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Home My WebLink AboutNCG550717_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20200304ROY COOPER Covemor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director Jon and Kate Heim 7624 Kennebec Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27517 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality March 4, 2020 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Single Family Wastewater Treatment System General NPDES Permit NCG550000 Certificate of Coverage NCG550717 7624 Kennebec Drive Durham County Dear Mr. and Mrs. Heim: i On February 27, 2020, 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. No one was at home at the time of the inspection, however, the assistance you provided over the telephone was greatly appreciated. The inspector left a packet of information regarding Single Family Treatment Systems and the requirements of the General Permit at the residence. Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, equalization tank, pump tank with audible and visual alarms, sub -surface sand filters (primary and secondary), tablet chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber, and discharge pipe. General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550717 authorize the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to Morgan Creek (classified WS-IV; NSW; CA) in the Cape Fear River Basin. The authorized discharge is in accordance with the effluent limits and monitoring requirements established within the General Permit. The checked boxes below show what conditions were noted at your facility: N NCG550000 Ownership Change Form: As the property owner, you are also the owner of the existing single-family wastewater treatment system, which treats the domestic wastewater from the residence and releases the effluent to the receiving waters indicated above. Because the treatment system makes an outlet to waters of the state, it is an activity for which the subject permit is required. In compliance with North Carolina General Statute § 143-215.](a), which requires a person to obtain a permit to make an outlet into the waters of the state, you have completed and submitted the NCG550000 Ownership Change Form to the Division. Once the Division has processed the ownership change, the subject COC will be transferred to you. If you have any questions regarding change in permit ownership, then please contact Vanessa Manuel at 919-791-4255. D 1E� N North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Divtslon of Water Resources Raleigh Regional Office : 3600 Barrett Drive I Raleigh. North Carolina 27609 9197914200 Jon and Kate Heim, NCG550717 March 4, 2020 l Page 2 of 3 ® 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. Within 30-days of receiving this letter, please let this office know the date lire septic tank was last checked and/or pumped out. ® Chlorine tablets in the chlorinator: 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 fors►vimnring pools. fart 1, Section D (1) of General NPDES. Permit NCG550000 requires the perminee 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. The inspector did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Please ensure llte correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the General NPDES Permit. ® Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C., Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements, within 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. Within 30-days of receiving this letter, please let this office know if you have monitored your effluent discharge within the last 12 months, and provide this office with a copy of the lab results if you have. If you have not monitored your effluent, then 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 June 12, 2020. If, during this time, you are unable to collect a representative sample of the effluent discharge due to insufficient flow from the discharge pipe, then update this office with that information and continue to monitor the discharge and if conditions for sampling become favorable, then arrange to collect a sample. Failure to monitor the efflntent discharge as required is a violation of NPDES General Permit NCG550000. ® Locations of treatment units are unknown: Within 30-days of receiving this letter, provide this office with a sketch or map of the location of the treatment units (septic tank, equalization tank, pump tank with audible and visual alarms, sub -surface sand filters, and chlorine contact chamber) in relation to the permitted residence. ® Discharge outlet location. The permittee is 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. After speaking with you, the location of the effluent pipe may differ from what the inspector observed during the inspection. Within 30-days of receiving this letter, provide this office with a sketch or snap of the location of the discharge outfall pipe. Jon and Kate Heim, NCG550717 March 4, 2020 Page 3 of 3 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 onsite for a minimum of three years from date of sampling and available for inspection. Within 30-days receipt of this letter, please submit a written response to this office as requested 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 Cc: RRO/SWP Files Laserfiche United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved, EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report Approval expires 8-31-98 Section A. National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS) Transaction Code NPDES yrlmolday Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 u 2 u 3 NCG550717 11 12 20102127 17 18 I,- I 19 I c I 201 I L�! LJ L..t 21 s Inspection Work pays Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating F 1 OA Reserved 72 I � 7374 751 I I I I i I80 67 70 l._J 71 ty1 Section BFa-d'ty Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharg ng to PCTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES permit Number) 11 00AM 20102/27 13/08/01 7624 Kennebec Drive Exit TimelDate Permit Expiration Date 7624 Kennebec Or Chapel Hill NC 27517 11 40AM 20102127 18/07/31 Name(s) of Onsile Representative(s)/Titles(syPhone and Fax Numbers; Other Facility Data W Name, Address of Responsible OfficialrTitle/Phone and Fax umber A6V Pr0Pr--1Y POPCIn� �n 3' KI; m#e,:,t 4"1J 924 Jacqueline Lamhertsen,7624 Kennebec Or Chapel Hill NC 27517111 Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Operations & Maintenance E Self -Monitoring Program E 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) AgencylOfficelPhone and Fax Numbers Date Vanessa E Manuel D O W01919-791.42001 2v zo Signature of Management O A Reviewer AgencylOfficelPhone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete F::; k NPDES yr:moiday Inspecuan Type 1 31 NCG550717 I11 12 20/02127 17 18 I C 1 Section D- Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) See attached inspection letter. Note, the property was sold and is under new ownership as of July 23, 201 S. Christian and Jacqueline Lambertsen sold the property at 7624 Kennebec Drive (Chapel Hill, NC 27517) to Jon and Kate Heim. A NCG55 Ownership Change form has been completed and submitted to the NC DWR. Once the ownership change has been processed, the COC for NCG550717 will be transferred to Jon and Kate Heim_ Page# Permit: NCG550717 Owner • Facility: 7624 Kennebec Dnve Inspection Date: 02/2712020 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ application? Is the facility as described in the permit? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The current resident in the home is not the Permittee. The new owner, Jon and Kate Heim has completed and submitted the NCG55 Ownership Change Form to the NC DWR. The Certificate of Coverage for NCG550717 lists the treatment units as follows: Se tic tank primary and secondary sand filters tablet chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber equalization tank pump tank with audible and visual alarms and discharge ipipe. Because the Property owner was not 2resent, the location of the following treatment units could not be ascertained: primary and seconds sand filters. chlorine contact chamber, equalization tank, Pumn tank and audible and visual alarms. The inspector was able to locate the control anel for the Dump tank. Please submit a drawing to the Division's Raleigh Regional Office showing the location of the treatment units in relation to the residence 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps or syphons operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are high and low water alarms operating properly? ❑ ❑ MEI Comment: The General NPDES Permit NCG550000 requires the j3ermittee to inspect the septic tank at least Yearly to determine if solids must be removed or if other maintenance is necessary and to nump out the septic tank at least once every 5 years or when the solids level is found to be more than 113 of the liquid de th of the tank. Please update the Division's Raleigh Regional Office with the date the septic tank was last serviced. Sand Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? ❑ ❑ M ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCG550717 owner -Facility: 7624 Kennebec Drive Inspection Date: 02/2712020 Inspection Type: Ccmpl-a^ce Evaluation Sand Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE Is the distribution box level and watertight? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is sand filter free of ponding? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? ❑ ❑ ❑ M # Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excess',ve vegetation? ❑ ❑ M ❑ # Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approx'mately 3 to 1) ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Comment: The treatments stem consists of a Rrimary sand filter and a secondary sand filter. Please provide the Division's Raleigh Regional Office with a dravvina indicating the location of the sand filters in relation to the residence. Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ M Number of tubes in use? ►, Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ M Is the contact chamber free of growth or sludge bu'.Idup? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment' There were no chlorine tablets observed in either chlorinator tube. The vermittee is required to inspect the disinfection unit at least weekly,to ensure there is an adequate supply of tablets for continous and proper operation. Chlorine tablets provide effective disinfection and prevent or limit harmful bacteria from discharging to the environment. The inspector observed grey water in each chlorinator tube. The presence of grey water in the tubes could be an indication that the treatments stem is not functioning as designed. The owner should investigate the cause of the grey water and implement corrective measures to the treatments stem as needed. Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? ❑ Cl ❑ ❑ If effluent (dffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment- After speaking with the new property owner, the location of the effluent pipe may differ from what the inspector observed during the onsite inspection. The owner will need to provide the Division's Raleigh Regional Office with a drawing indicating the location of the discharge_ nine in relation to the residence. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? ❑ ❑ ❑ M Page# 4 Permit: NCG550717 Owner - Facility: 7624 Kennebec Drive Inspection Date: 02127.2020 Inspection Type! Compliance Evaluation Effluent SampWing Yes No NA NE Is proper volume collected? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the tubing clean? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than cr equal to 6.0 degrees ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: As re uired by General NPDES Permit NCG550000. the Dermittee is required to monitor the effluent from the sinole-family treatments stem at least once a year. If the monitoring has not been oerformed, then the owner 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. Failure to monitor the effluent as required is a violation of the General NPDES Permit. Pam# 5