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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0020409_Final Permit_20080104CF'N ArFq Michael F. Easley, Governor Q� William G. Ross Jr., Secretary C North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality January 4, 2008 Howard D. Crisp Public Utilities Director P.O. Box 590 Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 Subject: Permit No. WQ0020409 Little Creek Wastewater Treatment and Reclaimed Water Utilization System Wake County Dear Mr. Crisp: In accordance with your modification request received October 19, 2007, we are forwarding herewith Permit No. WQ0020409, dated January 4, 2008, to the City of Raleigh for the construction of the reclaimed water line expansion (Phase II) and the modifications to the reclaimed water pumping station at the Little Creek WWTP site. This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until January 31, 2012, shall void Permit No. WQ0020409 issued March 22, 2007, 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, 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 Chonticha McDaniel at (919) 715-6188 or email chonticha.mcdaniel@nemail.net. /% for Coleen H. Sullins cc: Wake County Health Department Raleigh Regional Office, Aquifer Protection Section George Galambos, McKim & Creed APS Central Files LAU Files Noe Carolina Xturally Aquifer Protection Section 1636 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1636 Telephone : (919) 733-3221 Internet: www.ncwaterqualitv,ora Location: 2728 Capital Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27604 Fax 1: (919) 715-0588 Fax 2: (919) 715-6048 An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employes— 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper Customer Service: (877) 623-6748 NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES RALEIGH WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RECLAIMED WATER UTILIZATION 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 The City of Raleigh Wake County FOR THE continued operation of a 250,000 gallon per day (GPD) reclaimed water generation and distribution system, consisting of one (1) reclaimed water pump station with duplex 500 gallon per minute (GPM), 50 horsepower (hp) vertical turbine pumps and one (1) 250 GPM, 25 hp submersible motor -driven vertical turbine jockey pump with an audio and visual high-water alarm; a telemetry system; turbidity monitor and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system; approximately 850 linear feet of 3-inch and 4,600 linear feet of 12-inch reclaimed water force main with an associated air release valve; approximately 150 linear feet of 24-inch steel casing with 12-inch reclaimed water force main; approximately 700 linear feet of 3-inch reclaimed water force main; approximately 1,316 linear feet of 8-inch gravity sewer with associated manholes; approximately 50 linear feet of 16-inch steel casing with 8-inch gravity sewer; and one (1) 250,000-gallon elevated reclaimed water storage tank, and all associated appurtenances for the storage and distribution of reclaimed quality effluent; the construction and operation of the reclaimed water line expansion (Phase ll), consisting of approximately 21,000 linear feet of 12-inch, 250 linear feet of 6-inch, 1,670 linear feet of 4-inch and 270 linear feet of 3- inch diameter ductile iron reclaimed water line and appurtenances; the modifications to the reclaimed water pumping station at the Little Creek W WTP site, include addition of an electric control valve on the existing potable water make up system, a surge relief valve on the pump station discharge force main, a building to house the new motor control centers and adjustable frequency drives, and modifications to the chemical feed system and SCADA controls; the continued operation of an existing 10,500 GPD reclaimed water utilization system which includes a meter, baekflow preventer, and 3.2 acres of wetted spray field located in the Town of Zebulon's Five County Stadium; and the authorization for the City of Raleigh to review, and approve as appropriate, new irrigation and industrial cooling water (contact and non -contact) users of the Little Creek Wastewater Treatment and Reclaimed Water Utilization System with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the request for permit modification request received September 22, 2006 and subsequent additional information received by the Division, 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 January 31, 2012, shall void Permit No. WQ0020406 issued January 12, 2005, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations: I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS The reclaimed water utilization 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 water or ground water 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. 5. The following buffers shall be maintained: a. 100 feet between wetted areas and water supply wells, b. 100 feet between wetted areas and waters classified as SA, c. 25 feet between wetted areas and surface waters not classified as SA, d. 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and wells, e. 50 feet between reclaimed water storage/irrigation ponds and property lines, and f. 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines. 6. Public access to the reclaimed water treatment, storage, and distribution facilities as well as contact with reclaimed water shall be controlled during reclaimed water use. Such controls may include fencing, signage, as well as various educational materials/programming. 7. The following shall be requirements for the reclaimed water distribution, storage, and utilization facilities: a. All reclaimed water valves, storage facilities, and outlets shall be tagged or labeled to warn the public or employees that the water is not intended for drinking. Where appropriate, such warning shall inform the public or employees to avoid contact with the water. b. All reclaimed water piping, valves, outlets, and other appurtenances shall be color -coded, taped, or otherwise marked to identify the source of the water as being reclaimed water. i. All reclaimed water piping and appurtenances shall be either colored purple (i.e., Pantone 522) and embossed or integrally stamped or marked "CAUTION: RECLAIMED WATER — DO NOT DRINK" or be installed with a purple (i.e., Pantone 522) identification tape or polyethylene vinyl wrap. The warning shall be stamped on opposite sides of the pipe and repeated every three feet or less. ii. Identification tape shall be at least three inches wide and have white or black lettering on purple (i.e., Pantone 522) field stating "CAUTION: RECLAIMED WATER — DO NOT DRINK." Identification tape shall be installed on top of reclaimed water pipelines, fastened at least every 10 feet to each pipe length and run continuously the entire length of the pipe. c. All reclaimed water valves and outlets shall be of a type, or secured in a manner, that permits operation by authorized personnel only. d. Above -ground hose bibs (i.e., spigots or other hand -operated connections) shall not be present. Hose bibs shall be located in locked below -grade vaults that shall be clearly labeled as being of non -potable quality. As an alternative to the use of locked below -grade vaults with standard hose bibs services, hose bibs, which can only be operated by a special tool or connected to a special hose connection, may be placed in non -lockable underground services boxes clearly labeled as non -potable water. The Permittee shall maintain an active cross -connection control program for the Little Creek Reclaimed Water Utilization System and all associated facilities that shall have the following minimum requirements: a. No direct cross -connections shall be allowed between the reclaimed water and potable water systems. b. A reduced pressure principle backfiow preventer, an approved air gap separation, or other device approved by the Division of Environmental Health shall be installed at the potable water service connection to the use area where both reclaimed water and potable water are supplied to a reclaimed water use area. The installation of the reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall allow proper testing. c. An air gap separation, approved and regularly inspected by the Permittee shall be provided between the potable water and reclaimed water systems where potable water is used to supplement a reclaimed water system 9. The following uses of reclaimed water distributed through the Little Creek Reclaimed Water Utilization System shall be strictly forbidden by the Permittee: a. Irrigation of direct food crops; b. Filling of swimming pools, hot tubs, or similar uses; c. Use as a raw potable water supply; and d. Any use that would result in runoff of reclaimed water from the location of application or point of use. 10. The Permittee shall maintain on staff an individual qualified to manage an appropriate cross connection control program. The Permittee shall notify the Division at any time the qualified staff individual changes. 3 11. The Permittee shall be approved to connect existing and new residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional irrigation users and new industrial cooling water users to the Little Creek Reclaimed Water Utilization System and all associated facilities without prior application and receipt of a permit modification from the Division. Note, however, that this approval shall not extend to self -permitting of extensions to the reclaimed water distribution system. As part of this approval, the Permittee shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the following minimum programs for ensuring the effective management of the local approval program as well as its compliance with the conditions of this permit: a. An application program that would require each proposed user to gain prior approval from the Permittee to connect to the reclaimed water distribution -system or modify their existing reclaimed water use. During the application review, the Permittee shall be responsible for completing the following minimum tasks: reviewing the proposed reclaimed water use, approving the design of any permanent reclaimed water distribution system within the reclaimed water use area, ensuring that cross -connection control issues and compliance with all applicable local ordinances are addressed within the reclaimed water use area, as well as consulting with the user regarding allowable reclaimed water loading rates and volumes for irrigation purposes. This application process shall also be initiated any time that a property transfers to a new proposed user (e.g., sale of a house, etc.). b. A connection inspection program that would require the Permittee to perform an on -site assessment of the proposed user's reclaimed water use area. During the connection inspection, the Permittee shall be responsible for completing the following minimum tasks: ensuring that no cross connections between the reclaimed water system and potable water system exist and that the appropriate cross -connection control devices have been installed within the reclaimed water use area and are functioning properly; verifying that any permanent reclaimed water distribution system within the reclaimed water use area will not result in overspray, over application, or runoff from the location of application, or any public contact from point of use; determining that adequate notification is provided to employees and the public regarding reclaimed water uses that are industrial in nature; as well as disseminating educational material regarding use of the reclaimed water system and compliance with all applicable local ordinances. c. A follow-up inspection program that would require an on -site assessment of each residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional user connected to the reclaimed water distribution system once per permit cycle. The minimum tasks associated with the follow-up inspection shall be the same as that associated with the connection inspection. d. A compliance and enforcement program that would require the Permittee to ensure compliance with the conditions of this permit as well as all applicable local ordinances. The program shall include a component to address non-compliance with respect to the use of the reclaimed water system by each type of user (i.e., residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional). e. A spill prevention, control, and notification program that would require the Permittee to comply with other conditions contained in this permit. 4 12. The Permittee shall develop, implement, and maintain an on -going, comprehensive educational program regarding the Little Creek Reclaimed Water Utilization System and all associated facilities. This program shall be designed to be multi -faceted in that several audiences that may use, come into contact with, or install systems associated with reclaimed water shall be specifically targeted. Target audiences shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: a. Permittee's staff (i.e., especially inspection staff); b. Residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional users; c. Landscaping and lawn care companies; d. Irrigation system installers; e. Construction companies and other contractors (i.e., especially plumbing contractors). All educational programming and materials shall be available in English and Spanish (as necessary) and may be in the form of formal training sessions, public meetings, publication of notices in local newspapers, notification through television and radio news programs, maintenance of an informational web site, as well as the distribution of flyers or any combination thereof. The following is a non -inclusive list of topics that may be included in educational programming and materials (i.e., various target audiences may have needs that are specific to their involvement with the Little Creek Reclaimed Water Utilization System and all associated facilities): a. Reclaimed. water description and safety; b. Review of all applicable local ordinances as well as the consequences associated with violating any of the requirements contained therein; c. Review of application and review process, permit approval, and inspection requirements; d. Approved and disapproved uses of reclaimed water; e. Procedures for application (i.e., including buffer maintenance and application rate determination), use, and storage of reclaimed water as well as the disposal of unused reclaimed water; f. Procedures for spill prevention, control, and notification requirements; g. Personal safety and hygiene issues; h. Description of labeling requirements and security measures (i,e., special hose fittings, locked valve boxes, special pipe color, etc.); i. Cross -connection control program description. H. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REO UIREM_E_NTS 1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times. 2. Upon classification of the wastewater treatment and irrigation facilities by the Water Pollution Control System. Operators Certification Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall designate and -employ a certified operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) and one or more certified operator(s) to be back-up ORC(s) of the facilities in accordance with 15A NCAC 8G .0201. The ORC shall visit the facilities in accordance with 15A NCAC 8G .0204 or as specified in this permit and shall comply with all other conditions specified in these rules. 3. A suitable, year-round vegetative cover shall be maintained on the irrigation areas. 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 irrigation 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. No type of wastewater other than that from the Little Creek Reclaimed Water Utilization System shall be irrigated onto the irrigation area. Should the limit for fecal coliform (daily maximum concentration of 25 per 100 ml) or turbidity (instantaneous maximum of 10 NTU) be exceeded, all wastewater shall be handled in one of three ways, until the levels have stabilized below these maximum levels. The City of Raleigh may further treat the wastewater to bring it into compliance with reclaimed water standards without returning the water to the facility's headworks, may reroute it to the headworks of the Little Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility for treatment to reuse standards, or may discharge it in strict accordance with the conditions of the facility's existing NPDES permit. 9. The Pernuttee shall implement adequate measures to prevent reclaimed water runoff from the application areas and points of use served by the Little Creek Reclaimed Water Utilization System and all associated facilities. IH. 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. As an indicator of proper operation and maintenance, the facility shall produce an effluent in compliance with the following limitations: Parameter Monthly Average Daily (Instantaneous) Maxirnumo BOD5 (5-day, 20°C) 10 mg/l 15 mg/1 NH3 as N 4 mgll 6 mg/l TSS 5 mg/1 10 mg/l Fecal Coliform 14 per 100 ml b 25 per 100 ml Turbidity 10 NTU The effluent pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units. Monthly averages for all but fecal coliformn shall be the arithmetic mean of all samples collected during the reporting period. b Monthly average for fecal coliform shall be the geometric mean of all samples collected during the reporting period. C Daily maximum shall be the maximum value of all samples collected during the reporting period. The Permittee shall monitor the effluent from the subject facilities at the effluent discharge channel for the following parameters: Parameter Sampling Point Sampling Frequency Type of Sample Flow Influent or Effluent As Used Recording Turbidity Effluent Continuous Recording BODS (5-day, 20°C) Effluent *2/Month Composite NH3 as N Effluent *2/Month Composite TSS Effluent �2/Month Composite Fecal Coliform Effluent *2/Month Grab Residual Chlorine Effluent Daily Grab NO3 Effluent * 2/Month Composite TDS Effluent * *Triannually Grab TKN Effluent *2/Month Composite pH Effluent **Triannually Grab * 2/Month sampling frequency only during the months of April through October. During the remainder of the year, these parameters shall be monitored monthly. ** Triannually sampling shall be conducted during March, July, and November. If Groundwater sampling indicates or predicts problems with the compliance with Groundwater Standards, this permit will be modified to include additional and/or more restrictive limitations. 3. The reclaimed water delivered through the Little Creek Reclaimed Water Utilization System shall be monitored by the Permittee at points of use throughout the reclaimed water distribution system (i.e., sampling points representative of the reclaimed water distributed to users that have been selected at the Permittee's discretion) for the following parameters: Parameter Sampling Poirot Sampling Frequency Type of Sample Fecal Coliform Point of Use Nos. 1 and 2 Monthly Grab Residual Chlorine Point of Use Nos. I and 2 Monthly Grab Samples shall be taken from a minimum number of two points of use or the number of points of use equivalent to 25 percent of the number of service connections to the reclaimed water distribution system, whichever is less. In no case, however, shall less than two points of use be sampled for the purpose of complying with this condition. The Permittee shall keep the points of use monitoring reports on file for a minimum of five (5) years and shall provide them to the Division upon request. 4. Should the quality of the reclaimed water sampled from the points of use, as required in Condition 111(3), deviate substantially from the maximum daily limit, described in Condition III(2), for each reclaimed water parameter sampled, the Permittee shall notify the Division and shall investigate why the deviation is occurring and take any steps necessary to correct the situation. 5. The Permittee shall maintain adequate records of the status of approved users. These records shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: a. Locations of all users and/or use areas; b. Names and approval status of users and use areas; c. Compliance status of all users; and d. Measured or estimated volumes of reclaimed water by users or use areas. 6. Three (3) copies of all monitoring data [as specified in Conditions III(2) and 111(3)] on Form NDMR-1 shall be submitted monthly on or before the last day of the following month. All information shall be submitted to the following address: NC Division of Water Quality Information Processing Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 7. All records maintained in accordance with Condition III(6) shall be kept for a minimum of five years and shall be made available to the Division upon request. A maintenance log shall be maintained at this facility including but not limited to the following items: a. Visual observations of the irrigation storage pond and spray irrigation site, b. Record of preventative maintenance (irrigation pump maintenance, irrigation storage pond maintenance, changing sprinkler nozzles, etc.), c. Date of calibration of flow measurement device. 9. Noncompliance Notification: The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Raleigh Regional Office, telephone number (919) 791-4200, 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, scwer 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. Occurrences outside normal business hours may also be reported to the Division's Emergency Response personnel at telephone number (800) 662-7956, (800) 858-0368, or (919) 733-3300. 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 1. Industrial waste shall not be applied or discharged onto or below the land surface when the vertical separation between the waste and the seasonal high water table is less than three (3) feet, unless the Permittee has demonstrated to the Director or his delegate, by using predictive calculations or modeling methods acceptable to the Director or his delegate, that such placement will not result in the contravention of classified groundwater standards. 2. The compliance boundary and review boundary for the waste disposal area(s) is specified by regulation in 15A NCAC 02T .0910(a)(5). The compliance boundary and the review boundary for groundwater shall be established at the irrigation area boundaries. An exceedance of groundwater quality standards at or beyond the compliance boundary is subject to remediation action according to 15A NCAC 2L .0106(d)(2). 3. 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 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 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 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 issued pursuant to 15A NCAC 02T.0105(n) for the construction and operation of a reclaimed water utilization facility without flow equalization. In the event that non-compliance with any permit limitation results from the absence of flow equalization, this permit may be administratively reopened, and a requirement for the construction of a flow equalization basin may be incorporated into the permit. 4. 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. 5. 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. 7. The Permittee shall retain a set of approved plans and specifications for the subject facility for the life of the project. 8. The Permittee shall pay the annual administering and compliance fee within thirty days of 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 15 NCAC 02T .0105(e)(3). 9. 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. 10. This permit in no way negates, precludes, or invalidates the most recent reissuance of NPDES Permit No. NC0079316, and the Permittee shall continue to comply with all conditions provided for therein. Permit issued this the 4s' day of January, 2007 NORTH C OLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION 4/Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission Permit Number WQ0020409 10