Sugar Mountain

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) provides the data contained within this Local Water Supply Plan (LWSP) as a courtesy and service to our customers. DWR staff does not field verify data. Neither DWR, nor any other party involved in the preparation of this LWSP attests that the data is completely free of errors and omissions. Furthermore, data users are cautioned that LWSPs labeled PROVISIONAL have yet to be reviewed by DWR staff. Subsequent review may result in significant revision. Questions regarding the accuracy or limitations of usage of this data should be directed to the water system and/or DWR.

1. System Information

Contact Information

Provisional

Water System Name: Sugar Mountain   PWSID: 01-06-107
Mailing Address:PO Box 240908
Charlotte, NC 28224		Ownership:Business
 
Contact Person:Harshna PatelTitle:Water Quality Coordinator
Phone:704-608-4974Cell/Mobile:--
Distribution System
Line Type Size Range (Inches) Estimated % of lines
Ductile Iron 4-16 97.35 %
Other 2-6 2.65 %
What are the estimated total miles of distribution system lines?   18 Miles
How many feet of distribution lines were replaced during 2024?   20 Feet
How many feet of new water mains were added during 2024?   0 Feet
How many meters were replaced in 2024?   19
How old are the oldest meters in this system?   5 Year(s)
How many meters for outdoor water use, such as irrigation, are not billed for sewer services?   7
What is this system's finished water storage capacity?   0.6020 Million Gallons
Has water pressure been inadequate in any part of the system since last update? Line breaks that were repaired quickly should not be included.   No
Programs
Does this system have a program to work or flush hydrants?   Yes, Annually
Does this system have a valve exercise program?   Yes, Annually
Does this system have a cross-connection program?   Yes
Does this system have a program to replace meters?   No
Does this system have a plumbing retrofit program?   No
Does this system have an active water conservation public education program?   Yes
Does this system have a leak detection program?   Yes

Annual Consumer Confidence Report and our website provide tips on how to reduce nonessential water use and promotes water conservation. Also,Water Efficiency Rebate Program is promoted via our website for installation of more water efficient home appliances. The installation of more water efficient home appliances and increased water conservation awareness will result in a reduction of future per capita usage.

The mountainous terrain in Sugar Mountain makes identifying leaks a challenge. A contracted company carried out acoustic leak detection survey to identify water loss in section of the system. During Hurricane Helene (Oct2024) a significant was loss was reported due to watermain/ services lines and storage tank overflow leaks.
The company's water accountability program tracks pumpage, known water loss (from system processes, identified leaks, etc.) and water sold to determine monthly unaccounted for water loss.
The installed AMR meters data helps to monitor and analyze usage, troubleshoot issues like leaks in timely manner. This assist in decreasing of non-revenue water.

Water Conservation
What type of rate structure is used?   Uniform
How much reclaimed water does this system use?   0.0000 MGD   For how many connections?   0
Does this system have an interconnection with another system capable of providing water in an emergency?   No

Banner Elk's water line is approximately 3 miles away and at a substantially lower elevation, making it difficult to achieve the water pressure
necessary to serve Sugar Mountain.
Ski Country water system is closest to the system for emergency circumstances.

2. Water Use Information

Service Area
Sub-Basin(s)% of Service Population
Watauga River (16-1)100 %
County(s)% of Service Population
Avery100 %
What was the year-round population served in 2024?   3,173
Has this system acquired another system since last report?   No

Sugar Mountain is a winter ski resort with approximately 20% of the residents living there year round. Based on the winter usage, the highest influx of
customers occurs Nov/Dec to March. However, because all customers are charged at least a base charge each month of the year, it is difficult to
calculate a seasonal population.
Population is based on the water connections (less irrigation) multiplied by 2.27 which is the average persons per household in Avery County per the US Census Bureau for 2019-2023.

Water Use by Type
Type of Use Metered
Connections		 Metered
Average Use (MGD)		 Non-Metered
Connections		 Non-Metered
Estimated Use (MGD)
Residential 1,308 0.0637 0 0.0000
Commercial 97 0.0453 0 0.0000
Industrial 0 0.0000 0 0.0000
Institutional 0 0.0000 0 0.0000

How much water was used for system processes (backwash, line cleaning, flushing, etc.)?   0.0170 MGD

3. Water Supply Sources

Monthly Withdrawals & Purchases
Average Daily
Use (MGD)		 Max Day
Use (MGD)		 Average Daily
Use (MGD)		 Max Day
Use (MGD)		 Average Daily
Use (MGD)		 Max Day
Use (MGD)
Jan 0.2997 0.4145 May 0.1823 0.2077 Sep 0.2013 0.2624
Feb 0.2385 0.3110 Jun 0.2028 0.2372 Oct 0.2252 0.2713
Mar 0.2345 0.3644 Jul 0.2447 0.3005 Nov 0.1865 0.2704
Apr 0.1746 0.1980 Aug 0.2218 0.2503 Dec 0.2745 0.3629

Ground Water Sources
Name or Number Average Daily Withdrawal (MGD) Max Day Withdrawal (MGD) 12-Hour Supply
(MGD)		 CUA Reduction Year Offline Use Type
MGD Days Used
01 0.0199 364 0.0752 0.0936 Regular
02 0.0054 364 0.0211 0.0245 Regular
03 0.0100 358 0.0286 0.0202 Regular
04 0.0207 361 0.0557 0.0382 Regular
05 0.0181 350 0.0396 0.0245 Regular
06 0.0097 187 0.0147 0.0403 Regular
07 0.0036 352 0.0198 0.0238 Regular
08 0.0027 352 0.01498 0.0180 Regular
09 0.0237 364 0.0628 0.0403 Regular
10 0.0119 333 0.0645 0.0864 Regular
11 0.0049 333 0.0277 0.0317 Regular
12 0.0059 357 0.0274 0.0245 Regular
13 0.0063 302 0.0251 0.0223 Regular
14 0.0134 309 0.0345 0.0900 Regular
16 0.0129 364 0.0444 0.0342 Regular
17 0.0154 364 0.0472 0.0310 Regular
18 0.0099 358 0.0312 0.0202 Regular
19 0.0119 364 0.0482 0.0353 Regular
19A 0.0121 353 0.0788 0.0770 Regular
20 0.0148 335 0.0620 0.0792 Regular
21 0.0054 94 0.0093 0.0194 Regular
22 0.0116 94 0.0223 0.0331 Regular
23 0.0000 0 0 0.0295 Regular
24 0.0000 0 0 0.0900 2023 Regular
Ground Water Sources (continued)
Name or Number Well Depth (Feet) Casing Depth
(Feet)		 Screen Depth (Feet) Well Diameter (Inches) Pump Intake Depth (Feet) Metered?
Top Bottom
01 260 40 6 178 Yes
02 300 55 6 273 Yes
03 215 60 6 197 Yes
04 205 59 6 197 Yes
05 240 6 147 Yes
06 300 6 273 Yes
07 320 41 6 315 Yes
08 250 20 6 230 Yes
09 275 6 236 Yes
10 500 6 483 Yes
11 600 82 6 315 Yes
12 500 51 6 336 Yes
13 500 6 232 Yes
14 400 78 6 378 Yes
16 600 29 504 Yes
17 600 49 6 531 Yes
18 400 48 6 357 Yes
19 600 6 478 Yes
19A 900 8 315 Yes
20 600 6 252 Yes
21 600 90 6 420 Yes
22 600 60 6 420 Yes
23 800 50 8 498 Yes
24 1080 82 8 777 Yes
Are ground water levels monitored?   Yes, As Needed
Does this system have a wellhead protection program?   Yes

Well 24 deactivated 11/1/23 due to water quality issue. Updated Well 19A yield per the well approval.

4. Wastewater Information

Monthly Discharges
Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)		 Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)		 Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)
Jan 0.3032 May 0.1694 Sep 0.2060
Feb 0.2121 Jun 0.1583 Oct 0.2567
Mar 0.1968 Jul 0.1724 Nov 0.2619
Apr 0.1737 Aug 0.1427 Dec 0.3609

How many sewer connections does this system have?   1,125
How many water service connections with septic systems does this system have?   283
Are there plans to build or expand wastewater treatment facilities in the next 10 years?   No

We plan to increase the plant capacity from 0.5 MGD to 1.0 MGD when needed for system expansion.
Of the 1125 sewer connections, 1104 connections have both water and sewer; 21 are sewer only.
Of our 1405 water connections, 301 are water only (of which 7 are irrigation and 11 have sewer going to another provider

Wastewater Permits
Permit Number Type Permitted Capacity
(MGD)		 Design Capacity
(MGD)		 Average Annual
Daily Discharge
(MGD)		 Maximum Day Discharge
(MGD)		 Receiving Stream Receiving Basin
NC0022900 WWTP 1.0000 0.5000 0.2178 1.6750 Flattop Creek Watauga River (16-1)

Heavy rain due to Hurricane Helene contributed to high Sept Max.

5. Planning

Projections
  2024 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070
Year-Round Population 3,173 3,348 3,614 3,865 4,133 4,385
Seasonal Population 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Residential 0.0637 0.0747 0.0811 0.0876 0.0942 0.1009
Commercial 0.0453 0.0414 0.0449 0.0485 0.0522 0.0559
Industrial 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Institutional 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
System Process 0.0170 0.0169 0.0169 0.0169 0.0169 0.0169
Unaccounted-for 0.0981 0.1036 0.1113 0.1191 0.1271 0.1352
Demand v/s Percent of Supply
  2024 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070
Surface Water Supply 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Ground Water Supply 1.0272 0.9372 0.9372 0.9372 0.9372 0.9372
Purchases 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Future Supplies 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Total Available Supply (MGD) 1.0272 0.9372 0.9372 0.9372 0.9372 0.9372
Service Area Demand 0.2241 0.2366 0.2542 0.2721 0.2904 0.3089
Sales 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Future Sales 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Total Demand (MGD) 0.2241 0.2366 0.2542 0.2721 0.2904 0.3089
Demand as Percent of Supply 22% 25% 27% 29% 31% 33%

The purpose of the above chart is to show a general indication of how the long-term per capita water demand changes over time. The per capita water demand may actually be different than indicated due to seasonal populations and the accuracy of data submitted. Water systems that have calculated long-term per capita water demand based on a methodology that produces different results may submit their information in the notes field.

Your long-term water demand is 20 gallons per capita per day. What demand management practices do you plan to implement to reduce the per capita water demand (i.e. conduct regular water audits, implement a plumbing retrofit program, employ practices such as rainwater harvesting or reclaimed water)? If these practices are covered elsewhere in your plan, indicate where the practices are discussed here.    No changes

Are there other demand management practices you will implement to reduce your future supply needs?   We will continue to use the annual Consumer Confidence Report and our website to promote water conservation and Water Efficiency Rebate Program. AMR meters installed helps in troubleshooting non-revenue issues. We will continue to use private contractors to locate leaks.

What supplies other than the ones listed in future supplies are being considered to meet your future supply needs?   We will evaluate current and historical water usage patterns and seek future well sites to develop for demand increase in the system.

How does the water system intend to implement the demand management and supply planning components above?   We would pursue engineering design and state approval for any changes to our water supply.

Additional Information

Has this system participated in regional water supply or water use planning?  No

What major water supply reports or studies were used for planning?  

Please describe any other needs or issues regarding your water supply sources, any water system deficiencies or needed improvements (storage, treatment, etc.) or your ability to meet present and future water needs. Include both quantity and quality considerations, as well as financial, technical, managerial, permitting, and compliance issues:   

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) provides the data contained within this Local Water Supply Plan (LWSP) as a courtesy and service to our customers. DWR staff does not field verify data. Neither DWR, nor any other party involved in the preparation of this LWSP attests that the data is completely free of errors and omissions. Furthermore, data users are cautioned that LWSPs labeled PROVISIONAL have yet to be reviewed by DWR staff. Subsequent review may result in significant revision. Questions regarding the accuracy or limitations of usage of this data should be directed to the water system and/or DWR.