WQ0042646_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230217

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Mr. Michael Irwin and Mr. Michael Zurat
8404 Foxbridge Drive
Matthews, North Carolina 28104
Dear Mr. Irwin and Mr. Zurat:
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
February 17, 2023
by email
Subject: Non -Discharge Permit Inspection
Wastewater Surface Irrigation System
Permit #WQ0042646
Union County
Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) staff conducted a partial -compliance inspection on January 20th, 2023,
and would like to thank you both for your time during the inspection. The MRO was not contacted to allow
for the pre -startup inspection, so staff initiated this meeting with the owners to discuss permit, owner
agreement, etc.
Owners seemed knowledgeable of major system components and locations but had not yet established a
log or records file. Currently AQWA is contracted for routine maintenance and emergency repairs. MRO
staff will conduct the more detailed inspection with AQWA during their next site visit, expected in April 2023.
This is a new system and owners have only been in the home for a couple months. Units were only viewed
externally during this site visit. Treatment units appeared to meet program requirements at the time of
inspection. The following items of interest are noted:
Owners noted potential ponding issues at East and West perimeters of the application field, where
the trenches for irrigation plumbing were dug and then backfilled. They pointed out subsidence in
those areas and stated the trenches were dug after the site was graded. MRO staff recommended
they discuss with their system installer, engineering contractor and / or soil scientist for assistance to
repair, so those areas do not continue to collect and pond rain or waste water, as noted during this
site visit.
Owners also noted, that a roof down spout and slope from back yard of home are likely to drain
toward the East edge of application field and MRO staff recommended diverting flow away from the
application site.
Please note ponding in or run-off from the drip field should be reported to the MRO in accordance
with Permit Condition IV.2.
• The fenced area includes additional land outside the application site with a picnic area. MRO staff
suggested installation of a second fence at the southern extent of the application field to keep guests
or pets from inadvertently walking into the drip field.
• You inquired about grass height, noting preference for a meadow like appearance. The application
area is to be maintained in the crop(s) stated in the application, for this site partially wooded and
grassed. Grasses and underbrush shall be maintained in a manner that allows for appropriate
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
��� e:!r0::f FM Mooresville Regional Office 1 601 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, NC 28115
NORTH CAROLINA 704.663.1699

assessment and maintenance of the irrigation drip lines and does not contribute excess nutrients.
For your convenience, related drip field excerpts from the permit application are attached at the end
of this letter.
The inspection report is attached and should be self-explanatory; however, please contact Maria Schutte by
email or phone (Maria.Schutte(aD-ncdenr.gov or 704-235-2184) with any questions.
Sincerely,
EA
DocuSigned by:
#-. . H P,z>f.
F161F669A2D84A3...
Andrew H. Pitner, P.G., Assistant Regional Supervisor
Mooresville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Attachment: WQ0042646 Inspection Report
CC: Tammy Riggan, AQWA (email)
David Finley, Union County Environmental Health (email)
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
RE;
QMooresville Regional Office 1 601 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, NC 28115
NORTHCAaouNA 704.663.1699
n—o .m mn..iitv

Referenced Excerpts from your Permit Application (Appendix K):
SUPPLY LINE TO DRIPFIELD:
The location of the supply line should be walked weekly to ensure that a line breakage
has not occurred. The area in which the line is buried should be monitored for any wet
spots or locations of excessive vegetation growth as these occurrences may be an
indication of a line breakage. No permanent structure shall be erected over the locations
of the Supply and Return lines. No heavy vehicles or equipment should be driven over
the Supply and Return lines.
Maintenance Schedule:
Walk location of lines weekly.
DRIP FIELD:
The drip field should be inspected weekly to verify proper operation and to ensure
driplines have not become damaged. Clogged or worn drip tubing should be replaced or,
in the event of minimal obstruction, cleaned. No heavy vehicles or equipment should
be driven over the irrigation area.
Fill placed in the irrigation area shall be monitored for signs of required maintenance
throughout the life of the drip field. The crown shall be maintained on the dripfield such
that water is shed away from the surface of the dripfield. Any rills or gullies that form in
the dripfield shall be filled and smoothed to match the surrounding topography. Low
spots that form or areas where water is ponding shall be filled to provide adequate
drainage throughout the dripfield. Areas where significant settling has occurred may also
require additional fill to maintain the required 12" separation from the SHWT. Any
additional fill should be placed beneath the drip tubing, which will require the tubing to
be temporarily relocated until the fill activities are completed. Areas of fill should be
mounded with an additional 2" of fill to allow for settling. Any fill used shall meet the
characteristics defined in the approved design.
Vegetation (grass for this system) in the application area is critical to the operation of the
treatment system. The application area should be allowed to remain in a natural state;
however, the area should be kept free of fallen trees and invasive weeds. Any saplings or
stumps that re -grow should also be removed from the application area by hand and
without damaging the drip components. The turf should be cut occasionally to keep the
turf at a manageable height. Cutting should be performed using a trimmer, scythe, or
other method that will not damage the drip tubing. Wheeled or tracked equipment should
not be used. A soil sample should be collected from the drip field area to determine
appropriate rates of lime and fertilizer application.
It is important to maintain the fencing around the application field in order to ensure that
access to the area is restricted. This is necessary to minimize human contact with the
treated effluent and to ensure the vegetation remains healthy.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
RE;
QMooresville Regional Office 1 601 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Mooresville, NC 28115
NORTHCAaoutia 704.663.1699
n—o .m mn..iitv

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0042646 Effective: 10/01/21 Expiration: 02/29/28 Owner: Michael J Irwin
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: 8404 Foxbridge Dr. SFR
County: Union 8404 Foxbridge Dr
Region: Mooresville
Weddington NC 28104
Contact Person: Michael J Irwin Title: Phone:
Directions to Facility:
NC3 north to Odell School Rd, Poplar Tent Rd to 1-85 S to 1 485 to Matthews. Exit 52 to E John St Matthews: Left onto E. John St.
Right onto Potters Rd and Forest Lawn Dr. Left onto Forest Ridge Rd and Foxbridge Dr. Site is on left between 8304 and 8508
System Classifications:
Primary ORC: Certification: Phone:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 01/20/2022 Entry Time 11:17AM Exit Time: 12:OOPM
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 ❑ 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 4

Permit: WQ0042646 Owner - Facility: Michael J Irwin
Inspection Date: 01/20/2022 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) staff conducted a partial -compliance inspection on January 20th, 2023, and would like to
thank you both for your time during the inspection. The MRO was not contacted to allow for the pre -startup inspection, so
staff initiated this meeting with the owners to discuss permit, owner agreement, etc.
Owners seemed knowledgeable of major system components and locations but had not yet established a log or records file.
Currently AQWA is contracted for routine maintenance and emergency repairs. MRO staff will conduct the more detailed
inspection with AQWA during their next site visit, expected in April 2023.
This is a new system and owners have only been in the home for a couple months. Units were only viewed externally during
this site visit. Treatment units appeared to meet program requirements at the time of inspection. The following items of
interest are noted:
* Owners noted potential ponding issues at East and West perimeters of the application field, where the trenches for
irrigation plumbing were dug and then backfilled. They pointed out subsidence in those areas and stated the trenches were
dug after the site was graded. MRO staff recommended they discuss with their system installer, engineering contractor and
/ or soil scientist for assistance to repair, so those areas do not continue to collect and pond rain or waste water, as noted
during this site visit.
Owners also noted, that a roof down spout and slope from back yard of home are likely to drain toward the East edge of
application field and MRO staff recommended diverting flow away from the application site.
Please note ponding in or run-off from the drip field should be reported to the MRO in accordance with Permit Condition IV.2.
* The fenced area includes additional land outside the application site with a picnic area. MRO staff suggested installation
of a second fence at the southern extent of the application field to keep guests or pets from inadvertently walking into the
drip field.
* You inquired about grass height, noting preference for a meadow like appearance. The application area is to be maintained
in the crop(s) stated in the application, for this site partially wooded and grassed. Grasses and underbrush shall be
maintained in a manner that allows for appropriate assessment and maintenance of the irrigation drip lines and does not
contribute excess nutrients. For your convenience, related drip field excerpts from the permit application are attached at the
end of this letter.
Page 2 of 4

Permit: WQ0042646 Owner - Facility: Michael J Irwin
Inspection Date: 01/20/2022 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? ❑ ❑ ❑
Change of Ownership form needed? (Mail the form with the inspection letter) ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is there an inspection and maintenance agreement with a contractor? ❑ ❑ ❑
If YES, who is the contractor (include contact info)?
AQ WA
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? ❑ ❑ ❑
# 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):
System is new & owners in home for a couple of months.
# Does the septic tank have an EFFLUENT FILTER or SANITARY T? ❑ ❑ ❑
If FILTER, when was the filter cleaned and by who? NA- new system
Comment: System is new & owners in home for a couple of months.
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:
System is new & owners recently in home. This was a partial inspection / permit review with owners only. A
thorough inspection is planned during next scheduled AQWA maintenance anticipated in April 2023.
Comment: See Cover Letter and Summary Section for items of interest.
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? ❑ ❑ ❑
Has the UV Unit been serviced and bulbs cleaned? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Who completes the weekly check for the UV? ( Non -Discharge) MRO discussed &
recommends
owners not view
UV unit for safety.
Page 3 of 4

Permit: WQ0042646 Owner - Facility: Michael J Irwin
Inspection Date: 01/20/2022 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: Unit was not accessed. MRO staff recommends owner contact maintenance contractor or
system manufacturer for safe way to meet this requirement. UV unit is connected to telemetry
and AQWA notified of issues.
Pump Tank Yes No NA NE
*** 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: At system
start-up.
Comment: Units were not opened. MRO staff met with owners to discuss permit and will return for
complete inspection at next AQWA maintenance anticipated in April 2023.
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? ❑ ❑ ❑
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: East and West perimeters of the application field were wet and/or subsided where trenches
were created for plumbing installation. This is not believed to be an issue with the drip field at
this time - See Cover Letter and Summary Section for additional comments / recommendations
to address to avert long-term issues.
General Yes No NA NE
# Are the treatment units locked and/or secured? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Has resident had any sewage problems? ❑ ❑ ❑
If YES, explain:
System is new & owners recently in home
Does the system match the permit description? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If NO, explain:
See Cover Letter and Summary Section for items of interest.
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.
System is new & owners recently in home.
Comment: See Cover Letter and Summary Section for items of interest.
Page 4 of 4