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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0003765_Final Permit_19901010State 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. Cobey, Jr., Secretary October 10, 1990 Mr. Charles T. Potter, Chairman Craven County Board of Commissioners P. O. Box 1425 New Bern, N. C. 28560 George T. Everett, Ph.D. Director Subject: Permit No. WQ0003765 Neuse River Water and Sewer District S.T.E.P. Systems; Lagoons; Spray Irrigation Facilities Facility Expansion and Permit Renewal Craven County Dear Mr. Potter: In accordance with your request received on June 26, 1990, we are forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0003765, dated October 10, 1990, to the Neuse River Water and Sewer District (their Board of Directors is the same as the County Commissioners) for the expansion of and continued operation of the wastewater spray irrigation facilities. This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until March 31, 1992, shall void Permit No. 11093, which was issued on January 15, 1985, 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. It is our understanding that the wastewater in the lagoons is at a level approximately two feet from the top. Given the fact that the last few months (especially September) have been extremely dry and would seem to have been an ideal time to irrigate, we are very concerned that Neuse River Water and Sewer District failed to take advantage of the optimum spraying opportunities. We are aware of your commitment to improve management of the system and to utilize methods which will help to determine optimum irrigation times; however, we are quickly getting into those seasonal weather patterns that may not provide sufficient spraying opportunities. We had hoped that the improved management techniques would have resulted in Pollution Prevention Pays P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone 919-733-7015 An Equal Oppornmity Affirmative Action Employer Mr. Charles T. Potter October 10, 1990 Page 2 the wastewater in the lagoons being at a much lower level at this time of the year. Our concern is with possible future bypasses which would be completely unacceptable. In the interest of protecting the environment, the Division will be thoroughly scrutinizing this situation along with the improved management and operational practices employed by the Neuse River Water and Sewer District. I have decided to issue a permit for a term of approximately eighteen (18) months. At the time renewal is requested, the situation will be further evaluated to determine progress in achieving and maintaining compliance during the previous year. The total design flow of the system is being reduced from the originally issued 385,000 GPD to 350,000 GPD. This revision is being made based upon an assessment of the lagoon's treatment and storage capacity and the spray field's assimilative capacity. Please also specifically note condition number III.6. e. of this permit, which requires notification of the Washington Regional Office any time that the wastewater level in the lagoons is within 1.5 feet of the top of the dike. 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 thirty 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. 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. Randy Jones at 919/ 733-5083. Sincerel � r eorge T. Everett Craven County Health Departmdttf Washington Regional Office Groundwater Section Training and Certification Unit Colonial Engineering, Inc. (PO Box 97005, Raleigh, NC 27624) 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 Neuse River Water and Sewer District Craven County FOR THE construction of expanded facilities and the continued operation of existing facilities to include responsibility for the routine maintenance of the septic tank effluent pump (S.T.E.P.) units which are connected to this system along with associated tanks, pumps, high water alarms, connections, valves, piping, cleanouts, and appurtenances, booster lift stations No.1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 with dual 650 GPM, 310 GPM, 400 GPM, 373 GPM, and 110 GPM submersible pumps, respectively, with approximately 5128 linear feet of 4-inch force main, 3994 linear feet of 6-inch force main, 8778 linear feet of 8-inch force main, 11,900 linear feet of 10-inch force main, and 824 linear feet of 12-inch force main, 19 cleanouts, 21 gate valves and boxes, and a 350,000 GPD spray irrigation system which consists of an influent flow meter on the lagoons, a 15.64 acre two cell stabilization/storage lagoon with thirty days of treatment time and forty-five days of storage while maintaining one foot of freeboard, a lagoon liner of natural clay material of adequate thickness/compaction with a permeability of 1 x 10- 6 centimeters per second or less, chlorination facilities, dual 1000 GPM vertical turbine irrigation pumps with approximately 11,925 linear feet of force main, a 988,897 square foot fixed nozzle irrigation field, a 515,802 square foot fixed nozzle irrigation field, a 135,717 square foot fixed nozzle irrigation field, and a 2,921,250 square foot linear move irrigation field, approximately 1170 linear feet of 2-inch water line, and all piping and appurtenances to serve the Neuse River Water and Sewer District with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received on June 26, 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 March 31, 1992, shall void Permit No. 11093, which was issued on January 15, 1985, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations: 1 1. Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of the expanded facility, a certification must be received from a professional engineer certifying that the permitted modifications have been installed in accordance with this permit and the approved plans and specifications. Mail the Certification to the Permits and Engineering Unit, P.Q. Box 27687, Raleigh, NC 27611. 2. The Washington Regional Office, phone no. 919/946-6481, shall be notified at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an in -place inspection can be made. 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. 3. 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 groundwaters 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 absorb the wastewater, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including actions that may be required by the Division of Environmental Management. 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. The sludge generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed of in accordance with General Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management. 6. Diversion or bypassing of wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited. 7. The following buffers shall be maintained: a) 400 feet between wetted area and any residence 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 surface water bodies for the expanded facilities, e) 50 feet from any free flowing stream for the existing facilities, f) 25 feet from any wet weather ditch for the existing facilities, g) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways, h) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and potable wells, D 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines. 8. A leakage test shall be performed on any newly installed septic tank and dosing tank to insure that any exfiltration occurs at a rate which does not exceed twenty (20) gallons per twenty-four (24) hours per 1,000 gallons of tank capacity. The engineer's certification will serve as proof of compliance with this condition. 2 1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times. 2. The Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to be in responsible charge of the wastewater treatment facilities. The operator must hold a certificate of the grade at least equivalent to the classification assigned to the wastewater treatment facilities by the Certification Commission. 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. Irrigation application rates on the spray irrigation fields shall be limited as follows: Field No. 1 The northern most fixed nozzles to stop at the point halfway between hydrant number 2 and 3 = 1.2 inches per acre per week. Field No. I The linear move system spray field from the northern most point to the point halfway between hydrant number 2 and 3 = 1.2 inches per acre per week. Field No. 2 The remaining fixed head nozzles beginning with the two nozzles just south of a line halfway between hydrant number 2 and 3, to include the fixed nozzles originally designated as old field no. 2, and the three fixed head nozzles located at the southern end of the linear move system spray field = 0.75 inches per acre per week. Field No. 2A The linear move system spray irrigation field beginning at hydrant number 5 and extending to the southern most point of the expanded linear move system spray irrigation field = 0.75 inches per acre per week. Field No. 3 The linear move system spray irrigation field beginning halfway between hydrant number 2 and 3 then extending south to hydrant number 5 = 0.6 inches per acre per week.. 8. No type of wastewater other than that from the Neuse River Water and Sewer District shall be sprayed onto the irrigation area. 9. Cattle access to the spray fields shall be limited during wet periods, in order to prevent compaction. 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. 3 11. The evaporation pan which has been installed, along with other methods (such as gypsum blocks) to indicate soil moisture, shall be utilized to determine the most optimum times to irrigate wastewater on the spray irrigation fields. 12. Soil conditioning materials must be added to the irrigation sites, as necessary, to remediate the sites and to compensate for excessive sodium loadings. 13. The Neuse River Water and Sewer District shall develop an active plan for minimizing infiltration and exfiltration problems on the subject facilities, particularly the individual S.T.E.P. units. This plan must be acceptable to the Washington Regional Supervisor and must be delivered to him within sixty days after issuance of this permit. 14. An agronomic plan must be developed which maximizes the assimilative capacity of the nutrients in the wastewater through the crops to be grown, crop rotation, etc. 1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses) deemed necessary by the Division of Environmental Management to insure surface and groundwater protection will be established and an acceptable sampling reporting schedule shall be followed. 2. Adequate records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking various parameters associated with the operation of these facilities. These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to the following information: a) daily volume of influent entering the lagoon, b) date of irrigation, c) volume of wastewater irrigated, d) field irrigated and length of time field is irrigated, e) continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date hydraulic (inches/acre) loadings for each field, f) evaporation pan gauge readings (record each time inspected; must be at least weekly), g) daily weather conditions, h) maintenance of cover crops, i) quantity of soil conditioning material applied, j) maintenance performed., and k) daily lagoon elevations. 3. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to irrigation twice per month (if irrigation occurs during the calendar month) for the following parameters: S Maaggne TSsium Fecal Coliform Calcium pH Sodium Adsorption Ratio by Calculation NH3 as N 4 4. Soils analyses shall be conducted in January and July on the spray irrigation fields. These analyses shall be representative of the entire irrigation area and shall include the following parameters: Standard Soil Fertility Test Sodium % Base Saturation Magnesium pH Calcium Cation Exchange Capacity 5. Three copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition III 2) , all effluent monitoring data, all soils analyses (as specified in condition III 3 and III 4), and any other data as may be required shall be submitted on or before the last day of the following month 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 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 failures, 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. e. Any time that the lagoon elevations are within 1.5 feet of the top of the dike. 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. 5 NUNN ' i 1. 1. Within ninety days of permit issuance two new monitor wells shall be installed at the disposal field as indicated on the attached map, and one new monitoring well shall be installed in the area of the lagoons on the west side. 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. 2. All monitoring wells must be sampled every April, August, and December for the following parameters: Nitrate (10.0) Total Organic Carbon Ammonia Nitrogen Water Level * Sulfate (250.0) Phenol (EPA Method 604) Volatile Organic Compounds ** Total Dissolved Solids (500.0) pH ( 6.5-8.5 standard units) Chlorides (250.0) Fecal Coliforms (1/100 ml) Iron Sodium *The measurement of water level must be made prior to sampling for the remaining parameters. **In December only (by Method 1 or Method 2 below) Method 1: Method 6230D ( Capillary - Column), "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater", 17th edition, 1989. Method 2: Method 502.2 " Methods for the Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water", United States Environmental Protection Agency - 600/4-88/039. 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 noted, the concentrations are given in parts per million. 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 the 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.). If Total Organic Carbon (TOC) concentrations greater than 10 mg/1 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. 6 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 analysis 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 May, September, and January. 3. The Compliance Boundary delineated on the attached site map 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 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 lagoons and spray irrigation disposal fields, or 50 feet within the property boundary. If the tide to any property which may affect the location of the Compliance Boundary is changed, the permittee shall notify the Division Director within 14 days. The Director shall then establish a modified Compliance Boundary which will be carried out as a modification to the Permit. The REVIEW BOUNDARY delineated on the attached site map 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. 4. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be provided. 1. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure proper operation of the subject facilities. 7 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 Pemiittee. 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 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. VIJKHO ► tyll. PRIKIRFITOWITM 1. This permit shall become voidable unless the facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions of this permit, the approved plans, 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. 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. Prior to any transfer of this land, a notice shall be given to the new owner that gives full details of the materials applied at this site. 7. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee for the life of the project. 8. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within thirty 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). 8 9. 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 10th day of October, 1990. NORTH MANAGEMENT COMMISSION Geor e T. Everett, Director Division of Environmental Manageme By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Permit No. WQ0003765 October 10, 1990 Engineer'si n 1, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in the State of North Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically, weekly, full time) the construction of the project, Project Name L.:s,� for the Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial compliance and intent of the approved plans and specifications. Signature Date 6 Registration No.