WQ0002623_Final Permit_19900514

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
James G. Martin, Governor
William W. Cobey, Jr„ Secretary
Mr. Tommy Thompson
Town of Sylva
11 Allen Street
Sylva, NC 28779
Dear Mr. Thompson:
George T. Everett, Ph.D.
Director
May 14, 1990
Subject: Permit No. WQ0002623
Town of Sylva
Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge
Composting Facility
Jackson County
In accordance with your application received October 26, 1989, we are forwarding
herewith Permit No. WQ0002623, dated May 14, 1990, to the Town of Sylva for the construction
and operation of the subject sludge composting facility.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until April 30, 1995, and shall be
subject to the conditions and limitations as specified therein.
If any parts, requirements, or limitations contained in this permit are unacceptable to you,
you have the right to request an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within 30 days
following receipt of this permit. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming
to Chapter 150B of North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative
Hearings, P.O. Box 11666, Raleigh, NC 27604. Unless such demands are made this permit shall
be final and binding.
One set of approved plans and specifications is being forwarded to you. if you need
additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mr Jack Floyd at 919/ 733-5083.
Sincerely,
George T. Everett
cc: Jackson County Health Department
Asheville Regional Office
Groundwater Section
McGill Associates
Pollution Prevention Pays
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
SLUDGE COMPOST FACILITY 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
Town of Sylva
Jackson County
FOR THE
construction and operation of a sludge composting/public distribution program consisting of a
pilot project using an area lined with 5 layers of 6 -mil synthetic liner, and a permanent facility
using an aerated static pile system with an 8,000 square foot concrete pad and 200 scf blower
with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received October
26, 1989 and in conformity with the project plan, specifications, and other supporting data
subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environment, Health and Natural
Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until April 30, 1995, and shall be
subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. Upon completion of construction and prior to operation of this permitted facility, a
certification must be received from a professional engineer certifying that the permitted
facility has been installed in accordance with this permit and the approved plans and
specifications. Mail the certification to the Permits and Engineering Unit, P.O. Box 27687,
Raleigh, NC 27611-7687.
2. This permit shall become voidable in the event of failure of the sludge composting facility
to adequately protect the assigned water quality standards of the surface waters and
groundwaters.
3. The sludge composting program shall be effectively maintained and operated as a
non -discharge system to prevent discharge of any wastes resulting from the operation of
this program.
4. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for
damages to surface or groundwaters resulting from the operation of this facility.

5. In the event that the sludge composting program is not operated satisfactorily, including
the creation of nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take such immediate corrective
action as may be required by this Department, including the construction of additional or
replacement wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
6. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated sludge or compost drainage wastewater from the
compost facilities is prohibited.
7. Compost sludge should not be used in areas of intense public use (schools, playgrounds,
etc.).
II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
The facilities and disposal sites shall be properly maintained and operated at all
times.
2. The sludge composting operation must be conducted under the supervision of the certified
wastewater treatment plant operator required by the Certification Commission for operation
of the Town of Sylva Wastewater Treatment Facility.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, sludge, soil, or plant
tissue analyses) deemed necessary by the Division of Environmental Management
to insure protection of the environment will be established and an acceptable
sampling and reporting schedule shall be followed.
2. The Town of Sylva shall maintain records including, but not limited to the following:
a. volume and analysis of sludge and compost
b. date, duration and temperature during composting
c. name of compost recipient, volume received, and intended use
These records shall be available at the wastewater treatment facility for inspection and
review by the Division.
3. The Town of Sylva shall present to each recipient of compost written information that
clearly states that compost sludge cannot be used on areas where root or leaf crops for
direct human consumption are to be grown within one (1.) year of the last application of
compost to the site. The Town shall also include written recommendations to the compost
recipients for satisfactory uses of compost material such as horticulture, silvicultural, other
agricultural uses not specifically prohibited, etc.
An annual Summary report shall be submitted by the Town of Sylva to the Division's
Asheville Regional Office which summarizes the information required for recording.
4. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Asheville Regional Office, telephone no.
[phone], as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours or on the next
working day following the occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of any of the
following:
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a_ Any occurrence with the composting program which results in the composting of
significant amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic.
b. Any failure of the composting program resulting in a discharge of wastes to receiving
waters.
C. Any time that self-monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out of
compliance with the conditions and Limitations of this permit or the parameters on
which the system was designed.
d. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility
incapable of adequate sludge treatment.
C. Any leakage or spillage that occurs during the transfer or transport of the compost
material.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter
form within 15 days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report must outline
the actions taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.
IV. -GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
1. Any groundwater quality monitoring as deemed necessary by the Division of
Environmental Management shall be provided.
V. INSPECTIONS
The Pennittee or his designee shall inspect the sludge storage, transport, and
composting facilities to prevent malfunctions and deterioration, operator errors and
discharges which may cause or lead to the release of wastes to the environment, a
threat to human health, or a nuisance. The Permittee shall keep an inspection log
or summary including at least the date and time of inspection, observations made,
and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken by the Permittee. This
log of inspections shall be maintained by the Permittee for a period of three years
from the date of the inspection and shall be made available upon request by the
Division of Environmental Management or other permitting authority.
2. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of
Environmental Management may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and
inspect any property, premises or place on or related to the composting facility and
facility at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this
permit; may inspect or copy any records that must be kept under the terms and
conditions of this permit; or may obtain samples of groundwater, surface water,
or leachate.
Vl. GENERAL CONDMONS
1. This permit shall become voidable unless the land application activities are carried
out in accordance with the conditions of this permit and in the manner approved
by this Division.
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2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes
described in the application and other supporting data.
3. This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to
change ownership or a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must
be submitted to the Division of Environmental Management accompanied by an
application fee, documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting
materials as may be appropriate. The approval of this request will be considered
on its merits and may or may not be approved.
4. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may
subject the Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Environmental
Management in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6.
5. The annual administering and compliance fee must be paid by the Permittee 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 as
specified by 15 NCAC 2H.0205 (c)(4).
6. The issuance of this permit does not preclude the Permittee from complying with
any and all statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by
other government agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction.
7. A set of approved documents for the subject project must be retained by the applicant
for the life of the project.
8. The Permittee, at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of this permit, shall
request its extension. Upon receipt of the request, the Commission will review
the adequacy of the facilities described therein, and if warranted, will extend the
permit for such period of time and under such conditions and limitations as it may
deem appropriate.
9. This permit may be modified or reissued to incorporate any conditions, limitations
and monitoring requirements the Division of Environmental Management deems
necessary in order to adequately protect the environment and public health.
Permit issued this the 14th day of May, 1990
TH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
George T. Evere ,,Dir or
Division of Environ anagement
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit No. WQ0002623
C!

Permit No. WQ0002623
May 14, 1.990
En ineees Certification
1, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in the State of North
Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically, weekly, full time) the construction of the
project,
for the
Project Name Location
Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the
observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial
compliance and intent of the approved plans and specifications.
Signature
Date
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Registration No