NC0026557_NOVNOI2021LV0335_RESP_20210514

Town of Bryson City
Municipal Office
P.O. Box 726
Bryson City, NC 287I3
Telephone (828) 48&3335
Fax [phone]
May 14, 2021
' Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Subject: Response to Notice of Violation
Nov-2021-LV-0335
Permit No. NCO026557
Bryson City WWTP
Swain County
The Town of Bryson City has taken the following actions in response to the Notice of Violation and Intent
to Assess Civil Penalty letter dated May 6, 2021 for exceeding the monthly average at the wastewater
treatment plant.
We experienced several high flow days with a couple of days of heavy rain during the month of March and
we continue to battle Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) in our system. We have taken the following steps to
address the Inflow and Infiltration (1&I) in our system:
1) We originally ieceived $95,000 for an Asset Inventory and Assessment Grant (AIA). Recently,
we were awarded an additional $55,000 AIA grant to continue the evaluation of our collection
system. This funding has been and will continue to be used to conduct a comprehensive
infiltration/inflow evaluation of our sanitary sewer collection system. The results are being used
to help the Town prioritize the areas to repair and/or replace within the sewer system which will
have the most impact in reducing I&I. Flow meters, smoke testing, and video inspections of the
sewer lines will continue to be performed. McGill Associates, the engineer responsible for
completing the study will be putting together a comprehensive report.
2) From the initial study above, the Town has completed 10 projects which addressed Inflow and
Infiltration in the sewer collection system. Also, McGill used the information to apply for a
Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant (SEARCH) through
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin the process of a new wastewater
treatment facility. However, because of the large amount of I&I in our system, USDA is requiring
2 phases of the project. The first will be 6 areas of sewer line replacement to reduce the I&I. The
second phase will be a new/rehab wastewater treatment facility.
3) We are working with USDA for funding to begin Phase I of the Sewer Collection System
Rehabilitation Project. This project total is $8,780,OOD. The following is a breakdown of the
financial loan/grant:
Town Loan-$6,671,000
USDA Grant-$1,779.000
SEARCH Grant-$30,000
ARC Grant-$300,000
Mayor TamSuYton $oard of Aldermen Benjamin king Tanine Crisp, I�eidi Ramsey-Woodard&Chad Smith
Regina Mathis, Tawn Manager FredtYloody Jr., TawnAYtorney CarlaPassmore Tax Collector Lynn Thomas; Tawn Clerk
Tom Shoolr, Public Works Supervisor
In accordance with Federallaw and U.S. Department ofAgriculture policy, this institution is prohibiiedfram discrinrv:ating on the basis of race, color,
national arigu; age, disability, religion, sex, andfamilial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to aIIprograms). To fde a complaint of discrimination, write
i7SDA, Director, Office ofC6'il Rights, Z400JndependenceAvenue, S.W., Washungton, D.0 20250-94Z0 or call (86t7632-9992 (English) or (800)877-
8339(TDD) or [phone](English Federal-relay)or (800)845-6Z36 (Spanish -relay).

4) Last, the Town of Bryson City was just awarded $1,492,6000 from a Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) for the Carringer Street Sewer Improvements Project which includes the
replacement of approximately 4,100 linear feet of dilapidated existing 8-inch clay and smaller
gravity sewer lines with new 8-inch lines, along with manholes and related appurtenances, serving
residences on Carringer Street and Main Street. Town sewer lines found in the project area smaller
than 8-inches in diameter will be replaced with 8-inch lines in order to meet North Carolina
minimum design criteria.
The Town
would appreciate any relief from the civil penalty
as we are trying to address s.problem as
quickly as
possible. The Town
is also continuing to work in
repairing and replacing old sewer .lines that are
allowing I&I into our system. I
appreciate any feedback or consideration in this matter.
Please contact me if you have additional questions concerning this response.
Sincerely, ►�Y�nlf
Reg na athis� \�
Town anager, Bryson City
828-488-3335
828-736-7448
[e-mail]
Mayor Tom Sutton .board ofALdermren Benjamin%ing, Tanine Crisp, Seid Ramsey -Woodard &ChadSmiUz
ReginaMaU:is•, Town Manager FredMoady Jr., Town Attorney Carla Passmore, Tax Collector Lynn Thomas, Tawn Clerk
TomShoolS Public Works Supervisor
In accordance With Federal law and U.S. DeptaYment afAgriculturepoZicy, Ibis institution isprohibitedfrom discriminating on the basis of race, color,
notional origin, age, disability, religion, set andfamilial st¢tus. (Not aZTprohibited baser apply to allprograms). To fire a complaint of discriminaion, write
USDA, Dvector, Office o}'CivilRig7us; Z4007ndependenceAvenue, S.W, Waslunglon, D.0 20250A4Z0 or call [phone] (English) or (800)877-
8339(ZDD) or (866)3�7-8642(English Federal-re7ay)or (800)8454136 (Spanish-reZay).