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Home My WebLink AboutNCG551224_Inspection_20220620DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality June 20, 2022 Bruce L Thomas 105 Chesley Ct. Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Certified Mail # 7020 3160 0000 4115 3647 Return Receipt Requested Current Resident 3027 Forrester Street Durham, NC 27703 Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking Number: NOV-2022-PC-0343 Compliance Evaluation Inspection General NPDES Permit NCG550000 Certificate of Coverage NCG551224 Facility: 3027 Forrester Street // Durham County Dear Mr. Thomas: This letter serves as a Notice of Violation (NOV) of General NPDES Permit No. NCG550000, Certificate of Coverage No. NCG551224, and North Carolina GS § 143-215.1(a). The following deficiencies have been previously noted in prior inspection reports and were again noted during this inspection: Failure to maintain the end of the discharge pipe as visible and accessible (noted in 2011, 2016, and 2018); failure to provide effluent sampling results (noted in 2011, 2016, 2017, and 2018); no chlorine tablets were observed in the chlorinator and/or the permittee did not have the proper chlorine tablets (noted in 2011, 2016, 2017, and 2018). 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 these issues and the issues noted on the following pages. On June 6, 2022, Alys Hannum from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family residence wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. Your assistance during the inspection was greatly appreciated. Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, pump tank, sub -surface sand filter, tablet chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber, and discharge pipe. General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG551224 authorize the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary of Ellerbe Creek in the Neuse River Basin, in accordance with the effluent limits and monitoring requirements established within the General Permit. The following conditions were noted at your facility: NORTH CAROLINA Department of Environmental Quality North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Raleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 919.791.4200 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 Bruce Thomas, NCG551224 June 20, 2022 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 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. The General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain records associated with sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years. Prior to the inspection, Bobby Davis Septic Service provided documentation showing they pumped out the septic tank on August 18, 2021. • 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. The inspector did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator, but after the inspection you stated that you had ordered appropriate chlorine tablets which would arrive by June 16th. Please ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator. • 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. In the last inspection letter dated January 5, 2018, you were also requested to sample your effluent and to submit the analytical results to this office. The Raleigh Regional Office did not receive the requested results. 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 December 31, 2022. Failure to monitor the effluent discharge as required is a violation of NPDES General Permit NCG550000. GD_E NORTH CAROLINA Department of Environmental Quality North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Raleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 919.791.4200 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 Bruce Thomas, NCG551224 June 20, 2022 Page 3 of 3 • 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. 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. Please take the necessary steps to ensure the discharge outlet is visible and accessible. Part II Section B.14 of General Permit NCG550000 requires the permittee to "pay the annual administering and compliance monitoring fee within thirty days after being billed by the Division." The annual fees ($60 per year) for the periods December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2022, have not been received. These fees have not been paid and are overdue. Payment in the amount of $180 must be remitted to the Division as indicated on the attached Annual Permit Fee Invoice. The wastewater treatment system should be periodically inspected) to ensure the treatment components are 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 for inspection. 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, please contact Alys Hannum at alys.hannum@ncdenr.gov, or by phone at 919-791-4255. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: C UAda,t,SSa. f. lA1.aA, A. , B2916E6AB32144F. 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 2019 Annual Permit Fee Invoice — Due December 5, 2019 2020 Annual Permit Fee Invoice — Due December 5, 2020 2021 Annual Permit Fee Invoice — Due December 2, 2021 cc: RRO/SWP Files // Laserfiche £ D_E NORTH CAROLINA Department of Environmental Quality North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Raleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 919.791.4200 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 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) Transaction 1 IN Code I 2 IL NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac I 3 I NCG551224 111 121 22/06/06 117 1810I 19I S I 2011 Type 21IIIIII IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII I IIIIII IIIIIIIIIII P6 Inspection 671 Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring I 70I2 Evaluation Rating I 711 B1 1 72 QA I N I 73I 1 I I Reserved 74 71 I I I I I I I80 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES Dermit Number) 3027 Forrester Street 3027 Forrester St Durham NC 27703 Entry Time/Date 09:OOAM 22/06/06 Permit Effective Date 13/08/01 Exit Time/Date 10:OOAM 22/06/06 Permit Expiration Date 18/07/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Bruce L Thomas,105 Chesley Ct Chapel Hill NC 27514//919-544-0555/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Operations & Maintenar Self -Monitoring Progran Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) (See attachment summary) Name(s) and Signature(s) Alys K Hannum of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Docusigned by: DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4255/ 6/17/2022 air- bievrt~vn. 4C22170C5AA04F3... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date DocuSigned by: I Utti/ a f. �tiabt,t�td,�, 6/17/2022 -SS EPA FDorm jbu 4FRev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 NPDES yr/mo/day 31 NCG551224 111 121 22/06/06 I17 Inspection Type 18LI 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Page# 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 Permit: NCG551224 Inspection Date: 06/06/2022 Owner - Facility: 3027 Forrester Street Inspection Type: 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: Septic Tank (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) (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) Comment: Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ • ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 2 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: No chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Effluent Sampling Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ • Page# 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 Permit: NCG551224 Inspection Date: 06/06/2022 Owner - Facility: 3027 Forrester Street Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE 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)? Comment: Facility has not sampled the effluent. This was noted on the previous inspection report as well. Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INVOICE Annual Permit Fee Overdue This annual fee is required by the North Carolina Administrative Code. It covers the administrative costs associated with your permit. It is required of any person holding a permit for any time during the annual fee period, regardless of the facili operating status. Failure to pay the fee by the due date will subject the permit to revocation. Operating without a valid permit is a violation and is subject to a $10,000 per day fine. If the permit is revoked and you later decide a permit is needed, you must reapply, with the understanding the permit request may be denied due to changes in environmental, regulatory, or modeling conditions. Invoice Number: 2019PR010794 Permit Number: NCG551224 Durham County 3027 Forrester Street Bruce L. Thomas 105 Chelsey Ct Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Annual Fee Period: 2019-12-01 to 2020-11-30 Invoice Date: 11/05/2019 Due Date: 12/05/2019 Annual Fee: $60.00 Notes: 1. You may pay either by mail with check/money order OR by electronic payment (eCheck or Credit Card). 2. If payment is by check/money order, please remit payment to: NCDEQ - Division of Water Resources Attn: Animal/Discharge/Non-Discharge Billing 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 3. If payment is electronic, please see https://deq.nc.gov/epavments/wq to pay electronically. Payments by eCheck will debit your checking account. Credit card transactions will incur a convenience fee. 4. Please include your Permit Number and Invoice Number on all correspondence. 5. A $25.00 processing fee will be charged for returned checks in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 25-3-512. 6. Non -Payment of this fee by the payment due date will initiate the permit revocation process. 7. Should you have any questions regarding this invoice, please contact the Annual Administering and Compliance Fee Coordinator at 919-707-3698. (Return This Portion With Check) ANNUAL PERMIT INVOICE .,1 0191 .0101 ,91. 1 Overdue Invoice Number: 2019PR010794 Permit Number: NCG551224 Durham County 3027 Forrester Street Bruce L. Thomas 105 Chelsey Ct Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Annual Fee Period: 2019-12-01 to 2020-11-30 Invoice Date: 11/5/2019 Due Date: 12/5/2019 Annual Fee: $60.00 Check Number: DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INVOICE Annual Permit Fee Overdue This annual fee is required by the North Carolina Administrative Code. It covers the administrative costs associated with your permit. It is required of any person holding a permit for any time during the annual fee period, regardless of the facili operating status. Failure to pay the fee by the due date will subject the permit to revocation. Operating without a valid permit is a violation and is subject to a $10,000 per day fine. If the permit is revoked and you later decide a permit is needed, you must reapply, with the understanding the permit request may be denied due to changes in environmental, regulatory, or modeling conditions. Invoice Number: 2020PR010776 Permit Number: NCG551224 Durham County 3027 Forrester Street Bruce L. Thomas 105 Chelsey Ct Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Annual Fee Period: 2020-12-01 to 2021-11-30 Invoice Date: 11/05/2020 Due Date: 12/05/2020 Annual Fee: $60.00 Notes: 1. You may pay either by mail with check/money order OR by electronic payment (eCheck or Credit Card). 2. If payment is by check/money order, please remit payment to: NCDEQ - Division of Water Resources Attn: Animal/Discharge/Non-Discharge Billing 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 3. If payment is electronic, please see https://deq.nc.gov/epavments/wq to pay electronically. Payments by eCheck will debit your checking account. Credit card transactions will incur a convenience fee. 4. Please include your Permit Number and Invoice Number on all correspondence. 5. A $25.00 processing fee will be charged for returned checks in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 25-3-512. 6. Non -Payment of this fee by the payment due date will initiate the permit revocation process. 7. Should you have any questions regarding this invoice, please contact the Annual Administering and Compliance Fee Coordinator at 919-707-3698. (Return This Portion With Check) ANNUAL PERMIT INVOICE Overdue Invoice Number: 2020PR010776 Permit Number: NCG551224 Durham County 3027 Forrester Street Bruce L. Thomas 105 Chelsey Ct Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Annual Fee Period: 2020-12-01 to 2021-11-30 Invoice Date: 11/5/2020 Due Date: 12/5/2020 Annual Fee: $60.00 Check Number: DocuSign Envelope ID: 2F2D814E-E40E-43F8-8FAF-AB93A53E6688 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INVOICE Annual Permit Fee Overdue This annual fee is required by the North Carolina Administrative Code. It covers the administrative costs associated with your permit. It is required of any person holding a permit for any time during the annual fee period, regardless of the facili operating status. Failure to pay the fee by the due date will subject the permit to revocation. Operating without a valid permit is a violation and is subject to a $10,000 per day fine. If the permit is revoked and you later decide a permit is needed, you must reapply, with the understanding the permit request may be denied due to changes in environmental, regulatory, or modeling conditions. Invoice Number: 2021 PR011052 Permit Number: NCG551224 Durham County 3027 Forrester Street Bruce L. Thomas 105 Chelsey Ct Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Annual Fee Period: 2021-12-01 to 2022-11-30 Invoice Date: 11/02/2021 Due Date: 12/02/2021 Annual Fee: $60.00 Notes: 1. You may pay either by mail with check/money order OR by electronic payment (eCheck or Credit Card). 2. If payment is by check/money order, please remit payment to: NCDEQ - Division of Water Resources Attn: Animal/Discharge/Non-Discharge Billing 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 3. If payment is electronic, please see https://deq.nc.gov/epavments/wq to pay electronically. Payments by eCheck will debit your checking account. Credit card transactions will incur a convenience fee. 4. Please include your Permit Number and Invoice Number on all correspondence. 5. A $25.00 processing fee will be charged for returned checks in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 25-3-512. 6. Non -Payment of this fee by the payment due date will initiate the permit revocation process. 7. Should you have any questions regarding this invoice, please contact the Annual Administering and Compliance Fee Coordinator at 919-707-3698. (Return This Portion With Check) ANNUAL PERMIT INVOICE Overdue Invoice Number: 2021 PR011052 Permit Number: NCG551224 Durham County 3027 Forrester Street Bruce L. Thomas 105 Chelsey Ct Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Annual Fee Period: 2021-12-01 to 2022-11-30 Invoice Date: 11/2/2021 Due Date: 12/2/2021 Annual Fee: $60.00 Check Number: