NC0061123_Draft Permit_20170809

Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
August 9, 2017
Mr. Lee Reading
The Mountain Retreat
and Conference Center
P.O. Box 1299
Highlands, N.C. 28741-1299
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S JAY ZIMMERMAN
Director
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NCO061123
The Mountain Retreat and Conference Center/
WW-1
Macon County
Dear Mr. Reading:
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Please review this draft
carefully to ensure your thorough understanding of the information, conditions, and
requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
➢ Section A. (5) has been updated to reflect current language regarding electronic
submission of effluent data. Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all
discharge monitoring reports (DMRs).
➢ Regulatory citations have been added.
➢ Updated outfall map has been included.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by
publishing a notice in newspapers having circulation in the general Macon County area, per
EPA requirements. Please provide your comments, if any, to me no later than 30 days
after receiving this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments
and take appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning
the draft, please contact me at 919-807-6388, or via e-mail [[e-mail]].
Sincerely,
F
Anj ali Orlando
Compliance and Expedited Permitting Unit
Cc: NPDES Unit
Asheville Regional Office
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

NPDES Permit NCO061123
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
In compliance with the provision 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, the
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center, Inc.
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center WWTP
3872 Dillard Road
Highlands
Macon County
to receiving waters designated as Abes Creek in the Savannah 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
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on August 31, 2022.
Signed this day
DRAFT
S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G.
Director, Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO061123
I
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to Ithis 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.
The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate an existing 0.006 MGD wastewater treatment facility with the
following components:
• Multiple septic tanks
• Surface sand filters
• Tablet chlorine disinfectioni
• Dechlorination equipment
This facility is located at The Mountain Retreat 8v Learning Center (3872 Dillard Road,
near Highlands) in Macon Countyi.
i
2. Discharge from said treatment works via outfall 001 into Abes Creek (subbasin 03-13-01),
currently classified C-Trout ORW waters in hydrologic unit [HUC: 0601020202011 of the
Savannah River Basin, at the location specified on the attached map.
I
Page 2 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO061123
Part I.
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[ 15 NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited, monitored,
and reported by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER
LIMITS
MONITORING
REQUIREMENTS'
Monthly Average
Daily Maximum
Measurement
Sample Type
Sample
{PCS Code]
Frequency
Locationz
FIow3
50050
0.006 MGD
Weekly
Instantaneous
Influent or
Effluent
BOD, 5-day (20°C)
30 0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
C0310
Total Suspended Solids
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
[C0530]
NHs as N
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
C0610
Dissolved Oxygen
Daily average > 6.0 mg/L
Weekly
Grab
Effluent,
00300
Dissolved Oxygen
Weekly
Grab
U & D
00300
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean)
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
2/Month
Grab
Effluent
31616
Total Residual Chlorine4 50060
17 u /L
2/Week
Grab
Effluent
Temperature oC 00010
2/Week
Grab
Effluent
Temperature oC 00010
Weekly
Grab
U & D
MBAS 38260
Monthly
Grab
Effluent
Chronic Toxicit s GP3B
Quarterly
Grab
Effluent
pH [00400]
> 6.0 and < 9.0 standard units
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
system [see A. (5)].
2. U: at least 50 feet upstream from the outfall. D: at least 100 feet downstream from the outfall.
3. See A. (2).
4. See A. (3).
5. Chronic Toxicity (Cenodaphnia) P/F at 90% with testing in February, May, August, and November
[see A. (4)].
Conditions:
• All samples much be collected from a typical discharge event.
• THERE SHALL BE NO DISCHARGE OF FLOATING SOLIDS OR VISIBLE FOAM IN OTHER THAN
TRACE AMOUNTS.
Page 3 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO061123
A. (2.) EXPANSION / MODIFICATION CONDITION
[G.S. 143-215.1(b)]
In the event that additional facilities at this site discharge to the Little Tennessee River Basin
are constructed, the 0.006 MGD discharge into the Savannah River shall either be eliminated
or redirected to the Little Tennessee River Basin.
A. (3.) DECHLORINATION CONDITION
[G.S. 143-215.1(a) and (b)]
If chlorine disinfection is used, the permit holder shall employ dechlorination facilities
and will notify the Division of Water Resources as soon as chlorine disinfection begins.
A. (4.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL MONITORING (QUARTERLY)
[ 15A NCAC 02B .0500 et seq.]
The permittee shall conductquarter chronic toxicity tests using test procedures outlined in
the "North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," Revised December
2010, or subsequent versions.
The effluent concentration defined as treatment two in the procedure document is 90%. The
testing shall be performed as a Ceriodaphnia dubia 7-day pass/fail test. The tests will be
performed during the months of March, June, September and December. 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.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit condition will be entered on the
Effluent Discharge Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the month in which it was performed, using
the parameter code TGP3B. Additionally, DWR Form AT-1 (original) is to be sent to the
following address:
Attention: North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Environmental Sciences Section
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1621
Completed Aquatic Toxicity Test Forms shall be filed with the Environmental 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 and accurate and include all supporting chemical/physical
measurements performed in association with the toxicity tests, as well as all dose/response
data. Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be measured and reported if
chlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste stream.
Page 4 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO061123
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 Environmental Sciences Section at the
address cited above.
Should the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required,
then monthly monitoring will begin immediately. Upon submission of a valid test, this
monthly test requirement will revert to quarterly in the months specified above.
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.
If the Permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently then required by this permit, the
results of such monitoring shall be included in the calculation & reporting of the data
submitted on the DMR 8s all AT Forms submitted.
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. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (all
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
Page 5 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO061123
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, !�, 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.
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
i
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 NPDiES 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:
http. / /www2.epa.gov/compliance/final-national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-
npdes-electronic-reporting-rule.
Page 6 of 9

NPDES Permit NC0061123
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
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)l
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 the 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
Page 7 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO061123
penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and
imprisonment for knowing violations. "
5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)]
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 122.41].
Page 8 of 9

NPDES Permit NCO061123
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NPDES Permit NCO061123
Stream Class: C-Trout ORW
Rece ving Stream: Abes Creek Sub -Basin h: 03-13-01
R-ver Basin: Savannah R fiver HUC: 03060102
County: Macon
N
Facifry Location
ica a r of Oo W r
KALE USGS quad: Scaly Mountain
Page 9 of 9