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NORTH CAROLINA
ROY COOPER .Environmental Quality
Cpvernor
MICHAEL S.REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER October 15,2018
lnten'm Director
Mr. David Hewett,Town Manager
Town of Holden Beach
110 Rothschild Street
Holden Beach, North Carolina 28462
Subject: Permit No.WQCS00340
Town of Holden Beach
Town of Holden Beach Collection System
Brunswick County
Dear Mr. Hewett:
In accordance with your application received on September 26, 2018, we are forwarding herewith Permit No.
WQCS00340,dated October 16,2018,to the Town of Holden Beach for the operation and maintenance of the subject
wastewater collection system.
This permit shall be effective from October 15,2018 until September 30,2026 and shall be subject to the conditions
and limitations specified herein. It is your responsibility to thoroughly review this permit. Please pay particular
attention to the monitoring and reporting requirements in this permit and any special conditions.
Changes have been made to the boiler plate language of the permit. Most of the changes are for clarification
purposes, however Condition 1(3)has been removed. The Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ)believes
that condition was included erroneously in previous permits. It was included based on proposed rulemaking by EPA
which was never promulgated and,in the continued absence of Federal regulations, DEQ lacks authority to include
such language in a permit. DEQ will continue to exercise enforcement discretion when evaluating sanitary sewer
overflows that may be considered to be beyond the reasonable control of the Permittee. A highlighted copy of the
permit identifying the changes made is available at:
http://ncdenr.s3.a mazonaws.com/s3fs-
public/Water%20Qu a lity/Surface%20Water%20Protection/PE RCS/WCS%20(Collection%20Svstem)/Updated%20W
QCS%20Template%2015.05.18%20(h igh lighted).pdf
For purposes of permitting,the collection system is considered to be any existing or newly installed system
extension up to the wastewater treatment facility property or point of connection with a separately owned sewer
system. The collection system is considered all gravity lines,pump stations,force mains, low pressure sewer
systems,STEP systems,vacuum systems,etc.and associated piping,valves and appurtenances that help to collect,
manage and transport wastewater to a wastewater treatment plant under the Permittee's ownership or
maintained and operated by the Permittee through a perpetual legal agreement. Satellite systems are systems
tributary to the Permittee's collection system but those collection systems are not owned or maintained by the
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
919.707.9000
Facility Name
Permit No.
Permittee.The system description provided on Page 1 of this permit is meant to provide a general idea about the
size of the system and may not be all inclusive of the collection system at the time of permit issuance or afterward.
A discharge of wastewater to the environment from the Permittee's wastewater collection system prior to reaching
the wastewater treatment facilities is referred to herein as a Sanitary Sewer Overflow(SSO).The evaluation of
enforcement options after an SSO will be determined considering all relevant information available or requested of
the Permittee. Compliance with all conditions of the permit as well as all statutes and regulations pertaining to the
wastewater collection system must be maintained or appropriate enforcement actions may be taken as noted in
Condition VI (2).
A reportable SSO is an SSO greater than 1,000 gallons to the ground or an SSO of any amount that reaches surface
water(including through ditches,storm drains, etc.). Reporting requirements including the required verbal report
and written report to the appropriate regional office are referenced in Condition IV(2). Form CS-SSO can be
downloaded from the SSO Reporting area at:
http://ncdenr.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-
publ is/W ater%20Qual ity/Su rface%20Water%2oProtection/PERCS/WCS%20(SSO%20Docu ments)/CS-
SSO(2015).doc.
A notice of deficiency(NOD), notice of violation(NOV),civil penalty, and/or a moratorium on the addition of waste
to the system may be issued if adequate justification for an SSO is NOT submitted to the regional office. In order to
submit a claim for justification of an SSO,you must use Part II of form CS-SSO with additional documentation as
necessary. DWR staff will review the justification claim and determine if enforcement action is appropriate. Please
be advised that the information needed to justify a spill is very comprehensive.
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 days following the 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.
If you have questions regarding compliance,contact the appropriate regional office. If you need additional
information concerning this permit, please contact Gwyn Ann McCullough at(919)707-9130.
Sincerely,
—45\4--
for Linda Culpepper
Interim Director, Division of Water Resources
by Deborah Gore,Supervisor
Pretreatment, Emergency Response,Collection System Unit
enclosure: Permit No.WQCS00340
cc: Wilmington Regional Office,Water Quality Regional Operations(electronic)
Maureen Kinney, NC Operators Certification Program (electronic)
Water Resources Laserfiche Files
PERCS Server Files
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
SYSTEM-WIDE COLLECTION 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 the
Town of Holden Beach
WQCS00340
FOR THE
operation and maintenance of a wastewater collection system consisting of, at the time of permit
issuance, approximately 12.2 miles of vacuum sewer, approximately 3.75 miles of force main, 4 duplex
pump stations, and all associated piping, valves, and appurtenances required to make a complete and
operational wastewater collection system to serve the Town of Holden Beach and any deemed permitted
satellite communities pursuant to the application received on September 26,2018,and in conformity with
the documents referenced therein and other supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the
Department of Environmental Quality and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from October 15, 2018 until September 30, 2026, and shall be subject to
the following specified conditions and limitations:
Town of Holden Beach Permit No. WQCS00340 Page 1 of 7
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. The sewage and wastewater collected by this system shall be treated in the properly permitted
Wastewater Treatment Facility identified in the permit application and documented in the Division's
database. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
2. The wastewater collection system shall be effectively managed, maintained and operated at all times
to prevent discharge to land or surface waters, and to prevent any contravention of groundwater
standards or surface water standards. In the event that the wastewater collection system fails to
perform satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take
immediate actions as per the Response Action Plan (Condition II (9)), as well as any actions that may
be required by the Division of Water Resources (Division), such as the construction of additional or
replacement sewer lines and/or equipment. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
3. The Permittee shall establish by ordinance, inter-local agreement or contract its legal authority to
require new sewers be properly constructed; to ensure proper inspection and testing of sewer mains
and service laterals; to address flows from satellite systems and to take enforcement action as
required by Condition I (4). [G.S. 143-215.9B; G.S. 143-215.1(f)(1)]
4. The Permittee shall develop and implement an educational fats, oils and grease program that shall
include at least semiannual distribution of educational material targeted at both residential and non-
residential users.The Permittee shall also develop and implement an enforceable fats,oils and grease
program for non-residential users under which the Permittee can take enforcement against users who
have not properly installed, operated and maintained grease traps or grease interceptors as directed
or otherwise violated the terms of the enforcement program pertaining to fats, oils and grease. [15A
NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
5. The Permittee shall adopt and implement a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to designate funding for
reinvestment into the wastewater collection system infrastructure.The CIP should address the short-
term needs and long-term "master plan" concepts. The CIP should typically cover a three to five-year
period and include a goal statement, description of the project area, description of the existing
facilities, known deficiencies (over a reasonable period) and forecasted future needs. Cost analysis is
integral to the CIP. [G.S. 143-215.9B]
6. overflow piping from manholes and pump stations, excluding piping to approved equalization
structures, known or discovered after permit issuance shall be immediately removed or permanently
capped. Plugged or valved emergency pumping connections are allowable for portable pumping or
rerouting without intentionally bypassing the wastewater treatment facility. [15A NCAC 02T .0108
(b)]
7. The Permittee shall maintain a contingency plan for pump failure at each pump station. If one of the
pumps in a pump station containing multiple pumps fails, the process of repairing or replacing the
pump shall be initiated immediately and the new parts or pump shall be installed as soon as possible.
The permittee shall provide justification for delay in initiating the process for repair or replacement
at the Division's request. If the pump in a simplex pump station serving more than a single building
or pump stations not capable of pumping at a rate of 2.5 times the average daily flow rate with the
largest pump out of service fails, it shall be replaced immediately. [15A NCAC 02T.0305 (h) (1)]
8. Each pump station shall be clearly and conspicuously posted with a pump station identifier and an
emergency contact telephone number at which an individual who can initiate or perform emergency
service for the wastewater collection system 24 hours per day,seven days per week can be contacted.
This emergency contact telephone number shall be coupled with instructions that the emergency
Town of Holden Beach Permit No.WQCS00340 Page 2 of 7
contact should be called if the visual alarm illuminates,if the audible alarm sounds,or if an emergency
is apparent. [15A NCAC 02T.0305 (h) (2)]
9. Pump station sites, equipment and components shall have restricted access. [15A NCAC 02T .0305
(h) (4)]
10. Pump stations that do not employ an automatic polling feature (i.e. routine contact with pump
stations from a central location to check operational status of the communication system) shall have
both audible and visual high water alarms. The alarms shall be weather-proof and placed in a clear
and conspicuous location. Permits issued for the construction of pump stations that included high
water alarms in the description must maintain the alarms even if simple telemetry(i.e. notification of
an alarm condition initiated by the pump station control feature) is installed.
11. [15A NCAC 02T.0305 (h) (1)]
12. For all newly constructed, modified and rehabilitated pump stations, all equipment and components
shall be sealed within a corrosion-resistant coating or encasement to the extent practicable and
equivalent to the minimum design criteria unless the permittee can demonstrate it is not practicable
or another form of corrosion resistance is employed. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Upon classification of the collection system 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 system within 24 hours of
knowledge of a bypass, spill, or overflow of wastewater from the system, unless visited by the Back-
Up ORC, and shall comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0204.
[15A NCAC 08G .0200 et.seq.]
2. The Permittee shall develop and adhere to a schedule for reviewing all inspection, maintenance,
operational and complaint logs. If the review process results in the identification of any recurring
problem in the wastewater collection system that cannot be resolved in a short time period, the
Permittee shall establish a plan for addressing the problem(s). [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
3. The Permittee shall develop and adhere to a schedule for testing emergency and standby equipment.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
4. The Permittee shall develop and implement a routine pump station inspection and maintenance
program which shall include the following maintenance activities:
a. Cleaning and removing debris from the pump station structure, outside perimeter, and wet
well;
b. Inspecting and exercising all valves;
c. Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other mechanical equipment; and
d. Verifying the proper operation of the alarms, telemetry system and auxiliary equipment.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
5. For each pump station without pump reliability(i.e.simplex pump stations serving more than a single
building or pump stations not capable of pumping at a rate of 2.5 times the average daily flow rate
with the largest pump out of service), at least one fully operational spare pump capable of pumping
peak flow shall be maintained on hand. [15A NCAC 02T.0305 (h) (1) (A)]
Town of Holden Beach Permit No.WQCS00340 Page 3 of 7
6. The Permittee shall maintain on hand at least two percent of the number of pumps installed, but no
less than two pumps, that discharge to a pressure sewer and serve a single building, unless the
Permittee has the ability to purchase and install a replacement pump within 24 hours of first
knowledge of the simplex pump failure or within the storage capacity provided in a sewer line
extension permit. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
7. Rights-of-way and/or easements shall be properly maintained to allow accessibility to the wastewater
collection system unless the Permittee can demonstrate the ability to gain temporary access in an
emergency situation where existing land-use conditions do not allow the establishment and
maintenance of permanent access. In this case, the Permittee shall continue to observe the lines
visually, utilize remote inspection methods (e.g. CCTV) and use the opportunity of drier conditions to
perform further inspections and necessary maintenance. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
8. The Permittee shall assess cleaning needs, and develop and implement a program for appropriately
cleaning, whether by hydraulic or mechanical methods, the wastewater collection system. At least
10 percent of the gravity wastewater collection system,selected at the discretion of the ORC,shall be
cleaned each year. Preventative cleaning is not required for sewer lines less than five years old unless
inspection otherwise reveals the need for cleaning or cleaning is required by a sewer line extension
permit. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
9. The Permittee shall maintain a Response Action Plan that addresses the following minimum items:
a. Contact phone numbers for 24-hour response, including weekends and holidays;
b. Response time;
c. Equipment list and spare parts inventory;
d. Access to cleaning equipment;
e. Access to construction crews, contractors and/or engineers;
f. Source(s) of emergency funds;
g. Site restoration and clean up materials; and
h. Post-SSO assessment.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
10. The Permittee, or their authorized representative, shall conduct an on-site evaluation for all SSOs as
soon as possible, but if feasible no more than two hours after first knowledge of the SSO. The
Permittee shall document in its 5-day report why it was unable to initially respond to any SSO location
within two hours. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
11. In the event of an SSO or blockage within the wastewater collection system, the Permittee shall
restore the system operation, remove visible solids and paper, restore any ground area and restore
the surroundings. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
III. RECORDS
1. Records shall be maintained to document compliance with Conditions 1 (4), II (2) - II (4), II (7) - II (8),
IV (3) and V (1) -V (4). Records shall be kept on file for a minimum of three years. [15A NCAC 02T
.0108 (b)]
2. The Permittee shall maintain adequate records pertaining to SSOs, and SSO or wastewater collection
system complaints for a minimum of three years. These records shall include, but are not limited to,
the following information:
i. Date of SSO or complaint;
Town of Holden Beach Permit No. WQCS00340 Page 4 of 7
ii. Volume of wastewater released as a result of the SSO and/or nature of complaint;
iii. Location of the SSO and/or complaint;
iv. Estimated duration of the SSO;
v. Individual from the Division who was informed about the SSO and/or complaint,when
applicable;
vi. Final destination of the SSO;
vii. Corrective actions;
viii. Known environmental/human health impacts resulting from the SSO; and
ix. How the SSO was discovered.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
3. The Permittee shall maintain an up-to-date, accurate, comprehensive map of its wastewater
collection system that also notes the locations where other wastewater collection systems become
tributary. If a comprehensive map of the collection system has not been established, a rough sketch
shall be drawn. The Permittee shall map approximately 10 percent of its existing collection system
each year for the next ten years beginning at the original permit issuance date, or until complete,
whichever is sooner. The comprehensive map shall include, but is not limited to: pipe size, pipe
material, pipe location, flow direction, approximate pipe age, and each pump station identification,
location and capacity. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
4. The Permittee shall maintain records of all of the modifications and extensions to the collection
system permitted herein. The Permittee shall maintain a copy of the construction record drawings
and specifications for modifications/extensions to the wastewater collection system for the life of the
modification/extension. Information concerning the extension shall be incorporated into the map of
the wastewater collection system within one year of the completion of construction. The system
description contained within this permit shall be updated to include this modification/extension
information upon permit renewal. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
IV. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. In the event of an SSO the Division may require monitoring that is necessary to ensure surface water
and groundwater protection and an acceptable sampling and reporting schedule shall be
implemented. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (c)]
2. The Permittee shall verbally report to a Division of Water Resources staff member at the Wilmington
Regional Office, at telephone number 910-796-7215 as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24
hours following first knowledge of the occurrence of the following circumstances within the collection
system which is under the Permittee's ownership or maintained and operated by the Permittee
through a perpetual legal agreement:
a. Any SSO and/or spill over 1,000 gallons to the ground; or
b. Any SSO and/or spill, regardless of volume,that reaches surface water.
Voice mail messages or faxed information shall not be considered as the initial verbal report. SSOs (and
other types of spills) occurring outside normal business hours may also be reported to the Division of •
Emergency Management at telephone number(800) 858-0368 or(919) 733-3300.
Persons reporting any of the above occurrences shall file a spill report by completing Part I of Form
CS-SSO (or the most current Division approved form), within five business days following first
knowledge of the occurrence. This report shall outline the actions taken or proposed to ensure that
the problem does not recur. [G.S. 143-215.1C(a1)]
Town of Holden Beach Permit No.WQCS00340 Page'5 of 7
3. The Permittee shall meet the annual reporting and notification requirements provided in North
Carolina General Statute §143-215.1C.
V. INSPECTIONS
1. The Permittee or the Permittee's designee shall inspect the wastewater collection system regularly to
reduce the risk of malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors, and other issues that may cause
or lead to the release of wastes to the environment, threaten human health or create nuisance
conditions. The Permittee shall keep an inspection log or summary including, at a minimum,the date
and time of inspection, observations made,and any maintenance, repairs,or corrective actions taken
by the Permittee. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
2. Pump stations that are not connected to a telemetry system (i.e., remote alarm system) shall be
inspected by the permittee or its representative every day (i.e., 365 days per year). Pump stations
that are connected to telemetry shall be inspected at least once per week. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
3. A general observation by the permittee or its representative of the entire wastewater collection
system shall be conducted at least once per year. [15A NCAC 02T.0108 (b)]
4. Inspections of all high priority lines (i.e. aerial line, sub-waterway crossing, line contacting surface
waters, siphon, line positioned parallel to stream banks that are subject to eroding in such a manner
that may threaten the sewer line, or line designated as high-priority in a permit) shall be performed
at least once per every six-month period of time. A list of high-priority lines is presented as
Attachment A and is hereby incorporated into this permit condition. New high priority lines installed
or identified after permit issuance are incorporated by reference and subject to this permit condition
until permit renewal where they shall be referenced in writing in Attachment A. [15A NCAC 02T.0108
(b)]
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. This permit is not transferable. In the event that the Permittee desires to transfer ownership of the
wastewater collection system or there is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit
modification request shall be submitted to the Division. The request shall be accompanied by
documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting materials as may be appropriate.
Such request will be considered on its merits and may or may not be approved. [15A NCAC 02T.0104;
G.S. 143-215.1(d)(3)]
2. 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 through §143-215.6C, and a sewer moratorium may be established. [15A NCAC 02T.0104]
3. The issuance of this permit does not exempt 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) having jurisdiction. [G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
4. The issuance of this permit does not prohibit the Division from reopening and modifying the permit,
revoking and reissuing the permit or terminating the permit as allowed by the laws, rules, and
regulations or as needed to address changes in federal regulations with respect to the wastewater
collection system, in accordance with required procedures. [G.S. 143-215.1(b)(4)]
Town of Holden Beach Permit No. WQCS00340 Page 6 of 7
5. The Permittee shall pay the annual fee 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.
[15A NCAC 02T.0110 (4)]
6. The Permittee shall file an application for renewal of this permit at least six months prior to the
expiration of this permit. Upon receipt of the request, the Director will review the adequacy of the
wastewater collection system described therein, and if warranted,will extend the permit for a period
of time and under such conditions and limitations, as the Director may deem appropriate. [15A NCAC
02T.0109]
7. The Permittee shall notify the Division's Pretreatment, Emergency Response and Collection Systems
Unit in writing at 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 of any changes to the name
and/or address of the responsible party(i.e. mayor, city/town manager) of the wastewater collection
system. [15A NCAC 02T.0106 (c)]
8. 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 collection system
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 wastewater,groundwater, surface water, soil, or plant tissue.
[15A NCAC 02T.0110(3)]
9. The Permittee or their authorized representative shall have available a copy of this permit to present
upon request by any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division.
[15A NCAC 02T.0104]
Permit issued this the 15th day of October, 2018.
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
aL*.4 . tita__.
for Linda Culpepper
Interim Director, Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
by Deborah Gore, Pretreatment, Emergency Response, Collection System Unit Supervisor
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Town of Holden Beach Permit No. WQCS00340 Page 7 of 7