980023_Well construction_20220823

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Neil Strother
Strother Swine Farm
1901 Westwood Avenue W
Wilson, NC 27893
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
August 23, 2022
Subject: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY (NOD) of the
NORTH CAROLINA WELL CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
Title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code, Subchapter 2C .0100
NOD-2012-PC-0174
Strother Swine Farm, 7422 Wilkerson Loop Road
Wilson County
Dear Mr. Strother:
The WQROS of the Division of Water Resources (DWR) is responsible for the regulation of well construction activities
within the State of North Carolina. On August 4, 2022, a Structure Evaluation was conducted at the above listed facility in
Sims, N.C. During the inspection a number of deficiencies were noted in regard to water well compliance/maintenance.
Water wells designated as "Well A" and "Well B" were observed during the inspection.
DEFICIENCY #1, Well A was found damaged just off Wilkerson Loop Road. When DWQ staff arrived on August 4, 2022,
the well was open to the environment and part of the well seal (Picture 1 A) was laying on the ground next to the well. It
appears that the well had been hit by a vehicle of some kind (Picture 2A). At the time of this evaluation a crew with
Agriment Services, Inc., was in the process of removing swine sludge out of the Isolation Lagoon. Agriment Services staff
placed a plastic bag over the well. On August 6, 2022, DWQ staff were able to determine the approximate water table by
inserting a measuring tape into the well. On August 15, 2022, the well was covered with plastic but when DWQ staff
checked the well it was determined that the well was obstructed by some object or objects (Picture 3A) approximately
seven/eight feet below the top of casing blocking any access to water.
1A.
2A.
3A.
North Carolina Department of l=nvironmental Quality I Di%ision or Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office I 3300 Barren Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919 791 4200

DEFICIENCY #2, Well B is located near the isolation lagoon and was also open to the environment missing a well seal.
On August 6, 2022, DWQ staff and Agriment Services staff removed the well pump for the purpose of confirming the
suspected water table. The well was left covered with a bucket and a rock to help hold it in place.
15A NCAC 02C .0112 WELL MAINTENANCE: REPAIR: GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
(a) A well that is not maintained by the owner to conserve and protect the groundwater resources or that constitutes a
source or channel of contamination to the water supply or any aquifer shall be permanently abandoned in accordance
with rule .0113 (b) of this section.
REQUIRED CORRECTIVE ACTION for Deficiencies:
(1) The water well designated as Well B is required to be either abandoned or brought into compliance with 15A
NCAC 02C .0107 (j). If the water well is not used as a water supply, well head completion is not necessary per
15A NCAC 02C .0107 (j) but, a locking well cap is required to be installed on the well casing that prevents
unauthorized access and use of the well.
(2) The water well designated as Well A was found to be obstructed. The obstruction is required to be removed (15A
NCAC 02C .0113) and it is necessary to report to the RRO with pictures what the obstruction consist of. Additional
requirements (groundwater sampling, well abandonment, etc.) may be necessary dependent on what the obstructed
material is found to consist of. RRO will provide further instructions for well A based on the results of the
investigation.
Please note that in the event of a well abandonment, a Well Abandonment Record (GW-30) shall be submitted to the
Division within thirty (30) days from completion of the abandonment. Also be aware that the GW-1 form shall be submitted
to the Division within thirty (30) days from completion of any repair to an existing well.
Please take the corrective action(s) for the above Deficiencies as necessary to bring the above wells into compliance.
Corrective actions competed must be reported to the Raleigh Regional Office on or before within 30 days of receiving this
letter.
Should you have any questions, please call Jane Bernard or me at (919) 791- 4200.
Sincerely,
Scott Vinson
Environmental Program Supervisor
Raleigh Regional Office
cc: Wilson County Health Department
RRO File
Attachments: 15A NCAC
Attachments: Well Abandonment Record
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1 Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11611 Mail Sen ice Center I Raleigh. North Carolina 27699-1611
919 707.9000

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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street f 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000