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Home My WebLink AboutNCG550671_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20231211 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 919.791.4200 December 11, 2023 Terri Scott 2625 Umstead Drive Durham, NC 27712 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Single Family Wastewater Treatment System General NPDES Permit NCG550000 Certificate of Coverage NCG550671 Facility: 2625 Umstead Road Durham County Dear Ms. Scott: On November 28, 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. The assistance provided by Ms. Whitney Conley during the inspection was greatly appreciated. Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, pump tank, sub-surface sand filter, tablet chlorinator, common (with two other houses,) discharge pipe, and a rip-rap apron for post aeration. General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550671 authorize the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to Sevenmile Creek (classified water supply IV, nutrient sensitive waters) 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. During the inspection, Ms. Conley provided documentation showing that Scotty’s Septic Service had pumped out the septic tank on March 7, 2022. 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 DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 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 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. 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 February 28, 2024. 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. Please continue to ensure the outlet is always visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves. Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending September 30, 2024 and due October 4, 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. DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 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 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, 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 Ec: Laserfiche DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 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 NCG550671 23/11/28 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) 2625 Umstead Road 2625 Umstead Rd Durham NC 27712 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 01:02PM 23/11/28 21/11/24 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Other Facility Data 01:19PM 23/11/28 25/10/31 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Terri Scott,2625 Unstead Rd Durham NC 27712//540-314-3145/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 Michael Hall DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4237/ 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 DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 12/11/2023 12/13/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/11/28 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On November 28, 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. The assistance provided by Ms. Whitney Conley during the inspection was greatly appreciated. Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, pump tank, sub-surface sand filter, tablet chlorinator, common (with two other houses,) discharge pipe, and a rip-rap apron for post aeration. General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550671 authorize the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to Sevenmile Creek (classified water supply IV, nutrient sensitive waters) 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.During the inspection, Ms. Conley provided documentation showing that Scotty’s Septic Service had pumped out the septic tank on March 7, 2022. 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.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 February 28, 2024. 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. Please continue to ensure the outlet is always visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves. NCG550671 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 Permit:NCG550671 Inspection Date:11/28/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: 2625 Umstead Road Compliance Evaluation Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending September 30, 2024 and due October 4, 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. Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 Permit:NCG550671 Inspection Date:11/28/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: 2625 Umstead Road Compliance Evaluation 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: 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: 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? Ms. Conley provided invoice indicating that the septic tank had been pumped by Scotty's Septic Service on March 7, 2023. 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) Resident knew rough location of sand filter. No pooling or excessive growth was observed in this area. Comment: Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? Are all pumps present? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 Permit:NCG550671 Inspection Date:11/28/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: 2625 Umstead Road Compliance Evaluation Pump Station - Effluent Yes No NA NE Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? Resident indicated that pump system had been recently overhauled, following an overflow event. Comment: Disinfection-Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? 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? Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorination? 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? Residence discharges to common effluent pipe for two other houses.Comment: Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0 DocuSign Envelope ID: D78FC39E-51C0-4D22-AAEA-63D041097CD0