Proposed Reclassification of a Section of the Cape Fear River

in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties (Cape Fear River Basin)

to Class SC Swamp (SW) with a Water Quality Management Plan

Elizabeth KountisDWR Classifications & Standards/Rules Review Branch

Existing and Proposed Water Quality Standards

SUMMARY AND COMPARISON OF

EXISTING AND PROPOSED

CLASSIFICATIONS’ STANDARDS

Class pHDissolved Oxygen

(DO)

Class SC (Existing)

6.8 – 8.5 5.0 mg/l

Class Sw(Proposed)

As low as 4.3 if result of natural

conditions

Lower than 5.0 mg/l if caused by natural

conditions

Proposed Water Quality Management Plan

Effluent Limitations for new and expanded NPDES wastewater facilities discharging oxygen consuming wastes:

• Domestic Facilities

• BOD of 5 mg/l, NH3-N (Ammonia) of 1 mg/l, and DO of 6 mg/l

• Industrial Facilities

• BOD, NH3-N (Ammonia), and DO limits based on site-specific best available technology and on a case by case basis

Proposed Water Quality Management Plan

Effluent Limitations for new and expanded NPDES wastewater facilities discharging oxygen consuming wastes:

• Seasonal limits (case by case determination, 15A NCAC 02B .0404)

• New or expanded pollutant discharge of oxygen consuming waste shall not cause the DO in the receiving water to drop more than 0.1 mg/l below the modeled in-stream DO at total permitted capacity