WQ0037287_Staff Report_20190501

State of North Carolina
Division of Water Resources

Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Staff Report

FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 1 of 4

To: NPDES Unit Non-Discharge Unit Application No.: WQ0037287
Attn: Tessa Monday Facility Name: Pluris Hampstead WWTF

From: Bryan Lievre
Wilmington Regional Office

Note: This form has been adapted from the non-discharge facility staff report to document the review of both non-
discharge and NPDES permit applications and/or renewals. Please complete all sections as they are applicable.

I. GENERAL AND SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? Yes or No
a. Date of site visit: 5/01/2019
b. Site visit conducted by: Tom Tharrington
c. Inspection report attached? Yes or No
d. Person contacted: Randy Hoffer and their contact information: (910) 327 - 0374 ext.
e. Driving directions: From Wilmington: US Hwy 17 N, left on Sidbury Rd., right on Hogans Trail
2. Discharge Point(s): N/A, NPDES (NC0089524) not utilized to date and no plans use in future, prefer high-rate
infiltration
Latitude: Longitude:
Latitude: Longitude:
3. Receiving stream or affected surface waters: for Permit NC0089524, unnamed tributary of Island Creek in the Cape
Fear River Basin
Classification: C, Sw
River Basin and Subbasin No. 03-06-23 HUC:03003007
Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream uses:
II. PROPOSED FACILITIES: NEW APPLICATIONS: N/A

III. EXISTING FACILITIES: MODIFICATION AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
1. Are there appropriately certified Operators in Charge (ORCs) for the facility? Yes No N/A
ORC: Kristion King Certificate #: 1002807 Backup ORC: William Andrews Certificate #:1005228
2. Are the design, maintenance and operation of the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal
system? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
Description of existing facilities: Current permit description is accurate with a 250,000 gpd wastewater treatment
system with a 50,000 gpd high-rate infiltration system or to surface discharge with NC0089524
Proposed flow: 250,000 gpd for wastewater treatment and unspecified increase for high-rate infiltration
Current permitted flow: 250,000 gpd for wastewater treatment and 50,000 gpd for high-rate infiltration system
DocuSign Envelope ID: B5ECDFE9-3F0A-4B71-9942-458F9768703C
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 2 of 4
Explain anything observed during the site visit that needs to be addressed by the permit, or that may be important
for the permit writer to know (i.e., equipment condition, function, maintenance, a change in facility ownership,
etc.)
3. Are the site conditions (e.g., soils, topography, depth to water table, etc) maintained appropriately and adequately
assimilating the waste? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
4. Has the site changed in any way that may affect the permit (e.g., drainage added, new wells inside the compliance
boundary, new development, etc.)? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
5. Is the residuals management plan adequate? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
6. Are the existing application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) still acceptable? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
7. Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
8. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
9. Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
10. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
11. Are the monitoring well coordinates correct in BIMS? Yes No N/A
If no, please complete the following (expand table if necessary):
Monitoring Well Latitude Longitude
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
12. Has a review of all self-monitoring data been conducted (e.g., DMR, NDMR, NDAR, GW)? Yes or No
Please summarize any findings resulting from this review: Average monthly flows have been exceeding permit
limit of 50,000 gpd; however DWR staff were knowledgeable of it and were working with system staff to
undertake a study to study the capacity of the high-rate infiltration system, since it was suspected that the system
could handle flow in excess of previously permitted flows as effluent quality has been excellent and infiltration
rates seemed high (refer to past site inspection reports dated 8/22/2017 & 5/1/2019).
Provide input to help the permit writer evaluate any requests for reduced monitoring, if applicable.
13. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? Yes or No
If yes, please explain: System desires to alter amount of flow to high-rate infiltration system
14. Check all that apply:
No compliance issues Current enforcement action(s) Currently under JOC
Notice(s) of violation Currently under SOC Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments (i.e., NOV, NOD, etc.)
If the facility has had compliance problems during the permit cycle, please explain the status. Has the RO been
working with the Permittee? Is a solution underway or in place?
Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
15. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes No N/A
If yes, please explain:
DocuSign Envelope ID: B5ECDFE9-3F0A-4B71-9942-458F9768703C
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 3 of 4
16. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters: None
17. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only): N/A

IV. REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
2. List any items that you would like the NPDES Unit or Non-Discharge Unit, Central Office to obtain through an
additional information request:
Item Reason
Statement indicating requested increased
flow to each high rate infiltration basin See Section V.

3. List specific permit conditions recommended to be removed from the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

4. List specific special conditions or compliance schedules recommended to be included in the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

5. Recommendation: Hold, pending receipt and review of additional information by regional office
Hold, pending review of draft permit by regional office
Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
Issue
Deny (Please state reasons: )
6. Signature of report preparer:
Signature of regional supervisor:
Date:
DocuSign Envelope ID: B5ECDFE9-3F0A-4B71-9942-458F9768703C
9/30/2019
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 4 of 4
V. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
The system provided a study with their permit renewal application to request additional flow into the high-rate
infiltration system. The study was prepared by EEE Consulting, Inc. and provided the results of on-site tests
performed from November 2019 through April 2019. Although justification is provided for increasing the high-rate
infiltration system flows in excess of the currently permitted amount of 50,000 gpd, the permittee (nor their
consultant) state what the requested increased flow should be. Since different figures are provided to justify loading
rates for each basin, it is recommended that the permittee provide something in writing stating the requested
infiltration flows for each basin.

The permittee has also been issued NPDES permit (# NC0089524) for this facility which is maintained as a last-resort
option if the non-discharge disposal options are not meeting effluent flow requirements. The facility has never
discharged from the permitted outfall and has no intent to do so.

DocuSign Envelope ID: B5ECDFE9-3F0A-4B71-9942-458F9768703C
2018