WQ0021861_BIMS Report_20200921

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0021861 Effective: 01/29/16 Expiration: 12/31/20 Owner : Grady KAckerman
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: 9016 Noah Helms Rd. SFR
County: Union 9016 Noah Helms Rd
Region: Mooresville
Contact Person: Grady K Ackerman
Indian Trail NC 28079
Title: Phone:
Directions to Facility:
From Mooresville take I-77S to exit 25, turn L onto NC 73 and follow —15.7mi turn R, take US 601S —22.3mi turn R, take Old Dutch
Rd to end turn L, takr NC 218 >0.1 mi turn R, take Cromwell Dairy Rd —0.7mi (becomes Noah Helms Rd) prop. is on Lt
System Classifications:
Primary ORC: Certification: Phone:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 09/15/2020
Primary Inspector: Maria Schutte
Secondary Inspector(s):
Entry Time 12:50PM Exit Time: 01:21PM
Phone: [phone]
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Single -Family Residence Wastewater Irrigation
Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
▪ Miscellaneous Questions
▪ Sand Filter/Treatment Pods
▪ Drip or Irrigation
(See attachment summary)
▪ Permit Status
▪ Disinfection Tablets
▪ General
▪ Septic Tank
▪ Pump Tank
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Permit: WQ0021861 Owner - Facility: Grady K Ackerman
Inspection Date: 09/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Staff of the Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) conducted a virtual compliance inspection on September 15th, 2020, which
included remote viewing of the treatment system, wet -weather lagoon, irrigation field and logbook. The MRO would like to
thank you and your maintenance contractor, Mr. Sid Gaskins for your effort, patience and time during this remote
inspection.
The treatment and irrigation systems appeared to be functioning adequately at the time of inspection. The following items
are noted for informational purposes:
• All repair items noted during the May 2018 inspection have been completed. Tank riser/lid(s) and peat filters replaced,
both septic tanks pumped and liner in wet -weather lagoon repaired. Repair items are maintained in your records and most
were also documented in your Nov. 3rd, 2018 email with photos.
• This permit is currently in the renewal process with our Non -Discharge Permitting Staff at our Central Office in Raleigh.
Questions specific to the permit renewal may be addressed to [e-mail], the permit writer assigned to this
project.
Should you or Mr. Gaskins have questions about the inspection report or your permit, please contact Ms. Maria Schutte at
the MRO by phone [phone] or email [e-mail]
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Permit: WQ0021861 Owner - Facility: Grady K Ackerman
Inspection Date: 09/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Permit Status
# Is the current resident in the home the Permittee?
# If not, does the resident rent from the Permittee?
Change of Ownership form needed? (Mail the form with the inspection letter)
# Is there an inspection and maintenance agreement with a contractor?
Yes No NA NE
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If YES, who is the contractor (include contact info)?
Sid Gaskins, Water Management of NC, LLC. [e-mail] or 828-244-9765 (cell).
Comment: The treatment and irrigation systems serve two homes. There is a second septic tank at the
owners' daughters' home. Both homes are supplied by wells within 250ft of their septic tanks.
Septic Tank
*** The septic tank and filters should be checked annually and pumped/cleaned as needed. ***
Is all wastewater from the home connected to the septic tank?
# Does the permittee/resident know where the septic tank is located?
Has the septic tank been pumped in the last 5 years?
If YES, describe if known and proof (include date pumped):
Both tanks were pumped in Nov. 2018, when the peat was replaced in both filter units. Current scum and
sludge levels did NOT warrant tank pumping at this time. MRO staff reminded owner of increased use with
current stay-at-home trends and recommended he discuss with daughter/family to reduce unnecessary
items/grease into their tank.
# Does the septic tank have an EFFLUENT FILTER or SANITARY T?
If FILTER, when was the filter cleaned and by who?
Comment: Cleaned by contractor during site visits.
Sand Filter/Treatment Pods
*** Accessible sand filter surfaces shall be raked/leveled every 6 months and vegetative growth shall be
removed manually. ***
# Is system something other than a sand filter?
# If YES, what kind? (examples - Peat, Textile or brand name - Advantex, etc.)
# Does the permittee know where the sandfilter is located?
Does the sandfilter require maintenance?
If maintenace is required, explain:
Peat was replaced in both units in Nov. 2018. During inspection, contractor fluffed surface of peat to show it
was still fresh and loose.
Comment: This system gravity feeds from septic tanks to peat filtration units to chlorination.
Disinfection Tablets
*** Tablet chlorinator unit shall be checked weekly to ensure continuous and proper operation. ***
Does the permittee have the correct chlorine tablets? (If none, mark No)
# Does the Permittee know the location of the chlorinator?
Yes No NA NE
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Contractor during
site visits.
Yes No NA NE
▪ ❑ ❑ ❑
Peat
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Yes No NA NE
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Permit: WQ0021861 Owner - Facility: Grady K Ackerman
Inspection Date: 09/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Were chlorine tablets observed in the chlorinator?
Are tablets contacting water? (If possible, poke them to determine.)
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Comment: This was a virtual inspection. Tablets were observed in the chlorinator, but water contact was
not sufficiently assessed. Historically, water contact has been oberved in the chlorine chamber
at this facility.
Pump Tank
*** All pump and alarm sytems shall be inspected monthly. (Non -Discharge) ***
Is the pump working?
Is the audible and visual high water alarm operational?
# Does the permittee know how to check the pump & high water alarm?
# Last functional test:
Yes No NA NE
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Today, by
contractor during
inspection.
Comment: Contractor has always been on -site during inspections and performed the tests. Owner has
backup light bulbs and fuses he keeps in the unit panel.
Drip or Irrigation
*** Irrigation sysetm shall be inspected monthly to ensure system is free of leaks and equipment is operating
as designed. ***
# Type of system (DRIP or IRRIGATION):
# If IRRIGATION, number of sprinkler heads:
Are buffers and setbacks adequate?
Is the site free of ponding and runoff?
Does the application equipment appear to be working properly?
Is there a minimum two wire fence surrounding the entire irrigation area?
Yes No NA NE
Drip
NA- Two drip
zones.
Comment: There is a property line set -back waiver associated with this permit. The waiver was signed
during the previous renewal and is on file with Union County Register of Deeds. Per the owner,
his neighbor has not changed; however, Union Co Deed research shows an ownership change
between family members that may require an updated waiver. MRO will note this in staff report
for CO follow-up.
As best as could be seen and heard virtually, the application site(s) appeared to be free of
ponding (owner walked field with camera in hand) and there were no apparent line breaks in
either zone during the system test.
General
# Are the treatment units locked and/or secured?
# Has resident had any sewage problems?
If YES, explain:
The system appears to be functioning very well, since the peat filter replacement and tank cleanouts in 2018.
Does the system match the permit description?
If NO, explain:
Yes No NA NE
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Permit: WQ0021861 Owner - Facility: Grady K Ackerman
Inspection Date: 09/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is the system compliant?
Is the system failing? (If yes, take pictures if possible)
If system is failing, describe any exposures to people/animals or environmental risks.
The system appears to be operating sufficiently.
Comment: The owner states that since repairs to the wet -weather lagoon, even with heavy rain, he rarely
sees a minimal amount of water in the lagoon. Owner has always questioned the need for the
lagoon and has felt it to be an unnecessary expense to maintain given his assessment that it is
not utilized. MRO staff will include comments noted in his 11-3-2018 email as part of the staff
report with this renewal application, for reassessment by permitting staff.
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