WQ0014319_Inspection Letter_20240205

Certified Mail # 7017 2680 0000 2237 4151
Return Receipt Requested February 5, 2024
Wayne T. and Barbara K. Barbee
164 Barbees Ln.
Timberlake, NC 27583-9740
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2024-PC-0093
Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Non-Discharge Permit No. WQ0014319
Facility: 164 Barbees Ln. SFR
Person County
Dear Wayne T. and Barbara K. Barbee,

On February 1, 2024 Staff from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family residence (SFR)
wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject Non-Discharge Permit. Multiple
attempts to contact you by phone and by mail prior to the inspection were made without success. No one
was home at the time of the inspection.

Non-Discharge Permit WQ0014319 was issued December 1, 2018 and expired on November 30,
2023. A renewal application was received December 20, 2023.

Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a 1,000 gallon baffled septic tank, a 360 square foot
(ft2) subsurface sand filter, a tablet chlorinator, a 2,400 gallon storage/pump tank with an irrigation pump,
and audible/visual high-water alarms, a 0.23 acre spray irrigation area with three full-circle 65-foot
diameter spray heads, and all associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances.

Non-Discharge Permit WQ0014319 authorizes the operation for up to 360 gallons per day (GPD). The
authorized irrigation is in accordance with the effluent limits and monitoring requirements established
within the Non-Discharge 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 effectively
maintained and operated at all times so there is no discharge to surface waters, nor any
contravention of groundwater or surface water standards. At the time of this inspection
the facility needed extensive repairs (see Item 4).
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1806FC99-B04E-47F6-A008-3156041019C0
Wayne T. and Barbara K. Barbee
WQ0014319
February 2, 2024 Page 2 of 4

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.
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.

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 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. During the
inspection the sleeve tubes in both chlorinator tubes were stuck and could not be
removed for evaluation. No obvious odor of chlorine was observed. Please take action
to return the chlorinator to a condition that allows for the required, regular
inspection of the status of the chlorinator and chlorine tablets. Additionally, please
ensure that the correct disinfection tablets are used in the chlorinator.

4. Proper Operation and Maintenance: The system shall be inspected monthly to make
certain of the proper operation of the sprinklers, that the system is free of leaks, that the
vegetative growth allows a proper spray pattern, that the soil is assimilating the disposed
treated wastewater with no surface runoff, and that no objectionable odors are being
generated. Any visible signs of a malfunctioning system shall be documented, and steps
taken to correct the problem. On the day of the inspection, the pump in the pump tank
was operational. No visual or audible alarm was present outside the home, so these
components could not be evaluated for operational condition.
Permit condition III. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS 1. states
“The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times. The facilities shall be
effectively maintained and operated as a non-discharge system to prevent the discharge of
any wastewater resulting from the operation of this facility. The Permittee shall maintain
an Operation and Maintenance Plan pursuant to [15A NCAC 02T .0604(f)].”
Permit condition III. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS 4. States
“Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent effluent ponding in or runoff from the
irrigation sites listed in Condition II. 4. [15A NCAC 02T .0605(o)].”
The three (3) spray risers did not have spray heads installed. Almost all the effluent
was flowing from the top of one (1) spray riser and was being applied to a small area
approximately two (2) feet in diameter at the base of the riser. The effluent was
ponding around the base of the riser and surface run-off was observed leaving the
designated spray field in a concentrated overland flow where it entered a roadside
ditch and continued moving down grade off the property. It could not be determined
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1806FC99-B04E-47F6-A008-3156041019C0
Wayne T. and Barbara K. Barbee
WQ0014319
February 2, 2024 Page 3 of 4

if the effluent was reaching, or has reached, a stream located approximately 500 feet
from the spray field in the direction of flow. All three (3) spray risers have gate valves
installed. It is not known whether the two (2) risers that were not emitting effluent
were not doing so because the valves were closed or because of unobserved damage to
the system. Additionally, as stated above, the sleeve tubes in both chlorinator tubes
were stuck and could not be removed for inspection indicating the possibility of
incomplete disinfection of the effluent.
Permit condition III. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS 8. states
“Public access to the irrigation sites and wastewater treatment facilities shall be prohibited.
Fencing shall be provided to prevent access to the irrigation site (minimum 2-strand wire)
and treatment units shall be secured with locks on all tank accesses and control panels.
[ 15A NCAC 02T .0605(i)].”
The minimum 2-strand wire fence surrounding the spray field was predominantly
missing.
5. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements: Permit condition IV. MONITORING AND
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 2. Noncompliance Notification states “The Permittee
shall report by telephone to the Raleigh Regional Office, telephone number (919) 791-
4200, as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours, or on the next working day
following the occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of any of the following:
a. Any process unit failure (e.g., mechanical, electrical, etc.), due to known or unknown
reasons, rendering the facility incapable of adequate wastewater treatment.
d. Ponding in or runoff from the irrigation sites. [15A NCAC 02T .0105(l)]”
No notification has been received by this office regarding the damage to the permitted
system and resulting ponding and runoff from the irrigation site.
6. Inspections: Permit condition V. INSPECTIONS states 1. “The Permittee shall provide
adequate inspection and maintenance to ensure proper operation of the wastewater
treatment and irrigation facilities. [ 15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)]” and 2. “The Permittee or
their designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and irrigation facilities to prevent
malfunctions, facility deterioration and operator errors resulting in discharges, which may
cause the release of wastes to the environment, a threat to human health or a public
nuisance... [15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)]”
Based upon conditions observed during the inspection the permit conditions
regarding system inspections have not been met.

Non-Discharge permit WQ0014319 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 January 31, 2025 and due February 3, 2024
has been paid. There are no overdue fees for the subject Non-Discharge permit.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 1806FC99-B04E-47F6-A008-3156041019C0
Wayne T. and Barbara K. Barbee
WQ0014319
February 2, 2024 Page 4 of 4

A Notice of Violation/Intent to Issue Civil Penalty is being issued for the noted violation of North
Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 and the facility’s Non-discharge Permit. Pursuant to G.S.
143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed
against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of
any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. This inspection report is being issued as a Notice of
Violation because of the observations noted in sections 3, 4, 5, and 6 above.
If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical
assistance, or discuss overall compliance please respond in writing within ten (10) business days after
receipt of this Notice. A review of your response will be considered along with any additional
information provided. You will then be notified of any civil penalties that may be assessed regarding the
violations. If no response is received in this Office within the 10-day period, a civil penalty
assessment may be prepared.
Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further
occurrences in the future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and
any additional violations of State law. If the violations are of a continuing nature, not related to operation
and/or maintenance problems, and you anticipate remedial construction activities, then you may wish to
consider applying for a Special Order by Consent.

You are also reminded to maintain all monitoring data and associated maintenance records onsite for a
minimum of three years and available for inspection.

If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective action (if
applicable), then please contact Chris Smith at 919-791-4257 or at [e-mail]

Sincerely,

Michael Hall, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

Attachment: Compliance Inspection Report
Cc: Laserfiche
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1806FC99-B04E-47F6-A008-3156041019C0