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Home My WebLink AboutNCG550727_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230727DocuSign Envelope ID: D022E709-9AD0-40CA-Al FE-F8876ECFE94C ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. NORTH CAROLINA Director Environmental Quality July 27, 2023 Mr. Robert Gillespie 4301 Sterling Drive Durham, NC, 27712 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Single Family Wastewater Treatment System General NPDES Permit NCG550000 Certificate of Coverage NCG550727 Facility: 4301 Sterling Drive Durham County Dear Mr. Gillespie: On July 24, 2023, Michael Hall from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family residence (SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General NPDES Permit. Your assistance during the inspection was greatly appreciated. Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, sub -surface sand filter, tablet chlorinator, and discharge pipe. General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550727 authorize the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to the Eno River (classified as water supply IV) in the Neuser 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: 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. During the inspection, Mr. Gillespie provided documentation showing that John E. Byrd Trucking and Tractor Service pumped out the septic tank on July 14, 2023. The General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain records associated with sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years. 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 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 4NORT�HCv Raleigh Regional Office 1 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 NORTHCAROUNA 919.791.4200 Department ofEnvlronmantal Duali� DocuSign Envelope ID: D022E709-9AD0-40CA-Al FE-F8876ECFE94C 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 [observed a dozen chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. We recommend no more thanl-2 tablets be placed in the system as needed. The placement of a large number of tablets can result in them becoming stuck in the pipe, and limiting contact of the tablets with the effluent water. 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. In the last inspection letter dated March 21, 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. 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 October 24, 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 discharge pipe was visible and accessible the day of the inspection; although no discharge was noted. Please continue to ensure the outlet is visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves. 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 September 30, 2023 and due October 2, 2022, 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 item 3 above. D E Q �J North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611 NORrH CAROLINA �/ 919.707.9000 oepanmem or environmental auaii DocuSign Envelope ID: D022E709-9AD0-40CA-Al FE-F8876ECFE94C If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective action (if applicable), then please contact Michael Hall at 919-791-4237 or michael.hall@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, ocuSigned by: E�D & f, 2916E6AB32144F... 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 Field Inspection Form Cc: Laserfiche D E Q�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611 NORTH CAROLINA 919.707.9000 Depanmem of Envlmnmenml Dual