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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0004987_Permit Modification_20081021• Duke DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION Marshall Steam Station MWEnergy, 8320 East NC Hwy. 150 October 21, 2008 Terrell, NC 28682 828 478 7700 To: Sergei Chernikov North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources _ Division of Water Quality4: 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617' E'! OCT 24 2008 �n T_Ft Subject: Marshall Steam Station °oul,,, NPDES Permit No. 0004987 NPDES Permit Modification Request Dear Mr. Chernikov: Part I. Item 9 of the subject NPDES permit states that after six months of monitoring if a facility determines that it is consistently meeting the effluent limits then the Permittee may request a reduction in the monitoring frequency. Marshall Steam Station began to discharge wastewater from the operation of the Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) System in December 2006. At that time the monitoring frequency for several parameters was increased to weekly at both the final NPDES outfall 002 (ash basin discharge) and the new internal outfall 004 (FGD wastewater treatment system discharge). Upon review of the data (summary attached) Marshall Steam Station requests that the monitoring frequency of the following parameters be reduced as follows: NPDES Outfall 002 (Final Outfall) Reduce to Monthly: Chloride and Selenium Eliminate Monitoring for: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Nickel, Silver and Zinc NPDES Outfall 004 (Internal Outfall) Reduce to Monthly: Chloride and Selenium Eliminate Monitoring for: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Nickel, Silver, TSS and Zinc Enclosed is a check for $1030.00 to pay for the fee associated with this major permit modification request. Your efforts to complete this permit modification in a timely manner are much appreciated. If you have questions or need additional information on this request, please contact Robert Wylie at (704) 382-4669. Sincerely, Renner, General Manager III Marshall Steam Station www. duke -energy. com L I" Marshall Steam Station Parameter Monitoring Request Summary of Data NPDES Outfalls 002 and 004 NPDES Outfall 002 (Final Outfall) Average Concentrations Parameter Average Concentration Proposed Monitoring Frequency Arsenic 4.7 ppb Eliminate Cadmium 1.25 ppb * Eliminate Chloride 276 ppm Monthly Chromium 1.6 ppb * * Eliminate Mercury 2.3 ppt Eliminate Nickel 14.0 ppb Eliminate Selenium 16.5 ppb Monthly Silver 1.0 ppb * Eliminate Zinc 20.43 ppb Eliminate NPDES Outfall 004 (Internal Outfall) Average Concentrations Parameter Average Concentration Proposed Monitoring Frequency Arsenic 13.8 ppb Eliminate Cadmium 2.2 ppb Eliminate Chloride 2492.2 ppm Monthly Chromium 3.1 ppb * * Eliminate Mercury 0.2 ppb * Eliminate Nickel 61.4 ppb Eliminate Selenium 195.4 ppb Monthly Silver 1.8 ppb * Eliminate TSS 6.2 ppm Eliminate Zinc 20.9 ppb Eliminate * Most of the values are less than 1.0 ppb. ** Most of the values are less than 2.0 ppb • (� ,� Iry � '^,v. `-'",w- . �.. t l OCT 2 1 4 2008 Note: Averaging using the Excel program did not take into account values that are less than the detection levels so many of the above values are actually lower if the less than values are also accounted for. 4 . ir110/ ��Xja tU Pbc� �/m � — North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman Governor Director Secreta Date: January 12, 2011 To: Coleen Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality From: Art Barnhardt, Hearing 0 4 ( ht 110 bd .a , �z VIA � Subject: Duke Energy- Marshall, Riverbend & Allen Steam Stations NPDES Permits NC0004987, NC0004961, NC0004979 Coal Fired Steam Power Generation Facilities Catawba River Basin, Gaston & Catawba Counties C'C(ovG�QVI(.C. Please find submitted with this transmittal memo, the report for the Public Hearing associated with the subject 3 NPDES permit renewals. Please advise if any of the information submitted needs clarification as you consider these permit actions. Thank you for the opportunity to have served in this role for the State of North Carolina and the citizens that rely on DWQ to protect the water quality. AQUIFER PROTECTION SECTION 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699.1636 Location: 2728 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-3221 l FAX 1: 919-715-0588; FAX 2: 919-715-60481 Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 Internet: www.nc jatergualif .org An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer NorthCaroEna NRatmully HEARING OFFICER REPORT for Renewal of NPDES Permits and Continuation of 316(a) Temperature Variances Duke Energy (Marshall, Riverbend,'and Allen Steam Stations) This report is presented to the Director of the North Carolina Division of the Water Quality INTRODUCTION On September 15, 2010 a notice of Public Hearing was published in the Charlotte Observer and Hickory Daily Record, requesting public comment on Draft NPDES Permit renewals and proposed Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316 (a) temperature variance continuations for three Duke Energy facilities (i.e., Marshall Steam Station, Riverbend Steam Station, and Allen Steam Station) located in the Catawba River Basin. The public notice also provided information on a public hearing to be held to solicit additional comment. A public hearing was held on October 19, 2010, at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville, NC. Oral and written comments became part of the public record, which was closed at the end of the hearing. Art Barnhardt with the Division of Water Quality's Fayetteville Regional Office served as the Hearing Officer. This Hearing Officer Report summarizes the major issues raised through the public hearing process, as well as the Hearing Officer recommendations for the NPDES permit renewals and CWA 316(a) temperature variances. The Director of the Division of Water Quality will take final action on these recommendations. 1 FACILITY BACKGROUNDS Duke Energy/Marshall Steam Station (NPDES Permit# NC0004987) Duke Energy's Marshall Steam Station is a coal .fired steam electric plant in Catawba County. This facility discharges wastewater to Lake Norman (classified Water Supply) in the Catawba River Basin. Lake Norman is not listed on the 2010 303(d) list of impaired waters. The facility discharges wastewater via five permitted outfalls: Outfall 001 (Condenser Cooling Water); Outfall 002 (Ash basin); Outfalls 002a&b (yard sump overflows); and Internal Outfall 004 (flue gas desulfurization (FGD) treatment system discharge to ash basin). The facility has an FGD scrubber, dry fly ash handling system, one active ash pond, one active landfill for FGD waste, and one inactive coal ash landfill-Th'e facility submitted a Balanced and Indigenous (BIP) report in support of its CWA 316 (a) temperature variance continuation, and the BIP report was reviewed and approved by the Division's Environmental Sciences Section (ESS). Duke Energy/Riverbend Steam Station (NPDES Permit# NC0004961) Duke Energy's Riverbend Steam Station is a coal fired steam electric plant in Gaston County. The facility discharges wastewater to Mountain Island Lake (classified Water Supply) in the Catawba River Basin. Mountain Island Lake is not listed on the 2010 303(d) list of impaired waters. The facility discharges wastewater via three permitted outfalls: Outfall 001 (Condenser Cooling Water); Outfall 002 (ash basin); and Outfall 002a (yard sump overflows). Duke Energyplans to close this peak load facility down by 2015, therefore they have not installed an FGD scrubber system. The facility currently operates two active ash ponds. The facility submitted a Balanced and Indigenous (BIP) report in support of its CWA 316 (a) temperature variance continuation, and the BIP report was reviewed and approved by the Division's Environmental Sciences Section (ESS). Duke Energy/Allen Steam Station (NPDES Permit# NC0004979) Duke Energy's Allen Steam Station is a coal fired steam electric plant in Gaston County. The facility discharges wastewater to the Catawba River and South Fork Catawba River (both classified Water Supply) in the Catawba River Basin. The Catawba River near the discharge point is listed on the 2010 303(d) list as impaired, while the South Fork Catawba River is not listed as impaired. The facility discharges wastewater via seven permitted outfalls: Outfall 001 (Condenser Cooling Water); Outfall 002 (ash basin); Outfalls 002a&b (yard sump overflows); Outfalls 003 and 004 (miscellaneous non - contact cooling water); and Internal Outfall 005 (flue gas desulfurization (FGD) treatment system discharge to the ash pond). The facility has an FGD scrubber, a dry fly ash handling system, one active and one inactive ash pond, and oneactive landfill for FGD waste and coal ash. The facility submitted a Balanced and Indigenous (BIP) report in support of its CWA 316 (a) temperature variance continuation, and the BIP report was reviewed and approved by the Division's Environmental Sciences Section (ESS). P) PUBLIC RECORD The Division held a public hearing in Mooresville NC on October 19, 2010. Approximately 74 people attended the public hearing and about 20 attendees provided oral comments. Attendees and speakers included representatives from Duke Energy, Mecklenburg County, several environmental interest groups and concerned citizens. Overall, the Division received 160 written comments. Each facility discharges heated water via Outfall 001, and ash basin wastewater via Outfall 002. Primary issues raised through the permit process include potential impacts to aquatic life due to the heated water discharge, and potential impacts to aquatic life and human health due to the discharge of ash pond wastewater. Listed below is a summary of issues raised, and Division staff response to those comments. 1) Effluent Monitoring. There were several requests for more frequent and more expansive effluent monitoring, particularly for metals from Outfall 002 (ash pond discharge). Response: Frequency of monitoring and number of parameters that are being monitored are based on results of the reasonable potential analysis (RPA). If a parameter shows reasonable potential and requires a limit, monitoring is generally at a monthly or quarterly frequency. If a parameter does not show reasonable potential, monitoring might drop to quarterly or not be required. Monthly discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and priority pollutant scans (required with each permit renewal) are evaluated for RPA with each renewal. The proposed monitoring frequencies will provide adequate information to conduct RPAs for the next permit renewal. The contaminants that have received the most attention with coal ash discharge include arsenic, mercury, and selenium. These core parameters are in the Draft permit monitoring requirement for Outfall 002 (with the exception of mercury at Duke Riverbend), and will be retained regardless of RPA results. Based on public concern, DWQ staff recommends that quarterly effluent monitoring for mercury be added to Outfall 002 (ash pond discharge) for the Duke Riverbend Final Permit, which will result in all three facilities maintaining a core monitoring for arsenic, selenium, and mercury in their effluent.. 2) Effluent Limits. There were several requests for addition of effluent permit limits for all metals at Outfall 002 (ash pond discharge). Response: The need for water quality based effluent permit limits is determined according to a reasonable potential analysis (RPA). The RPA procedure utilized by the Division is in 3 accordance with EPA's regulation at 40 CFR 122.44(d)(1). Permit limits are added only if the results of the RPA suggest potential for exceeding the water quality standards, and are not arbitrarily assigned. However, absence of permit limits does not allow the facility to violate in stream water quality standards. 3) Fish tissue monitoring. There were several requests for the addition of fish tissue monitoring requirements to the permits, particularly near Outfall 002 (ash pond discharge). Response: Although the facilities are not currently required to conduct fish tissue monitoring, Duke Energy has conducted fish tissue monitoring in the past in both Lake Norman (near Duke Marshall) and Mountain Island Lake (near Duke Riverbend). Selenium, arsenic, mercury, and zinc concentrations were measured in common carp, sunfish, and bass collected by electrofishing in July (2004 — 2008) at four locations in Mountain Island Lake. Trace element concentrations have been measured in Mountain Island Lake common carp, sunfish, and bass since 1988. Trace element concentrations from 2004 to 2008 remained well below values of regulatory concern, where such values exist. Limited fish sampling in Lake Norman was also conducted in 2009. Approximately 25 bass were sampled for selenium and mercury. Concentrations were 0.55 mg/kg and 0.11 mg/kg, and both were below the recommended NC DHHS criteria of 10 mg/kg (selenium) and 0.4 mg/kg (mercury). Based on public concern, DWQ staff recommends that a fish tissue monitoring event (once/permit cycle) be added to all three permits. Fish tissue should be analyzed for arsenic, selenium, and mercury, with details of the monitoring to. be established by ESS biologists. 4) Instream monitoring. There were several requests to add instream monitoring to the permits. Response: Facilities are required to conduct biological studies to support renewal of the CWA 316(a) temperature variance. These BIP (balanced and indigenous population) studies include instream monitoring as an integral part of evaluation. Each facility has 6-7 permanent instream monitoring stations, and a few additional temporary stations. DWQ biologists establish monitoring plans for the biological studies and review the results. Based on public concern, DWQ staff recommends the addition of semiannual instream monitoring (upstream and downstream) for arsenic, selenium, mercury, chromium, lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Instream monitoring should be conducted at the stations that have already been established through the BIP monitoring program. 4 I 5) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). There were several requests for addition of a 500 mg/L effluent limit for TDS. Response: There is a water quality standard for TDS (500 mg/1) for water supply waters, which includes the subject receiving waterbodies. Duke Energy measured TDS in the ash ponds for all three powers plants. The results are: Allen — 740 mg/L, Marshall — 730 mg/L, Riverbend —100 mg/L. Based on the available dilution (instream waste concentrations are 10% at Riverbend, 17% at Marshall, and 20% at Allen), it is unlikely that the instream water quality standard for TDS would be violated. Actual monitoring in the lakes conducted during 2000 through 2009 indicates that TDS values are well below 100 mg/L. Based on public concern, DWQ staff recommends the addition of semiannual instream monitoring (upstream and downstream) for TDS (refer to Response to Comment #4 above). 6) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Turbidity. There were several requests for increased monitoring and/or more stringent permit limits for TSS. - Additionally, the Catawba Riverkeeper provided a picture of Lake Norman (near Marshall Steam Station) with a darker color plume apparently emanating from the Outfall 001 cooling water discharge, contending that this plume is a result of high TSS/turbidity in the discharge. Response: US EPA sets Effluent Limitations Guidelines for TSS (per 40 CFR 423) for fly ash/bottom ash; thus these permits incorporate TSS limits at the coal ash pond discharge (Outfall 002). EPA requirements do not set TSS limitations for once through cooling water (Outfall 001), and these permits are consistent with that decision. Monthly monitoring for TSS at the ash pond discharges (Outfall 002) is considered adequate based on the historical data. Long-term monitoring data indicates very low concentration of TSS in the discharge from these power plants, usually within 5-10 mg/L. During summer, Lake Norman is subject to thermal stratification. The Marshall Station withdraws cooling water from a depth of approximately 60 feet, to ensure compliance with the temperature limit and for greater power plant efficiency. This deep layer of water contains reduced forms of iron and manganese, which are formed due to the lack of oxygen. This phenomenon is similar to formation of dissolved iron and manganese in the groundwater. When this water from the deep layer of Lake Norman is exposed to the oxygen on the surface, iron and manganese are oxidized and water becomes discolored. This plume cannot be attributed to the turbidity of the discharge or TSS concentration. The maximum concentration of TSS in the cooling water discharge of the Marshall Steam Station during the previous permit cycle was only 4 mg/L. 5 r 7) Temperature Variance. There were several comments that the existing CWA 316(a) temperature variances are not protective enough and DWQ should implement daily maximum temperature limits instead of monthly average limits. Response: Continuation of the CWA 316(a) temperature variance is predicated on a positive demonstration of balanced and indigenous macroinvertebrate and fish community in the receiving waterbodies. The Division's Biological Assessment Unit reviewed the biological reports and concurred with the BIP conclusions. Therefore, the alternative temperature limits in the Draft Permit are considered to provide adequate protection for aquatic life. 8) Arsenic exceedences near Riverbend Outfall 002 (ash pond discharge). Both Mecklenburg County and the Catawba Riverkeeper indicated that some surface water samples collected near the Riverbend ash pond discharge showed concentrations of arsenic above the water quality standard of 10 ug/L. Response: The NC regulations (15A NCAC 213.0206) allow for dilution provided by upstream flow (either 7Q10, 30Q2, or mean annual flow) when establishing effluent permit limitations. This approach is consistent with EPA guidance (US EPA 1991, Technical Support Document for Water Quality -Based Toxics Control). Dilution may not occur instantaneously, thus there is an implicit mixing zone near the point of discharge where water quality standards might be exceeded. Surface water sampling indicates that these exceedences are very infrequent. Surface water samples collected approximately 0.5 miles downstream from the discharge in the main stem of the Catawba River show 32 out of 39 samples were below the detection level for arsenic, and the maximum arsenic value was 3.6 ug/L, which is well below the water quality standard of 10 ug/L. In addition, surface water sampling conducted at the City of Charlotte's drinking water intake during the same time period showed all samples (n= 22) below the arsenic detection level. 9) Mixing Zone. There were several comments submitted requesting delineation of mixing zones in the permits. Response: As indicated in Response to Comment 8 above, state regulations provide for an implicit mixing zone based on consideration of upstream dilution, and this was incorporated into development of metals limits. Evaluation of a mixing zone for temperature is a special case subject to CWA Section 316(a) requirements. Since all three facilities have a CWA 316(a) temperature variance, they are required to conduct BIP studies. If these biological studies demonstrate the existence of a positive BIP, then the temperature variance can be continued and mixing zone delineations are not necessary. 0 10) Coal ash pond closure. - There were several requests for a permit requirement to develop an Ash Pond Closure Plan, including clean-up, lining, and closure of ash ponds. Response: EPA is currently developing new regulations for coal ash disposal. Most of the ash disposal requirements will fall under the purview of the Division of Waste Management, and it is still uncertain at this time what final regulations will be adopted. 11) Implement proposed water quality standards from Triennial Review. There was one request for the permits to reflect proposed water quality standard changes from the current Triennial Review, including copper, zinc, and nickel. Response: The Triennial Review has not been finalized and approved by the EMC and EPA. The approval process might cause significant changes in the proposed standards. Therefore, it is premature for DWQ to implement these standards into permit limits at this time. 12) Technology/FGD wastewater treatment. There was one request for installation of a zero discharge Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) treatment system for the Marshall Steam Station. Response: An FGD treatment system is already installed at Duke Marshall, and it would be extremely expensive to retrofit it with the new technology. It is also difficult to install a zero discharge system on an existing plant. EPA is currently re-evaluating its Effluent Limitations Guidelines for the Steam Electric Point Source Category (40 CFR 423), and the Division will review and incorporate any new federal requirements for FGD discharges once EPA completes its regulatory process. 13) Technology/Dry cooling system. There was one request for installation of dry cooling systems to avoid hot temperature discharges. Response: EPA reviewed dry cooling technologies and concluded that they are very inefficient and expensive. They require more coal to generate the same amount of energy. Therefore, they were not recommended for implementation in the 316(b) Phase II rule. Even the cooling towers, which are less expensive and more efficient than dry cooling systems, are not currently required by regulation. In addition, BIP studies indicate no impact on the receiving lakes. Therefore, DWQ does not believe that there is a need for dry cooling systems. 7 14) Miscellaneous wastes. There was one request for addition of a new permit requirement to report volumes and types of miscellaneous wastes to be identified and reported by the permittee. 'Response: Federal and state rules do not contain such a requirement. in addition, the miscellaneous wastes that are discharged to the ash pond represent an extremely small percentage of the overall discharge flow. The existing monitoring and reporting requirements are considered sufficient. 15) Arsenic and mercury in water treatment residuals. There was one comment from the city of Gastonia expressing concerns about the amount and source of arsenic and mercury found in their water treatment plant sludge. They requested a scientific evaluation to determine the source(s) of these elements in the sludge. Response: Discharges from power plants contribute to the overall mercury and arsenic loading. Monitoring of the ash pond discharge and surface water indicates that concentrations of mercury and arsenic in the discharge and the lakes are within a safe range. 16) Forced Evaporation/Surface Water Loss. There was one request that the permit process should consider the impact of forced evaporation upon the State water supply. Response: This request is outside the purview of the NPDES program. 17) Climate change. There was one request that the permits should take climate change into account. Response: This request is outside the purview of the NPDES Program. 0 Findings and Observations of the Hearing Officer After consideration of input from the public, Duke Energy, DWQ staff and results of past environmental and water quality monitoring data generated it is quite evident that all the participants in the hearing process have a high level of interest in maintaining the water quality within this section of the Catawba River Basin. Duke Energy has good historical record of compliance over the most recent NPDES permit cycle. Utilization of the water resources to help meet the consumer energy demands, as is done at these three Duke Energy facilities, cannot be achieved with zero impact. Therefore the permits and temperature variances being considered through this hearing process are the means to control the impacts to the levels required by State and Federal regulations. As a result, the public comment process did identify several permit improvement issues where minor changes will be recommended for incorporation in the permits. Effluent monitoring, effluent limits (including TDS & TSS): Some public comment recommended additional effluent monitoring and lower effluent limits. The inferred reasoning is to protect water quality to a higher standard due to the cumulative impact of the Duke Energy Facilities along with the many other water quality impacting activities within the basin. Additionally, one person at the public hearing testified as having some skepticism in allowing the Duke Facilities to self -monitor effluent and in stream water quality indicators. The Hearing Officer does not share this skepticism, but is interested in reporting to the Director of DWQ the perceptions of the public that invested the time and effort to attend the forum. Since self-monitoring is a standard practice at nearly all NPDES permitted facilities it is important for all stakeholders to have a high level of confidence in the data being generated. Compliance monitoring inspections are a part of the DWQ oversight effort and are geared to enhance the quality control and quality assurance of this important environmental compliance activity. While not proposing any changes to the draft NPDES permits to address this specific issue, it is a recommendation to the Director that DWQ staff partner with stakeholders to obtain ideas on possible ways to structure DWQ compliance sampling inspections that would build confidence in the self-monitoring data output. In the opinion of the Hearing Officer, the regulatory NPDES permitting processes by which effluent monitoring and limits are established have been properly applied by the DWQ permitting staff. It is also the Hearing Officer's opinion that the monitoring requirements for core parameters (mercury, arsenic, selenium should be consistent for all 3 permits. N� Fish Tissue Monitoring and In Stream Water Quality: Tissue analysis for target indicators is one of many ways to measure overall water quality by examination of the various fish populations within a water body. Some previous work has been accomplished by Duke Energy (and others) where the results have Indicated generally acceptable tissue conditions. While tissue monitoring is not required as part of the ongoing BIP studies, it is information that can complement the BIP results and produce a more comprehensive view of the resource status. The same reasoning applies to in stream water quality monitoring. Conducting water quality analyses at the BIP station locations for effluent related constituents may not be necessary to evaluate the indigenous species populations and diversities but it would also be a good complement to the long term water quality monitoring effort and likewise would provide a better view of the resource condition. It is the Hearing Officer's opinion that collection of this additional environmental data would be valuable and easy to accomplish by Duke Energy. Discharge of Non -Contact Cooling Water The thermal discharge was a topic discussed with the 2 main concerns; first, the NC Water Quality Standard— (15A NCAC 028.0211(3) (i)) should apply without allowing the variance under (15A NCAC 028.0208 (b) m and second, the Impact that warmed water has on forced evaporation rates. It is the opinion of the Hearing Officer that Duke Energy has made the demonstration through BIP Studies, results of which have been evaluated by DWQ Biological Assessment Unit, that allow for the continued CWA 316(a) temperature variance. In relation -to forced evaporation, it is a fact that there is higher evaporation potential with increased temperature. The scope of the NPDES Permitting Program does not include regulatory authority to account for loss of water through forced evaporation. However it is an important Catawba River Basih dynamic that the Hearing Officer feels the Director or DWQ should be appraised of in order to factor into future resource management decisions that will arise as our finite water resource use continues to rise. Arsenic above Water Quality Standard of 10 ug/1 near Riverbend Outfall 002 and Mixing Zones The zone of water in the area adjacent to an outfall, before effluent has the ability to mix with the receiving waters, is known as the mixing zone which is defined in ISA NCAC 028.0202 DEFINITIONS (44). Although none of the mixing zones around any of the Duke Energy outfalls has been officially delineated, the arsenic sample locations referred to in the Public Hearing were in such close proximity to the outfall it is with little doubt within this zone. By rule, water quality standards do not apply within a mixing zone except as defined in 15A NCAC 02B.0204 (b)1-4.Other water quality data collected from locations (further from the outfall) in the water body such as the BIP Study sample locations indicate acceptable arsenic concentrations. It is the Hearing Officer's opinion that 10 although.established delineated mixing zones would create a precise boundary in which to measure in stream water quality compliance, it would not be significantly different than the current configuration of the BIP monitoring stations or alter the ability of the State to enforce water quality regulations within the Catawba Basin adjacent to these 3 Duke Energy facilities. Storage Structure (Dike) Inspections The draft permits contain the requirement for Duke Energy to inspect the ash pond dikes. Comments from the hearing indicated the need to specify an inspection schedule -and record keeping requirement. Many of the DWQ Permits (Non-NPDES) containing storage structures specify. inspection frequency and record keeping requirements. Similarly, it is the Hearing Officer's opinion that outlining the inspection frequency and record keeping requirements would be a beneficial addition to the permit language. Groundwater Monitoring Comments The draft permits contains new groundwater monitoring requirements. The comments made during the open record were in support of the addition of these requirements. It is the Hearing Officer's opinion that no changes to this proposed portion of the draft permit are in necessary. Other Water Resource Related Comments Several comment topics provided during the open record discussed issues of importance related to protection of the water resource, but are beyond the regulatory oversight of these NPDES Permit renewals: They consisted of coal ash pond closure, implementing water quality standards from triennial :review, requiring new technology for FDG wastewater treatment, requiring new cooling technology, factoring in climate change and developing a drinking water contingency plan in case of an ash pond failure. It is the Hearing Officer's opinion that these issues are not within the scope of the NPDES Permitting process and have been given proper consideration. Hearing Officer Recommendations Based on review of the public record and written/oral comments received during the public hearing process, I recommend to the Division Director that the three Duke Energy Draft NPDES Permits (Duke Energy- Marshall, Riverbend, Allen) be revised and issued with the following minor changes and continuation of 316(a) Temperature Variances: 11 1- Quarterly effluent monitoring for mercury should be added to Outfall 002 (ash pond discharge) for the Duke Riverbend Final Permit. 2 -Fish tissue monitoring event (once/permit cycle) be added to all three permits. Fish tissue should be analyzed for arsenic, selenium, and mercury, with details of the monitoring to be established by ESS biologists. 3 -Addition of semiannual in stream monitoring (upstream and downstream) for arsenic, selenium, mercury, chromium, lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, and total dissolved solids (TDS). In stream monitoring should be conducted at the stations that have already been established through the BIP monitoring program. 4 -Addition of a specified storage structure (dikes) inspection frequency consisting of weekly and after any 1 inch or greater rainfall events. A record of the inspection shall also be kept on file and should consist of date, time and person that conducted the inspection. 12 ,3—,3 k6 Zis Lv it Steph A. Barnhardt, Hearing Officer Date 12 North Carolina ] ss Mecklenburg County? The Charlotte Observer Publishing Co. Charlotte, NC Affidavit of Publication THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER --------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- DINA SPRINKLE NCDENR/DWO/POINT SOURCE BRANCH 1617 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27699 REFERENCE: 30063432 6503249 Public Notice Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said County and State, duly authorized to administer oaths affirmations, etc., personally appeared, being duly sworn or affirmed according to law, doth depose and say that he/she is a representative of The Charlotte Observer Publishing Company, a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the State of Delaware, and publishing a newspaper known as The Charlotte Observer in the city of Charlotte, County of Mecklenburg, and State of North Carolina and that as such he/she is familiar with the books, records, files, and business of said Corporation and by reference to the files of said publication, the attached advertisement was inserted. The following is correctly copied from the books and files of the aforesaid Corporation and Publication. i PUBLISHED ON: 09/17 AD SPACE: 130 LINE FILED ON: 09/23/10 --- --- - -- - -- -- --------- ---+- - ----------- NAME: TITLE: DATE: SEP"? 1 201n In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, the day and ear aforesaid. o- Notary': / ly ommmission Expires: My Commission -Expires Wit 27, 201 `i K] C Hickory Daily Record . Advertising Affidavit North Carolina Community Newspapers PO Box 968 Hickory, NC 28603 NC DENR/DWQ BUDGET OFFICE 1617 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH, NC 27699 Account Number 3142720 Date September 15, 2010 Date Category Description Ad Number Ad Size 09/15/2010 Legal Notices PUBLIC NOTICE SUBJECT: The North Carol 0002036277 1 x 78 L PUBLIC NOTICE SUBJECT: The North Carolina Environmental Man- agement Commission proposes to Issue the fol- lowing NPDES wastewater discharge permits, and Is Inviting public comment on the draft permits. Additionally, a public hearing has been scheduled to provide additional opportunity for comments. Duke Energy Corp., Riverbend Steam Station (Gaston County), NPDES Permit #NC0004963 Duke Energy Corp.. Allen Steam Station (Gaston County), NPOES Permit UNC0004979 Duke Energy Corp., Marshall Steam Station (Catawba County), NPDES Permit ONC0004987 PURPOSE: On the basis of preliminary staff review and application of Article 21 of Chapter 143, Gen- eral Statutes of North Carolina, and other lawful standards and regulations;. the North Carolina En- vironmental Management Commission proposes to reissue NPDES permits for these facilities sub• sect to specific pollutant limitations and special conditions and to continue the 316(a) temperature variances- The Director of the Division of Water Quality pursuant to NCGS 143-215.1(c)(3) and Reg- ulation 15 NCAC 2H, Section .0100 has determined that It Is In the public Interest that a hearing be held to receive all pertinent public comment on whether to Issue, modify, or deny the permits. PROCEDURE: Written comments on the draft per- mits will be accepted until the date of the Public Hearing. Any person or organization desiring to make oral comments should register to do so at the hearing. The time available for oral comments may be limited by the Hearing Officer. Oral pre. ' sentations that exceed three minutes should be accompanied by three written copies. The hearing record may be closed at the conclusion of the hearing. , WHIN: Tuesday. Oclaber 19. 2010 at 7:00 p.m. (Registration begins at 6:00 p.m.) WHERE. Charles Mack Citizen Center 215 North Main Street Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 INFORMATION: A copy of the draft NPDES permits can be downloaded from the following link: http✓/Portai.ncdenr.org/web/wq/s wp/ps/npdes7' calendar The draft permits arealso available by writing or calling: Ms. Dina Sprinkle NC Division of Water Quality/ NPDES Unit 1617 Mail Service Center - Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone number- (919) 807-6304 The application and other Information are ori file at the Division of Water Quality, 512 North Salis- bury Street, Room 925 of the Archdale Building in Raleigh, North Carolina and at the Division's Mooresville Regional Office (610'East Center Ave- nue, Suite 301, Mooresville, NC 28115). They may be inspected during normal office hours. Copies of the Information on file are available. Upon request and payment of the costs of reproduction. All such comments and requests regarding this matter should make reference to the permit numbers, NC0004961. NC0004979, and NC0004987. Publish: September 15, 2010. 1 THIS IS N Media General Operations, Inc. Publisher of Hickory Daily Record ,Catawba County Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of Catawba County, North Carolina, duly commissioned, qualified, and authorized by law to administer oaths, in said County and State; that he/she is authorized to make this affidavit and sworn statement; that the notice or other legal advertisement, a copy of which is attached hereto, was published in the Hickory Daily Record on the following dates: 09/15/2010 and that the said newspaper in which such notice, or legal advertisement was published, was a newspaper meeting all the rcquiremcnta and qualifications of Section 1-597 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. r, Assist -B00 keeper :_ - Newspaper reference: 0002036277 S om to and subscribed before me, this day oa--f 2010 Notary Public �0TAR� My Commission expires: k 60 o2 O y AO Q L% G V OTA BILL. PLEASE PAY FROM INVOICE. •THA�1a4ff%f�OITOU'N ;,%%% Duke Energy Allen, Marshall, and Riverbend Stations NPDES Public Hearing Mooresville, NC October 19, 2010 Sergei Chemikov., Ph.D. North Carolina Division of Water Quality, Steam Electric Plants With Coal Ash Ponds Progress Energy facilities Duke Energy facilities uke .pan, 1..'j, +fit •rM1� lc ` DL �. (D Duk -Mar. PEC Asheville ke - Rive uke - Cliffside uke -Allen tvia u Rivers a ' :PEC=Ro IoM ®DDuke Belews'Creek ake - Buck ,hall sPEC ear,- " ® bend 1` O PEC Lee PEC = Weathers , con �n . { P$ C -Sutton Duke Ener2v Stations Station FGD'* Ash Landfills (only coal ash and System Pond FGD waste) 1) Riverbend No 2 active No Gaston County ,Shut down by 2015 Charlotte drinking water intake 3.6 miles downstream 2) Marshall Yes 1 active 1 inactive (coal ash) Catawba County F 1 active (FGD waste) Dry fly ash handling - 1 proposed double lined with leak detection (coal ash) 3) Allen Yes 1 active 1 active double lined with leak Gaston County 1 retired detection, on top of retired ash Dry fly ash handling I pond FGD — flue gas desulfurization Regulatory Framework Rti423- �� Potnt: t + � 4 �'` Regulatory Framework Dam Safety Inspections 4b. 4 S _ aff n� `iget4atvei Effluent Monitoring I 4'gS'S4 ter Monitoringroun wa S- 1 b 4 , xk t` BIP Studies 81P=balanced and nd%ge , - -and -macrolnvertebrates;, re temperature- varlance. - - t Allen:} 6 onkitorn °=locato F Rlverb end.. 7m"- ,.rkonitori- ng to '4 M\ 4 t N S 1 Lake. �: � � �, * �� � �* Marshall:: 6 monl"torngA:'1oc 4 0 Monitoring gip -ammeters: fis macrotnvcrteb"nates, water= • - 42t �t '4 ' k4 � i �: BIP reports =every 5 years 0 4 3aest. DWQaccd11ep$ ,�� : concurredi�_`, hatBIP exists/v nog �� ulatlon -of::fish : :� qu lrpal'-tor"31 �6 (a) ns allce W liie. t } y. 'L cations. ir.Mt: Island t OAS",', Lake Norman. *�. • -v 5 h4 community, --------------- Iyty,u sediment. kprior oto ,=permit renewal 1: Lj �^ �pr`atc.* { b44� j Lake Water Quality A - I Fish Tissue Sampling Permit Limit Development �c`ility to �1 -1a e 0- . 1 DWQ Regulatory Oversight 4 '' Draft Permit Summary DUKE ENERGY CORP PUBLIC HEARING SIGN IN SHEET — OCTOBER 19, 2010 DUKE ENERGY CORP PUBLIC HEARING # NAMEry M =WRITTEN COMMEfiNSq Y WHOH�'D0 YOU REPRESENT? ,. y THE HEARING? 2 N 4 5 �wfDl oCa.7': o� 6 wt 7 _ eG► 8 e r�n eq l� _ 9 fY Com.. r.►f2, c S�Qn, 10 M �-�` N ° c �a,� �j �/.► k.� �..2rr �,o�j1. e e► w. 11 GYM GL 11. 12 r 13 A 14 Do k A' r ec Z C 15 j 0 4 AI l-�E��!«� 1(.� Du tt -Ir4, A O/y allyLrG�� �� oc 001 6Z 8Z �?/9� ���ry f �� n �� ��7/f1 �'� ✓ LZ l C) l J.)lrj n�j 9 1 �( 17-7 9Z J SZ tlz cz ZZ 1� ® -�" iZ TOe� oz � 61 0/ L �., u- a �O 75� 81 Ll O 17or 91 snow lyv3H nog. aIa AAOl �su�s ixar r rioX oar oxn� �szu�rn oo ol _ u # I v V" II v • DUKE ENERGY CORP PUBLIC HEARING SPEAKER SIGN IN SHEET - OCTOBER 19, 2010 _DUKE- ENERGY CORP PUBLIC HEARING ALL SPEAKERS MUST BE PRESENT TO SIGN IN 1 s � _ . � H .�_ .a�,���e• � � �� � ������ ���..;- "�_ ��:. ��, ��,,� ��,� ��"� r« ARI 2 3 NsP l 4 r ^� CA�� 1 5 Lao 6 �lltZ J�heS %% ��Ji�-c C���lri�z �Jav�nr 7 I L lc,'In� vAV j 117,05 ✓LvIn 4i✓ w IVO ,, kKa /" . 12 1� Law 13 14 15 ALL SPEAKERS MUST BE PRESENT TO SIGN IN i # a NAME WIfTTEN1 COMMENTS? 7-, E WHt? DQ ,1'OU REPRESENT? ,k DOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT' THE HEARING. 17 � 18 �cw� /" \ • �� 19�A/ v/dim ei 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 ALL SPEAKERS MUST BE PRESENT TO SIGN IN Speaker No. i ia, Name La. IAC auAialkla-tJ) Affiliation & I I C-7 U J*il Name 5Fe-vra- Ubo Affiliation Name Affiliat n Y E) Ief-t A /I; ,soh Name is zv� / sew Affiliation Speaker No. Speaker No. 13 Speaker No. �T IK�xh C', R1 Name Affiliation Speaker No. •J G 4nl i� L) Speaker No. (o � T Name P—It b a Affiliation Speaker No. �i Name ki f)5 �u.w ha 1?� uv - Affiliation Speaker No. g soU,n� <<kt. �Auna,0 Name 0�A* Affiliation • C. 7) Name Affiliation III V15 Uvpv- V LXlf�J-M 09-e,I Name Affiliation Speaker No. q Speaker No. 0 Speaker No. E laioe— PoweAl Name lSP-w Affiliation Speaker No. L I "I �h rd W Ha) B J a Name 4P Lam OwqleV' Affiliation Fn /7 • David iii �-c.�ell Name Pu Affiliation Name Affiliation Q- A�A rN Name J� Affiliation I-- -.-it Name Affiliation IMI'A Speaker No. 13 �- Speaker No. 19 Speaker No. i 5 Speaker No. 7 . OliGL-) --Dlov:�- I J D • vl� I � �7ac." r aees Name i Affiliation lv ame � � \AeV- Affiliation Name Affiliation _ Gizv Name •Affiliation I Speaker No. Speaker No. l � Speaker No. 19 Speaker No. e� DUKE MARSHALL STEAM STATION PERMIT NC0004987 GROUNDWATER MONITORING WELL CONSTRUCTION AND SAMPLING PLAN ;r 1. The permittee shall conduct groundwater monitoring as may be required to determine the compliance of this NPDES permitted facility with the current groundwater Standards found under 15A NCAC 2L.0200 2. WELL CONSTRUCTION. Within 120 days of permit issuance, monitoring wells, as proposed on Attachment 1, shall be installed to monitor groundwater quality. a. Shallow (S) monitoring wells shall be constructed such that the water level in the monitoring well is -never above or below the screened (open) portion of the well at any time during the year. Deep (D) monitoring wells shall have screen(s) at - designated intervals in the water column below the static shallow groundwater level. The deep wells should be constructed such that the screened portion is discrete and situated in the transition zone between competent bedrock and. the regolith. Monitoring wells shall be constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 02C .0108 (Standards of Construction for Wells Other than Water Supply) and any other jurisdictional laws and regulations pertaining to well construction. The general locations for all monitoring wells are indicated on Attachment 1. b. The Mooresville Regional Office, telephone number (704) 663-1699 shall approve the location of new monitoring wells prior to installation. The regional office shall be notified at least 48 hours prior to the construction of any monitoring well and such notification to the Aquifer Protection Section's regional supervisor shall be made from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding State Holidays. c. Within 60 days of completion of the monitoring wells, the Permittee shall submit.. , two original copies of a site map with a scale no greater than 1 -inch equals 500 feet. At a minimum, the map shall include the following information: i. The location and identity of each monitoring well. ii. The location of major components of the waste disposal system. iii. The location of property boundaries within 500 feet of the disposal areas. iv. The latitude and longitude of the established horizontal control monument. v. The elevation of the top of the well casing (i.e., measuring point) relative to a common datum. vi. The depth of water below the measuring point at the time the measuring point is established. vii. The location of compliance and review boundaries. viii. The date the map is prepared and/or revised. ix. Topographic contours in no more than ten (10) foot intervals d. The above information should be overlaid on the most recent aerial photograph taken of the site. Control monuments shall be installed in such a manner and made of such materials that the monument will not be destroyed due to activities taking place on the property. The map and any supporting documentation shall be sent to the Division of Water Quality, Aquifer Protection Section, 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1636. NPDES Well Construction and Groundwater Monitoring Page 1 of 3 3/15/2010 e.The well(s) must be constructed by a North Carolina Certified Well Contractor, the property owner, or the property lessee according to General Statutes 87-98.4. If the construction is not performed by a certified well contractor, the property owner or lessee, provided they are a natural person, must physically perform the actual well construction activities. f.The monitoring wells shall be regularly maintained. Such maintenance shall include ensuring that the well caps are rust -free and locked at all times, the outer casing is upright and undamaged, and the well does not serve as a conduit for contamination. GROUNDWATER SAMPLING. Monitoring wells shall be sampled after construction and thereafter at the frequencies and for the parameters as specified in Attachment XX. Groundwater sampling done by other than monitoring wells shall be monitored at the same frequency and for the same parameters as required for monitoring wells. The method(s) for sampling other than by wells shall be at the discretion of the Permittee, but should be conducted at or as close to the compliance boundary as physically possible. All mapping, well construction forms, well abandonment forms and monitoring data shall refer to the permit number and the well nomenclature as provided on Attachment XX. a. Per 15A NCAC 02H .0800, a Division certified laboratory shall conduct all laboratory analyses for the required effluent, groundwater or surface water parameters. b.The measurement of water levels shall be made prior to purging the wells. The depth to water in each well shall be measured from the surveyed point on the top of the casing. The measurement of pH shall be made after purging and prior to sampling for the remaining parameters. c. The measuring points (top of well casing) of all monitoring wells shall be surveyed to provide the relative elevation of the measuring point for each monitoring well. The measuring points (top of casing) of all monitoring wells shall be surveyed relative to a common datum. d.For initial sampling of monitoring wells, the Permittee shall submit a Compliance Monitoring Form (GW -59) and a Well Construction Record Form (GW -1) listing this permit number and the appropriate monitoring well identification number. Initial Compliance Monitoring Forms (GW -59) without copies of the Well Construction Record Forms (GW -1) are deemed incomplete, and may be returned to the Permittee without being processed. NPDES Well Construction and Groundwater Monitoring Page 2 of 3 3/15/2010 e. Two copies of the monitoring well sampling and analysis results shall be submitted on a Compliance Monitoring Form (GW -59), along with attached copies of laboratory analyses, on or. before .the last working day of the month following the sampling month. The Compliance Monitoring Form (GW -59) shall include this permit number, the appropriate well identification number, and one GW -59a certification form shall be; submitted with each set of sampling results. All information shall be submitted to the following address: Division of Water Quality Information Processing Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 4. COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY. The compliance boundary for the disposal system shall be specified in accordance with 15A NCAC 02L .0107(a). This disposal system was individually permitted prior to December 30, 1983; therefore, the compliance boundary is established at either 500 feet from the effluent disposal area, or at the property boundary, whichever is closest to the effluent disposal area. An exceedance of groundwater standards at or beyond the compliance boundary is subject to remediation action according to 15A NCAC 02L .0106(c) as well as enforcement actions in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6A through 143-215.6C. ATTACHMENT 1— GROUNDWATER MONITORING PLAN Permit Number: NC0004987 Version 1.0 WELL PARAMETER DESCRIPTION FREQUENCY NOMENCLATURE Antimony Chloride Manganese Sulfate January, May, Monitoring Wells: September Arsenic Chromium Mercury TDS MW -4, MW -41), MW - 10S, MW- IOD, MW- Barium Copper Nickel Thallium 115, MW -11D, MW -125, Water MW -12D, MW -135, Boron Iron Nitrate Level MW -13D, MW -145, MW -14D Cadmium Lead pH Zinc Selenium Note 1: For locations of monitoring wells, see attached map. Note 2: Monitoring revisions may be considered, as applicable, if there are no significant detections prior to permit renewal. NPDES Well Construction and Groundwater Monitoring Page 3 of 3 3/15/2010 �..r 'F, • ��s.:¢y?o. 'r -'�_•, V' ' �` s �Fj(yj��^^ - •, - i, '� .r •?gyp. ki y U t, } zpdaf°°� J + t>ao o>,nP Pte' ,�' � s ' .� •$; 1 �^'I . � •+. ;t;� . ow ,�. {+.• � x , _ �• .9,� � , � ' i �. w :moi • I a! - ' } ,. 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Hickory Daily Record Advertising Affidavit North Carolina Community Newspapers PO Box 968 Hickory, NC 28603 NC DENR/DWQ BUDGET OFFICE 1617 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH, NC 27699 Account Number 3142720 Date September 15, 2010 Date Category Description Ad Number Ad Size 09/15/2010 Legal Notices PUBLIC NOTICE SUB1ECTe The'North Carolina Environmental N131[= agement commission proposes�to Issue the fol= lowing NPDES wastewater discharge permits, and is" inviting public comment on the draft;.permits "� Additionally, a public hearing'has'been scheduled to. provide additional. opportunity foccomments. Duke Energy Corp., Riverbend Steam Station (Gaston County),.NPDES -.Permit #NC0004961 Duke Energy Corp., Allen. Steam Station (Gaston County), NPDES Permit #NCOo04979 Duke Energy Corp.. Marshall. Steam Station' (Catawba County), NPDES 'Permit #NC0004987 era] NPDES variances- The .Director of the Quality pursuant to NCGS 143-2 ulation 15 NCAC 2H, Section .03 that it is in the 'public interest held to° receive' all. pertinent -p whether to Issue.'modify,.or dem PROCEDURE: written comment. mit. w]II be accepted until the Hearing. Any. person or organ make oralcomments should' n the hearing: The time available may be limited, by the Hearing accompanied by three written copies. The hearing record may be closed at the conclusion of the hearing.: WHEN:. Taesday, GC.ober`i9. 2010 at7:00 p m. . (Registration begins at 6.00 p.m.) WHERE: Charles Mack Citizen Center+` 215'North Main Street> , - Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 �, INFORMATION:' A copy.. of the draft NPDES permits 'can bedownloaded '-from thefollowing link: =//po rtal.ncd en r.o rg/web/wq/swp/ps/n pdes/ calendar The draft permits are also available by writing.or calling:, Ms Dina Sprinkle NC Division of Water Quality/ NPDES Unit 1617 Mail Service Center - Raleigh North Carolina276991617 Telephone number:(919) 807-6304 The" application and 'other information are on file at the Division of Water Quality, 512 North Sails-. NC comments and requests regarding this matter. should .make reference to `the permit' numbers, NC0004961, NC0004979, and NC0004987 ' Publish- September M 2010..'' PUBLIC NOTICE SUBJECT: The North Carol 0002036277 1 x78 L Media General Operations, Inc. Publisher of Hickory Daily Record Catawba County Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of Catawba County, North Carolina, duly commissioned, qualified, and authorized by law to administer oaths, in said County and State; that he/she is authorized to make this affidavit and sworn statement; that the notice or other legal advertisement, a copy of which is attached hereto, was published in the Hickory Daily Record on the following dates: 09/15/2010 and that the said newspaper in which such notice, or legal advertisement was published, was a newspaper meeting all the requircment3 and qualifications of Section 1-597 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. Assist Boo -per Newspaper reference: 0002036277 S orn to and subscribed before me,. this day o 2010 IIfitf�rr Mak/j41 Notary Public � � A,,yj_�.L My Commission expires: k --POA07 AtJB L \ G V i THIS IS NOTA BILL. PLEASE PAY FROM INVOICE. THA q4r, 1DIT0U jj%N%% J��S80 STq�s A UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY <� YW REGION 4 o Q ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 61 FORSYTH STREET +lq< PRO, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960 JUL 2 8 2010 Ms. Coleen H. Sullins Director, Division of Water Quality North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Re: Draft Permit Review Duke Energy Corporation — Plant Marshall NPDES Permit No. NC0004987 Dear Ms. Sullins: On June 3, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 sent a letter to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) stating we had an interim objection to the issuance of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for Duke Energy's Marshall Power Plant. The facility's permit application did not include a Form 2C for outfalls 002A and 002B for yard sump overflows. On July 7, 2010, NCDENR transmitted the required Form 2C application to Ms. Karrie-Jo Shell of my staff via email. We have completed our review and have no further comments on the draft permit. EPA requests that we be afforded an additional review opportunity only if significant changes are made to the permit prior to issuance, or if significant public comments objecting to the issuance of this permit are received. Otherwise, please send us one copy of the final permit. If you have any questions, please call me at (404) 562-9345 or contact Ms. Shell at (404) 561-9308. Sincerely, ames D. Giattina Director Water Protection Division cc: Mr. Allen Stowe JUL 3 0 2010 Manager, Duke Power Company-- �recal�_SA8e:5�R C:?%jr^ Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 30% Postconsumer) y '.Chernikov, Sergei From: Stowe, Allen [AIIen.Stowe@duke=energy.com] Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 12:43 PM To: Chernikov, Sergei; Belnick, Tom; Vinzani, Gil Subject: RE: request for further info for NPDES review Sergei, Here are our comments regarding this certification request by EPA: At your request, which we understand comes from EPA's inquiry, we have provided estimates of the composition of sump overflows derived from predictive calculations, using assumptions as to the degree of dilution afforded by storm flows and constituents from potential sources of stormwater contamination. We would like to point out that sump overflows have been very rare, and would be'even more rare since improvements have been made to the sumps. As the sumps are now configured, an overflow would occur only as a result of extreme precipitation events during which there was multiple failures of pumps or motors . Even when sump overflows have occurred in the past, they have been of very brief duration and a low flow, such that it has not been feasible to collect a representative sample of_ such overflows, .espec,ially. i2t .,light of the varied -sampling requirements for the Form 2C parameters. Because a sump overflow could occur only during a period -of extreme precipitation and the resulting storm flow, there is no way to project with confidence the concentrations of constituents in the flow, and, therefore, no way to certify the accuracy of the.projection. In fact, a sump overflow would be a "bypass" subject to the provisions of 40 CFR 122.44(m). The outlets provided for sump overflows were installed to prevent severe damage to motors which power the pumps within the sump. If these outlets were not provided, the motors would be inundated, requiring replacement or substantial repair, and..thus resulting in potentially long periods during which the sumps would cease to properly operate. This is no different than any variety of relief mechanisms for POTWs and other treatment systems which may be used to avoid comparable damage to treatment or collection systems that would require extended periods to replace or repair, resulting in environmental damage far more significant than the bypass would cause. There is no requirement in NC or EPA rules for certification of predictions of constituent concentrations or loads in hypothetical bypasses. Duke Energy would, of course, comply with the provisions of 40 CFR 122.41(m) in the event of a sump overflow. If you have any comments or concerns, please let me know. Thanks Allen Stowe EHS Water Management Duke Energy Carolinas 704-382-4309 (Office) 704-516-5548 (Cell) Allen.Stowe@duke-energy.com -----Original Message ----- From: Chernikov, Sergei[mailto:sergei.chernikov@ncdenr.gov] Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 3:30 PM To: Stowe, Allen; Belnick, Tom; Vinzani, Gil 1 Subject: RE: request for further info for NPDES review Allen, le This is a standard cover letter for including a new information with the renewal application that was submitted previously. I know that Duke submitted such letters in the past. Sergei Sergei Chernikov, Ph.D. Environmental Engineer II Complex Permitting Unit Phone: 919-807-6393, fax 919-807-6495 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Express mail: 512 North Salisbury St. Raleigh, NC 27606 E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be'subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. -----Original Message ----- From: Stowe, Allen [mailto:Allen.Stowe@duke-energy.com] Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 2:31 PM To: Chernikov, Sergei; Belnick, Tom; Vinzani, Gil Subject: RE: request for further info for NPDES review Sergei, I'm not trying to be difficult but why should we (Duke Energy) submit a.cover letter asking to amend the application renewal when in fact EPA requested this additional information, not us? Why can't EPA's request suffice? We reluctantly provided this information because its usefulness is highly dubious at best. Allen Stowe EHS Water Management Duke Energy Carolinas 704-382-4309 (Office) 704-516-5548 (Cell) Allen.Stowe@duke-energy.com -----Original Message ----- From: Chernikov, Sergei [mailto:sergei.chernikov@ncdenr.gov] Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 10:30 AM To: Belnick, Tom; Stowe, Allen; Vinzani, Gil Subject: RE: request for further info for NPDES review Allen, I think that EPA is just asking for an official cover letter with the request to amend the renewal application with the attached documents. Sergei 2 7 'Chernikov, Sergei From: Ussery, Chris L [Chris.Ussery@duke-energy.com] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 2:39 PM To: Stowe, Allen; Chernikov, Sergei Subject: Marshall and Riverbend Water Volumes Attachments: image001.gif Hey guys, I have calculated the water volume that is in the ponds for both Marshall and Riverbend at this time. Marshall is from a survey that was completed earlier this year and should be fairly accurate, but the Riverbend is based on a survey completed in 2005 and estimating ash production sent to the ponds after that date. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns with the numbers below. Riverbend Water Volume Primary + Secondary =140 acre -ft or 226,000 cyds Marshall Water Volume Primary only = 285 acre -ft or 460,000 cyds (�'�/ �0 �/ p�Z c G CHRIS USSERY Engineer I Byproducts, Fuels & Materials Handling 7047382-7745 Office 704-985-4917 Mobile 526 S.Church Street Charlotte NC. 28202 chris.ussery@duke-energy.com rind Efl=.-I 1 �t4 NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment Division of Water Qualit Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Governor Director November 19, 2009 NOV 2 3 2009 Secretary Allen Stowe DENR - WATER QUALITY Water Management, Duke Energy EC13K POINT SOURCE BRANCH PO Box 1006 Charlotte, NC 28201-1006 Subject: Review of Duke Energy Carolinas, NPDES Permit NC0004987, "Assessment of Balanced and Indigenous Populations in Lake Norman near Marshall Steam Station", October 2009. Environmental Sciences Section staff have reviewed the subject document which was received on October 29, 2009. Eric Fleek and Bryn H. Tracy reviewed the sections on macroinvertebrates and fish, respectively. By agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), Duke Energy conducts annual monitoring of Lake Norman in the vicinit o he Marshall Stea ation ort NPDES Permit NC0004987 Part 1.1. Effluent Limitations an Monitoring equirements (outfall 001) ("The Regional Administrator has etermined pursuant to Section 316(a) of the Act that the thermal component of the discharge assures the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish and wildlife in and on the receiving body of water. Water quality temperature standards must be maintained outside the approved 316 (a) mixing zone.)". The power plant operates under an DWQ- and EPA -approved Clean Water Act §316(a) thermal variance. The report does fulfill the permit obligations for reporting the results of the biological monitoring. Based on a review of the data, it is our opinion that the Marshall Steam Station is unlikely in having an impact to the benthic macroinvertebrate and fish communities in the multi-purpose Lake Norman. We also conclude that the two aquatic communities currently qualify as balanced, indigenous communities. We are continuing to review the report. However, at this time we offer the following comment and requests for future reports beginning with the 2010 report. Comment 1. Although the fish assemblage in this multi-purpose reservoir is comprised of indigenous and nonindigenous species (Tables 4-1 and 4-2), the fish community continues to be considered balanced and indigenous. We have no concerns because the Clean Water Act §316(a) does allow for ".. r. Such a community may include historically non-native species introduced in connection with a program of wildlife management and species whose presence or abundance results from substantial, irreversible environmental modification" (40CFR 125.71(c). Analysis Requests 1. In addition to Tables 3-3 through 3-6, please include a taxonomic table comparing taxa occurrences for the current sampling year for each station so that a direct side-by-side comparison can be more easily conducted. Please see Table 1 as an example. 1621 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1621 Location: 4401 Reedy Creek Road; Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 Phone: 919-743-84001 FAX: 919-743-85171 Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 Internet: htto:/Ih2o.enr.state.nc.us/esb/ An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Acton Employer One NorthCarolina �aturallry Table 1. Waterbody Licklog Branch Sugarloaf Creek Scott Creek Date 8/9/2007 8/9/2007 8/9/2007 Location SR 1706 off SR 1708 off SR 1556 County Jackson Jackson Jackson Taxon Ephemeroptera Acentrella spp R Plauditus dubius gp. C A Baetis flavistriga R Pseudocloeon propinquum R Allen Stowe November 19, 2009 Page 2 2. In addition to Figures 3-1 through 3-6, please include the following graphs for each station and year (in the same format as currently presented) for the following groups: Non-Chironomid Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Odonata, Megaloptera, Crustacea, and Mollusca. Again, this will allow for a more direct side-by-side comparison for each station and each taxonomic group. 3. In addition, EPT taxa richness and EPT density should also be reported for each station going forward. These metrics can be reported in accordance with current graphical formats. Upon completion of our detailed review, we will be communicating with you any additional concerns or comments that we might have. In the mean time, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff. Yours truly, Jay Sauber Acting Chief, Environmental Sciences Section cc: Eric Fleek, Environmental Sciences Section Rob Krebs, Mooresville Regional Office Jeff Poupart, Surface Water Protection Section Sergei Chernikov, Surface Water Protection Section Bryn H. Tracy, Environmental Sciences Section Charles Weaver, Surface Water Protection Section NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Governor Director June 15, 2009 Mr. David Renner, General Manager III Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC- Marshall Steam Station 8320 East NC Highway 150. Terrell, North Carolina 28682 Subject: NPDES major modification Permit No. NC0004987 Marshall Steam Station Catawba County Dear Mr. Renner: Dee Freeman Secretary Division personnel have reviewed and approved your request for major modification. Accordingly, we are forwarding the attached NPDES discharge permit. This permit is modified 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 17, 2007 (or as subsequently amended.) This permit modification addresses_ the request for a major modification regarding the elimination or modification of monitoring frequencies for several. constituents discharged from Outfalls 002 and 004. The Division has reviewed Duke Energy's comments submitted on April 30, 2009 and has the following responses. Regarding the request that the weekly average selenium limit be changed to a monthly average limit. The Division's established procedure for compliance periods for metals shall be daily maximum and weekly average limits. North Carolina water quality standards are adopted based on chronic criteria. Based on the Division's procedure, effluent limitations for selenium will be added at Outfall 002 and weekly monitoring for selenium will remain at Outfall 004. The limits will be a weekly average of 29 ug/1 and a daily maximum of 56 ug/1. These limits are based on the results of a reasonable potential analysis .that indicated the potential to exceed the North Carolina standard for selenium. Because of the complexity of selenium removal and reduction, Duke Energy has requested and will be given a three year compliance schedule to meet this limit. The compliance schedule by Duke Energy is included in Special Condition A. 23 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Location: 512 N. Salisbury St. Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 A' One�7, 7 Phone: 919-807-6300 \ FAX: 919-807-6492 \ Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 1 � Ol thCarolllla. Internet: www.ncwaterquality.org 0 ;V���N� / An Equal Opportunity\ Affirmative Action Employer ` ` Letter to Mr. Renner Page 2 - with specific dates corresponding to the timetables submitted. Duke Energy must come into compliance with the selenium limit by July 1, 2012. Regarding the language in the toxicity condition, staff has confirmed that the forms (TGP3B and THP3B).listed in paragraph 5 are correct. . The following modifications included in the March 24th draft remain in the final permit modification: • Weekly effluent monitoring for cadmium, chromium, and silver at Outfall 002 and Outfall 004 has been deleted. Data analysis indicated that there was no reasonable potential for these parameters to exceed water quality standards in the receiving stream. There was very minimal detection of these three metals in the review of three years of effluent data. • Weekly effluent monitoring for total suspended solids (TSS) at Outfall 004 has been deleted. Outfall 004 is an internal outfall discharging into the ash basin (Outfall 002). Because TSS has an effluent limit and monitoring at Outfall 002, the monitoring requirement at Outfall 004 can be removed. The monitoring frequency for total arsenic, chloride, total mercury, and total nickel has been reduced from weekly to quarterly at Outfall 002 and Outfall 004. Analysis of the data indicated there was no reasonable potential shown to exceed the state water quality standards. Because of the effluent concentrations discharged, these constituents are still considered to be parameters of concern. Quarterly monitoring is the minimum frequency required in order for the Division to evaluate future effluent data. The monitoring frequency for total zinc has been reduced from weekly to monthly monitoring at Outfall 002 and Outfall *004. The reasonable potential analysis indicated the potential to only exceed the acute allowable concentration for this action level parameter. Because of a record of consistently passing the toxicity tests and zinc concentrations not be problematic, it is recommended that the monitoring frequency can be reduced from weekly to monthly. • Please note that there have been minor language changes and the addition of a new _ paragraph regarding data submittal in special condition A. 14. Chronic Toxicity Pass/Fail permit limit. (The new paragraph is located second from the end of the condition). If any parts, measurement frequencies or sampling requirements contained in this permit modification are unacceptable to you, you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following receipt of this letter. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the office. of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699- 6714. Unless such a demand is made, this permit shall be final and binding. Please take notice that this permit is not transferable. The Division may require modification revocation and °reissuance of the permft. , This permit does not affect the legal requirements to obtain other permits which may be required by the Division of Water Quality or permits required by the Division of Land Resources, Coastal Area Management Act, or any other Federal or Local governmental permits may be required. s, T . If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ms. Jacquelyn Nowell at telephone number (919) 807-6386 or email jackie.nowell@ncdenr.,a . Sincerely, leen . Sullins cc: EPA Region IV Mooresville Regional Office/Surface Water Protection Section DEH/ Public Water Supply Section/Mooresville Regional Office Aquatic Toxicology Unit NPDES File/NC0004987 Central Files ,1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Location: 512 N. Salisbury St. Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 One t Phone: 919-807-6300 \ FAX: 919-807-6492 \ Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 1� C�lT011lla Internet: www.ncwaterquality.org � T�TIrt11 Oa'����N� //� An Equal Opportunity\ Affirmative Action Employer ��/ L " PERMIT NO: NC0004987 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY PERMIT TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM 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, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at Marshall Steam Station At the intersection of NC Highway. 150 and NCSR 1841 Terrell Catawba County to receiving waters designated as the Catawba River (Lake Norman) 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 July 1, 2009. This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on April 30, 2010. Signed this day June 15, 2009. 'C?Authority een H. Sullins, Director / ision of Water Quality of the Environmental Management Commission Page 1 of 13 a PERMIT NO. NC0004987 . 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 included herein. Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC is hereby authorized to: 1. Continue to discharge once -through cooling water and intake screen backwash through outfall 001; treated wastewater (consisting of metal cleaning wastes, coal pile runoff, ash transport water, domestic wastewater, low volume wastes, and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wet scrubber wastewater) from the ash settling basin through outfall 002; treated FGD wet scrubber wastewater through internal outfall 004 (upstream of the ash settling basin); yard sump overflows through outfalls 002A and 00213; and non -contact cooling water from the induced draft fan control house through outfall 003. All discharges result from activities at Duke Energy's Marshall Steam Station at the intersection of NC Highway .150 and NCSR 1841 in Terrell, Catawba County; 2. Continue to operate a 'FGD wet scrubber wastewater treatment system discharging to the ash settling basin through internal outfall 004; and 3. Discharge from said treatment works at the locations specified on the attached map into the Catawba River (Lake Norman) which is classified WS -1V and B CA waters in the Catawba River Basin. Page 2 of 13 Lake Norman North QuadSo- 1 000 03-08-32 .:( y �, I •�r1'...I. ``-4_'('jT. Si:y'ty`iT'k(5:ri �.i .^ '','n .� .JI. Internal Outfall 0( 002A and 002B a^h:� ...i:T .i2✓`.>:'r";�Gy;'i e4:. 4:?.�;yv ..f:<,>.;:?;� rt;<.. .:+�F.,:. '.P';¢ - i, d -i,r'. •�� �''-y '- •.;.rF:r.?:'.z=..7.5--. .`6>�t:.'y ...t. \• r lT.s' r` OnnYi 11 ✓yn 001 `ir {`.� 4 ;•'4L;..,� 'S`',�'`'�4Ty y" „� �� a -«S'` "�•7 •fir iai IJ �� AA Z. rt 002 7 � - _ � '/x511 4 k � . r} �� p ^•fJ a l_i/ v 6 } \ P ' . • �s , "r," .rem _L'?�Y-r, w� xr e,� w�'" �r ,� >r .. • � � � � y { 1 .i. i r fn's j tri xy '4'1.'rr � � * f s' . .: s tier t �' /'ter i '� ; •" S '�: r �' y \� k �� t 7; ^ r � f '.�,,:.x � - riFj -x3 . r'F- 3r ,r. r• t to . • �r , O ^ .:t •ti.4•i fry w`{ �4 ,.} "�' rS1 Kr{��; f.' 'n'` {�� tJ; ry�� +� � a, f y.r //vJ//' x � ,� +rS,A" r.4 w, 't � r r�'ar,,. r �• ,,A ).rn.4 3 t x . � � �,�. —_ _ ,, i 3S� , `(� - r a} i v r e sem' t+r'x `•'F h `,t�"i /\ A t .' .J f kSf J�y,Sr S� r• > .1• b� cw �k ✓ '. r.: � S � .P'ar'.,s F ti e r r yi r' 'tib w,•v,�+" } �� F� f 5 i" � s ' p,f 4 ,r, ? °ice �'�i•,i �;. �} ;'- ,,� "r � Er w '� a'4 ,� .���r � ,� i J 1 i r y. Facility �,,'LfF?rR^`b �G.,: y �3,ys `' `"b'w1• ,fi4t . Outfall #: 002 Location�MaY� Receivinq Stream- Catawba River Receivinq Stream: e.r /� /O I� Duke Power Corporation NC0004987 Marshall Steam Station Outfall #: 002 Outfall #: 003 Receivinq Stream- Catawba River Receivinq Stream: Catawba River /� /O I� Latitude: 35036'22" Latitude: 35°35'51" \SII Longitude: 80057'40" Longitude: 80057'45" Ir LI Duke Power Corporation NC0004987 Marshall Steam Station -PART I SECTION A. FINAL LINETATIONS AND CONTROLS 1. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements (Outfall 001) During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 001 (once -through cooling water). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as. specified below: EFFLUENT DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly T Daily Measurement Sample Sample CHARACTERISTICS Average Maximum Frequency Type Location Pump logs or Flow (MGD) Monitor & Report Daily similar Effluent readings Temperature (November 1 - June 30 33.3 oC Daily Grab Effluent Temperature ul 1 - October 31 34.4 oC Daily .Grab Effluent Free Available Chlorine' 0.2 mg/L 0.5 mg/L Daily Grab Effluent NOTES: 1 Once -through cooling water shall not be chlorinated. Should the facility wish to chlorinate once - through cooling water, a permit modification must be issued prior to commencement of chlorination. The monitoring requirement and effluent limitations only apply if chlorination is commenced. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. The Regional Administrator has determined pursuant to Section 316(a) of the Act that the thermal component of the discharge assures the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish and wildlife in and on the receiving body of water. Water quality temperature standards must be maintained outside the approved 316(a) mixing zone. Page 4 of 13 PART 1 2. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements (Outfall 002) During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 002 (ash settling basin discharge). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average 11 Weekly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Locationl Flow (MGD) Monitor & Report Monthly Pump logs or similar readings Effluent Oil and Grease 9.0 mg/L 12.0 mg/L Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids2 20.0 mg/L 65.0 mg/L Monthly Grab Effluent Total Arsenic Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab Effluent Chloride Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Copper 1.0 mg/L 1.0 mg/L See note 3 Grab Effluent Total Iron 1.0 mg/L 1.0 mg/L See note 3 Grab Effluent Total Mercury Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Nickel Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab Effluent Total Selenium Monitor & Report Weekly Grab Effluent Total Selenium4 11 29 ug/111 56 ug/l Weekly Grab Effluent Total Zinc Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Nitrogen 02+N 03+TKN Monitor & Report Monthly Grab Effluent Total Phosphorus Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab Effluent Chronic Toxicity See Part I, Section A, #14 Quarterly Grab Effluent PH Between 6.0 and 9.0 Standard Units Monthly Grab Effluent Pollutant Analysis See Part I, Section A, #20 Grab Effluent NOTES: 1 Effluent sampling shall be conducted at the discharge from the ash settling basin prior to mixing with any other waste stream(s). 2 A total suspended solids monthly average of 40 mg/L is permitted provided the Permittee can demonstrate that the difference between the monthly average of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L is the result of the concentration of total suspended solids in the intake water. 3 Monitoring shall be per occurrence of chemical metal cleaning and samples shall be from a representative discharge. 4 There will be a three year compliance schedule for the weekly average limit of 29 ug/l and the daily maximum limit of 56 ug/l for selenium. The limits shall become effective on July 1, 2012. See Part I Section A.23 for Selenium Compliance Schedule There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible -foam in other than trace amounts. Page 5 of 13 PART I 3. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements (Outfall 002A) During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 002A (yard sump #1 overflows). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by.the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Sample Sample Frequency Type Location' Flow (MGD) Episodic Estimate Effluent pH Episodic Grab Effluent Total Suspended Solids Episodic Grab Effluent Total Iron See note 2 Grab Effluent NOTES: 1 Effluent samples shall be collected at a point upstream of the discharge to the Catawba River. 2 Sampling for iron is required when TSS is reported as greater than 100 mg/L. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. All flows shall be reported on monthly DMRs. Should no flow occur during a given month, the words "No Flow" shall be clearly written on the front of the DMR. Episodic sampling is required per sump overflow occurrence lasting longer than one hour. All samples shall be of a representative discharge. Page 6 of 13 PART I 4. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements (Outfall 002B) During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee -is authorized to discharge from Outfall 002B (yard sump #2 overflows)_ . Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT. CHARACTERISTICS DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Sample Sample Fre uency Type Location Flow (MGD) Episodic Estimate Effluent pH Episodic Grab Effluent Total Suspended,Solids Episodic Grab Effluent Total Iron See note 2 Grab Effluent NOTES: 1 Effluent samples shall be collected at a point upstream of the discharge to the Catawba River. 2 Sampling for iron is required when TSS is reported as greater. than 100 mg/L. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam. in other than trace amounts. All flows shall be reported on monthly DMRs. Should no flow occur during a given month, the words "No Flow" shall be clearly written on the front of the DMR. Episodic sampling is required per sump overflow occurrence lasting longer than one hour. All samples shall be of a representative discharge: .. .. Page 7 of 13 . , . ' . • PART I 5. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements (Outfall 003) During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 003 (non -contact cooling water from the induced draft fan control house). Such discharges shall be limited and -monitored by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Sample Fre uency Type Sample Location Flow (MGD) Temperature' Total Residual Chlorinez Free Available Chlorine2 0.2 mg/L 0.5 mg/L p H Between 6.0 and 9.0 Standard Units NOTES: 1 The temperature of'the effluent shall be such as not to cause an:increase in the temperature of the receiving stream of more than 2.8oC and in no case cause the ambient water temperature to exceed 29oC. 2 Monitoring requirements apply only if chlorine is added to the cooling water. Neither free available chlorine nor total residual chlorine may be discharged from any unit for more than two hours in any one day and not more than one unit in any plant may discharge free available chlorine or total residual chlorine at any one time. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Limitations shall be met at the discharge effluent. Monitoring frequencies are not specified as the discharge is to the intake canal for outfall 001. Page 8 of 13 PART I 6. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements (Outfall 004) During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Internal Outfall 004 (treated FGD wet scrubber wastewater to ash settling basin). Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly ____Average Daily Maximum Measurement ___Frequency Sample Type Sample Location' Flow (MGD) Monitor & Report Monthly Pump logs or similar readings E Total Arsenic Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab E Chloride Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab E Total Mercury Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab E Total Nickel Monitor & Report Quarterly Grab E Total Selenium Monitor & Report Weekly Grab E Total Zinc Monitor & Report Monthly Grab E NOTES: 1 Sample Location: E - Effluent from the constructed wetland prior to discharge'to the ash settling basin. All flows shall be reported on monthly DMRs. Should no flow occur during a given month, the words "No Flow" shall be clearly written on the front of the DMR. All samples shall be of a representative discharge. Page 9 of 13 PART I 7. DEFINITIONS The term "low volume waste sources" means, taken collectively as if from one source, wastewater from all sources except those for which specific limitations are otherwise established in this part. Low volume wastes sources include, but are not limited to: Wastewater from wet scrubber air pollution control systems, ion exchange water treatment system, water treatment evaporator blowdown, laboratory and sampling streams, boiler blowdown, floor drains, and recirculating house service water systems. Sanitary and air conditioning wastes are not considered low volume wastes. The term "metal cleaning waste" means any wastewater resulting from cleaning (with or without chemical cleaning compounds) any metal process equipment including, but not limited to, boiler tube cleaning, boiler fireside cleaning, and air preheater cleaning. The term, "chemical metal cleaning waste" means any wastewater resulting from the cleaning of any metal process equipment with chemical compounds, including, but not limited to, boiler tube cleaning. Chemical metal cleaning will be conducted according to approved Duke Power equivalency demonstration. The term "FGD wet scrubber wastewater" means wastewater resulting from the use of the flue -gas desulfurization wet scrubber. 8. TOXICITY RE -OPENER CONDITION This permit shall be modified, or revoked and reissued to incorporate toxicity limitations and monitoring requirements in the event toxicity testing or other studies conducted on the effluent or receiving stream indicate that detrimental effects may be expected in the receiving stream as a result of this discharge. 9. MONITORING FREQUENCIES If the Permittee, after monitoring for at least six months, determines that effluent limits contained herein are consistently being met, it may be requested of the Director that the monitoring requirements be reduced to a lesser frequency. 10. POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL COMPOUNDS There shall be no discharge of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds such as those commonly used for transformer fluid. 11. BIOCIDE CONDITION The permittee shall not use any biocides except those approved in conjunction with the permit application. The permittee shall notify the Director in writing not later than ninety (90) days prior to instituting use of any additional biocide used in cooling systems which may be toxic to aquatic life other than those previously reported to the Division of Water Quality. Such notification shall include completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101 and a map locating the discharge point and receiving stream. Completion of Biocide Worksheet Form 101 is not necessary for those outfalls containing toxicity testing. Division approval is not necessary for the introduction of new biocides into outfalls currently tested for whole effluent toxicity. 12. INTAKE SCREEN BACKWASH Continued intake screen backwash discharge and overflow from the settling basin are permitted without limitations or monitoring requirements. 13. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES It has been determined from information submitted that the plans and procedures in place at Marshall Steam Station are equivalent to that of a Best Management Practice (BMP). Page 10 of •13 PART I 14. CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY)- OUTFALL 002 The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality to Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 12%. The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, auarteriu monitoring using test procedures outlined in the "Nortli Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised February 1998, or subsequent versions or "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised -February 1998) or subsequent versions. The tests will be performed during the months of February, May, August, and November. Effluent sampling for this testing 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 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 Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised -February 1998) or subsequent versions. The chronic value for multiple concentration tests will be determined using the geometric mean of the highest concentration having no detectable impairment of reproduction or survival and the lowest concentration that does have a detectable impairment of reproduction or survival. The definition of "detectable impairment," collection methods, exposure regimes, and further statistical methods are specified in the "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised - February 1998) or subsequent versions. All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge Monitoring Form (MR -1) for the months in which tests were performed. If reporting pass/fail results using the parameter code TGP3B, DWQ Form AT -1 (original) is sent to the below address. If reporting Chronic Value results using the parameter code THP3B, DWQ Form AT -3 (original) is to be sent to the following address: Attention: Environmental Sciences Section North Carolina Division of Water Quality 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1621 Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Environmental 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/physical 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 flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, the permittee will complete the information 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 the form. The report shall be submitted to the Environmental 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. Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re -opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits. If the Permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently then required by this permit, the results of such monitoring shall be included in the calculation & reporting of the data submitted on the DMR & all AT Forms submitted. 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 1 I of 13 , . PART I 15. ASH SETTLING BASIN Beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, there shall be no discharge of plant wastes to the ash pond unless the permittee provides and maintains at all times a minimum free water volume equivalent to the sum of the maximum 24-hour plant discharges plus all direct rainfall and all runoff flows to the pond resulting from'a 10 -year, 24-hour rainfall event, when using a runoff coefficient of 1.0. During the term of the permit, the permittee shall remove settled material from the ponds or otherwise enlarge the available storage capacities in order to maintain the required minimum volumes at all times. Annually the permittee shall determine and report to the permit issuing authority: (1) the actual free water volume of the ash pond, (2) physical measurements of the dimensions of the free water volume in sufficient detail to allow validation of the calculated volume, and (3) a certification that the required volume is available with adequate safety factor to include all solids expected to be deposited in the ponds for the following year. Any changes to plant operations affecting such certification shall be reported to the Director within five days. NOTE: In the event that adequate volume has been certified to exist for the term of the permit, periodic certification is not needed. 16. CHEMICAL METAL CLEANING WASTES It has been demonstrated that under certain conditions it is possible to reduce the concentration of metals in boiler cleaning wastes in the range of 92 to 99+ percent by treatment in ash ponds. Because of dilution problems, and the existence of boundary interface layers at the extremities of the plume, it is difficult to prove beyond doubt that the quantity of iron and copper discharged will always be less than one milligram per liter times the flow of metal cleaning when treated in this manner. The application of physical/chemical methods of treating wastes has also been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of metal cleaning wastes. - However, the effectiveness of ash pond treatment should be considered in relation to the small differences in effluent quality realized between the two methods. It has been demonstrated that the presence of ions of copper, iron, nickel, and zinc in the ash pond waters was not measurably increased during the ash pond equivalency demonstration at the Duke Power Company's Riverbend Steam Station. Therefore, when the following conditions are implemented during metal cleaning procedures, effective treatment for metals can be obtained at this facility: (1) Large ash basin providing potential reaction volumes. (2) Well-defined shallow ash delta near the ash basin influent. (3) Ash pond pH of no less than 6.5 prior to.metal cleaning waste addition. (4) Four days retention time in ash pond with effluent virtually stopped. (5) Boiler volume less than 86,000 gallons. (6) Chemicals for cleaning to include only one or more of the following: (a) Copper removal step- sodium bromate, NaBr03; ammonium carbonate, (NH4)2CO3; and ammonium hydroxide, NH40H. (b) Iron removal step -hydrochloric acid, HCl; and ammonium bifluoride, (NH4)BF2 and proprietary inhibitors. (7) Maximum dilution of wastes before entering ash pond 6 to 1. (8) After treatment of metal cleaning wastes, if monitoring of basin effluents as required by the permit reveals discharges outside the limits of the permit, the permittee will re -close the basin discharge, conduct such in -basin sampling as necessary to determine the cause of nonconformance, will take appropriate corrective actions, and will file a report with EPA including all pertinent data. 17. FLOATING MATERIALS , The Permittee shall report all visible discharges of floating materials, such as an oil sheen, to the Director when submitting DMRs. 18. DIKE INSPECTIONS The permittee shall check the diked areas for leaks by a visible inspection and shall report any leakage detected. Page 12 of 13 PART I 19. .CHEMICAL DISCHARGES Discharge of any product registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to any waste stream which may ultimately be released to lakes, rivers, streams or other waters of the United States is prohibited unless specifically authorized elsewhere in this permit. Discharge of chlorine from the use of chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite, or other similar chlorination compounds for disinfection in plant potable and service water systems and in sewage treatment is authorized. Use of restricted use pesticides for lake management purposes by applicators licensed by the N.C. Pesticide Board is allowed. 20. PRIORITY POLLUTANT ANALYSIS The Permittee shall conduct a priority pollutant analysis (in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136) once per permit cycle at outfall 002 and submit the results with the application for permit renewal. 21. WAIVERS Nothing contained in this permit shall be construed as a waiver by permittee or any right to a hearing it may have pursuant to State or Federal laws or regulations. 22. SECTION 316 (B) OF CWA The permittee shall comply with the Cooling Water Intake Structure Rule per 40 CFR 125.95. 23. COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE FOR SELENIUM LIMITATION The permittee shall have a three year schedule of compliance for the effluent limitation for total selenium. The following are interim milestones for the installation of the proposed treatment system. The date for compliance with the selenium limit shall be July 1, 2012 • Technology selection, treatment system design and obtaining an authorization to construct permit for the wastewater treatment system by August 31, 2010 • Construction of wastewater treatment system and commissioning by June 30, 2012 • Compliance with selenium limit - July 1, 2012 Page 13 of 13 DENR/DWQ FACT SKEET FOR NPDES PERAUT DEVELOPMENT O R� 16111111g'%37 Facility Information Applicant/Facility Name: Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC — Marshall Steam Station Applicant Address: 526 S. Church St. Charlotte NC 28202 Facility Address: 8320 E. NC Highway 150, Terrell, NC 28682 Permitted Flow Not Limited Type of Waste: 100% Industrial Facility/Permit Status: Existing/Modification Court : Catawba BACKGROUND Duke Energy Carolinas LLC has requested a permit modification seeking a reduction in frequency or the elimination of monitoring for effluent parameters from outfall 002 (ash basin discharge) and internal outfall 004 (Flue Gas Desulfurization treatment system discharge.). The request was as follows: Outfall 002 Reduce from weekly monitoring to monthly monitoring: Chloride and Selenium Elimination of weekly monitoring: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Nickel, Silver and Zinc. Outfall 004 Reduce from weekly monitoring to monthly monitoring: Chloride and Selenium Elimination of weekly monitoring: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Nickel, Silver, TSS and Zinc. SUMMARY OF FACILITY AND WASTELOAD ALLOCATION. Duke Energy operates Marshall Steam Station in Catawba County. The Station operates five outfalls. These outfalls are 001, 002, 002A, 002B, and 003. The permitted outfalls are summarized below: • Outfall 001 — Condenser Cooling Water (CCW) Units 1 — 4: The CCW system is a once- through, non -contact cooling water system, which condenses steam from the turbines and other selected heat exchangers. When the station is operating at frill power, it has a design capacity to pump 1463 MGD (1.016 MGPM) of cooling water through the network of tubes that runs through the condenser and selected heat exchangers. The raw cooling water is returned to the lake. No biocides or other chemicals are used in the condenser cooling water. Units 1 and 2 operate two CCW pumps each while units 3 and 4 operate three pumps. The operational schedule for these pumps is dependent on the intake water temperature and on the unit loads. Depending on the electrical demand, pumps are operated to maximize station efficiency and to assure balanced and indigenous populations are maintained in Lake Norman. Each unit is on an independent system to avoid a system trip that would suddenly reduce the discharge flow at outfall 001. This practice leads to a higher reliability factor for the units and protection of aquatic life taking refuge in the discharge Marshall Steam Station Fact Sheet NPDES Modification Page 1 A iscellaneous Receiving Stream: Lake Norman Regional Office: Mooresville Stream Classification: WS -IV & B CA USGS To o Quad: 303(d) Listed?: No Permit Writer: Jacquelyn M. Nowell Subbasin: 03-08-32 Date: March 6,2009 Drainage Area (mi2) : NA t Summer 7Q 10 (cfs) Release (60 cfs) Winter 7Q10 (cfs): NAS Average Flow (cfs): NA IWC f%1: I See Below BACKGROUND Duke Energy Carolinas LLC has requested a permit modification seeking a reduction in frequency or the elimination of monitoring for effluent parameters from outfall 002 (ash basin discharge) and internal outfall 004 (Flue Gas Desulfurization treatment system discharge.). The request was as follows: Outfall 002 Reduce from weekly monitoring to monthly monitoring: Chloride and Selenium Elimination of weekly monitoring: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Nickel, Silver and Zinc. Outfall 004 Reduce from weekly monitoring to monthly monitoring: Chloride and Selenium Elimination of weekly monitoring: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Nickel, Silver, TSS and Zinc. SUMMARY OF FACILITY AND WASTELOAD ALLOCATION. Duke Energy operates Marshall Steam Station in Catawba County. The Station operates five outfalls. These outfalls are 001, 002, 002A, 002B, and 003. The permitted outfalls are summarized below: • Outfall 001 — Condenser Cooling Water (CCW) Units 1 — 4: The CCW system is a once- through, non -contact cooling water system, which condenses steam from the turbines and other selected heat exchangers. When the station is operating at frill power, it has a design capacity to pump 1463 MGD (1.016 MGPM) of cooling water through the network of tubes that runs through the condenser and selected heat exchangers. The raw cooling water is returned to the lake. No biocides or other chemicals are used in the condenser cooling water. Units 1 and 2 operate two CCW pumps each while units 3 and 4 operate three pumps. The operational schedule for these pumps is dependent on the intake water temperature and on the unit loads. Depending on the electrical demand, pumps are operated to maximize station efficiency and to assure balanced and indigenous populations are maintained in Lake Norman. Each unit is on an independent system to avoid a system trip that would suddenly reduce the discharge flow at outfall 001. This practice leads to a higher reliability factor for the units and protection of aquatic life taking refuge in the discharge Marshall Steam Station Fact Sheet NPDES Modification Page 1 canal during cold weather. Flow recorded on the monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports is based on CCW pump run times. • Outfall 002 — Ash Basin: The station ash basin accommodates flows from two yard -drain sumps, an ash removal system, low volume wastes and non -point source stormwater. Low volume waste sources include, but are not limited to: wastewater from wet scrubber air pollution control systems, ion exchange water treatment system, water treatment evaporator blowdown, laboratory and sampling streams, boiler blowdown, floor drains, and recirculating house service water systems. Total average influent from these sources combined is approximately 7.9 MGD. At times, due to unit loads, rainfall, evaporation, and seepage of ash basin ponds, the effluent flow may vary from the influent flow. • Outfall 004 (internal outfall) — FGD system discharge into Ash Basin: In association with Clean Smokestacks legislation, Duke Energy has installed a flue -gas desulfurization (FGD) wet scrubber. This scrubber generates a wastewater needing treatment prior to discharge. An internal outfall (004) has been established for the effluent from the FGD treatment system. Weekly effluent monitoring has been established at outfall 004 for flow, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, chloride, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver, suspended solids, and zinc. Internal outfall 004 discharges to the ash settling basin which is currently permitted as outfall 002. Duke Energy has been working with faculty from Clemson University to identify FGD wastewater treatment options. Pilot scale constructed wetlands have provided positive results. Construction of a clarifier, equalization basin, and constructed wetland to treat the FGD wastewater was completed in October 2006. The yard -drain sumps are concrete structures having four level controlled pumps each that direct wastewater from the powerhouse area to the ash basin. These pumps are operated on a rotating basis. Usually two pumps are set so that one pump is primary and the other is backup. After a selected period the controls are changed so that different pumps are utilized. The yard -drain sumps collect wastewater from many sources, such as the filtered water system, turbine and boiler room sumps, miscellaneous equipment cooling water, foundation drainage, low volume wastes, and tunnel dewatering. The yard -drain sumps also collect some stormwater runoff from the coal pile (coal pile runoff), rail access, and powerhouse roofs and pavement. Groundwater from a foundation drainage system under the track hopper is also intermittently discharged to the yard -drain sumps. The combined average flow from all sources tied to the yard -drain sumps is approximately 2.3 MGD, which is pumped to the ash basin for physical and biological treatment. The turbine room sumps collect approximately 0.25 MGD of wastewater. This wastewater comes from non - contact cooling water (from Units 1 & 2 boiler feed -pump turbine lube oil coolers) and floor drains. Floor drains contain boiler blowdown, leakage from seals, equipment cooling water, condensate from the feed - water system, low volume wastewater, boiler room sump overflow, emergency fire fighting water, general mechanical maintenance activities, miscellaneous plant wastes and area wash -down water. The average flow pumped from the boiler room sumps directly to the ash basin is approximately 1.3 MGD. The sources of input to the boiler room sumps includes the following: Water Treatment System — the station make-up water treatment system consists of a clarifier, three gravity filters, two sets of activated carbon filters, and two sets of demineralizers. The water treatment wastes consist of floc and sedimentation, filter backwash, and demineralizer regeneration wastes. Make-up water is supplied to the boilers to generate steam to turn the turbines. On occasion a vendor may be used with a mobile water treatment unit to augment the facility water treatment capacity. Any vendor will use traditional water treatment methods, chemicals, and disposal methods. • Miscellaneous Waste Streams: Marshall Steam Station Fact Sheet NPDES Modification Page 2 • Closed system drainage, cleanings, testing containing corrosion inhibitors, biocides, cleanings (small heat exchangers), dispersant (polycrylamide), wetting agent (sodium lauryl sulfate), detergent (tri -sodium phosphate), and leak testing (disodium fluorescing dye); • Turbine room sump overflow; • Boiler seal water (trace oil and grease); • Miscellaneous system leakages (small leaks from pump packings and seals, valve seals, pipe connections); • Moisture separators on air compressor precipitators; • Floor wash water; • Emergency fire fighting water; • Pyrite (ash) removal system overflow; • Low volume wastewater. • Chemical makeup tanks and drum rinsate - intermittent rinse water containing small amounts of aluminum sulfate, sodium hydroxide, hydrazine, and ammonium hydroxide. Boiler blowdown — Primarily when units 1 & 2 startup and until water chemistry stabilizers the blowdown from these boilers is allowed to flash in -a blowdown tank. During startup a significant portion of this blowdown steam is vented to the atmosphere. After water chemistry has stabilized, blowdown venting is minimal and condensate flow is small. Trace amounts of hydrazine, ammonia, and silica oxide may be present in the condensate. The combined condensate flow from blowdown amounts to an average of approximately 0.002 MGD. This flow is routed to the boiler room sump and then to the ash basin. Boiler cleaning — Boilers #1, #2, #3, and #4 at the station are chemically cleaned on an as needed basis. Tube inspections are performed during outages, which indicate when cleaning needs scheduling. Boilers #1 and #2 are controlled circulation boilers and boilers #3 and #4 are supercritical boilers. The wastes produced from a boiler cleaning are pumped to the yard sumps and then to the ash basin. The ash basin collects stormwater flows from the yard drainage basin, ash removal lines and rainfallrunoff from the basin watershed area. A total of 18.0 acres drain to the yard sumps with an'average daily runoff estimated at 0.03 MGD. The average daily runoff is calculated based on an annual rainfall of 49 inches with 1.0 and 0.5 runoff coefficients applied appropriately. Trace amounts of oil and grease may be present in the first flush of stormwater. Once -through, non -contact cooling water is supplied to eight induced draft (ID) fan motor bearings to remove excess heat. No chemicals are added to the once -through raw lake water. The rate of flow through the ID fan heat exchangers that discharges to the yard -drain sumps is approximately 0.08 MGD, which is pumped to the ash basin. The track hopper sump collects groundwater from a foundation drain system underneath the track hopper. The flow is usually intermittent; however, the pump capacity is 100 gpm. On a daily basis it is estimated that the run time is only 50%, which would correspond to a flow of 0.07 MGD to the yard -drain sumps; then to the ash basin. In the event that maintenance activities are needed in the intake or discharge tunnels, a dewatering sump is provided to remove water from the tunnels. Raw water in the tunnels can be pumped to the yard -drain sumps that ultimately discharge to the ash basin. Bore sonic testing of turbine rotors is infrequent, occurring approximately once every 5 years. Demineralized water is mixed with a corrosion inhibitor, e.g. Immunol 1228, at a ratio of 100 parts water to 1 part inhibitor. The mixture is applied to the turbine rotors. The excess is drained and mixed with low volume wastewater and discharged to the ash basin via the yard -drain sumps. Marshall Steam Station Fact Sheet NPDES Modification Page 3 The station utilizes electrostatic precipitators as its air pollution control devices. Under normal plant operations, the dry ash captured in these precipitators is collected in temporary storage silos for subsequent disposal in a permitted on-site structural fill or for recycling in off-site ash utilization projects. If the system that collects the dry fly ash is not operating the fly ash can be sluiced to the ash basin. Bottom ash from the boilers is usually sluiced with water to a holding cell for recycling activities. Pyrites from the mills are sluiced with water to an ash basin settling cell. Approximately 3.0 MGD of bottom ash and pyrite sluice is pumped through large steel pipes (ash lines) directly to the ash basin settling cell. Once -through, non -contact cooling water from the coal pulverizing mill is discharged to the bottom ash hopper and pumped to the ash basin. The electrostatic precipitators are normally cleaned by mechanically vibrating the wires and rapping the plates inside the precipitator. Before major precipitator work is performed, they are cleaned by a wash down. The wash water is pumped to the ash basin from the yard -drain sump. A sanitary waste treatment system was installed during the term of any earlier NPDES permit, thus eliminating the package plant near the intake structure of the plant. An aerated basin provides treatment with a 30 — day retention time and has a total volume of 587,000 gallons. Effluent from the aerated basin is polished further through additional residence time in the ash basin. The 10 year old system is designed for 6100 gpd (normal) and 13500 gpd (outage). The powerhouse lift station was installed as a central collection point to receive all the sanitary waste from the station and pump it to the aerated basin. The present lift station serving the vendor facilities and Units 3 and 4 were upgraded. The sanitary system accommodates wastewater flow from the following courses: • General Plant sanitary wastewater; • Vendor facilities sanitary wastewater; and • Laboratory drains (small amounts of laboratory chemicals used to test wastewater effluents and high purity boiler water). Non -point sources of stormwater to the ash basin includes coal pile runoff, a pond area of 82.3 acres and an up -gradient watershed area of 1097.7 acres. The estimate for stormwater runoff is based on forty-nine inches of rain per year with a 1.0 and 0.5 runoff coefficient for the pond area and up -gradient watershed, respectively. The average non -point source stormwater input for the ash basin is estimated at 2.6 MGD. The coal pile covers an area of approximately 33 acres with an estimated stormwater runoff to the ash basin of 0.06 MGD. • Outfall 002A — Sump #1 Overflow: This outfall discharges very infrequent overflows of yard sump number 1. The overflow generally consists of the same wastewaters discharged by the ash basin (excluding sanitary wastewaters). • Outfall 002B — Sump #2 Overflow: This outfall discharges very infrequent overflows of yard sump number 2. The overflow generally consists of the same wastewaters discharged by the ash basin (excluding sanitary wastewaters). • Outfall 003 — Unit 4 ID Fan Control House Cooling Water: Once -through, non -contact cooling water is supplied to the Unit 4 induced draft (ID) fan motor control - house equipment to remove excess heat. No chemicals are added to the once -through raw lake water. The flow rate through the control equipment that discharges to Lake Norman is approximately 0.2 MGD. One of the previous permit requirements was to perform an assessment of balanced and indigenous populations in Lake Norman. The report stated that "the thermal regimes resulting from the operation of the MSS (Marshall Steam Station have supported the protection and propagation of a balanced and indigenous fish community in Lake Norman". Marshall Steam Station Fact Sheet NPDES Modification Page 4 BASIS FOR EFFLUENT LIiIIITS • Outfall 001 — Condenser Cooling Water (CCW) Units 1— 4: Currently, only temperature is limited in this outfall. Summer and winter thermal limits have been established in support of the 316(a) temperature variance issued by EPA in May of 1975. The determination noted that the "thermal component of the discharge assures the protection and propagation of shellfish, fish, and wildlife in and on the receiving body of water." Continued implementation of the aforementioned thermal variance is supported by the "Assessment of Balanced and Indigenous Populations in Lake Norman near Marshall Steam Station." Furthermore, an evaluation of the downstream temperature of Lake Norman suggests that Marshall Steam Station is not appreciably elevating instream temperature. A free available chlorine limit is currently part of the effluent limitations for this outfall. 40 CFR 423.12 (b) (6) establishes maximum free available chlorine concentrations for discharges of once -through cooling water. These maximum values are 0.5 mg/L and 0.2 mg/L daily maximum and monthly average respectively. Inclusion of these limits is merely a matter of record keeping as the permit does not authorize chlorination of the once -through cooling water. These limits will be footnoted such that monitoring is only required if the facility proposes to implement chlorination of its once -through cooling water. • Outfall 002 — Ash Basin: The existing permit limits oil & grease, TSS, pH, total copper, and total iron at this outfall. Limits for Cu and Fe are consistent with federal guidelines and monitoring is per occurrence of chemical metals cleaning. Effluent monitoring has been established for flow, total arsenic, total cadmium, total chromium, chloride, total mercury, total nickel, total selenium, total silver, nitrogen, phosphorus, chronic toxicity and total zinc. • Outfalls 002A and 002B — Yard -Sump Overflows: On occasion, the yard -sumps at the station experience overflows. These overflows occur rarely, typically once per year, and can range in time from less than one hour to several hours. Late in 1998, the Division developed a permitting strategy for these overflows. Analytical monitoring is required for flow, pH, and TSS for all overflows lasting longer than an hour. When TSS is reported as greater than 100 mg/L, monitoring for iron is required. All overflows, regardless of time length, are reported to the DWQ regional office. • Outfalls 003 — Non -Contact Cooling Water: Limitations for this outfall are consistent with non -contact cooling water requirements defined in the federal guidelines. TOXICITY TESTING: Current Requirement: Outfall 002 — Chronic P/F @ 12% using Ceriodaphnia Recommended Requirement: Outfall 002 — Chronic P/F @ 12% using Ceriodaphnia No changes in the toxicity testing requirements are recommended at this time. This facility has passed all toxicity tests during this permit cycle (4/2005 through 12/2008). COMPLIANCE SUMMARY: A review of this facility's effluent data indicates an excellent compliance history with few permit limit violations during the review period (4/2005 — 12/2008). There was one pH exceedance in March 2008. INSTREAM MONITORING: None Required REASONABLE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS (RPA) For the major modification request, the Division conducted EPA -recommended analyses to determine the reasonable potential for toxicants to be discharged by this facility from outfall 002. The average flow from Marshall Steam Station Fact Sheet NPDES Modification Page 5 outfall 002 for the past three years has been 7.99 MGD and this flow will be used in the reasonable potential analysis. A RPA was conducted for the following: Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, chloride, iron, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver and zinc based on sampled data in discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) from January 2006 through December 2008. The RPA analysis is attached. (Note: Data for copper and iron were reviewed, however since these limitations are required by federal guidelines, no changes were made.) • Cadmium, Chromium and Silver — The maximum predicted values demonstrated no reasonable potential to exceed state water quality standards or acute criteria. Nearly all data were reported below detection levels. Weekly monitoring will be deleted from the permit. No effluent monitoring will be recommended in the permit since these do not appear to be parameters of concern. • Arsenic, Mercury, Nickel and Chloride — The maximum predicted values demonstrated no reasonable potential to exceed state water quality standards or acute criteria. Nearly all data were reported above detection levels. Weekly monitoring will be deleted from the permit however quarterly monitoring is recommended for these parameters because of the presence in the effluent. • Selenium — the maximum predicted value indicated a reasonable potential to exceed both the chronic and acute allowable concentrations. Based on this result, it is recommended that a weekly average Emit of 29 ug/l and a daily maximum limit of 56 ug/l be added to the permit. Duke Energy has requested a three year compliance schedule in order to meet the proposed limit for selenium. This will be granted with milestones to be met during the term of the compliance schedule. • Zinc — The maximum predicted value demonstrated a reasonable potential to exceed only the acute allowable concentration. This is an N.C. Action Level standard and should be reviewed in conjunction with toxicity testing. Duke Energy has passed all chronic toxicity tests for the past three years. It is recommended that weekly monitoring can be reduced to monthly monitoring. PROPOSED CHANGES: Outfall 002 • Elimination of monitoring for: total cadmium, total chromium, total silver • Monitoring reduced from Weekly to Quarterly for: total arsenic, chloride, mercury, total nickel • Monitoring reduced from Weekly to monthly for: zinc • Addition of limit of 29 ug/l (weekly average) and 56 ug/l (daily maximum) for selenium Outfall 004 • Elimination of monitoring for: total cadmium, total chromium, total silver, and total suspended solids • Monitoring reduced from Weekly to Quarterly for: total arsenic, chloride, mercury, total nickel • Monitoring reduced from Weekly to monthly for: zinc STATE CONTACT: If you have any questions on any of the above information or on the attached permit, please contact Jacquelyn M. Nowell at 919-807-6386 or jackie.nowell@ncdenr.gov. NAME: DA Marshall Steam Station Fact Sheet NPDES Modification Page 6 1Duke nergy® April 27, 2009 DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION Marshall Steam Station 8320 East NC Hwy. 150 Terrell, NC 28682 828 478 7700 To: Ms. Jacquelyn M. Nowell R16= North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Subject: Marshall Steam Station Draft NPDES Permit No. NC0004987 Dear Ms. Nowell, APR 3 0 2009 DENR - WATER QUALITY POINT SOURCE BRANCH Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC representatives have reviewed the subject permit and offer the following comments: Outfall 002 a. Selenium is listed with weekly average and daily maximum limits. The monitoring frequency is weekly. Since typically only one sample will be collected each week this weekly average limit equates to a daily maximum limit. 40 CFR 122.45(d) indicates that limits are to be expressed in the form of a maximum daily and/or a monthly average for all dischargers other than publicly owned treatment works. Section 5.2.3 of the Environmental Protection Agency's Technical Support Document for Water Quality Based Toxic Control also supports limiting the expression of permit limits to monthly average and daily maximum limits. Therefore, it is requested that the weekly average limit be changed to a monthly average limit. b. To meet the proposed selenium limits a three year schedule of compliance is needed in order to allow for technology selection, design, permitting and construction. The following provides an approximate timeframe to achieve installation of the treatment system: 1. Two months for technology selection. 2. Six months for design of treatment system. 3. Six months for obtaining a permit to construct the wastewater treatment system. 4. Twenty two months for construction and commissioning. www. duke -energy. com Permit Page 11 of 13 a. Please confirm the mentioned parameter code of THP313 for DWQ Form AT - 3. Thank you for the opportunity to review this draft permit. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Robert Wylie at 704 3 82-4669. Sincerely, D d Renner, General Manager III Marshall Steam Station cc: Donna Burrell — Marshall Steam Station