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North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Water Quality - Water Quality Regional Operations

Water Quality

Water Quality Regional Operations Section 

About

The Water Quality Regional Operations section focuses on service to the regional surface water and groundwater concerns of citizens, local governments and business communities. Regional office staff issue permits for sewer extensions, wetland and stream impacts, and well construction. Regional offices personnel also conduct permitted facility inspections and incident investigations.

In addition, the section focuses on the protection and enhancement of the state's groundwater, the primary source of drinking water for half of North Carolina residents. To protect this important resource, we:

  • Permit construction of wells for groundwater monitoring and extracting/treating contaminated groundwater, as well as injection wells used for heating, cooling or remediation.
  • Perform planning on the interaction of groundwater, surface water and geological formations in order to characterize and anticipate groundwater contamination and potential threats to human health.

  • Respond to and manage clean up actions for incidents caused by wastewater discharge or non-discharge facilities subject to permitting under Control of sources of water pollution (G.S. 143-215.1); well construction activities subject to the NC Well Construction Act (G.S. 87-88); agricultural operations including application of agricultural chemicals (does not include  spills or disposal of such chemicals); and naturally occurring contamination.

Organization

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Useful Information

Table 1 - Policies

Policy Date
Metals Determinations as Required by 15A NCAC 02L May 13, 2013
Compliance Evaluation of Long-Term Permitted Facilities with No Prior Groundwater Monitoring Requirements June 17, 2011
Single-Family Residence Wastewater Irrigation System Loading Rate Calculation Policy September 12, 2008
Single-Family Residence Loading Rate Workbook September 12, 2008
Soil Scientist Evaluation Policy Cover Letter September 12, 2008
Soil Scientist Evaluation Policy September 12, 2008
Water Balance Calculation Policy September 12, 2008
Single-Family Residence Irrigation Facilities: Policy for Facility Closure and Abandonment Procedures February 21, 2008
Recommended Well Purge Volumes August 15, 2007
Submission of Groundwater Compliance Data (GW-59) August 15, 2007
Hydrogeologic Investigation and Reporting Policy May 31, 2007
Groundwater Modeling Policy May 31, 2007
Performance and Analysis of Aquifer Slug Tests and Pumping Tests Policy May 31, 2007
High Rate Infiltration System Designs: Policy for Alternative Setbacks to Property Lines and Habitable Residences October 27, 2006
Animal Wastewater Spill Reporting Policy October 19, 1999

Table 2 - Memorandums 

Memorandum Date
Interpretation of Setback Requirements For Potable Water Supply Wells November 15, 2013

 Statewide Well Construction Variance For Wells Other Than Water Supply

 April 22, 2013
Approval Procedure for Specialty Grout, Well Disinfection Methods and Materials, and Well Rehabilitation Methods and Materials August 10, 2012
Guidelines for the Closure of Permitted Wastewater Ponds and Lagoons June 22, 2012
GEO SuperGrout Approval As Specialty Grout June 8, 2012
Map Guidance for Residuals Land Application Permits

January 5, 2011
Memorandum of Agreement Between DWQ and DEH Regarding Private Water Supply Well Programs May 19, 2010
Guidelines for Collaboration with APS on Groundwater Studies June 23, 2008
Hydrogeologic Investigation and Support Policies May 31, 2007
Incident Management Responsibilities for DWQ & DWM April 12, 2007
Well Construction Variance Regarding the Use of Bentonite Chips and Pellets March 1, 2007
Announcement of Express Review Program Changes February 22, 2006
CETCO's Geothermal Grout Approved as a Specialty Grout December 13, 2004
   

Table 1 - Administrative Codes

Title Administrative Code
Conformity with North Carolina Environmental Policy Act 15A NCAC 01C
Surface Waters and Wetlands Standards 15A NCAC 02B
Well Construction Standards 15A NCAC 02C
Coastal Waste Treatment Disposal 15A NCAC 02H .0400
Groundater Classifications and Standards 15A NCAC 02L
Waste Not Discharged to Surface Waters 15A NCAC 02T

Table 2 - North Carolina Codes and General Statutes

Website
North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina Administrative Codes
North Carolina Administrative Codes Applicable to the Division of Water Resources Water Quality Programs

Table 3 - Federal Rules and Regulations

Website
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Safe Drinking Water Act

 

Regional Offices - clickable map

N.C. DENR Regional Offices map - clickable Washington Regional Office Willmington Regional Office Raleigh Regional Office Fayetteville Regional Office Mooresville Regional Office Winston-Salem Regional Office Asheville Regional Office

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