HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0002428_Final Permit_20030319�0F 1NATF9Q Michael F. Easley, Governor
9 William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
r North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
p t Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
March 19, 2003
William Baker
Townsend Farms, Inc.
PO Box 709
Siler City, NC 27344
Subject: Permit No. WQ0002428
Townsend Farms, Inc.
Wastewater Surface Irrigation
Chatham County
Dear Baker:
In accordance with your request for modification received November 4, 2002, and subsequent additional
information received Date(s), we are forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0002428, dated March 19, 2003, to
Townsend Farms, Inc. for the continued operation of the subject wastewater treatment and surface irrigation
facilities.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until June 30, 2005, shall void Permit No.
WQ0002428 issued July 19, 2000, 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, 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 Michelle Barnett at (919) 733-
5083 extension 544.
Sincerel , ,
cc: Chatham County Health Department
Raleigh Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Raleigh Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office
Water Quality Central Files
NDPU Files
Non -Discharge Permitting Unit
1617 Mail service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
.<Alan W. Klimek, P.E.
Internet http:/Wo.enr.state.nc.us/ndpu
Telephone (919) 733-5083 Fax (919) 715-6048
Telephone 1 800 623-7748
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NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RA LEI GH
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
Townsend Farms, Inc.
Chatham County
FOR THE
Continued operation of a 24,840 GPD spray irrigation treatment and disposal facility consisting of a 0.252 MG
aerated Iagoon with two (2) 7.5 HP floating aerators, a six -zone 27.66 acre spray irrigation field, a spray irrigation
treatment and disposal facility consisting of a 1,000 gallon chlorine contact tank with a Mini -San 100 tablet
chlorinator to treat domestic waste prior to being discharged into the 0.252 MG aerated lagoon, a 0.383 MG
lagoon aerated with two (2) 7.5 HP floating aerators, a 0.82 MG holding lagoon with a 30 mil nylon reinforced
EPDM liner, a 320 GPM effluent pump station with duplex pumps, high water alarms, and approximately 1,200
linear feet of 6 inch force main, and all associated valves, piping, and appurtenances to serve Townsend Farm
Inc., with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received November 4, 2002,
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 June 30, 2005, shall void Permit No.
WQ0002428 issued July 19, 2000, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
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.
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 Division.
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 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.
6. The Division is concerned about the use of the oldest portion of the sprayfield due to its proximity to
a wet weather ditch, gullies, and drainageways that are present in this portion of the site, and the
general wet condition that is sometimes evident over parts of this field. While the Division is not
inclined, at this time, to specifically limit the use of this area, we require that Townsend Farms, Inc.,
employ management practices that will result in diligent observation of the spray site, especially this
portion of the site, so that application limitations can be implemented when conditions require such
limitations. Such limitations may require, but will not necessarily be limited to the replacement of the
sprinkler nozzles in this area with nozzles that will yield lower instantaneous application rates.
II. 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.
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 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.
7. The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 12.20 inches over any twelve (12)
month period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.3 inches per hour.
8. No type of wastewater other than that from Townsend Farms, Inc. shall be irrigated 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. The liquid level in the 252,000 gallon lagoon shall be observed on at least a daily basis (and more
often as necessary) and the spillway between this lagoon and the 383,000 gallon lagoon shall be
opened as often as is necessary to prevent overflows of the lagoon.
2
12. 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 dam elevations. Caution must be taken
not to damage the integrity of the liner, when installing the gauge.
13. 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.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
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 and daily flow values shall be reported on Form
NDMR.
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
measurement. 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 minimum, 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
3_ The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Pernvttee at the point prior to
irrigation every April, August and November for the following parameters:
BOD.5 TSS
Fecal Coliform pH
NO3 as N NO2-NO3
TKN Total Phosphorous
Sodium Magnesium
Calcium Sodium Adsorption Ratio by Calculation
4. 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.
5. Freeboard in the lagoons shall be recorded weekly.
-6. Three (3) copies of all monitoring data (as specified in condition III 2 and III 3) on Form NDMR-1
and three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition 1114, 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 CompIiance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
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:
Acidity Manganese Potassium
Calcium Percent Humic Matter Sodium
Copper pH Zinc
Magnesium Exchangeable Sodium Percentage Phosphorus
Cation Exchange Capacity Base Saturation (by calculation)
8. Noncompliance Notification:
The Pennittee shall report by telephone to the Raleigh Regional Office, telephone number (919) 571-
4700, 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 (800) 662-7956, (800) 858-0368, or (919) 733-3300.
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. Existing monitor wells MW-2, MW-3, MW4 and MW-5 (MW-1A), depicted on Attachment A, shall
be sampled every April, August, and November for the following parameters:
Water Level pH
Chloride Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Fecal Coliforms Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Nitrate (NO3) Total Ammonia
The measurement of water levels trust be made prior to sampling for the remaining parameter;. 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/I 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.
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).
4. 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
Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure proper
operation of the subject facilities.
2. The Pem-dnee 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.
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
1. 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 2B .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 2B .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.
9. This facility may receive wastewater from the Townsend Farms, Inc. composting facilty (Permit No.
WQ0004652) as required to ensure the leachate/stormwater collection pond at the composting facility
does not overflow. The treated wastewater shall be pumped from the composting facility.
Permit issued this the 19th day of March, 2003
NORT OLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
eAlan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0002428