WQ0039053_Staff Report_20211005

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
October 5, 2021

To: DWR Water Quality Permitting Section Central Office Application No.: WQ0039503
Attn: Erick Saunders Regional Login No.:

From: Mikal Willmer
Asheville Regional Office
I. GENERAL SITE VISIT INFORMATION
a. Was a site visit conducted? Yes or
b. Date of site visit: 10/5/2021
c. Site visit conducted by: Mikal Willmer.
d. Inspection report attached? Yes or No In BIMS/LF.
e. Person contacted: Kevin Matheson (Rhodhiss WTP Superintendent) and their contact information: 828-757-
4460
e. Driving directions: Take I-40 E to exit 113 and turn left. Continue onto Malcolm Blvd for 3.4 miles and
then Connelly Springs Rd for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto dry ponds rd and continue for 3.3 miles, turn
right onto waterworks rd. The plant will be 0.9 miles on the left.
f.
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: 13412C50-C87E-4B45-970A-439D5806CF58
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: NA Certificate #:NA Backup ORC: NA Certificate #:NA
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 NA
If no, please explain:
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:
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 NA
If no, please explain:
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: .
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
12. If no, please complete the following (expand table if necessary):

Monitoring Well Latitude Longitude
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
13. Has a review of all self-monitoring data been conducted (e.g., NDMR, NDAR, GW)? Yes or No
Please summarize any findings resulting from this review: The ARO does not receive Annual Reports
submitted by Bio-Nomic for review. The WTP Residual DCAR permit for Bio-Nomic is currently
permitted with the Mooresville Regional Office. Lenoir has hauled City residuals to the landfill until their
thermal belt dryer is fully operational under their Class A Permit WQ0010059. Bio-Nomic indicated no
residuals were hauled from the WTP in 2021. The City indicated Bio-Nomic only hauls residuals from the
WTP when the lagoon needs to be dredged.
14. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:

15. Check all that apply:
No compliance issues Current enforcement action(s) Currently under JOC
DocuSign Envelope ID: 13412C50-C87E-4B45-970A-439D5806CF58
FORM: APSRSR 04-10 Page 3 of 4
Notice(s) of violation Currently under SOC Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments (i.e., NOV, NOD, etc.)
16. Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
17. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes No N/A
If yes, please explain:
IV. 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 WQROS regional supervisor:

Date:

V. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
No noted issues related to the Rhodhiss WTP residuals source facility. Lenoir typically processes all residuals in house and only
contracts Bio-Nomic when dredging is required. There is limited potential of a discharge due to the topography of the lagoon. Bio-
DocuSign Envelope ID: 13412C50-C87E-4B45-970A-439D5806CF58
10/6/2021
FORM: APSRSR 04-10 Page 4 of 4
Nomic did not need to use a mobile belt-filter press during the last distribution, as referenced in their process flow narrative.
Residuals were dredged and staged on the edge of the lagoon for distribution.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 13412C50-C87E-4B45-970A-439D5806CF58