NCG550592_NOV-2019-PC-0757_20191206

ROY COOPER
Govemor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
December 6, 2019
Certified Mail # 7017 2680 0000 2236 1489
Return Receipt Requested
Joyce Pickett
6906 Innesbrook Way
Bahama, NC 27503
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0757
Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
NPDES General Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG550592
Durham County
Dear Ms. Pickett:
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 General NPDES
Permit. The assistance Mr. Johnny Cates provided was greatly appreciated. The inspector left a packet of
information regarding Single Family Treatment Systems and the requirements of General Permit at the
residence with Mr. Cates.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, sub -surface sand filter, tablet
chlorinator and discharge pipe.
NPDES General Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550592 authorize the
discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an
unnamed tributary to Little River (classified WS-I1; 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 1/3 of the Iiquid depth in the
septic tank compartment, whichever is greater. A pumping company can check the status
periodically and determine when pumping is required. You provided documentation to this office
showing Beasley Septic company pumped out the septic tank on February 13, 2017. Please
continue to check your septic tank as required by the General Permit.
D E Q�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality ? Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive E Raleigh. North Carolina 27609
D.O., rJAdrtu
919.791.4200

Joyce Pickett, NCG550592
December 6, 2019
Page 2 of 3
2. Disinfection: You are reminded that it is required that chlorine tablets be maintained in the
chlorinator to ensure proper disinfection of the discharged wastewater. Chlorine tablets provide
effective disinfection and prevent/limit harmful bacteria from discharging to the environment.
The product label for these tablets must indicate the tablets are approved for wastewater use and
not for sWinining pools. Part 1, Section D (1) of NPDES General Permit NCG550000 requires
the permittee to inspect the tablet chlorinator 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.
Because the disinfection unit was located within a structure with a concrete lid, the inspector was
not able to observe the tablet chlorinator. Within 30-days receipt of this letter, submit a written
response to this office indicating the type of chlorine tablets used in the disinfection system and
how often you inspect and add tablets to the disinfection relit.
3. Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C., Effluent Limitations and Nlonitor•ing 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, Mr. Cates 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 as required is a violation of NPDES General Permit
NCG550000. Please collect a representative sainple of lire effluent, have it analyzed by a
certified commercial laboratory and submit the results to this office no later than January 24,
2020. The effluent will need to be sampled after the effluent leaves the tablet chlorinator, but
before it joins and co -mingles with the other effluent in the common outfall pipe. In the last
inspection letter dated February 16, 2017, you were requested to sample your effluent and to
submit the analytical results to this office. The Raleigh Regional Office has not received the
requested sampling results.
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 effluent from your single-family
residence system goes to a common collection pipe, mixes with the effluent from other systems on
your street, and discharges collectively from a common outfall pipe. The discharge pipe was
visible and accessible the day of the inspection. Please 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 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

Joyce Pickett, NCG550592
December 6, 2019
Page 3 of 3
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 ovritten respohhse to this office indicating the
actions you will take or have taken to comply svitlh or resolve the issues noted in items 2 and 3 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,
lit
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 Files
Laserfiche

United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Washington, D.0 20460
Form Approved.
OMB No, 2040-0067
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A: National Data System Coding (i e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPOES yr'molday Inspection Type Inspector Fee Type
1 LJ 2 u 3 NCG550592 I11 12 19-1V21 17 18 ),.) 19 LJ ) G I 20 LJ
LJ
21 6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 OA Reserved
67 70 u 71 u 72 I ti I 73I I )74 75[_I I i _I I` ISO
I I I I I 1 I
Section 8: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial risers discharging to PGTW, also include
Entry TimelDate
Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES perm t Numbers
10 48AM 19/11121
13108l01
6906 Innesbrook Way
Exit TimelDate
Permit Expiration Date
6906 Innesbrook Way
Bahama NC 27503
10 58AM 19111/21
1810V31
Name(s) of Ons le Representative(s)ffitlesis;i.Phone and Fax Number(si
Other Facility Data
!1!
jc34 NJ rix SA
9/9- -5/17- -1227 (A)
Name. Address of Responsible OffcialfrtOe!Phone and Fax Number
Joyce Prtkett,6906 Innesbrook Way Bahama NC 275031l919.608-03061 Contacted
Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 operations & Maintenance N Self -Monitoring Program 0 Facility Site Review
Effluent/Receiving Waters
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s) Agency/OfficelPhone and Fax Numbers Dale
Vanessa E Manuel RRO WO1919-79142001
Sig natu of Manag enl O A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
1;-I //y
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete,
Page#

NPOE5 yrlmolday Inspection Type
3 NCG550592 11 12 1911 V21 17 18 ICI
Section D. Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
See attached inspection report.
PaMOL

Permit: NCGSSOS92 Owner - Facility: 6906 Innesbrook Way
Inspection Dale: 1112112019 Inspection Typo: Compliance Evaluation
Permit
Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
❑
❑
M
❑
application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
❑
❑
❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
❑
M
0
❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
❑
❑
M
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
❑
❑
0
Comment:
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑
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?
❑
❑
❑
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule?
❑
❑
M
❑
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
0
❑
MEI
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: A cogy of the receipt from Beasley Septic company
showed the septic tank was Oumped on
February 13. 2017.
Sand Filters (Low rate)
Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational?
❑
❑
Is the distribution box level and watertight?
❑
❑
Is sand filter free of ponding?
❑
❑
M
❑
Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio?
❑
❑
[)
# Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation?
❑
❑
N
❑
# Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1)
❑
❑
❑
Comment: The sand filter is a sub -surface treatment unit. No signs of ponding on the ground or unit
failure observed.
Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0
Page# 3

Permit: NCG550592 owner - Facility: 6906 Innesbrook Way
Inspection Date: 1112112019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE
Number of tubes in use?
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ M
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑ M
Comment: The ow er/i3ermittee was not present during the inspection. The disinfection unit is located
within a concrete structure below ground and the inspector was unable to move the
concrete lid.
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? M ❑ ❑ ❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating property? ❑ ❑ M ❑
Comment: The permittee's effluent is discharged to a common tail outfall pipe that receives effluent
discharge from several homes on Innesbrook Wa .
Effluent Sampling
Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
❑
❑
M
❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
❑
❑
❑
0
Is proper volume collected?
❑
❑
❑
0
Is the tubing dean?
❑
❑
M
❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
❑
❑
❑
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency. sampling type
❑
❑
❑
representative)?
Comment: As required by NPDES General Permit NCG550000, the permittee is required to monitor the
effluent discharge from the single-family system at least once a year. The on -site_
re resentative stated sampling has not been conducted due to the inability,to secure the
services of an analytical lab. The General Permit requires the permittee to monitor her
effluent annually. Failure to analyze the effluent as required is a violation of the General
Permit. The owner! ermittee will need to contact a North Carolina certified laboratory and
arrange to have the effluent sampled and analyzed for the parameters listed in the General
Permit The effluent will need to be sampled after the effluent leaves the tablet chlorinator.
but before it loins and co -mingles witV the other effluent in the common outfall i e.
NlZ.tIP
fj
pages 4