WQ0014247_Final Permit_20030407

F WArF
O�O 9Qi. Michael F. Easley, (0VemOr
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
{� Alan W. Klimek, P.H.. Director
Division of Water Quality
April 7, 2003
Jim Ludes, V.P. Operations
Murphy Farms, LLC
P.O_ Box 759
Rose Hill NC 28458
Subject: Perini No. WQ0014247
Register Trailer Wash Facility
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Duplin County
Dear Mr. Ludes:
In accordance with your application received June 3, 2002, we are fo1-warding herewith Permit
No. WQ0014247, dated April 7, 2003, to Murphy Farms, LLC for the continued operation of the subject
wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until March 31, 2008, shall void Permit No.
WQ0012247 issued September 21, 2000, 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 xith 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 Michelle Barnett at (919) 733-
5083 extension 544.
cc: Duplin County Health Department
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Wilmington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
Water Quality Central Files
NDPU Files
Non -Discharge Permitting Unit
1617 Mail Senice Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
DENR Customer Service Center
An Equal Opportunity Aedon Employer
r
SinCel"Oy,
Alan W. Klimek, P.E.
Internet http://h2o.enr.state.ne.us/ndpu
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NC1)ENIF

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
Murphy Farms, LLC
Duplin County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 24,000 GPD spray irrigation treatment and disposal facility. The trailer wash facility will
be a three -stage wash process using recycled water and fresh water and consisting of an enclosed wash. pad, a
combination grit chamber and oil -water separation unit, a 400 GPM pump station with duplex pumps, high water
alarms, and approximately 700 linear feet of 6-inch force main, a 2,228,000 gallon first stage Ined lagoon, a
2.300.000 gallon second stage lined lagoon, an irrigation pump station, and approximately 26.43 acres of spray
irrigation area.
The facility will wash a maximum of eighty (80) trailers per day at the Register Trailer Wash Facility, with no
discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received June 3, 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 March 31, 2008, shall void Permit No_
WQ0012247 issued September 21, 2000, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
L 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.
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. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.

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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,
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 REOTAREMENTS
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 H, III, and N
facility at Ieast 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 SG .0202.
Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition that
will cause runoff.
4. 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.
6. A suitable year round vegetative cover shall be maintained.
7. The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 11.10 inches over any twelve (12)
month period on Fields 1 and 2 at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.41 inches per
hour.
The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 5.50 inches over any twelve (12) month
period on Feld 3 at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.41 inches per hour.
As outlined in the Soil Scientists report, Soil Type 4 is poorly drained and has a shallow depth to soil
wetness during extended periods of the year. Spray irrigation on these soils shall be limited to a
period of the year where the evaporation levels are at a maximum.
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8. Residuals from the Iagoons may be land applied on the spray irrigation areas as long as it will not
cause the nitrogen being applied in excess of 305 pounds per acre on Fields i and 2 and 149 pounds
per acre on Field 3. if additional acreage is needed to land apply the residuals from the lagoons, a
permit amendment shall be requested and obtained from the Division prior to application.
9. All hay shall be Cut and removed from the spray irrigation area.
10. No type of wastewater other than that from Register Trailer Wash Facility shall be sprayed onto the
irrigation area.
11. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or while
normal maintenance is being performed.
12. 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.
13. Freeboard in the two stage lagoons shall not be less than two feet at any time.
14. A protective vegetative cover shall be 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.
15. Only those cleaning agents and soaps that are EPA approved, will not harm the cover crop, and will
not contravene the groundwater standards listed in 15A NCAC 2L may be utilized in the subject
facility. Instruction labels are to be followed when using cleaning agents and soaps.
16. Results from the soils analysis required in Condition 111.5 shall be utilized to determine the
appropriate amount of Iime and/or gypsum to be incorporated into the irrigation field to neutralize
potential salts buildup from the cleaning agents and disinfectants. Salts accumulation shall not be
allowed to build to a point that inhibits the soils ability to absorb the irrigated wastewater.
17. Engine and engine parts shall not be washed or rinsed in the wastewater system. Oil drained from
engine crankcases. antifreeze or degreasing solvent wastes SHALL NOT be discharged into the
disposal system.
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.
2. Adequate records shall be maintained by the Perrr ittee 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,
£ continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date PAN (pounds/acre) loadings for each field,
g. nitrogen balance for each field after an application event,
h. weather conditions,
i. cover crop, and
j. maintenance of cover crops.

3. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to
irrigation within 60 days of irrigation for the parameters listed by the North Carolina Department of
Agriculture, Agromonic Division's Waste Analysis Report Form. This analysis shall be used in the
monitoring and the proper management of the cover corps of the permitted application sites. The
analysis shall also be used as an indicator to prevent any damage to the soil's ability to absorb the
subject wastewater or nutrients.
4. Three Q) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition 11I 2) on Form
NDAR-1 (hydraulic information) and Form IRR-2 (nutrient information) shall be submitted on or
before the last day of the following month, and three (3) copies of all monitoring data (as specified in
condition III 3) on Form NDMR-1 shall be submitted on or before the last day of December. 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
5. 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 Iimited to, the fallowing
parameters:
Acidity Manganese Potassium
Calcium Percent Humic Matter Sodium
Copper pH Zinc
Magnesium Exchangeable Sodium Percentage Phosphorus
Cation Exchange Capacity Base Saturation (by calculation)
Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Wilmington Regional Office, telephone number (910)
395-3900, as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours or on the next working day
following the occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of any of the following:
a. Any occurrence at the wastewater treatment facility which results in the treatment of significant
amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such as the dumping of the
contents of a sludge digester; the known passage of a slug of hazardous substance through the
facility; or any other unusual circumstances.
b. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that 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.
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IV.
V.
GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Within sixty (60) days of permit issuance, a permtttee shall provide a written certification of the
liner's compliance with approved construction specifications and North Carolina regulations (15A
NCAC 2H .02I9(f)). The certification must be approved by the project engineer.
2. The certification of the liner shall be mailed to the following address:
Groundwater Section
Permits and Compliance Unit
1636 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1636
Waste application activities shall not occur when the vertical separation between depth of application
and the water table is at less than three (3) feet. Verification of the water table elevation can be
confirmed by auger boring(s), which must be properly filled with native soil. prior to application to
decrease the chance of any waste contaminating the groundwater. The number of borings advanced
shall be sufficient to characterize water table conditions across the spray field(s).
4. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be
provided.
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 rernediation 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
systerns_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.
INSPECTIONS
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.
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
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
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 in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-
215.6A to 143-215.6C.
5. The issuance of this permit does not exempt the Pcrrnittee 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 Ch. 4 and under the
Division's General Permit NCG010000, and any requirements pertaining to wetlands under 15A
NCAC 2B .0200 and 2H .0500.
6. 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).
7. The Permittee, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permit, shall request its extension.
Upon receipt of the request, the Comrission 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 7th day of April, 2003
NORTH AROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
/Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0014247
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