NC0027359_Permit (Modification)_20191001

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919-707-3616
ROY COOPER
Governor

MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary

LINDA CULPEPPER
Director

Jacinda B. Woodward, Senior Vice President
Tennessee Valley Authority
1101 Market Street, BR4A
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Subject: Minor Permit Modification
NPDES Permit NC0027359
Hiwassee Hydro Plant
Cherokee County
Dear Ms. Woodward:
The Division of Water Resources (the Division) hereby issues the attached NPDES permit minor modification for
the subject facility. This permit is issued pursuant to the requirements of North Carolina General Statute 143-
215.1 and the Memorandum of Agreement between North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency dated October 15, 2007, or as subsequently amended.
The Division has made the following updates for this permit modification:
1. According to the modification request, the generator air cooling water and generator bearing cooling
water combine within the dam structure at an inaccessible location for sampling. For sampling to be
possible, sampling taps will be installed on each of these cooling water systems. Therefore, Outfalls 003
& 004 have been split into Outfalls 003A, 003B, 004A & 004B. Outfalls 003A & 004B have been
designated for the discharge of the unit generator air-cooling water. Outfalls 003B & 004B have been
designated for discharge of the unit generator bearing cooling water. The facility description on the
Supplement to Permit Cover Sheet and Section A. (2.) has been updated to reflect these changes to the
outfall numbering.
2. For simplification of this permit, Outfalls 001, 002 & 005, have been reorganized into one effluent page
as Section A. (1.). The previous version had three separate effluent pages that included identical
monitoring requirements for these outfalls. As a result of reorganizing the permit, monitoring conditions
for Outfalls 003A, 003B, 004A & 004B are found in Section A. (2.), the special condition for use of
biocides is now Section A. (3.), the electronic reporting condition is now Section A. (4.).
3. Footnote 1b for Outfalls 003A, 003B, 004A & 004B [Section A. (2.)] has been corrected to specify “six (6)
calendar months (semi-annual)” instead of “calendar quarter” to be consistent with semi-annual monitoring
frequency indicated in the table above. For compliance purposes semi-annual monitoring requires a sample
from January to June and a sample from July to December. Please note that eDMR may flag a DMR for
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
10/1/2019
Ms. Woodward
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review of compliance if the interval between sampling events is greater than 6 months. If you have questions
about reviewing compliance, please contact regional office staff.
4. Footnote 3 for temperature monitoring of Outfalls 003A, 003B, 004A & 004B is in line with the narrative
standard 15A NCAC 02B .0211 (18).
Accordingly, we hereby forward the modified pages. Please discard your existing permit pages and replace with
the modified permit pages. Please note that this permit is not transferable except after notice to the Division. The
Division may require modification or revocation and reissuance of the permit. This permit does not affect the
legal requirements to obtain other permits which may be required by the Division of Water Resources or any
other Federal, State, or Local governmental permits that may be required.
If you have questions, or if we can be of further service, please contact Derek Denard at
[[e-mail]] or call [phone].

Respectfully,

Linda Culpepper, Director
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosure: NPDES Permit NC0027359 (Modification pages)

hc: Central Files
NPDES Program Files
ARO Files/ Attn: Landon Davidson
ec: Tennessee Valley Authority, Mike Stiefel [[e-mail]]; Jacinda B. Woodward [[e-mail]];
James D. Evans [[e-mail]]
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
NPDES Permit NC0027359

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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,
Tennessee Valley Authority
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at
Hiwassee Hydro Plant
600 Powerhouse Road, Murphy 28906
Cherokee County
to receiving waters designated as the Hiwassee River (Apalachia Lake) in the Hiwassee 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 November 1, 2019.

This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on August 31, 2023.

Signed this day

__________________________________________________
Linda Culpepper, Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
10/1/2019
NPDES Permit NC0027359

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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.
Tennessee Valley Authority
is hereby authorized to:

1. continue to discharge waters from sumps, drains, and other miscellaneous wastewaters
associated with hydroelectric facilities consisting of:

• a station sump, which receives flow from the Unit 1 wheel pit leakage and floor drains
(Outfall 001)
• sump water from draft tube unwatering operations (Outfall 002)
• waters from the lower and upper gallery drains, and waters from Unit 2 floor drains and
wheel pit leakage (Outfall 005);

continue to discharge once-through cooling waters and similar wastewaters associated with
hydroelectric facilities consisting of:

• Units 1 & 2 generator air-cooling water (Outfalls 003A and 004A, respectively)
• Units 1 & 2 generator thrust bearing cooling water (Outfalls 003B and 004B,
respectively);
located at Hiwassee Hydro Plant, 600 Powerhouse Road, Murphy, Cherokee County; and
2. discharge from said treatment works via Outfalls 001, 002, 003A, 003B, 004A, 004B & 005, at the
location specified on the attached map, into the Hiwassee River (Apalachia Lake) [Stream
Segment 1-(74)], currently a Class C waterbody within Subbasin 04-05-02 [HUC 060200020902]
of the Hiwassee River Basin.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
NPDES Permit NC0027359

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PART I
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
OUTFALLS 001, 002 & 005 [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is
authorized to discharge once-through cooling waters (including generator cooling water, generator thrust
bearing cooling water) and other similar water associated with hydroelectric facilities form outfalls 001,
002 & 005. Such discharges shall be limited, monitored and reported1 by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
[parameter codes]
LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS 1
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location 2
Flow (MGD) 50050 Monitor & Report Quarterly Estimate E
Free Oil Visual Sheen (yes=1 no=0) 3,4 51689 Monitor & Report Quarterly Estimate E
pH (su) 4,5,6 00400 Monitor & Report 6 Footnotes 4, 5 Grab E
Oil & Grease (O&G) (mg/L) 4,5 00556 15 mg/L 20 mg/L Footnotes 4, 5 Grab E
Footnotes:
1. Electronic Reporting of Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMR):
a. The Permittee shall submit Discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR
application system. See Condition A. (6.).
b. Monitoring results obtained during the previous calendar quarter shall be recorded and reported in eDMR
no later than the 30th day following the completed reporting period. The first DMR is due on the 30th day of
the month following the calendar quarter in which the permit was issued. [Quarterly reporting for this
permit is in exception to NPDES standard conditions found in Part I, A. (6.) and Part II, D. (2.). wherein
monthly reporting is indicated.]
2. Sample locations: E – Effluent
3. Free Oil Visual Sheen:
a. The tailrace shall be visually inspected for oil sheens at least once a quarter at this hydroelectric facility.
b. Chemical wheel pit cleaning is permitted on a monthly basis. When cleaning of the wheel pit occurs, the
tailrace shall be inspected visually for foam and oil. Cleaning shall be conducted only with pre-approved
solvents. Should the Permittee wish to change cleaning solvents, a written request should be made to the
Division including the MSDS for the proposed solvent. See Use of Biocides – Special Condition A. (2.).
c. Free Oil Visual Sheen shall be reported by entry of the one of the following codes into eDMR:
Yes = 1 (Oil Sheen Visible)
No = 0 (Oil Sheen Not Visible).
4. If oil sheen or visible foam (other than trace amounts) are present, monitoring of the following parameters is
required until presence of oil or foam is abated: pH and O&G.
5. Best Management Practices (BMPs): In lieu of monitoring pH and O&G, BMPs must be employed to ensure
that excessive pollutants are not discharged to the surface waters of the State. These practices should include, as
a minimum, changing oil absorbent pads quarterly and cleaning accumulated sediment in the bottom of the
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
NPDES Permit NC0027359

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sump routinely. When these activities occur confirmation that BMPs have been followed shall be clearly noted
in the comments section of eDMR.
6. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units unless ambient river
conditions prevent compliance with this range.
Conditions:
• This permit does not limit mechanical cleaning operations, which do not contribute any wastewater to the
discharge. Non-discharging cleaning operations may be conducted as often as necessary to ensure safety and
proper facility operation.
• There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam (other than trace amounts) in the effluent.
• All samples collected should be form a representative discharge event, a measurable discharge event that results
in an actual discharge from the permitted discharge outfall.
• All samples collected should be form a representative discharge event, a measurable discharge event that
results in an actual discharge from the permitted discharge outfall.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
NPDES Permit NC0027359

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A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
OUTFALLS 003A, 003B, 004A & 004B
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee
is authorized to discharge waters for sumps & drains (including powerhouse sumps & drains, wheel pit
drains, and gallery sumps & drains from outfalls 003A, 003B, 004A & 004B. Such discharges shall be
limited, monitored and reported1 by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
[parameter codes]
LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS 1
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location 2
Flow (MGD) 50050 Monitor & Report Semi-annually Estimate E
Temperate (°C) 3 00010 Monitor & Report 3 Semi-annually Grab E
pH (su) 4 00400 Monitor & Report 4 Semi-annually Grab E
Footnotes:
1. Electronic Reporting of Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMR):
a. The Permittee shall submit Discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using NC DWR’s eDMR
application system. See Condition A. (4.).
b. Monitoring results obtained during the previous six (6) calendar months (semi-annual) shall be recorded
and reported in eDMR no later than the 30th day following the completed reporting period. The first DMR is
due on the 30th day of the month following the six (6) calendar months in which the permit was issued.
[Semi-annual reporting for these permitted outfalls is in exception to NPDES standard conditions found in
Part I, A. (6.) and Part II, D. (2.). wherein monthly reporting is indicated.]
2. Sample locations: E – Effluent
3. The temperature of the effluent will be regulated so that the temperature of the receiving stream does not
increase more than 2.8°C above the natural water temperature. Receiving water temperature shall not exceed a
maximum of 29°C due to the facility’s operation.
4. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units unless ambient river
conditions prevent compliance with this range.
Conditions:
• All non-contact cooling water sample locations shall provide representative samples of the discharge and
require sampling prior to discharge commingling with any other waters or substances, such as stormwater or
surface water to enable characterization of a pollutant of concern.
• There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam (other than trace amounts) in the effluent.
• All samples collected should be form a representative discharge event, a measurable discharge event that
results in an actual discharge from the permitted discharge outfall.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
NPDES Permit NC0027359

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A. (3.) USE OF BIOCIDES – SPECIAL CONDITION [G.S. 143-215, 143-215.1]

The Permittee shall obtain authorization from the Division prior to using any biocide in discharge from that may
be toxic to aquatic life. The Permittee shall notify the Director in writing no later than 90 days prior to using any
biocide not already approved for this facility. The Permittee shall provide such notification by completing a
Biocide Worksheet, Form 101 to include a map indicating the receiving stream and the effluent discharge point.
Concentrations of additives to biocides such as chromium, copper, or zinc shall not exceed applicable water
quality standards or action levels in the receiving stream, as determined by calculations using the Biocide Work
Sheet, Form 101 and the Supplemental Analysis Worksheet.

A. (4.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and program
reports. 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)]
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 month(s) 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 DEQ / 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.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
NPDES Permit NC0027359

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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.

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 may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see “How to Request a Waiver
from Electronic Reporting” section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(l)(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.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity (EPA or
the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program) 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-system-npdes-
electronic-reporting-rule.
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the “Reporting Requirements” section above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from 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 waiver shall not exceed 5 years and
shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring 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

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
NPDES Permit NC0027359

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4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)]
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.)]
The permittee shall 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].

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2
^_
35.1503º N, -84.1781º WNC Grid: G2NWUSGS Quad: Unaka, NC
Tennessee Valley Authority - Hiwassee Hydro PlantNPDES Permit N C0027359600 Powerhouse Rd, Murphy, NC 28906
Receiving Stream: H IWAS SEE RIVER (Apalachia Lake)Stream Segment: 1-(74)River Basin: Hiwas seeCounty: Cherokee
Stream Class : CSub-Basin #: 04-05-02HUC: 060200020902
±SCALE
^
Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed
1:24,000
1:15,000,000
Ou tfalls 001 - 005[flows wes t]
Powerhouse Rd
HIWASSEE RIVER (Apalachia Lake) [flows west]
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1584DE8E-7B0E-4322-92D5-458250BBE7E2