameters:
% total solids
Magnesium
Total Nitrogen
Total Sulfur
Phosphorus
Potassium
Lead
Zinc
Copper
Nickel
Cadmium
Chromium
Sodium
Calcium
Chlorides
Plant Available Nitrogen (by calculation)
PH
The EP Toxicity analysis shall include the following parameters:
Arsenic Barium
Cadmium Chromium
Lead Mercury
Selenium Silver
Endrin Lindane
Methoxychlor Toxaphene
2,4-D 2,4,5 -TP Silvex
5. Two copies of all monitoring and reporting requirements, as specified in conditions
111 1, 111 2,1113 and III 4, shall be submitted annually on or before January 31 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 Wilmington Regional Office,
telephone no. 919/256-4161, 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 discharge of
wastes 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.
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d. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render
the facility incapable of adequate sludge treatment.
C. Any leakage or spillage that occurs during the transfer or transport of the
sludge to the wastes receiver site.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in
letter forrn 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.
IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Any groundwater quality monitoring as deemed necessary by the Division of
Environmental Management shall be provided.
V. INSPECTIONS
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 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 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.
Vr. GENERAL CONDITIONS
I . 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.
0

9
5.
Gl
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.
This permit shall become voidable unless the agreements between the Permittee
and the landowners/lessees are in full force and effect.
The following are approved sites for sludge application :
Site No. Field No. Owner/Lessee
001 2 Gilbert Anderson
3
4
5
6*
7
002 1** Leo Gore
2**
003 1 Eva Gowan
004 1 Schley Waddell
2
3
4
5
Application Area (excluding buffers)
acres
10
2
26
9
15
30
2
3
4
8
5
6
8
12
total acres 140
* Sludge shall not be applied during the months of November through May.
** Sludge shall not be applied during the months of November through April.
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).
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 project.
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11. 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.
12. This permit may be modified or 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.
Perndt issued this the 13th day of October, 1989
FORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
R. Paul Wilms, lj'1'rajo4
Division of EnvironmcVtal Management
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit No. WQ0001935
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