NC0023981_Authorization to Construct_20190801

1 :
ROY COOPER
Governor 41(
MICHAEL S.REGAN *.
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
August 1, 2019
Mr. Radford Thomas
Public Utilities Director
801 West Avenue NW
Lenoir,North Carolina 28645
SUBJECT: Authorization to Construct
A to C No. 023981A01
City of Lenoir
Lower Creek WWTP
NPDES Permit No.NC0023981
Dear Mr. Thomas:
A letter of request for an Authorization to Construct was received on April 1,2019,by the
Division of Water Resources (Division), and final plans and specifications for the subject project
have been reviewed and found to be satisfactory. Authorization is hereby granted for the
construction of modifications to the existing 6.0 MGD Lower Creek WWTP, with discharge of
treated wastewater into the Lower Creek in the Catawba River Basin.
This authorization results in no increase in design or permitted capacity and is awarded for
the construction of the following specific modifications:
Replacement of existing belt filter press with one(1)new 878 dry lb/hr belt filter press
with odor control system; installation of two (2) new 180 GPM sludge feed pumps
with VFDs, and new polymer feed system consisting of one (1) new 275-gallon tote
and two (2) 10 GPH polymer feed pumps; installation of one (1) new 250 cubic feet
sludge hopper; installation of one (1) new 644 dry lb/hr thermal belt dryer with one
(1) 250 HP blower, five (5) screw conveyors (four rated as 84 ft3/hr and one rated as
10 ft3/hr),one(1)new 10 ft3/hr bucket elevator,one(1)cooling tower and odor control
system;modification of existing dewatered sludge area to increase dewatered biosolids
storage space; installation of one (1) new box screen in the sludge/scum wet well;
installation of all required piping and controls. Alternate bid items including
construction of new sludge cake receiving station with one (1) 550 cubic feet hopper
and three (3) 61.6 ft3/hr screw conveyors, one (1) new 10 GPM sump pump,
demolition of existing DAF unit,replacement of existing sludge holding tank aerators
with three(3)new 25 HP floating surface aerators;in conformity with the project plans,
specifications, and other supporting documentation comprising the ATC Permit
Application package submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality.
DE Q�NORTH CAROLINA
nppAR,,AR of Environmental Q,ARy
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 2 76 9 9-1611
919.707.3601

Mr.Radford Thomas,Public Utilities Director
August 1, 2019
Page 2 of 3
In addition to the appropriate construction items approved in this Authorization to
Construct, the following work scope items stated in the application were deemed as maintenance
events and require no approval:
• In-kind replacement of RAS/WAS pumps
• In-kind replacement of sludge holding tank mixers
• Modification and replacement of SCADA system
• Miscellaneous building improvements and associated sitework and electrical work
This ATC is issued in accordance with Part III, Paragraph A of NPDES Permit No.
NC0023981 issued effective January 1, 2017, and shall be subject to revocation unless the
wastewater treatment facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions and limitations
specified in Permit No. NC0023981.
It is the Owner's responsibility to ensure that the as-constructed project meets the
requirements of all applicable regulations and statutes, the ATC Permit Application package, and
all of the requirements contained herein. Failure to comply may result in penalties in accordance
with North Carolina General Statute §143-215.6A through §143-215.6C.
The sludge generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed of in accordance
with G.S. 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.
In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including those as may
be required by the Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment or disposal facilities.
The Asheville Regional Office, telephone number 828-296-4500, shall be notified at least
forty-eight(48)hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an on-site 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.
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 the NPDES Permit and the ATC Permit Application package.
Mail the Certification to: Division of Water Resources, WQ Permitting — NPDES, 1617 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.
Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, 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 Certification Commission.
Page 2 of 3

Mr.Radford Thomas,Public Utilities Director
August 1, 2019
Page 3 of 3
The Permittee must also employ a certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and
grade to comply with the conditions of T15A:8G.0202. The ORC of the facility must visit each
Class I facility at least weekly and each Class II, III and IV facility at least daily, excluding
weekends and holidays, must properly manage the facility, must document daily operation and
maintenance of the facility, and must comply with all other conditions of T15A:8G.0202.
A copy of the project plans and specifications shall be maintained on file by the
Permittee for the life of the facility.
During the construction of the proposed additions/modifications, the Permittee shall
continue to properly maintain and operate the existing wastewater treatment facilities at all times,
and in such a manner, as necessary to comply with the effluent limits specified in the NPDES
Permit.
You are reminded that it is mandatory for the project to be constructed in accordance with
the North Carolina Sedimentation Pollution Control Act, and when applicable,the North Carolina
Dam Safety Act. In addition, the specifications must clearly state what the contractor's
responsibilities shall be in complying with these Acts.
Prior to entering into any contract(s) for construction, the recipient must have obtained all
applicable permits from the State.
The issuance of this ATC does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and
all statutes,rules,regulations, or ordinances which maybe imposed by other government agencies
(local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Bing Bai at
telephone number(919) 707-3610.
Sincerely,
en,-
Re..,.;
-6'' Linda Culpepper
Director, Division of Water Resources
With Engineer's Certificate attached:
cc: DWR Asheville Regional Office, Water Quality Programs
Central Files
ecopy: Joel Whitford, P.E.
Senior Project Manager
Email: [e-mail]
NPDES File
Without Engineer's Certificate attached:
cc: Caldwell County Health
DWUTrupti Desai
Page 3 of 3

City of Lenoir
Lower Creek WWTP
NPDES No.NC0023981
Authorization to Construct No. 023981A01
Issued August 1,2019
Engineer's Certification
I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in
the State of North Carolina,having been authorized to observe (periodically/weekly/full time)
the construction of the modifications and replacements to the Lower Creek WWTP, located in
Caldwell County,hereby state that,to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in
the observation of the following construction:
Replacement of existing belt filter press with one (1)new 878 dry lb/hr belt filter
press with odor control system; installation of two (2)new 180 GPM sludge feed
pumps with VFDs, and new polymer feed system consisting of one (1)new 275-
gallon tote and two (2) 10 GPH polymer feed pumps; installation of one (1)new
250 cubic feet sludge hopper; installation of one (1)new 644 dry lb/hr thermal
belt dryer with one (1) 250 HP blower,five (5) screw conveyors (four rated as 84
ft3/hr and one rated as 10 ft3/hr), one (1)new 10 ft3/hr bucket elevator, one (1)
cooling tower and odor control system; modification of existing dewatered sludge
area to increase dewatered biosolids storage space; installation of one (1) new box
screen in the sludge/scum wet well; installation of all required piping and
controls. Alternate bid items including construction of new sludge cake receiving
station with one (1) 550 cubic feet hopper and three(3) 61.6 ft3/hr screw
conveyors, one (1)new 10 GPM sump pump, demolition of existing DAF unit,
replacement of existing sludge holding tank aerators with three (3)new 25 HP
floating surface aerators; in conformity with the project plans, specifications, and
other supporting documentation comprising the ATC Permit Application package
submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality.
I certify that the construction of the above referenced project was observed to be built within
substantial compliance,intent and in conformity with all applicable regulations and statutes and
the project plans, specifications, and other supporting documentation comprising the
Authorization to Construct Permit Application package.
Signature Registration No.
Date /
Mail this Certification to: Attn: Bing Bai SEAL
Complex Permitting Unit
DEQ/DWR/Water Quality Programs
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1617