WQ0002161_NOV-2019-PC-0681_20191011

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Governork
MICHAEL S.REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quafity
October 11, 2019
CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
RECEIPT#7012 1640 0001 9605 7010
Mark Shanahan,Assistant Principal
Carolina Friends School
4809 Friends School Road
Durham,North Carolina 27705-6602
Subject: Notice of Violation
NOV-2019-PC-0681
Permit WQ0002161
Carolina Friends School
Wastewater Drip Irrigation
Orange County
Dear Mr. Shanahan,
Staff of the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR),Water Quality Regional Operations Section
inspected the subject wastewater drip irrigation system on September 30, 2019..to,,conduct a compliance
inspection of the system. We wish to thank Chad Leinbach for his help during the inspection.
On the day of the inspection, the pumps and alarms in the pump tank/lift station that receives all
the wastewater produced by the school and lifts it to the treatment unit were checked and found to be in
working order except that the circuit breaker for one pump was tripped.
During the inspection, the pump could be heard periodically turning on and dosing the EZ treat
systems. The UV system was in working order. The ORC reports that the UV system periodically triggers
the autodialer to place a call stating that there is a problem with the UV system,but that it is found to be in
working condition. McFarland Septic checks on the UV alarms and also maintains the EZ treat pods. The
two pumps to the drip zones(ETM's)were manually turned on and found to be in good working order,and
the flow meters were in working order.
Access to the treatment plant is restricted by a fence. Records have been submitted complete and
on time. The maintenance and ORC logs were reviewed. Soil samples will be collected in October or
November. No repairs have been needed at the facility. Septic tanks are pumped at the beginning of each
school year.
10"ER
� North Carollna Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
_ Raleigh Regional Office 138008arrett Drive I Raleigh.North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200
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NOV-2019-PC-0681
October 11,2019
Page 2 of 3
The following items specify permit conditions and limitations that were deficient during
the time of the inspection. (Also please refer to the attached inspection report):
II. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Condition 4,which states,"Effluent quality shall not exceed the limitations specified in attachment A.
Ammonia levels have routinely exceeded permit limits since 2015. The system must be operated such
that the constituents analyzed in the effluent are within permit limits.
III. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Condition 1, which states "The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all
times..."
On the day of the inspection,neither the audible nor visual alarm sounded when the high level floats were
lifted in the dripfield dosing tank. This alarm system must be repaired.
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
Condition 4,which states"...at no time shall wastewater flows exceed the limits defined in this
pemrit..."
Flow reported on NDMR's has exceeded design flow of 5500 gallons per day(gpd) for six of the past
twelve months. The ORC stated that the fresh water meter is used to estimate flow to the plant and may
not be representative of actual flow,but reported flow of treated effluent to the dripfields is also nearing
permit limits which further indicates that the plant is receiving excessive flow. Please submit a permit
modification to increase the wastewater flow capacity if suitable application areas can be found or
evaluate other alternatives for wastewater treatment and disposal for this facility.
You are required to take any necessary action to correct the above violations and to provide a written
response to this Notice within 30 days. Please include in your response all corrective actions already
taken and a schedule for completion of any corrective actions not addressed. Failure to comply with the
State's rules,in the manner and time specified,may result in the assessment of civil penalties and/or the use
of other enforcement mechanisms available to the State.
Failure to comply with conditions in a permit may result in a recommendation of enforcement action,to the
Director of the Division of Water Resources, who may issue a civil penalty assessment of not more that
twenty-five thousand($25,000)dollars against any"person"who violates or fails to act in accordance with
the terms, conditions, or requirements of a permit under authority of G.S. 143-215.6A.

NOV-2019-PC-0681
October 11,2019
Page 3 of 3
If you have any questions concerning this Notice,please contact Ray Milosh or me at(919) 791-4200.
k-G.
Assistant Environmental Regional Supervisor
NCDEQ Division of Water Resources, Water Quality
Regional Operations Section,Raleigh Regional Office
Attachments—inspection report
cc: Orange County Environmental Health