YWN-32-006_INSP_20241030

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

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UNIT TYPE:
MSWLF X COUNTY: DURHAM
PERMIT NO.: YWN-32-006
Collection Monofill Landfill FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE

Date of Site Inspection: October 30, 2024
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS: Duke Gardens Compost Facility 418 Anderson St Durham, NC 27705
GPS COORDINATES: Lat.: 36.00328 N Long.: 78.93057 W FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Nick Schwab, Facility Manager, 919-724-7527, [e-mail]
Bobby Mottern, Director of Horticulture, 919-668-1700, [e-mail]
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Nick Schwab
418 Anderson St Durham, NC 27705 PARTICIPANTS:
Tim Davis, NCDEQ
Nick Schwab, Duke University STATUS OF PERMIT:
The Yard Waste Notification renewal form was received on May 13, 2024. PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT: Re-Inspection STATUS OF PAST OBSERVED VIOLATIONS: A. 15A NCAC 13B .1406 (4), “Leachate shall be contained on site or treated prior to discharge. A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit may be required in accordance
with 15A NCAC 02B prior to the discharge of leachate to surface waters”
RESOLVED: Accumulated leachate within a detention pond observed during the previous inspection has
been pumped and removed from the site. The steep hillslope abutting the mulch storage bin has been
removed and the surrounding soil graded to a level surface surrounded by additional concrete barriers to help contain leachate within the operations area. A French drain installed along the base of the concrete barriers will capture any leachate seepage that escapes from the operations area and direct it into a large, excavated basin. The pipe which was previously allowing leachate to drain into a surface water feature has
been removed.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
1. At the time of this inspection, some leachate was observed seeping from the mulch storage pile and
accumulating on the adjacent ground. Continue to ensure that leachate is contained to the operations area. It is recommended that the mulch pile is turned and/or aerated periodically to allow leachate to be reabsorbed and reduce runoff. 2. The woody debris stockpile consisting of brush, limbs, and wood chips, appeared to have been pulled back from the eastern property line, but waste remains within the required 50-foot property line buffer. Mr.
Schwab stated that he is considering installing barriers to demarcate the 50-foot buffer. Continue to ensure that waste is pulled back or removed from this area so that the 50-foot property line buffer is met in accordance with 15A NCAC 13B .1404 (a)(2). 3. Painted and glazed pottery fragments observed during the previous inspection had been removed. Mr. Schwab stated that staff has been instructed to containerize pottery and other MSW until it can be disposed
of offsite. 4. Continue to ensure that temperatures are being taken so that the compost or mulch distributed to the public or used in public areas meets the pathogen reduction criteria in accordance with 15A NCAC 13B .1402 (g)(2)(F) and .1406 (10((b).
5. Digital photographs were taken during this inspection.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report.
________________________________________ Phone: [phone]
Tim Davis [e-mail] Environmental Senior Specialist Regional Representative
Sent on: November 8, 2024 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]
Copies (email): Wes Hare, Eastern District Supervisor – Solid Waste Section Perry Sugg, Env Compliance Branch Head – Solid Waste Section
Dylan Friedenberg, Env Specialist – Solid Waste Section Nick Schwab, Facility Manager – Duke Gardens Compost Facility

with the Statutes, Rules, and/or other regulatory requirements applicable to this facility. Be advised that pursuant to N.C.G.S. 130A-22, an administrative penalty of up to $15,000 per day may be assessed for each violation of the Solid Waste Laws, Regulations, Conditions of a Permit, or Order under Article 9 of Chapter 130A of the N.C. General Statutes. Further, the facility and/or all responsible parties may also be subject to enforcement actions including penalties, injunction from operation of a solid waste management facility or a solid waste collection service and any
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

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Photographs taken by Tim Davis on 10/30/2024.
View of new concrete barriers and basin. View of leachate seeping from mulch pile.