NCG551491_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_NOV-2020-PC-0376_20200819

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretory
S. DANIEL SMITH
Dltwtor
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
August, 191, 2020
CERTIFIED MAIL 7016 2140 0000 4368 5081
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Douglas Nelson
251 Hester Rd.
Durham, NC 27703
NOV-2020-PC-03 76
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
Permit No. NCG551491
Durham County
Dear: Mr. Nelson
On August, 19`h, 2020 Josh Brigham and Mitch Hayes from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your
single-family residence (SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the above permit
to discharge wastewater. Your assistance during the inspection was greatly appreciated. The checked
boxes below show what conditions were noted at your facility:
❑ In compliance: You are reminded to regularly maintain the chlorine disinfection and
dechlorination systems, have the effluent sampled once a year, and have the septic tank pumped
out every 3 to 5 years. Thank you for operating and maintaining your wastewater treatment
system in accordance with your permit.
❑ Your home is improperly plumbed: Some of the wastewater discharges are going directly to
the environment without first passing through the treatment system. This must be corrected
immediately. Please submit a schedule to this office within 20 days of receipt of this letter that
states_ our plan for correcting this deficiency. The work is to be completed within the next 3
months.
❑ Disinfection: Your system is lacking disinfection, either chlorine tablets or a UV light system.
New rules put into place on August 1, 2007 require all SFR systems to have a means of
disinfection (and dechlorination when chlorine tablets are used to disinfect, if the system was
installed since that date). Since your system had no disinfection, the installation is to include a
chlorine tablet dispenser, a contact chamber capable of providing a minimum 30 minute contact
time, and another tablet dispenser that will hold dechlorination tablets. Please submit a schedule
to this office within 20 calendar days of receipt of this letter that states your plan for correcting
this deficiency.
D�.,_ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
_ y� Raleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh. North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

® Treatment tablets missing or are wrong kind: You are responsible for always having
chlorine tablets and dechlorination tablets (if a required part of your system) in place. They must
be the kind for wastewater treatment and not for swimming pools.
❑ Dechlorination: Your system was installed after August 1, 2007, so must have a means of
dechlorination located downstream of the chlorinator and its contact chamber. See Disinfection
paragraph above. Please submit a schedule to this office within 20 calendar days of receipt of this
letter stating our plan for correcting this deficiency.
❑ Pumping the septic tank: The septic tank should be pumped out every 3 to 5 years. A
pumping company can check the status periodically and determine when pumping is required.
E Failure to analyze the effluent: The effluent that is discharged from your system must be
analyzed once each year. See Part I(A) of your permit about his requirement. A list of NC
certified laboratories that provide this service was left at your residence during the inspection.
Make arrangements for sampling to be carried out within the next 3 months, and submit results to
this office within 3 weeks after the sampling has been done.
❑ Locations of treatment units are unknown: Determine this and report to this office within
30 days of receipt of this letter with a sketch or map.
® Other: PIease clean area surrounding discharge so that it is readily found and accessible.
Please respond to the checked 0 via email or a written letter within 30 days of receiving this
letter. Please email your response to Joshua.Bri hg am(a-),,ncdenr.gov or to Josh Brigham's attention at the
address at the bottom of the first page of this letter. Please keep the department informed as to what the
diagnosis is, what steps are being taken to fix the problem(s), and when your system is operating in
compliance again.
Licensed plumbers should be used to make plumbing changes within your home. Contractors for
installing disinfection or other equipment may be found in the Yellow Pages under Environmental
Consultants. Thank you for your cooperation. If you have questions or comments about this inspection or
the requirements to take corrective action, please contact Josh Brigham or me at 919-791-4200.
Sincerely,
A
/ /IAN-
Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office, Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Attachments
Single Family Wastewater System Checklist
Inspection Report
cc: RRO files
DWR Laserfiche

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Form Approved.
EPA Washington, D C 20460
OMB No, 2040-0057
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Approval expires B-31-98
Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPOES yrlmolday Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 u 2 l�a 1 3 I NCG551491 I11 121 20/08/19 I17 18JI 19 s 20J
21 6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 OA Reserved-
67 70LJ 71I 72 n 73LJ74 71 I I I 1 I I 80
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
Entry Time/Date
Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
10:30AM 20/08/19
13/08/01
251 Hester Road
Exit TimelDate
Permit Expiration Date
p
251 Hester Rd
Durham NC 27703
10:52AM 20/08/19
18/07/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)1Tittes(s)1Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Ul
Name, Address of Responsible Ofrcialfritle/Phone and Fax Number
Gerald H Dehxeiler,900 Rican PI Durham NC 2770311J Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit E Operations & Maintenar 0 Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran
Effluent/Receiving Wate E Laboratory
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/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Joshua S Brigham DWRIRRO WQ1919-791.42001
Mitchell S Hayes DWRIRRO WO1919-791-4200/
AA- X, zazo ..,�- 5 �- /z, z 11 b
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
a •s . f 9-,;f9/ 032—
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yrlmolday Inspection Type (Cont.)
31 NCG551491 I11 1 20/08119 17 181C,
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
1 Treatment tablets missing or are wrong kind: You are responsible for always having chlorine tablets
and dechlorination tablets (if a required part of your system) in place. They must be the kind for
wastewater treatment and not for swimming pools.
1 Failure to analyze the effluent: The effluent that is discharged from your system must be analyzed
once each year. See Part I(A) of your permit about his requirement. A list of NC certified laboratories
that provide this service was left at your residence during the inspection. Make arrangements for
sampling to be carried out within the next 3 months, and submit results to this office within 3 weeks
after the sampling has been done.
1 Other: Please clean area surrounding discharge so that it is readily found and accessible.
Page# 2

Permit: NCG551491
Inspection Date: 08/19/2020
Owner - Facility: 251 Hester Road
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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?
M
❑
❑
❑
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
❑
❑
❑
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
❑
❑
M
❑
Comment:
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?
❑
❑
0
❑
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?
❑
❑
❑
# Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1)
❑
❑
❑
Comment:
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?
1
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
❑
❑
❑
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
M
❑
❑
❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
❑
❑
❑
Comment: No tablets in chlorinator, but nermittee had correct type.
De -chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ? Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? ❑ ❑ ❑ M
Page# 3

Permit: NCG551491 Owner -Facility:
251 Hester Road
Inspection Date: 08/19/2020 Inspection Type:
Compliance Evaluation
De -chlorination
Yes
No
NA NE
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
M
❑
❑ ❑
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
❑
❑
❑
Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use? 2
Comment:
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?
❑ ❑
❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Area around discharge i e needs to be cleaned and accessible.
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?
❑
❑
❑
M
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment:
Page# 4

Inspection Date;_ _ �I(' `� I Za Start Time: 10. _ End Time: t 0 -, S Z
&rsrzars at ULL t-AMILY WASTEWATER SYSTEM CHECKLIST
Permittee: P� o✓ a l o,,t 15 ©f1
Permit:
IU G 6,5 51 LA A
Address: 2-1S I L4 es }-e r fa J , p V r h aM E-mail-
Phone:(' d Z) Z?r - 5 5 -77 Cell Phone:( -
County:
P v r KcM
The Permittee is responsible for tho operation and maintenance of the entire wastewater
treatment and disposal system.
Doesn't
Did Not
Yes
No
Apply
Investigate
1. Is the current resident in the home the Permittee?
Li
0
2. If not does the resident rent from the permittee?
❑
❑
Kr
❑
3. Change of Ownership form needed? (mail the form with the inspection letter)
❑
❑
❑
4. Is there a inspection and maintenance agreement with a contractor?
❑
❑
❑
5. If yes to #4 who is the contractor?
SEPTIC TANK The septic tank and filters should be checked annually and pumpedlcleaned as needed.
6. Is all wastewater from the home connected to the septic lank?
❑
❑
Li
7. Does the permittee/resident know where the septic tank is located?
❑
❑
❑
8. Has the septic tank been pumped in the last 5 years?
❑
❑
❑
9. If yes to #8 date, if known /I/oU Z t9 I If proof, describe Re li-
Q
10. Does the septic tank have an EFFLUENT FILTER or SANITARY T? (circle
one)
11. If Yes to filter when was the filter cleaned? By whom?
SAND FILTER / TREATMENT PODS YES NO Lj
if no proceed to the next section.
Accessible sand Filter surfaces shall be raked and leveled every six months and any vegetative growth shall be removed manually,
12. Is system something other than a sandflter?
❑
❑
❑
13. If yes, what kind? (examples - Peat, Textile, Other or brand name - Advantex, etc.)
14. Does the permittee know where the sandfilter is located?
❑
❑
❑
15. Does the sandfilter require maintenance?
❑
❑
❑
it maintenance is required expiain in the comment section.
DISINFECTION 1 UV YES NO iVj
If no proceed to the next section.
The ultraviolet unit shall be checked weekly. The lamps and sleeves should be cleaned or replaced as needed to ensure proper disinfection
Is UV working?
El16.
17. Has the UV Chit been serviced and bulbs cleaned?
❑
❑
❑
❑
18; Who completes the weekly check for the UV?( Non -Discharge)
DISINFECTION ! TABLETS YES NO
It no proceed to the next section.
The tablet chlorinator unit shall be checked weekly to ensure continuous and proper operation.
19. Does the permittee have the correct chlorine tablets?(lf none, mark No)
❑
❑
❑
20. Does the Permittee know the location of the chlorinator?
X-N
❑
❑
❑
21. Were chlorine tablets observed in the chlorinator?
❑
❑
❑
22. Are tablets contacting water? if possible poke them to determine.
❑
❑
❑
DECHLOR (Discharge only) YES NO
if no proceed to the next section.
The dechlorinatar unit Shall be checked weekly to ensure continuous and proper operation.
23. Does the permittee know where the dechlor is?
.)
❑
❑
❑
24. Does the permittee have the correct dechlor tablets?
�
❑
❑
❑
25. Were dechlor tablets observed in the dechlorination chamber?
fR
❑
❑
❑
26. Are tablets contacting water? If possible poke them to determine.
0
❑
❑

Yes
No
Doesn't
Apply
Did Not
Investigate
PUMP TANK YES CJ NO
If no proceed to
the next section.
All pump and alarm sytems shall be inspected monthly, {non -discharge}
�
El
El
27. Is the pump working?
❑
❑
❑
El
28. Are the audible and visual high water alarms operatlonal?
❑
❑
29. Does the permittee know how to check the pump & high water alarm?
30. Last functional test: PUMP AUDIBLE & VISUAL
DISCHARGE ONLY YES to NO If no proceed to the next section.
A visual review of the outfall location shall be executed twits each fearTene at the time of sampling to ensure no visible solids or evidence of a malfunction.
31. Does the permittee know where the outfall is located? ❑ ML ❑ ❑
32. Were you able to locate the outfall?
Is the end of the discharge pipe visible and accessible?
R ❑ o ❑
M ❑ ❑ ❑
34. Is outlet discharging?
❑
C'
❑
❑
35. is right of way maintained around the discharge point?
❑
❑
❑
36. Any Lab Results available?
❑
❑
❑
37. Is there evidence of solids around the discharge point?
DRIP or SPRAY YES NO
if no proceed to the next section.
The irrigation system shall be Inspected monthly to ensure the system is free of leaks and equipment is operating as
designed.
38. Is the system DRIP or IRRIGATION (circle one)? If irrigation number of sprinkler
heads.
❑
❑
❑
39. Are the buffers adequate?
❑
❑
El
❑
40. Is the site free of ponding and runoff?
❑
❑
❑
❑
41. Does the application equipment appear to be working properly?
42 Is the a minimum two wire fence surrounding entire irrigation area?
❑
❑
❑
❑
GENERAL
43. Are the treatment units locked and or secured?
E[
❑
❑
❑
❑
F
❑
❑
44_ Has resident had any sewage problems? If yes explain in the comment section.
❑
❑
❑
45. Does the system match the permit description? if no explain In the comment section.
M
❑
El
46. Is the system compliant?
jP
'�
47. Is the system failing? If yes, take pictures if possible.
T
46. If system is failing, any sign of children or animals contacting sewage? L-I L)Q L- _, u
NOD Sent #• - NOV Sent #: lyoy "C o
Comments:
Photos Taken? YES Ll NO
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INSPECTOR: "�
}� �1 SIGNATURE: