NC0021890_Draft Permit_20190529

ROY COOPER •
Governor
•
• MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
*41tra.wa+9o'
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
May 29,2019
Randy Smith,Interim Water Resources Director
Town of Granite Falls
PO Drawer 10
Granite Falls,North Carolina 28630-0010
Subject: Review of DRAFT Permit
NPDES NC0021890
Granite Falls WWTP,Class WW-3
Caldwell County
Dear Mr. Smith:
Having received your renewal request for the subject site(October 25,2018),the Division of Water
Resources(DWR or the Division)hereby transmits a draft permit for your review and comment.Please
review this draft carefully to ensure your understanding of the limits and monitoring conditions,and to
correct errors,if any.
Concurrent with this notification,the Division will solicit public comment on this draft by publishing a
notice in newspapers having circulation in the general Caldwell County area, as required by the NPDES
Program.Please provide your written comments, if any,to DEQ/DWR/NPDES Program no later July
2,2019(approximately 30 days after receiving this document).We welcome your written comments,but
they are not mandatory.
Renewal.The Division understands that you have made no significant changes to treatment processes
since last renewal.We have therefore made only minimal updates to your permit.Division records show
that you have successfully registered with the eDMR Program.Please be reminded that until the state's
eDMR application is approved compliant with EPA's Cross Media Electronic Reporting Regulation
(CROMERR),all permittees must continue to submit hardcopy of DMRs as backup to eDMR reporting
[for details see section A. (3.)].
Following the mandatory 45-day public comment period,the Division will review all pertinent comments,
if any,and take appropriate action prior to issuing an NPDES permit fmal. If you have questions,please
email me,Joe R. Corporon,P.G.at 'oe.co soron 'cd-.,,i _ov or ca my direct line 919-707-3617.
S' cere
%" ! • ,f
oe .Corporo i ' G
P Q/DWR/ 'DES Permitting Unit
Enclosure:NPDES Permit NC0021890 = ewal draft)
ec: DWR/ARO,Landon Davidson(Supervisor),Tim Heim
NPDES Program Files
DWR/ATB,Susan Meadows
DWR/OCU,Maureen Kinney
PWS[[e-mail]]
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

•
Permit NC0021890
WWTP Class WW-3
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
In compliance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards
and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
Town of Granite Falls
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Granite Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
60 Meandering Way [NCSR 1754], Granite Falls
Caldwell County
to receiving waters designated as Gunpowder Creek in the Catawba River Basin in accordance with
effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV
hereof.
This permit shall become effective August 1, 2019.
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on January 31, 2024.
Signed this day
Linda Culpepper, Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7

Permit NC0021890
WWTP Class WW-3
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility,whether for operation or discharge are hereby revoked. As
of this permit issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer effective. Therefore, the
exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the permit conditions, requirements,
terms, and provisions included herein.
Town of Granite Falls
is hereby authorized to:
1. continue to operate an existing 0.900 MGD wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to treat
100% domestic and similar waste-streams utilizing the following treatment components:
• aerated grit chamber with self cleaning bar screen
• influent Parshall Flume with Ultrasonic flow meter
• parallel oxidation ditches
• parallel peripheral feed clarifiers
• gas chlorination
• chlorine contact basin
• dechlorination
• cascade aeration
• aerobic sludge digester, and
• sludge drying beds with polymer feed system
these facilities located at the Granite Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), 60
Meandering Way [end of NCSR 1754], Granite Falls, Caldwell County, and
2. discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, at the location specified on the attached
map, into Gunpowder Creek [Stream Segment 11-55-(4)], a waterbody currently classified
WS-IV; CA within subbasin 03-08-32 [HUC: 03050101] of the Catawba River Basin.
Page 2 of 7

• Permit NC0021890
WWTP Class WW-3
Part I
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 02B.0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration,the Permittee is
authorized to discharge from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited,monitored,and reported 1 by the
Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[Parameter Code] Monthly Weekly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Average Maximum Frequency Type Location2
50050-Flow 0.900 MGD Continuous Recording I or E
C0310-BOD5,20°C(Apr 1-Oct 31)3 25.0 mg/L 37.5 mg/L 3/Week Composite I&E
C0310-BOD5,20°C(Nov 1-Mar 31)3 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L 3/Week Composite I&E
C0530-Total Suspended Solids 3 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L 3/Week Composite I&E
C0610-NH3 as N(Apr 1—Oct 31) 6.2 mg/L 18.6 mg/L 3/Week Composite E
C0610-NH3 as N(Nov 1—Mar 31) 15.4 mg/L 35.0 mg/L 3/Week Composite E
00300-Dissolved Oxygen Not<5.0 mg/L 3/Week Grab E
31616-Fecal Coliform(geometric mean) 200/100 ml 400/100m1 3/Week Grab E
00400—pH Not<6.0 or>9.0 Standard Units 3/Week Grab E
50060-Total Residual Chlorine 4 28 µg,I. 3/Week Grab E
00010-Temperature(°C) 3/Week Grab F.
00094—Conductivity 3/Week Grab E
00600-Total Nitrogen(NO2+NO3+TKN) Quarterly Composite E
00665-Total Phosphorus Quarterly Composite E
TGP3B-Chronic Toxicity 5 Quarterly Composite. E
00010-Temperature(°C)6 Variable 6 Grab U&D
00300-Dissolved Oxygen 6 Variable 6 Grab U&D
Footnotes:
I. The Permittee shall submit discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NCDWR's eDMR
submittal system[See Section A.(3.)].
2. Sample locations:E-Effluent,I-Influent,U-Upstream approximately 50 feet above the discharge point,
D-Downstream approximately 500 feet below the outfall.
3. The monthly average effluent BOD5 and Total Suspended Solids concentrations shall not exceed 15 percent of the
respective monthly average influent value(i.e.,85%removal required).
4. The Division shall consider compliant all effluent TRC values reported below 5014/L.However,the Permittee shall
continue to record and submit all values reported by a North-Carolina certified laboratory(including field certified),
even if these values fall below 50µg/L.
5. Chronic Toxicity limited(Ceriodaphnia dubia)P/F at 13%effluent concentration:Sampling during(March,June,
September and December).See A.(2)for details.
6. Stream samples shall be collected 3/Week during summer months June thru September and 1/Week during the rest of the year.
Condition:The Permittee shall discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts.
Page 3 of 7

Permit NC0021890 .
WWTP Class WW-3
A. (2.) CHRONIC TOXICITY (QUARTERLY) - LIMITED
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality to
Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 13%. The permit holder shall perform at a minimum,
quarterly monitoring using test procedures outlined in the"North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent
Bioassay Procedure,"Revised December 2010,or subsequent versions or"North Carolina Phase II Chronic
Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure"(Revised-December 2010)or subsequent versions.The tests will be
performed during the months March,June, September and December.These months signify the first month
of each three-month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent sampling for this testing must be
obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent
discharge below all treatment processes.
If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a failure or a ChV below the
permit limit,then multiple-concentration testing shall be performed at a minimum,in each of the two
following months,as described in"North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whojk Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure"
(Revised-December 2010)or subsequent versions.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will,b4ntered on the Effluent Discharge
Monitoring Form(MR-1)for the months in which tests were performed,using the parameter code TGP3B for
the pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value. Additionally,DWR Dorm AT-3 (original)is to be sent
to the following address:
Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1621
Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later than 30 days
after the end of the reporting period for which,the report is made.Test data shall be complete,accurate,include
all supporting chemical/physieal measurements and all concentration/response data,and be certified by
laboratory supervisor and ORC or\approved designate signature. Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity
sample must be measured and reported,if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste stream.
Should there be no discharge of oW from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required,
the permittee will complete the ination located at the top of the aquatic toxicity(AT)test form indicating
the facility name,permit number,pipe number,county,and the month/year of the report with the notation of
"No Flow"in the comment area of till form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences Section at the
address cited above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required,monitoring will be
required during the following month.Assessment of toxicity compliance is based on the toxicity testing quarter,
which is the three-month time interval that begins on the first day of the month in which toxicity testing is
required by this permit and continues until the final day of the third month.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of
Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream,this permit may be re-opened and modified
to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits.
NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control
organism survival,minimum control organism reproduction,and appropriate environmental controls, shall
constitute an invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day
of the month following the month of the initial monitoring.
Page 4 of 7

Permit NC0021890
WWTP Class WW-3
A. (3.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING - DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and
program reports and specify that, if a state does not establish a system to receive such submittals, then
permittees must submit monitoring data and reports electronically to the Environmental Protection
Agency(EPA). The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on
December 21, 2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this
permit(Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D. (6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D.(2.)and Section E.(5.)(a)1
Effective December 21,2016, the permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically
using the NC DWR's Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous months) shall be summarized for each month and
submitted electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter
monitoring data and submit DMRs electronically using the Internet. Until such time that the state's
eDMR application is compliant with EPA's Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Regulation
(CROMERR),permittees will be required to submit all discharge monitoring data to the state
electronically using eDMR and will be required to complete the eDMR submission by printing,
signing, and submitting one signed original and a copy of the computer printed eDMR to the
following address:
NC DENR/Division of Water Resources/Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the
facility being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have
broadband access,then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may
be granted and discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1.1, 2, 3)
or alternative forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the
mailing address above. See"How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last day of the month following
the issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day of the month following the
commencement of discharge.
Page 5 of 7

Permit NC0021890
WWTP Class WW-3
Starting on December 21,2020,the permittee must electronically report the following compliance
monitoring data and reports,when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
• Clean Water Act(CWA) Section 316(b)Annual Reports.
The permittee mayseek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division(see"How to Request a
eP g q
Waiver
a er from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time
of each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify
the initial recipient for the electronic submission.
zz
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from 7ES.r<: lated facilities means the entity
(EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES pre i )that is the designated
entity for receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for
each type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the
appropriate electronic reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES
Electronic Reporting Rule is found at: http://www2.epa.gov/compliance/final-national-pollutant-
discharge-elimination-sy efn Rpdes= ectronic-reporting-rule,
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the"Reporting Requirements"section
above.
3. How to Request a\Waiver fro,n electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an
electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to
the Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to
the Division for written approval at least sixty(60)days prior to the date the facility would be
required under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a
temporary wa
iver ary w aver shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring
P
data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re-applies for
and is granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic
reporting waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request
may submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that the approved
reporting waiver request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on
the following web page: http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Page 6 of 7

Permit NC0021890
WWTP Class WW-3
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part
II, Section B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II,
Section B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position,must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR
reporting purposes.
For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user
account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North
Carolina's eDMR system,registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account,please visit
the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system shall
make the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF
CERTIFICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED:
"I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my
direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel
properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or
persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the
information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate,
and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information,
including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention (Supplements,Section D. (6.)I
The permittee shill retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR
submissions. These records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the
date of the report. This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR
122.41].
Page 7 of 7

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Town of Granite Falls41 Facility
Granite Falls WWTP Location
State Grid: D13SW USGS Ouad: Granite Falls not to scale
Receiving Stream: Gunpowder Creek Stream Class: WS-1V;CA
Draninage Basin: Catawba Segment Number: 11-55-(4)
Latitude: 35°47'50"N Sub-Basin: 03-08-32 NPDES Permit NC0021890
Longitude: 81°24'38"W HUC: 03050101 North
Caldwell County