NC0059200_Authorization to Construct_20031031

W. LEE FLEMING, JR. ENGINEERING
503 Oberlin Road, Suite 204
Raleigh, N.C. 27605
Office: 919/833-1234
Fax: [phone]
US MAIL THIS DATE
October 31, 2003
. Alan W. Klimek, PE Director
'vision of Water Quality
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
1617 Mail Services Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617
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RE: Trillium WWTP Expansion Authorization to Construct Final Certification (01-22)
Permit Number NC0059200, Jackson County
Dear Mr. Klimek:
It is with great pleasure that we can inform you of the completion of construction for the subject project.
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a statement concerning the construction of this facility.
This statement is required by the Authorization to Construct dated March 4, 2003.
To the best of our knowledge, after making three site visits, the installation of the expansion of the
Trillium wastewater treatment plant, to a rated capacity of 40,000 gallons per day, was constructed in
substantial conformance with the Authorization to Construct and the approved plans and specifications.
It is our understanding that Mr. Phil Ward, with Trillium has found that the plant construction is
acceptable and that he has notified the DWQ Asheville Regional Office, with a 48 hour notice, that the
plant is ready for operation. Finally, we have included a completed form which was attached to she
issued A to C.
Should questions arise concerning this letter, or the subject project, please feel free to contact our office.
Sincerely yours,
(,c)•
W. Lee Fleming, J t NCPE #9262 N0' •
cc: Mr. Phil Ward, ASLA W\ Trillium
Mr. Greg Ward, Attorney W\Trillium
DWQ NPDES Permit Unit
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Trillium Links & Village, LLC
Trillium Links & Village WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0059200
ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATION
FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
I, W. Lee Fleming, Jr PE , am a duly registered Professional Engineer
(please print)
in the State of North Carolina and have been authorized to observe (circle one: full-time, weekly,
periodically) the construction of the subject project for the Permittee:
ATC No.: 059200A01
Project: WWTP Expansion
Location: Trillium Links & Village WWTP
Cashiers, North Carolina
Jackson County
The project consists of:
• installation of a new, dual -train, 40,000 gpd package wastewater treatment plant, including:
o activated sludge treatment system (36-hour detention time at average design flow) with
phased -flow capability,
o dual -media tertiary filter system,
o effluent disinfection and dechlorination system, and
o post -aeration;
• conversion of the existing treatment plant to provide:
O 20,000 gal flow equalization chamber with new flow splitter box, and
O 7,400 gal sludge holding chamber;
• installation of an effluent pump in the existing effluent manhole;
• installation of a new 75 KW standby power generator; and
• construction of all related structures, equipment, piping, controls, and other appurtenances, as
presented in the proposed plans and specifications.
I hereby certify that I did regularly observe this project with due care and diligence and that the
construction was completed in substantial conformance with the Authorization to Construct and
with the approved plans and specifications. 4t�l il'1roto1/jra
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Signature
Date
October 31, 2003 Registration No. NC 9262
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 cert:fijing that the permitted facility has been installed in accordance with the NPDES
Permit, this Authorization to Construct, and the approved plans and specifications.
The Certification should be submitted to:
NCDENR/DWQ, NPDES Unit,1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
March 4, 2003
Mr. S. C. Culbreth, Jr.
Trillium Links & Village, LLC
48 Links Drive
P.O. Box 2644
Cashiers, North Carolina 28717
AVA
NCDENR
Subject: Authorization to Construct
ATC No. 059200A01
Trillium Links & Village WWTP
Jackson County
Dear Mr. Culbreth:
The Division of Water Quality's NPDES Unit has reviewed your request for an Authorization to
Construct (ATC) for the expansion of the Trillium Links & Village WWTP and has considered
additional design information provided by Lee Fleming, Jr., on your behalf. The Division finds the
proposed improvements and design to be satisfactory and hereby grants authorization for the
following:
• installation of a new, dual -train, 40,000 gpd package wastewater treatment plant, including:
o activated sludge treatment system (36-hour detention time at average design flow) with
phased -flow capability,
o dual -media tertiary filter system,
o effluent disinfection and dechlorination system, and
o post -aeration;
• conversion of the existing treatment plant to provide:
O 20,000 gal flow equalization chamber with new flow splitter box, and
O 7,400 gal sludge holding chamber;
• installation of an effluent pump in the existing effluent manhole;
• installation of a new 75 KW standby power generator; and
• construction of all related structures, equipment, piping, controls, and other appurtenances,
as presented in the proposed plans and specifications.
This Authorization to Construct is issued in accordance with Part III, Paragraph A of NPDES Permit
No. NC0059200, issued March 9,1998, and shall be subject to revocation unless the wastewater
treatment facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions and limitations specified in
that permit and this ATC.
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer On the Internet at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/NPDES

4.
ATC No. 059200A01
Trillium Links & Village WWTP
Page 2
Upon completion of construction and submittal of an acceptable Engineer's Certification (see below),
the approved design capacity of the facility shall be increased to 0.04 MGD.
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.
Notification Requirements
The Permittee shall notify the Asheville 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.
Engineering Certification
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 registered in North Carolina
certifying that the permitted facility has been installed in accordance with the NPDES Permit, this
Authorization to Construct, and the approved plans and specifications. The certification should be
mailed to the NPDES Unit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617.
ORC Requirements
The Permittee must continue to employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator 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 of the facility must visit each Class I facility at least weekly and
each Class II, III, and IV facility at least daily, excluding weekends and holidays; and must properly
manage and document daily operation and maintenance of the facility and comply with all other
conditions of Title 15A, Chapter 8G, .0200.
Additional Conditions
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 relieve the Permittee from its responsibility
to comply with any and all statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances that may be imposed by other
government agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.
a

ATC No. 059200A01
Trillium Links & Village WWTP
Page 3
The Permittee shall maintain a copy of the approved plans and specifications on file for the life of
the facility.
If you have any questions about this Authorization to Construct, please contact Mike Templeton, at
[phone], extension 541.
Sincerely,
,r,r Alan W. Klimek, P.E.
Enclosures: Approved Plans & Specifications, 059200A01
Engineer's Certification Form
Copies: Mr. Lee Fleming, Jr. (w/ cert. form) - W. Lee Fleming, Jr. Engineering
503 Oberlin Road, Suite 204
Raleigh, NC 27605
Asheville Regional Office, Water Quality (w/ plans & specs)
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Central Files
NPDES Unit Files

ATC SUMMARY
Trillium Links & Village, LLC
Trillium Links & Village WWTP
ATC No. 059200A01
UT to Thorpe Lake/ Hurricane Creek, Class WS-III & B HQW
Little Tennessee River Basin
Jackson County
SCOPE
Trillium Links & Village, LLC proposes to replace the existing 0.020 MGD Trillium Links & Village
WWTP with a new 0.040 MGD plant.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Approve the ATC request, received February S, 2002, and amended March 3, 2003.
PROTECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed improvements consist of:
• installation of a new, dual -train, 40,000 gpd package wastewater treatment plant, including:
o activated sludge treatment system (36-hour detention time at average design flow) with phased -
flow capability,
o dual -media tertiary filter system,
o effluent disinfection and dechlorination system, and
o post -aeration;
• conversion of the existing treatment plant to provide:
O 20,000 gal flow equalization chamber with new flow splitter box, and
O 7,400 gal sludge holding chamber;
• installation of an effluent pump in the existing effluent manhole;
• replacement of the existing generator with a new 75 KW unit; and
• construction of all related structures, equipment, piping, controls, and other appurtenances, as
presented in the proposed plans and specifications.
Trillium Links and Village is a "golf course community" in Jackson County. Most of the residences serve
as second homes or weekend retreats for their owners.
The WWTP is subject to widely varying flows. The highest flows of the year typically occur during the
July 4th holiday (approx. 26,000 gpd), the next highest during the Christmas holidays. Flows are
moderately low during weekends and even lower on most weekdays. This is a key consideration in the
design of the plant.
Temperature is another design consideration. The plant is located in mountainous terrain at
approximately 3,000-foot elevation. It is not uncommon for temperatures to remain below freezing for
several days or weeks, and freezing of pipes and quiescent water surfaces (clarifiers) are a special
challenge for the operator, especially with the low flow conditions seen much of the year.
The proposed design addresses the variable flow issue by first providing abundant equalization
capacity, approx. 50% of the ADF. The design includes a phased flow arrangement in the aeration
1

ATC Summary (cont.)
Trillium Links & Village, LLC
Trillium Links & Village WWTP
ATC No. 059200A01
basins. By adding a hydrostatic wall across the middle of one basin, it allows the operator the ability to
run the plant in configurations for 10,000 gpd, 20,000 gpd, 30,000 gpd, and 40,000 gpd.
The design adds effluent pumping capability to handle the July 4th flows at the plant. A submersible
pump will be placed in one of the effluent manholes closest to the plant. The 3" diam. effluent line falls
steeply enough that the pump will not be needed in the foreseeable future. It is included as a
precautionary measure for the near term and to ensure proper discharge capacity at future peak flows.
The project was originally submitted in 2002. When the review was not completed in time to construct
by the July 4th holiday, the consultant indicated there was little urgency and this reviewer postponed
the project to work on higher priorities.
REVIEW SUMMARY
There were no significant issues with the conceptual process design. Several questions/ comments were
shared informally with the design engineer, Lee Fleming. He treated these as formal comments and
included his responses in the cover letter to the final submittal.
The most significant of these issues were these:
• effluent filter bypass - The tertiary filter includes a bypass channel to allow the operator to perform
maintenance on the system. The filter units are small enough (approx. 2.5 ft x 6 ft each) that work
must be performed from outside, with the worker usually in the adjacent wet well or clear well. A
temporary pump (as in "delete the bypass trough and use a temporary pump to route flows around
the filters") would have to have its inlet in a clarifier and would likely carry solids into the effluent
stream. The reviewer decided to allow the trough to remain and will propose a policy change to
allow the same for other plants of similar size.
• standy power - The original submittal indicated that additional standby power might be needed
and deferred to the contractor to decide. The difficulty stemmed from requesting bids for the new
plant from several contractors; different plants had different power demands, and it was not dear
what those demands would be until the contractor was selected. In the end, the engineer chose a
conservatively large unit and will allow the contractor to use a smaller unit if justified.
- end of summary -
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