NC0026557_Support Letter for DWI Grant Application_20220211

February 11, 2022

Ken Pohlig, P.E. - Supervisor: Wastewater Projects Unit
Division of Water Infrastructure
1633 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4633

SUBJECT: Bryson City Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project DWI Grant
Application - American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds
Swain County, NC

Dear Mr. Pohlig:

Thank you for your consideration of the grant application for the Bryson City Wastewater
Treatment Plant (WWTP) Improvement Project. As the DWR Environmental Engineer and
Environmental Specialist assigned to this municipality, we are very familiar with the continued
infrastructure challenges posed as well as significant efforts made by town leadership to date.

The Bryson City WWTP continues to receive numerous violations for chronic non-compliance.
These NOVs are directly related to aging wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure, and
the WWTP regularly exceeds 90% of permitted annual flow. Chronic violations for BOD5 and flow
resulted in a Sewer Line Moratorium in 2021. DEQ inspections of the facility performed in recent
years cited non-compliance due to aging components. The collection system also experiences
frequent overflows during rain events, and has been cited for multiple illegal discharges.

Bryson City leadership is currently in the final stages of entering into a Special Order of Consent
(SOC) with DEQ, which is a major step in the commitment to upgrade and repair critical
infrastructure.

The ability to secure funding and complete these critical improvements will directly impact a return
to compliance, and ultimately benefit the environment and public health in the area. We are in full
support of these efforts.

Sincerely,

Tim Heim, P.E., Env. Engineer Lauren Armeni, Env. Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office Asheville Regional Office
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