NCG550596_NOV-2019-PC-0753_20191206

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Dlrecror
Certified Mail # 7017 2680 0000 2236 1496
Return Receipt Requested
Charles and Karen Guidry
6915 Innesbrook Way
Bahama, NC 27503
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
December 6, 2019
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0753
Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
NPDES General Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG550596
Durham County
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Guidry:
On November 21, 2019, Vanessa Manuel from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family residence
(SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject NPDES General Permit. Your
assistance during the inspection was greatly appreciated.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, sub -surface sand filter, tablet chlorinator with
chlorine contact chamber, tablet dechlorinator, discharge pipe and a rip -rap apron for post aeration.
NPDES General Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550596 authorize the discharge of
domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to Little
River (classified WS-II; HQW; NSW) in the Neuse River Basin. The authorized discharge is in accordance with
the effluent limits and monitoring requirements established within the General Permit.
Findings during the inspection were as follows:
1. Pumping the septic tank: You are required to inspect the septic tank at least yearly to determine if solids
must be removed or if other maintenance is necessary. Septic tanks should be pumped out every five years
or when the solids level is found to be more than 113 of the liquid depth in the septic tank compartment,
whichever is greater. A pumping company can check the status periodically and determine when pumping
is required. During the inspection, you informed the inspector your septic tank was pumped out 3 years
ago. A review of the last inspection report indicated your septic tank was serviced on May 17, 2016.
Please continue to check your septic tank as required by the General Permit
2. Disinfection: Part I, Section D (1) of NPDES General Permit NCG550000 requires the permittee to
inspect the tablet chlorinator and dechlorinator weekly to ensure there is an adequate supply of tablets for
continuous and proper operation. Section D (4) requires the permittee to maintain all system components,
including... disinfection units ... at all times and in good operating order. Chlorine tablets provide effective
disinfection and prevent/limit harmful bacteria from discharging to the environment. The product labeljor
these tablets must indicate the tablets are approved for irasteiraler use cnrd riot for swintining pools. The
inspector did not observe any tablets in the chlorinator or dechlorinator. Failure to provide an adequate
D E QW�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality i Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional office 1 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
rawcxmu
919 7914200

Charles Guidry, NCG550596
December 6, 2019
Page 2 of 2
supply of tablets for continuous disinfection is a violation of the General Permit. Within 30-days receipt
of this letter, submit a written response to this office indicating how often you inspect the treatment
system and detailing how you will ensure full compliance with the NPDES General Permit.
3. Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C., Effluent Limitations and jVlonitoring Requirements, within NPDES
General Permit NCG550000 requires a permittee to sample and analyze the effluent leaving his/her
treatment system prior to discharge annually. Parameters to be sampled and analyzed include Flow, BOD
(Biochemical Oxygen Demand), Total Suspended Solids, Fecal Coliform and Total Residual Chlorine.
During the inspection, you informed the inspector the required monitoring has not been conducted due to
your inability to secure the services of an analytical lab. Attached is a list of North Carolina certified
commercial labs that perform analytical services for the above listed parameters. Some of the labs will also
conduct the on -site sampling in addition to the analyses. Please contact the labs for more information.
Failure to monitor the effluent discharge its required is a violation of NPDES General Permit
NCG550000. Please collect a representative sample of the effluent, have it analyzed by a certified
commercial laboratory and submit the results to this office no later than January 24, 2020.
4. Discharge outlet location: You are required to conduct a visual review of the outfall location at least
twice each year (one at the time of sampling) to ensure that no visible solids or other obvious evidence of
system malfunctioning is observed. Any visible signs of a malfunctioning system shall be documented and
steps taken to correct the problem. The discharge pipe was visible and accessible the day of the inspection.
Please continue to ensure the outlet is always maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves.
The wastewater treatment system should be periodically inspected to ensure the treatment components are always
maintained and in good operating order. You are also reminded to maintain all monitoring data and associated
maintenance records onsite for a minimum of three years and available for inspection.
This inspection report is being issued as a Notice of Violation because of the failure to properly operate and
maintain the treatment system by not providing continuous disinfection and by failing to monitor the effluent as
required by the NPDES General Permit. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five
thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with
the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1.
Within 30-days receipt of this letter, please submit a written response to this office indicating the actions you will
take or have taken to comply with or resolve the issues noted in items 2 and above.
if you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective action (if
applicable), then please contact Vanessa Manuel at 919-791-4255.
Sincerely,
Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Attachment(s): EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
List of North Carolina Certified Commercial Labs
Cc: RRO;`SWP riles
Laserfiche

United Stales Environmental Protection Agenoi Form Approved.
EPA Washington, D C 20460 OMB No. 2040.0057
Water Compliance Inspection Report Approval expires0-31-98
Section A. National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Cede NPDES yr.'mc'day I.spection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 h,) 2 u 3 N S9 11 12 19,1 f:21 17 18 LI j L
19 1 c J i 201LJ
21 LJ 6
Inspection Work Day, Fazd ty Self.Mon.lr:rrg Evaluation Rating 81 QA Reserved
67 70I___I 71 !J 72 LI , �, ( 73Lj_j74 75 I I SO
Section B- Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected;Fc• Ind%4trial Users discharg rig to POTW also ind.de Entry TimelDate Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
11 12AM 19111/21 13108101
69151nnesbroek Way
6916 Innesbrack Way Exit TimelDate Permit Expiration Date
Bahama NC 27503 11 25AM 19)11121 18/07/31
Name(s) of Cns le Representative(s)JTitles(suPhone and Fax Number(s) -ether Facility Data
,F
Name, Address of Responsib'e Llfs-zl/Title Phcne a-d Fax Number
Charles Gu dry,6915 Infesbrock Way Bahama NC 275031d
Contacted
Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Operations & MaintenancE 0 Self -Monitoring Program 0 Facility Site Review
Effluent/Receiving Waters
Section D: Summary of FindinglComments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s) AgencyfOHicelPhene and Fax Numbers Date
Vanessa E Manuel DWRIRRO W01919-791-42001 ZO
Signature of Manage ent O A Reviewer AgencylOfficelPhone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yr/molday Inspection Type l
31 NCG556596 2 19111'21 17 18 L C j
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional Sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
See attached inspection report.
tag

Permit: NCG550596 Owner -Facility: 6915 Innesbrook way
Inspection Date: 1112112019 Inspection Type• Compliance Evaluation
Permit
Yes No NA NE
(If the present perm_t expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
❑
❑
N
❑
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
❑
0
❑
❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
❑
❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
❑
❑
❑
Comment:
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ❑ ❑ M ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex MLSS MCRT Settleable ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
Septic Tank
Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational?
[] ❑
0
❑
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule?
❑ ❑
❑
❑
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
❑ ❑
0
❑
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
❑ ❑
N
❑
Comment: The owner) ermittee had the septic tank checked and pumped 3 years ago.
A review of the
previous inspection report revealed the owner indicated the septic tank was serviced on May
17, 2016.
Sand Filters Low rate
Yes No NA NE
(if pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is the distribution box level and watertight?
❑
❑
❑
Is sand filter free of ponding?
❑
❑
❑
Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio?
❑
❑
❑
# Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation?
❑
❑
0
❑
# Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1)
❑
❑
❑
Comment: There was no evidence of sand filter failure observed in the_proximity of the sub -surface
sand filters location.
Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Page# 3

Permit: NCG550596
Inspection Date: 11/2112019
owner -Facility. 6915 in-esbrook Way
Inspection Type: Con-pliance Evaluation
Disinfection -Tablet
Yes No NA NE
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
M ❑
❑
❑
Number of tubes in use?
2
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
❑ ❑
❑
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
a ❑
❑
❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
❑ ❑
❑
M
Comment: Although the owner had a supUly
of chlorine tablets on hand. the insipector did not observe
any tablets in the chlorine tubes.
The owner should inspect the disinfection unit at least
weekly to ensure there is an adequate
supoly of tablets for continous and proper o eralion.
De -chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ? Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount 0 to 1)? ❑ ❑ ❑ M
1s storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ M ❑
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlonne containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type? S ❑ ❑ ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? Cl 0 ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use? 2
Comment: Althouqh the owner had a supply of de -chlorination tablets on hand the inspector did not
observe any tablets in the de-chlor tubes. The owner should inspect the disinfection unit at
least weekly to ensure there is an adequate sunply of tablets for continous and
proper
operation.
Effluent Pipe
Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
❑
❑
❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
❑
❑
❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
❑ ❑
M
❑
Comment:
Effluent Sampling
Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling (low proportional?
❑
❑
M
❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
❑
❑
❑
M
Is proper volume collected?
❑
❑
❑
Is the tubing clean?
❑
❑
M
❑
p 4
t

Pennik NvG550596
Owner - Facility; 6915 innesbrcok Way
Inspection Date: I M 112019 Inspection Type! Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage ikept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees ❑ ❑ ❑
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by tie permit (frequency, sampling type ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
representative)?
Comment: As required by the General Permit NCG550000. the permittee is re aired to monitor the
effluent dischar a at least once a Year. During the inspection, the owner indicated the
effluent has not been sampled and analyzed within the last 12-months. Failure to analyze
the effluent as required is a violation of the General Permit NCG550000. The owner will
need to contact a certified laboratory and arrange to have the effluent sam fled and analyzed
for the parameters listed in the General Permit
Page# 45