NC0049174_Authorization to Construct_20001106

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Bill Holman, Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
November 6, 2000
Ms. Sandi Thompson
Smoketree Lodge
P.O. Box 3407
Boone, North Carolina 28607
AVA
NCDENR
Subject: Authorization to Construct
ATC No. 049174ACA
NPDES Permit No. NC0049174
Smoketree Lodge WWTP
Watauga County
Dear Ms. Thompson:
The Division of Water Quality's NPDES Unit has reviewed your request for an Authorization to
Construct at the Smoketree Lodge WWTP. The Division finds the proposed improvements and
design to be satisfactory and hereby grants authorization for the following:
• installation of a Purestream Model P/E-15 upflow sludge blanket filter (USBF) wastewater
treatment plant, to replace the existing treatment plant;
• installation of an ultraviolet radiation disinfection system;
• modifications to the existing plant, to provide flow equalization and sludge holding capacity;
and
• construction and installation of all related structures, piping, controls, and other
appurtenances as described in the approved project plans and specifications.
This approval is conditioned upon the Permittee maintaining a spare set of lamps and other critical
parts for the UV system, to ensure that the disinfection system performs reliably and effectively.
Upon completion of these improvements and submittal of the Engineer's Certification (see below),
the approved average design capacity of the treatment facilities shall be 0.010 MGD.
This Authorization to Construct is issued in accordance with Part III, Paragraph A of NPDES
Permit No. NC0049174 issued February 23, 1998, and shall be subject to revocation unless the
wastewater treatment facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions and limitations
specified in that permit.
Performance Requirement
In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance
conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including those as may be required
by this Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater treatment or
disposal facilities.
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/

Smoketree Lodge \X WTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0049174
ATC No. 049174ACA
Page 2
One issue that arose during the design review was the need for additional sludge storage. The
Division is requires 30 days worth of sludge storage, and the approved design uses a portion of the
existing treatment tank for this. Some of the comments accompanying the revised design indicated
there would be little need for this storage if the USBF system is performing adequately. Please note
that proper operation of an activated sludge plant such as this always requires some deliberate
"wasting" of the biosolids. It is not acceptable to passively waste by allowing the solids to be
discharged in the effluent, even if the suspended solids concentrations comply with the permit
limitation.
Additional Conditions
The Permittee shall notify the Winston-Salem Regional Office, telephone number [phone], at
least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities, so that an in -place
inspection can be made. Such notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during the
normal office hours of 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding State
Holidays.
Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of the modified facility, the Permittee shall
provide the Division with a certification from a professional engineer certifying that the permitted
facility has been installed in accordance with the NPDES Permit, this Authorization to Construct,
and the approved plans and specifications. Mail the Certification to the NPDES Unit, 1617 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
The Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to be in responsible
charge (ORC) of the wastewater treatment facilities. The operator must hold a certificate of the type
and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification assigned to the wastewater
treatment facilities by the Certification Commission. The Permittee must also employ a certified
back-up operator of the appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions of Title 15A,
Chapter 8G, .0200. The ORC must visit the facility at least weekly (for a Class I facility) or at least
daily (for Class II, III, and IV facilities), excluding weekends and holidays. Further, the ORC must
properly manage and document daily operation and maintenance of the facility and comply with all
other conditions of Title 15A, Chapter 8G, .0200.
The Operational Agreement between the Permittee and the Environmental Management
Commission is incorporated herein by reference and is a condition of this Permit. Noncompliance
with the terms of the Operational Agreement shall subject the Permittee to all sanctions provided by
G. S. 143-215.6 for violation of or failure to act in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Permit.
Failure to abide by the requirements contained in this Authorization to Construct may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance with North
Carolina General Statute 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.
The issuance of this Authorization to Construct does not preclude the Permittee from complying
with any and all statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other
government agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.
The Permittee shall maintain a copy of the approved plans and specifications on file for the life of
the facility. One (1) copy of the approved plans and specifications is enclosed for your records.

Smoketree Lodge WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0049174
ATC No. 049174ACA
Page 3
If you have any questions about this Authorization to Construct, please contact Mike Templeton, at
[phone], extension 541.
Sincerely,
E__,
Kerr T. Stevens
Director
Enclosures: Approved Project Plans and Specifications
Engineer's Certification Form
cc: Winston-Salem Regional Office, Water Quality (w/ approved plans and specifications)
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Central Files
NPDES Unit Files
Mr. Charles H. Davis, Jr., P.E. (w/ certification form)
Atlantic Plan Engineering Corp.
P.O. Box 1691
Hickory, NC 28603