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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0029893_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210129ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality January 29, 2021 Mr. Alexander Heitbrink and Ms. Laura Haskin 1125 Crowell Dairy Road Indian Trail, North Carolina 28079 Subject: Dear Mr. Heitbrink and Ms. Haskin: via Email Non -Discharge Permit Inspection Wastewater Surface Irrigation System Permit #WQ0029893 Union County Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) staff conducted a compliance inspection on January 6th, 2021, in coordination with the routine maintenance visit of your system contractor, AQWA. The MRO would like to thank Ms. Laura Haskin and your AQWA technician (Chad) for their time during the inspection. While the system units appeared to function appropriately at the time of inspection, the following items were noted and discussed with you for your information and action: • The presence of chickens in the application area creates the potential for problems with the wastewater irrigation system. They can obstruct regular maintenance activities by your contractors and cause unnecessary damage to the drip lines and emitters. Chicken litter can also lead to excess nutrient loading in the application area. These concerns could lead to permit non- compliance issues and undesired environmental discharges and exposure to wastewater. • Planted fruit trees are also problematic because your wastewater is not treated to standards compatible with production of food crops. Wastewater irrigation of food crops is regulated under 15A NCAC 02U for reclaimed water and requires treatment to standards that are beyond the currently permitted system. It is our understanding the fruit is not intended for human consumption, but there is no way to prohibit that in the future to avoid potential human exposure. The Division recommends that the planted fruit trees, chickens and coop will be relocated away from the irrigation site. Please contact Maria Schutte by email or phone (Maria.Schutte@ncdenr.gov or 704-235-2184) with any questions. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: [/24,41414V H P444.4 F161FB69A2D84A3... Andrew H. Pitner, P.G., Assistant Regional Supervisor Mooresville Regional Office Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachment: WQ0029893 Inspection Report CC: Tammy Sanders, AQWA (Email) David Finley, Union County Environmental Health (Email) NOD E _ Department n< EnNrenmenla{9uality North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 704.663.1699 Compliance Inspection Report Permit: WO0029893 Effective: 11/02/17 Expiration: 10/31/22 Owner : Alexander M Heitbrink SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Crowell Dairy Rd. SFR County: Union Crowell Dairy Rd Region: Mooresville Indian Trail NC 28079 Contact Person: Alexander M Heitbrink Title: Phone: Directions to Facility: From 1-85 take I-485S toward Matthews, take exit 44 and turn onto NC 218S (Fairview Rd.), follow NC 218S for —4.1 mi., turn R onto Crowell Dairy Rd and follow for —0.3 mi., the Heitbrink Property is on the left. System Classifications: Primary ORC: Certification: Phone: Secondary ORC(s): On -Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Inspection Date: 01/06/2020 Primary Inspector: Maria Schutte Secondary Inspector(s): Entry Time 08:50AM Exit Time: 10:10AM Phone: 704-663-1699 Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit Inspection Type: Single -Family Residence Wastewater Irrigation Facility Status: Compliant Not Compliant Question Areas: II Miscellaneous Questions II Sand Filter/Treatment Pods Drip or Irrigation (See attachment summary) ▪ Permit Status ▪ Disinfection UV ▪ General ▪ Septic Tank ▪ Pump Tank Page 1 of 4 Permit: WQ0029893 Owner - Facility:Alexander M Heitbrink Inspection Date: 01/06/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Inspection Summary: Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) staff conducted a compliance inspection on January 6th, 2021, in coordination with the routine maintenance visit of your system contractor, AQWA. The MRO would like to thank Ms. Laura Haskin and your AQWA technician (Chad) for their time during the inspection. While the system units appeared to function appropriately at the time of inspection, the following items were noted and discussed with you for your information and action: • The presence of chickens in the application area creates the potential for problems with the wastewater irrigation system. They can obstruct regular maintenance activities by your contractors and cause unnecessary damage to the drip lines and emitters. Chicken litter can also lead to excess nutrient loading in the application area. These concerns could lead to permit non-compliance issues and undesired environmental discharges and exposure to wastewater. • Planted fruit trees are also problematic because your wastewater is not treated to standards compatible with production of food crops. Wastewater irrigation of food crops is regulated under 15A NCAC 02U for reclaimed water and requires treatment to standards that are beyond the currently permitted system. It is our understanding the fruit is not intended for human consumption, but there is no way to prohibit that in the future to avoid potential human exposure. The Division recommends that the planted fruit trees, chickens and coop will be relocated away from the irrigation site. Please contact Maria Schutte by email or phone (Maria.Schutte@ncdenr.gov or 704-235-2184) with any questions. Page 2of4 Permit: WQ0029893 Owner - Facility:Alexander M Heitbrink Inspection Date: 01/06/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Permit Status # Is the current resident in the home the Permittee? # If not, does the resident rent from the Permittee? Change of Ownership form needed? (Mail the form with the inspection letter) # Is there an inspection and maintenance agreement with a contractor? If YES, who is the contractor (include contact info)? AQWA Comment: No additional comments here. Septic Tank *** The septic tank and filters should be checked annually and pumped/cleaned as needed.''' Is all wastewater from the home connected to the septic tank? # Does the permittee/resident know where the septic tank is located? Has the septic tank been pumped in the last 5 years? If YES, describe if known and proof (include date pumped): System is only a couple of years old. Septic tank had 0" of scum and 12" of sludge, at the time of inspection. # Does the septic tank have an EFFLUENT FILTER or SANITARY T? If FILTER, when was the filter cleaned and by who? Comment: Filter cleaned by AQWA 1-6-2021. Sand Filter/Treatment Pods ***Accessible sand filter surfaces shall be raked/leveled every 6 months and vegetative growth shall be removed manually. *** # Is system something other than a sand filter? # If YES, what kind? (examples - Peat, Textile or brand name - Advantex, etc.) # Does the permittee know where the sandfilter is located? Does the sandfilter require maintenance? If maintenace is required, explain: Advantex - textile system, most questions are not applicable. Comment: None. Disinfection UV *** UV unit shall be checked weekly. Lamps/sleeves should be cleaned/replaced as needed to ensure proper disinfection. *** Is UV working? Has the UV Unit been serviced and bulbs cleaned? # Who completes the weekly check for the UV? ( Non -Discharge) Comment: Bulb cleaned by AQWA during site visit. Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ 1-6-2021 by AQWA Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ • ❑ Advantex ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Owner Page 3 of 4 Permit: WQ0029893 Owner - Facility:Alexander M Heitbrink Inspection Date: 01/06/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Pump Tank *** All pump and alarm sytems shall be inspected monthly. (Non -Discharge) *** Is the pump working? Is the audible and visual high water alarm operational? # Does the permittee know how to check the pump & high water alarm? # Last functional test: Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ 01-06-2021 Comment: Due to the automated call system built-in delay, the visual and audible alarms were tested by signal at the box, but could not be adequately assessed utilizing the high water float. The visual alarm is NOT visible from the home, as the control panel was installed facing the opposite direction. Drip or Irrigation *** Irrigation sysetm shall be inspected monthly to ensure system is free of leaks and equipment is operating as designed. **" # Type of system (DRIP or IRRIGATION): # If IRRIGATION, number of sprinkler heads: Are buffers and setbacks adequate? Is the site free of ponding and runoff? Does the application equipment appear to be working properly? Is there a minimum two wire fence surrounding the entire irrigation area? Yes No NA NE Drip NA • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Per permittee, there was a recent 2" rainfall and there was ponding along the fencing on the downgradiant side of the application field. The ponding appeared unrelated to irrigation. There were no dripline breaks detected during the AQWA system tests. See the summary section for additonal comments related to the drip field(s). General # Are the treatment units locked and/or secured? # Has resident had any sewage problems? If YES, explain: System is only about 2 yrs old. Does the system match the permit description? If NO, explain: Slight system design changes and position of components changed from the original application. An updated map was submitted with the Engineer's certification, per the submittal cover letter, but MRO does not have a copy of the as built, full scale map. Is the system compliant? Is the system failing? (If yes, take pictures if possible) If system is failing, describe any exposures to people/animals or environmental risks. The system appears to be functioning properly. AQWA staff replaced one pump hose -line break. Comment: See the summary section for additional comments related to the drip field(s). Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 4 of 4