WQ0005790_Final Permit_19970829

State of North Carolina IT
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources iff-i
Division of Water Quality 0
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary I D E Fl
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
August 29, 1997
The Honorable Dorothy L. Kelly, Mayor
Town of Yaupon Beach
518 Yaupon Drive
Yaupon Beach, North Carolina 28465
Subject: Permit No. WQ0005790
Town of Yaupon Beach
Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Facilities
Brunswick County
Dear Mayor Kelly:
In accordance with the correction and clarification request received August 26, 1997, we are
forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0005790 as amended, dated August 29, 1997, to the Town of
Yaupon Beach for the continued operation of the subject wastewater treatment and disposal facilities.
This permit is being amended in accordance with your comments. All of your comments have
been incorporated into the permit with the following exceptions:
Section II, Condition 10: This condition has remained in the permit with the addition of the
following: "unless otherwise approved by the Wilmington Regional
Office."
Section III, Condition 2: You questioned the addition of a fecal conform limit in your reissued
permit which was not in the original permit. Although our regulations
have not been amended, a change in our policy several years ago
included in the addition of a fecal coliform limit in all of our permits
issued to high rate infiltration systems and rotary distributor facilities.
These fecal coliform limits are based on regulations by the Division of
Shellfish Sanitation and have been placed in our permits due to the fact
that these high rate facilities have the potential to impact shellfish waters.
This section of the subject condition will remain unchanged.
Please be advised, as per previous conversations between the Town and the Division, the disposal
capacity of the infiltration basin has been decreased to 180,000 GPD. The treatment capacity shall remain
at 400,000 GPD, however, additional disposal alternatives must be obtained to utilize the full treatment
capacity of the wastewater treatment plant.
Permit Condition 114 has been included in this permit which states, "The Town of Yaupon Beach
may irrigate a portion of the effluent around the wastewater treatment facility. The spray area will consist
of an 80 foot wide strip along the south and east sides of the infiltration basin (approximately 49,129
square feet). A 100 foot buffer shall be maintained between the spray area and the subsurface drains. The
application rate shall not exceed 104.0 inches per year or an instantaneous loading which will cause
runoff. The Town shall maintain records of the spray irrigation activity and may request an increased
loading in the future based on these records."
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

This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until June 30, 2002, shall void Permit No.
WQ0005790 issued July 24, 1997, 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.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Michael D. Allen at
[phone] extension 547.
Sincerely
�A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Brunswick County Health Department
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Wilmington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Bob Cheek, Groundwater Section, Central Office
Training and Certification Unit (no revised rating)
Facilities Assessment Unit
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
QnI; *of lei I'll
HIGH RATE INFILTRATION 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
Town of Yaupon Beach
Brunswick County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 180,000 GPD high rate infiltration system which consists of the following:
a 400,000 GPD wastewater treatment system which consists of a dual -train extended aeration plant with
influent bar screen, aerated surge tank with dual pumps, dual aeration basins with coarse -bubble fixed
diffusers, aerobic digester and sludge holding tank, dual 28-foot diameter by 12-foot SWD circular
clarifiers, a 4-cell tertiary filter, effluent chlorine disinfection system, on -site stand-by generator, and a 700
GPM dosing pump station; and
a 180,000 GPD wastewater disposal system which consists of a 69,900 square foot rapid infiltration bed
with perimeter line sink; to serve
the Town of Yaupon Beach, with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the correction
and clarification request received August 26, 1997, 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.
r
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until June 30, 2002, shall void Permit No.
WQ0005790 issued July 24, 1997, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations.
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective actions, including those
actions that may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or
replacement wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
2. This permit shall become voidable if the soils fail to adequately assimilate the wastes and
may be rescinded unless the facilities are installed, maintained, and operated in a manner
which will protect the assigned water quality standards of the surface waters and ground
waters.

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
Water Quality.
4. Adequate measures shall be taken to divert stormwater from the high rate infiltration area
and to prevent wastewater runoff.
5. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is
prohibited.
6. 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.
7. The following buffers shall be maintained:
a) 500 feet between high rate infiltration unit and any public works surface supply or
public shallow potable water well,
b) 100 feet between high rate infiltration unit and any "SA" classified surface waters,
c) 50 feet between high rate infiltration unit and any other surface waters,
d) 100 feet between high rate infiltration unit and property lines,
e) 50 feet between treatment units and property lines,
f) 50 feet between high rate infiltration unit and other treatment units and public right of
ways, and
g) 200 feet between high rate infiltration unit and any groundwater drainage system.
II. QPERATION 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 Permittee 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. The application rates for the high rate infiltration system shall not exceed 5.72 GPD per
square foot of bed area.
4. The Town of Yaupon Beach may irrigate a.portion of the effluent around the wastewater
treatment facility. The spray area will consist of an 80 foot wide strip along the south and
east sides of the infiltration basin (approximately 49,129 square feet). A 100 foot buffer
shall be maintained between the spray area and the subsurface drains. The application rate
shall not exceed 104.0 inches per year or an instantaneous loading which will cause runoff.
The Town shall maintain records of -the spray irrigation activity and may request an
increased loading in the future based on these records.
5. The facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to
prevent the discharge of any wastewater outside of the high rate infiltration disposal area,
which result from the operation of this facility.
6. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation
occurs or while normal maintenance is being performed.
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7. The screenings removed from the wastewater treatment plant shall be properly disposed in
a sanitary landfill or by other means which have been approved by this Division.
8. An automatically activated standby power source shall be on site and operational at all
times. If a generator is employed as an alternate power supply, it shall be tested weekly by
interrupting the primary power source.
9. The flow measurement device shall be calibrated annually by a representative of a firm
which is routinely engaged in the calibration of flow measurement devices. Records of this
calibration, including all information pertinent to the calibration, shall be available during
any inspection by Division staff.
10. The application of chemicals to the infiltration bed is expressly prohibited unless otherwise
approved by the Wilmington Regional Office.
11. Diffusers shall be cleaned as needed to ensure that adequate aeration is provided. Records
of this maintenance shall be maintained by the permittee.
12. The rapid infiltration system shall be inspected daily. A record of all maintenance shall be
recorded in the daily operations log for the facility.
MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any monitoring deemed necessary by the Division of Water Quality to insure surface and
ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling reporting schedule
shall be followed.
2. As an indicator of proper operation and maintenance, the facility shall produce an effluent
in compliance with the following limitations:
Parameter Monthly Averaaea Dailv Maximum
Flow 180,000 GPD
BOD5 (5-day, 20°C) 10 mg/l
NH3 as N 4 mg/1
TSS 20 mg/l
Fecal Coliform 14 per 100 mlb 43 per 100 ml
a Monthly averages for all but fecal coliform shall be the arithmetic mean of all samples
collected during the reporting period.
b Monthly average for fecal coliform shall be the geometric mean of all samples collected
during the reporting period.
c Daily maximum shall be the maximum value of all samples collected during the reporting
period.
The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored, by the Permittee, at the point
prior to discharge to the infiltration basin for the following parameters:
Parameter Sampling Point Sampling Frequency Tvne of Sample
Flow Influent or Effluent
BOD5 (5-day, 20°C) Effluent
NH3 as N Effluent
TSS Effluent
(continued on next page)
Continuous Recording
*2/Month Composite
2/Month Composite
*2/Month Composite

ParameterSampling Point Sampling Frequency __ Type of Sample
Fecal Coliform
Effluent
*2/Month
Grab
Settleable Matter
Effluent
Daily
Grab
Residual Chlorine
Effluent
Daily
Grab
NO3
Effluent
* *Triannually
Grab
TDS
Effluent
**Triannually
Grab
TOC Effluent * *Triannually Grab
Chloride Effluent * *Triannually Grab
The effluent pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard
units.
2/Month sampling frequency only during the months of April through October. During
the remainder of the year, these parameters shall be monitored monthly.
** TriannualIy sampling shall be conducted during February, June, and October.
If Groundwater sampling indicates or predicts problems with compliance with of the
Groundwater Standards, this permit will be modified to include additional and/or more
restrictive limitations.
Grab samples of the groundwater from the subsurface drains shall be collected and
analyzed every February, June, and October for the following:
Fecal Coliforms Chlorides
Chlorine Total Dissolved Solids
4. Three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in Condition III 2) on Form
NDMR-1 and the groundwater sampling from the subsurface .drains (as specified in
Condition III 3) shall be submitted on or before the last day of March, July, and
November. All information shall be submitted to the following address:
NC Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
Facility Assessment Unit
Post Office Box 29535
Raleigh, N.C. 27626-0535
5. A record shall be maintained of all residuals removed from this facility. The record shall
include the name of the hauler, the permit authorizing the disposal or a letter from a
municipality agreeing to accept the residuals, the date the residuals were hauled, and the
volume of residuals removed.
6. A maintenance log shall be maintained at this facility including, but not limited to, the
following items:
a. Daily sampling results including residual chlorine, settleable matter, and dissolved
oxygen in the aeration basin and at the clarifier weir;
b. Visual observations of the plant and plant site;
c. Record of preventative maintenance (changing of filters, adjusting belt tensions, alarm
testing, diffuser inspections and cleanings, etc.);
d. Date of calibration of flow measurement device; and
e. Date and results of power interruption testing on alternate power supply.

7. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Wilmington Regional Office, telephone
number [phone], 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 basin or tank, 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 renders 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
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 is not in compliance
with its permit limitations.
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
The four (4) monitor wells, MW-1, MW-2, MW-3, and MW-4 (depicted on Attachment A)
shall be sampled every February, June, and October for the following parameters:
Water Level pH
Chloride Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Fecal Coliforms
Nitrate (NO3) Total Ammonia
Volatile Organic Compounds - In October only (by Method 1 or 2 below)
Method 1: Method 6230D (Capillary - Column), "Standard Methods For The
Examination of Water and Wastewater", 17th ed., 1989
Method 2: Method 502.2 "Methods For The Determination Of Organic Compounds
In Drinking Water", U.S. EPA-600/4-88/039
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 rneaguring point for each monitoring well.
If 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.
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If any volatile organic compounds are detected by Method 6230D, or the equivalent Method
502.2, then the Wilmington Regional Office Groundwater Supervisor, telephone number
[phone], must be contacted immediately for further instructions regarding any
additional follow-up analyses required. The results of all initial and follow-up analyses
must be submitted simultaneously.
The results of the sampling and analysis shall be sent to the Groundwater Section, Permits
and Compliance Unit, P.O. Box 29578 Raleigh, N.C. 27626-0578 on Form GW-59
[Compliance Monitoring Report Form] on or before the last working day of the month
following the sampling month.
2. 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).
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.
3. 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 maintain 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 to the
Division of Water Quality or other permitting authority, upon request.
3. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of Water Quality
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.
V 1. 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 Water Quality 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. 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 revolve this permit as specified by 15A NCAC 214 .0205
(c)(4).
5. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance with
North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6(a) to 143-215.6(c).
6. 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.
7. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the
Permittee for the life of this project.
S. 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 twenty-ninth day of August, 1997
NORTH C.ARC�LINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMNIISSION
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0005790