NC0087891_Draft Permit_20220531

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Yancey County Courthouse
ATTN: Lynn Austin, County Manager
100 Town Square Room 11
Micaville, NC 28714
Dear Permittee:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
May 31, 2022
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit NC0087891
South Toe River WWTP
Grade II Biological WPCS
Yancey County
The Division has reviewed your request to renew the subject permit. Enclosed with this letter is a copy of
the draft permit for your facility. Please review this draft carefully to ensure your thorough understanding
of the information, conditions, and requirements it contains.
The draft permit includes the following significant changes from the existing permit:
1. Language has been updated in Section A. (1) and Section A. (3) to require electronic submission
of effluent data. Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring
reports (DMRs).
2. The facility grade has been added in Section A. (1).
3. Language for footnote 5 has been updated in Section A. (1).
4. Language for the Total Residual Chlorine condition has been updated in Section A. (1).
5. An updated outfall map has been included.
6. At this time, the Division cannot grant your request for reduced ammonia monitoring. After
discussion with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the
Division concurs with their statement that the ecological importance of the South Toe River is
critically important. The river is the habitat of several rare aquatic species, including the federally
endangered Appalachian Elktoe. The Special Order by Consent for the Town of Burnsville
WWTP allows for potential diversion of flows from it to your facility. This may cause
unanticipated fluctuation of effluent and downstream ammonia concentrations. The existing
ammonia monitoring requirements remain unchanged to help protect the water quality of the
South Toe River. Instream monitoring frequency can be evaluated again at your next permit
renewal.
The NPDES standard conditions (Parts II, III, and IV) that are a part of the permit are not included in this
draft document (cover, map, and Part I). The conditions are the same as in your current permit except that
agency and division names have been updated. The latest version is available at https://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx
and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file.
With this notification, the Division will solicit public comment on this draft permit by publishing a notice
in newspapers having circulation in the general Yancey County area, per EPA requirements. Please
provide your comments, if any, to me at the address below no later than 30 days after receiving this
draft permit.
1:tE
NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Environmental Duali�
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000

Following the 30-day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments and take
appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning the draft, please
contact me at 919-707-3619, or via e-mail at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
a.,
Siying Chen
Environmental Specialist
NPDES Compliance and Expedited Permitting Unit
cc: NPDES File [Laserfiche]
NC DEQ Asheville Regional Office [email]
Operator Certification Program [email]
Paul Isenhour — Water Quality Lab and Operation Inc [[e-mail]]
Byron Hamstead — US Fish and Wildlife Service [[e-mail]]
Andrea Leslie — NC Wildlife Resources Commission [[e-mail]]
£D_E
NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Environmental Duel
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000

Permit NC0087891
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
In compliance with the provision of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards and
regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission,
and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the
East Yancey Water & Sewer District
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
South Toe River WWTP
Wyatt Town Road
Micaville
Yancey County
to receiving waters designated as South Toe River in subbasin 04-03-06 of the French Broad River Basin
in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I,
II, III, and IV hereof.
The permit shall become effective
This permit and the authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on February 28, 2026.
If the permittee intends to continue to discharge at the facility beyond the term of this permit, a renewal
application must be submitted no later than September 1, 2025 (180 days before the expiration of this
permit).
Signed this day
Richard E. Rogers, Jr.
Director, Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 6

Permit NC0087891
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked. As of this permit issuance, any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer
effective. Therefore, the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the
permit conditions, requirements, terms, and provisions included herein.
East Yancey Water & Sewer District
is hereby authorized to:
1. Continue to operate a 0.125 MGD wastewater treatment plant that includes the following
components:
• Bar screen
• Influent composite sampler
• Two (2) 115,000 gallon Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR) systems
• One (1) 26,000 gallon post equalization basin
• Two (2) tertiary filter systems
• UV disinfection system
• Effluent flow meter with recorder
• Effluent composite sampler
• 12 port diffuser system
• One (1) 63,000 gallon digester
• Sludge truck load out station
• Stand by generator
located at the South Toe River WWTP on Wyatt Town Road, Micaville, Yancey County, and;
2. Discharge from said treatment works (via Outfall 001) into the South Toe River [Stream segment
7-2-52-(30.5)], a Class C-Trout water in sub -basin 04-03-06 [HUC: 060101080203] in the French
Broad River Basin, at the location specified on the attached map.
Page 2 of 6

Permit NC0087891
Part 1.
A. (1) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.]
Grade WW-2 Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G.0302]
Beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to
discharge treated wastewater through a diffuser from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and
monitored) by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS
Parameter Codes
EFFLUENT LIMITS
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Average
Weekly
Average
Measurement
Frequency
Sample
Type
Sample
Location 2
Flow 50050
0.125 MGD
Continuous
Recording
Influent or
Effluent
BOD, 5-day, 20°C 3
C0310
(BOD5)
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids 2
C0530
(TSS)
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
Weekly
Composite
Influent &
Effluent
Fecal Coliform 31616
(geometric mean)
200/100 mL
400/100 mL
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
pH 00400
Not < 6.0 nor > 9 0 standard units
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Temperature, °C 00010
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
NH3 as N, mg/L C0610
Weekly
Composite
Effluent
NH3 as N, mg/L 4,5 C0610
(April 1 — October 31)
Weekly
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
NH3 as N, mg/L 4 C0610
(November 1 — March 31)
2/Month
Grab
Upstream &
Downstream
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L (DO) 00300
Weekly
Grab
Effluent
Total Nitrogen, mg/L (TN) C0600
TN = (NO2-N + NO3-N) + TKN
Semi -Annual
Composite
Effluent
Total Phosphorus, mg/L (TP) C0665
Semi -Annual
Composite
Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The Permittee shall submit discharge Monitoring Reports electronically using the Division's eDMR
submittal system [see A. (3)].
2. Upstream = 25 feet approximately upstream of diffuser, Downstream = approximately 25 feet downstream of
diffuser.
3. The monthly average effluent BOD5 and TSS concentrations shall not exceed 15% of the respective influent
value (85% removal).
4. Samples shall be collected at approximately the same time, allowing for time to move between sample
locations.
5. The Permittee may request reduced instream NH3-N summer (April 1 October 31) monitoring to 2/Month
at the next permit renewal, if downstream data shows instream ammonia levels are protective of mussels, or if
the WWTP discharge shows no increase between upstream/downstream ammonia concentrations.
If chlorine or a chlorine disinfectant derivative are used then a daily maximum Total Residual Chlorine
limit of 28 µg/L limit shall go into effect. NC DEQ Asheville Regional Office must be contacted during
normal business hours and alerted when chlorine or a chlorine disinfectant derivative are used.
Page 3 of 6

Permit NC0087891
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
A. (2) AMMONIA REOPENER
[NCGS 143-215.1(b)]
The Division may re -open and modify this permit if required in the event that the Division:
• Adopts new freshwater quality standards for ammonia.
• Develops a site -specific management strategy pursuant to T15A NCAC 2B .0110 in order to protect
endangered or threatened aquatic species in the receiving water.
If instream monitoring indicates ammonia concentrations are above protective concentrations for mussels
and the WWTP is identified as the cause, the Permittee will be required to evaluate options to reduce
effluent ammonia concentrations (including outfall redesign), and report to the Division within 120 days of
notification by the Division.
A. (3) ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and program
reports. The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on December 21,
2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this
permit (Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D. (6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.) and Section E. (5.) (all
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic
Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
submitted electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter
monitoring data and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be
accessed at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility
being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband
access, then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted
and discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1.1, 2, 3) or alternative
forms approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the following address:
Page 4 of 6

Permit NC0087891
NC DEQ / Division of Water Resources / Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
reported via the eDMR system no later than the last calendar day of the month following the
completed reporting period. Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last
day of the month following the issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day
of the month following the commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21, 2025, the permittee must electronically report the following compliance
monitoring data and reports, when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports; and
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports.
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see "How to Request a
Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9), the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time of
each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify the
initial recipient for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity
(EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program) that is the designated entity
for receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for each
type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate
electronic reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES Electronic
Reporting Rule is found at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-
24954/national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the "Reporting Requirements" section above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an
electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to the
Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to the
Division for written approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the facility would be required
under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a temporary
waiver shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring data and reports
shall be submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re -applies for and is granted a
new temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers
Page 5 of 6

Permit NC0087891
are not transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request may submit
monitoring data and reports on paper to the Division for the period that the approved reporting waiver
request is effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on
the following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.) (d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II,
Section B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section
B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting
purposes.
For eDMR submissions, the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user
account and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North Carolina's
eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following
web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system shall make
the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION
WILL BE ACCEPTED:
"I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my
direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel
properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons
who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the
information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am
aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of
fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)1
The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions.
These records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report.
This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41].
Page 6 of 6

Outfall 001
NCDET CAS Minot NQ CCL-7oI
utter, Mnccoosoft
S', 131;:)9;,:-.
Outfall 001
Wyatt Town Rd
J Reeves
Todd
Ave
North Toe River
Hemlock Ridge Bend
East Yancey Water & Sewer District
South Toe River WWTP
NPDES Permit NC0087891
Wyatt Town Road, Micaville, NC 28714
Receiving Stream: South Toe River
Stream Segment: 7-2-52-(30.5)
River Basin: French Broad
County: Yancey
Stream Class: C; Tr
Sub -Basin #: 04-03-06
HUC: 060101080203
SR-,;(1, 1,0
South Toe River
Sh
Nope.Rd
N
SCALE
1:24,000
�i e
Outfall 001: 35° 55' 09" N, -80° 12' 26" W
USGS Quad: Micaville, NC