NC0032131_Renewal (Application)_20151116

Mail the complete application to:
N. C. DENR / Division of Water Quality / NPDES Unit
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
NPDES Permit INCO0321371
If you are completing this form in computer use the TAB key or the up - down arrows to move from one
field to the next. To check the boxes, click your mouse on top of the box. Otherwise,please print or type.
1. Contact Information:
Owner Name Tweetsie Railroad, Inc.
Facility Name Tweetsie Railroad Wastewater Treatment Facility
Mailing Address 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
City Blowing Rock
State / Zip Code NC 28605
Telephone Number [phone]
Fax Number [phone] R Q
e-mail Address [e-mail]
NOV 16 2015
2. Location of facility producing discharge:
Check here if same address as above ® Water GiSedon
Permitting
Street Address or State Road
City
State / Zip Code
County
3. Operator Information:
Name of the firm, public organization or other entity that operates the facility. (Note that this is not
referring to the Operator in Responsible Charge or ORC)
Name Brian Banner
Mailing Address 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
City Blowing Rock
State / Zip Code NC 28605
Telephone Number [phone]
Fax Number (828)
e-mail Address [e-mail]
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4. Description of wastewater:
Facility Generating Wastewater(check all that apply):
Industrial ❑ Number of Employees
Commercial ® Number of Employees See below
Residential ❑ Number of Homes
School ❑ Number of Students/Staff
Other ® Explain: Guests
Describe the source(s) of wastewater (example: subdivision, mobile home park, shopping centers,
restaurants, etc.):
Theme park rest rooms, food service facilities, employee facilities.
Number of persons served: average of 1,550 visitors and employees each operating day
5. Type of collection system
® Separate (sanitary sewer only) ❑ Combined (storm sewer and sanitary sewer)
6. Outfall Information:
Number of separate discharge points one
Outfall Identification number(s) 001
Is the outfall equipped with a diffuser? ® Yes ❑ No
7. Name of receiving stream(s) (NEW applicants:Provide a map showing the exact location of each
outfall):
Middle Fork, New River
8. Frequency of Discharge: ® Continuous ❑ Intermittent
If intermittent:
Days per week discharge occurs: Duration:
9. Describe the treatment system
List all installed components, including capacities, provide design removal for BOD, TSS, nitrogen and
phosphorus. If the space provided is not sufficient, attach the description of the treatment system in a
separate sheet of paper.
The system currently consists of a bar screen entrance (2" X 3/8" opening at a 45 degree
incline) continuing to a two-way diversion box, dual train aeration basins (12' X 45.5' X
14' = 57,177 gallons each, or 35,000 GPD each). Each aeration basin is complete with
equalization tank (11' X 11' X 12') and a two-chamber clarifier (10' X 11" 12') each).
After primary and secondary treatment, a chlorine contact basin and tertiary filter unit
(23.25' X 10' X 12'; 12" sand and 8" anthracite), including mudwell chamber, is used to
achieve the lower effluent limits established for this site. Finally, a dechlorination
chamber (8' X 6' X 9') is employed to remove excess chlorine and the treated water is
then discharged. The wastewater plant is supplemented by an emergency generator
(480v, 3-phase, 60 cycle, four wire system capable of producing 40kW) and has an on-site
electrical control enclosure.
Designed removal of BOD for conventional extended aeration system is approximately
75-95% (Metcalf and Eddie Inc., 1991). Total nitrogen removal is approximately 5-10%
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for conventional primary treatment, 10-30% for secondary treatment and 20-40% for
processes which include tertiary treatment such as filtration. Overall phosphorus
removal is approximately 10-20% for primary treatment, 10-25% for secondary
treatment and 20-50% for processes which include tertiary filtration systems. Suspended
solids effluent for typical activated sludge systems with tertiary filtration such as this
are expected to be 4-6 mg/l.
Proposed System Expansion:
The current system will be mirrored by adding three process trains similar to the existing
trains to expand total capacity to 175,000 gpd. The permitted volumetric now requested
is 169,250 gpd. Please refer to Attachments 5 and 7 of the original permit show the
breakdown of the estimated flow rates for Phases I-III. The added process trains should be
of similar size and elevation to allow for the same flow and residence time in each
process train. During periods of low flow, this technique provides the operational
flexibility to shut down individual trains to maintain the uniform and consistent now
rates necessary for optimal treatment. For example, the existing dual train will be
mirrored so that five lanes will exist (12' X 45.5' X14' = 57,177 gallons each or 35,000
GPD each). These additional aeration basins will have the same pneumatic demands
(aeration) and hydrodynamics yielding similar flow rates for each basin. Each additional
basin will have the same equalization tank (11' X 11' X 12') and a two chamber clarifier
(10' X 11' X 12' each).
Similarly, an equalization basin is to be considered as an addition to the head of the now
splitters to establish system stability and equilibrium by avoiding spikes in the flow rate
seen by process train which can create unpredictable behavior within the system. The
design of this equalization basin will be in accordance with 15A NCAC 02T .0908. As
such, the basin will be aerated and have a volume of no less than 25% of the expected
daily flow. For a flow of 169,250 gpd the equalization basin should have a volume no less
than 42,313 gallons.
Additionally, the flow diverter will have to be modified to split five ways as opposed to
using the current weir system. Observation of the bar screen under heavy use shows only
minimal flow, indicating expanded flow would not create the necessity for alteration in
this section of the plant. Increased debris removal may dictate a mechanical sweep for
the screen if indicated by further design investigation.
Reference: Metcalf& Eddie, 1991. "Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, 3rd
Edition", Irwin McGraw-Hill, pp. 109, 548H549, 670. 692-693, 695.
3 of 5 Form-D 11/12

10. Flow Information:
Treatment Plant Design flow 0.169250 MGD
Annual Average daily flow 0.049 MGD (for the previous 3 years)
Maximum daily flow 0.072 MGD (for the previous 3 years)
11. Is this facility located on Indian country?
❑ Yes ® No
12. Effluent Data
NEW APPLICANTS:Provide data for the parameters listed. Fecal Coliform, Temperature and pH shall be grab
samples,for all other parameters 24-hour composite sampling shall be used. If more than one analysis is reported,
report daily maximum and monthly average. If only one analysis is reported, report as daily maximum.
RENEWAL APPLICANTS: Provide the highest single reading(Daily Maximum) and Monthly Average over
the past 36 months for parameters curre tly in yourpermit. Mark otherparameters "N/A".
Parameter Daily Monthly Units of
Maximum Average Measurement
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BODS) 24.4 0.8 Mg/L
Fecal Coliform 42 1.2 CFU's/100ml
Total Suspended Solids 12 2.5 Mg/L
Temperature (Summer) 22 C
Temperature (Winter) n/a n/a C
pH 6.7 7.4 pH
13. List all permits, construction approvals and/or applications:
Type Permit Number Type Permit Number
Hazardous Waste (RCRA) NESHAPS (CAA)
UIC (SDWA) Ocean Dumping (MPRSA)
NPDES NCO032131 Dredge or fill (Section 404 or CWA)
PSD (CAA) Other
Non-attainment program (CAA)
14. APPLICANT CERTIFICATION
I certify that I am familiar with the information contained in the application and that to the
best of my knowledge and belief such information is true, complete, and accurate.
Christopher B Robbins President
P ' e name of Person Signing Title
11/13/2015
Signatur of pplicant Date
North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6 (b)(2) states: Any person who knowingly makes any false statement representation, or certification in any
application, record, report, plan, or other document files or required to be maintained under Article 21 or regulations of the Environmental Management
Commission implementing that Article, or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any recording or monitoring device or method
required to be operated or maintained under Article 21 or regulations of the Environmental Management Commission implementing that Article, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed$25,000,or by imprisonment not to exceed six months,or by both. (18 U.S.C.Section 1001
provides a punishment by a fine of not more than$25,000 or imprisonment not more than 5 years,or both,for a similar offense.)
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ATTACHMENT TO NPDES PERMIT NC00032131
TWEETSIE RAILROAD, INC. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
SLUDGE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Tweetsie Railroad currently uses two vendors to pump and haul waste sludge and for emergency
spill response:
Appalachian Pumping
828-264-2450
Mobile [phone]
Triple T Pumping
828-262-5745
Mobile [phone]
All waste is disposed of at the Boone, NC municipal wastewater plant.
5 of 5 Form-D 11/12

PAT MCCRORY
!;'+
ro
Gurcrno�
DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
se-Lre ly
Water Resources S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Un ector
November 30, 2015
Christopher B. Robbins
Tweetsie Railroad, Inc.
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock,NC 28605
Subject: Acknowledgement of Permit Renewal
Application No.NCO032131
Tweetsie Railroad WTF
Watauga County
Dear Permittee:
The Water Quality Permitting Section has received your permit renewal application on November
17,2015. A member of the NPDES Unit will review your application. They will contact you if additional
information is required to complete your permit renewal. Per G.S. 150B-3 your current permit does not
expire until permit decision on the application is made. Continuation of the current permit is contingent on
timely and sufficient application for renewal of the current permit. Please respond in a timely manner to
requests for additional information necessary to complete the permit application.
If you have any additional questions concerning renewal of the subject permit,please contact.Wren
Thedford at 919-807-6304 or [e-mail].
Sincerely,
W lr6,vv T(n.e O�DYOL
Wren Thedford
Wastewater Branch
cc: Central Files_
I — _ ,
EW_:i_nston-S'alem Regional Office, Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NPDES Unit
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Marl Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
919-807-6300