15A NCAC 02T .0118      DEMONSTRATION OF FUTURE WASTEWATER TREATMENT CAPACITIES

No permits for sewer line extensions shall be issued to wastewater treatment systems owned or operated by municipalities, counties, sanitary districts, or public utilities unless they meet the following requirements:

(1)           Prior to exceeding 80 percent of the system's permitted hydraulic capacity (based on the average flow during the last calendar year), the permittee shall submit an engineering evaluation of their future wastewater treatment, utilization, and disposal needs. This evaluation shall outline plans for meeting future wastewater treatment, utilization, or disposal needs by either expansion of the existing system, elimination or reduction of extraneous flows, or water conservation and shall include the source of funding for the improvements. If expansion is not proposed or is proposed for a later date, a justification shall be made that wastewater treatment needs will be met based on past growth records and future growth projections and, as appropriate, shall include conservation plans or other measures to achieve waste flow reductions.

(2)           Prior to exceeding 90 percent of the system's permitted hydraulic capacity (based on the average flow during the last calendar year), the permittee shall obtain all permits needed for the expansion of the wastewater treatment, utilization, or disposal system and, if construction is needed, submit final plans and specifications for expansion, including a construction schedule. If expansion is not proposed or is proposed for a later date, a justification shall be made that wastewater treatment needs will be met based on past growth records and future growth projections and, as appropriate, shall include conservation plans or other specific measures to achieve waste flow reductions.

(3)           The Director shall allow permits to be issued to facilities that are exceeding the 80 percent or 90 percent disposal capacity if the additional flow is not projected to result in the facility exceeding its permitted hydraulic capacity, the facility is in compliance with all other permit limitations and requirements, and adequate progress is being made in developing the required engineering evaluations or plans and specifications. In determining the adequacy of the progress, the Director shall consider the projected flows, the complexity and scope of the work to be completed, and any projected environmental impacts.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143‑215.3;

Eff. September 1, 2006;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2018.