NC0061123_Renewal Application_20170706

Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
July 10, 2017
Mr. Theodore D. Wisniewski, Executive Dir.
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
PO Box 1299
Highlands, NC 28741-1299
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S REGAN
Seci elai7
S JAY ZIMMERMAN
Du eclor
Subject: Renewal Application
Application No. NCO061123
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center WWTP
Macon County
Dear Mr. Wisniewski:
The Water Quality Permitting Section acknowledges receipt of your permit application and
supporting documentation received on May 10, 2017. The primary reviewer for this renewal
application is Anjah Orlando.
The primary reviewer will review your application, and she 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 Anjali at 919-807-6388 or [e-mail].
cc: Central Files
NPDES
Asheville Regional Office
Sincerely,
7-Am '%4*id
Wren Thedford
Wastewater Branch
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919-807-6300

N.0 DENR Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Services Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
The Mountain
RETREAT AND LEARNING CENTER INC
A place An experience
A way forward for all ages
RECEIVEDINCDEWWR
JUL 06 2017
Water Quality
Permitting Section
The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center submits for renewal of its permit to operate a wastewater treatment
facility on its premises. The treatment facility has been in constant operation at The Mountain since it was
commissioned. Over the course of its operation it has seen fluctuation in operational demand as well as access
to adequate resources for operation. In the past three years The Mountain has prioritized both operational and
physical improvements to the water and wastewater infrastructure spending in excess of $20,000.00 for repairs
and improvements as well as contracting a third party firm for operation and sampling. In The Mountains efforts
to improve its infrastructure operations we have found better ways to operate the wastewater plant to ensure
consistent compliant effluent results. In the course of our improvements we have become aware of two
opportunities for improvement on the permit.
In consultation will operation professionals and NCDENR officials it seems there is consensus that the stream
into which the plant outfall is located is improperly classified with a 7Q10 of 0. This improper classification
creates an unreasonable operation and compliance burden on The Mountain. We would seek for reassessment
and reclassification of the stream and the resultant review of permit limits.
Further we believe it would be more reasonable for the continued operation of the wastewater plant for it to
permit with a total ammoma limit as opposed to a whole effluent toxicity limit.
The Mountain has seen increases in its business and feels confident about its camp and conference operation
well into the future. Being consistent with our mission we endeavor to continue making improvements in our
infrastructure to ensure the continued servicing of our business needs as well as protecting the natural resources
of North Carolina for the enjoyment of all
Please let us know what next steps we need to take to facilitate the review and renewal of our operation permit.
You can reach me at 828-526-5838 or ted.wisniewski(a�,ThemountainRLC.org
Sincerely
Theodore D. isniewski
Executive Director Mountain Retreat and Learning Center
[e-mail]
828-526-5838 ext.222
P 0 Box 1299 Highlands, NC 28741 ■ tel [phone] fax [phone]
www.mountaincenters.org ■ [e-mail]

NPDES APPLICATION - FORM D
For privately -owned treatment systems treating 100% domestic wastewaters <1.0 MGD
Mail the complete application to:
N. C. DENR / Division of Water Resources / NPDES Program
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
NPDES Permit C0061123
-71
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
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
Facility Name
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center WWTP
Mailing Address
PO BOX 1299
City
Highlands
State / Zip Code
NC / 28741
Telephone Number
[phone]
Fax Number
e-mail Address
(ecl o VAt s n E L Movrt4Ln K L C,
2. Location of facility producing discharge:
Check here if same address as above ❑
Street Address or State Road 3872 Dillard Road
City Highlands
State / Zip Code NC / 28741
County Macon
3. Operator Information:
Name of the first, public organization or other entity that operates the facility. (!Vote that this is not
referring to the Operator in Responsible Charge or ORQ
Name Environmental, Inc
Mailing Address PO BOX 954
City Cullowhee
State / Zip Code NC / 28723
Telephone Number [phone]
Fax Number [phone]
e-mail Address Environmentalin i aol.com
1 of 3 Form-D 9/2013

NC DENR / DWR / NPDES
Renewal Application Checklist
The following items are REQUIRED for all renewal packages:
o A cover letter requesting renewal of the permit and documenting any changes at the facility since
issuance of the last permit. Submit one signed original and two copies.
o The completed application form (copy attached), signed by the permittee or an Authorized
Representative. Submit one signed original and two copies,
o if an Authorized Representative (such as a consulting engineer or environmental consultant) prepares
the renewal package, written documentation must be provided showing the authority delegated to the
Authorized Representative (see Part II.B.1 Lb of the existing NPDES pernut).
o A narrative description of the sludge management plan for the facility. Describe how sludge (or other
solids) generated during wastewater treatment are handled and disposed if your facility has no such
plan (or the permitted facility does not generate any solids), explain this in writing. Submit one signed
original and two copies.
The following items must be submitted by any Municii)al or Industrial facilities discharging
process wastewater:
o Industrial facilities classified as Primary Industries (sec Appendices A-D to Title 40 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, Pan 122) and ALL Municipal facilities with a permitted flow >_ 1.0 MGD must
submit a Priority Pollutant Analysis (PPA) in accordance with 40 CFR Part 122.21.
The above ,requirement does NOT apply to non --industrial facilities.
Send the completed renewal package to:
Wren Thedford
NC DENR / DWR / NPDES Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617

NPDES APPLICATION - FORM D
For privately -owned treatment systems treating 100% domestic wastewaters <1.0 MGD
4. Description of wastewater:
Facility Generating Wastewater(check all that apply).
Industrial
❑
Number of Employees
Commercial
❑
Number of Employees _
Residential
❑
Number of Homes
School
❑
Number of Students/Staff
Other
®
Explain: Camp 60
Describe the source(s) of wastewater (example: subdivision, mobile home park, shopping centers,
restaurants, etc.):
Cabins and restaurant or kitchen
Number of persons served- 60
5. Type of collection system
E Separate (sanitary sever only) ❑ Combined (storm sewer and sanitary sewer)
6. Outfall Information:
Number of separate discharge points 1
Outfall Identification number(s) 001
Is the outfali equipped with a diffuser? ❑ Yes ® No
7. Name of receiving stream(s) (NEW applicants: Provide a snap showing the exact location of each
outfallp
Abes Creek
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 components of the treatment system include multiple septic tanks, surface sand
filters, tablet chlorine disinfection and dechlorination equipment.
2 of 3 Form-D 9/2013

NPDES APPLICATION - FORM D
For privately -owned treatment systems treating 100% domestic wastewaters <1.0 MGD
10. Flow Information:
Treatment Plant Design flow 0.006 MGD
Annual Average daily flow 0.0023 MGD (for the previous 3 years)
Maximum daily flow 0.0060 MGD (for the previous 3 years)
11. Is this facility located on Indian country?
❑ Yes ® No
12. Effluent Data
lwwAPPLICANTS: Provide data for the parameters listed. Fecal Colaform, 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.
RKNEWAL APPLICANTS: Provide the highest single reading (Daily Maximum) and Monthly Average over
the past 36 months for parameters currently in your permit. Mark other parameters `NIA'.
Parameter
Daily
Maximum
Monthly
Average
Units of
Measurement
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BODs)
28
25.6
Mg/L
Fecal Cohform
168
124
Ml
Total Suspended Solids
33.5
25.1
Mg/L
Temperature (Summer)
26.8
25.4
C
Temperature (Winter)
15.7
14.3
C
pH
7.8
NA
units
13. List all permits, construction approvals and/or applications:
Type Permit Number Type Permit Number
Hazardous Waste (RCRA)
UIC (SDWA)
NPDES NCO061123
PSD (CAA)
Non -attainment program (CAA)
14. APPLICANT CERTIFICATION
NESHAPS (CAA)
Ocean Dumping (MPRSA)
Dredge or fill (Section 404 or CWA)
Other
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.
Printed name of Person Signing Title
Signature of A
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 monaonng 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 S25,000 or imprisonment not more than 5 years, or both, for a similar offense)
3 of 3 Form-D 9/2013

Av
ENVIRONMENTAL
—Inc. ROeef Rttletalee 6�rvbef
MailinL, Address: I'O Box 954, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Phvsical Address: 2675 Skviand Drive, Svlva, NC 28779 [phone]
Phvsical Address: 240-D Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28805 [phone]
Toll Free: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: o� v'stoit 77eg�tt 6tnc r r = s7
http //www environmentalinc info/
Sludge Management Plan
March 16, 2017
.NPDES Permit C0061123
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center WWTP
PO BOX 1299
Highlands
NC / 28741
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
Sludge is pumped out of the septic tank(s) . The solids are pumped and hauled by a
licensed septage management firm.
The solids are disposed of at a local municipality facility.
Signature:lr�G& GL
Marl. Teague, Environrnentd, Inc.
Contract Operational Firm