NC0022900_Authorization to Construct_20230203

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
February 3, 2023
Mr. Travis Dupree
Vice President
Carolina Water Service, Inc. of North Carolina
PO Box 240908
Charlotte, North Carolina 28224
SUBJECT: Authorization to Construct
A to C No. 022900A01
Carolina Water Service, Inc. of
North Carolina
Sugar Mountain WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0022900
Dear Mr. Dupree:
A letter of request for an Authorization to Construct was received July 21, 2022, by the
Division of Water Resources (Division). With additional information received on February 3,
2023, final plans and specifications for the subject project have been reviewed and found to be
satisfactory. Authorization is hereby granted for the construction of modifications to the existing
0.5 MGD Sugar Mountain WWTP, with discharge of treated wastewater into the Flattop Creek in
the Watauga River Basin.
This authorization results in no increase in design or permitted capacity and is awarded for
the construction of the following specific modifications:
Installation of a new influent pump station with one (1) 2.7 MGD mechanically cleaned
vertical fine screen, one (1) 1.25 MGD trash basket, and two (2) 1.5 MGD influent pumps;
installation of one (1) flow distribution box and all necessary piping and controls; in
conformity with the project plans, specifications, and other supporting documentation
comprising the ATC Permit Application package submitted to the Department of
Environmental Quality.
This ATC is issued in accordance with Part III, Paragraph A of NPDES Permit No.
NC0022900 issued effective October 1, 2017, and shall be subject to revocation unless the
wastewater treatment facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions and limitations
specified in Permit No. NC0022900.
DE Q
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NORTH CAROLINA
onpeM�enl nt Emironmenfal 9ual\
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street I 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000

Mr. Travis Dupree, Vice President
February 3, 2023
Page 2 of 3
It is the Owner's responsibility to ensure that the as -constructed project meets the
requirements of all applicable regulations and statutes, the ATC Permit Application package, and
all of the requirements contained herein. Failure to comply may result in penalties in accordance
with North Carolina General Statute §143-215.6A through §143-215.6C.
The sludge generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed of in accordance
with G.S. 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.
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 the Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment or disposal facilities.
The Asheville Regional Office, telephone number [phone], shall be notified at least
forty-eight (48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an on -site inspection
can be made. Such notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during the normal office
hours from 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 this permitted facility, a
certification must be received from a Professional Engineer certifying that the permitted facility
has been installed in accordance with the NPDES Permit and the ATC Permit Application package.
Mail the Certification to: Division of Water Resources, WQ Permitting — NPDES, 1617 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.
Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, 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 T15A:8G.0202. 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, must properly manage the facility, must document daily operation and
maintenance of the facility, and must comply with all other conditions of T15A:8G.0202.
A copy of the project plans and specifications shall be maintained on file by the
Permittee for the life of the facility.
During the construction of the proposed additions/modifications, the Permittee shall
continue to properly maintain and operate the existing wastewater treatment facilities at all times,
and in such a manner, as necessary to comply with the effluent limits specified in the NPDES
Permit.

Mr. Travis Dupree, Vice President
February 3, 2023
Page 3 of 3
You are reminded that it is mandatory for the project to be constructed in accordance with
the North Carolina Sedimentation Pollution Control Act, and when applicable, the North Carolina
Dam Safety Act. In addition, the specifications must clearly state what the contractor's
responsibilities shall be in complying with these Acts.
Prior to entering into any contract(s) for construction, the recipient must have obtained all
applicable permits from the State.
The issuance of this ATC 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.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Min Xiao, PE at
telephone number [phone] or by email at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
B0B410C9F6204F7..
for Richard E. Rogers, Jr.
Director, Division of Water Resources
by Min Xiao, PE
NPDES Industrial Permitting Unit
With Engineer's Certificate attached:
cc: NPDES Files
ecopy: Michael Slusher, PE
Davis -Martin -Powell & Associates, Inc.
Email: [e-mail]
DWR Asheville Regional Office, Water Quality Programs
Without Engineer's Certificate attached:
cc: Avery County Health

Carolina Water Service, Inc. of North Carolina
Sugar Mountain WWTP
Authorization to Construct No. 022900A01
Issued February 3, 2023
NPDES Permit No. NC0022900
Engineer's Certification
I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in
the State of North Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically/weekly/full time)
the construction of the modifications and improvements to the Sugar Mountain Wastewater
Treatment Plant, located in Avery County, hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care
and diligence was used in the observation of the following construction:
Installation of a new influent pump station with one (1) 2.7 MGD mechanically
cleaned vertical fine screen, one (1) 1.25 MGD trash basket, and two (2) 1.5
MGD influent pumps; installation of one (1) flow distribution box and all
necessary piping and controls; in conformity with the project plans, specifications,
and other supporting documentation comprising the ATC Permit Application
package submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality.
I certify that the construction of the above referenced project was observed to be built within
substantial compliance, intent and in conformity with all applicable regulations and statutes and
the project plans, specifications, and other supporting documentation comprising the
Authorization to Construct Permit Application package.
Signature Registration No.
Date
Mail this Certification to: Attn: Min Xiao, PE
NPDES Industrial Permitting Unit
DEQ/DWR/Water Quality Programs
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617