NC0021890_Draft Permit_20240122

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Town of Granite Falb
Attn: Randy Smith, Water Resources Director
P.O. Drawer 10
Granite Fal Is, NC 28630
Dear Permittee,
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
1/23/2024
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NCO021890
Town of Granite Fal Is Wastewater Treatment Plant
Grade I I I Biological WPC-S
Caldwell County
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Please review this draft carefully to ensure a
thorough understanding of the information, conditions, and requirements it contains.
Thedraft permit indudesthefollowing significant changesfrom theexisting permit:
• Section A. (2.) has been updated to require electronic submission of
effluent data reports (DM Rs). Federal regulations require electronic
submittal of all discharge monitoring.
• Per 0213.0504, winter NH2 limits were updated to be no greater than 2x the
summer I i mi ts, new wi nter N H: I i mi is wi I I go i nto effect January 1, 2029.
• A n updated outfal I map has been i ncl uded.
Toxicity Test requirement was removed since Faci I i ty is 100%
domestic.
The N PDES standard conditions (Parts 11, 111, and IV) that are apart of the permit are not included in this draft
document (cover, map, and Part 1). The conditions are the same as in your current permit except that agency and
division names have been updated. The latest version is available at httM//bit.ly/3k5NFaL and can be viewed
online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice in
newspapers having circulation in the general Caldwell county area, per EPA requirements. Please provideyour
comments, if any, tome at the address below no later than 30 days after receiving this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period, the Division will review al 1 pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning the draft, please contact meat
[phone] or via e-mail Akate.shadwell(c-deg.nc.gov.
Si ncerel y,
Catheri ne Shaciwel I
N RD ES Compl i ance and Expedited Permitting
cc: NPDES File [Laserfiche]
Asheville Regional Office [ L aserf i che]
r North Cardin Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
1 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mal Se viceCenter I Raleigh, North Cardin 27699-1617
919.707.9000
Cepalna�l of E•MgnrlLl dui

Permit NC0021890
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 Contr ct, as amended,
Town of Granite 0'
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewm`a facility ted at the
.,,/fto
Grani-
to receiving waters designated as the GunpoW
effluent limitations, monitoring requirements,
hereof.
This permit shall become Vtive
tment Plant
in the Catawba River Basin in accordance with
conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on January 31, 2029.
Signed this day
John E. Hennessy, Section Chief Regional Operations
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 6

Permit NCO021890
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked, and as of this 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 described herein.
Town of Granite Falls
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.900 MGD wastewater treatment facility that includes the following
components:
• Aerated grit chamber with self-cleaning bar s
• Influent Parshall Flume with Ultrasonic flow
• Two (2) each oxidation ditches in parallel
• Two (2) each clarifiers, peripheral in par
• Gas chlorination
• Chlorine contact basin
• Dechlorination
• Cascade aeration
• Aerobic sludge digester,
• Sludge drying beds wig
The facility is located at
Granite Falls) in Caldjo
Wastewater Treatment Plant (60 Meandering Way,
2. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, at the location specified on the attached
map, into Gunpowder Creek, a waterbody currently classified WS-IV;CA [Stream Index: 11-55-
(4)] within subbasin 03-08-32 [HUC: 030501010803] of the Catawba River Basin.
Page 2 of 6

Permit NCO021890
PART I.
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Grade III Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
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 and monitored' by the Permittee as
specified below:
Limits
Monitoring Requirements
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Measureme
Sample
Sample
PARAMETERS
eDMR Code
Average
Average
Maximum
nt
Type
Location2
Frequency
Flow MGD
50050
0.900 MGD
Continuous
RecordingInfluent
or
Effluent
BOD, 200 C3
C0310
25.0 mg/L
37.5 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Influent and
A ril 1-October 31
Effluent
BOD, 200 C3
C0310
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
ldrwk
3/Week
Composite
Influent and
November 1-March 31
ik
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids3
C0530
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/Or
eek
Composite
Influent and
Effluent
NH3 as N
(April 1 to October 31
C0610
6.2 mg/L
18.6 mg/
3/week
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N
November 1 to March 31
C0610
15.4 mg/L
IN
3/week
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N6
November 1 to March 31
C0610
12.4
3
3/week
Composite
Effluent
Fecal Coliform
(geometric mean
31616
100 m
400/1 L
3/week
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen
0030
Not < .0 mg/L
3/week
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen5
300
onitor and Report
Variables
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Total Residual Chlorine4
TRC
60
a
28 pg/L
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
pH
0040
> 6.0 and < 9.0 Standard Units
3/week
Grab
Effluent
Temperature °C
00010
Monitor and Report
3/week
Grab
Effluent
Temperature °C5
00010
Monitor and Report
Variables
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Conductivity
00094
Monitor and Report
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Nitrogen
C0600
Monitor and Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
NO2+NO3+TKN
Total Phosphorus
C0665
Monitor and Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the NC DWR's eDMR
system [see A. (2.)].
2. Sample locations: Upstream: approximately 50 feet above the discharge point, Downstream: approximately 500 feet
below the outfall.
Page 3 of 6

Permit NCO021890
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 facility shall monitor TRC when using chlorination for disinfection. The Division shall consider all effluent total
residual chlorine values reported below 50 µg/l to be in compliance with the permit. 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 50 µg/l.
5. Stream samples shall be collected 3/Week during summer months (June thru September) and 1/Week during the rest of
the year.
6. New winter ammonia limits put in place per 0213.0504 will go into effect January 1, 2029.
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR
VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER THAN TRACE AMOUNTS
A.(2.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING - DISCHARGE M
[G.S. 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all disc
The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the
(Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Require t
• Section D. (2.) Repo
• Section D. (6.) Reco^sRet ion
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Reauirements 1Suersedftfiection D. (2.) an
G REPORTS
) and program reports.
)er 21, 2015.
sections within Part II of this permit
The permittee shall report discharge rignitoig data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic
Discharge Monitoring Deport (eDM R) internet application.
Monitoring results obtaineding a previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and submitted
monthly electronically using eDv The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter monitoring data
and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be accessed at:
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
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 following address:
NC DEQ / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Page 4 of 6

Permit NCO021890
See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and reported
via the eDMR system no later than the last calendar day of the month following the completed reporting
period. 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, 2025, the permittee must electronically report the following compliance
monitoring data and reports, when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports; and
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Divi ' (see "How to Request a Waiver
from Electronic Reporting" section below).
a. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee m entify the init cipient at the time of each
electronic submission. The permittee should use the EP web ' resources to identify the initial recipient
for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES informatio
the state authorized by EPA to implement the NP S
electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127. ].
NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity (EPA or
)rogram) that is the designated entity for receiving
EPA plans to establish a website tha ill als ink to appropriate electronic reporting tool for each type of
electronic submission and for eac*tate. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate electronic
reporting tool will be available as welJformation on EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule is found at:
https://www.federalregistel�mIW2015/ 10/22/2015-24954/national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-
Electronic submissions AWtart by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section above.
b.
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:
Page 5 of 6

Permit NCO021890
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
c. Sienatory Reauirements ISupplements 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. (I 1.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section B. (I 1.)(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' eDMR system shall make the
following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENT CERTIFICATION WILL BE
ACCEPTED:
7 certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all at ments wrepared under my direction or
supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure', at qualified penel properly gather and
evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquirj(of the p n or persons who manage the system, or
those persons directly responsible for gathering the inform atiohq, e information submitted is, to the best of
my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and co lete. I am .,. re that there are significant penalties for
submitting false information, including the poss znes prisonment for knowing violations. "
d. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)]
The permittee shall retain records of all Disc rge MMitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions. These
records or copies shall be maintaild 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 122.411.
Page 6 of 6

ON
CL-
gc Q 1100
0*
100
. Hickory Blvd
(US Hwy 321) �•1 `�il ir// �� �(
Gunpowder Cree c r r 1
• S. Main street n S
- � s
Town of Granite Falls
Granite Falls WWTP
Receivin¢ Stream: Gunpowder Creek Stream Class: WS-IV; CA
Draninaee Basin: Catawba River Basin Seement Number: 11-55-(4)
Latitude: 350 47' 50" N Sub -Basin: 03-08-32
Loneitude: 810 24' 38" W HUC: 030501010803
1
C Yet
Meandering Way -
_ .
Outfal1001 \
(flows S)
NOrth NPDES Permit NCO021890
Caldwell County