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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0021864_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20180604Water Resources Environmental Quality June 4, 2018 Grady Ackerman 9016 Noah Helms Road Indian Trail, North Carolina 28079 ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER Interim Director Subject: Non -Discharge Permit Inspection Ackerman SFR - Permit No.: WQ0021861 Union County Dear Mr Ackerman: Staff of the Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) conducted a compliance inspection on May 30th, 2018, which included a review of the treatment and irrigation systems, application fields and records review. The MRO would like to thank you and Mr. Gaskins for your time during the inspection. The following necessary maintenance items were discussed while on-site: Replacement of cracked lids on both septic tanks and riser on owner's tank. Pumping of solids from both septic tanks and both peat filters, upon receipt of replacement peat material. The liner in the wet weather lagoon needs repair for several tears and removal of woody plants. The owner says there is almost never any liquid in the lagoon (only an inch with the recent heavy rains for a short period). It is difficult to judge with a recent base level liner tear if any water wouldn't just drain; however, MRO staff have not observed water in this lagoon during past inspections. The lagoon has always appeared to be an over -build for this system and the unit a frustration for the owner. MRO recommends the owner discuss with a design engineer for input to Central Office permitting staff for proposed removal, which may be weighed against cost of continued maintenance. A permit modification would be necessary to remove the lagoon. In addition, please note this permit will expire on December 31st, 2020. A renewal application is due 6 months prior to expiration by June 30th, 2020, and may be located on our website at: https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-permits/wastewater- branch/non-discharge-permitting-unit/application MRO staff will call with -in six months for a status of repairs; however, should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Ms. Maria Schutte at (704)663-1699. We will be glad to discuss this report or your permit with Mr. Gaskins as well. State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources I Water Quality Regional Operations Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 704 663 1699 Sincerely, DocuSigned by: A4,otuw H Nu" F161 FB69A2D84A3... Andrew H. Pitner, P.G., Assistant Regional Supervisor Mooresville Regional Office Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachment: Inspection Report May 2018 CC: Sid Gaskins, Water Management of NC, LLC (email) State of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources NON -DISCHARGE COMPLIANCE INSPECTION Single Family Surface irrigation City/Town/Owner: Grady K. (Ken) Ackerman Permit No.: WQ0021861 Permittee Contact: Ken Ackerman Ph: County: Union Issued: 01/22/2010 Expiration: 12/31/2015 704-661-2200 Email: KRKJ 1(d,MSN.com System Contractor: Sid Gaskins (Water Management) C: 828-244-9765 Email: sid(a,watermangementnc. com Reason for Inspection X ROUTINE COMPLAINT FOLLOW-UP OTHER Type of inspection Collection System Spray Irrigation Sludge X Other Inspection Date(s): May 30, 2018 Inspection Summary: (additional comments may be included on attached pates) This single-family system serves two homes. There is a separate septic tank at the daughter's home, with flow plumbed to the system via the owner's septic tank. Owner documents weekly and monthly checks and notes system maintenance (contracted with Sid Gaskins). High water alarms were functional, chlorination appeared functional, but the permit does not require sampling. The treatment and irrigation systems appeared operational; however, there were repairs needed to address items, as noted in the cover letter. Please note the following items to maintain overall permit compliance: Perform maintenance/repairs stated in the cover letter. Submit a permit renewal application at least 6 months prior to expiration, also stated in the cover letter. • Notify MRO of corrections to the contact information above. Is a follow-up inspection necessary _yes X no? Inspector(s): Maria Schutte - Environmental Specialist Telephone No.: 704-663-1699 Fax No.: 704-663-6040 Date of Inspection: May 30th, 2018 Single Family Drip Irrigation Inspection pg. 2 WQ0021861 Ackerman Residence Treatment Y Are treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the permit? Y Do all treatment units appear to be operational? If no, note below. N Septic tank pumped within last 12 months? N Sand filter in good condition? This system has a peat° titer. Comments: The lid and riser on Mr. Ackerman's septic tank was recently damaged with his lawn mower and needs to be replaced. A cracked lid was also seen on the second septic tank at his daughter's home and needs replacement. See notes on peat filter below. This is a SFR Non -discharge system. There are two Septic tanks (the owner home and their daughters home), both of which are due for cleanout o scum laver and solids build-up. This is a peat° titer system. The peat is still functioning, but due for replacement as evidenced by compaction with pondingatsurface in both units. A septage hauler will be scheduled afterfresh peat is delivered. Both septic tanks and peat units will be pumped, with the new peat replaced the same day for continuous operation. Per owner, septic tanks were pumped about 4ey ars ago, but peat is original material. nicinfection X Tablets Y Present in chlorinator? Y Proper Size? UV System Spare bulb on hand? Comments: This is a single-family system with one tablet chlorine contact chamber. There was no evidence _ofsolids on the tablet chlorinator when removed for inspection, but visibility into the contact well is too limited to assess. The system design does not allow for .good examination of the effluent after peatyfiltration or at the chlorine chamber. Effluent Storage In ground dosing tank X Other — Specify Number of days of storage 5 Y Alarm system tested? Comments: Both audible and visual high-water alarms worked at the time of inspection. Record Keeping Y -yes N -no N/A -not applicable N/E-not evaluated Y Is permit available upon request? Y Are operational logs present? Y Are operation and maintenance records available? N Has permittee received any public complaints in the last 12 months? Comments: This is a Single Family Non -Discharge system. Groundwater monitoring is not required. Sampling is not required. A flow meter is present for field application/system operation, but measurements are not required. The owner does a good job of documenting his weekly and monthly inspections. The system is serviced by Sid Gaskins (828-244-9765 Disposal (final end use) N Is application equipment in need of repair? Y Are buffers adequate? A property line setback waiver is on file with Union Count Y Are cover crops the type specified in the permit? N In need of improvement? N Signs of run-off? N Signs of ponding? N Signs of drift? Y Is the acreage specified in the permit being utilized? Single Family Drip Irrigation Inspection pg. 3 WQ0021861 Ackerman Residence Y Is the application equipment present and operational? N Are there any limiting slopes in the disposal fields? Y Are restrictions for use of these areas specified? Y Is the permit being followed? Y Is site access restricted in accordance with the permit? If so, how? Double strand wire°fence. *Comments: Both homes are supplied by on-site wells within 250ft of their respective septic tanks. Recent heavy rains created soM areas down -gradient of the drip fields. It was not raining at the time of inspection, so the pump was turned on for a short time to assess the driplines in both zones. There was no evidence of a line break, at the time of inspection. The lagoon liner needs repair. See comments in "Other Noted Conditions" below. Other noted conditions: The liner in the wet weather lagoon needs repair for several tears and removal of woody plants. The owner says there is almost never any liquid in the 1ggoon (only an inch with the recent heavy rains for a short period). It is dif icult to iudge with a recent base level liner tear if water wouldn't lust drain; however, MRO staff have not observed water in this lagoon during past inspections. The lagoon has always appeared to be an over -builds or this system and the unit a frustration for the owner. MRO recommended he discuss with a design engineer for input to Central Office permitting sta for proposed removal; And, weigh against cost of continued maintenance. A permit modification would be necessary to remove the lagoon.