WQ0004972_Final Permit_20061117

F VNAT�
.Q hj Q Michael F. Easley, Governor
O7 William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
r— North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resuurces
O C Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality
November 17, 2006
ROBERT ROWE, PRESERVE GENERAL MANAGER
THOUSAND TRAILS, L.P.
192 THOUSAND TRAILS DRIVE
ADVANCE, NC 27006
Subject: hermit No. WQ0004972
Thousand Trails -- Forest Lake Preserve
Wastewater Spray Irrigation
Davie County
Dear Mr. Rowe
In accordance with your renewal request received July 5, 2006, we are forwarding herewith
Permit No. WQ0004972, dated November 17, 2006, to Thousand Trails, L.P. for the continued operation
of the subject wastewater treatment and surface irrigation facilities.
This permit shall be effective from the date ,of issuance until October 31, 2011, shall void Permit
No. WQ0004972 issued September 22, 2000, 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,
As always, remember to take the time to review this permit thoroughly, pay. particular
attention to the monitoring requirements in this permit. Please be aware that failure to establish an
adequate system for collecting, maintaining, and submitting the required operational information will
result in fixture compliance problems.
If any parrs, 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.
WorthCarolina
11VIatur'llii!ff
Aquifer Protection Section 1636 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1636 Phone [phone] Customer Service
www.ncwaterquality.org 2729 Capital Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27604 FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer —50% Recyciedll0% Post Consumer Paper

If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Jon Risgaard at (919)
715-6167 [e-mail].
Sincer, ,
/Alan W. Klimek, P.E.
cc: Davie County Health Department
Winston-Salem Regional Office, Aquifer Protection Section
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
APS Central Files
LAU Files
WQ0004972 2

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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, I.P.
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 linear feet of three-inch force main, 455
linear feet of four -inch force main, and 935 linearfeet 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 9 acre spray irrigation
field with eighteen (18) sprinkler heads to serve Thousand Trails — Forest Lake Preserve, with no
discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received July 5, 2006, and in
conformity 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 September 30, 2011, shall void Permit
No. WQ0004972 issued September 22, 2000, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions
and limitations:
I. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. 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.
WQ0004972

The issuance of this permit shall not relieve the Pennittee 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.
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 f 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 Permittee must also employ a certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and grade
to comply with the conditions of 15A NCAC 8G .0202. The ORC of the facility must visit
each Class I facility at least weekly and each Class II, III, and IV 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 $G
.0202. Since this campground is used primarily on the weekends, the Division
recommends that the ORC visit the site on the weekends as well.
3. 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.
WQ0004972 4

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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.
The application rate shall not exceed a cumulative loading of 46.8 inches over any twelve (12)
month period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.11 inches per hour.
No type of wastewater other than that from Thousand Trails - Forest Lake Preserve 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 two foot at any time.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
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 (inches/acre) 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
WQ0004972
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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:
BOD5
Fecal Coliform
NH3 as N
TS S
pH
NO2 + NO3 as N
TKN
Total Phosphorus
5. A waste -level gauge, to monitor waste levels in the lagoon shall be provided. This gauge shall
have readily visible permanent markings indicating the maximum liquid level at the top of the
temporary liquid storage volume, minimum liquid level at the bottom of the temporary liquid
storage volume, and the lowest point on top of the dam elevations. Caution must be taken not
to damage the integrity of the Iiner when installing the gauge.
6. Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition I112) on Form
NDAR-1 and three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition 1II 3 and
111 4) on Form NDMR-I shall be submitted on or before the last day of the following month.
All information shall be submitted to the following address:
Division of Water Quality
Information Processing Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
6. Noncompliance Notification;
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Winston-Salem Regional Office, telephone
number [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:
a. 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 five (5) 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.
WQ0004972

IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
Monitor wells MWA, 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
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Fecal Coliforms
Chloride
pH
Nitrate (NO3)
VOCs
2. Monitor wells MW-1, MW-2, MW-3, and MW-4 shall be sampled initially after construction
and thereafter every November for Volatile Organic Compounds using one of the following:
(A) Standard Method 6230D, PQL at 0.5 ug/L or less
(B) Standard Method 621 OD, 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 VIII of
Standard Method 6230D.
(3) The method used must provide 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 listed, then the Winston-Salem
Regional Office Aquifer Protection Section Supervisor, telephone number [phone],
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 measured 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/1 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.
WQ0004972

The results of the sampling and analysis must be received on Form GW-59 (Groundwater
Quality Monitoring: Compliance Report Form) on or before the last working day of the month
following the sampling month. The results must be submitted to:
Division of Water Quality
Information Processing Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be
provided.
4. The Permittee shall maintain 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 -field 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 1993 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 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, or (2) 50 feet within the property boundary, whichever is closest to the
waste disposal area. An exceedance of Groundwater Quality Standards at or beyond the
Compliance Boundary is subject to immediate rem,ediation action in addition to the penalty
provisions applicable under General Statute 143-215.6A(a)(1).
WQ0004972

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The REVIEW BOUNDARY shall be established around each land application site midway
between the Compliance Boundary and the perimeter of the residuals land application area.
Any exceedance of Groundwater Quality Standards at the Review Boundary shall require
action in accordance with 15A NCAC 2L .0 10 6 (d)(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.
VI. 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.
3. 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 2B .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 2H .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.
WQ0004972

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 revoke this permit as specified by 15A NCAC 2H .0205 (c)(4).
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 17'11 day of November, 2006
NORTH OLINA V ONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0004972
WQ0004972 10