WQ0000331_Final Permit_19930331

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Jaynes B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
March 31, 1993
Richard Johnson, President
Blue Ridge Gemstone Mine
Post Office Box 202
Little Switzerland, North Carolina 28749
Subject. Permit No. WQ0000331
Blue Ridge Gemstone Mine
Wastewater Recycle System
Mitchell County
Dear Mr. Johnson:
In accordance with your application received March 2, 1993, we are forwarding herewith Permit
No. WQ0000331, dated March 31, 1993, to Blue Ridge Gemstone Mine for the continued operation of the
subject wastewater recycle system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until February 28, 1998, shall void Permit
No. WQ0000331 issued September 14, 1988 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 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. Drawer 27447,
Raleigh, NC 27611-7447. Unless such demands are made this permit shall be final and binding.
Regional Offices
Asheville Fayetteville Mooresville Raleigh Washington Wilmington Winston-Salem
704/251-6208 919/486-1541 704/663-1699 919/5714700 919/946-6481 919/395-3900 919/896-7007
Pollution Prevention Pays
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mi: -Michael D. Alien at
[phone].
Sincerely,
A. Prest Howard, Jr., P.E.
Director
cc: Mitchell County Health Department
Asheville Regional Office
Training and Certification Unit
Facilities Assessment Unit

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
IRIM" IliIf, I
RECYCLE 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
Blue Ridge Gemstone Mine
Mitchell County
FOR THE
continued operation of a 50,000 GPD wastewater recycle system consisting of two (2) solids settling
basins in series (40 ft. by 10 ft. by 6 ft. and 60 ft. by 20 ft. by 6 ft.), a 96 GPM and a 50 GPM
recirculation pump, a 100 ft. flume line, an 80 GPM pumps which is used to pump make-up water from
the abandoned mine, a 90 ft. by 105 ft, main pond and all appurtenances to serve Blue Ridge Gemstone
Mine with no discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received March 2,
1993, 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 February 28, 1998, shall void Permit
No. WQ0000331 issued September 14, 1988 and shall be subject to the following specified conditions
and limitations:
1. This permit shall become voidable unless the facilities are constructed in accordance with
the conditions of this permit, the approved plans, 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. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times.
4. 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 of Environmental Management accompanied by an application
fee, documentation from the parties involved, and other supporting materials as may be
appropriate. The approval of the request will be considered on its merits and may or may
not be approved.

5. In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of
nuisance conditions, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective action, including those as
may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or replacement
wastewater treatment or disposal facilities.
6. The sludge generated from these treatment facilities must be disposed of in accordance with
General Statute 143-215.1 and in a manner approved by the North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management.
7. The issuance of this pernlit shall not relieve the Permittee of the responsibility for damages
to surface or groundwaters resulting from the operation of this facility.
8. 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.
9. Diversion or bypassing of untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.
10. Freeboard in the settling ponds shall not be less than two feet at any time.
11. No wastewater from the mining operation shall be discharged into the abandoned mine
shaft.
12. Any monitoring deemed necessary by the Division of Environmental Management to insure
surface and ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling
reporting schedule shall be followed.
13. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to
insure proper operation of the subject facilities.
14. The Permittee or his designee shall inspect the wastewater recycle 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 of Environmental Management or other permitting authority.
15. 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 recycle system 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.
16. 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).
17. 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 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.
18. 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.
2

19. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the
Permittee for the life of this project.
20. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Raleigh 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 basin or tank; 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 is not in
compliance with its permit limitations.
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.
21. Upon classification of the facility by the Certification Commission, 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 Certification Commission. The Permittee must also employ a
certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and grade to comply with the conditions
of Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .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 Title 15A, Chapter 8A, .0202.
22. 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 31st day of March, 1993
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
.�YYrc
A. Preston Howard, rr , P.E., Director
Division Environmental Manageme t
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit No. WQ0000331
3

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Name of Plant
Owner or Contact Person:_Z, 2,,�.�
Mailing Address: P. o- RDx 260 - --
_-----------___Lz;---------- --
County:
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County:Vi-{-r_,1L-1i Telephone:_7oTGl56
NPDES Permit No- NCOO Nondisc- Per. No t��I 33I
IssueDate: Expiration
Date:
Existing Facility New Facility
Rated l3y: zj Date:
3/7 93
Reviewed -(Train. & Cert. Reg. Office
Reviewed (Train. & Cert.) Central Office
ORC Grade
Plant Class: (circle one) 1 II ill
IV Total Points_
ITEM POINTS (5) SECONDARY TREATMENT UNITS
(a) Carbonaceous Stage
(1)
Industrial Pretreatment Units and/or
(i)Aeralion - Nigh Purity Oxygen System .....
20
Industrial Pretreatment Program
Diffused Alr System ....`....:..
10
(see definition No. 33) 4
Mechanical Air System (fixed,
(2)
DESIGN FLOW OF PLANT IN GPD
floating or rotor) ........:.....
B
(not applicable to non -contaminated cooling waters, sludge
Separate Sludge Reaeration .....
3 '
handling facilities for water purification plants, totally
(ii) Trickling- Filter
closed cycle systems (def. No. 11), and facilities
High Rate .:......... ?= ::. _ ..
7 i
consisting only of Item (4) (d) or Items (4) (d) and (11) (d))
Standard Rate ........:...:...
5
0 -- 20,000 .......................... 1
Packed Tower.........
5
20,001 •- 50,000 .......................... 2
(iii) Biological Aerated Filter or Aerated -
50,001 -- 100,000 ................. I........ 3
Biological Filter ......................
10
100.001 250,000 .......................... 4
(iv) Aerated Lagoons ..............
10
250.001 - 500,000 .......................... 5
.500,001 —1,000,000 .......................... a
(v) Rolating Biological Contactors .... _ .....
10
4
1,000.001 -- 2,000,000 ........................ 10
2,000,001 (and up) - rate 1 point additional for each
(vi) Sand Filters -
200.000 gpd capacity up to a
inle'imittent biological ..'`
2
maximum of 30
" -recirculating biological . ': `.:.
3
Design Flow (gpd) .
(vrri) Stabilization Lagoons .... .. _ ..
5
(3)
PRELIMINARY UNITS (see definition no. 32)
(viii)Clarifier ...................... . ...:...
5
(a) Bar Screens . . ..... . ... . ... . .... . ........... 1
(ix) Single stage system for combined
or
carbonaceous rer6ovai of BOD and
(b) Mechanical Screens, Static Screens or
nitrogenous 'removal by nitrification
Comminuting Devices ... . ....... ............. 2
(see def.. No_'92} (Points for this item
(c) Grit Removal ............................... 1
have to be in 'addition to items (5) (a)
o r
(i) through (5) (a) (vru)' .....:... - `.......
8
(d) Mechanical or Aerated Grit Removal ........... 2
(x) Nutrient additions to enhance BOD
(e) Flow Measuring Device ....................... 1
removal .... _ .. _ ........:...............
5
or
(xi) Biological Culture ('Super Bugs`) addition
(f) Instrumented Flow Measurement .............. 2
to enhance organic oompound�removal .....
5
(g) Preaeration ... _ _ ....... ................... 2
jb) Nitrogenous Stage "�`
_
(i) Aeration - High Purity Oxygen System .... -
20
(h) Influent Flow•Equalizalion ................... 2
Diffused Air System ...........
10
(i) Grease or Oil Separators - Gravity .......... 2
Mech-inical Air System (fixed, '
Mechanical .......... 3
floating, or rotor) ....... ......
Dissolved Air F1al8tion. 8
Separate Sludge Reaeration . - ...
3
0 Prechlorination ............................. . 5
(ii) Trickling Filter -
High Rale ..............
7
(4)
PRIMARY TREATMENT UNITS
Standard Rate ............
5
(a) Septic Tank (see definition no. 43) .............. 2
Packed Tower ............
5
(b) Imhoff Tank .................................. 5
(iii) Biological Aerated Filter or Aerated
(c) Primary Clarifiers ............................ 5
Biological Filler .........................
10
(d) Settling Ponds or Settling Tanks for inorganic
(iv) Rotaling Biological Contaclors ............
10
Non-toxic Materials {sludge handling facilities
(v) Sand Filter -
for water purilicalion plants, sand, gravel,
Interrrvitlenl biological
2
stone, and other mining operations except
recirculating biological
3
recreational activities such as gem or gold
raining) (D
(v i) Glznt,er
5
...

-6) iERTIA9Y QR ADVANCED TfZEnTnaENT UVS7
Holding Ponds. Holding Tanks or Settling Ponds
(a)
Activated Carbons Beds -
10
from mining operations containing nitrogen and/or
without carbon regeneralion . ... ... .... . . . . .. .
5
with carbon regeneration ....................
1 5
(b)
Powdered or Granular Activated Carbon Feed -
5
(c)
without carbon regeneration ............. . . . .
5
inherent in land application systems ....................................... 5
with carbon regeneration ...................
1 5
r)
Air Stripping .............................
5
(d)
Denitrification Process (separate process) ... . .
1 0
(e)
Electrodialysis ... • ..........................
5
(f)
Foam Separation .............................
5
(g)
Ion Exchange. ............... ......
8
(h)
Land Application of Treated Effluent
2
(i)
(see definition no. 22b) (not applicable for
5
sand, gravel, stone and other similar mining
2
(j)
operations)
(i) on agriculturally managed sites (See del.
10
(k)
1+1o. 4) .....................
10
(ii) by high rate infillration on non -agriculturally
10
(8) SLUDGE DISPOSAL (including incinerated ash)
managed sites (includes rotary disiribulors
(a) Lagoons ........................................
2
and similar fixed nozzle systems) ...........
4
(iii) by subsurface disposal (includes tow pressure
(see definition 22a)
pipe systems and gravity systems except at
-where the facility holds the land app. permit ..
plants consisting of septic tank and nitrifica-
-by conlracling to a land application operator who
tion lines only) .............................
4
{7
Microscreens..................................
5
(j)
Phosphorus Remo -cal by Biological Processes
not hold the permit for the wastewater treatment
(See def. No. 26) ............................
20
(k)
Polishing Ponds - without aeration .......
2
Landlilled (burial) .............................
with aeration ..........
5
(1)
Post Aeration - cascade ..............
0
Chlorination _ ... • .... . ..... ......... .....
diffused or mechanical ...
5
(m) Reverse Osmosis ............ . .. . ............... 5
(n) Sand or Mixed -Media Filters - low rate ........... 2
high rate .......... 5
(o) Treatment processes for removal of metal or
cyanide........... ......................... is
Treatment processes for removal of toxic
materials other than metal or cyanide ......... 15
SLUDGE TREATMENT
Holding Ponds. Holding Tanks or Settling Ponds
(a)
Sludge Digestion Tank - Heated ...............
10
from mining operations containing nitrogen and/or
Aerobic ...............
5
Unhealed .............
3
(b)
Sludge Stabilization (chemicat or thermal) .......
5
(c)
Sludge Drying Beds - Gravity .................
2
inherent in land application systems ....................................... 5
Vacuum Assisted .......
5
(d)
Sludge Elutriation ... • ............ ........ • .. •
5
(e)
Sludge Conditioner (chemscal or thermal) ........
5
(f)
Sludge Thickener (gravity) ......................
5
(g)
Dissolved Air Flotation Unit
(not applicable to a unit rates as (3) () .........
8
(h)
Sludge Gas Ufilization (indudmg gas storage) ....
2
(i)
Sludge Holding Tank - , Aerated ................
5
Non-aerated.. . .........
2
(j)
Sludge Incinerator - (not including activated
carbon regeneration) .. _ ..
10
(k)
Vacuum Filter, Centrifuge or Filter Press or other
similar dewaledng devices ....................
10
(8) SLUDGE DISPOSAL (including incinerated ash)
(a) Lagoons ........................................
2
(b)
Land Application (surface and subsurface)
(see definition 22a)
-where the facility holds the land app. permit ..
10
-by conlracling to a land application operator who
holds the land application permit ................
2
-land application of sludge by a contractor who does
not hold the permit for the wastewater treatment
facility where the sludge is generated .........
10
(c)
Landlilled (burial) .............................
5
(9) .- jINFECTION
(a)
Chlorination _ ... • .... . ..... ......... .....
5
(b)
Dechiorination ........................
5
(c)
Ozonc.. ........... ..... ........
5
(d)
n.+thation
5
(10) CHEMICAL A001TION SYSTEM (S) (See delinilion No 9)
(not applicable to chemical additions rated as item
(3) (1), (S) (a) (x i), (6) (a). (6) (b), (7) (b). (7) (c),
(9) (a). (9) (b), or (9) (c) 5 points each: List:
5
5
5
S
(11) MISCELLANEOUS UNITS
(a)
Holding Ponds. Holding Tanks or Settling Ponds
for Organic or Toxic Materials including wastes
from mining operations containing nitrogen and/or
phosphorous compounds in amounts significantly
greater than is common for domestic wastewater .......... 4
(b)
Elfluenl Flow Equalization (not applicable to storage
basins which are inherent in land application systems). 2
(c)
Stage Discharge (not applicable to storage basins
inherent in land application systems ....................................... 5
(d)
Pumps.......__.-------- 3
(a)
Stand -By Power Supply-________ ..................._......... 3
(f)
Thermal Pollution ConL•ol Device ............................................. 3
TOTAL POINTS 2
CLASSIFICATION
Class f___ ... _.._.._... _._ . 5 25 Points
Class ll..... _» _ .._..-.. _ __ 26- 50 Points
Class !II__.__._ ....................... 51- 65 Points
Class IV...__ _...._.._...---_-----_ _ 66- Up Points
Facilities having a rating of one through four points, Inclusive,
do not require a certified operator. Classification- of all other
facilities requires a comparable grade operator In -irisponsible
charge.
Facilities having an activated sludge process will be assigned
a minimum classification of Class If.
Facilities having treatment processes for the removal of metal
or cyanide will be assigned a minimum classification of Class 11.
Facilities having treatment processes for the biological removal
of phosphorus will be assigned a minimum classification of Class
In -plant processes and related control equipment which are an
integral part of industrial production shall not be considered waste
treatment. Likewise, discharges of wastewater from residences
having a design flow of 1,000 gpd or less, shall not be subject to
rating.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT,5: