WQ0031396_Staff Report_20240223

State of North Carolina
Division of Water Resources

Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Staff Report

FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 1 of 6

To: NPDES Unit Non-Discharge Unit Application No.: WQ0031396
Attn: Zachary Mega Facility name: Santeetlah Lakeside WWTP

From: Melanie Kemp
Asheville Regional Office

Note: This form has been adapted from the non-discharge facility staff report to document the review of both non-
discharge and NPDES permit applications and/or renewals. Please complete all sections as they are applicable.

I. GENERAL AND SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? Yes or No
a. Date of site visit: July 19, 2022
b. Site visit conducted by: Melanie Kemp and Mikal Willmer
c. Inspection report attached? Yes or No In LF
d. Person contacted: Tim Barbee and Jose Rosado and their contact information: [e-mail] ext.

e. Driving directions: Hwy. 19 through Nantahala Gorge to Hwy. 129 Robbinsville. Continue on Hwy. 129
through Robbinsville to Lake Santeetlah to Thunderbird Mtn. Rd. Go past Santeetlah Marina, facility is
located on the left.
2. Discharge Point(s):
Latitude: Longitude:
Latitude: Longitude:
3. Receiving stream or affected surface waters:
Classification:
River Basin and Subbasin No.
Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream uses:
II. PROPOSED FACILITIES: NEW APPLICATIONS
1. Facility Classification: (Please attach completed rating sheet to be attached to issued permit)
Proposed flow:
Current permitted flow:
2. Are the new treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal system? Yes or No
If no, explain:
3. Are site conditions (soils, depth to water table, etc) consistent with the submitted reports? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
4. Do the plans and site map represent the actual site (property lines, wells, etc.)? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F232A18-7DD8-48CB-B4C3-13205E37D661
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 2 of 6
5. Is the proposed residuals management plan adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
6. Are the proposed application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) acceptable? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
7. Are there any setback conflicts for proposed treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
8. Is the proposed or existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
9. For residuals, will seasonal or other restrictions be required? Yes No N/A
If yes, attach list of sites with restrictions (Certification B)
Describe the residuals handling and utilization scheme:
10. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters:
11. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only):

III. EXISTING FACILITIES: MODIFICATION AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
1. Are there appropriately certified Operators in Charge (ORCs) for the facility? Yes No N/A
ORC: Mark Teague Certificate #: 989074 Backup ORC: Dale Wike Certificate #:1000267
2. Are the design, maintenance and operation of the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal
system? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
Description of existing facilities: Operation of a 4,120 gallon per day (GPD) reclaimed water generation and
dedicated utilization facility consisting of: an influent flow measuring device; a 5,000 gallon baffled septic
tank with an effluent filter; a 3,750 gallon flow equalization tank with two submersible pumps rated at 30
gallons per minute (GPM), and audible/visual high-water alarms; a Bioclere Unit Model # 24/20 with a
1,847 gallon Is' stage and 2,377 gallon 2nd stage trickling filter, and four submersible dosing pumps rated
at 10 GPM; a Bioclere unit Model # 24/24 with a 1,600 gallon clarifier, and two submersible sludge return
pumps rated at 35 GPM; a sand filter feed tank with two centrifugal self -priming feed pumps rated at 15.7
GPM and audible/visual high- water alarms; two automatic backwash sand filters; a filter backwash tank
with two centrifugal self -priming backwash pumps rated at 48 GPM; a chemical feed tank with a pump
for pH adjustment and '/4 horsepower (hp) mixer; four ultraviolet (UV) disinfection banks each with two
lamps and rated for 40 GPM; a turbidimeter; a standby generator; an effluent flow measuring device; four
15,000 gallon interconnected storage tanks; a 3,490 gallon dosing tank with two submersible turbine pumps
and audible/visual high- water alarms; two 10,300 gallon interconnected tanks providing five day upset
storage with a submersible 20 GPM return pump; a 0.46 acre drip irrigation area with four fields; and all
associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances to serve the Santeetlah Lakeside WWTP consisting
of no more than 58 total bedrooms associated with 10 condominium units and 18 residential lots, with no
discharge of wastes to surface waters.
The re-use system was constructed in 2007 but has not been in use. The facility was inspected in 2022 and
all noted deficiencies were corrected. A permit modification was issued in 2023, changing the status from
construction to operational. The site is currently under construction and no wastewater is running through
the treatment system.
Proposed flow: Seasonal at the following rates:
 4,120 GPD- 5/1 through 10/31
 2,750 GPD – April and November
 1,360 GPD – 12/1 through 3/31
Current permitted flow: Seasonal at the following rates:
 4,120 GPD- 5/1 through 10/31
 2,750 GPD – April and November
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F232A18-7DD8-48CB-B4C3-13205E37D661
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 3 of 6
 1,360 GPD – 12/1 through 3/31
Explain anything observed during the site visit that needs to be addressed by the permit, or that may be important
for the permit writer to know (i.e., equipment condition, function, maintenance, a change in facility ownership, etc
The facility is complete, but the site is under construction. An ORC conducts weekly site visits but there is
no flow running through the system at the moment.
3. Are the site conditions (e.g., soils, topography, depth to water table, etc) maintained appropriately and adequately
assimilating the waste? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
4. Has the site changed in any way that may affect the permit (e.g., drainage added, new wells inside the compliance
boundary, new development, etc.)? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
5. Is the residuals management plan adequate? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
6. Are the existing application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) still acceptable? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
7. Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
8. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
9. Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
10. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:

DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F232A18-7DD8-48CB-B4C3-13205E37D661
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 4 of 6
11. Are the monitoring well coordinates correct in BIMS? Yes No N/A
If no, please complete the following (expand table if necessary):
Monitoring Well Latitude Longitude

○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
○ ′ ″ - ○ ′ ″
12. Has a review of all self-monitoring data been conducted (e.g., DMR, NDMR, NDAR, GW)? Yes or No
Please summarize any findings resulting from this review: An upgradient monitoring well (MW-1) and a
downgradient monitoring well (MW-2) were drilled on July 6, 2022 and July 8, 2022 respectively. Both
monitoring wells were initially sampled on July 12, 2022. The ARO received the GW-59 reports on July 18,
2022. The monitoring wells were updated/activated in BIMS. The analytical data was entered into BIMS.
Provide input to help the permit writer evaluate any requests for reduced monitoring, if applicable.
13. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? Yes or No
If yes, please explain: The current permit was issued in March 2023, which requires groundwater
monitoring at two wells in the months of March, July, and November. GW-59 groundwater monitoring
reports were not submitted in July 2023 and November 2023. Because the wastewater treatment plant
(plant) is not currently operating, we are recommending the suspension of groundwater monitoring
requirements until such time as the plant is fully operational.
14. Check all that apply:
No compliance issues Current enforcement action(s) Currently under JOC
Notice(s) of violation Currently under SOC Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments (i.e., NOV, NOD, etc.)
If the facility has had compliance problems during the permit cycle, please explain the status. Has the RO been
working with the Permittee? Is a solution underway or in place?
Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain: See summary below.
15. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes No N/A
If yes, please explain:
16. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters:
17. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only):

DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F232A18-7DD8-48CB-B4C3-13205E37D661
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 5 of 6
IV. REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
2. List any items that you would like the NPDES Unit or Non-Discharge Unit Central Office to obtain through an
additional information request:
Item Reason

3. List specific permit conditions recommended to be removed from the permit when issued:
Condition Reason
I. Schedules Schedule item 2

4. List specific special conditions or compliance schedules recommended to be included in the permit when issued:
Condition Reason
Temporary suspension of
groundwater monitoring
requirements
Recommending temporary suspension of groundwater monitoring requirements
until such time as the wastewater treatment plant is fully operational.

5. Recommendation: Hold, pending receipt and review of additional information by regional office
Hold, pending review of draft permit by regional office
Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
Issue
Deny (Please state reasons: )
6. Signature of report preparer:
Signature of regional supervisor:
Date:

DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F232A18-7DD8-48CB-B4C3-13205E37D661
2/23/2024
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 6 of 6

V. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS
The facility is not currently processing wastewater.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F232A18-7DD8-48CB-B4C3-13205E37D661