WI0500013_Staff Report_20230822 (3)

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality - Division of Water Resources
WQROS REGIONAL STAFF REPORT FOR
UIC Program Support

WQROS Staff Report Rev. 4/15/2016 Page 1
Permit No. WI0500013
Date: August 22, 2023 County: _______________________
To: Blake Butcher Permittee/Applicant: _______________________
Central Office Reviewer: Facility Name: _______________________
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. This application is (check all that apply): New Renewal
Minor Modification Major Modification
a. Date of Inspection: August 22, 2023
b. Person contacted and contact information: Diana McElroy 919-929-3930
c. Site visit conducted by: Michael Hall
d. Inspection Report Printed from BIMS attached: Yes No.
e. Physical Address of Site including zip code: 1111 Monterey Valley Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
f. Driving Directions if rural site and/or no physical address:
g. Latitude: Longitude:
Source of Lat/Long & Accuracy (i.e., Google Earth, GPS, etc.):________________________
II. DESCRIPTION OF INJECTION WELL(S) AND FACILITY
1. Type of injection system:
Geothermal Heating/Cooling Water Return
In situ Groundwater Remediation
Non-Discharge Groundwater Remediation
Other (Specify: Water Supply)
2. For Geothermal Water Return Well(s) only
a. For existing geothermal system only:
Were samples collected from Influent/Effluent sampling ports? Yes No.
Provide well construction information from well tag: No well tag or GW-1 available
b. Does existing or proposed system use same well for water source and injection? Yes No
If No, please provide source/supply well construction info (i.e., depth, date drilled, well contractor,
etc.) and attached map and sketch location of supply well in relation to injection well and any other
features in Section IV of this Staff Report.
3. Are there any potential pollution sources that may affect injection? Yes No
What is/are the pollution source(s)? ____________________________________________________________
What is the distance of the injection well(s) from the pollution source(s)? _____________________________
4. What is the minimum distance of proposed injection wells from the property boundary? _________________
5. Quality of drainage at site: Good Adequate Poor
6. Flooding potential of site: Low Moderate High

Orange
Diana McElroy
1111 Monterey Valley Drive
DocuSign Envelope ID: F0825C5F-089D-4E11-B61C-4871B40886E5

WQROS Staff Report Rev. 4/15/2016 Page 2
7. For Groundwater Remediation Injection Systems only, is the proposed and/or existing groundwater monitoring
program (number of wells, frequency of monitoring, monitoring parameters, etc.) adequate? Yes No.
If No, attach map of existing monitoring well network if applicable and recommend any changes to the
groundwater-monitoring program.
8. Does the map included in the Application reasonably represent the actual site (property lines, wells, surface
drainage)? Yes No. If No, or no map, please attach a sketch of the site. Show property boundaries,
buildings, wells, potential pollution sources, roads, approximate scale, and north arrow.
9. For Non-Discharge Groundwater Remediation systems only (i.e., permits with WQ__________prefix):
a. Are the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal system? Yes No N/A.
If No, please explain:
b. Are the site conditions (soils, topography, depth to water table, etc.) consistent with what was reported by
the soil scientist and/or Professional Engineer? Yes No N/A. If no, please explain:
III. EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? Yes No. If Yes, explain.
2. List any items that you would like WQROS Central Office to obtain through an additional information request.
Make sure that you provide a reason for each item:
Item Reason

3. List specific special conditions or compliance schedules that you recommend to be included in the permit when
issued. Make sure that you provide a reason for each special condition:
Condition Reason

4. Recommendation
Deny. If Deny, please state reasons:
Hold pending receipt and review of additional information by Regional Office
Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
Issue
5. Signature of Report Preparer(s):
Signature of WQROS Regional Supervisor:
Date:
DocuSign Envelope ID: F0825C5F-089D-4E11-B61C-4871B40886E5
8/28/2023
8/29/2023

WQROS Staff Report Rev. 4/15/2016 Page 3
IV. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW COMMENTS/ATTACHMENTS (Optional / If Needed)
Met with Diana McElroy and inspected the well, the geothermal unit located in the crawlspace beneath the
house, and the discharge for the geothermal system (see map for locations). A second geothermal unit, located
in the attic, was not inspected. The geothermal unit in the crawlspace was not functioning at the time of the
inspection, but has according to the permittee has been scheduled for repair. The upstairs unit was reportedly
functioning, and was actively drawing water from the well, and discharging at the time of the inspection.
The well vault was in good condition (see photo log) and was secure at the time of the inspection. The inside
of the vault was stuffed with fiberglass insulation, which was falling apart, and contained an ant nest. The
wellhead appeared to be secure. The pipes and wires leading to the well were sound; although corroded. No
well plate was observed. The inspector recommended the use of foam insulation, as opposed to fiberglass to
avoid the mess and moisture retention. Based on this recommendation, the permittee asked the inspector to
leave the insulation out of the well vault. Two discharge pipes lead from the well. According to the permittee
one is for the water supply, and one is for the geothermal unit; although which pipe lead where could not be
determined.
The geothermal unit in the crawlspace appeared to be sound, and no staining or leakage was observed around
the unit.
The discharge consisted of a 4-inch PVC pipe with a small pool around it. Flow was observed into the pool at
the time of the inspection. The water was clear, and was running downhill to a stream to the North of the
residence. The inspector recommended to the permittee that the discharge area be kept clear of vegetation, and
that the pool be removed, to limit the potential for water to back up into the pipe.
Water samples were collected from the well head and the discharge. The well head was sampled using a hose
(provided by the permittee) attached to one of the sampling ports on the discharge pipes described above. The
well was purged for at least 20 minutes prior to sampling. The discharge from the geothermal unit was sampled
by dipping water from the pool surrounding the discharge pipe with a clean sample bottle and decanting into
sample bottles.
Samples were delivered to the Division of Water Resources Laboratory on August 22, 2023. Analytical results
for these samples are pending, and will be provided separately, when received.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F0825C5F-089D-4E11-B61C-4871B40886E5
DocuSign Envelope ID: F0825C5F-089D-4E11-B61C-4871B40886E5
Photograph 1
View to South of well vault.

Photograph 2
View into well vault showing insulaƟon debris and ants, as well as pump
lines for geothermal unit and water supply.

WI0500013—1111Monterey Valley Drive Geothermal Well Permit Renewal
Chapel Hill/Orange
DocuSign Envelope ID: F0825C5F-089D-4E11-B61C-4871B40886E5
Photograph 3
View South of vegetaƟon around discharge for geothermal unit.
Photograph 4
View of small pool around discharge pipe for geothermal unit.

WI0500013—1111Monterey Valley Drive Geothermal Well Permit Renewal
Chapel Hill/Orange
DocuSign Envelope ID: F0825C5F-089D-4E11-B61C-4871B40886E5