WQ0018253_Final Permit_20000612

State 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
June 12, 2000
Mr. G. William Climer, Jr., Vice President
The Ridge
YMCA of Greater Charlotte
500 East Morehead Street, Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28202
Dear Mr. Climer:
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NCDENR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Subject: Permit No. WQ0018253
The Ridge
The Ridge - Phase I
Wastewater Treatment and Reclaimed
Water Utilization System
Wilkes County
In accordance with your application received, we are forwarding herewith Permit Number. WQ0018253,
dated June 12, 2000, to The Ridge for the construction and operation of the subject wastewater treatment reclaimed
water utilization system.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until May 31, 2005, and shall be subject to the
conditions and limitations as specified therein. PIease 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.
One set of approved plans and specifications is being forwarded to
concerning this matter, please contact Susan Cauley at [phone] ext
Kerr T. Stevens
cc: Dale Stewart, P. E., Land Design, Inc.
Wilkes County Health Department
Winston-Salem Regional Office, Water Quality Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office, Groundwater Section
Bob Cheek, Groundwater Section, Central Office
Technical Assistance and Certification Unit
Non -Discharge Compliance/Enforcement Unit
If you need additional information
546.
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/10% post -consumer paper

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RALEIGH
WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RECLAIMED WATER UTILIZATION 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
The Ridge
Jackson County
FOR THE
construction and operation of a 25,000 GPD wastewater treatment and reclaimed water utilization system
consisting of preliminary and secondary treatment including rough screening, extended aeration and secondary
clarification, sludge recycle, a 6,250 gallon flow equalization tank, two 12,500 gallon aeration tanks, two 165
cfm centrifugal blowers, and two 2,167 gallon hopper settling tanks, tertiary filters, two 3,626 gallon sludge
holding tanks, effluent flow measuring, tablet chlorination, a 750,000 gallon wet weather pond, a 125,000
gallon 5-day storage pond, and a 7.02 acre drip irrigation area to serve The Ridge - Phase I with no discharge
of wastes to the surface waters, pursuant to the application received December 22, 1999 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 May 31, 2005 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, the approved plans and specifications, and other
supporting materials. If this roject is to be completed in phases and partially certified, you shall
retain the responsibility to track further construction approved under the same ermit and shall
provide a final certificate of completion once the entire project has been completed. Mail the
Certification to the Non -Discharge Permitting Unit, 1617 Mail Service Center, NC 27699-1617.
2. The Winston-Salem Regional Office, telephone number [phone], shall be notified at least
forty-eight (48) hours in advance of operation of the installed facilities so that an in -place
inspection can be made. Such notification to the regional supervisor shall be made during the
normal office hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding State
Holidays.

The reclaimed water utilization 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.
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. 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.
Diversion or bypassing of the untreated wastewater from the treatment facilities is prohibited.
The following buffers shall be maintained:
a) 100 feet between wetted areas and water supply wells,
b) 100 feet between wetted areas and waters classified as SA,
c) 25 feet between wetted areas and surface waters not classified as SA,
d) 100 feet between wastewater treatment units and wells,
e) 50 feet between reclaimed water storage/irrigation ponds and property lines, and
f) 50 feet between wastewater treatment units and property lines.
8_ Public access to the irrigation sites shall be controlled during active site use. Such controls may
include the posting of signs showing the activities being conducted at each site. A sign shall be
posted in plain sight in the club house showing these activities.
II. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. 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 Permittee must also
employ a certified back-up operator of the appropriate type and grade to comply with the
conditions of 15A NCAC BG .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 trust properly manage and document daily operation and maintenance of the facility and must
comply with all other conditions of 15A NCAC SG .0202. Once the facility is classified, the
Permittee must submit a letter to the WPCSOCC which designates the operator in responsible
charge within thirty days after the wastewater treatment facilities are 5090' complete.
3. A suitable, year-round vegetative cover of wooded area shall be maintained on the irrigation areas.
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 52 inches over any twelve (12)
month period at an instantaneous application rate not to exceed 0.4 inches per hour.
8. No type of wastewater other than that from The Ridge - Phase I shall be sprayed onto the
irrigation area.
9. All wastewater shall be routed to the five-day holding pond should the limit for fecal coliform
(daily maximum concentration of 25 per 100 ml) or turbidity (instantaneous maximum of 10
NTU) be exceeded, until such time that the problems associated with the treatment capability of
the wastewater treatment plant have been corrected. The wastewater in the five-day holding pond
shall be pumped back to the treatment plant for retreatment or treated in the five-day pond prior to
discharge to the storage pond.
III. MONITORING AND REPORTING RE UIREMENTS
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. As an indicator of proper operation and maintenance, the facility shall produce an effluent in
compliance with the following limitations:
Parameter Monthlv Averaaea Dail Instantaneous Maximum
Flow
BOD5 (5-day, 20°C)
NH3 as N
TSS
Fecal Coliform
Turbidity
25,000 GPD
10 mg/1
4 nag/1
5 mg/1
n
14 per 100 ml
15 mg/1
b mg/1
10 mg/1
25 per 100 ml
10 NTU
a
Monthly averages for all but fecal coliform shall be the arithmetic mean of all samples
collected during the reporting period.
n
Monthly average for fecal coliform shall be the geometric mean of all samples collected during
the reporting period.
c
Daily maximum shall be the maximum value of all samples collected during the reporting
period.
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The effluent from the subject facilities shall be monitored, by the Pennittee, at the point prior to
discharge to the drip irrigation fields for the following parameters:
Parameter Sampling Point Sampling Frequency Type of Sam le
Flow
Influent or Effluent
Continuous
Recording
Turbidity
Effluent
Continuous
Recording
BOD5 (5-day, 20°C)
Effluent
2/Month
Composite
NH3 as N
Effluent
2/Month
Composite
TSS
Effluent
2/Month
Composite
Fecal Coliform
Effluent
2/Month
Grab
Settleable Matter
Effluent
Daily
Grab
NO3
Effluent
*Triannually
Grab
TDS
Effluent
*Triannually
Grab
TOC
Effluent
* Triannually
Grab
Chloride
Effluent
"*Triannually
Grab
The effluent pH shall not
be less than 6.0 standard units
nor greater than 9.0 standard units.
* 2/Month sampling frequency only during the months of April through October.
During the
remainder of the year, these parameters shall be monitored monthly.
Triannually sampling shall be conducted during March, July, and November.
If Groundwater sampling indicates or predicts problems with the compliance with Groundwater
Standards, this permit will be modified to include additional and/or more restrictive limitations.
3. Adequate records shall be maintained by the Per r ittee tracking the amount of wastewater
disposed. These records shall include, but are not necessarily limited to the following
m inforation:
a. date and time of irrigation,
b. volume of wastewater irrigated,
c. zone irrigated,
d, length of time zone is irrigated,
e. continuous weekly, monthly, and year-to-date hydraulic (inches/acre) loadings for each zone,
f. weather conditions, and
g. maintenance of cover crops.
4. Three (3) copies of all operation and disposal records (as specified in condition III 3) on Form
NDAR-1 and three (3) copies of all effluent monitoring data (as specified in condition 111 2) 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 Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
5. A record shall be maintained of all residuals removed from this facility. This record shall include
the name of the hauler, permit authorizing the disposal or a letter from a municipality agreeing to
accept the residuals, date the residuals were hauled, and volume of residuals removed.
2

6. A maintenance log shall be maintained at this facility including but not limited to the following
items:
a. Daily sampling results including residual chlorine, settleable matter, and dissolved oxygen in
the aeration basin and at the clarifier weir.
b. Visual observations of the plant and plant site.
c. Record of preventative maintenance (changing of filters, adjusting belt tensions, alarm testing,
diffuser inspections and cleanings, etc.).
d. Date of calibration of flow measurement device.
e. Date and results of power interruption testing on alternate power supply.
7. 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.
IV. GROUNDWATER REQUIREMENTS
1. 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 remediation action in addition to the penalty provisions
applicable under General Statute 143-215.6A(a)(1).
5

2. In accordance with 15A NCAC 2L, a REVIEW BOUNDARY is established around the disposal
systems midway between the Compliance Boundary and the perimeter of the waste disposal area.
Any exceedance of standards at the Review Boundary shall require remediation action on the part
of the permtttee.
Any additional groundwater quality monitoring, as deemed necessary by the Division, shall be
provided.
4. The lagoon shall have either a liner of natural material at least one foot in thickness, compacted to
95% proctor standard dry density and installed and compacted in layers no thicker than six inches,
with a hydraulic conductivity of no greater than 1 x 10-6 cm/sec or a synthetic Iiner of sufficient
thickness to exhibit structural integrity and an effective hydraulic conductivity no greater than that
of the natural material liner. Following installation and inspection of the lagoon liner, and prior to
waste disposal operations, verification of the liner's compliance with hydraulic conductivity and
thickness specifications must be provided to the Permits and Compliance Unit, Groundwater
Section, 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1636, by the project engineer.
V. INSPECTIONS
Adequate inspection, maintenance, and cleaning shall be provided by the Permittee to insure
proper operation of the subject facilities.
2. The Penmittee 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 Pernvttee.
This log of inspections shall be maintained by the Perxnittee 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
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. 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 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.
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 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).
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 Iimitations as it may deem appropriate.
Permit issued this t 12th day of June, 2000.
NOR OLINA ENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0018253
7

Permit No. WQ0018253
June 12, 2000
The Ridge - Phase I
ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATION
Partial Final
I, , 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.