NC0032212_Draft Permit_20230613

ROY COOPER t; '
Governor i
ELIZABETH S.BISER ,,
Secretary
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
6/13/2023
Water Quality Lab and Operations, Inc
Attn: Paul Isenhour,President
P.O Box 1167
Banner Elk,NC 28604
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0032212
Yonahlossee WWTP
Grade II Biological WPCS
Watauga County
Dear Permittee,
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Please review this draft carefully to ensure a
thorough understanding of the information,conditions,and requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
• Section A. (4.) has been updated to require electronic submission of
effluent data reports (DMRs). Federal regulations require electronic
submittal of all discharge monitoring.
• An updated outfall map has been included.
• Monitoring for turbidity has been added to determine compliance with 15A
NCAC 02B.0211 (21).
The NPDES standard conditions (Parts II, III, and IV)that are a part of the permit are not included in this draft
document(cover,map,and Part I).The conditions are the same as in your current permit except that agency and
division names have been updated. The latest version is available at https://bit.ly/3k5NFaL and can be viewed
online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification,the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice in
newspapers having circulation in the general Watauga County area,per EPA requirements. Please provide your
comments,if any,to me at the address below no later than 30 days after receiving this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period,the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning the draft,please contact me at
[phone] or via e-mail at kate.shadwell(a,deq.nc.gov.
Sincerely,
/ Z5 °--e_ ''
Catherine Shadwell
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting
cc: NPDES File[Laserfiche]
Winston Salem Regional Office [Laserfiche]
.....4, North
North CarolSainalisbury DepartmentStreet o1 f Env
1617ironmentalMailService C Qualityenter I Division of Water Resources
I Raleigh, Carolina 27699-1617
NORTN cA 919.707.9000
Otirrrrti M "�" Or1F

Permit NC0032212
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
In compliance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards
and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
Water Quality Lab and 0 'cons, Inc
is hereby authorized to discharge wastew from a facility ted at the
Yonahlosse P
NCSR 1
South of Boone
Watauga County
to receivingwaters designated as t e Lance Creek in the Watauga River Basin in accordance with
g g
effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I II III and IV
hereof.
This permit shall become effective
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on September 30, 2027.
Signed this day
Richard E. Rogers Jr.
Director,Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7

Permit NC0032212
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked, and as of this issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer effective.
Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the permit
conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions described herein.
Water Quality Lab and Operations, Inc.
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.04 MGD wastewater treatme t facility that includes the
following components:
• Aeration flow equalization basin
• Three-way splitter box
• Aeration basin
• Clarifier
• Aerated sludge holding tank
• Disinfection/post-aeration cha ' UV ' fection
• Continuous flow-recording device
The facility is located at the Y. 01 oss- AA. T CSR 1102, South of Boone in Watauga County.
2. After receiving an A oriz to 'nstruct from the Division, construct and operate a 0.150
MGD extended-aeration packa e plant with sludge holding.
3. Discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 001, at the location specified on the attached
map, into Lance Creek, a waterbody currently classified C; Trout [Stream Index: 8-8-(2)]
within subbasin 04-02-01[HUC: 060101030301] of the Watauga River Basin.
Page 2 of T

Permit NC0032212
PART I.
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS —0.04 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Grade II Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration or expansion above
0.04 MGD, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and
monitored' by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETERS Limits Monitoring Requirements
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample
eDMR Code Average Maximum Frequency Sample Type Location2
Flow(MGD) 50050 0.04 MGD Continuous Recording I or E
Temperature °C 00010 Monitor and Report Weekly Grab E
Temperature °C 00010 Monitor and Report Weekly Grab U and D
Total Suspended Solids C0530 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L .l }, Weekly Composite E
BOD 5-Day C0310 30.0 mg/L 45.0 r °' ? eekly Composite E
pH 00400 Not< 6.0 or>9 . . •a4.ly Grab E
Fecal Coliform 31616 200/100 mL 41,
(geometric mean) Weekly Grab E
Dissolved Oxygen 00300 Daily A •.0 mg . Weekly Grab E
Dissolved Oxygen 00300 Monito d ' •'• Weekly Grab U and D
NH3 as N C0610 3.0 /L 15.0 mg/L Weekly Composite E
(April 1-October 31)
NH3 as N C0610 • 30.0 mg/L Weekly Composite E
(November 1 —March 31)
Turbidity3(NTU) III . onitor and Report Weekly Grab E
Footnotes:
1. The Pennittee shall subm 'scharge •nitoring reports electronically using the NC DWR's
eDMR system [see A.(4.)].
2. Sampling Locations: E=Efflu= 4=Upstream(at least 200 feet from outfall); D=
Downstream (at the hiking trail below the outfall).
3. Effluent turbidity shall not cause receiving-stream turbidity to exceed 10 NTU. If background
turbidity naturally exceeds 10 NTU, the effluent shall not cause background turbidity to
increase. Exceeding this permit limit will require sufficient instream sampling(upstream
and/or downstream)to verify compliance(effluent vs.background) [NCAC 02B. 0211 (21)].
See Condition A. (3.) for instructions should the facility's permitted UV system fail and an alternate
means of disinfection is required. Total Residual Chlorine monitoring requirements and limits are
applicable if chlorine compounds are used for disinfection.
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN
OTHER THAN TRACE AMOUNTS
Page 3 of 7

Permit NC0032212
A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS —0.15
MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Grade II Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302]
During the period beginning after expansion above 0.15 MGD and lasting until expiration,the Permittee is
authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored'by the Permittee as
specified below:
PARAMETERS
eDMR Code Limits Monitoring Requirements
Monthly Daily Measurement Sample Sample
Average Maximum Frequency Type Location2
Flow 50050 0.15 MGD Continuous Recording I or E
BOD,5-day(20°C) C0310 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L Weekly Composite E
Total Suspended Solids C0530 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L `,,i eekly Composite E
as N C0610 2.0 mg/L 10.0 m L� We-°` Composite E
(April 1-October 31)
NH3 as N A.C0610 4.0 mg/L 20 ./L `' Weekly Composite E
(November 1 —March 31) ,d;
Dissolved Oxygen 00300 Monitor Report �` t Weekly Grab U &D
Dissolved Oxygen 00300 Daily Averag ,>6 0 { Weekly Grab E
Fecal Coliform(geometric 31616 i L /100 mL Weekly Grab E
mean)
Total Nitrogen C0600 - .ort Semi-Annually Composite E
(NO2+NO3+TKN)
Total Phosphorus •• ' itor&Report Semi-Annually Composite E
Temperature °C 10010 Monitor&Report Daily Grab E
Temperature °C S. S Monitor&Report Weekly Grab U &D
pH 00400 Not<6.0 or>9.0 s.u. Weekly Grab E
Turbidity3(NTU) 00070 Monitor and Report Weekly Grab E
Footnotes:
1. The Pennittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR system,[see A. (4.)].
2. Sampling Locations:E=Effluent,U=Upstream(at least 200 feet from outfall);D=Downstream(at the hiking trail below
the outfall).
3. Effluent turbidity shall not cause receiving-stream turbidity to exceed 10 NTU.If background turbidity
naturally exceeds 10 NTU,the effluent shall not cause background turbidity to increase. Exceeding this
permit limit will require sufficient instream sampling(upstream and/or downstream)to verify
compliance(effluent vs. background)[NCAC 02B.0211 (21)].
See Condition A. (3.) for instructions should the facility's permitted UV system fail and an alternate
means of disinfection is required. Total Residual Chlorine monitoring requirements and limits are
applicable if chlorine compounds are used for disinfection.
Page 4 of 7

Permit NC0032212
THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN
OTHER THAN TRACE AMOUNTS
A.(3.) TEMPORARY MEANS OF DISINFECTION
[G.S. 143-215, 143-215.1]
a. In the event that the wastewater treatment plant's ultraviolet(UV)disinfection system fails,
underperforms,or is removed from effective service,the permittee or his agent shall immediately inform
the Winston Salem Regional Office of this development and discuss temporary, alternate means for
disinfection of the effluent.
b. If chlorine compounds are used as temporary means of disinfection,the total residual chlorine(TRC)
concentration of the effluent shall be monitored daily while this method of disinfection is in use and
values shall be reported on the discharge monitoring report. TRC in the effluent shall not exceed
28µg/L; therefore,dechlorination methods may also be necessary .t insure protection of water quality in
the receiving stream.
c. In the event that TRC monitoring should occur,the Divisi• all c 'der all effluent TRC values
reported below 50 µg/L to be in compliance with the p!, 'it. Howeve - Permittee shall continue to
record and submit all values reported by a North Car' `a cert. ied labora (including field certified),
even if these values fall below 50 µg/L.
d. Use of a disinfection system other than the • . •' ted UV -, em during circumstances not deemed as
emergency and/or temporary(replacement o ; . o • c =' ing or maintenance, etc.)will be
considered a violation of the terms of this pe
A.(4.) ELECTRONIC REPORT I }F,-DIS r ; _ 'GE ` ONITORING REPORTS
[G.S. 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require e:r:, onic • i •. all discharge monitoring reports(DMRs)and program reports.
The final NPDES Electro ' 7'eporting ' - w. adopted and became effective on December 21,2015.
NOTE: This special condition •lem or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this permit
(Standard Conditions for NPDE s):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D.(6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.)and Section E. (5.)(a)1
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic
Discharge Monitoring Report(eDMR)internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s)shall be summarized for each month and submitted
monthly electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter monitoring data
and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be accessed at:
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
Page 5 of 7

Permit NC0032212
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility being
physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband access,then a
temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted and discharge
monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1.1,2, 3)or alternative forms approved by
the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the following address:
NC DEQ/Division of Water Resources/Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
See"How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting"section below.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s)shall be summarized for each month and reported
via the eDMR system no later than the last calendar day of the month fo owing the completed reporting
period. Regardless of the submission method,the first DMR is due o• last day of the month following the
issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility,on the last d. the month following the
commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21,2025,the permittee must elect ally report the owing compliance
monitoring data and reports,when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Repo s; and
• Pretreatment Program Annual Repo • -g
• Clean Water Act(CWA) Section 31• I S.
The permittee may seek an electronic wai from the Division(see"How to Request a Waiver
from Electronic Reporting"sectio ow). _.
e. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFI (9 permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time of each
electronic submission. erpermit' x ho g se the EPA's website resources to identify the initial recipient
for the electronic sub • n.
Initial recipient of electronic D formation from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity(EPA or
the state authorized by EPA to ement the NPDES program)that is the designated entity for receiving
electronic NPDES data [see 40 C R 127.2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for each type of
electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate electronic
reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule is found at:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-24954/national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-
system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the"Reporting Requirements" section above.
f. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an electronic
reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to the
Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to the Division
Page 6 of 7

Permit NC0032212
for written approval at least sixty(60) days prior to the date the facility would be required under this permit to
begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a temporary waiver shall not exceed 5 years
and shall thereupon expire. At such time,monitoring data and reports shall be submitted electronically to the
Division unless the permittee re-applies for and is granted a new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the
Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved
reporting waiver request may submit monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that
the approved reporting waiver request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on the
following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
g. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B.(11.)(b)and Supersedes Section B.(11.)(d)l
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed person described in Part II, Section
B. (11.)(a)or by a duly authorized representative of that person as t 'bed in Part II, Section B. (11.)(b). A
person,and not a position,must be delegated signatory authority, e►'k ' reporting purposes.
For eDMR submissions,the person signing and submittin = DMR must o. • an eDMR user account and
login credentials to access the eDMR system. For mor- .orma• on North arolina's eDMR system,
registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user acco • .e visit the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resourc
Certification. Any p erson submittingan e .. troni sin: e state's eDMR system shall make the
following certification [40 CFR 122.2 • I. TATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION WILL BE
ACCEPTED:
"I certify, under penalty of law, that .cument ' d all attachments were prepared under my direction or
supervision in accordance to • igned to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and
evaluate the informatio •mitten. es . y inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or
those persons directly .nsible fo 'thering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of
my knowledge and belie, accurs. and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for
submitting false information, lu' the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
h. Records Retention [Supplements Section D.(6.)1
The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions. These
records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report. This period
may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41].
Page 7 of 7

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Water Quality Utilities, Inc.
Yonahlossee WWTP I Facility x
Location
Receiving Stream: Lance Creek Stream Index: 8-8-(2)
Sub-Basin: 04-02-01 HUC: 060101030301 (not to scale)
Drainage Basin: Watauga River Basin Latitude: 36° 10' 12 N NPDES Permit NC0032212
Stream Class: C;Trout Longitude: 81°43'21" W North Watauga County