NCG551225_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20220120

January 20, 2022

Rigoberto Alvarado
120 Wayward Drive
Durham, NC 27703-8762

Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
NOV -2022-PC-0022
Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG551225
Facility: 120 Wayward Drive
Durham County

Dear Mr. Alvarado:

On January 18, 2022, Stephanie Goss and Cassidy Kurtz from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your
single-family residence (SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject
General NPDES 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, and discharge pipe.

General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG551047 authorize the
discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an
unnamed tributary to Falls Lake/Neuse River classified a WS-IV, Class B, Critical Area, Nutrient
Sensitive Waters (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. Treatment system operation: The wastewater treatment system shall be maintained at all times to
prevent seepage of sewage to the surface of the ground.

2. 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 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 provided verification that the septic
tank was pumped out in July 2021. The General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain
records associated with sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years.

3. 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 for swimming pools. Part 1, Section D (1) of General NPDES Permit
NCG550000 requires the permittee to inspect the tablet chlorinator weekly to ensure there is an
DocuSign Envelope ID: D8F2A89E-A884-42E2-B93B-AEC8D3B59BEC
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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 observed chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Please continue to ensure the correct
type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the General NPDES
Permit.

4. 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, Total Residual Chlorine,
Total Nitrogen, Ammonia Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous. During the inspection, you informed the
inspector that the effluent has not been monitored within the last 12 months. 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 April 30, 2022. In the last inspection letter dated
December 7, 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 results. Failure to monitor the
effluent discharge as required is a violation of NPDES General Permit NCG550000.

5. 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. The discharge pipe was visible and accessible the
day of the inspection. Please continue to ensure the outlet is always visible/maintained and cleared
of vegetation, soil and leaves.

Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending October 31, 2022,
and due November 1, 2021, has been paid. There are no overdue fees for the subject COC.

Please continue to periodically inspect the wastewater treatment system 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 you have not monitored your
effluent discharge within the last 12 months.

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 item 4 above.

If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective action (if
applicable), then please contact via email at [e-mail] or 919-791-4256.

Sincerely,

Vanessa E. Manuel Assistant 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
DocuSign Envelope ID: D8F2A89E-A884-42E2-B93B-AEC8D3B59BEC
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Form Approved.
OMB No. 2040-0057
Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 N 52 NCG551225 22/01/18 C S31112171819 20
21 66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
N67707172 73 74 75 80
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
120 Wayward Drive
120 Wayward Dr
Durham NC 27703
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
09:30AM 22/01/18 21/08/10
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
09:54AM 22/01/18 25/10/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Rigoberto Alvarado,120 Wayward Dr Durham NC 27703//919-724-7769/Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program
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/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Stephanie Goss DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4200/
Cassidy Kurtz DWR/RRO WQ/919-807-6388/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#1
1/20/2022
DocuSign Envelope ID: D8F2A89E-A884-42E2-B93B-AEC8D3B59BEC
1/20/2022
NPDES yr/mo/day
22/01/18
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
NCG551225 17
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: D8F2A89E-A884-42E2-B93B-AEC8D3B59BEC
Permit:NCG551225
Inspection Date:01/18/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
120 Wayward Drive
Compliance Evaluation
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:
Permit Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
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?
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
Comment:
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?
Permittee has not samples in the last 12 month's.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?
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
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?
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?
# Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1)
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: D8F2A89E-A884-42E2-B93B-AEC8D3B59BEC
Permit:NCG551225
Inspection Date:01/18/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
120 Wayward Drive
Compliance Evaluation
Sand Filters (Low rate)Yes No NA NE
Comment:
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Number of tubes in use?
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination?
Comment:
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit?
Is all required information readily available, complete and current?
Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)?
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs?
Is the chain-of-custody complete?
Dates, times and location of sampling
Name of individual performing the sampling
Results of analysis and calibration
Dates of analysis
Name of person performing analyses
Transported COCs
Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters?
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ?
(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified
operator on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current?
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification?
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility
classification?
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site?
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review?
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: D8F2A89E-A884-42E2-B93B-AEC8D3B59BEC
Permit:NCG551225
Inspection Date:01/18/2022
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
120 Wayward Drive
Compliance Evaluation
Record Keeping Yes No NA NE
Comment:
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
Is proper volume collected?
Is the tubing clean?
# 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)?
Permittee has not sampled in the last 12 month's.Comment:
Page#5
DocuSign Envelope ID: D8F2A89E-A884-42E2-B93B-AEC8D3B59BEC