WQ0012892_Final Permit_19970319

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
March 19, 1997
Joe Maxson, Regional Manager - Swine Group
Tyson Foods, Inc.
347 Shore Drive
Creswell, North Carolina 27928
Dear Mr. Maxson:
A 4 0 0
�EHNR
Subject: Permit No. WQ0012892
Tyson Foods, Inc. Washout Facility
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Washington County
In accordance with your application received September 13, 1996, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0012892, dated March 19, 1997, to Tyson Foods, Inc. for the operation of the subject
wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities. This permit is being amended to correctly identify the
permit number for the subject facility. The correct permit number for this facility, is WQ0012892 not
WQ0012467. The original permit issued for this facility is considered void. No other changes have been
made to this permit with the exception of the permit number.
Please be advised of Permit Condition IV 4 which states, "Certification of the lagoon liner's
compliance with approved construction specifications and the liner's integrity shall be provided to the
Groundwater Section, Permits and Compliance Unit, P.O. Box 29578 Raleigh, N.C. 27626-0578, by the
project engineer within sixty (60) days of permit issuance."
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until January 31, 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.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the
right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following receipt of
this permit. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the
North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Drawer
27447, Raleigh, NC 27611-7447. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact. Mr- Michael D Allen at
[phone] extension 547.
S' er y,
cc: Washington County Health Department A. Preston HowardJr., P.E.
Foster Technical Services, Inc.
Washington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Washington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Bob Cheek, Groundwater Section, Central Office
Training and Certification Unit
Facilities Assessment Unit
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
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Washington County
I0011410:1�1
operation of a previously constructed 4,000 GPD spray irrigation treatment and disposal facility consisting
of a enclosed wash area, collection basin, three (3) 1,000 gallon storage tanks, a 60 GPM lift pump, a
361,366 gallon storage lagoon, a 600 GPM portable diesel pump, and a 138.7 acre irrigation area to serve
Tyson Foods, Inc., with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received
September 13, 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 January 31, 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, 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.
The residuals generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed in accordance with
General Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the North Carolina Division of
Water Quality.
4. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is
prohibited.

5. 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 (main canals),
e) 25 feet between wetted area and "V-ditches"*,
f) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways,
g) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and wells, and
h) 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines.
The 25 foot buffer to the "V-ditches" shall only be allowed as long as Tyson continues
to utilize the hose -drag system for the disposal of wastewater from the lagoon. If
Tyson decides to install a fixed head sprinkler system, then a 100 foot buffer will be
required to all ditches, drainageways and/or surface water bodies. Please be advised,
the permit shall be amended prior to the installation of a fixed head sprinkler system.
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 II, III, and W 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, year-round vegetative cover shall be maintained. The nitrogen loadings from
the wastewater shall not exceed the following for the specified crops:
Crop PAN fl-bJacrelyr.)
Alfalfa
200
Bermuda Grass (Hay, Pasture)
220
Bermuda Grass (Coastal)
350
Blue Grass
120
Corn (Grain)
160
Corn (Silage)
200
Cotton
70
Fescue
250
Forest (Hardwood & Softwood)
75
Milo
100
Small Grain (Wheat, barley, oats)
100
Sorghum, Sudex (Pasture)
180
Sorghum, Sudex (Silage)
220
Soybeans
200
Timothy, Orchard, & Rye Grass
200
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 application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 12.0 inches over any twelve
(12) month period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.3 inches per hour.
8. No type of wastewater other than that from Tyson Foods, Inc. shall be sprayed onto the
irrigation area.
9. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except 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. Results from the soils analysis required in Permit Condition 1114 shall be utilized to
determine the appropriate amount of lime and/or gypsum to be incorporated into the spray
irrigation field to neutralize potential salts buildup from the trailer cleaning agents and
disinfectants. Salts accumulation shall not be allowed to build to a point that inhibits the
soils ability to absorb the spray irrigated wastewater.
13. Only those cleaning agents and soaps which are bio-degradable, will not harm the cover
crop, and will not contravene the groundwater standards listed in 15A NCAC 2L may be
utilized in the subject trucking wash -out facility.
14. Engines and engine parts shall not be washed or rinsed in this wastewater system.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
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) and nitrogen
loadings for each field,
f. weather conditions, and
g. maintenance of cover crops.
3. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Pertnittee at the point prior
to irrigation every March, July, and November for the parameters listed by the North
Carolina Department of Agriculture, Agronomic Division's Waste Analysis Report Form.
This analysis shall be used in the monitoring and the proper management of the cover crops
of the spray irrigation field. The analysis shall also be used as an indicator to prevent any
damage to the soils ability to absorb the subject wastewater at the needed disposal rates.

4. A representative annual soils analysis (Standard Soil Fertility Analysis) shall be conducted
on each site receiving residuals in the respective calendar year 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 Manganese Potassium
Calcium Percent Humic Matter Sodium
Copper pH Zinc
Magnesium Phosphorus
Base Saturation (by calculation)
Cation Exchange Capacity
5. Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition 1112) on
Form NDAR-1 shall be submitted on or before the last day of the following month. Three
(3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition 1113) on Form NDMR-1
shall be submitted on or before the last day of April, August, and December. Three (3)
copies of the representative soils analysis shall be submitted annually on or before March 1
of the following year. All information shall be submitted 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 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 facility which results in the treatment of
significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such as
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 or disposal, such as mechanical or electrical
failures of pumps, 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; 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 Ietter
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.
I V . GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Any groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division of Water
Quality, shall be provided.

2. The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in
15A NCAC 2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards. The Compliance Boundary is
for the disposal system constructed after December 31, 1983 is established at either (1) 250
feet from the waste disposal area, or (2) 50 feet within the property boundary, whichever is
closest to the waste disposal area. An exceedance of Groundwater Quality Standards at or
beyond the Compliance Boundary is subject to immediate remediation action in addition to
the penalty provisions applicable under General Statute 143-215.6A(a)(1).
In accordance with 15A NCAC 2L, a REVIEW BOUNDARY is established around the
disposal systems midway between the Compliance Boundary and the perimeter of the
waste disposal area. Any exceedance of standards at the Review Boundary shall require
remediation action on the part of the permittee.
3. No land application of waste activities shall be undertaken when the seasonal high water
table is less than three (3) feet below land surface.
4. Certification of the lagoon liner's compliance with approved construction specifications and
the liner's integrity shall be provided to the Groundwater Section, Permits and Compliance
Unit, P.O. Box 29578 Raleigh, N.C. 27626-0578, by the project engineer within sixty
(60) days of permit issuance.
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 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.
3. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of Water Quality
may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on
or related to the disposal site or facility at any reasonable time for the purpose of
determining compliance with this permit, may inspect or copy any records that must be
maintained under the terms and conditions of this permit, and may obtain samples of
groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
4. The lagoon shall be inspected to ensure the bubbling of the liner does not affect the storage
capability and the over-all performance of the lagoon. If additional actions are required to
alleviate the bubbling of the liner, the Washington Regional Office shall be informed of
these activities.
V1. 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 Permittce 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
Pern�iittee 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.
Permit issued this the nineteenth day of March, 1997
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0012892
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