LOWER CREEK WWTP, Lenoir, NC: NPDES NC0023981 discharge permit, effluent exceedances, inspections, penalties

LOWER CREEK WWTP, Lenoir, North Carolina: Individual permit NC0023981, held by City of Lenoir; Publicly owned treatment works; Effective; issued June 22, 2021, term to February 28, 2026; Sewage Treatment Facilities.

• Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N]: 4 limits, 42 violations of any kind, 13 effluent exceedances, latest May 31, 2025, largest 90% over the limit.
• Solids, total suspended: 3 limits, 42 violations of any kind, 11 effluent exceedances, latest May 31, 2020, largest 351% over the limit.
• Copper, total [as Cu]: 2 limits, 13 violations of any kind, 7 effluent exceedances, latest June 30, 2026, largest 10,594% over the limit.
• Chlorine, total residual: 1 limit, 7 violations of any kind, 4 effluent exceedances, latest October 31, 2021, largest 96% over the limit.
• Zinc, total [as Zn]: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 4 effluent exceedances, latest August 31, 2025, largest 1,225% over the limit.
• Silver, total [as Ag]: 1 limit, 7 violations of any kind, 3 effluent exceedances, latest August 31, 2025, largest 900% over the limit.
• Pass/Fail Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 0 limits, 3 violations of any kind, 3 effluent exceedances, latest November 30, 2010.
• BOD, 5-day, 20 deg. C: 5 limits, 40 violations of any kind, 2 effluent exceedances, latest May 31, 2009, largest 4% over the limit.
• Coliform, fecal MF, MFC agar, 44.5 C, 24hr: 0 limits, 16 violations of any kind, 2 effluent exceedances, latest May 31, 2012, largest 44% over the limit.
• Flow, in conduit or thru treatment plant: 1 limit, 29 violations of any kind, 1 effluent exceedance, latest October 31, 2008, largest 1,282% over the limit.
• Cadmium, total [as Cd]: 2 limits, 13 violations of any kind, 1 effluent exceedance, latest May 31, 2025, largest 313% over the limit.
• pH: 2 limits, 7 violations of any kind, 1 effluent exceedance, latest February 28, 2019.
• Chromium, total [as Cr]: 0 limits, 1 violation of any kind, 1 effluent exceedance, latest February 28, 2011, largest 160% over the limit.
• Temperature, water deg. centigrade: 5 limits, 11 violations of any kind.
• Conductivity: 5 limits, 11 violations of any kind.
• Oxygen, dissolved [DO]: 6 limits, 10 violations of any kind.
• Coliform, fecal MF, MFC broth, 44.5 C: 2 limits, 9 violations of any kind.
• Nitrogen, total [as N]: 1 limit, 7 violations of any kind.
• Phosphorus, total [as P]: 1 limit, 5 violations of any kind.
• Selenium, total [as Se]: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
• Cyanide, total [as CN]: 0 limits, 2 violations of any kind.
• Nickel, total [as Ni]: 0 limits, 2 violations of any kind.

• August 3, 2026: Notice of Violation (State).
• June 19, 2026: Evaluation (S).
• August 22, 2024: Permit Violations - Unapproved Operation (ST6).

North Carolina holds 95 Publicly owned treatment works coverages of this permit type in EPA’s file; 86 were issued before NC0023981. City of Lenoir holds 9 permits in North Carolina.

Other permits held by City of Lenoir

• GUNPOWDER CREEK WWTP, Hudson: NC0023736, issued 2021-03-02
• FINLEY AREA WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, Lenoir: NCC251289, issued 2025-04-25
• CITY OF LENOIR - PUBLIC WORKS, Lenoir: NCG080988, issued 2021-07-01
• LOWER CREEK WWTP, Lenoir: NCG110160, issued 2023-06-01
• GUNPOWDER CREEK WWTP, Hudson: NCG110161, issued 2023-06-01
• CITY OF LENOIR, Lenoir: NCL023736, issued 2021-01-01
• CITY OF LENOIR, Lenoir: NCL023981, issued 2021-01-01
• LENOIR CITY - SMALL MS4, Lenoir: NCS000474, issued 2017-02-20

Coverages issued nearest NC0023981

• 2021-05-12: THURMAN STREET WWTP, North Wilkesboro: NC0020761, held by Town of North Wilkesboro
• 2021-05-21: NORTHEAST WWTP, Hickory: NC0020401, held by City of Hickory
• 2021-05-21: CENTRAL JOHNSTON COUNTY WWTP, Smithfield: NC0030716, held by Johnston County Public Utilities
• 2021-05-25: SCOTLAND NECK WWTP, Scotland Neck: NC0023337, held by Town of Scotland Neck
• 2021-06-02: WASHINGTON WWTP, Washington: NC0020648, held by City of Washington
• 2021-06-28: ENFIELD WWTP, Enfield: NC0025402, held by Town of Enfield
• 2021-08-19: COOLEEMEE WWTP, Cooleemee: NC0024872, held by Davie County
• 2021-12-13: NEUSE RIVER RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY, Raleigh: NC0029033, held by City of Raleigh
• 2023-07-18: MILL CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, Grover: NC0090131, held by City of Kings Mountain
• 2023-08-21: ASHEBORO WWTP, Asheboro: NC0026123, held by City of Asheboro

LOWER CREEK WWTP among its neighbors

27 discharge permits are in the Howards Creek subwatershed (HUC 030501020402); NC0023981 is one.

Other permits in the Howards Creek subwatershed (HUC 030501020402)

• 3431 MORGANTON BOULEVARD, Lenoir: NCG550977, minor, term to 2025-10-31
• 3660 SOUTHARD ROAD, Lenoir: NCG520122, minor, term to 2025-07-31
• AMERICAN ROLLER BEARINGS, Morganton: NCG030628, minor, term to 2026-06-30
• BEAVER TAIL MITIGATION PROJECT, Lincolnton: NCC250486, minor, term to 2029-03-31
• CALDWELL PIT, Lenoir: NCG520108, minor, term to 2025-07-31
• CALDWELL QUARRY, Lenoir: NCG020039, minor, term to 2025-06-30
• CALICO PIT, Lenoir: NCG520083, minor, term to 2025-07-31
• FOOTHILLS ENVIRONMENTAL LANDFILL, Lenoir: NCG120060, minor, term to 2026-06-30
• FOOTHILLS REGIONAL AIRPORT, Morganton: NCG150006, minor, term to 2022-08-31
• HAMBY BROTHERS CONCRETE INCORPORATED, Lenoir: NCG140097, minor, term to 2022-06-30