WQ0017530_Staff Report_20200128

State of North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources

Water Quality Permitting
Regional Staff Report

FORM: APSRSR 04-10 Page 1 of 4
January 28, 2020

To: DWR Water Quality Permitting Section Central Office Application No.: WQ00017530
Attn: Erick Saunders Regional Login No.:

From: Mikal Willmer
Asheville Regional Office
I. GENERAL SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? Yes or No
a. Date of site visit: 01/28/2020 Compliance Evaluation Inspection
b. Site visit conducted by: Mikal Willmer
c. Inspection report attached? Yes or No (in LF)
d. Person contacted: and their contact information: Mark Teague, ORC (828-506-9450)
e. Driving directions: From Cashiers intersection of Hwy. 64 and Hwy. 107. Travel west on Hwy. 64 for
approximately three miles. Highlands Cove is located on the right.
II. PROPOSED FACILITIES FOR NEW AND MODIFICATION APPLICATIONS
1. Facility Classification: (Please attach completed rating sheet to be attached to issued permit)
2. Are the new treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal system? Yes or No
If no, explain:
3. Are site conditions (soils, depth to water table, etc) consistent with the submitted reports? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
4. Do the plans and site map represent the actual site (property lines, wells, etc.)? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
5. Is the proposed residuals management plan adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
6. Are the proposed application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) acceptable? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
7. Are there any setback conflicts for proposed treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
8. Is the proposed or existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
9. For residuals, will seasonal or other restrictions be required? Yes No N/A
If yes, attach list of sites with restrictions (Certification B)

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6B59AB4-6071-4341-BDAF-FB958F5DDF2F
FORM: APSRSR 04-10 Page 2 of 4
III. EXISTING FACILITIES FOR MODIFICATION AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
1. Are there appropriately certified Operators in Charge (ORCs) for the facility? Yes No N/A
ORC: Mark Teague Certificate #:SI-989074 & WW2-10920 Backup ORC: Brandon Buchannan# SI-
1007996 & WW2-1000794
Mr. Teague indicated he would submit the ORC designation change form to update the system. BIMS still
reflects the old designations.
2. Are the design, maintenance and operation of the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal
system? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
3. Are the site conditions (e.g., soils, topography, depth to water table, etc) maintained appropriately and adequately
assimilating the waste? Yes or No
If no, please explain: This system services a golf course and is well maintained. Highlands Cove has never
spray irrigated the golf course with reclaimed effluent.
4. Has the site changed in any way that may affect the permit (e.g., drainage added, new wells inside the compliance
boundary, new development, etc.)? Yes or No
If yes, please explain: Flow reduction was recently granted by PERCS based on historical flows. This flow
reduction was requested to allow for additional development. The additional new flow was approved by
both PERCS and Non-Discharge. Facility receives flow from part-time residents and should not impact
current application rate requirements and acreage requirements.
5. Is the residuals management plan adequate? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
6. Are the existing application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) still acceptable? Yes or No
If no, please explain: Facility has never irrigated reclaimed effluent onto the golf course.
7. Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
8. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
9. Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? Yes or No
If no, please explain: All monitoring wells were abandoned after the last permit renewal.
10. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
11. Are the monitoring well coordinates correct in BIMS? Yes No N/A
If no, please complete the following (expand table if necessary):
Monitoring Well Latitude Longitude

12. Has a review of all self-monitoring data been conducted (e.g., NDMR, NDAR, GW)? Yes or No N/A
Please summarize any findings resulting from this review: A review of the NDMR data since last permit
renewal shows several frequency violations for turbidity and flow due to the meters being removed in 2015
for repairs. Flow monitoring violations occurred again in 2018 because of an inaccurate flow meter. This
has since been resolved. Several fecal exceedances occurred in 2017/2018 and chlorine tablet feed was
adjusted. Still recommended the UV system be rehabilitated.
13. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6B59AB4-6071-4341-BDAF-FB958F5DDF2F
FORM: APSRSR 04-10 Page 3 of 4

14. Check all that apply:
No compliance issues Current enforcement action(s) Currently under JOC
Notice(s) of violation Currently under SOC Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments
See LF for previous NOVs. Inspection violations were corrected, and flow monitoring issues have been
corrected.
IV. Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain: Appears all monitoring wells were properly abandoned after the last permit renewal .
V. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes No N/A
If yes, please explain:
VI. REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
2. List any items that you would like Non-Discharge Central Office to obtain through an additional information
request:
Item Reason

3. List specific permit conditions recommended to be removed from the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

4. List specific special conditions or compliance schedules recommended to be included in the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

5. Recommendation: Hold, pending receipt and review of additional information by regional office
Hold, pending review of draft permit by regional office
Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
Issue
Deny (Please state reasons: )

6. Signature of report preparer:

Signature of WQ regional supervisor:

Date:
DocuSign Envelope ID: B6B59AB4-6071-4341-BDAF-FB958F5DDF2F
1/29/2020
FORM: APSRSR 04-10 Page 4 of 4
VII. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
Facility has not spray irrigated on the golf course and only once on the irrigation zone directly below the power
line easement. Flow monitoring issues appeared to be resolved since last NOV. New map submitted with
renewal appears to have resolved the compliance boundary issues. Map indicates approximately 38.74 acres
can be used for irrigation based on spray head rotation and setbacks.

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6B59AB4-6071-4341-BDAF-FB958F5DDF2F