HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0004972_Final Permit_20000922State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Bill Holman, Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
September 22, 2000
ROBERT ROWE, PRESERVE GENERAL MANAGER
THOUSAND TRAILS, INC.
192 THOUSAND TRAILS DRIVE
ADVANCE, NC 27006
Dear Mr. Rowe:
4IT
•
NCDENR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT ANr7 NATURAL RESOURCES
Subject: Permit No. WQ0004972
Thousand Trails, Inc.
Forest Lake
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Davie County
In accordance with your application received May 23, 2000, we are forwarding herewith Permit No.
WQ0004972, dated September 22, 2000, to Thousand Trails, Inc. for the continued operation of the subject
wastewater treatment and spray irrigation facilities.
Please note that the permitted flow for this facility has been reduced from 45,000 gallons per day to
24,400 gallons per day. The description of the permitted system has also been updated to reflect the correct
number of pump stations (nine), the actual number of functional sprayheads (18), and the acreage that is being
actively sprayed (6-7 acres). These numbers are reduced from the original permit due to the facility being
unnecessarily oversized. Since this campground is used primarily on the weekends, the Division recommends
that the ORC visit the site on the weekends as well. Please note Permit Condition 111.3 which requires the
Permittee to install an appropriate flow -measurement device.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until August 31, 2005, shall void Permit No.
WQ0004972 issued February 6, 1996, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations as specified therein.
Please pay particular attention to the monitoring requirements in this permit. Failure to establish an adequate
system for collecting and maintaining the required operational information will result in future compliance
problems.
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 (30) days following 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 need additional information concerning this
733-5083 extension 524.
matter, please contact Kristin E.
1
Sin ely,
.Kerr T. Stevens
Miguez at (919)
1617 Mail Service center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone (919) 733-5083 Fax (919) 715-8048
An Equal opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/10% post -consumer paper
cc: Davie County Health Department
Winston-Salem Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Groundwater Section, Central Office -
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
2
NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
SPRAY IRRIGATION 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
Thousand Trails, Inc.
Davie County
FOR THE
continued operation of a collection system serving 283 camp sites and 18 cabins consisting of seven grinder pump
stations with associated collection piping, 430 Iinear feet of three-inch force main, 455 linear feet of four -inch force
main, and 935 linear feet of six-inch force main; and.
the continued operation of a 24,400-gallon per day spray irrigation system consisting of a 45,000-gallon per day
extended aeration wastewater treatment facility with effluent storage lagoon and spray irrigation disposal facility
consisting of a 14,800 gallon capacity aerated surge tank with influent bar screen, dual 74 GPM submersible pumps,
and high water alarms, a 45,000 gallon capacity aeration tank, twin 285-CFM blowers, a 4,500 gallon sludge holding
tank, a 7,500-gallon clarifier, a 940-gallon baffled chlorine contact tank with hypochlorinator, a 0.408-million gallon
capacity lagoon with PVC liner for storage of treated effluent, and dual 142-gallon per minute effluent dosing pumps
discharging to a 6-7 acre spray irrigation field with eighteen (18) sprinkler heads to serve Thousand Trails, Inc., with
no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received May 23, 2000, and in confornuty
with the project plan, specifications, and other supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until August 31, 2005, shall void Permit No.
WQ0004972 issued February 6, 1996, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
L The spray irrigation facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated at all times so that there is no
discharge to the surface waters, nor any contamination of ground waters which will render them
unsatisfactory for normal use. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the
creation of nuisance conditions or failure of the irrigation area to adequately assimilate the wastewater, the
Permittee shall take immediate corrective actions including those actions that may be required by the
Division of Water Quality (Division), such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment and disposal facilities.
2. The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages to surface or
groundwater resulting from the operation of this facility.
The residuals generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed in accordance with General
Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the Division.
4. Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.
5. The following buffers shall be maintained:
a) 400 feet between wetted area and any residence or places of public assembly under separate
ownership,
b) 150 feet between wetted area and property lines,
c) 100 feet between wetted area and wells,
d) 100 feet between wetted area and drainageways or surface water bodies,
e) 50 feet between wetted area and public right of ways,
f) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and wells, and
g) 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines.
Some of the buffers specified above may not have been included in previous permits for this waste
treatment and disposal system. These buffers are not intended to prohibit or prevent modifications, which
are required by the Division, to improve performance of the existing treatment facility. These buffers do,
however, apply to modifications of the treatment and disposal facilities which are for the purpose of
increasing the flow that is tributary to the facility. These buffers do apply to any expansion or
modification of the spray irrigation areas and apply in instances in which the sale of property would cause
any of the buffers now complied with, for the treatment and disposal facilities, to be violated. The
applicant is advised that any modifications to the existing facilities will require a permit modification.
II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
2. Upon classification of the facility by the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification
Commission (WPCSOCC), the Permittee shall employ a certified wastewater treatment plant operator to
be in responsible charge (ORC) of the wastewater treatment facilities. The operator must hold a certificate
of the type and grade at least equivalent to or greater than the classification assigned to the wastewater
treatment facilities by the WPCSOCC. The Perrnittee must also employ a certified back-up operator of the
appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions of 15A NCAC 86 .0202. The ORC of the
facility must visit each Class I facility at least weekly and each Class II, Ill, and N facility at least daily,
excluding weekends and holidays, and must properly manage and document daily operation and
maintenance of the facility and must comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0202. Since this
campground is used primarily on the weekends, the Division recommends that the ORC
visit the site on the weekends as well.
A suitable year round vegetative cover shall be maintained.
4. Irrigation shall not be performed during inclement weather or when the ground is in a condition that will
cause runoff.
5. Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent wastewater runoff from the spray field.
6. The facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to prevent the
discharge of any wastewater resulting from the operation of this facility.
7. The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 46.8 inches over any twelve (12) mont
period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.11 inches per hour.
8. No type of wastewater other than that from Thousand Trails, Inc. shall be sprayed onto the irrigation area.
9. No traffic or equipment shall be allowed on the disposal area except while installation occurs or while
normal maintenance is being performed.
10. Public access to the land application sites shall be controlled during active site use. Such controls may
include the posting of signs showing the activities being conducted at each site.
11. Freeboard in the treated wastewater storage lagoon shall not be less than one foot at any time.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Any monitoring (including groundwater, surface water, soil or plant tissue analyses) deemed necessary by
the Division to insure surface and ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling
reporting schedule shall be followed.
2. Adequate records shall be maintained by the Permittee tracking the amount of wastewater disposed. These
records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following information:
a. date of irrigation,
b. volume of wastewater irrigated,
c_ field irrigated,
d. length of time field is irrigated,
e. continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date hydraulic (incheslacre) loadings for each field,
f. weather conditions, and
g. maintenance of cover crops.
Influent flow shall be continuously monitored and daily flow values shall be reported on Form NDMR.
The Permittee shall install an appropriate flow measurement device consistent with approved engineering
and scientific practices to ensure the accuracy and reliability of influent flow measurement. Flow
measurement devices selected shall be capable of measuring flows with a maximum deviation of less than
10 percent from true flow, accurately calibrated at a minimum of once per year, and maintained to ensure
that the accuracy of the measurements is consistent with the accepted capability of that type of device.
Records of flow measurement device calibration shall be kept on file by the Permittee for a period of at
least three years. At a minimum, data to be included in this documentation shall be:
a. Date of flow measurement device calibration
b. Name of person performing calibration
C. Percent from true flow
Plans and specifications for the flow measuring device shall be prepared by a licensed Professional
Engineer and submitted to the appropriate regional office 30 days prior to installation. The flow
measuring device shall be installed within 1 year of the date of this permit.
4. The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored by the Permittee at the point prior to irrigation
every March, July and November for the following parameters:
B OD5 TSS
Fecal Coliform pH
NH3 as N
Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition 1112) on Form NDAR-
1 and three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition 1113 and 1114) on Form
NDMR-1 shall be submitted on or before the last day of the following month. All information shall be
submitted to the following address:
NC Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
1617 Mail Sdrvice Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
6. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Winston-Salem Regional Office, telephone number (336)
771-4600, 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:
Any occurrence at the wastewater treatment facility which results in the treatment of significant
amounts of wastes which are abnormal in quantity or characteristic, such as the dumping of the
contents of a sludge digester; the known passage of a slug of hazardous substance through the facility;
or any other unusual circumstances.
b. Any process unit failure, due to known or unknown reasons, that render the facility incapable of
adequate wastewater treatment such as mechanical or electrical failures of pumps, aerators,
compressors, etc.
c. Any failure of a pumping station, sewer line, or treatment facility resulting in a by-pass directly to
receiving waters without treatment of all or any portion of the influent to such station or facility.
d. Any time that self -monitoring information indicates that the facility has gone out of compliance with
its permit limitations.
Persons reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form within fi,
(5) days following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report must outline the actions taken u.
proposed to be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.
IV. GROUNDWATER RE UIREMENTS
Monitor wells MW-1, MW-2, MW-3, and MW-4 shall be sampled initially after construction and
thereafter every March, July, and November for the following parameters:
Water Level pH
Chloride Fecal CoIiforms
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Nitrate (NO3)
Volatile Organic Compounds - In November only using one of the following:
(A) Standard Method 6230D, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(B) Standard Method 6210D, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(C) EPA Method 8021, Low Concentration, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(D) EPA Method 8260, Low Concentration, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(E) Another method with prior approval by the Groundwater Section Chief
Any method used must meet the following qualifications:
(1) A laboratory must be DWQ certified to run any method used.
(2) The method used must, at a minimum, include all the constituents listed in Table VHI of
Standard Method 6230D.
(3) The method used must provided a PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less which must be supported by
laboratory proficiency studies as required by the DWQ Laboratory Certification Unit. Any
constituents detected above the MDL but below the PQL at 0.5 ug/L must be qualified
(estimated) and reported_
If any volatile organic compounds are detected by the methods fisted, then the Winston-Salem Regional
Office Groundwater Supervisor, telephone number (336) 7714600, must be contacted immediately for
further instructions regarding any additional follow-up analyses required. The results of all initial and
follow-up analyses must be submitted simultaneously.
The measurement of water levels must be made prior to sampling for the remaining parameters. The depth
to water in each well shall be treasured from the surveyed point on the top of the casing.
The measuring points (top of well casing) of all monitoring wells shall be surveyed to provide the relative
elevation of the measuring point for each monitoring well.
If TOC concentrations greater than 10 mg/l are detected in any downgradient monitoring well, additional
sampling and analysis must be conducted to identify the individual constituents comprising this TOC
concentration. If the TOC concentration as measured in the background monitor well exceeds 10 mg/l,
this concentration will be taken to represent the naturally occurring TOC concentration. Any exceedances
of this naturally occurring TOC concentration in the downgradient wells shall be subject to the additional
sampling and analysis as described above.
The results of the sampling and analysis must be received on Form GW-59 (Groundwater Quality
Monitoring: Compliance Report Form) by the Groundwater Section, Permits and Compliance Unit, 1636
Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1636 on or before the last working day of the month following
the sampling month.
2. Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be provided.
Within sixty (60) days of completion of all monitoring wells, the permittee shall submit two original
copies of a scaled topographic map (scale no greater than 1":100) signed and sealed by a professional
engineer or a state licensed land surveyor that indicates all of the following information:
(a) Final Spray -held area after delineation of existing portions.
(b) the location and identity of each monitoring well,
(c) the location of the waste disposal system,
(d) the location of all property boundaries,
(e) the latitude and longitude of the established horizontal control monument,
(f) the relative elevation of the top of the well casing (which shall be known as the "measuring point"),
and
(g) the depth of water below the measuring point at the time the measuring point is established.
The survey shall be conducted using approved practices outlined in North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 89C and the North Carolina Administrative Code Title 21, Chapter 56. The surveyor shall
establish a horizontal control monument on the property of the waste disposal system and determine the
latitude and longitude of this horizontal control monument to a horizontal positional accuracy of +/- 10
feet. All other features listed in a. through e. above shall be surveyed relative to this horizontal control
monument. The positional accuracy of features listed in a. through e. above shall have a ratio of precision
not to exceed an error of closure of 1 foot per 10,000 feet of perimeter of the survey. Any features located
by the radial method will be located from a minimum of two points. Horizontal control monument shall
be installed in such a manner and made of such materials that the monument will not be destroyed due to
activities that may take place on the property. The map shall also be surveyed using the North American
Datum of 1983 coordinate system and shall indicate the datum on the map. All bearings or azimuths shall
be based on either the true or NAD 83 grid meridian. If a Global Positioning System (GPS) is used to
determine the latitude and longitude of the horizontal control monument, a GPS receiver that has the
capability to perform differential GPS shall be used and all data collected by the GPS receiver will be
differentially corrected.
The maps and any supporting documentation shall be sent to the Permits and Compliance Unit,
Groundwater Section, 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1636.
4. The COMPLIANCE BOUNDARY for the disposal system is specified by regulations in 15A NCAC 2L,
Groundwater Classifications and Standards. The Compliance Boundary is for the disposal system
constructed after December 31, 1983 is established at either (1) 250 feet from the waste disposal area,
(2) 50 feet within the property -boundary, whichever is closest to the waste disposal area. An exceedanL,_
of Groundwater Quality Standards at or beyond the Compliance Boundary is subject to immediate
remediation action in addition to the penalty provisions applicable under General Statute 143-
215.6A(a)(1).
V. INSPECTIONS
Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure proper
operation of the subject facilities.
2. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and disposal 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 to the Division or other permitting authority.
3. 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 disposal site or facility 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
groundwater, surface water, or leachate.
V1. GENERAL CONDITIONS
This permit shall become voidable unless the facilities are constructed in accordance with the conditions of
this permit, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting data.
2. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the application
and other supporting data.
This permit is not transferable. In the event there is a desire for the facilities to change ownership, or there
is a name change of the Permittee, a formal permit request must be submitted to the Division 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 in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6A to 143-
215.6C.
5. The issuance of this permit does not exempt 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, including but not limited to applicable river buffer rules in 15A NCAC 213 .0200,
erosion and sedimentation control requirements in 15A NCAC Ch. 4 and under the Division's General
Permit NCG0100000, and any requirements pertaining to wetlands under 15A NCAC 2B .0200 and 2;
.0500.
6. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the Permittee for the
life of the project.
7. 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
revolve this permit as specified by 15A NCAC 2H .0205 (c)(4).
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.
Permit issued this the twenty-second day of September, 2000
NORTH OLINA NV ONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
r
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0004972
7
Permit No. WQ0004972
September 18, 2000
ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATION
Partial Final
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,
Project Name
Location and County
for the 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 this permit,
the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature
Date
Registration No.