NC0036935_Treatment System Evaluation Summary_20201202

December 2, 2020
NC Dept. of Environmental Quality -Div. of Water Resources
Asheville Regional Office
2090 US 70 Highway 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28779
Attn. Mr. G. Landon Davidson, PG
Regional Supervisor, Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Subject: Pine Mtn. Lakes WWTP and Sewer Collection
System-NPDES NC0036935-Burke County
Treatment System Evaluation per Section
A.(3). of NPDES NC0036935
Dear Mr. Davidson,
Per conditions in Pine Mtn. Lakes recently issued NPDES permit NC0036935 in Burke County; Pine Mountain Lakes &
POA offer the following 'Bullet Points', as an evaluation of the current WWTP and Sewer Collection system serving Pine
Mtn Lakes POA (property owners association) to meet section A.(3) NPDES permit requirements. This document is set to
list WWTP area first and then Sewer Collection system. We have replaced Environlink as our operator and secured the
wastewater treatment and sewer collection services from Mr. Don Price, Grade 4 Bio. Certification 10536, and Grade 4
Collection certification of 991335. He is also doing our well water system.
W WTP-
• A current review of the operation of the 20,000 GPD Package WWTP and Chlorine dissipation pond is under way
with the inclusion of Influent BOD & TSS monitoring to determine the loading rates and characteristics on the
WWTP. After loading rates can be determined, a determination can then be made on solids/sludge production
/accumulation, and a more defined wasting schedule determined. This should take about 90 days and is weather
dependent and dependent on system usage, which as you are aware can be seasonal. There are only about 30
townhouses, the motel/Christian center, POA office and Golf shop on the WWTP. The process Control plan and
reporting document referenced in our renewed permit has been implemented with the addition of a time
in/time out column for the ORC.
• The current chlorine dissipation pond, as it's referred to, but also functions as a polishing pond is also currently
being reviewed for loading and operation. As you are aware, there is an accumulation of 'Duck Weed' on the
surface of the pond. Plans are being made to manually remove the duckweed and could possibly take until
spring of 2021, late March or April depending on weather and additional outside contactor assistance that may
be needed. Other issues with the polishing pond are to get duckweed off and create conditions to prevent it
from re -occurring. My thought is to add diffused aeration to the pond to accomplish this. The question is, will
Pine Mtn. Lakes be required to apply for and receive an A to C (authorization to construct) prior to adding
aeration to the pond? The addition of aeration would also serve as a deterrent to animals and varmints taking
up residence in and around the pond. Pine Mtn. would also like to inquire about being allowed to shore up and
secure the pond's embankment and impoundment area adjacent to White Oak creek. This area is showing
indications or potential breech if efforts aren't made to prevent this. Is there a Nationwide 401 permit Pine Mtn.
could follow to address this? Finally, in regards to adding a liner to the pond, after review and determination of
installing a liner, will Pine Mtn. be required to apply for and receive an A to C for this?

Pine Mtn. Lakes Treatment System, NC0036935
Evaluation. Page 2
WWTP Cont'd.
• Stand-by generator- The current stand-by generator is being evaluated for possible 're-build/retrofit', but this
may not be feasible due to age and condition. Don Price has been researching for possible used units that could
be used to meet stand-by power requirements. This may take a little while, would request a 6 month time frame
to get completed.
• Effluent flow meter — an ISCO model 3010 ultrasonic flow meter was installed on Nov. 30, 2020, and has been
put in service on same day. It does continuous recording on a 'flash drive', which is changed out on a 30 day
interval. We have been taking a visual reading and recording flow for the day. Prior to this, Don Price was
reading staff gauge and weir on effluent WWTP and making estimate based on reading.
Sewer Collection System
• Plans to conduct a visual inspection of the sewer collection system and associated manholes is planned for early
spring 2021, when weather conditions allow for and volunteer assistance can be scheduled. Pine Mtn. will also
secure dye tablets to conduct dye testing of the manholes and cleanouts within the system, with additional
focus being made to areas located adjacent to and in close proximity to any streams. Pine Mtn. will request
smoke test machine loan from ARO-Water Quality Regional Operations section, to conduct in-house smoke
testing in early spring 2021. In conducting visual observations and dye testing, Pine Mtn. plans to GPS manholes
and review/update existing sewer maps to follow requirements of 15A NCAC 02T .0403, Permitting by regulation
(deemed permitted). Pine Mtn. plans to use this as guidance in operation of the sewer collections system within
its purview. Additionally, Pine Mtn. plans to develop and implement a 'Sewer Use Policy/Ordinance' for the
existing collection system within its covenant and allowances. After smoke testing, dye testing, and evaluation of
data from the efforts are obtained, Pine Mtn will provide a list of corrective actions and time line for their
implementation. An estimated date for completion of this process is early to mid -summer 2021, about early
June -July period.
Pine Mtn. request input from the Asheville Regional Office regarding this plan to meet section A.(3). of NPDES permit
NC0036935 and the other items listed above. Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact
828-437-4894 or email [e-mail]. We look forward to hearing from you and your assistance in
helping us meet our NPDES permit and complying with the regulations.
Sincerely,
Edith Stitts, Pine Mtn. POA President
Cc: Linda Wiggs — NCDEQ-DWR-ARO
Don Price -Pine Mtn. Lakes WWTP ORC