15A NCAC 02U .0113. PERMITTING BY REGULATION (SEE S.L. 2011-48)

(a)  The following utilizations of reclaimed water are deemed to be permitted pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1(b) and it is not necessary for the Division to issue individual permits or coverage under a general permit for construction or operation of the following utilization systems provided the system does not result in any violations of surface water or groundwater standards, there is no unpermitted direct discharge to surface waters, and all criteria required for the specific system is met:

(1)           Discharges to the land surface from flushing and hydrostatic testing water associated with utility distribution systems, new sewer extensions or new reclaimed water distribution lines;

(2)           Overflow from elevated reclaimed water storage facilities where no viable alternative exists and all possible measures are taken to reduce the risk of overflow;

(3)           Any de minimus runoff from reclaimed water used during fire fighting or extinguishing, dust control, soil compaction for construction purposes, street sweeping, overspray on yard inlets, overspray on golf cart paths, or vehicle washing provided the use is approved in a permit issued by the Division;

(4)           Incidental discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) that occurs as a result of reclaimed water utilization activities provided the use is approved in a permit issued by the Division, and the discharge does not violate water quality standards.  This does not exempt the reclaimed water user from complying with any applicable local ordinances that may prohibit such discharges;

(5)           Rehabilitation, repair, or replacement of reclaimed water lines in kind (i.e., size) with the same horizontal and vertical alignment;

(6)           In accordance with 15A NCAC 02H .0106(f)(5), flushing (including air release valve discharge) and hydrostatic testing water discharges associated with reclaimed water distribution systems provided that no water quality standards are violated;

(7)           Utilization of reclaimed water received from a reclaimed water bulk distribution program permitted under Rule .0601 of this Subchapter;

(8)           Irrigation of residential lots or commercial (non-residential) application areas less than one acre in size that are supplied with reclaimed water as part of a conjunctive use reclaimed water system meeting the requirements of Rules .0301, .0401, .0403, .0501, and .0701 of this Subchapter; Chapter 89G of the General Statutes; approved by the local building inspection department; and installed by a North Carolina Licensed Irrigation Contractor pursuant to G.S. 89G.  A scaled site map showing the location of the reclaimed water irrigation system and all features necessary to show compliance with applicable setbacks in Rule .0701 of this Subchapter shall be submitted to the reclaimed water provider;

(9)           Irrigation of agricultural crops supplied with reclaimed water as part of a conjunctive use reclaimed water system meeting the requirements of this Subchapter and approved by the reclaimed water provider; and

(10)         Drip irrigation sites supplied with reclaimed water as part of a conjunctive use reclaimed water system generated from an onsite wastewater treatment facility meeting the criteria of this Subchapter and where the conjunctive system has been approved by the Department and is permitted under 18A .1900.

(b)  Nothing in this Rule shall be deemed to allow the violation of any assigned surface water, groundwater, or air quality standards, and in addition any such violation is a violation of a condition of a permit.

(c)  The reclaimed water user shall report any violation of this Rule or discharge to surface waters from the utilization systems listed in Paragraph (a) of this Rule.

(d)  Utilization systems deemed permitted under this Subchapter shall remain deemed permitted, notwithstanding any violations of surface water or groundwater standards or violations of this Rule or other Permitted By Regulation rules in this Subchapter, until such time as the Director determines that they should not be deemed permitted in accordance with the criteria established in this Rule.

(e)  The Director may determine that a utilization system should not be deemed to be permitted in accordance with this Rule and require the utilization system to obtain an individual permit or a certificate of coverage under a general permit.  This determination shall be made based on existing or projected environmental impacts, compliance with the provisions of this Rule and the compliance history of the facility owner.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-300; 143-215.1(a)(1); 143-215.1(b)(4)(e); 143-215.3(a),(d);

Eff. June 18, 2011 (See S.L. 2011-48).