HomeMy Public PortalAbout20061212_DischargePermit.pdfV,
Jr. Drive, S.E., Suite 1
Noel Holcomb, Commissioner
Carol A. Couch, Ph.D., Director
Environmental Protection Division
4041656-4713
December 12, 2006
Honorable Jason Buelterman
City of Tybee Island
Post Office Box 2749
Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749
RE: City of Tybee Island
Water Pollution Control Plant
Draft NPDES Permit No. GA0020061
Dear Mayor Buelterman:
Pursuant to the Georgia Water Quality Control Act, as amended; the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, as amended; and the Rules and Regulations promulgated
thereunder, we have today issued the attached National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit for the referenced water pollution control plant.
Please be advised that on and after the effective date indicated in the attached
NPDES permit, the permittee must comply with all the terms, conditions and limitations
of the permit.
Sincerely,
Carol A. Couch, Ph.D.
Director
CAC/sag
ATTACHMENT
cc: Environmental Protection Agency
EPD Coastal District — Savannah Office
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 2 of 16
EN\':RONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
PART
EPD is the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources.
The Federal Act referred to is The Clean Water Act.
The State Act referred to is The Water Quality Control Act (Act No. 870).
The State rules referred to are The Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control (Chapter 391-3-6).
A. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
1. MONITORING
The concentration of pollutants in the discharge will be limited as indicated by the tablets) labeled
"Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements." The effluent shall meet the requirements in the
table(s) or the condition in paragraph 1 A.i.a., whichever yields the higher quality effluent.
a. For 5 day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and total suspended solids (TSS), the
arithmetic mean of the values of the effluent samples collected during a month shall not
exceed 15 percent of the arithmetic mean of values for influent samples collected at
approximately the same times (85 percent removal). For water pollution control plants
followed by a polishing pond or consisting of a waste stabilization pond, the 85 percent
removal for TSS is not applicable.
b. The monthly average, other than for fecal coliform bacteria, is the arithmetic mean of values
obtained for samples collected during a calendar month.
C. The weekly average, otherthan for fecal coliform bacteria, is the arithmetic mean of values
obtained for samples collected during a 7 day period. The week begins 12:00 midnight
Saturday and ends at 1200 midnight the following Saturday. To define a different starting
time for the sampling period, the permittee must notify the EPD in writing. For reporting
required by I.C.2. of this permit, a week that starts in one month and ends in another month
shall be considered part of the second month. The permittee may calculate and report the
weekly average as a 7 day moving average.
d. Fecal coliform bacteria will be reported as the geometric mean of the valuesforthe samples
collected during the time periods in I.A.1.b. and I.A.i.c
e. Untreated wastewater influent samples required by 1.6. shall be collected before any return
or recycle flows. These flows include returned activated sludge, supernatants, centrates,
filtrates, and backwash.
f. Effluent samples required by I.B. of this permit shall be collected after the final treatment
process and before discharge to receiving waters. Composite samples may be collected
before chlorination with written EPD approval.
g. A composite sample shall consist of a minimum of 5 subsampies collected at least once
every 2 hours for at least 8 hours and shall be compositor proportionately to flow.
h. The permittee shall have a primary flow measuring device that is correctly installed and
operable. Secondary flow measurements must be made using a continuous totalizer and an
indicating recorder. Calibration of secondary instruments will be maintained to+10%of the
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 3 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
actual flow. The head shall be measured manually to check the flow meter calibration at
least once during each composite sampling period. Records of the calibration checks shall
be maintained.
If secondary flow instruments malfunction or fail to maintain calibration as required in
I.A.1.h., the flow shall be computed from manual measurements taken at the times specified
for the collection of composite samples.
Quarterly analyses required In I.B. shall be performed in March, June, September. and
December. Analyses required twice per year will be performed in June and December.
Analyses required annually will be performed in June.
Some parameters must be analyzed to the detection limits specified by the EPD. These
parameters will be reported as "not detected" when they are below the detection limit and will
then be considered in compliance with the effluent limit. The detection limit will also be
reported.
2. SLUDGE DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Sludge shall be disposed of according to the regulations and guidelines established bythe EPD and
the Federal Act section 405(d) and (e), and the Resource Conservation and RecoveryAct (RCRA).
In land applying nonhazardous municipal sewage sludge, the permittee shall comply with the
general criteria outlined in the most current version of the EPD "Guidelines for Land Application of
Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) at Agronomic Rates" and with the State Rules, Chapter 391.3-6-.17.
Before disposing of municipal sewage sludge by land application or any method other than co -
disposal in a permitted sanitary landfill, the permittee shall submit a sludge management plan to
EPD for written approval. This plan will become a part of the NPDES Permit after approval and
modification of the permit. The permittee shall notify the EPD of any changes planned in an
approved sludge management plan.
If an applicable management practice or numerical limitation for pollutants in sewage sludge is
promulgated under Section 405(d) of the Federal Act after approval of the plan, then the plan shall
be modified to conform with the new regulations.
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The permittee shall develop and implement procedures to ensure adequate year-round sludge
disposal. The permittee shall monitor and maintain records documenting the quantity of sludge
removed from the facility. Records shall be maintained documenting that the quantity of solids
removed from the facility equals the solids generated on an average day. The total quantity of
sludge removed from the facility during the reporting period shall be reported each month with the
Discharge Monitoring Reports as required under Part I.C.2.of this permit. The quantity shall be
reported on a dry weight basis.
Pond treatment systems are required to report the total quantity of sludge removed from the facility
only during the months that sludge is removed.
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 4 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
4. INTRODUCTION OF POLLUTANTS INTO THE PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS
(POTW)
The permittee must notify EPD of
a. Any new introduction of pollutants into the POTW from an indirect discharger that would be
subject to Sections 301 or 306 of the Federal Act if the pollutants were directly discharged to
a receiving stream; and
b. Any substantial change in the volume or character of pollutants from a source that existed
when the permit was issued.
This notice shall include information on the quality and quantity of the indirect discharge introduced
and any anticipated impact on the quantity or quality of effluent to be discharged from the POTW.
5. EFFLUENT TOXICITY AND BIOMONITORING REQUIREMENTS
The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established by section 307(a) of
the Federal Act and with Chapter 391-3-6-.03(5) of the State Rules and may not discharge toxic
pollutants in concentrations or combinations that are harmful to humans, animals, or aquatic life.
If toxicity is suspected in the effluent, the EPD may require the permittee to perform any of the
following actions:
a. Acute biomonitoring tests;
b. Chronic biomonitoring tests;
C. Stream studies;
d. Priority pollutant analyses;
e Toxicity reduction evaluations (TRE); or
f. Any other appropriate study.
The EPD will specify the requirements and methodologies for performing any of these tests or
studies. Unless other concentrations are specified by the EPD, the critical concentration used to
determine toxicity in biomonitoring tests will be the effluent instream wastewater concentration Q W C)
based on the permitted monthly average flow of the facility and the critical low flow of the receiving
stream (7Q10), The endpoints that will be reported are the effluent concentration that is lethal to
50% of the test organisms (LC50) if the test is for acute toxicity, and the no observed effect
concentration (NOEC) of effluent if the test is for chronic toxicity.
The permittee must eliminate effluent toxicity and supply the EPD with data and evidence to
confirm toxicity elimination.
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 5 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
B. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
The discharge from the water pollution control plant shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as
follows:
Discharge Limitations
Parameter mg/l (kg/day) Monitoring Requirements
unless otherwise specified
The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units or greater than 9.0 standard units and shall be monitored on the
final effluent by analyzing grab samples taken seven days a week.
The minimum effluent dissolved oxygen shall be 5.0 mg/1 or higher and shall be monitored on the final effluent by
analyzing grab samples taken seven days a week.
'This is a daily maximum limitation for TRC
Monthly Avg.
Weekly Avg.
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location
Flow-m'/day(MGD)
Seven/Week
Continuous
Effluent
May — September
4353 (1.15)
5441 (1.44)
Recording
October - April
3369(0.69)
4211(1.11)
Biochemical Oxygen
Two/Week
Composite
Influentand
Demand (5 -day)
Effluent
May— September
26 (113)
39 (142)
October - April
30(101)
45(126)
Total Suspended
TwofWeek
Composite
Influent and
Solids (TSS)
Effluent
May—September
26(113)
39(142)
October - April
30(101)
45(126)
Ammonia (as N)
One/Month
Composite
Effluent
May — September
15.1 (65.8)
22.7 (82.4)
October - April
17.4(58.7)
26.1(73.2)
Fecal Coliform
1001100 ml
2001100 ml
One/Week
Grab
Effluent
Bacteria (#/00 ml)
Total Residual
0.5*
0.5*
SevenlWeek
Grab
Effluent
Chlorine (TRC)
The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units or greater than 9.0 standard units and shall be monitored on the
final effluent by analyzing grab samples taken seven days a week.
The minimum effluent dissolved oxygen shall be 5.0 mg/1 or higher and shall be monitored on the final effluent by
analyzing grab samples taken seven days a week.
'This is a daily maximum limitation for TRC
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 6 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
AW •:l. LIR..•1: 0
REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLING
Samples and measurements of the monitored waste shall represent the volume and nature of the
waste stream. The permittee shall maintain a written sampling and monitoring schedule.
All reports or information submitted in compliance with this permit or requested by EPD must be
signed and certified by a principal executive officer, elected official, or other authorized
representative. Required analytical results obtained by the permittee shall be summarized on a
Discharge Monitoring Report form and any additional EPD specified forms. Monitoring results shall
be submitted to the EPD postmarked no later than the 15th day of the month following the end of the
reporting period. The EPD may require in writing that additional monitoring results be reported.
Signed copies of these and all other required reports shall be submitted to:
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Coastal — Savannah District Office
6555 Abercorn Street, Suite 130
Savannah, Georgia 31405-5722
3. MONITORING PROCEDURES
Analytical procedures, sample containers, sample preservation techniques, and sample holding
times must be consistent with the techniques and procedures listed in 40 CFR Part 136 for
monitoring specified in I.B. EPA approved methods used must be applicable to the concentration
ranges of the NPDES samples.
4. RECORDING OF RESULTS
For each required parameter analyzed, the permittee shall record:
a. The exact place, date, and time of sampling, and the person(s) collecting the sample. For
flow proportioned composite samples, this shall include the instantaneous flow and the
corresponding volume of each sample aliquot, and other information relevant to document
flow proportioning of composite samples;
b. The dates and times the analyses were performed;
C. The person(s) who performed the analyses:
J. The analytical procedures or methods used;
e. The results of all required analyses.
5. ADDITIONAL MONITORING BY PERMITTEE
If the permittee monitors required parameters at the locations designated in I.B. more frequently
than required, the permittee shall analyze all samples using approved analytical methods specified
in I.C.3. The results of this additional monitoring shall be included in calculating and reporting the
values on the Discharge Monitoring Report forms. The permittee shall indicate the monitoring
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 7 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
frequency on the report. The EPD may require in writing more frequent monitoring, or monitoring of
other pollutants not specified in this permit,
6. RECORDS RETENTION
The permittee shall retain records of:
a. All laboratory analyses performed including sample data, quality control data, and standard
curves;
b. Calibration and maintenance records of laboratory instruments;
c. Calibration and maintenance records and recordings from continuous recording instruments;
d. Process control monitoring records;
e. Facility operation and maintenance records;
f. Copies of all reports required by this permit;
g. All data and information used to complete the permit application; and
h. All monitoring data related to sludge use and disposal.
These records shall be kept for at least three years. Sludge handling records must be kept for at
least five years. Either period may be extended by EPD written notification.
PENALTIES
Both the Federal and State Acts provide that any person who falsifies or tampers with any
monitoring device or method required under this permit, or who makes any fa'se statement,
representation, or certification in any record submitted or required by this permit shall, if convicted,
be punished by a fine or by imprisonment or by both. The Acts include procedures for imposing civil
penalties for violations or for negligent or intentional failure or refusal to comply with any final or
emergency order of the Director of the EPD.
S. WATERSHED ASSESSMENT AND WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN
Upon the issuance date of this permit, the permittee must conduct a watershed assessment and
develop a watershed protection plan for all the watersheds that are contained within the permrftee's
Assessment Area. The Assessment Area is defined as all basins or subbasins that are served by
the facility and for the watersheds contained within the permittee's jurisdictional boundaries. The
watershed assessment should include a study to document baseline water quality and identify
stressors which affect the quality of the water resources in the area. The scope of the work for the
watershed protection plan must include defining what steps will be necessary to improve and
ultimately meet water quality standards, At a minimum, the watershed assessment should include
the following:
Watershed Assessment
a. Develop a plan for the monitoring and assessment of all streams in the Assessment Area.
This should include parameters to be monitored, monitoring frequencies, and other data to
be collected.
STA, E OF GEORGIA
DEP4tiTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 13 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
monitoring being at the expense of the POTW for at least one year. The monitoring program
shall include an upstream sampling point as well as sufficient downstream locations to
accurately characterize the impact of the major spill or the consistent exceedence of effluent
limitations described in the definition of `Consistently exceeding effluent limitation' above.
As a minimum, the following parameters shall be monitored in the receiving stream:
1. Dissolved Oxygen;
2. Fecal Coliform Bacteria;
3. pH;
4. Temperature; and
5. Other parameters required by the EPD.
The monitoring and reporting frequency as well as the need to monitor additional
parameters, will be determined by EPD. The results of the monitoring will be provided by the
POTW owner to EPD and all downstream public agencies using the affected waters as a
source of a public water supply.
h. Within 24 hours of becoming aware of a major spill, the owner of a POTW shall provide
notice of a major spill to every county, municipality, or other public agency whose public
water supply is within a distance of 20 miles downstream and to any others which could be
potentially affected by the major spill.
B. RESPONSIBILITIES
1. COMPLIANCE
The permittee must comply with this permit. Any permit noncompliance is a violation of the Federal
Act, State Act, and the State Rules, and is grounds for:
a. Enforcement action;
Permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or
Denial of a permit renewal application.
It shall not be a defense of the permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been
necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity to maintain compliance with the conditions of this
permit.
The permittee shall allow the Director of the EPD. the Regional Administrator of EPA, and their
authorized representatives, agents, or employees after they present credentials to:
a. Enterthe permittee's premises where a regulated activity or facility is located, or where any
records required by this permit are kept;
b. Review and copy any records required by this permit;
C. Inspect any facilities, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required by this
permit; and
d. Sample any substance or parameter at any location.
STAt E OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 14 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
3. SUBMITTAL OF INFORMATION
The permittee shall furnish any information required bythe EPD to determine whether cause exists
to modify, revoke and reissue, orterminate this permit or to determine compliance with this permit.
The permittee shall also furnish the EPD with requested copies of records required bythis permit. If
the permittee determines that any relevant facts were not included in a permit application or that
incorrect information was submitted in a permit application or in any report to the EPD, the permittee
shall promptly submit the additional or corrected information.
A permit may be transferred to another person by a permittee if:
a. The permittee notifies the Director in writing at least 30 days in advance of the proposed
transfer;
b. An agreement is written containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility
including acknowledgment that the existing permittee is liable for violations up to that date,
and that the new permittee is liable for violations from that date on. This agreement must be
submitted to the Director at least 30 days in advance of the proposed transfer; and
C. The Director does not notify the current permittee and the new permittee within 30 days of
EPD intent to modify, revoke and reissue, orterminate the permit. The Director may require
that a new application be filed instead of agreeing to the transfer of the permit.
AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS
Except for data determined to be confidential by the Director of EPD under O.0 G.A. 12-5-26 or by
the Regional Administrator of EPA under the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Part 2, all
reports prepared to complywith this permit shall be available for public inspection at an EPD office.
Effluent data, permit applications, permittees' names and addresses, and permits shall not be
considered confidential.
This permit may be modified, terminated, or revoked and reissued in whole or in part during its term
for causes including, but not limited to:
a. Permit violations;
b. Obtaining this permit by misrepresentation or by failure to disclose all relevant facts:
C. Changing any condition that requires either a temporary or permanent reduction or
elimination of the permitted discharge;
d. Changes in effluent characteristics; and
e. Violations of water quality standards.
The filing of a request by the permittee for permit modification, termination, revocation and
reissuance, or notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not negate any
permit condition.
STA i E OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 15 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
7. CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY
The permittee is liable for civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance with this permit and must
complywith applicable State and Federal laws including promulgated waterquality standards, The
permit cannot be interpreted to relieve the permittee of this liability even if it has not been modified to
incorporate new requirements.
8. PROPERTY RIGHTS
The issuance of this permit does not convey any property rights of either real or personal property,
or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to private property or any invasion of
personal rights, or any infringement of Federal. State or local laws or regulations.
9. EXPIRATION OF PERMIT
The permittee shall submit an application for permit reissuance at least 180 days before the
expiration date of this permit. The permittee shall not discharge after the permit expiration date
withoutwritten authorization from the EPD. To receive this authorization, the permittee shall submit
the information, forms, and fees required by the EPD no later than 180 days before the expiration
date.
10. CONTESTED HEARINGS
Any person aggrieved or adversely affected by any action of the Director of the EPD shall petition
the Director for a hearing within 30 days of notice of the action.
The provisions of this permit are severable. if any permit provision or the application of any permit
provision to any circumstance is held invalid, the provision does not affect other circumstances or
the remainder of this permit.
12. PREVIOUS PERMITS
All previous State water quality permits issued to this facility for construction or operation are
revoked by the issuance of this permit. The permit governs discharges from this facility under the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
STA -i E OF GEORGIA
nF_PARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Page 16 of 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Permit No. GA0020061
PART III
INDUSTRIAL PRETREATMENT PROGRAM FOR PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS (POTW)
1. The permittee may establish and operate an approved industrial pretreatment program.
2, if the EPD determines that the permittee is required to develop a local industrial pretreatment program, the
permittee will be notified in writing. The permittee shall immediately begin development of an industrial
pretreatment program and shall submit it to the EPD for approval no later than one year after the
notification.
3. During the interim period between determination that a program is needed and approval of the program, all
industrial pretreatment permits shall be issued by the EPD.
4. The permittee shall notify the EPD of all industrial users connected to the system or proposing to connect to
the system from the date of issuance of this permit.
5. Implementation of the Pretreatment Program developed by the State can be delegated to the permittee
following the fulfillment of requirements detailed in 391-3-6-.09 of the Rules and Regulations for Water
Quality Control.
9�. * �-19
Tr�J' 111��Ijjl
In compliance with the provisions of the Georgia Water Quality Control Act
(Georgia Laws 1964, p. 416, as amended), hereinafter called the "State Act" th-
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S. C. 1251 et seq.),
hereinafter called the "Federal Act" and the Rules and Regulations promulgated
,tursuant to each of these Acts,
City of Tybee Island
Water Pollution Control Plant
923 Bay Street
Tybee Island, Georgia 31328
(Chatham County)
in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements and other
conditions set forth in Parts 1, 11 and III hereof.
"N't =141*1;
December 31, 2010.
Director,
Environmental Protection Division