WQ0006372_Final Permit_19961016

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
October 16, 1996
Mr. Gil Evans, Manager
Emerald Village, Incorporated
Little Switzerland, North Carolina 28749
ai4�
IDEHNR
Subject: Permit No. WQ0006372
Emerald Village, Incorporated
Little Switzerland Mining Company
Tourist Gem Mine
Wastewater Recycle System
Mitchell County
Dear Mr. Evans:
In accordance with your application received August 29, 1996, we are forwarding herewith Permit
No. WQ0006372 dated October 16, 1996, to Emerald Village, Incorporated for the continued operation of
the subject wastewater recycle system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until September 30, 2001, shall void Permit
No. WQ0006372 issued June 26, 1992, 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 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.
If you need additional information concerning this matter, please contact Mr. John Seymour at
[phone] extension 546.
Sincerely,
ro
A. Preston` oward, Jr., P.E.
cc: Mitchell County Health Department
Asheville Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Training and Certification Unit (no rating change)
Facilities Assessment Unit
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post -consumer paper

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
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
Emerald Village, Incorporated
Mitchell County
FOR THE
Continued operation of a 33,180 GPD wastewater recycle system consisting of a closed 600 gallon
primary settling tank, a closed 600 gallon secondary settling tank, a closed 600 gallon pump tank with a 79
GPM pump and force main back to the head of the gem flume, and all associated controls piping, valves,
and appurtenances to serve Emerald Village, Incorporated's Little Switzerland Mining Company with no
discharge of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received August 29, 1996, 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 pen -nit shall be effective from the date of issuance until September 30, 2001, shall void Permit
No. WQ0006372 issued June 26, 1992, 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 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, 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 Water Quality 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
actions that may be required by this Division, such as the construction of additional or
replacement treatment or disposal facilities.

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 North Carolina Division of
Water Quality.
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.
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. Any monitoring deemed necessary by the Division of Water Quality to insure surface and
ground water protection will be established and an acceptable sampling reporting schedule
shall be followed.
11. Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to
insure proper operation of the subject facilities.
12. 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 maintain 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 to the Division of
Water Quality or other permitting authority, upon request.
13. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the Division of Water Quality
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 maintained
under the terms and conditions of this permit, and may obtain samples of groundwater,
surface water, or leachate.
14. 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).
15. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance with
North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6(a) to 143-215.6(c).
16. 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.
17. A set of approved plans and specifications for the subject project must be retained by the
Permittee for the life of this project.
18. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Asheville Regional Office, telephone number
7041 251-6208 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 renders 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; or
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 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.
19. 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.
20. 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 16th day of October 1996
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGFMENT COMMISSION
A. Preston Hq,�ard, Jr., P.E., Director
Division of Weter Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0006372

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