WQ0012696_Final Permit_20020122

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Michael P. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting Director
January 22, 2002
MR. ROD GROSS, QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST
NCDOT - FERRY DIVISION
It 3 ARENDELL STREET
MARITIME BumDrNG, ROOM 120
MOREHEAD CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 28557
Dear Mr. Gross:
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NCDENR
NORTH CAROL.INA DEPARTMENT OF
EwiRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Subject: Permit No. WQ0012696
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Pamlico River Ferry Terminal
Wastewater Treatment and Spray Irrigation Facilities
Wayne County
In accordance with your permit renewal and minor modification application received on November 1,
2001 as weII as the additional information received on January 14, 2002, we are forwarding herewith Permit. No.
WQ0012696, dated January 22, 2002, to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the continued
operation of the subject wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until December 31, 2006; shall void Permit No.
WQ0012696, issued on November 21, 1996; and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified
therein.
This permit approves the continued operation of the subject wastewater treatment and spray irrigation
facilities for another five-year cycle. In addition, this permit has been modified to reflect the fact that the
existing 1,000-gallon septic tank has been replaced with a 3,000-gallon septic tank during State Capital
Improvement Project #005008-01 and as required by the Division of Water Quality (Division). Note that,
during a recent site visit by a representative from the Water Quality Section of the Division's Washington
Regional Office, it was discovered that the existing cover for the sand filter was difficult for a single person to
access and, therefore, it was suggested that you may want to consider an alternate design to facilitate easy
operation and maintenance of the sand filter. Furthermore, please be aware that the values reported for the
maximum hourly loading on Form NDAR (i.e., Non -Discharge Application Report) that you are submitting to
the Division as part of your self -monitoring program is showing a consistent, but minor, mathematical mistake.
Specifically, it appears as if these numbers are not being converted into hours (i.e., should be multiplied by a
factor of 60). Do not hesitate to contact either your regional inspector or Mr. Daryl Merritt of the Division's
Non -Discharge Compliance and Enforcement Unit at [phone], extension 581, for additional guidance
regarding the calculations required to complete Form NDAR completely.
Because the facilities have now been classified as minor non -discharge facilities and significant changes
in how the Division regulates such facilities have been made recently, please take the time to review this
permit thoroughly as some of the conditions contained therein may have been added, changed, or deleted since
this permit was last issued. 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.
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycied/101% post -consumer paper

If any parts, requirements, or Iimitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the right to
request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days following receipt of this perrnit. 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.
One set of the approved plans as well as copies of the acknowledged certificates of completion are being
forwarded to you. If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Shannon Mohr
Thornburg by telephoning [phone], extension 353, or viySinceel
[e-mail].
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
cc: Beaufort County Health Department
Washington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Washington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Central Office, Groundwater Section
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Water Quality Central Files
NDPU Files
PA

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
WASTEWATER 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 Carolina Department of Transportation
Beaufort County
FOR THE
continued operation of 800-gallon per day wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities, consisting of the
following minimum components: a 3,000-gallon septic tank; a 1,000-gallon recirculating pump station with a
0.5-horsepower effluent pump; a 261-square foot recirculating sand filter; a five to one flow splitter box; a
1,500-gallon per day tablet chlorinator; a 150--gallon chlorine contact chamber; a 4,000-gallon irrigation
storage/pump tank; a three -horsepower irrigation pump; a 21,927-square foot spray irrigation field; and all
associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances necessary to make complete and operational wastewater
treatment and spray irrigation facilities. The above -described wastewater treatment and spray irrigation disposal
system is intended to serve the Pamlico River Ferry Terminal that is owned, operated, and maintained by the
Ferry Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation with no discharge of wastes to surface
waters, pursuant to the permit renewal application received on November 1, 2001 as well as the additional
information received on January 14, 2002, 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 December 31, 2006; shall void Permit No.
WQ0012696, issued on November 21, 1996; and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. All fixtures within the Pamlico River Ferry Terminal shall be of the water -conserving type. These
fixtures shall provide at least a 25 percent reduction in the volume of wastewater generated when
compared to non -water saving fixtures.

2. The wastewater treatment and 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 groundwater
that will render them unsatisfactory for normal use. In the event that these facilities fail to perform
satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions or failure of the irrigation areas to
assimilate the wastewater adequately, 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/or spray irrigation facilities.
The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages to
surface waters or groundwater resulting from the operation of the wastewater treatment and spray
irrigation facilities.
4. The residuals generated from the wastewater treatment facilities shall be disposed in accordance
with North Carolina General Statute § 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.
5. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the wastewater treatment and/or spray
irrigation facilities shall be prohibited.
6. The following buffers shall be maintained by the wastewater treatment and spray irrigation
facilities:
a. 400 feet between the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities and any residence or place of
public assembly under separate ownership',
b. 150 feet between the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities and any property line',
c. 100 feet between the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities and any well (i.e., with the
exception of an approved groundwater monitoring well),
d. 100 feet between the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities and any drainageway or
surface water,
e. 50 feet between the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities and any public right-of-way,
f 100 feet between the wastewater treatment facilities and any well (i.e., with the exception of an
approved groundwater monitoring welI), and
g. 50 feet between the wastewater treatment facilities and any property line.
a Variances from these minimum buffers have been approved by the Division. The nearby
property owners have submitted agreements to reduce the residential/place of public
assembly buffer to 200 feet and the property line buffer to 50 feet.
b A variance from this minimum buffer has been approved by the Division. A three-foot
berm has been constructed on the perimeter of the spray irrigation field in order to eliminate
the potential for irrigated wastewater effluent to runoff the field. Therefore, the buffer from
the drainageway has been reduced to 50 feet. The berm shall be maintained at all times in
order for this variance approval to be valid.
Some of the buffers specified above may not have been included in previous permits for the
wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities. The Permittee does not have to modify
previously -approved facilities to comply with these buffers unless specifically required by the
Division to do so, nor are these buffers intended to prohibit or prevent modifications that may be
required by the Division to improve the performance of the existing facilities. These buffers do,
however, apply to modifications of the system that are for the purpose of increasing the wastewater
flow that is tributary to the facilities. These buffers do apply to any expansion or modification of
the facilities and apply in instances in which the sale of property would cause any of the buffers
with which the facilities now comply to be violated. The Permittee shall be advised that -any
modification to the existing facilities will require a permit modification.
2

I1. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
The wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at
all times.
2. Upon classification of the wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities by the Water Pollution
Control System Operators Certification Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall employ a
certified operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) of the facilities. The operator shall hold a
certificate of the type and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification assigned to
the facilities by the WPCSOCC. The Permittee shall 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 shall
visit each Class I facility at least weekly and each Class II, IIi, and IV facility at least daily,
excluding weekends and holidays; shall properly manage and document daily operation and
maintenance of the facilities; and shall comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0202.
3. The wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated
as a non -discharge system to prevent the discharge of any wastewater resulting from the operation
of these facilities.
4. No type of wastewater other than wastewater effluent generated by the Pamlico River Ferry
Terminal that is owned, operated, and maintained by the Ferry Division of the North Carolina
Department of Transportation shall be irrigated onto the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities.
5. The application rates onto the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities shall not exceed the
following:
Field No.
Wetted Area
Cumulative
Instantaneous
Application Ratee
Application Rate
(acreage)
(inches er year)
(inches per hour)
1
0.503
31.8
0.174
Total
0.503
31.8
n/a
a The cumulative application rate shall be equivalent to the loading of wastewater effluent over any
12-month period.
6. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition that
will cause runoff.
7. Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the wetted area of the spray
irrigation facilities.
A suitable year-round vegetative cover of coastal bermuda grass with annual rye grass shall be
maintained on the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities.
9_ No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities except
while installation occurs or while normal maintenance is being performed.
10. The wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities shall be fenced with at least a two -strand wire
fence.

11. In the event that the maximum storage capacity for these wastewater treatment and spray irrigation
facilities has been reached, the restrooms in the Pamlico River Ferry Terminal shall be closed to the
public until such time that wastewater effluent may be irrigation properly. Additional storage
volume shall be constructed (i.e., after the appropriate approvals have been received from the
Division) should continual closing of the restrooms to the public is necessary because of the lack of
adequate storage capacity.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Any monitoring (i.e., including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses) deemed
necessary by the Division to ensure surface water and groundwater protection shall be established
and an acceptable sampling reporting schedule shall be followed.
2. Influent wastewater flow to the wastewater treatment facilities shall be continuously monitored and
recorded. Daily average flow values shall be reported on Form NDMR-l. Flow may be estimated
from water use records provided that water use is metered. Daily average flow values shall be
calculated by dividing monthly flow volumes by the number of days in the month.
3. The wastewater effluent from the wastewater treatment facilities shall be monitored by the
Permittee at the point following all wastewater treatment processes (i.e., including disinfection) and
prior to irrigation every March, July, and November for the following parameters:
Ammonia -Nitrogen (NH3-N) pH
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Fecal Coliform
4. Adequate records shall be maintained by the Pernittee tracking the amount of wastewater effluent
irrigated. These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following information:
a. Date of irrigation;
b. Volume of wastewater effluent irrigated;
C. Field irrigated;
d. Length of time field is irrigated;
e. Continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date hydraulic (i.e. in inches per acre) loadings for
each field;
f. Weather conditions; and
& Maintenance of cover crops.
S. A representative annual soils analysis (i.e., Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted by
the Permittee on soil sample(s) from each field of the spray irrigation facilities. The results of this
analysis shall be maintained on file by the Permittee for a minimum of five years. The Standard
Soil Fertility Analysis shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following
parameters:
Acidity Exchangeable Sodium Percentage Phosphorus
Base Saturation (by calculation) Magnesium Potassium
Calcium Manganese Sodium
Cation Exchange Capacity Percent Humic Matter Zinc
Copper pH

6. Three copies of all operation and irrigation records (i.e., as specified in Condition IV. 4.) shall be
submitted on Form NDAR-1 on or before the last day of the month following the irrigation event.
Three copies of all monitoring data (i.e., as specified in Condition IV. 2. and Condition IV. 3.) shall
be submitted on Form NDMR-1 on or before the last day of the month following the
monitoring/sampling month. All information shall be submitted to the following address:
NCDENR-DWQ
Water Quality Section
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
7. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Water Quality Section of the Division's Washington
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 facilities that 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 xenders the wastewater
treatment and spray irrigation facilities incapable of adequate treatment and disposal such as
mechanical or electrical failures of pumps, aerators, compressors, etc.
c. Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or other facility resulting in a bypass 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 facilities have gone out of
compliance with its permit limitations.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letterforin within
five 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
Vertical Separation Requirements:
a. Waste application activities shall not occur when the vertical separation between the depth or
application and the water table is at less than one foot. Verification of the water table elevation
may be confirmed by water level readings obtained from groundwater monitoring well(s) near
to the wetted area of the spray irrigation facilities or auger boring(s), which shall be performed
within 24 hours, prior to application of waste. Any open boring(s) shall be properly filled with
native soil prior to application to decrease the chance of any waste contaminating the
groundwater.

2. Applicable Boundaries:
a. The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system shall be as specified by regulations
in 15A NCAC 2L (i.e., "Groundwater Classifications and Standards"). The Compliance
Boundary for a disposal system individually permitted after December 31, 1983 shall be
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 shall be subject to immediate
remediation action according to 15A NCAC 2L .0106(d)(2).
b. The REVIEW BOUNDARY shall be established around the disposal system midway between
the Compliance Boundary and the perimeter of the waste disposal area. Any exceedance of
groundwater quality standards at the Review Boundary shall require action in accordance with
15A NCAC 2L .0106(d)(1).
3. Other Requirements:
a. Any 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 ensure proper
operation of the wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities.
2. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and spray irrigation 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 Ieast 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 at least 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 wastewater
treatment and/or spray irrigation facilities 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
L This permit shall become voidable unless the wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities are
constructed in accordance with the conditions of this permit, the approved plans and specifications,
and other supporting data.
2. This permit shall be effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the
application and other supporting data.
0

3. This permit shall not be transferable. In the event there is a desire for the wastewater treatment and
spray irrigation facilities to change ownership, or there is a name change of the Permittee, a formal
permit request shall be submitted to the Division accompanied,by 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 in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 143-
215.6A through § 143-215.6C.
5. The issuance of this permit shall not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and all
statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances that may be imposed by other government agencies (i.e.,
local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, applicable river
buffer rules in 15A NCAC 2B .0200, soil erosion and sedimentation control requirements in 15A
NCAC Chapter 4 and under the Division's General Permit NCG0100000, and any requirements
pertaining to wetlands under 15A NCAC 2B .0200 and 15A NCAC .0500.
6. A set of approved plans and specifications for the wastewater treatment and spray irrigation
facilities shall be retained by the Permittee for the Iife of the facilities.
7. The annual administering and compliance fee shall be paid by the Permittee within 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 months prior to the expiration of this permit, shall request its extension.
Upon receipt of the request, the Division shall review the adequacy of the wastewater treatment and
spray irrigation facilities described therein, and if warranted, shall extend the permit for such period
of time and under such conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate.
9. The wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities shall be connected to an operational
publicly -owned wastewater collection system within 180 days of its availability, if the facilities are
in non-compliance with the terms and conditions of this permit or the governing statutes or
regulations. Prior to the initiation of these connection activities, the appropriate approvals shall first
be received from the Division.
Permit issued this tht twenty-second day of January, 2002.
A EYV RONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
, Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0012696

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FIGURE- -
SCALE IN FEET NCDOT - PAMLICO RIVER FERRY TERMINAL
0 2,000 4, 0 0 0 800 GPD SPRAY APPLICATION SYSTEM
BEAUFORT COUNTY
a ' W 012696/GW01204
r SITE LOCATION MAP

MVA7E PF 'Vt -
LLOGATION MAP
1
FIGURE 2
NCDOT - PAMI ICO RIVER FERRY TERMINAL
800 GPD SPRAY APPLICATION SYSTEM
BEAUFORT COUNTY
WQNg12696/GM 0g 204
APPLICATION FIII,.D LOCATION MAP

C" T a n c e 80a nL r7/
FIGURE 3
NCDOT - PANIIICO RIVERYERRY TERMINAL
800 GPD SPRAY APPLICATION SYSTEM
BEAUFORT COUNTY
WQ9012696/GW01204
DETAIL MAP OF APPLICATION FIELD