NCG551498_2023 Comliance Evalutation Inspection_20231016

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200

October 16th, 2023

Michal Bland
1409 Torredge Rd.
Durham, NC 27712

Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG551498
Facility: 1409 Torredge Road
Durham County

Dear Michal Bland:

On October 3rd, Kevin Fowler 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 with chlorine contact chamber, tablet dechlorinator, and discharge pipe.

General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG551498 authorize
the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated
as Cabin Branch (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. 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.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882

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

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 observed chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Please continue to ensure
the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as
required by the General NPDES Permit.
3. Dechlorination tablets: You are responsible for always having dechlorination
tablets (if a required part of your system) in place. They must be the kind for
wastewater treatment and not for swimming pools. The inspector did not observe
any dechlorination tablets in the treatment unit. Please ensure the correct type of
tablets are used and maintained in the dechlorinator as required by the General
NPDES Permit.
4. 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 12/31/2023. 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. Vegetation was mildly overgrown to get to
the outlet location. Please ensure the outlet is always 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
6/30/2024 and due 7/01/2023, has been paid. There are no overdue fees for the subject COC.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882

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

The wastewater treatment system should be periodically inspected 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, 3, 4,
5 above.

If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective
action (if applicable), then please contact Kevin Fowler at 919-437-0047.

Sincerely,

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

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Form Approved.
OMB No. 2040-0057
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 N 52 NCG551498 23/10/03 C S31112171819 20
21 66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
N67707172 73 74 75 80
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
1409 Torredge Road
1409 Torredge Rd
Durham NC 27712
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
11:00AM 23/10/03 21/12/29
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
11:15AM 23/10/03 25/10/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Michal D Bland,1317 Torredge Rd Durham NC 27712//919-810-5033/Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Facility Site Review
Effluent/Receiving Waters
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
Kevin Fowler DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4200/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#1
10/11/2023
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882
10/11/2023
NPDES yr/mo/day
23/10/03
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On October 3rd, Kevin Fowler 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 with chlorine contact chamber, tablet dechlorinator, and discharge pipe.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG551498 authorize the
discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as
Cabin Branch (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.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.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 observed chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Please continue to ensure the
correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the General NPDES
Permit.
3.Dechlorination tablets: You are responsible for always having dechlorination tablets (if a required
part of your system) in place. They must be the kind for wastewater treatment and not for swimming
pools. The inspector did not observe any dechlorination tablets in the treatment unit. Please ensure
the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the dechlorinator as required by the General
NPDES Permit.
4.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 12/31/2023. 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. Vegetation was mildly overgrown to get to the outlet location.
Please ensure the outlet is always visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves.
NCG551498 17 (Cont.)
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882
Permit:NCG551498
Inspection Date:10/03/2023
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
1409 Torredge Road
Compliance Evaluation
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 6/30/2024 and
due 7/01/2023, has been paid. There are no overdue fees for the subject COC.
The wastewater treatment system should be periodically inspected 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, 3, 4, 5 above.
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882
Permit:NCG551498
Inspection Date:10/03/2023
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
1409 Torredge Road
Compliance Evaluation
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
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:
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?
# 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:
Septic Tank Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational?
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule?
Are pumps or syphons operating properly?
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
Past permittee past away so no record if tank was pumped. Current resident said they
will be pumping the tank soon.
Comment:
Sand Filters (Low rate)Yes No NA NE
(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)
Sand filter below ground.Comment:
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational?
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882
Permit:NCG551498
Inspection Date:10/03/2023
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
1409 Torredge Road
Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE
Number of tubes in use?2
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination?
Comment:
De-chlorination Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
# Is de-chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
Comment:
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
Are tablet de-chlorinators operational?
Number of tubes in use?2
Permittee did not have dechlor tablets. During site visit system was explained to
applicant including dechlorination tubes. Was told that purchasing dechlor tablets and
using them in the near future.
Comment:
Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
Right of way grown up to get to outfall.Comment:
Page#5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1E535937-7B2D-47D2-82A7-1E797E5A8882