WQ0023999_Cover Letter and BIMS_20230628

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Mr. Lee and Mrs. Joanna Spencer
84 Winding Trail Lane
Midland, North Carolina 28107
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Spencer:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
June 28, 2023
via Email
Subject: Non -Discharge Permit Inspection
Wastewater Surface Irrigation System
Permit #WQ0023999
Cabarrus County
Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) staff conducted a compliance inspection for the referenced permit on May 25tn
2023, as part of your permit renewal. Your owner inspection records were received by email on May 301h, 2023.
The MRO would like to thank your AQWA technicians, Mr. Jeffrey Cranmer and Mr. Logan Jackson for their time
during the site visit.
The following items are noted for owner information and to maintain overall compliance:
• AQWA staff repaired over 60 breaks in the drip lines and noted animal activity as the major cause. Of most
concern were two severed lines in zone two. AQWA staff noted seeing similar issues at other facilities, typically
during drought like conditions when animals are seeking water, and noted recurrences are likely.
This issue may require more frequent and vigilant inspections to address ponding or runoff concerns and
request repairs in a timely manner. Please contact AQWA staff for repairs and note ponding in or run-off from
the drip field should be reported to the MRO in accordance with Permit Condition IV.2.
• On June 22nd, 2023, MRO staff spoke with Mr. David DeCaron, P.E. of Piedmont Design Associates, who
relayed he requested a time extension to complete the additional information request for your permit renewal,
currently in process with our Central Office staff. You may email alys.hannum(@deg.nc.gov, the permit writer
assigned to your project with questions specific to the renewal.
The inspection report is attached and should be self-explanatory; however, please contact Maria Schutte by email or
phone (maria.schutte(a__)deg.nc.gov or 704-235-2184) with any questions.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
4. u N P:"
F161 F969AMUAI..
Andrew H. Pitner, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Mooresville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Attachment: WQ0023999 Inspection Report
CC: Tammy Riggan, AQWA (email)
Chrystal Swinger, Cabarrus County Health Alliance (email)
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
e:!r5fD E Q Mooresville Regional Office 1 601 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, NC 28115
NORTH CAROLINA 704.663.1699

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0023999 Effective: 10/19/18 Expiration: 08/31/23 Owner: Phillip Lee Spencer
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: 84 Winding Trail Ln. SFR
County: Cabarrus 84 Winding Trail Ln
Region: Mooresville
Midland NC 28107
Contact Person: Phillip Lee Spencer Title: Phone:
Directions to Facility:
From the intersection of HWY 601 and HWY 49 take HWY 601 South approx. 1 mile and turn right onto Flowes Store Road. Travel
approx. 7.2 miles and turn right onto Winding Trail Lane (private road). The site is on the right approx. 0.75 miles.
System Classifications:
Primary ORC: Certification: Phone:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 05/25/2023 Entry Time 09:27AM Exit Time: 12:42PM
Primary Inspector: Maria Schutte Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Single -Family Residence Wastewater Irrigation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant 0 Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions Permit Status Septic Tank
Sand Filter/Treatment Pods Disinfection UV Pump Tank
Drip or Irrigation General
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 5

Permit: WQ0023999 Owner - Facility: Phillip Lee Spencer
Inspection Date: 05/25/2023 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary
Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) staff conducted a compliance inspection for the referenced permit on May 25th, 2023, as
part of your permit renewal. Your owner inspection records were received by email on May 30th, 2023. The MRO would like
to thank your AQWA technicians, Mr. Jeffrey Cranmer and Mr. Logan Jackson for their time during the site visit.
The following items are noted for owner information and to maintain overall compliance:
* AQWA staff repaired over 60 breaks in the drip lines and noted animal activity as the major cause. Of most concern were
two severed lines in zone two. AQWA staff noted seeing similar issues at other facilities, typically during drought like
conditions when animals are seeking water, and noted recurrences are likely.
This issue may require more frequent and vigilant inspections to address ponding or runoff concerns and request repairs in a
timely manner. Please contact AQWA staff for repairs and note ponding in or run-off from the drip field should be reported to
the MRO in accordance with Permit Condition IV.2.
* On June 22nd, 2023, MRO staff spoke with Mr. David DeCaron, P.E. of Piedmont Design Associates, who relayed he
requested a time extension to complete the additional information request for your permit renewal, currently in process with
our Central Office staff. You may email [e-mail], the permit writer assigned to your project with questions
specific to the renewal.
The inspection report is attached and should be self-explanatory; however, please contact Maria Schutte by email or phone
([e-mail] or 704-235-2184) with any questions.
Page 2 of 5

Permit: WQ0023999 Owner - Facility: Phillip Lee Spencer
Inspection Date: 05/25/2023 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Permit Status Yes No NA NE
# Is the current resident in the home the Permittee? ❑ ❑ ❑
# If not, does the resident rent from the Permittee? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Change of Ownership form needed? (Mail the form with the inspection letter) ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
# Is there an inspection and maintenance agreement with a contractor? ❑ ❑ ❑
If YES, who is the contractor (include contact info)?
AQWA, Tammy Riggan, [e-mail].
Comment: See cover letter and summary section for items of interest.
Septic Tank
Yes No NA NE
*** 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the permittee/resident know where the septic tank is located? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Has the septic tank been pumped in the last 5 years? ❑ ❑ ❑
If YES, describe if known and proof (include date pumped):
AQWA staff monitor tank solids depth (approx. 12 inches at time of visit) and scum layer (minimal) and advise
when to pump.
# Does the septic tank have an EFFLUENT FILTER or SANITARY T? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If FILTER, when was the filter cleaned and by who? 5-25-23 by AQWA
staff
Comment: NA
Sand Filter/Treatment Pods Yes No NA NE
*** 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# If YES, what kind? (examples - Peat, Textile or brand name - Advantex, etc.) Textile
# Does the permittee know where the sandfilter is located? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the sandfilter require maintenance? ❑ ❑ ❑
If maintenace is required, explain:
NA
Comment: Textile curtains are examined for even wastewater distribution and units rinsed off during
routine maintenance to reduce potential bridging between curtains.
Disinfection UV Yes No NA NE
*** UV unit shall be checked weekly. Lamps/sleeves should be cleaned/replaced as needed to ensure
proper disinfection.
Is UV working? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Has the UV Unit been serviced and bulbs cleaned? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Who completes the weekly check for the UV? ( Non -Discharge) Owner
Page 3 of 5

Permit: WQ0023999 Owner - Facility: Phillip Lee Spencer
Inspection Date: 05/25/2023 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: Contractor (AQWA) cleans bulbs, housing, and replaces bulbs as needed (or annually). This
system is connected by telemetry.
Pump Tank Yes No NA NE
*** All pump and alarm sytems shall be inspected monthly. (Non -Discharge) ***
Is the pump working? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the audible and visual high water alarm operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the permittee know how to check the pump & high water alarm? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Last functional test: 5-25-23 by AQWA
staff.
Comment: Owner was not available at the time of inspection. Typically, owners listen for pump activity as
Dart of their monthly inspection, but do not access tanks or control panels. The "forced"
system checks are left to their contractors.
Drip or Irrigation Yes No NA NE
*** 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): DRIP
# If IRRIGATION, number of sprinkler heads: NA
Are buffers and setbacks adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site free of ponding and runoff? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the application equipment appear to be working properly? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Is there a minimum two wire fence surrounding the entire irrigation area? M ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Pondinq was not detected at the time of inspection but may have been an issue as siqnificant
line breaks were discovered and repaired. Over 60 breaks were repaired by AQWQ staff, the
most MRO staff has seen in one irrigation field. Per AQWA staff most breaks, including two
severed lines were from animal activity.
General Yes No NA NE
# Are the treatment units locked and/or secured? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Has resident had any sewage problems? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
If YES, explain
NA
Does the system match the permit description? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If NO, explain:
System is connected to telemetry.
Is the system compliant? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the system failing? (If yes, take pictures if possible) ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
If system is failing, describe any exposures to people/animals or environmental risks.
See items of interest in cover letter and summary section. Drip line repairs at the time of inspection returned
the system to compliance. It is uncertain how long lines were severed, uneven distribution was likely to have
occurred, but there was no obvious ground saturation or ruts in that location at the time of inspection.
Page 4 of 5

Permit: WQ0023999 Owner - Facility: Phillip Lee Spencer
Inspection Date: 05/25/2023 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: Items of interest or concern are highlighted in the cover letter and summary section, including
renewal request for survey or as -built drawing to verify drip field distance to property line. And
final tank locations are off to one side of the home not in the back as original plans show.
Page 5 of 5