NC0020290_Support Letters NCWRC_20200302

I North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 0
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Landon Davidson, Regional Supervisor — Asheville Regional Office
NC Division of Water Resources
FROM: David Cox, Supervisor
Habitat Conservation Division
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DATE: 28 February 2020
SUBJECT: Burnsville Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovations
On January 31, 2020, NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) staff were made aware of
equipment failures at the Burnsville wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), resulting in a reduced
capacity to treat waste. Specifically, its 300,000 gpd unit is now inoperable, leaving only a
500,000 gpd unit to treat the town's wastewater. NC Division of Water Resources (NCDWR)
staff have stated that the currently operating unit is generally capable of adequately treating the
incoming waste stream during dry periods. However, the WWTP is experiencing hydraulic
overload during significant rain events, likely resulting in release of semi -treated waste to the
receiving stream, the Cane River.
The Cane River is a very important ecological resource. The NC Natural Heritage Program
recognizes this river as the Cane River Aquatic Habitat, rated Very High due to the richness of
rare species it supports. Currently, the river supports a number of rare and listed species, and in
the immediate vicinity of the wastewater discharge, Appalachian Elktoe (US and NC
Endangered), Wavy -rayed Lampmussel (NC Special Concern), Eastern Hellbender (US Federal
Species of Concern, NC Special Concern), Striped Shiner (NC Special Concern), and Blotched
Chub (NC Significantly Rare) are found. Further downstream, there are many more state listed
and rare fishes found. These species, plus numerous common species, are sensitive to various
types of pollutants associated with inadequately treated waste.
Problems at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in 2008 negatively impacted the aquatic
community in the Cane River, essentially eliminating the endangered Appalachian Elktoe for
many miles downstream. Biologists have been working to reintroduce this species and another
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

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mussel species to the river. These animals are again at risk due to the current limitations of
Burnsville's wastewater treatment plant.
To minimize impacts to the aquatic community in the Cane River, it is important to repair
Burnsville's wastewater treatment plant as soon as possible. The Town of Burnsville is working
with its consultant and NCDWR staff to develop short-term and long-term solutions to this
problem. To minimize effects to the aquatic community, we recommend these items be
addressed:
• Reduce/minimize the release untreated/inadequately treated waste to the river.
• To reduce public health risks associated with bacterial contamination in the Cane River,
the WWTP is increasing the amount of chlorine used in disinfection. De -chlorination is
being used to remove residual chlorine from the treated waste before it is discharged to
the stream. As chlorine can be toxic to aquatic life, chlorination must be done very
carefully and judiciously, coupled with adequate and effective de -chlorination.
• It is extremely important that the industrial operations that tie into the Burnsville
WWTP observe strict pre-treatment protocols.
• Due to chlorine toxicity to aquatic organisms, NCWRC strongly recommends that the
WWTP upgrades involve a shift from chlorination to UV disinfection methods.
We appreciate the NCDWR's work with the Town of Burnsville and the continued coordination
with the Town and resource agencies. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Andrea Leslie at andrea.leslie(kncwildlife.org, 828-400-4223.
ec: Bryan Tompkins, US Fish and Wildlife Service