WQ0005849_Final Permit_19970903

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Mr. Bennie J. Tripp, Manager/Operator
North Topsail Water and Sewer, Inc.
1158 New River Inlet Road
North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
Dear Mr. Tripp:
IF
lf�IW
A4
DEHNR
September 3, 1997
Subject: Permit No. WQ0005849
North Topsail Water and Sewer, Inc.
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Onslow County
In accordance with your application for modification received August 7, 1997, we are forwarding
herewith Permit No. WQ0005849, dated September 3, 1997, to North Topsail Water and Sewer, Inc. for
the continued operation of the subject wastewater collection, treatment and spray irrigation facilities. This
modification is for the replacement of the existing flow meter with a new Parshall Flume with a flow meter
and totalizer capable of reading a flow between zero and 1.2 MGD, a manual bar screen and related valves
and piping. No other changes have been made to the permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 2001, shall void Permit
No. WQ0005849 issued July 18, 1996, 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 be aware of Condition I.13 requiring the removal of the existing 12 inch
influent bypass line.
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.
One set of approved plans and specifications for the modification is being forwarded to you. If
you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Randy Kepler at (919) 733-
5083 extension 544.
Sincerel
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Onslow County Health Department
Carolina Benchmark Engineers -Surveyors -Planners
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Wilmington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Bob Cheek, Groundwater Section, Central Office
Training and Certification Unit, no change in rating
Facilities Assessment Unit
Jack Floyd, Utilities Commission
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

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
North Topsail Water and Sewer, Inc,
Onslow County
FOR THE
construction and operation of a new Parshall Flume with a flow meter and totalizer capable of reading a
flow between zero and 1.2 MGD, a manual bar screen and related valves, piping and appurtenances
required for proper operation; and the
construction and operation of replacement pumps (two, 1,000 GPM pumps with an additional emergency
1,000 GPM pump) and equipment for the main sewage pumping system (including an auto dialer,
emergency generator and a separate standby generator hook up on the primary pump) for the North
Topsail Water and Sewer collection and treatment system without an increase in pumping capacity as listed
below, and
continued operation of a 877,000 GPD (limited to 629,000 GPD until such time as condition 1 8 is
satisfied and written approval is obtained to increase the influent flow to 877,000 GPD) spray irrigation
treatment and disposal facility consisting of approximately 3,200 linear feet of twelve inch gravity sewer,
approximately 3,000 linear feet of six inch force main, approximately 26,730 linear feet of ten inch force
main, approximately 19,100 linear feet of twelve force main, a 2,600 GPM duplex pump station with high
water alarms and standby power, two 1,050 GPM duplex pump stations, each with high water alarms and
standby power, a three cell (42.2 acre) stabilization I holding lagoon, gas chlorination with a contact
chamber, a recording flow meter, a 1,050 GPM irrigation pump station with duplex pumps and automatic
shutoff controls, and approximately 175 acres of wastewater irrigation area leased from Marlow F. Bostic
and the implementation of the "Plan of Action" dated September 24, 1991, as amended October 23, 1991,
and November 14, 1991 to serve North Topsail Water and Sewer, Inc., with no discharge of wastes to the
surface waters, pursuant to the application received June 21, 1996, 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 February 28, 2001, shall void Permit
No. WQ0005849 issued July 18, 1996, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of the modifications to the main
sewage pump station and the flow meter, a certification must be received from a
professional engineer certifying that the pump station has been installed in accordance with
this permit, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials. Mail the
Certification to the Water Quality Permits and Engineering Unit, P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh,
NC 27626-0535.

2. The Wilmington Regional Office, Telephone number 910-395-3900, shall be notified as
soon as the "Plan of Action" is implemented 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 AM until 5:00 PM on Monday through Friday, excluding State Holidays.
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 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, such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater treatment and
disposal facilities.
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 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.
6. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is
prohibited.
7. 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 drainageways or surface water bodies,
e) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways,
f) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and wells, and
g) 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines.
Some of the buffers specified above may not have been included in previous permits for
this waste treatment and disposal system. These buffers are not intended to prohibit or
prevent modifications, which are required by the Division, to improve performance of the
existing treatment facility. These buffers do, however, apply to modifications of the
treatment and disposal facilities which are for the purpose of increasing the flow that is
tributary to the facility. These buffers do apply to any expansion or modification of the
spray irrigation areas and apply in instances in which the sale of property would cause any
of the buffers now complied with, for the treatment and disposal facilities, to be violated.
The applicant is advised that any modifications to the existing facilities will require a permit
modification.
8. The influent flow to the treatment facilities must not exceed 629,000 GPD
until after it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that the site is capable of
functioning at a higher loading rate and written approval is obtained from
the Wilmington Regional Office. This written approval must be obtained
prior to an increase in the influent flow above 629,000 GPD to the design
capacity of 877,000 GPD. The maximum permitted flow of 877,000 GPD
shall not be exceeded at any time.
9. The permittee shall complete the construction of the fourth lagoon, as approved and
required under non discharge Permit No. 7346R2A2 issued July 27, 1988. Your attention
is directed to the following conditions which were a part of that permit and are being
incorporated into this permit.
2

10. Following installation and inspection of the lagoon liner, and prior to waste disposal
operations, verification of the liner's compliance with hydraulic conductivity and thickness
specifications must be provided to the Division of Water Quality, Groundwater Section, by
the project engineer. The liner must be at least one foot thick at all locations and must have
a maximum permeability of 1 x 10-6 cm/sec (unless it can be demonstrated by predictive
calculations or acceptable modeling methods that operation of the lagoon without a liner
will not result in a contravention of groundwater quality standards).
11. A minimum vertical separation of three feet must be provided between the bottom of the
lagoon and the seasonal high water table.
12. Prior to operation of this lagoon, written approval must be received from the Wilmington
Regional Office.
13. The existing influent piping enters the lagoon via submerged inlet. The design drawing
depicts this existing 12 inch influent line as a bypass of the flow meter and bar screen.
Upon completion of this flow meter installation, the permittee shall physically disconnect
this 12 inch bypass line that contains the submerged inlet in order to eliminate potential
flow reversal.
II. OPERATION 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 11, 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. A suitable vegetative cover shall be maintained on the spray irrigation areas at all times.
The vegetation management plan which recommends Coastal Bermuda grass and Fescue -
rye grass mixture as a cover crop fro the irrigation areas shall be followed. Any variation
from the plan shall require recommendations of s soils scientist and the approval of the
Wilmington Regional Office.
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. The initial application rate for the irrigation zones shall not exceed the following:
Initial Application Rate
Application
Zone
_ finches / dgy)
Frequency
1
0.51
Every 3rd day
2
0.29
Every 2nd day
3
0.29
Every 2nd day
4
0.51
Every 3rd day
5
0.29
Every 2nd day
6
0.58
Every 3rd day
7
0.57
Every 3rd day
8
0.57
Every 3rd day
9
0.37
Every 2nd day
10
0.37
Every 2nd day
11
0.37
Every 2nd day
12
0.50
Every 3rd day
13
0.58
Every 3rd day
14
0.57
Every 3rd day
15
0.37
Every 2nd day
16
0.37
Every 2nd day
17
0.50
Every 3rd day
18
0.51
Every 3rd day
19
0.50
Every 3rd day
The initial loading rates may be increased after a demonstration, to the satisfaction of the
Wilmington Regional Supervisor, that the system is capable of successfully operating at an
increased loading rate. Upon thorough review by the Wilmington Regional Supervisor,
increases may be authorized by the Supervisor not to exceed the maximum hydraulic
loadings:
Initial Application Rate
Application
Zone
_ (inches / day)
Frequency
1
0.66
Every 3rd day
2
0.44
Every 2nd day
3
0.44
Every 2nd day
4
0.66
Every 3rd day
5
0.44
Every 2nd day
6
0.69
Every 3rd day
7
0.68
Every 3rd day
8
0.68
Every 3rd day
9
0.46
Every 2nd day
10
0.46
Every 2nd day
11
0.46
Every 2nd day
12
0.66
Every 3rd day
13
0.69
Every 3rd day
14
0.68
Every 3rd day
15
0.49
Every 2nd day
16
0.49
Every 2nd day
17
0.66
Every 3rd day
18
0.66
Every 3rd day
19
0.66
Every 3rd day
Should the system fail to operate at the increased loading rates, the Permittee shall
immediately reduce the application rates to the initial loading rates.
S. No type of wastewater other than that from North Topsail Water and Sewer, Incorporated
sewerage collection system shall be sprayed onto the irrigation area.
4

9. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation
occurs or while normal maintenance is being performed.
10. PubIic 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 surface of the irrigation areas shall be scarified as necessary to prevent the sealing of
the soil surface which may result in ponding.
12. There shall be no irrigation on the spray fields within 24 hours of a rainfall event greater
than or equal to 0.25 inch.
13. There shall be no irrigation on the spray fields when the ground is frozen or in a condition
which will likely result in ponding or runoff from the site.
14. The crop management plan developed by Mr. Ed Karnoski shall be following in the
operation of this facility. The waterways bounding the spray fields shall be reshaped as
recommended by Mr. Karnoski's report using an 8 to 1 side slope at least 3 feet deep. Any
deviation from this plan must be approved by the Wilmington Regional Office.
15. Freeboard in the stabilization / holding lagoon shall not be less than two feet at any time.
16. The Permittee shall provide for the pump stations and force mains 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 sidewalis,
e . 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.
17. Construction of the pump station modification shall be scheduled so as not to interrupt
service by the existing utilities nor result in an overflow or bypass discharge of wastewater
to the surface waters of the State.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses)
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. 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.
3. Samples shall be collected twice per month from the storage lagoon and analyzed by a
certified laboratory for the following parameters:
BOD5 TOC
Total Coliform pH
NH3 as N TKN
NO3
4. Samples shall be collected monthly from the surface waters at the location marked by
"NT-5" on the attached figure (Surface Water Monitoring) and analyzed by a certified
laboratory for the following parameters:
TKN TOC
Total Coliform NH3 as N
NO3
5. Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition 1II 2 shall
be submitted on Form NDAR-1), all monitoring data (as specified in condition 1113 shall
be submitted on Form NDMR-1), all surface water monitoring data (as specified in
condition 1114), and any other data as may be required and shall be submitted on or before
the last day of the following month. This information shall be submitted on or before the
last day of the month following sample collection to the following address:
NC Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
Facility Assessment Unit
PO Box 29535
Raleigh, NC 27626-0535
6. Noncompliance Notification:
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 renders the facility
incapable of adequate wastewater treatment, such as mechanical or electrical failures of
pumps, aerators, compressors, etc.;
6

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; or
d. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out of
compliance with its permit limitations.
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.
I V . GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Within sixty days of permit reissuance, monitoring well MW-2 shall be abandoned
according to 15A NCAC 2C .0113 (Abandonment of Wells).
2. Monitor wells MW-1 and MW-3 shall be sampled every March, July, and November for
the following parameters:
Water Level pH
Nitrates TDS
Ammonia Nitrogen TOC
Chlorides Fecal Coliforms
Volatile Organic Compounds - In November only (by Method 1 below)
Method 1: Method 6230D (Capillary - Column), "Standard Methods For The
Examination of Water and. Wastewater", 17th ed., 1989
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 measuring point for each monitoring well.
If TOC concentrations greater than 10 mg/l 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.
If any volatile organic compounds are detected by Method 6230D, then the Wilmington
Regional Office Groundwater Supervisor, telephone number 910-395-3900, 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] every April, August and December.
3. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall
be provided.
7

4. 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.
V . INSPECTIONS
I . 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 of Water Quality or other permitting authority.
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.
VI. 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 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 _ 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).
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. 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. The Permittee shall advise the Wilmington Regional Office in writing of any change in the
assignments of the designated farm manager and alternate manager within 14 days of the
change.
10. The farm manager shall always be provided with a copy of the most current version of this
permit.
11. A stormwater management plan must be submitted to and approved by the Wilmington
Regional Office in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .1000.
Permit issued this the Third day of September, 1997
NOZCARjA EN.111RONIM11EINTAL MANAGEMENT COMNUSSION
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQOOO5849
VI

Permit No. WQ0005849
September 3, 1997
ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATION
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
Location
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 this permit, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature
Date
Registration No.
W41