NC0022900_Fact Sheet_20240319

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NCDEQ / DWR / NPDES
EXPEDITED FACT SHEET - NPDES PERMIT RENEWAL
NPDES Permit NCO022900
Catherine Shadwell, Compliance & Expedited Permitting Unit / 919-707-3613 June 2023
FACILITY INFORMATION
Facility Name
Sugar Mountain WWTP
Applicant Name
Carolina Water Service of North Carolina (Tony Konsul, Director)
Applicant Address
P.O. Box 240908 Charlotte, NC 28224
Facility Physical
Address/Mailing Address
Physical — 291 Norwood Hollow Road Sugar Mountain, NC 28604
Mailing — same as applicant address
Permitted Flow (MGD)
0.500 MGD
Type of Waste
100% Domestic, < 1 MGD
Facility Class
WW-3
County
Avery
Permit Status
Renewal
Regional Office
ARO
STREAM CHARACTERISTICS
Receiving Stream
Flattop Creek
Stream
Classification
C
Stream Segment
8-22-2
Outfall Lat.
360 07' 56" N
7Q 10 - Summer (cfs)
0.3
Outfall Long.
810 51' 07" W
7Q10 - Winter (cfs)
0.4
Drainage basin
Watauga
30Q2 (cfs)
0.6
Subbasin
04-02-01
Average Flow (cfs)
2
HUC
060101030201
IWC (%)
72.09% (summer) /
65.96% (winter)
303(d) List
Not listed.
BASIC INFO FOR EXPEDITED PERMIT RENEWAL
Does permit need Daily Max NH3 limits?
Already present in permit
Does permit need TRC limits/footnote?
Already present in permit
Does permit have toxicity testing?
Yes
Does permit have any Special Conditions?
No
Does permit have instream monitoring?
Yes, U&D for Dissolved Oxygen and Temp
New expiration date:
Sep 30, 2027
Facility Summary
Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina operates Sugar Mountain WWTP which provides 100%
domestic wastewater services to the Sugar Mountain area subdivisions which equates to a population of
about 2757. Sugar Mountain WWTP is a minor facility (flow < 1 MGD) with a design capacity and
permitted wastewater discharge of 0.5 MGD. The WWTP was originally permitted in 1982, and this site has
permission to expand to increase the plant capacity to 1.0 MGD but that has not yet happened. This facility
utilizes the following treatment components:
• One common equalization basin
• Three separate plants operating in parallel
0 1 — 0.3 MGD plant
0 2 — 0.1 MGD plants
• Each plant has
Fact Sheet for Permit Renewal
June 2023- NPDES Permit NCO022900 - Page 1

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o Aeration Basin
o Clarifier
o Sludge holding tank
o Liquid sodium hypochlorite disinfection
o Liquid sodium bisulfate Dechlorination, and
o Post aeration
• One common, combined flow meter
Renewal Summary
This renewal contains the following changes:
• Added the facility grade to Section A. (1.). and A. (2.)
• Updated the effluent table in Section A. (1.) and A. (2.) with eDMR parameter codes.
• Updated Section A. (3) to reflect current federal requirements for Electronic Reporting of
Discharge Monitoring Reports.
• Added regulatory citations.
• Removed tox testing per 2016 EPA guidance and set new ammonia limits based on IWC
calculations that will go into effect Jan 1, 2028, in section A. (1.)
• Updated Outfall map
• New outfall map created to reflect proposed outfall relocation.
Compliance History
4 enforcement cases in the past 5 years — 2 in 2019 and 2 in 2021.
6 NOVS since 2019, most related to ammonia.
3 sanitary sewer overflows in 2022, one of which a manhole overflowed, and 800 gal of
discharge was released in neighboring stream. Repairs, updates, and improvements
performed from 2022 through March of 2023.
Comments on Draft Permit
Sugar Mountain requested relocation of outfall. A new outfall map has been added to reflect the
proposed location. Since the new outfall will feed into the same stream segment, the only
significant changes are the coordinates of the outfall.
Fact Sheet for Permit Renewal
June 2023- NPDES Permit NCO022900 - Page 2

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Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Memorandum
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
PAT MCCRORY
Governor
DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
NPDES Complex Unit
Tom Belnick
July 20, 2016
NPDES Permitting Guidance
NPDES Implementation of Ammonia Criteria- Update
secrelaly
S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
Director
NC has still not adopted an ammonia standard, though it is on our WQS Triennial List for next
round. NC did establish ammonia chronic criteria for use in NPDES permitting back in 1989/90,
which was based on EPA's 1986 criteria development document that factored in pH/Temp across
three regions of the State (see attached). This evaluation resulted in ammonia chronic criteria of
1.0 mg/l NH3-N (summer) and 1.8 mg/l NH3-N (winter) for use in permitting purposes. NC
implements these chronic criteria as Monthly Averages limits utilizing instream dilution. In
2002, NC developed procedures for complimentary acute permit limits (discussed below).
The current ammonia permitting procedures should be as follows:
• The NH3/TRC Wasteload Allocation (WLA) spreadsheet automatically calculates
appropriate ammonia Monthly Average limits for summer and winter. The spreadsheet
assumes a background ammonia concentration of 0.22 mg/1.
• For any permit (new/renewal), always run the NH3/TRC WLA spreadsheet to verify
appropriate Monthly Average Ammonia Limits for protection of aquatic life.
• If the allowable ammonia concentration is greater than 35 mg/l, no limit should be
imposed.
• If the allowable concentration is less than 35 mg/l, then the allowable limit is needed and
the spreadsheet will automatically calculate it.
• For Municipal facilities, the acute limit will be expressed as a Weekly Average, and is
based on multiplying the Monthly Average limit by a factor of 3.
• For non -Municipal facilities, the acute limit will be expressed as a Daily Maximum, and
is based on multiplying the Monthly Average limit by a factor of 5.
• If a new more stringent ammonia limit is required, discuss the need for a Compliance
Schedule with senior staff and then with the Permittee.
• There is no RPA procedure used for ammonia; it is implemented strictly based on WLA
spreadsheet results (similar to TRC).
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919 707 9000

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Page 12
• A sample NH3/TRC WLA is attached. In this example, the spreadsheet indicates that
Monthly Average ammonia limits of 3.2 mg/1 and 12.7 mg/1 should be imposed for
summer and winter, respectively, in order to protect for NC's chronic ammonia criteria.
Some additional considerations:
This guidance will need to be revisited after NC formally adopts an ammonia standard for
both chronic and acute aquatic life protection.
In the past, some ammonia limits were based strictly on protection of our DO standard
rather than ammonia toxicity, and that is why the permit writer should always verify the
correct ammonia limit with any permit renewal using the WLA spreadsheet.
In the past, some practices allowed for maintaining a less stringent ammonia limit if the
facility was consistently passing the WET test (i.e., biology trumps chemistry). This is
no longer a valid approach and EPA would object. In April 2016 EPA expressly stated
that NC cannot use biology to override chemical results. EPA also disallowed the use of
Action Levels in permitting, in which toxicity test results (if passing) were used to
override the need for permit limits for copper/zinc/silver/iron/chloride.

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i
AMMONIA CRTTERTA TABLES (NH3 as N)
Based on EPA recommended 4-day maximum average concent.ration criteria
(Mou'ntain'sand Trout Waters
TEMPERATURE
H 120C 230C .
6.8 1.8084 1.0028 Total Ammonia
7.5 1,.8084 1.0111 (mg/l NH3 as N)
Pie•dmon:t Freshwaters
r
TEMPERATURE
H 140C 2 60C
6.8 1.8084 1.1344 Total Ammonia
7.5 1.8084 1.1541 (mg/1 NH3 as N)
Coastal Plain and Sandhills Freshwaters
TEMPERATURE
H 160C 280C
6.8 1.7920 0.9700 Total Ammonia
7.5 1.7920 0.9864 (mg/1•NH3 as N)
S
Ex

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NH3/TRC WLA Calculations
Facility: Anywhere USA
NC00
Prepared By: Tom Belnick
Enter Design Flow (MGD): 0.03
Enter s7Q10 (cfs): 0.13
Enter w7Q10 (cfs): 0.32
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)
Ammonia (Summer)
Daily Maximum Limit (ug/1)
Monthly Average Limit (mg NH3-N/1)
s7Q10 (CFS)
0.13
s7Q10 (CFS)
0.13
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.03
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.03
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.0465
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.0465
STREAM STD (UG/L)
17.0
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.0
Upstream Bkgd (ug/1)
0
Upstream Bkgd (mg/1)
0.22
IWC (%)
26.35
IWC (%)
26.35
Allowable Cone. (ug/1)
65
Allowable Cone. (mg/1)
3.2
Ammonia (Winter)
Monthly Average Limit (mg NH3-N/1)
Fecal Coliform
w7Q10 (CFS)
0.32
Monthly Average Limit:
200/100mi
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.03
(If DF >331; Monitor)
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.0465
(If DF<331; Limit)
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.8
Dilution Factor (DF)
3.80
Upstream Bkgd (mg/1)
0.22
IWC (%)
12.69
Allowable Cone. (mg/1)
12.7
Total Residual Chlorine
1. Cap Daily Max limit at 28 ug/I to protect for acute toxicity
Ammonia (as NH3-N)
1. If Allowable Conc > 35 mg/I, Monitor Only
2. Monthly Avg limit x 3 = Weekly Avg limit (Municipals); capped at 35 mg/I
3. Monthly Avg limit x 5 = Daily Max limit (Non-Munis); capped at 35 mg/I
Fecal Coliform
1. Monthly Avg limit x 2 = 400/100 ml = Weekly Avg limit (Municipals) = Daily Max limit (Non -Muni)

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IWC Calculations
Facility: Sugar Mountain WWTP
Permit No.: NC0022900
Prepared By: Catherine Shadwell
Enter Design Flow (MGD): 0.5 0.2 <= Permitted Flow if Different from Design
Enter s7Q10 (cfs): 0.3
Enter w7Q10 (cfs): 0.4
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)
Ammonia (Summer)
Daily Maximum Limit (ug/1)
Monthly Average Limit (mg NH3-N/1)
Design
Permitted
Design
Permitted
s7Q10 (CFS)
0.3
0.3
s7Q10 (CFS)
0.3
0.3
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.5
0.2
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.5 €
0.2
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.775
0.31
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.775
0.31
STREAM STD (UG/L)
17.0
17
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.0
1
Upstream Bkgd (ug/1)
0
0
Upstream Bkgd (mg/1)
0.22
0.22
IWC (%)
72.09
50.82
IWC (%)
72.09
50.819672
Allowable Conc. (ug/1)
24
33
Allowable Conc. (mg/1)
1.3
1.8
< 1 MGD Policy Applies
Ammonia (Winter)
Monthly Average Limit (mg NH3-N/1)
Design
Permitted
Design
Permitted
Fecal Coliform
w7Q10 (CFS)
0.4
0.4
Monthly Average Limit:
200/100ml €
200/100ml
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
0.5
0.2
(If DF >331; Monitor)
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
0.775
0.31
(If DF<331; Limit)
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.8
1.8
Dilution Factor (DF)
1.39
1.97
Upstream Bkgd (mg/1)
0.22
0.22
IWC (%)
65.96
43.66
Allowable Conc. (mg/1)
2.6
3.8
*2B .0404 (c) Applies
Total Residual Chlorine
1. Cap Daily Max limit at 28 ug/I to protect for acute toxicity
Ammonia (as NH3-N)
1. If Allowable Conc > 35 mg/l, Monitor Only
2. Monthly Avg limit x 3 = Weekly Avg limit (Municipals)
3. Monthly Avg limit x 5 = Daily Max limit (Non-Munis)
If the allowable ammonia concentration is > 35 mg/L, no limit shall be imposed
By Policy dischargers < 1 MGD get limits no lower than 2 & 4 due to BAT
* From 2B .0404(c) - Winter Limits can be no less stringent than 2 times the summer limits
Fecal Coliform
1. Monthly Avg limit x 2 = 400/100 ml = Weekly Avg limit (Municipals) = Daily Max limit (Non -Muni)

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IWC Calculations
Facility: Sugar Mountain WWTP
Permit No.: NC0022900
Prepared By: Catherine Shadwell
Enter Design Flow (MGD): 1 0.2 <=
Permitted Flow if Different from Design
Enter s7Q10 (cfs): 0.3
Enter w7Q10 (cfs): 0.4
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)
Ammonia (Summer)
Daily Maximum Limit (ug/1)
Monthly Average Limit (mg NH3-N/1)
Design Permitted
Design
Permitted
s7Q10 (CFS) 0.3 0.3
s7Q10 (CFS)
0.3
0.3
DESIGN FLOW (MGD) 1 0.2
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
1
0.2
DESIGN FLOW (CFS) 1.55 0.31
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
1.55
0.31
STREAM STD (UG/L) 17.0 17
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.0
1
Upstream Bkgd (ug/1) 0 0
Upstream Bkgd (mg/1)
0.22
0.22
IWC (%) 83.78 50.82
IWC (%)
83.78
50.819672
Allowable Conc. (ug/1) 20 33
Allowable Conc. (mg/1)
1.2
1.8
Ammonia (Winter)
Monthly Average Limit (mg NH3-N/1)
Design Permitted
Design
Permitted
Fecal Coliform
w7Q10 (CFS)
0.4
0.4
Monthly Average Limit: 200/100ml € 200/100ml
DESIGN FLOW (MGD)
1
0.2
(If DF >331; Monitor)
DESIGN FLOW (CFS)
1.55
0.31
(If DF<331; Limit)
STREAM STD (MG/L)
1.8
1.8
Dilution Factor (DF) 1.19 1.97
Upstream Bkgd (mg/1)
0.22
0.22
IWC (%)
79.49
43.66
Allowable Conc. (mg/1)
2.2
3.8
Total Residual Chlorine
1. Cap Daily Max limit at 28 ug/I to protect for acute toxicity
Ammonia (as NH3-N)
1. If Allowable Conc > 35 mg/l, Monitor Only
2. Monthly Avg limit x 3 = Weekly Avg limit (Municipals)
3. Monthly Avg limit x 5 = Daily Max limit (Non-Munis)
If the allowable ammonia concentration is > 35 mg/L, no limit shall
be imposed
By Policy dischargers < 1 MGD get limits no lower than 2 & 4 due
to BAT
* From 2B .0404(c) - Winter Limits can be no less stringent than 2
times the summer limits
Fecal Coliform
1. Monthly Avg limit x 2 = 400/100 ml = Weekly Avg limit (Municipals) = Daily Max limit (Non -Muni)

1Do L Sign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5Cy ] ...
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[External] Draft NPDES NCO0 9CO - Sugar Mountain WWTP
BM Brent Milliron Brent.MillironC�Carolinawaterservicenc.com>
To: Shadwell, Kate
Cc: Ronnie [Veil Reece <[e-mail]> +1 other
L4 NCO022900 Sugar Mountain
934 KB
0 5+ G M
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Tue 31812023 9A4 AM
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Good afternoon Kate,
e have reviewed the draft N PDES permit for our Sugar Mountain WWTP that ,vas issued on July 11, 2023. There are
a few comments/issues that we wvou Id I ke to discuss in more detail during oar revie-*-.
1. Footnote #2 on page 3 of 7 — We believe the downstream monitoring should reference "NC Highway I not
"NC Highway 194".
2. We also would like to discuss tale OutfaI1001 location. The current effluent line flows north from the plant to a
manhole and then has two separate 90 degree turns before it discharges into flattop Creek. An alternative
optiorl would be to eliminate the long stretch and turns and discbarge approximately 800ft upstream,
Please let us know how we could facilitate next steps or what additional documentation wve could provide to assist in
this manner.
Thank you,
Brent M !I1iron
RegulatoryCor-,piianc2 Manager
Carolina Water Services of North Cafolina
P 7D4.318.3317

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ernal] Draft NPDES NCO0 900 - Sugar Mountain UtifWTP
5-
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Good afternoon,
have attached a map; on this reap the blue fine is Flat Top creek where we discharge our effluent
from the Sugar tuft WVVTP at. I have drawn in the green fine showing how the outfall lime now runs, I added a red
circle near Flat Top creek on the golf course wherewe would Pike to change this to. Since we are discharging into the
Same cfeek could we not just move this location. I have fisted below a couple of reason why I feel that this would be a
better spot for this.
1. At our current outfalI location, you can see that we must park in a roadway, which poses a safety concern with
traffic and then we must walk through people's back yards to reach the orltfall pipe. In the past we have ran in
to problems with large dogs, some of the properties are renters and the problern could arise that they don't
want you in their back yard.
2. Upkeep of several hundred foot of piping. We have had this hit before in the past by contractors doing work
and if we changed the location that would prevent that in the future, thus saving our company and our
customers money frorn having to pay for these repairs.
S. Another safety issue is where park beside the road on Boyden Road to collect our upstrearn sampie, vre park
on the edge of this roadway to collect the sample it exposes our staff to traffic hazafds as we11.
4. If we moved the outfAl line to the site I marked on the map the operator could leave the plant and wal k to the
outfall line across the golf course on flat ground reducing the exposure to slips and falls going down steep
banks to get samples, removes the traffic safety concerns, and we could mover the up stream check near the
plant and that would also eliminate the othertraffic hazard.
Thank you for taking your tune to hear our concerns and slope you consider this to help us keep our staff safe moving
forward. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
BJ Bass, Daniel J
To: Davidson, Landor,. Shadwell, Kate Weaver, Charles
don't have an issue vaith this,
Daniel Boss
Assistant Regional Supervisor- Ashevi Ile Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ- Division of Water Resources
Office Phone: [phone] [ Celll: 828-273-3991
[e-mail]
2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
S4s.annanoa, N.C. 23778
Man 8/21/2023 11 A3 AM
DEQ is updating its emod addresses to @deq. nc. gov on phoses from Way 3st to June 9th.
Employee email addresses may Ook dt erent, but ernoil perfiofmance will not be imparted.
MV new email address hg.gLnnfng the week of Pay 15t will be. donfel.boss deq,nc.g! v
D-. FEw Q�
NeNrhnenl or EnwronrwrUl QLPMy
Email correspondence to and fmm this address is subject to the North
Carolina Public Records Law and may be disoto.sed to third parties_

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
WATAUGA COUNTY
NCDEQD WR/WATAUGA COUNT
1617 Mail Service Ctr
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said County and State, duly commissioned,
qualified, and authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
a�Kt'A F& Jyf who being first duly sworn, deposes and says: that
he (she) is an employee ofADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC, engaged in the publication
of a newspaper known as Watauga Democrat, published in the city of BOONE in said
County and State, that he (she) is authorized to make this affidavit and sworn statement; that the
notice or other legal advertisement, a true copy of which is attached hereto, was published in
Watauga Democrat, a newspaper meeting all of the requirements and qualifications of Section
I-597 of the General Statues of North Carolina on the following dates:
NCO022900 Sugar Mountain W WTP
07/12/23
6 V4--Z' /- -*>
P.O.
^fij^_ This 12'tht day
'of -July, 2023
ON M
U '•. p Signature of person making affidavit
to and subscribed before me on this 12th day of July, 2023
•. ' Notary Public
"111111110\ My Commission expires:
i

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PUBLIC NOTICE
North Carolina Enviref,�rnental Management Commission/NPDES Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Notice of Intent to Issue a NPDES Wastewater Permit NCO022900 Sugar Mountain WWTP. The North Carolina
Environmental Management Commission proposes to issue a NPDES wastewater discharge permit to the person(s)
listed below. Written comments regarding the proposed permit will be accepted until 30 days after the publish date
of this notice. The Director of the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) may hold a public hearing should there be
a significant degree of public interest. Please mail comments and/or information requests to DWR at the above ad-
dress. Interested persons may visit the DWR at 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 to review the information
on file. Additional information on NPDES permits and this notice may be found on our website: https://deq.nc.gov/
public-notices-hearings,or by calling [phone]. Carolina Water Service, Inc. of NC [P.O. Box 24098 Charlotte, NC
282241 has applied for renewal of permit NCO022900 for the Sugar Mountain WWTP. This permitted facility
discharges treated domestic wastewater to Flattop Creek in the Watauga River Basin. Currently, Ammonia Nitrogen,
Fecal Coliform, Dissolved Oxygen, and Total Residual Chlorine are water quality limited. This discharge may affect
future allocations in this portion of the receiving stream.

DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
August 10, 2017
Mr. Tony Konsul
Carolina Water Service, Inc. of NC
P.O. Box 240908
Charlotte, NC 28224
ROY COOPER
Goveraoi
MICHAEL S REGAN
Sea etm it
S JAY ZIMMERMAN
Du ectot,
Subject: Issuance of NPDES Permit NCO022900
Sugar Mountain WWTP
Avery County
Class WW-3
Dear Mr. Konsul:
Division personnel have reviewed and approved your application for renewal of the subject
permit. Accordingly, we are forwarding the attached NPDES discharge permit. This permit
is issued pursuant to the requirements of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1 and the
Memorandum of Agreement between North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency dated October 15, 2007 (or as subsequently amended).
The final permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
➢ Section A. (5) has been added to require electronic submission of effluent data.
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports
(DMRs).
➢ Regulatory citations have been added to the permit.
➢ An updated outfall map has been included.
If any parts, measurement frequencies or sampling requirements contained in this permit are
unacceptable to you, you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon written request
within thirty (30) days following receipt of this letter. This request must be in the form of a
written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes, and
filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings (6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North
Carolina 27699-6714). Unless such demand is made, this decision shall be final and
binding.
Please note that this permit is not transferable except after notice to the Division. The
Division may require modification or revocation and reissuance of the permit. This permit
does not affect the legal requirements to obtain any other Federal, State, or Local
governmental permit that may be required.
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
919 807 6300 919-807-6389 FAX
https.//deq nc gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-permits/wastewater-branch/npdes-wastewater-permits

DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
If you have any questions concerning this permit, please contact Emily Phillips at
telephone number [phone], or via e-mail [[e-mail]].
rely,
S. Jay Zimmerman, G.
cc: NPDES Unit
Central Files
Asheville Regional Office

DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
i'4r'a i JL%PX1ZXAJ U %#JL AJ%R A ZXXV A "AW0%viiaAaJLW%A r yyi+M+AV TA v*: SYSTEM
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,
Carolina Water Service, Inc. of North Carolina
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
Sugar Mountain WWTP
291 Norwood Hollow Road
Avery County
to receiving waters designated as Flattop Creek in the Watauga River Basin
in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other
conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective October 1, 2017.
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on
September 30, 2022.
Signed this day August 10, 2017.
S.,OfZimmerman, P.G.
Director, Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked. As of this permit 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 included herein.
Carolina Water Service, Inc. of North Carolina
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.50 MGD wastewater treatment system that
includes the following components:
• One common equalization basin
• Three separate plants operating in parallel
0 1 - 0.3 MGD plant
0 2 - 0.1 MGD plants
• Each plant has
o Aeration Basin
o Clarifier
o Sludge holding tank
o Liquid sodium hypochlorite disinfection
o Liquid sodium bisulfite Dechlorination, and
o Post aeration
• One common, combined flow meter
The facility is located in Norwood Hollow, southeast of Banner Elk, at 291
Norwood Hollow Road, in Avery County.
2. After receiving an Authorization to Construct from the Division of Water Quality,
construct the necessary facilities to increase the plant capacity to 1.0 MGD.
3. Discharge from said treatment works at the location specified on the attached map
into Flattop Creek, classified C waters in the Watauga River Basin.
Page 2 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS — 0.5 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expansion
above 0.5 MGD or expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001.
Such discharges shall be limited and monitored6 by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
Parameter Code
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Daily
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Locationl
Flow 50050
0.50 MGD
Continuous
Recording
Influent
BOD, 5-day (20°C) C0310
30 0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids C0530
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
3Meek
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N
(April 1— October 31 C0610
12.0 mg/L
35 0 mg/L
3Meek
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N
November 1— March 31 C0610
Monitor and Report
3Meek
Composite
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen2 00300
Monitor and Report
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
2
Dissolved Oxygen 00300
Monitor and Report
P
Variable'
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean)
31616
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
3Meek
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)3
50060
24 ug/L
3Meek
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C) 00010
Monitor and Report
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C) 00010
Monitor and Report
Variablel
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Total Nitrogen
NO2+NO3+TKN C0600
Monitor and Report
Semi -Annually
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus C0665
Monitor and Report
Semi -Annually
Composite
Effluent
Chronic Toxicity, TGP38
Monitor and Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
pH5 00400
Monitor and Report
3Meek
Grab
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. Upstream = 100 feet above discharge location; Downstream = at NC Highway 194. Upstream and
downstream sampling are to be performed 3/Week during the months of June, July, August and
September and once/week during the rest of the year.
2. The daily average dissolved oxygen effluent concentration shall not be less than 6.0 mg/L from April
1 - October and not less than 5.0 mg/L from November 1 - March 31.
3 The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 pg/ L to be in compliance
with the permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
a North Carolina certified laboratory (including field certified), even if these values fall below 50
jig/ L.
4. Chronic Toxicity (Cenodaphnia) P/F at 72%, April, July, October and January; [See A.(3.)].
5. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
6. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
system [see A.(5.)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or Visible foam in other than trace amounts.
A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS - 1 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning upon expansion above 0.5 MGD and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and
monitored6 by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
Parameter Code
LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Dwly
Maximum
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Locationl
Flow 50050
10 MGD
Continuous
Recording
Effluent
BOD, 5-day (20°C) C0310
30 0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids C0530
30.0 mg/L
45 0 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N
1 - October 31 C0610
12 mg/L
6.0 mg/L
3Meek
Composite
Effluent
-(April
NH3 as N
November 1 - March 31 C0610
2.2 mg/L
110 mg/L
3/Week
Composite
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen2 00300
Monitor and Report
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Dissolved Oxygen2 00300
Monitor and Report
Variable'
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean)
31616
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)3
50060
20 ug/L
3Meek
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C) 00010
Monitor and Report
Daily
Grab
Effluent
Temperature (°C) 00010
Monitor and Report
Variablel
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Total Nitrogen
NO2+NO3gen C0600
(TKTotal
Monitor and Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Phosphorus C0665
Monitor and Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
Chronic Toxicity4 TGP3B
Monitor and Report
Quarterly
Composite
Effluent
pH5 00400
Monftor and Report
3/Week
Grab
Effluent
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
Footnotes:
1. Upstream = 50 feet above discharge location. Downstream = 2 miles below discharge location at
NCSR 194. Upstream and downstream sampling are to be performed 3/Week during the months of
June, July, August and September and once/week during the rest of the year.
2. The daily average dissolved oxygen effluent concentration shall not be less than 6.0 mg/ L from April
1 - October and not less than 5.0 mg/L from November 1 - March 31.
3. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 Pg/L to be in compliance
with the permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by
a North Carolina certified laboratory (including field certified), even if these values fall below 50
leg/ L.
4. Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at 84%, April, July, October and January; See A.(4).
5. The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
6. The Permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
system [see A.(5.)].
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
A. (3). CHRONIC TOXICITY PERMIT LIMIT (QRTRLY) - Until expansion above
0.5 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0200 et seq.]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or
significant mortality to Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 72%.
The permit holder shall perform at a minimum,guarterlu monitoring using test procedures
outlined in the "North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised
December 2010, or subsequent versions or "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent
Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised- December 2010) or subsequent versions. The tests will be
performed during the months of January, April, July and October. These months signify
the first month of each three-month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent
sampling for this testing must be obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall
be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a
failure or ChV below the permit limit, then multiple -concentration testing shall be
performed at a minimum, in each of the two following months as described in "North
Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised -December
2010) or subsequent versions.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the
Effluent Discharge Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the months in which tests were performed,
using the parameter code TGP3B for the pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value.
Additionally, DWR Form AT-3 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later
than 30 days after the end of the reporting period for which the report is made.
Test data shall be complete, accurate, include all supporting chemical/physical
measurements and all concentration/response data, and be certified by laboratory
supervisor and ORC or approved designate signature. Total residual chlorine of the effluent
toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the
waste stream.
Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity
monitoring is required, the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the
aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number,
county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of "No Flow" in the comment area
of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences Section at the address cited
above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required,
monitoring will be required during the following month. Assessment of toxicity compliance is
based on the toxicity testing quarter, which is the three month time interval that begins on
the first day of the month in which toxicity testing is required by this permit and continues
until the final day of the third month.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North
Carolina Division of Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this
permit may be re -opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or
limits.
NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as
minimum control organism survival, minimum control organism reproduction, and
appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will require
immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month following
the month of the initial monitoring.
A. (4.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PERMIT LIMIT (QRTRLY) - Upon expansion above
0.5 MGD
[15A NCAC 02B .0200 et seq.]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or
significant mortality to Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 84 %.
The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, quarterlU monitoring using test procedures
outlined in the "North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised
December 2010, or subsequent versions or "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent
Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised- December 2010) or subsequent versions. The tests will be
Page 6 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
performed during the months of January, April, July and October. These months signify
the first month of each three-month toxicity testing quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent
sampling for this testing must be obtained during representative effluent discharge and shall
be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter results in a
failure or ChV below the permit limit, then multiple -concentration testing shall be
performed at a minimum, in each of the two following months as described in "North
Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Procedure" (Revised -December
2010) or subsequent versions.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the
Effluent Discharge Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the months in which tests were performed,
using the parameter code TGP3B for the pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value.
Additionally, DWR Form AT-3 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Water Sciences Section/Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Water Sciences Section no later
than 30 days after the end of the reporting period for which the report is made.
Test data shall be complete, accurate, include all supporting chemical/physical
measurements and all concentration/response data, and be certified by laboratory
supervisor and ORC or approved designate signature. Total residual chlorine of the effluent
toxicity sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the
waste stream.
Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity
monitoring is required, the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the
aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number,
county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of "No Flow" in the comment area
of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences Section at the address cited
above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required,
monitoring will be required during the following month. Assessment of toxicity compliance is
based on the toxicity testing quarter, which is the three month time interval that begins on
the first day of the month in which toxicity testing is required by this permit and continues
until the final day of the third month.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North
Carolina Division of Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this
permit may be re -opened and modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or
limits.
Page 7 of 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as
minimum control organism survival, minimum control organism reproduction, and
appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will require
immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last day of the month following
the month of the initial monitoring.
A. (5.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs)
and program reports. The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became
effective on December 21, 2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II
of this permit (Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• 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. 12.1 and Section E. (5.) (a)l
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 electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted
facilities to enter monitoring data and submit DMRs electronically using the internet.
Until such time that the state's eDMR application is compliant with EPA's Cross -Media
Electronic Reporting Regulation (CROMERR), permittees will be required to submit all
discharge monitoring data to the state electronically using eDMR and will be required to
complete the eDMR submission by printing, signing, and submitting one signed original
and a copy of the computer printed eDMR to the following address:
NC DENR / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
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 mailing address above. See "How to
Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last day of the month
following the issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day of the
month following the commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21, 2020, the permittee must electronically report the following
compliance monitoring data and reports, when applicable:
Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see "How to
Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee must identify the initial recipient at
the time of each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website
resources to identify the initial recipient for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means
the entity (EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program) that is
the designated entity for receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 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.
3. 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 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
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
Permit NCO022900
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://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/­water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B.
(11.1 (d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person
described in Part II, Section B. (11.) (a) or by a duly authorized representative of that
person as described in Part II, Section B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be
delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting purposes.
For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an
eDMR user account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more
information on North Carolina's eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an
eDMR user account, please visit the following web page:
http: / / deg.nc. gov / about / divisions /water -resources / edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system
shall make the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF
CERTIFICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED:
"I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared
under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that
qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my
inquiry of the person or persons who manage 'he system, or those persons directly
responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant
penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and
imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. 16M
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 122.411.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D3572ED1-6464-46B7-A59A-B70181606E5C
30� �l `� �� -� _ _ � Mir o �� � ! •��� �l � � � �t� = �
Outfal l 001ak ` '' '- =_;<. - �, ����
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IP
i
- •/ '1
Carolina Water Service, Inc. of NC
Facility X
Sugar Mountain WWTP
Location
Latitude: 36' 07' S6" N USGS Grid: Valle Crucis
Longitude: 81° 51' 07" W Permitted Flow: 0.500 MGD
Receiving Stream: Flattop Creek Drainage Basin: Watauga River Basin
Stream Class: C Sub -Basin: 04-02-01
[not to 5cole]
North NPDES Permit No. NC0022900
Avery County