WQ0016167_Final Permit_20000505

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
.tames B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Bill Holman, Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
May 5, 2000
David Stewart Precythe, President
Southern Produce Distributors, Inc.
PO Box 130
Faison, North Carolina 28341
Dear Mr. Precythe:
NCDENR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Subject: Permit No. WQ0016167
Southern Produce Distributors, Inc.
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Duplin County
In accordance with your request received February 23, 2000 we are forwarding herewith Permit No.
WQ0016167, dated May 5, 2000, to Southern Produce Distributors, Inc.for the construction and operation of
the subject wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities. This permit is being issued to address the
design revisions to the settling basin.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until October 31, 2004 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 ]imitations 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 forts 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 approved plans and specifications is being forwarded,,to you. If you need additional
information concerning this matter, please contact Sue Homewood at (9193-5083 extension 502.
cc: Duplin County Health Department
Swain Consulting Services, Inc.
Wilmington Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Wilmington Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Nora -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
Y,
--' Kerr T. Stevens
Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
50% recycled/10% 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
Southern Produce Distributors, Inc.
Duplin County
FOR THE
construction and operation of a 42,000 GPD (for 250 days of operation) spray irrigation treatment and disposal facility
consisting of a 3,808 cubic feet concrete settling basin, a 205,752 cubic feet clay -lined earthen storage pond, and 11.7
acre spray irrigation area, and all necessary pipes, pumps, and appurtenances to serve Southern Produce Distributors
Inc. with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the modification request February 23, 2000 and
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 October 31, 2004 and shall be subject to the
following specified conditions and limitations:
L PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of this permitted facility, a certification must be
received from a professional engineer certifying that the permitted facility has been installed in accordance
with this permit, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials. If this project is to
be completed in phases and partially_ certified, you shall retain the responsibility to track further
construction approved under the same permit, and shall provide a final certificate of completion once the
entire project has been completed. Mail the Certification to the Non -Discharge Permitting Unit, 1617 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.
The Wilmington Regional Office, telephone number 910-395-3900 shall be notified at least forty-eight
(48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an in -place inspection can be made.
Such notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during the normal office hours from 8:00 a.m.
until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding State Holidays.

3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
II. 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 8A .0202. The ORC of the
facility must visit each Class I facility at least weekly and each CIass II, III, and IV facility at least daily,
excluding weekends and holidays, and trust properly manage and document daily operation and
maintenance of the facility and trust comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC 8A .0202. Once the
facility is classified, the Permittee trust submit a letter to the WPCSOCC which designates the operator in
responsible charge within thirty days after the wastewater treatment facilities are 50% complete.
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.
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 Ioading of 133.42 inches over any twelve (12) month
period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.50 inches per hour.
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S. No type of wastewater other than that from Southern Produce Distributors, Inc. shall be sprayed onto the
irrigation area.
9. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or whi,_
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 temporary storage pond shall not be less than two feet at any time
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
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 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. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to irrigation
prior to permit renewal or modification for the following parameters:
BOD$ TSS
TKN NH3 as N
NO3 as N Total Phosphorous
pH
4. Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition III 2) on Form NDAR-1
shall 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

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 limited to, the following parameters:
Acidity Manganese Potassium
Calcium Percent Humic Matter Sodium
Copper pH Zinc
Magnesium Exchangeable Sodium Percentage Phosphorous
Cation Exchange Capacity Base Saturation (by calculation)
6. Three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition III 3) on Form NDMR-I shall be
submitted with all applications for permit modification or permit renewal.
7. 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.
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.
IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
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.
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2. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be provided.
V. 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 Pernnittee. 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 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.
VL 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.
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the applicatioi,
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.
4. FaiIure 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 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.
6. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee for the
life 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.
Permit issued this thAl '"' day of May, 2000
NORTH OArROLiNA ENVIRONMENTAL ENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
KerrT. Stevens, Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0016167

Permit No. WQ0016167
May 5, 2000
ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATION
Partial Final
1, , as a duty registered Professional Engineer in the State of North
Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically, weekly, full time) the construction of the project,
Project Name
Location and County
for the Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation of the
construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial compliance and intent of this permit,
the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature
Date
Registration No.
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