HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0005859_Final Permit_199209184W
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
James G. Martin, Governor A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
William W. Cobey, Jr., Secretary Acting Director
September 18, 1992
Mr. Linwood. T. Mercer, Jr., Vice -President
Mercer Environmental Corporation
1117 Gum Branch Road
Jacksonville, North Carolina 28540
Subject: Permit No. WQ0005859 Amendment
Mercer Environmental Corporation
Land Application of Sludge
Onslow County
Dear Mr. Mercer:
In accordance with your application received November 25, 1991, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0005859 as amended, dated September 18, 1992 to Mercer Environmental for the
continued operation of a land application of sludge program. This permit amendment consists of deleting
the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP) testing, implementing the 4.22 acre track of land
and changing the monitoring of total coliforms to fecal coliforms.
Please be advised of condition 110 and that prior to land application, the sludge must be lime
stabilized to a pH of 12 for at least 2 hours. Also be advised that if the leased portion of land is ever sold
to Mercer Environmental Corporation, a 100 foot buffer will be implemented from the boundary line
specified in the deed of the sold property.
This permit shall void Permit No. 14701 issued June 9, 1987 and Permit No. WQ0005859 issued
July 17, 1992 and shall be effective from the date of issuance until June 30, 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 to you, you have
the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days following receipt of this
permit. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of North
Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Drawer 27447,
Raleigh, NC 27611-7447. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding.
Regional Offices
Asheville Fayetteville Mooresville Raleigh Washington Wilmington Winston-Salem
704/251-6208 919/486-1541 704/663-1699 919/733-2314 919/946-6481 919/395-3900 919/896-7007
Pollution Prevention Pays
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone 919-733-7015
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Angela Y. Griffin at
919/ 733-5083.
E9
Onslow County Health Department
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Sebbon
Wilmington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Jack Floyd, Groundwater Section Central Office
Training and Certification
Facilities Assessment Unit
NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
SLUDGE LAND APPLICATION PERMIT
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina as
amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations
PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO
Mercer Environmental Corporation
Onslow County
FOR THE
continued operation of a sludge land application program consisting of the application of approximately
24.2 dry tons per year of sludge from the White Oak Estates and Regalwood wastewater treatment
facilities to approximately 4.22 acres of land in Onslow County with no discharge of wastes to the surface
waters, pursuant to the application received November 25, 1991 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 void Permit No. 14701 issued June 9, 1987 and Permit No. WQ0005859 issued
July 17, 1992 and shall be effective from the date of issuance until June 30, 1997, and shall be subject to
the following specified conditions and limitations:
This permit shall become voidable if the soils fail to adequately absorb the wastes and may
be rescinded unless the sites are maintained and operated in a manner which will protect
the assigned water quality standards of the surface waters and ground waters.
2. The land application program shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -
discharge system to prevent the discharge of any wastes resulting from the operation of this
program.
3. 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.
4. In the event that the land application program is not operated satisfactorily, including the
creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall cease applying sludge to the sites and
take any immediate corrective actions, including the construction of additional or
replacement wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
5. No crops for direct human consumption shall be raised on these sites for a period of 18
months following sludge application.
6. Maximum slope for sludge application shall be 10% for surface application and 18% for
subsurface applications.
7. The following buffers zones shall be maintained:
a) 400 feet from residences or places of public assembly under separate ownership for
surface application method; however, the buffer zone requirement may be reduced
to a minimum of 100 feet upon written consent of the owner and the appropriate
DEM regional office,
b) 200 feet from residences or places of public assembly under separate ownership for
injection method; however, the buffer zone requirement may be reduced to a
minimum of 100 feet upon written consent of the owner and the appropriate DEM
regional office,
c) 100 feet from "SA and SB" classified waters and public surface water supplies for
both methods,
d) 50 feet from "WS" classified waters and other streams, creeks, lakes, rivers, and
surface water drainage ways for injection method,
e) 100 feet from "WS" classified waters and other streams, creeks, lakes, rivers and
surface water drainage ways for surface application method,
f) 100 feet from property lines for both methods; however, this requirement may be
reduced to 50 feet upon written concurrence from the adjoining property owner and
the appropriate DEM regional office,
g) 50 feet from public right of ways for surface application methods,
h) 25 feet from public right of ways for subsurface disposal methods,
i) 10 feet from upslope interceptor drains and surface water diversions for both
methods,
j) 25 feet from downslope interceptor drains, surface water diversions, groundwater
drainage systems and surface drainage ditches for both methods.
8. A copy of this permit shall be kept at the land application site when sludge is being applied
during the life of this permit. A spill prevention and control plan shall be kept in all sludge
transport and application vehicles.
9. All sludges included in this permit must be stabilized by a process to significantly reduce
pathogens (as described in 40 CFR Part 257, Appendix, 11) prior to application or
incorporation. An evaluation of all sludges as specified in condition 114 must be conducted
as to their ability to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. Upon request, a copy
of this report must be submitted to the Assistant Chief for Operations, Division of
Environmental Management, Water Quality Section, Operations Branch, PO Box 29535,
Raleigh, NC 27626-0535.
10. Prior to any lime stabilization activities, the Wilmington Regional Office shall be notified by
the Perrruttee to witness these initial activities.
11. Specific sludge application area boundaries shall be clearly marked on each site prior to and
during sludge application.
12. No sludge at any time shall be stored at any application site.
1. The facilities and disposal sites shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
2. A suitable vegetative cover as listed in condition 113, shall be maintained in accordance
with the crop management plan approved by this Division.
2
3. The application rates shall not exceed the following for the specified crops:
Crop
PAN (lbs/acrelyear)
Clover Grass
200
Kentucky Grass
250
Rye Grass
200
4. No sludges other than the following are hereby approved for land application in accordance
with this permit:
Permit Estimated
Source County Number —Volume _(�ry tons/yearl
White Oak Estate Onslow NCO031577 10.8
WWTP
RegaIwood Onslow NCO032239 13.4
5. The lifetime heavy metal loadings shall not exceed the following for the corresponding
Cation Exchange Capacities (CEC):
Lifetime Loadings Obslacr_e)
PMMet
CEC < 5
CEC 5 - 15
CEC > 15
Lead
500
1000
2000
Zinc
250
500
1000
Copper
125
250
500
Nickel
125
250
500
Cadmium
4.5
9
18
6. 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 Tide 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202.
7. Adequate procedures shall be provided to prevent surface runoff from carrying any
disposed or stored sludge material into any surface waters.
8. Animals shall not be grazed on sludge applied land within a 30-day period following the
sludge application. Application sites that are to be used for grazing shall have fencing that
will be used to prevent access after each application.
9. Surface applied sludge will be plowed or disced within twenty-four (24) hours after
application on lands with no cover crop established.
10. For areas that are prone to flooding or within the 100-year flood elevation, sludge may be
applied only during periods of dry weather. The sludge must be incorporated into the soil
within twenty-four (24) hours of application.
11. Appropriate measures must be taken to control.public access to the land application sites
during active site use and for the 12-month period following the last sludge application
event. Such controls may include the posting of signs indicating the activities being
conducted at each site.
3
12. Adequate provisions shall be taken to prevent wind erosion and surface runoff from
conveying pollutants from the sludge application area onto the adjacent property or into the
surface waters.
13. Sludge shall not be applied in inclement weather or until 24 hours following a rainfall event
of 1/2-inch or greater in 24 hours. Any emergency sludge disposal measures must first be
approved by the Division of Environmental Management.
14. The site shall be adequately limed to a soil pH of at least 6.5 prior to sludge application.
Sludge may be applied to sites with a pH of less than 6.5 provided a sufficient amount of
lime is also applied to achieve a final pH of the lime, sludge and soil mixture of at least 6.5.
u 001: QRWAO l `! -14 ORIFIROk_ 1
1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, sludge, soil, or plant tissue
analyses) deemed necessary by the Division of Environmental Management to insure
protection of the environment will be established and an acceptable sampling and reporting
schedule shall be followed. If monitoring data indicates minimal or no concern to the
Division, reduction of monitoring requirements maybe pursued after two annual reporting
periods.
2. Proper records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking all disposal activities. These
records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to the following information:
a) source of sludge
b) date of sludge application
c) location of sludge application (site, field, or zone #}
d) method of application
e) weather conditions
f) soil conditions
g) type of crop or crop to be grown on field
h) volume of sludge applied in gallons/acre and dry tons/acre
i) annual and cumulative totals of dry tons/acre of sludge, annual and cumulative
pounds/acre of each heavy metal (which shall include, but not be limited to lead,
nickel, cadmium, copper and zinc), annual pounds/acre of plant available nitrogen
(PAN), and annual pounds/acre of phosphorus applied to each field.
3. A representative soils analysis (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted prior to
permit renewal of each site receiving sludge and the results submitted by the Permittee at
permit renewal. The Standard Soil Fertility Analysis shall include, but is not necessarily
limited to, the following parameters:
% Base Saturation
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Potassium
Lead
Zinc
pH
Manganese
Cation Exchange Capacity
Sodium
Nickel
Cadmium
Copper
Calcium
4. All sludges included in this permit must be monitored for compliance with condition 110 of
this permit. Data to verify stabilization by a process to significantly reduce pathogens (as
described in 40 CFR Part 257, Appendix II) must be maintained by the Permittee. The
required data is specific to the stabilization process utilized, but should be sufficient to
clearly demonstrate compliance with 40 CFR Part 257.
Ell
5. Three copies of all monitoring and reporting requirements as specified in conditions III 1,
1112, III 3, and III 4 shall be submitted annually on or before March 1 of the following
year to the following address:
NC Division of Environmental Management
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 (919) 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 with the land application program which results in the land
application of significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or
characteristic.
b. Any failure of the land application program resulting in a release of sludge material
to receiving waters.
c. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out of
compliance with the conditions and limitations of this pernut or the parameters on
which the system was designed.
d. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility
incapable of adequate sludge treatment.
e. Any spillage or discharge from a vehicle or piping system transporting sludge to the
application site.
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� 151f e I Q W: J'S A3 0101IMBI61101 ►
i . The three (3) existing monitor wells shall be sampled, in November only, for the following
parameters:
5
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NO3
TOC
Total Suspended Solids
Arsenic
Barium
Lead
Total Phosphorus
NO2
Volatile Organic Compounds -
below).
TDS
Chloride
Fecal Coliforms
Cadmium
Chromium
Selenium
Silver
pH
In November only (by Method 1 or Method 2
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 level must be made prior to sampling for the remaining
parameters.
The measuring points (top of well casing) of all monitoring wells shall be surveyed to
provide relative elevations of the measuring point for each of the monitoring wells. The
depth of water in each well shall be measured from the surveyed point on the top of the
casing.
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, 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 analyses 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
December.
2. The Compliance, Boundary delineated on the attached site map for the disposal system is
specified by regulations in 15A NCAC 2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards.
An exceedance of Groundwater Quality Standards beyond the Compliance Boundary is
subject to the penalty provisions applicable under General Statute143-215.6(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 perimeter of the waste disposal field, or 50
feet within the property boundary.
If the title to any property which may affect the location of the Compliance Boundary is
changed, the Permittee shall notify the DEM Director within 14 days. The Director shall
then establish a modified Compliance Boundary which will be done as a modification to the
Permit.
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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 BQ=ARY, 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; gL, (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.
3. No land application of waste activities shall be undertaken when the seasonal high water
table is less than three feet below land surface.
4. Any groundwater quality monitoring as deemed necessary by the Division of
Environmental Management shall be provided.
1. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the sludge storage, transport, and disposal
facilities to prevent malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors and discharges which
may cause or lead to the release of wastes to the environment, a threat to human health, or a
nuisance. The Permittee shall keep an inspection log or summary including at least the date
and time of inspection, observations made, and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective
actions taken by the Perrittee. This log of inspections shall be maintained by the Permittee
for a period of three years from the date of the inspection and shall be made available upon
request by the Division of Environmental Management or other permitting authority.
2. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of Environmental
Management may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and inspect any property,
premises or place on or related to the disposal site and facility at any reasonable time for the
purpose of determining compliance with this permit; may inspect or copy any records that
must be kept under the terms and conditions of this permit; or may obtain samples of
groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
1. This permit shall become voidable unless the land application activities are carried out in
accordance with the conditions of this permit and in the manner approved by this Division.
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in
the application and other supporting data.
3. This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to change
ownership or a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must be submitted to
the Division of Environmental Management accompanied by an application fee,
documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting materials as may be
appropriate. The approval of this request will be considered on its merits and may or may
not be approved.
4. This permit shall become voidable unless the agreements between the Permittee and the
landowners/lessees are in full force and effect.
7
5. The following are, approved sites for sludge application (see attached map(s)):
Site No. Owner/Lessee AZlication Areal acres
1 Mr. Ernest Lee Waters 4.22
1 - Application Area excludes buffer areas.
6. 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 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.
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 15 NCAC 2H .0205
(c)(4).
8. 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.
9. A set of approved documents for the subject project must be retained by the applicant for
the life of the permit.
10. 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.
11. This permit may be modified, or revoked and reissued to incorporate any conditions,
limitations and monitoring requirements the Division of Environmental Management deems
necessary in order to adequately protect the environment and public health.
Permit issued this the 18th day of September, 1992
NOR CAROLINA E NMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
A. Preston Howard , "P.E., cti4 Director
Division of Enviro ental M ge ent
By Authority of the n ' amen anagemei
Permit No. WQ0005859 Amendment
Commission
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RESIDUAL SOLIDS APPLICATION SITE
PERMIT NO. WQ0005859
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MEMO
To: Training and `Certification
From: State Engineering Review Group, K -C, I? l F;:71
Subject: Permit No.
Date: 15-JUL a' ��-
Please note this is a permit renewal for an existing facility. No
additional facilities have been constructed nor any changes made to the
existing facilities, therefore, no new rating sheet is required.
A