Amends GS 143-215.1, allowing the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to authorize permitted discharges of highly treated domestic wastewater to surface waters of the State, including wetlands, perennial streams, and unnamed tributaries of named and classified streams where the 7Q10 flow or 30Q2 flow, as defined, of the receiving waterbody is estimated to be low flow or zero flow, from wastewater treatment systems capable of meeting nine specified water quality-based effluent limitations. Defines highly treated domestic wastewater as wastewater effluent from treatment systems that receive flows from sources of domestic wastewater that meet the nine effluent standards set forth.

Lists four parameters that are the only requirements applicable to wastewater discharged authorizes pursuant to this provision, including: (1) barring discharge to classified shellfish waters or outstanding resource waters, excluding unnamed tributaries of classified shellfish waters; (2) capping the limitation for any discharge at no more than one-tenth of the flow generated by the one-year, 24-hour storm event given the drainage area and calculated using the rational method, as defined and described; (3) limiting discharge based on the ability of the receiving waters to hydraulically accept the proposed flow, as demonstrated by being equal to or less than one-tenth of the flow using the rational method; and (4) directing all discharges to buffer systems that use low-energy methods to function as a buffer between the discharge and receiving waters, subject to three listed requirements for buffer systems, including that the system consists of high-rate infiltration basins or other suitable technologies to provide physical or hydraulic residence time buffer between the discharge and the receiving waters. 

Deems a permit application complete for purposes of DEQ review upon the applicant submitting data to demonstrate the proposed discharge will meet all described requirements, signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer.

Directs DEQ to adopt necessary temporary rules within 60 days of the date the act becomes law and that they remain effective until permanent rules become effective. Bars adopting rules imposing additional requirements on permitting the discharge of highly treated domestic wastewater over that established in the act.