WQ0010878_Final Permit_20001205

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Wayne McDevitt, Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
December 5, 2000
Mr. Bill Stevens
Maharishi Spiritual Center of America
West Ridge Campus
639 Whispering Hills Road, Suite 812
Boone, NC 28605
01W'A
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NCDENR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES"
Subject: Permit No. WQ0010878
Maharishi Spiritual Center of
America West Ridge Campus
Wastewater Drip Irrigation
Watauga County
Dear Mr. Stevens:
In accordance with your application received October I, 2000 we are forwarding herewith Permit No.
WQ0010878, dated December 5, 2000, to Maharishi Spiritual Center of America West Ridge Campus for the
modification and continued operation of the subject wastewater treatment and drip irrigation facilities. This
permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until May 31, 2004, and shall be subject to the conditions
and Iimitations as specified therein. The permit has been modified to increase the allowable yearly loading
rate on the drip fields from 39 inches per year to 117 inches per year and to change the name from Heavenly
Mountain Resort West Ridge Campus to Maharishi Spiritual Center of America West Ridge Campus. The
requirements to sample the horizontals wells have being deleted based on the findings of the -investigations
performed at the site, however the permitee may continue sampling as deemed necessary. Please pay
particular attention to the monitoring requirements in this permit. Failure to establish an adequate system for
collecting and maintaining the required operational information will result in future compliance problems.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the right
to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following receipt of this permit.
This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina
General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh,
NC 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding.
PO Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Empfoyer 50% recycled/10% post -consumer paper

If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Teresa Rodriguez at (919)
733-5083 extension 358.
/Since
Kerr T. Stevens
cc: Watauga County Health Department -- -
Recil H. Wright P.E., Wright and Associates
Winston-Salem Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANACEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM PERMIT
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina as
amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations
PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO
Maharishi Spiritual Center of America — West Ridge Campus
Watauga County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 50,000 GPD wastewater treatment consisting of a single train 50,000 gpd package
plant with bar screen, a 17,500 gallon equalization basin with dual 80 GPM pumps, a 50,000 gallon aeration
chamber with three 335 SCFM blowers, a 20,000 gallon sludge holding chamber, dual hopper bottom
clarifiers, dual 21.25 square feet tertiary filters, a tablet chlorinator, a 1,000,000 gallon storage tank, a 500,000
gallon storage tank, an on site emergency generator (capable of effective operation of the treatment plant), and
a drip irrigation system consisting of a "Perc-Rite" control/filtration system; a "Perc-Rite" drip irrigation
system consisting of eight separate drip zones totaling approximately 88,000 linear feet of drip line over
approximately 12 acres; and all associated piping, valves, controls, alarms, meters, and appurtenances to serve
the Maharishi Spiritual Center of America West Ridge Campus, pursuant to the application received October
1, 2000, and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other supporting data subsequently filed
and approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until May 31, 2004, and shall be subject to the
following specified conditions and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The drip irrigation facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated at all times so that there
is no discharge to the surface waters, nor any contamination of ground waters which will render
them unsatisfactory for normal use. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily,
including the creation of nuisance conditions or failure of the irrigation area to adequately
assimilate the wastewater, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective actions including those
actions that may be required by the Division of Water Quality (Division), such as the construction
of additional or replacement wastewater treatment and disposal facilities.
2. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages to
surface or groundwaters resulting from the operation of this facility.
The residuals generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed in accordance with
General Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.

4. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.
5. The following buffers shall be maintained:
a) 100 feet between wetted area and any residence or places of public assembly under separate
ownership,
b) 50 feet between wetted area and property lines,
c) 100 feet between wetted area and wells, r_..._
d) 200 feet between wetted area and surface water bodies,
e) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways,
f) 25 feet between wetted area and drainageways,
g) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and wells, and
h) 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines*.
*The buffer reduction to 15 feet has been approved for this specific case between the
wastewater treatment facility and the property line.
II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
2. Upon classification of the facility by the Water PoIIution Control System Operators Certification
Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant
operator to be in responsible charge (ORC) of the wastewater treatment facilities. The operator
must hold a certificate of the type and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification
assigned to the wastewater treatment facilities by the WPCSOCC. The Pernttee must also
employ a certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and grade to comply with the
conditions of 15A NCAC 8A .0202. The ORC of the facility must visit each Class I facility at
least weekly and each Class II, JII, and IV facility at least daily, excluding weekends and holidays,
and must properly manage and document daily operation and maintenance of the facility and must
comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC 8A .0202. Once the facility is classified, the
Permittee must submit a letter to the WPCSOCC which designates the operator in responsible
charge within thirty days after the wastewater treatment facilities are 50% complete.
A suitable year round vegetative cover of the drip irrigation area shall be maintained.
4. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition
that will cause runoff.
Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the spray field.
b. The facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to prevent
the discharge of any wastewater resulting from the operation of this facility.
7. The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 117 inches over any twelve (12)
month period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.2 inches per hour.
No type of wastewater other than that froze. Maharishi Spiritual Center of America West Ridge
Campus shall be sprayed onto the drip irrigation area.
9. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or
while normal maintenance is being performed.
10. Public access to the land application sites shall be controlled during active site use.
2

III_ MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses) deemed
necessary by the Division to insure surface and ground water protection will be established and an
acceptable sampling reporting schedule shall be followed.
2. Adequate records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking the amount of wastewater
disposed. These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following
information:
a. date of irrigation,
b. volume of wastewater irrigated,
c. field irrigated,
d. length of time Feld is irrigated,
e. continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date hydraulic (inches/acre) loadings for each field,
f. weather conditions, and
g. maintenance of cover crops.
3. Influent flow shall be continuously monitored and daily flow values shall be reported on Form
NDMR.
The Permittee shall install an appropriate flow measurement device consistent with approved
engineering and scientific practices to ensure the accuracy and reliability of influent flow
measurement. Flow measurement devices selected shall be capable of measuring flows with a
maximum deviation of less than 10 percent from true flow, accurately calibrated at a minimum of
once per year, and maintained to ensure that the accuracy of the measurements is consistent with
the accepted capability of that type of device. Records of flow measurement device calibration
shall be kept on file by the Permittee for a period of at least three years. At a minimum, data to be
included in this documentation shall be:
a. Date of flow measurement device calibration
b. Name of person performing calibration
c. Percent from true flow
4. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to
irrigation monthly for the following parameters:
BOD5 TSS
Fecal Coliform pH
NH3 as N NO3 as N
TKN
5. Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition III 2) on Farm
NDAR-1 and three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition 1113 and III
4) on Form NDMR-1 shall be submitted on or before the last day of the following month. All
information shall be submitted to the following address:
NC Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
3

7. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Winston-Salem Regional Office, telephone number
[phone], as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours or on the next working day
following the occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of any of the following:
a. Any occurrence at the wastewater treatment facility which results in the treatment of
significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such as the
dumping of the contents of a sludge digester; the known passage of a slug of hazardous
substance through the facility; or any other unusual circumstances.
b. Any process unit failure, due w-known or. unknown reasons, that render the facility incapable
of adequate wastewater treatment such as mechanical or electrical failures of pumps, aerators,
compressors, etc.
c. Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or treatment facility resulting in a by-pass
directly to receiving waters without treatment of all or any portion of the influent to such
station or facility.
d. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out of
compliance with its permit limitations.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form
within five (5) days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report must outline the
actions taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.
IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
1. A buffer distance of no less than five (5) feet shall separate the drip irrigation lines from any
surface rock outcrops of significant size. This requirement will be evaluated at the time of
dripfield installation, and the Engineer's Certification will report the compliance with this
condition.
2. In consideration of the steep and potentially unstable slopes of the area, drip irrigation lines shall
not be installed in areas with significant accumulations of rocks greater than 3 inches in diameter.
This restriction pertains to the area delineated on Attachment A near the center of Zone 7.
3. Any groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be provided.
4. The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15A
NCAC 2L, Groundwater Classifications and Standards. The Compliance Boundary is for the
disposal system constructed after December 31, 1983 is established at either (1) 250 feet from the
waste disposal area, or (2) 50 feet within the property boundary, whichever is closest to the waste
disposal area. An exceedance of Groundwater Quality Standards at or beyond the Compliance
Boundary is subject to immediate remediation action in addition to the penalty provisions
applicable under General Statute 143-215.6A(a)(1).
In accordance with 15A NCAC 2L, a REVIEW BOUNDARY is established around the disposal
systems midway between the Compliance Boundary and the perimeter of the waste disposal area.
Any exceedance of standards at the Review Boundary shall require remediation action on the part
of the permittee.
4

V. INSPECTIONS
1. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure
proper operation of the subject facilities.
2. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and disposal facilities to
prevent malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors and discharges which may cause or lead to
the release of wastes to the environment, a threat to human health, or a nuisance. This shall.~.... -
include at a minimum a quarterly inspection of each linear foot of dripline for proper
function. The Permittee shall keep an inspection log or summary including at least the date and
time of inspection, observations made, and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken
by the Permittee. This log of inspections shall be maintained by the Permittee for a period of three
years from the date of the inspection and shall be made available upon request to the Division or
other permitting authority.
Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division may, upon presentation
of credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on or related to the disposal site or
facility at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this permit; may
inspect or copy any records that trust be maintained under the terms and conditions of this permit,
and may obtain samples of groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. This permit shall become voidable unless the facilities are constructed in accordance with the
conditions of this permit, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting data.
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the
application and other supporting data.
3. This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to change ownership,
or there is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must be submitted to the
Division accompanied by an application fee, documentation from the parties involved, and other
supporting materials as may be appropriate. The approval of this request will be considered on its
merits and may or may not be approved.
4. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General
Statute 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.
The issuance of this permit does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and all
statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other government agencies
(local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.
6. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee
for the life of the project.
7. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee within thirty (30)
days after being billed by the Division. Failure to pay the fee accordingly may cause the Division
to initiate action to revoke this permit as specified by 15A NCAC 2.H .0205 (c)(4).
8. The Permittee, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permit, shall request its
extension. Upon receipt of the request, the Commission will review the adequacy of the facilities
described therein, and if warranted, will extend the permit for such period of time and under such
conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate.

Permit issued this the 5"" day of December, 2000
NORTH C OLINA ENy RYNMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
./ Kerr T. Stevens, Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ001087$ -- -
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FIGURE 1
�2g0a } HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT
SCALE IN FEET MODIFICATION OF DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM
0 2,000 4,000 - :a �; '� WATAUGA COUNTY
WQ00108781GW2q'zz%Vi
i� \ `� L '�•`', SITE JA")< A'F'Tr)N -n n
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