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Home My WebLink AboutNCG550048_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230723DocuSign Envelope ID: 816830F7-2C10-4E85-85CA-lCA14E2E77A0 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 2 u 3 I NCG550048 111 121 23/06/20 I17 18 I C I 19 I s I 20L] 21111I 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 I 72 I ni I 73 � I 74 79 I I I I I I I80 70 I I 71 I LL -1 I I LJ 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) 01:OOPM 23/06/20 20/11/20 5729 Birch Drive 5729 Birch Dr Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Durham NC 27712 02:OOPM 23/06/20 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 Carroll Anstead,5729 Birch Dr Durham NC 27712//919-471-2607/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Operations & Maintenar 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 Jane Bernard DWR/Non Discharge Compliance Unit/919-791-4200/ 7/26/2023 Kevin Fowler Docusigned'by: DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4200/ Timothy Clark E1ic�.. a R. L DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4234/ Michael Hall 372DcecB61EE4A8... DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4237/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date DocuSigned by: 7/2 7/202 3 Vatn t,SSa f. Ih tn,Ud '--- B2916E6AB32144F... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 816830F7-2C10-4E85-85CA-lCA14E2E77AO NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCG550048 I11 12I 23/06/20 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) 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. At the time of the inspection, it was observed that the grass over the sand filter, and along the conveyance from the sand filter to the chlorinator was a darker green, and lusher than the surrounding grass. In addition, standing water and bacterial film was observed within the chlorinator, and the cleanout immediately down stream of the chlorinator. The discharge for the system could not be found, and there was no evidence of discharge in the area where it should be. Collectively, these suggest that the discharge may be plugged, resulting in wastewater backing up in the system. This potential was identified during the previous inspection performed in 2018. At the time of inspection, Division of Water Resources personnel recommended that you have a contractor locate the discharge pipe and clear the pipe of surrounding vegetation and to see if the system is or will discharge. Continued lack of discharge may result in failure of the system. 2. 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 any] chlorine tablets in the chlorinator, and also observed a bacterial film within the chlorinator suggesting that chlorination has not been occurring. DWR staff placed two pucks of chlorine in both of the chlorinator tubes while on site. Please ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the General NPDES Permit. 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 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 September 30, 2023. In the last inspection letter dated February 13, 2018, 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. 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 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. Subsequent inspection (June 29, 2023) of a nearby property (711 Lakeview Road) revealed the apparent discharge for the property on 5729 Birch Drive, which was visibly blocked and not dischaging. Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending September 30, 2023, and due October 2, 2023, has been paid. There are no overdue fees for the subject COC. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 816830F7-2C10-4E85-85CA-lCA14E2E77AO Permit: NCG550048 Owner -Facility: 5729 Birch Drive Inspection Date: 06/20/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit (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: Operations & Maintenance 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: No chlorine tablets were observed in the chlorinator at the time of inspection. The inspector placed tablets in the chlorinator for the permittee. A black, bacterial scum was observed in the chlorinator and the cleanout, and water was obviously backed up (above the ground surface) in the system. The grass overlyinq the area of the sand filter was greener than the grass over the remainder of the front yard, suggesting that the sand filter might be backing up. The discharge could not be located initially, but was found on a subsequent inspection of a nearby property (711 Lakeview Road) on June 29, 2023. The discharge was clearly blocked, and not able to discharge. Septic Tank Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps or syphons operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are high and low water alarms operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Permittee provided documentation that the tank had been pumped on 10/17/2020. 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) Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Page# 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 816830F7-2C10-4E85-85CA-lCA14E2E77AO Permit: NCG550048 Owner -Facility: 5729 Birch Drive Inspection Date: 06/20/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Sand Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE Comment: Grass above the approximate area of the sand filter and pipe leading to the chlorinator was markedly healthier and greener than the surrounding grass, suggesting that water may be backing up within the sand filter. This was supported by the observation of water backed up within the chlorinator and cleanout. Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 2 Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: No chlorine tablets were observed in the chlorinator. The inspectors placed chlorine tablets in the chlorinator for the permittee, who had tablets available. A black, bacterial scum was observed in the chlorinator and the cleanout, and water was obviously backed up (above the ground surface) in the system. No tablets were observed in the chlorinator during the previous inspection performed in 2018 , and the inspection report informed the permittee of the requirement. 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: The discharge could not be located initially, but was found on a subsequent inspection of a nearby property (711 Lakeview Road) on June 29, 2023. The discharge pipe was covered in vegetation. The discharge was clearly blocked, and not able to discharge. Page# 4