NCG550771_NOV-2022-PC-0106_20220321

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
March 21, 2022
CERTIFIED MAIL: 7020 3160 0000 4109 5381
KETUTERE151WEIPT REQUESTED
Peggy R. Allen
1521 S. Mineral Springs Road
Durham, NC 27703
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking No. NOV-2022-PC-0106
Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG550771
Facility: 1521 S. Mineral Springs Road
Durham County
Dear Ms. Allen:
On March 10, 2022, Mitch Hayes from the Raleigh Regional Office inspected your single-family
residence (SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General
NPDES Permit. Your assistance with this inspection was greatly appreciated.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, subsurface sandfilter, tablet
chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber, discharge pipe and a rip -rap apron for post aeration.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550771 authorize
the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated
as an Unnamed Tributary to Little Lick Creek (classified WS-IV; NSW) in the Neuse 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:
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.
Within 30-days of receiving this letter, please send a copy of the most recent
receipt/invoice to this office showing the date the septic tank was last checked and/or
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 1 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919 791.4200

pumped out. The General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain records
associated with sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years.
Z 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 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 chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. In
inspection letter dated January 4, 2018, you were notified of the requirement to have
chlorine tablets in place. Failure to have chlorine tablets installed in the chlorinator is a
violation of the General Permit NCGSS0000.
® 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. 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 May 04, 2022. 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. In the last
inspection letter dated January 4, 2018 you were requested to sample your effluent. 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.
® 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 end of discharge pipe was not visible nor accessible the day of the
inspection. Failure to maintain the area around the discharge pipe is a violation of
General Permit NCGSS0000. To comply with the general permit monitoring
requirements, you need to be able to sample and analyze the effluent from your SFR
system through the discharge pipe. You need to keep the area around the discharge pipe
cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves. Please take the necessary steps to ensure the
discharge outlet is visible and accessible. Maintaining the area will allow you to monitor
the discharge and to collect effluent samples as required by the subject permit.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1161 l Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919 707 9000

You are required to periodically inspect the wastewater treatment system to ensure the treatment
components are always maintained and in good operating order. Please maintain all monitoring
data and associated maintenance records onsite for a minimum of three years and available
for inspection.
This letter is being sent as a Notice of Violation for failing to maintain chlorine tablets in the
chlorinator, failing to monitor the effluent and for failing to maintain the area around the
discharge pipe.
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 above.
If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective
action (if applicable), then please contact Mitch Hayes at 919-791-4261 or at
mitch.hayesa?ncdenr.gov
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, information packet
Cc: RRO/SWP Files
Laserfiche
DEC)1).
North Carolina Depanment of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street I ]611 Mail Service Censer I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919 707 9000

United States Environmental Protection Agency
' EPA 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)
I. Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection
1 LJ 2 u 3 1 NCG550771 111 12 22/03/10 17
Type
18 I r- I
11111111111
Inspector Fac Type
19 I S t 20L]
21111111 1111111111111111111111111
166
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA
67 I 1 70 U 7111 72 U
Reserved
I1 11 I8o
731 1 I74 71 I11111180
I I
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
1521 South Mineral Springs Road
1521 S Mineral Springs Rd
Durham NC 27703
Entry Time/Date
11:35AM 22/03/10
Permit Effective Date
20/04/13
Exit Time/Date
11:47AM 22/03/10
Permit Expiration Date
20/10/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
//!
Peggy R Alien//919-593-9786 /
Other Facility Data
Name, Address of Responsible OfficialRtle/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Peggy R Allen,1521 S Mineral Spring Durham NC 2770311/
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran Facility Site Review
Effluent/Receiving Wate
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
Mitchell S Hayes DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-42001
Mdade6-; ..e.) 03f /11. 2-1)‘219-
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers
i_(u44e1- / . 7/9- 11 " 19-7 /.'ra.-
Date
7
.2 -2-2-
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page# 1

1
NPDES yr/mo/day
NCG550771 111 11 22/03/10
I17
Inspection Type
18 Lcj
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
No chlorine tablets were present in the chlorinator. Sampling of the effluent is not being done. There
were no records to check.
Page# 2

Permit: NCG550771
Inspection Date: 03/10/2022
Owner - Facility: 1521 South Mineral Springs Road
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or Tess). 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:
Yes No NA NE
COMO
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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? ❑ • 0 0
Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? ❑ • 0 0
Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Is the chain -of -custody complete? ❑ ❑ • 0
Dates, times and location of sampling 0
Name of individual performing the sampling ❑
Results of analysis and calibration ❑
Dates of analysis ❑
Name of person performing analyses ❑
Transported COCs 0
Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? ❑ ❑ • 0
Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? ❑ ❑ • 0
(If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified 0 0 11 0
operator on each shift?
Is the ORC visitation log available and current? 0 0 ■ 0
Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? 0 0 • 0
Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility 0 0 • 0
classification?
Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ❑ 0 0 •
Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ 0 • ❑
Comment. Records are not being maintained.
Effluent Pipe
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
•
Yes No NA NE
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Page# 3

Permit: NCG550771
Owner - Facility: 1521 South Mineral Springs Road
Inspection Date: 03/10/2022 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Pipe
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:
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
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Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 1 0 0
Is proper volume collected? 0 0 • 0
Is the tubing clean? 0 0 • 0
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 0 0 • 0
degrees Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ • 0
representative)?
Comment. Effluent sampling is not being done.
Page# 4

Inspection Date:1) ) Start Time: J 4-v i End Time. 1
SINGLE FAMILY WASTEWATER SYSTEM CHECKLT
-ri
1/5/20 f 5
Permittee: ij y r. 1f . Permit: �-- ( . 7 I
Address: 15 � 1 5..JtA i -, - r let E-mail-
Phone:( ) - Cell Phone:( "` ) County: Di.y ke v
The Permittee is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the entire wastewater treatment and disposal system.
1. Is the current resident in the home the Permittee?
2. If not does the resident rent from the permittee?
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?
Doesn't Did Not
Yes No Apply Investigate
-u n
El [' ❑ ❑
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SEPTIC TANK The septic tank and filters should be checked annually and pumped cleaned as needed.
6. Is all wastewater from the home connected to the septic tank?
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 If proof, describe
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 who?
SAND FILTER / TREATMENT PODS YES NO 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 man..,ally.
l
❑ 1
12. Is system something other than a sand filter?
13. If yes, what kind? (examples - Peat, Textile or brand name - Advantex, etc.)
14. Does the permittee know where the filter is?
15. If above ground does the filter require maintenance?
it mamtenace is required explain m the comment section.
El
r o ❑ ❑
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DISINFECTION 1 UV NO Off If no proceed to the next section.
The ultraviolet unit shall be checked weekly The lamps and sleeves should be cleaned yr replaced as needed to ensure proper disinfect on.
16. Is UV working?
17. Has the UV Unit been serviced and bulbs cleaned?
18. Who completes the weekly check for the UV?( Non -Di charge)
DISINFECTION / TABLETS YES
YES ❑
The tablet chlorinator unit shall be checked weekly to ensure continuous and
19. Does the permittee have the correct chlorine tablets?(If no
20. Does the Permittee know the location of the chlorinator?
21. Were chlorine tablets observed in the chlorinator?
22. Are tablets contacting water? If possible poke them to determine.
DECHLOR (Discharge only) YES
The dechlorinator unit shall be checked week)/ to ensure continuous and proper operation
23. Does the permittee know where the dechior is?
24. Does the permittee have the correct dechior tablets?
25. Were dechior tablets observed in the dechlorination chamber?
26. Are tablets contacting water? If possible poke them to determine
NO
proper operation.
ne, mark No)
n No
❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ❑
If no proceed to the next section.
❑
❑
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FiX-
�r ❑
no If If no proceed to the next section.
CI El
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Doesn't Did Not
Yes No Apply Investigate°
!MP TANK YES [1 NO Iter=171=co the next section.
pump and a,arm sytems shall be inspected monthly. (non -discharge)
'. Is the pump working?
3. Is the audible and visual high water alarm operational?
). Did the permittee know how to check the pump & high water alarm?
). Last functional test?
(SCHARGE ONLY YES NO I T If no proceed to the next section.
1. Does the permittee know where the outfall is?
2. Were you able to locate the outfail?
3 Is the end of the discharge pipe visble?
14. Is outlet discharging?
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 fI NO If no proceed to the next section.
The (Nation sysetm shall be inspected m ,nthty to ensure the system is free of leaks and egLipment is operating as designed.
If irrigation number of sprinkler heads.
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1
visual review of the outfall location sha,t be executed twice each year (one at the time of sampling to ensure no ' •.ible solids or evidence of a malfunction.
F ❑ o ❑
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1f not, explain why.
38. Is the system DRIP or IRRIGATION (circle one)?
39. Are the buffers adequate?
40. Is the site free of ponding and runoff?
41. Does the application equipment appear to be working properly,
42. Is there a two wire fence?
GENERAL
43. Are the treatment units locked and or secured?
44. Has resident had any sewage problems? If yes explain in the comment section.
45. Does the system match the permit description? If n
46. Is the system compliant?
47. Is the system failing? If yes take pictures if possible.
48. If system is failing any sign of children or animals
NOD Sent #: -
o explain in the comment section.
contacting sewage?
NOV Sent #:
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iCf" ❑ ❑ ❑
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Comments:
c eA i-
(iA)
Photos Taken?
YES ❑ NO _!
INSPECTOR:
SIGNATURE: