HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCG551489_NCG551489-NPDES_SFR-Inspection_Letter_20230703 DocuSign Envelope ID:C8842903-C14A-4242-9515-C6A69F163D4A
,,STATE o
�O Np o.".V
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S.BISER
Secretary *�Quw
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
July 3, 2023
Edward White
1207 Hatch Road
Chapel Hill,NC 27516
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG551489
Facility: SFR-1207 Hatch Road
Orange County
Dear Mr. White:
On May 31, 2023, Dorothy M Robson from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family
residence (SFR)wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General NPDES
Permit. The assistance you provided over the telephone was greatly appreciated.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, pellet balls filtration, pump tank,
high-low alarms,UV light disinfection, discharge pipe and a rip-rap apron for post aeration.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG551489 authorize the
discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as Terrells
Creek(classified WS-V,NSW) in the Cape Fear River Basin. The authorized discharge is in accordance
with the effluent limits and monitoring requirements established within the General Permit. The items
below show what conditions were noted at your facility:
Findings during the inspection were as follows:
1. 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
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.
2. UV Disinfection: Your system uses an ultra-violet(UV) light system for disinfection of
the discharged wastewater. New rules put into place on August 1, 2007 require all SFR
DocuSign Envelope ID:C8842903-C14A-4242-9515-C6A69F163D4A
White,NCG551489
July 3,2023 Page 2 of 3
systems to have a means of disinfection (and dechlorination when chlorine tablets are used
to disinfect, if the system was installed since that date). A UV disinfection system
provides effective disinfection and prevents/limits harmful bacteria from discharging to the
environment. Unless the UV disinfection unit is monitored by telemetry, the unit shall be
checked weekly. The lamp(s) and quartz sleeve(s) shall be cleaned or replaced as needed
to ensure proper disinfection of the discharged wastewater. At the time of the inspection,
the UV light was not functioning. It appeared a power outage had tripped the breaker
and the system was off. Upon turning the system on, the UV light was not indicating it
was functioning. However, after the inspection,McFarland had serviced the system and
was obtaining parts to fix the system. Please provide the maintenance record and receipt
to indicate the system has been repaired.
3. 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 Within 30-days of receiving this letter, please let this office know if you
have monitored your effluent discharge within the last 12 months, and provide this office
with a copy of the lab results if you have. If you have not monitored your effluent, then
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 September 30,
2023. 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. Failure to monitor the effluent discharge as
required is a violation of NPDES General Permit NCG550000.
4. 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 the 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.
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.
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."
Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending 03/31/204 and due
04/02/2023, has been paid. There are no overdue fees for the subject COC.
D m E Q�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh,North Carolina 27609
NORM CAROLJNA -
oea= ^em^iEn,imm.^miQ�=i` r 919.791.4200
DocuSign Envelope ID:C8842903-C14A-4242-9515-C6A69F163D4A
White,NCG551489
July 3,2023 Page 3 of 3
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.
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 items 1, 2, and 3 above.
If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective action (if
applicable), then please contact Dorothy M Robson at 919-791-4200.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
UcUn t,SSa -e,
62916E6A832144F...
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: Laserfiche
D E Q� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
-
Raleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh,North Carolina 27609
NORM CAROLJNA
OeperCneMn�Enviran.....0ual� /`� 919.791.4200
DocuSign Envelope ID:C8842903-C14A-4242-9515-C6A69F163D4A
United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved.
EPA Washington,D.C.20460 OMB No.2040-0057
Water Compliance Inspection Report 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 IN 1 2 u 3 I NCG551489 111 121 23/05/31 I17 18 LC]I 19 I G I 20L]
211111 I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I r6
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
67 70 J 71 Ity 72 L-JI 73 1 74 79 I I I I 80
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected(For Industrial Users discharging to POTW,also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES Dermit Number) 12:OOPM 23/05/31 21/12/29
1207 Hatch Road
1207 Hatch Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
Chapel Hill NC 27516 12:30PM 23/05/31 25/10/31
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
Dale White,1207 Hatch Rd Chapel Hill NC 27516M
No
Section C:Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Operations&Maintenar 0 Self-Monitoring Progran 0 Facility Site Review 0 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
Dorothy M Robson DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4241/
N'rafik5 M ko-b fv 07/03/2023
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
DocuSigned by:
7/3/2023
Vavu-ssa f. hawt,ta
EPA�ormV99H4(Rev 9-94)Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#
DocuSign Envelope ID:C8842903-C14A-4242-9515-C6A69F163D4A
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) 1
31 NCG551489 I11 12I 23/05/31 117 18 ici cJ
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On May 31, 2023, Dorothy M Robson from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family
residence (SFR)wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General
NPDES Permit. The assistance you provided over the telephone was greatly appreciated.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, pellet balls filtration, pump tank,
high-low alarms, UV light disinfection, discharge pipe and a rip-rap apron for post aeration.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG551054 authorize the
discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as
Terrells Creek (classified WS-V, NSW) in the Cape Fear River Basin. The authorized discharge is in
accordance with the effluent limits and monitoring requirements established within the General
Permit. The items below show what conditions were noted at your facility:
Findings during the inspection were as follows:
1. 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
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.
2. UV Disinfection: Your system uses an ultra-violet (UV) light system for disinfection of the
discharged wastewater. New rules put into place on August 1, 2007 require all SFR systems to have
a means of disinfection (and dechlorination when chlorine tablets are used to disinfect, if the system
was installed since that date). A UV disinfection system provides effective disinfection and
prevents/limits harmful bacteria from discharging to the environment. Unless the UV disinfection unit
is monitored by telemetry, the unit shall be checked weekly. The lamp(s) and quartz sleeve(s) shall
be cleaned or replaced as needed to ensure proper disinfection of the discharged wastewater. At
the time of the inspection, the UV light was not functioning. It appeared a power outage had tripped
the breaker and the system was off. Upon turning the system on, the UV light was not indicating it was
functioning. However, after the inspection, McFarland had serviced the system and was obtaining
parts to fix the system. Please provide the maintenance record and receipt to indicate the system has
been repaired.
3. 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 Within 30-days of receiving this
letter, please let this office know if you have monitored your effluent discharge within the last 12
months, and provide this office with a copy of the lab results if you have. If you have not monitored
your effluent, then 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 September 30, 2023.
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. Failure to monitor the effluent discharge as required is a violation of NPDES General Permit
NCG550000.
4. 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 the discharge pipe was not
visible nor accessible the day of the inspection. To comply with the general permit monitoring
Page# 2
DocuSign Envelope ID:C8842903-C14A-4242-9515-C6A69F163D4A
Permit: NCG551489 Owner-Facility: 1207 Hatch Road
Inspection Date: 05/31/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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.
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."
Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year)for the period ending [03/31/204 and
due 04/02/2023, 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.
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 items 1, 2, and 3
above.
Page# 3
DocuSign Envelope ID:C8842903-C14A-4242-9515-C6A69F163D4A
Permit: NCG551489 Owner-Facility: 1207 Hatch Road
Inspection Date: 05/31/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Septic Tank Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
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: No lab results for annual sampling have been collected from the system
Are pumps or syphons operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Are high and low water alarms operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No issues
Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE
Are extra UV bulbs available on site? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are UV bulbs clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is UV intensity adequate? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
Is transmittance at or above designed level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a backup system on site? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑
Is effluent clear and free of solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The system is maintained by McFarland 2x a year. However, the power was off when
we arrived and when the breaker was flipped on again, the pump and uv light were not
functioning. The owner called McFarland and they came and serviced the system and
replaced the pump.
Page# 4