WQCS00217_Permit (Issuance)_20240112

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9BC7C086-1474-4648-AD80-74F476343896
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Donald Denton, Senior Vice President
Carolina Trace Utilities Inc.
P.0 Box 240908
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28224-0908
Subject: Permit No. WQCS00217
Carolina Trace Collection System
Lee County
Dear Permittee:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
January 12, 2024
In accordance with your application received May 14, 2021, and the additional information received November 7, 2023,
we are forwarding herewith Permit No. WQCS00217, dated January 12, 2024, to the Carolina Trace Collection System for
the operation and maintenance of the subject wastewater collection system.
This permit shall be effective from January 12, 2024 until December 31, 2031 and shall be subject to the conditions and
limitations specified herein. It is your responsibility to thoroughly review this permit. Please pay particular attention to the
monitoring and reporting requirements in this permit and any special conditions.
Changes have been made to the permit. Most of the changes are for clarification purposes, however Condition 1(3) has
been removed. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) believes that condition was included erroneously in
previous permits. It was included based on proposed rulemaking by EPA which was never promulgated and, in the
continued absence of Federal regulations, DEQ lacks authority to include such language in a permit. DEQ will continue to
exercise enforcement discretion when evaluating sanitary sewer overflows that may be considered to be beyond the
reasonable control of the Permittee. A highlighted copy of the permit identifying the changes made is available at:
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeg/Water%20Quality/Surface%2OWater%2OProtection/PERCS/WCS%20(Collection/`20SVstem)/Up
dated%20WQCS%20Template%2015.05.18%20(highlighted).pdf
For purposes of permitting, the collection system is considered to be any existing or newly installed system extension up
to the wastewater treatment facility property or point of connection with a separately owned sewer system. The
collection system is considered all gravity lines, pump stations, force mains, low pressure sewer systems, STEP systems,
vacuum systems, etc. and associated piping, valves and appurtenances that help to collect, manage and transport
wastewater to a wastewater treatment plant under the Permittee's ownership or maintained and operated by the
Permittee through a perpetual legal agreement. Satellite systems are systems tributary to the Permittee's collection
system but those collection systems are not owned or maintained by the Permittee. The system description provided on
Page 1 of this permit is meant to provide a general idea about the size of the system and may not be all inclusive of the
collection system at the time of permit issuance or afterward.
A discharge of wastewater to the environment from the Permittee's wastewater collection system prior to reaching the
wastewater treatment facilities is referred to herein as a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO). The evaluation of enforcement
options after an SSO will be determined considering all relevant information available or requested of the Permittee.
Compliance with all conditions of the permit as well as all statutes and regulations pertaining to the wastewater collection
system must be maintained or appropriate enforcement actions may be taken as noted in Condition VI (2).
If you have an NPDES permit or permits, please be aware of independent NPDES SSO reporting requirements (see 40 CFR
122.41(I)). Please also be aware that NPDES permittees must electronically report compliance monitoring data, including
Sewer Overflow/ Bypass Event Reports, starting December 21, 2025 (or later if there is an EPA -approved alternative date
(see 40 CFR 127.24(e) or (f)). Your WQCS permit does not alter or modify any NPDES permit requirements.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9BC7C086-1474-4648-AD80-74F476343896
Carolina Trace Collection system
WQCS00217
A reportable SSO is an SSO greater than 1,000 gallons to the ground or an SSO of any amount that reaches surface water
(including through ditches, storm drains, etc.). Reporting requirements including the required verbal report and written
report to the appropriate regional office are referenced in Condition IV (2). Form CS-SSO can be downloaded from the SSO
Reporting area at:
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeg/Water%20QualitV/Surface%20Water%20Protection/PERCS/WCS%20(SSO%20Documents)/CS-
SSO(2015).Pdf
A notice of deficiency (NOD), notice of violation (NOV), civil penalty, and/or a moratorium on the addition of waste to the
system may be issued if adequate justification for an SSO is NOT submitted to the regional office. In order to submit a
claim for justification of an SSO, you must use Part II of form CS-SSO with additional documentation as necessary. DWR
staff will review the justification claim and determine if enforcement action is appropriate. Please be advised that the
information needed to justify a spill is very comprehensive.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable, you have the right to request an
adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty days following the receipt of this permit. 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, NC 27699-6714. Unless such demands are made, this
permit shall be final and binding.
If you have questions regarding compliance, please contact the appropriate regional office. If you need additional
information concerning this permit, please contact Andrew Girgis via email at [e-mail] or via telephone
at [phone].
Sincerely,
EnDo'c'u,Siigne'd byy:n `', .� Iw.'' `
C4646314316441E...
Michael Montebello,
NPDES Branch Chief, Division of Water Resources
ec: Raleigh Regional Office, Water Quality Regional Operations
Laserfiche
Municipal Permitting Unit Files
Maureen Kinney, NC Operators Certification Program

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9BC7C086-1474-4648-AD80-74F476343896
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
SYSTEM -WIDE COLLECTION SYSTEM PERMIT
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina as amended,
and other applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations, permission is hereby granted to the
Carolina Trace Collection System
WQCS00217
FOR THE
operation and maintenance of a wastewater collection system consisting of, at the time of permit issuance,
approximately 39.7 miles of gravity sewer, approximately 5.3 miles of force main, 7 simplex pump stations that
discharge to a pressure sewer and serve a single building, 6 duplex pump stations, and all associated piping,
valves, and appurtenances required to make a complete and operational wastewater collection system to
serve the Carolina Trace Collection System and any deemed permitted satellite, pursuant to the application
received May 14, 2021, and the additional information received November 7, 2023, and in conformity with the
documents referenced therein and other supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department
of Environmental Quality and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from January 12, 2024 until December 31, 2031, and shall be subject to the
following specified conditions and limitations:
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I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. The sewage and wastewater collected by this system shall be treated in the properly permitted
Wastewater Treatment Facility identified in the permit application and documented in the Division's
database.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
2. The wastewater collection system shall be effectively managed, maintained and operated at all times to
prevent discharge to land or surface waters, and to prevent any contravention of groundwater standards
or surface water standards. In the event that the wastewater collection system fails to perform
satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate actions as
per the Response Action Plan (Condition II (9)), as well as any actions that may be required by the Division
of Water Resources (Division), such as the construction of additional or replacement sewer lines and/or
equipment. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
3. The Permittee shall establish by ordinance, inter -local agreement or contract its legal authority to require
new sewers be properly constructed; to ensure proper inspection and testing of sewer mains and service
laterals; to address flows from satellite systems and to take enforcement action as required by Condition 1
(4). [G.S. 143-215.913; G.S. 143-215.1(f)(1)]
4. The Permittee shall develop and implement an educational fats, oils and grease program that shall include
at least semiannual distribution of educational material targeted at both residential and non-residential
users. The Permittee shall also develop and implement an enforceable fats, oils and grease program for
non-residential users under which the Permittee can take enforcement against users who have not
properly installed, operated and maintained grease traps or grease interceptors as directed or otherwise
violated the terms of the enforcement program pertaining to fats, oils and grease. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
5. The Permittee shall adopt and implement a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to designate funding for
reinvestment into the wastewater collection system infrastructure. The CIP should address the short-term
needs and long-term "master plan" concepts. The CIP should typically cover a three to five-year period and
include a goal statement, description of the project area, description of the existing facilities, known
deficiencies (over a reasonable period) and forecasted future needs. Cost analysis is integral to the CIP.
[G.S. 143-215.913]
6. Overflow piping from manholes and pump stations, excluding piping to approved equalization structures,
known or discovered after permit issuance shall be immediately removed or permanently capped. Plugged
or valved emergency pumping connections are allowable for portable pumping or rerouting without
intentionally bypassing the wastewater treatment facility. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
7. The Permittee shall maintain a contingency plan for pump failure at each pump station. If one of the
pumps in a pump station containing multiple pumps fails, the process of repairing or replacing the pump
shall be initiated immediately and the new parts or pump shall be installed as soon as possible. The
permittee shall provide justification for delay in initiating the process for repair or replacement at the
Division's request. If the pump in a simplex pump station serving more than a single building or pump
stations not capable of pumping at a rate of 2.5 times the average daily flow rate with the largest pump
out of service fails, it shall be replaced immediately. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(1)]
Carolina Trace Collection System WQCS00217 Page 4 of 9

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8. Each pump station shall be clearly and conspicuously posted with a pump station identifier and an
emergency contact telephone number at which an individual who can initiate or perform emergency
service for the wastewater collection system 24 hours per day, seven days per week can be contacted. This
emergency contact telephone number shall be coupled with instructions that the emergency contact
should be called if the visual alarm illuminates, if the audible alarm sounds, or if an emergency is apparent.
[15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(2)]
9. Pump station sites, equipment, and components shall have restricted access. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(4)]
10. Pump stations that do not employ an automatic polling feature (i.e. routine contact with pump stations
from a central location to check operational status of the communication system) shall have both audible
and visual high water alarms. The alarms shall be weather-proof and placed in a clear and conspicuous
location. Permits issued for the construction of pump stations that included high water alarms in the
description must maintain the alarms even if simple telemetry (i.e. notification of an alarm condition
initiated by the pump station control feature) is installed. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(1)]
11. For all newly constructed, modified and rehabilitated pump stations, all equipment and components -shall
be sealed within a corrosion -resistant coating or encasement to the extent practicable and equivalent to
the minimum design criteria unless the permittee can demonstrate it is not practicable or another form of
corrosion resistance is employed. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Upon classification of the collection system by the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification
Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall designate and employ a certified operator to be in
responsible charge (ORC) and one or more certified operator(s) to be back-up ORC(s) of the facilities in
accordance with 15A NCAC 8G.0201. The ORC shall visit the system within 24 hours of knowledge of a
bypass, spill, or overflow of wastewater from the system, unless visited by the Back -Up ORC, and shall
comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0204. [15A NCAC 08G.0200 et. seq.]
2. The Permittee shall develop and adhere to a schedule for reviewing all inspection, maintenance,
operational and complaint logs. If the review process results in the identification of any recurring problem
in the wastewater collection system that cannot be resolved in a short time period, the Permittee shall
establish a plan for addressing the problem(s). [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
3. The Permittee shall develop and adhere to a schedule for testing emergency and standby equipment.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
The Permittee shall develop and implement a routine pump station inspection and maintenance program
which shall include the following maintenance activities [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]:
a. Cleaning and removing debris from the pump station structure, outside perimeter, and wet well;
b. Inspecting and exercising all valves;
c. Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other mechanical equipment; and
d. Verifying the proper operation of the alarms, telemetry system and auxiliary equipment.
4. For each pump station without pump reliability (i.e. simplex pump stations serving more than a single
building or pump stations not capable of pumping at a rate of 2.5 times the average daily flow rate with
Carolina Trace Collection System WQCS00217 Page 5 of 9

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the largest pump out of service), at least one fully operational spare pump capable of pumping peak flow
shall be maintained on hand. [15A NCAC 02T.0305(h)(1)(A)]
5. The Permittee shall maintain on hand at least two percent of the number of pumps installed, but no less
than two pumps, that discharge to a pressure sewer and serve a single building, unless the Permittee has
the ability to purchase and install a replacement pump within 24 hours of first knowledge of the simplex
pump failure or within the storage capacity provided in a sewer line extension permit.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
6. Rights -of -way and/or easements shall be properly maintained to allow accessibility to the wastewater
collection system unless the Permittee can demonstrate the ability to gain temporary access in an
emergency situation where existing land -use conditions do not allow the establishment and maintenance
of permanent access. In this case, the Permittee shall continue to observe the lines visually, utilize remote
inspection methods (e.g. CCTV) and use the opportunity of drier conditions to perform further inspections
and necessary maintenance. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
7. The Permittee shall assess cleaning needs, and develop and implement a program for appropriately
cleaning, whether by hydraulic or mechanical methods, the wastewater collection system. At least 10
percent of the gravity wastewater collection system, selected at the discretion of the ORC, shall be cleaned
each year. Preventative cleaning is not required for sewer lines less than five years old unless inspection
otherwise reveals the need for cleaning or cleaning is required by a sewer line extension permit.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
8. The Permittee shall maintain a Response Action Plan that addresses the following items at a minimum
[15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]:
a. Contact phone numbers for 24-hour response, including weekends and holidays;
b. Response time;
c. Equipment list and spare parts inventory;
d. Access to cleaning equipment;
e. Access to construction crews, contractors and/or engineers;
f. Source(s) of emergency funds;
g. Site restoration and clean up materials; and
h. Post-SSO assessment.
9. The Permittee, or their authorized representative, shall conduct an on -site evaluation for all SSOs as soon
as possible, but if feasible no more than two hours after first knowledge of the SSO. The Permittee shall
document in its 5-day report why it was unable to initially respond to any SSO location within two hours.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
10. In the event of an SSO or blockage within the wastewater collection system, the Permittee shall restore
the system operation, remove visible solids and paper, restore any ground area and restore the
surroundings. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
III. RECORDS
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1. Records shall be maintained to document compliance with Conditions 1(4), II(2) - II(4), II(7) - II(8), IV(3) and
V(1) -V(4). Records shall be kept on file for a minimum of three years. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
2. The Permittee shall maintain adequate records pertaining to SSOs, and SSO or wastewater collection
system complaints for a minimum of three years. These records shall include, but are not limited to, the
following information [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]:
a. Date of SSO or complaint;
b. Volume of wastewater released as a result of the SSO and/or nature of complaint;
c. Location of the SSO and/or complaint;
d. Estimated duration of the SSO;
e. Individual from the Division who was informed about the SSO and/or complaint, when
applicable;
f. Final destination of the SSO;
g. Corrective actions;
h. Known environmental/human health impacts resulting from the SSO; and
i. How the SSO was discovered.
3. The Permittee shall maintain an up-to-date, accurate, comprehensive map of its wastewater collection
system that also notes the locations where other wastewater collection systems become tributary. If a
comprehensive map of the collection system has not been established, a rough sketch shall be drawn. The
Permittee shall map approximately 10 percent of its existing collection system each year for the next ten
years beginning at the original permit issuance date, or until complete, whichever is sooner. The
comprehensive map shall include, but is not limited to: pipe size, pipe material, pipe location, flow
direction, approximate pipe age, and each pump station identification, location and capacity. [15A NCAC
02T.0108(b)]
4. The Permittee shall maintain records of all of the modifications and extensions to the collection system
permitted herein. The Permittee shall maintain a copy of the construction record drawings and
specifications for modifications/extensions to the wastewater collection system for the life of the
modification/extension. Information concerning the extension shall be incorporated into the map of the
wastewater collection system within one year of the completion of construction. The system description
contained within this permit shall be updated to include this modification/extension information upon
permit renewal. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
IV. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. In the event of an SSO, the Division may require monitoring that is necessary to ensure surface water and
groundwater protection and an acceptable sampling and reporting schedule shall be implemented.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108(c)]
2. The Permittee shall verbally report to a Division of Water Resources staff member at the Raleigh Regional
Office, at telephone number 919-791-4200 as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours
following first knowledge of the occurrence of the following circumstances within the collection system
which is under the Permittee's ownership or maintained and operated by the Permittee through a
perpetual legal agreement:
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a. Any SSO and/or spill over 1,000 gallons to the ground; or
b. Any SSO and/or spill, regardless of volume, that reaches surface water.
Voice mail messages or faxed information shall not be considered as the initial verbal report. SSOs (and
other types of spills) occurring outside normal business hours may also be reported to the Division of
Emergency Management at telephone number [phone] or [phone].
Persons reporting any of the above occurrences shall file a spill report by completing Part I of Form CS-SSO
(or the most current Division approved form), within five business days following first knowledge of the
occurrence. This report shall outline the actions taken or proposed to ensure that the problem does not
recur. [G.S. 143-215.1C(a1)]
3. The Permittee shall meet the annual reporting and notification requirements provided in North Carolina
General Statute §143-215.1C.
V. INSPECTIONS
1. The Permittee or the Permittee's designee shall inspect the wastewater collection system regularly to
reduce the risk of malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors, and other issues that may cause or lead
to the release of wastes to the environment, threaten human health or create nuisance conditions. The
Permittee shall keep an inspection log or summary including, at a minimum, the date and time of
inspection, observations made, and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken by the Permittee.
[15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
2. Pump stations that are not connected to a telemetry system (i.e., remote alarm system) shall be inspected
by the permittee or its representative every day (i.e., 365 days per year). Pump stations that are connected
to telemetry shall be inspected at least once per week. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
3. A general observation by the permittee or its representative of the entire wastewater collection system
shall be conducted at least once per year. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
4. Inspections of all high priority lines (i.e. aerial line, sub -waterway crossing, line contacting surface waters,
siphon, line positioned parallel to stream banks that are subject to eroding in such a manner that may
threaten the sewer line, or line designated as high -priority in a permit) shall be performed at least once per
every six-month period of time. A list of high -priority lines is presented as Attachment A and is hereby
incorporated into this permit condition. New high priority lines installed or identified after permit issuance
are incorporated by reference and subject to this permit condition until permit renewal where they shall
be referenced in writing in Attachment A. [15A NCAC 02T.0108(b)]
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. This permit is not transferable. In the event that the Permittee desires to transfer ownership of the
wastewater collection system or there is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit modification
request shall be submitted to the Division. The request shall be accompanied by documentation from the
parties involved, and other supporting materials as may be appropriate. Such request will be considered
on its merits and may or may not be approved. [15A NCAC 02T .0104; G.S. 143-215.1(d)(3)]
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2. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the Permittee to an
enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General Statute §143-215.6A
through §143-215.6C, and a sewer moratorium may be established. [15A NCAC 02T.0104]
3. The issuance of this permit does not exempt the Permittee from complying with any and all statutes, rules,
regulations, or ordinances that may be imposed by other government agencies (i.e., local, state, and
federal) having jurisdiction. [G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
4. The issuance of this permit does not prohibit the Division from reopening and modifying the permit,
revoking and reissuing the permit, or terminating the permit, as allowed by the laws, rules, and regulations
or as needed to address changes in federal regulations with respect to the wastewater collection system,
in accordance with required procedures. [G.S. 143-215.1(b)(4)]
5. The Permittee shall pay the annual fee within thirty (30) days after being billed by the Division. Failure to
pay the fee accordingly may cause the Division to initiate action to revoke this permit.
[15A NCAC 02T.0110(4)]
6. The Permittee shall file an application for renewal of this permit at least six months prior to the expiration
of this permit. Upon receipt of the request, the Director will review the adequacy of the wastewater
collection system described therein, and if warranted, will extend the permit for a period of time and
under such conditions and limitations, as the Director may deem appropriate. [15A NCAC 02T.0109]
7. The Permittee shall notify the Division's Municipal Permitting Unit in writing at 1617 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 of any changes to the name and/or address of the responsible party (i.e.
mayor, city/town manager) of the wastewater collection system. [15A NCAC 02T.0106(c)]
8. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division may, upon presentation of
credentials, enter and inspect any property, premises or place on or related to the collection system at any
reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this permit, may inspect or copy any
records that must be maintained under the terms and conditions of this permit, and may obtain samples of
wastewater, groundwater, surface water, soil, or plant tissue.
[15A NCAC 02T.0110(3)]
9. The Permittee or their authorized representative shall have available a copy of this permit to present upon
request by any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division. [15A NCAC 02T.0104]
Permit issued the 12tb of January, 2024.
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
EnDo'c'u,Siigne'd byy:n`',.� Iw.''`UI (�C�l� Y V hk �'�C�uh
C464631431644FE—
Michael Montebello,
NPDES Branch Chief
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Carolina Trace Collection System WQCS00217 Page 9 of 9

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Section IV.4 - Attachment
High Priority Lines
Location
Pipe Material
Size (inches)
Type
2007 Traceway
Ductile
8
Aerial
2117 Traceway
Ductile
8
Aerial
850 Eagles Nest
Ductile
4
Aerial
901 Windrace
Ductile
4
Aerial
902 Windrace
Ductile
4
Aerial
904 Windrace
Ductile
4
Aerial
912 Windrace
Ductile
4
Aerial
921 Windrace
Ductile
4
Aerial
1016 Windrace
Ductile
4
Aerial
1395 Colorado
Ductile
8
Aerial
Lakeview & Upper Deck
Ductile
8
Aerial
Dam- South side of lake
Ductile
12
Exposed
3125 Sand Wedge
Ductile
4
Aerial
6027 St. Andrews
Ductile
8
Aerial
Stonegate Pond
Ductile
8
Sub -waterway
Mallards Cove Pond
Ductile
8
Aerial
5041 Bluebird
Ductile
4
Aerial
5055 Blubird
Ductile
8
Aerial