WQ0005910_Final Permit_20030513

F WATF
(,` R Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
r—" r
I Alan W. Klimek, P. E., Director
a Division of Water Quality
May 13, 2003
Mr. David M. Peele, Director
Avoca, Inc.
P. O. Box 129
Merry Hill, North Carolina 27957
Subject: Permit No. WQ0005910 (Modification)
Avoca, Inc.
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Ber ie County
Dear Mr. Peele:
In accordance with your application received April 2, 2003 we are forwarding herewith Permit No.
WQ0005910, dated May 13, 2003 to Avoca, Inc. for the continued operation of the subject wastewater
treatment and spray irrigation facilities. The waste from the `Green Note' Process is deleted from this
permit. This permit modification is issued to change the owner of record from R. J Reynolds Tobacco
Company, Avoca Division, to Avoca, Inc.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until May 31, 2007, shall void Permit No.
WQ0005910 issued June 10, 2002, 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. Take note that several conditions have been modified, especially within Section
IV Groundwater Requirements.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the
right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following receipt of this
permit. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the North
Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Bennie Goetze, Jr., P. E.
at [phone] extension 375.
Sincerely, f� ,
4" Alan W. KIimek, P. E.
cc: Bertie County Health Department
Washington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Washington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Water Quality Central Files
NDPU Files
Non -Discharge Permitting Unit Internet htip.//h2oaenr.state.ne.us/ndpu iYl;1 Eh'ttt
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699.1617 'Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
DENR Customer Service Center Telephone [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Action Employer 50%n recycled/! 0% post -consumer paper

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT 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
Avoca, Inc.
Berne County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 12,500 GPD industrial wastewater treatment facility consisting of a neutralization basin
using lime, two (2) equalization tanks in series, three (3) aeration basins in series, a clarifier, an aerobic sludge
digester, an aerated lagoon, spray irrigation holding pond, pumping facilities, and all necessary appurtenances
with the discharge of treated effluent onto approximately 26 acres, and the
continued operation of a wastewater residuals land application program consisting of the application of 56,000
gallons per year of residuals to serve Avoca, Inc., with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to
the application received April 2, 2003, and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other
supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and
considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until May 31, 2007, shall void Permit No.
WQ0005910 issued June 10, 2002, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
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 (Division), such as the construction of additional or
replacement wastewater treatment and disposal facilities.
2. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages to surface
or groundwaters resulting from the operation of this facility.
3. The residuals generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed in accordance with General
Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.
4. The residuals generated by the treatment facilities will be applied via honey wagon onto
approximately 1,352 acres. Residuals will be land applied between crops at approximately 2,000
gallons per acre.

Surface applied residuals will be plowed or disced within twenty-four (24) hours after application on
lands with no cover crop established.
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.
11. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times,
2. Upon classification of the facility by the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification
Commission (WPCSOCC), 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 WPCSOCC. The Permittee must also employ a certified back-
up operator of the appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .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 15A
NCAC 8G .0202.
3. A suitable year round vegetative cover shall be maintained.
4. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition that
will cause runoff.
Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the spray field.
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 average weekly application rate shall not exceed 0.5 inches per acre.
8. No type of wastewater other than that from Avoca, Inc. shall be sprayed onto the irrigation area.

No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or while
normal maintenance is being performed.
10. Public access to the land application sites shall be controlled during active site use. Such controls
may include the posting of signs showing the activities being conducted at each site.
11. Freeboard in the lagoon shall not be less than two feet at any time.
12. A waste -level gauge, to monitor waste levels in the storage pond, shall be installed within 60 days of
issuance of this permit. This gauge shall have readily visible permanent markings indicating the
maximum liquid level at the top of the temporary Iiquid storage volume, minimum liquid level at the
bottom of the temporary liquid storage volume, and top of the dam elevations. Caution must be taken
not to damage the integrity of the liner when installing the gauge.
13. A protective vegetative cover shall be established and maintained on all earthen basin embankments
(outside toe of embankment to maximum pumping elevation), berms, pipe runs, erosion control areas,
and surface water diversions. Trees, shrubs, and other woody vegetation shall not be allowed to grow
on the earthen basin dikes or embankments. Earthen basin embankment areas shall be kept mowed or
otherwise controlled and accessible.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses) deemed
necessary by the Division to insure surface and ground water protection will be established and an
acceptable sampling reporting schedule shall be followed.
1 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. Influent flow shall be continuously monitored and daily flow values shall be reported on Form
NDMR.
The Permittee shall install an appropriate flow measurement device consistent with approved
engineering and scientific practices to ensure the accuracy and reliability of influent flow
measurement. Flow measurement devices selected shall be capable of measuring flows with a
maximum deviation of less than 10 percent from true flow, accurately calibrated at a minimum of
once per year, and maintained to ensure that the accuracy of the measurements is consistent with the
accepted capability of that type of device. Records of flow measurement device calibration shall be
kept on file by the Permittee for a period of at least three years. At a minimum, data to be included in
this documentation shall be:
a. Date of flow measurement device calibration
b.Name of person performing calibration
c. Percent from true flow
Plans and specifications for the flow measuring device shall be prepared by a licensed Professional
Engineer and submitted to the appropriate regional office 30 days prior to installation. The flow
measuring device shall be installed within 1 year of the date of this permit.

4. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to
irrigation every March, July and November for the following parameters:
BOD5 TSS
Calcium pH
NH3 as N Sodium
Magnesium
Sodium Adsorption Ratio by Calculation
Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition I11 2) on Form
NDAR-1 and three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition 1113 and III 4)
on Form NDMR-1 shalI be submitted on or before the last day of the following month. All
information shall be submitted to the following address:
NC Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
6_ A representative annual soils analysis (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted on each
spray field and the results maintained on file by the Permittee for a minimum of five years. The
Standard Soil Fertility Analysis shall include, but is not necessarily limited to, the following
parameters:
Acidity
Calcium
Copper
Magnesium
Cation Exchange Capacity
7. Noncompliance Notification:
Manganese Potassium
Percent Humic Matter Sodium
PH Zinc
Exchangeable Sodium Percentage Phosphorus
Base Saturation (by calculation)
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Washington Regional Office, telephone number (252)
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 failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility incapable of
adequate wastewater treatment such as mechanical or electrical failures of pumps, aerators,
compressors, etc.
c. Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or treatment facility resulting in a by-pass directly to
receiving waters without treatment of all or any portion of the influent to such station or facility.
d. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out of compliance
with its permit limitations.
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.
4

IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
1. Sampling Criteria
a. The following existing wells shall be reported as follows:
3-1 as MW-1 3-2 as MW-2
3-3 as MW-3 Reference Well #1 as MW-4
4-1 as MW-5 4-2 as MW-6
All six monitoring wells shall be sampled every March, July and November for the parameters
listed below. Prior to sampling the parameters, the measurement of water level must be taken.
The depth to water in each well shall be measured from the surveyed point on the top of the
casing. The measuring point (top of well casing) of all monitoring wells shall be surveyed to a
common datum.
Water Level pH
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3-N) Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3-N)
Bromide
Volatile Organic Compounds (In November only).
b. For Total Organic Carbon (TOC), if concentrations greater than 10 mg/l are detected in any
down -gradient 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 monitoring well exceeds 10 mg/l, this concentration will be taken to
represent the naturally occurring TOC concentration. Any exceedance of this naturally occurring
TOC concentration in the down -gradient wells shall be subject to the additional sampling and
analysis as described above.
c. For Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) sampled in November, use only one of the following
methods:
(1) Standard Method 6230D, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(2) Standard Method 6210D, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(3) EPA Method 8021, Low Concentration, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(4) EPA Method 8260, Low Concentration, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(5) Another method with prior approval by the Groundwater Section Chief
Any of the referenced methods used for VOC's must, at a minimum, include all constituents
listed in Table VEII of standard method 6230D. Any method used must provide a PQL at 0.5
ug/L or less which must be supported by laboratory proficiency studies as required by the
DWQ Laboratory Certification Unit. Any constituents detected above the Method Detection
Limit (MDL) but below the PQL at 0.5 ug/L must be qualified (estimated) and reported.
d. Any laboratory selected to analyze parameters must be Division of Water Quality (DWQ)
certified for those parameters required.
If any volatile organic compounds are detected by the methods listed, then the Washington
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.

2. Reporting /Documentation
a. All reports and documentation (GW-59) shall be mailed to the following address:
Groundwater Section
Permits and Compliance Unit,
1636 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1636
Updated blank forms (GW-59) inay be downloaded from the Groundwater Section's website at
hM://aw.ehnr.stste.nc.us/ or requested from the address mentioned above.
b. The results of the sampling and analysis must be received on Fonn GW-59 (Groundwater
Quality Monitoring: Compliance Report Form) by the Groundwater Section at the address listed
above, on or before the last working day of the month following the sampling month. The data of
all groundwater sampling analyses required by the permit conditions must be reported using the
most recent GW-59 form along with attached copies of the laboratory analyses.
C. Within sixty (60) days of permit issuance, the permittee shall submit two copies of
detailed construction information for the permittee-'s three water supply wells: Process Well No.
2, Process Well No. 3, and the Reference Well. This information shall include the year the well
was drilled, the total depth of the well, the drilling log record, the depth of the surface casing, the
screened interval, and the yield rate. This information shall be mailed to the following address:
Groundwater Section
Permits and Compliance Unit,
1636 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 276994636
Attn: David Goodrich
d. Within sixty (60) days of completion of all monitoring wells, the Permittee shall submit two
original copies of a scaled site map (scale no greater than V:100); however, special provisions
may be granted upon prior approval for large properties. The snaps must include the following
information:
1) The location and identity of each monitoring well and the three water supply wells.
2) The locations and configurations of the spray areas (wetted areas) and each spray head.
3) The location of major components of the waste disposal system.
4) The location of all property boundaries within 500 feet of the disposal area(s).
5) The latitude and longitude of the established horizontal control monument.
6) The location of the Review and Compliance boundaries.
7) The date the map was prepared.
Control monuments shall be installed in such a manner and made of such materials that the
monument will not be destroyed due to activities that may take place on the property. Maps and
any supporting documents shall be sent to the Groundwater Section as addressed in the
`Reporting/Documentation' above_
3. Vertical Separation Requirements
Waste application activities shall not occur when the vertical separation between depth of
application and the water table is less than three feet. Verification of the water table elevation can
be confirmed by water level readings obtained from the monitoring well(s) near the site or auger
boring(s), which must be done within 24 hours prior to the application of wastewater. Any open
borings must be properly filled with native soil prior to application to decrease the chance of any
waste contaminating the groundwater.
0

4. Applicable Boundaries
a. The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15A
NCAC 2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards. The Compliance Boundary for the
disposal system constructed prior to December 31, 1983 is established at either (1) 500 feet from
the waste disposal area, or (2) at 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).
b. 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.
5.Additional Requirements
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 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 Iog of inspections shall
be maintained by the Permittee for a period of three years from the date of the inspection and shall be
made available upon request to the Division or other permitting authority.
3. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division may, upon presentation of
credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on or related to the disposal site or
facility at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this permit; may
inspect or copy any records that must be maintained under the terms and conditions of this permit,
and may obtain samples of groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
VI. 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.
This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the
application and other supporting data.
This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to change ownership, or
there is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must be submitted to the Division
accompanied by an application fee, documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting
materials as may be appropriate. The approval of this request will be considered on its merits and
may or may not be approved.
7

Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the Permittee
to an enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-
215.6A to 143-215.6C.
The issuance of this permit does not exempt the Permittee from complying with any and all statutes,
rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other government agencies (local, state,
and federal) which have jurisdiction, including but not limited to applicable river buffer rules in 15A
NCAC 2B .0200, erosion and sedimentation control requirements in 15A NCAC Chapter 4 and under
the Division's General Permit NCG010000, and any requirements pertaining to wetlands under 15A
NCAC 2B .0200 and 2H .0500.
A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee
for the Iife of the project.
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).
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 subject wastewater treatment and disposal facilities shall be connected to an operational publicly
owned wastewater collection system within 180 days of its availability to the subject facilities, if the
subject wastewater treatment or disposal facilities are in noncompliance with the terms and conditions
of this non -discharge permit or the governing statutes or regulations. Prior to the initiation of these
connection activities, appropriate approval must be received from this Division.
Permit issued this the 13`h day of May, 2003
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Alan W. Klimek, P. E. Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0005910