NCG550512_NCG550512_SFR-Inspection_Letter_20231006

DocuSign Envelope ID:A5EC1588-B160-418E-852D-0412DAC31B01
,,STATE o
�O Np o.".V
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S.BISER
Secretary *�Quw
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
October 6, 2023
Norris Williams
615 Snow Hill Road
Durham,NC 27712
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG550512
Facility: 615 Snow Hill
Durham County
Dear Permittee:
On September 11, 2023, Ms. 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 your groundskeeper, Mike (no last name given)provided over the
telephone was greatly appreciated.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, gravity sub-surface sand filter, tablet
chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber, discharge pipe and a rip-rap apron for post aeration.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC)NCG550512 authorize the
discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as Little
River(classified WS-IV;NSW) in the Neuse 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. Treatment system operation: The wastewater treatment system shall be maintained at all
times to prevent seepage of sewage to the surface of the ground.
2. 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, your groundskeeper stated the tank was last pumped in 2021. The
General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain records associated with sewage
disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years.

DocuSign Envelope ID:A5EC1588-B160-418E-852D-0412DAC31B01
Williams,NCG550512
October 6,2023 Page 2 of 3
3. 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 chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Although the residence is a
part time residence,please continue to keep chlorine tablets in the chamber. Please
continue to ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator
as required by the General NPDES Permit.
4. Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C.3,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 January 30, 2023. In the last inspection letter dated February 1,
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.
5. 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. Please
continue to ensure the outlet is always visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil
and leaves.
6. Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending
October 31, 2023 and due November 3, 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 3 and 4 above.
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 -
..a.b..M.f E.vtr..m..m'n.=i` r 919.791.4200

DocuSign Envelope ID:A5EC1588-B160-418E-852D-0412DAC31B01
Williams,NCG550512
October 6,2023 Page 3 of 3
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 919-791-4241.
Sincerely,
ocuSigned by:
E�D
a. f ham U�t
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
Cc: RRO/SWP Files
Laserfiche
D E Q�� Office
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Oce 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh,North Carolina 27609
NORTH CAROLJNA -
oea=ronnnof Emim....'u.ft 919.791.4200

DocuSign Envelope ID:A5EC1588-B160-418E-852D-0412DAC31 B01
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 NCG550512 111 121 23/09/11 I17 18 LC]I 19 I G I 20U
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) 11:30AM 23/09/11 21/08/20
615 Snow Hill Road
615 Snow Hill Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
Durham NC 27712 11:45AM 23/09/11 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
Norris Williams,615 Snow Hill Rd Durham NC 277121H
No
Section C:Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Operations&Maintenar 0 Records/Reports 0 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)of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Dorothy M Robson DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4241/
'bcwait V M kobwiv 10/03/2023
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
DocuSigned by:
10/2/2023
Uaun,t,SSa � 9�l.aun,�,u,(,
B2916E6AB32144F...
EPA Form 3560-3(Rev 9-94)Previous editions are obsolete.
Page# 1

DocuSign Envelope ID:A5EC1588-B160-418E-852D-0412DAC31 B01
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) 1
31 NCG550512 I11 12I 23/09/11 11 7 18 i c i
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On September 11, 2023, Ms. 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 your groundskeeper, Mike (no last name given) provided
over the telephone was greatly appreciated.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, gravity sub-surface sand filter,
tablet chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber, discharge pipe and a rip-rap apron for post aeration.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550512 authorize the
discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as Little
River (classified WS-IV;NSW) in the Neuse 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. Treatment system operation: The wastewater treatment system shall be maintained at all times to
prevent seepage of sewage to the surface of the ground.
2. 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, your groundskeeper stated the tank was
last pumped in 2021. The General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain records associated
with sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years.
3. 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 chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Although the residence is a
part time residence, please continue to keep chlorine tablets in the chamber. Please continue to
ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the
General NPDES Permit.
4. Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C.3, 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 analyzedby a certified commercial laboratory
and submit the results to this office no later than January 30, 2023. In the last inspection letter dated
February 1, 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.
5. 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. Please continue to ensure the outlet is always
visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves.
Page# 2

DocuSign Envelope ID:A5EC1588-B160-418E-852D-0412DAC31 B01
Permit: NCG550512 Owner-Facility: 615 Snow Hill Road
Inspection Date: 09/11/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
6. Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending October
31, 2023 and due November 3, 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 3 and 4 above.
Page# 3

DocuSign Envelope ID:A5EC1588-B160-418E-852D-0412DAC31 B01
Permit: NCG550512 Owner-Facility: 615 Snow Hill Road
Inspection Date: 09/11/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
Permit Yes No NA NE
(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? M ❑ ❑ ❑
#Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Septic Tank Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are pumps or syphons operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■
Are high and low water alarms operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: the tank ws pumped in 2021. The residence is a part time residence for the owner, and
the current owner was not available. However, The groundskeeper was on site to
answer questions.
Sand Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is the distribution box level and watertight? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is the sand filter effluent re-circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No Issues
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 4

DocuSign Envelope ID:A5EC1588-B160-418E-852D-0412DAC31 B01
Permit: NCG550512 Owner-Facility: 615 Snow Hill Road
Inspection Date: 09/11/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No Issues
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units? ❑ ❑ ❑
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:
Page# 5