NCG551311_5719 Paragon Circle Inspection_20230816

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200
August 16th, 2023
Kelly and Lisa Powers
5719 Paragon Circle
Durham, NC 27712
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG551311
Facility: 5719 Paragon Circle
Durham County
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Powers:
On July 20th, Kevin Fowler from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family
residence (SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General
NPDES Permit. Your assistance during the inspection was greatly appreciated.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, sub-surface sand filter, tablet
chlorinator, and discharge pipe.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG551311 authorize
the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated
as Cabin Branch (classified WS-IV, NSW) in the Neuse River Basin. The authorized discharge
is in accordance with the effluent limits and monitoring requirements established within the
General Permit. The items below show what conditions were noted at your facility:
Findings during the inspection were as follows:
1.NCG550000 Ownership Change Form: According to Durham County deed of
records, Kelly and Alicia Powers owns the residence and property located at 5719
Paragon Circle in Durham, North Carolina. As the property owner, you are also
the owner of the existing single-family wastewater treatment system, which treats
the domestic wastewater from the residence and releases the effluent to the
receiving waters indicated above. Because the treatment system makes an outlet
to waters of the state, it is an activity for which the subject permit is required. To
comply with North Carolina General Statute § 143-215.1(a), which requires a
person to obtain a permit to make an outlet into the waters of the state, you will
need to complete and submit the attached NCG550000 Ownership Change Form
to the Division. Failure to submitting an Ownership Change Form could result in
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1611 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000
violations assessed for discharging to waters of the state without a permit. If you
have any questions regarding change in permit ownership or completing the
form, then please contact Kevin Fowler at 919-437-0047.
2. Pumping the septic tank: You are required to inspect the septic tank at least
yearly to determine if solids must be removed or if other maintenance is
necessary. Septic tanks should be pumped out every five years or when the solids
level is found to be more than 1/3 of the liquid depth in the septic tank
compartment, whichever is greater. A pumping company can check the status
periodically and determine when pumping is required. During the inspection,
Kelly Powers provided documentation showing John Byrd pumped out the septic
tank on May 4th, 2019. The General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to
retain records associated with sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5
years.
3. Chlorine tablets in the chlorinator: You are reminded that it is required that
chlorine tablets be maintained in the chlorinator to ensure proper disinfection of
the discharged wastewater. Chlorine tablets provide effective disinfection and
prevent/limit harmful bacteria from discharging to the environment. The product
label for these tablets must indicate the tablets are approved for wastewater use
and not for swimming pools. Part 1, Section D (1) of General NPDES Permit
NCG550000 requires the permittee to inspect the tablet chlorinator weekly to
ensure there is an adequate supply of tablets for continuous and proper operation.
Section D (4) requires the permittee to maintain all system components,
including...disinfection units...at all times and in good operating order. The
inspector did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Please ensure
the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as
required by the General NPDES Permit.
4. Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C., Effluent Limitations and Monitoring
Requirements, within General Permit NCG550000 requires a permittee to sample
and analyze the effluent leaving his/her treatment system prior to discharge
annually. Parameters to be sampled and analyzed include Flow, BOD
(Biochemical Oxygen Demand), Total Suspended Solids, Fecal Coliform, Total
Residual Chlorine, Total Nitrogen, Ammonia Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous.
Within 30-days of receiving this letter, please let this office know if you have
monitored your effluent discharge within the last 12 months, and provide this
office with a copy of the lab results if you have. If you have not monitored your
effluent, then please collect a representative sample of the effluent, have it
analyzed by a certified commercial laboratory and submit the results to this office
no later than Monday, October 30th, 2023. If, during this time, you are unable to
collect a representative sample of the effluent discharge due to insufficient flow
from the discharge pipe, then update this office with that information and
continue to monitor the discharge and if conditions for sampling become
favorable, then arrange to collect a sample. Failure to monitor the effluent
discharge as required is a violation of NPDES General Permit NCG550000.
5. Discharge outlet location. The permittee is required to conduct a visual review
of the outfall location at least twice each year (one at the time of sampling) to
ensure that no visible solids or other obvious evidence of system malfunctioning
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1611 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000
is observed. Any visible signs of a malfunctioning system shall be documented
and steps taken to correct the problem. The discharge pipe was visible and
accessible the day of the inspection. Please continue to ensure the outlet is
always visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves.

Part II Section B.14 of General Permit NCG550000 requires the permittee to “pay the annual
administering and compliance monitoring fee within thirty days after being billed by the
Division.” The annual fee ($60 per year) is due annually to maintain the permit for the system.

Please continue to periodically inspect the wastewater treatment system to ensure the treatment
components are always maintained and in good operating order. You are also reminded to
maintain all monitoring data and associated maintenance records onsite for a minimum of
three years and available for inspection.

Within 30-days receipt of this letter, please submit a written response to this office indicating
the actions you will take or have taken to comply with or resolve the issues noted items 1, and
4 above.

If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective
action (if applicable), then please contact Kevin Fowler at 919-437-0047.

Sincerely,

Vanessa E. Manuel, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

Attachment(s): EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
Ownership Change Form

Cc: Laserfiche

EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Form Approved.
OMB No. 2040-0057
Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 N 52 NCG551311 23/07/20 C S31112171819 20
21 66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
N67707172 73 74 75 80
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
5719 Paragon Circle
5719 Paragon Cir
Durham NC 27712
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
03:00PM 23/07/20 12/08/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
03:15PM 23/07/20 13/07/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Bernita S Grant,5719 Paragon Cir Durham NC 27712///Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Operations & Maintenance Self-Monitoring Program Facility Site Review
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s)Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Kevin Fowler DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4200/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#1
08/11/2023
NPDES yr/mo/day
23/07/20
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
1.NCG550000 Ownership Change Form: According to Durham County deed of records, Kelly and
Alicia Powers owns the residence and property located at 5719 Paragon Circle in Durham, North
Carolina. As the property owner, you are also the owner of the existing single-family wastewater
treatment system, which treats the domestic wastewater from the residence and releases the effluent
to the receiving waters indicated above. Because the treatment system makes an outlet to waters of
the state, it is an activity for which the subject permit is required. To comply with North Carolina
General Statute § 143-215.1(a), which requires a person to obtain a permit to make an outlet into the
waters of the state, you will need to complete and submit the attached NCG550000 Ownership
Change Form to the Division. If you have any questions regarding change in permit ownership or
completing the form, then please contact Kevin Fowler at 919-437-0047.
2.Pumping the septic tank: You are required to inspect the septic tank at least yearly to determine if
solids must be removed or if other maintenance is necessary. Septic tanks should be pumped out
every five years or when the solids level is found to be more than 1/3 of the liquid depth in the septic
tank compartment, whichever is greater. A pumping company can check the status periodically and
determine when pumping is required. During the inspection, Kelly Powers provided documentation
showing John Byrd pumped out the septic tank on May 4th, 2019. The General NPDES Permit
requires the permittee to retain records associated with sewage disposal activities for a period of at
least 5 years.
3.Chlorine tablets in the chlorinator: You are reminded that it is required that chlorine tablets be
maintained in the chlorinator to ensure proper disinfection of the discharged wastewater. Chlorine
tablets provide effective disinfection and prevent/limit harmful bacteria from discharging to the
environment. The product label for these tablets must indicate the tablets are approved for
wastewater use and not for swimming pools. Part 1, Section D (1) of General NPDES Permit
NCG550000 requires the permittee to inspect the tablet chlorinator weekly to ensure there is an
adequate supply of tablets for continuous and proper operation. Section D (4) requires the permittee
to maintain all system components, including...disinfection units...at all times and in good operating
order. The inspector did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Please ensure the
correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the General NPDES
Permit.
4.Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C., Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements, within
General Permit NCG550000 requires a permittee to sample and analyze the effluent leaving his/her
treatment system prior to discharge annually. Parameters to be sampled and analyzed include Flow,
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), Total Suspended Solids, Fecal Coliform, Total Residual
Chlorine, Total Nitrogen, Ammonia Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous. Within 30-days of receiving this
letter, please let this office know if you have monitored your effluent discharge within the last 12
months, and provide this office with a copy of the lab results if you have. If you have not monitored
your effluent, then please collect a representative sample of the effluent, have it analyzed by a
certified commercial laboratory and submit the results to this office no later than Monday, October
30th, 2023. If, during this time, you are unable to collect a representative sample of the effluent
discharge due to insufficient flow from the discharge pipe, then update this office with that information
and continue to monitor the discharge and if conditions for sampling become favorable, then arrange
to collect a sample. Failure to monitor the effluent discharge as required is a violation of NPDES
General Permit NCG550000.
5.Discharge outlet location. The permittee is required to conduct a visual review of the outfall
location at least twice each year (one at the time of sampling) to ensure that no visible solids or other
obvious evidence of system malfunctioning is observed. Any visible signs of a malfunctioning system
shall be documented and steps taken to correct the problem. The discharge pipe was visible and
accessible the day of the inspection. Please continue to ensure the outlet is always
visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves.
NCG551311 17 (Cont.)
Page#2
Permit:NCG551311
Inspection Date:07/20/2023
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
5719 Paragon Circle
Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping?
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
Permit Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
Comment:
Septic Tank Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational?
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule?
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
Comment:
Sand Filters (Low rate)Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational?
Is the distribution box level and watertight?
Is sand filter free of ponding?
Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio?
# Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation?
# Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1)
Comment:
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Number of tubes in use?2
Page#3
Permit:NCG551311
Inspection Date:07/20/2023
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
5719 Paragon Circle
Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination?
Comment:
Page#4

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919.707.9000

NPDES Certificate of Coverage (CoC)
NCG550000 OWNERSHIP CHANGE FORM
I. Please enter the CoC number for which the change is requested.
Certificate of Coverage
N C G 5 5

II. Please provide the following for the requested change (revised CoC).
a. Request for change is a result of: Change in ownership of the residence/property
Name change of the facility or owner
If other please explain:
b. CoC will be issued to (person’s name
or company name, if applicable):
c. Owner: person legally responsible for
CoC:
First MI Last

Title

Permit Holder Mailing Address

City State Zip
( )
Phone E-mail Address
d. Facility name (if applicable):
e. Facility address:
Address

City State Zip
f. Facility contact person:
[if different from Owner] First MI Last
( )
Phone E-mail Address
III. Contact person (if different from the person legally responsible for the CoC)

First MI Last

Title

Mailing Address

City State Zip
( )
Phone E-mail Address
Page 2 of 2

IV. Will this permitted facility continue to discharge the same volume and type of wastewater as
prior to this ownership or name change?
Yes
No (please explain)

V. Required Items: THIS APPLICATION WILL BE RETURNED UNPROCESSED IF ITEMS
ARE INCOMPLETE OR MISSING:
This completed application is required for both facility-name change and/or facility ownership
change requests.
Legal documentation of the transfer of ownership (such as a property deed, relevant pages of a
contract, or a bill of sale) is required for an ownership change request.

The certifications below must be completed and signed by the new applicant in the case of an ownership
change request.

APPLICANT CERTIFICATION
I, , attest that this application for a name/ownership change has been reviewed and is accurate and
complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if all required parts of this application are not
completed and that if all required supporting information is not included, this application package will be
returned as incomplete.

Signature Date

PLEASE SEND THE COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE TO:
Mr. Charles H. Weaver
NC DEQ / DWR / NPDES
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
[e-mail]