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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0012545_Notice of Violation_20240305 March 5, 2024 Haijun Song and Zhiming Deng 7844 NC 751 Durham, NC 27713 Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION NOV-2024-PC-0147 Compliance Evaluation Inspection Non-Discharge Permit: WQ0012545 Facility: 7844 NC 751 SFR Chatham County Dear Haijun Song and Zhiming Deng, On February 29, 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. Ms. Deng’s in person assistance and Mr. Song’s Assistance over the phone during the inspection was greatly appreciated. Non-Discharge Permit WQ0012545 was issued July 1, 2018 and expired on June 30, 2023. Please complete and return the renewal application that was left with Ms. Deng during the inspection as soon as possible. Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a 1,000 gallon baffled septic tank, dual 180 square foot (ft2) vented subsurface sand filters with a total surface area of 360 ft2, a tablet chlorinator, a 2,400 gallon storage/pump tank with a field dosing pump, a 0.33 spray irrigation area served by four full-circle, 68 foot diameter sprinklers, and all associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances. Non-Discharge Permit WQ0012545 authorizes the operation of 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 was in need of repair. (See Item 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 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2AA1E4DE-FD5C-4075-8F09-05F4D649C81E Haijun Song and Zhiming Deng WQ0012545 March 5, 2024 Page 2 of 3 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 receipt of this letter please make arrangements to have the septic tank pumped out and notify this office when this maintenance task has been completed. 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 this inspection the inspector did not observe chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Ms. Deng stated that Mr. Song told her that he would add tablets to the chlorinator when he arrived home. Please ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the Non- Discharge Permit. 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 audible and visual alarms functioned properly when using the test switch and when the alarm float was pulled. Ms. Deng stated that when they experience heavy rainfall events the alarm triggers. This is likely due to infiltration of rainwater/groundwater into the system through the sand filters. Ms. Deng stated that the alarm does not continue to trigger after the rain event(s) have ceased. The pump tank pump was functioning properly. The fence around the spray field was intact. 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)]” Ponding and overland flow was observed in the spray field. Two (2) of the four (4) spray heads were missing and the spray risers missing spray heads were geysering effluent into the spray area immediately surrounding the risers. Within 10 days of receipt of this letter please make the needed repairs detailed in Item 4 above and notify this office when the repairs have been completed. Non-Discharge permit WQ0012545 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 July 31, 2024 and due August 5, 2023 has been paid. There are no overdue fees for the subject Non-Discharge permit. DocuSign Envelope ID: 2AA1E4DE-FD5C-4075-8F09-05F4D649C81E Haijun Song and Zhiming Deng WQ0012545 March 5, 2024 Page 3 of 3 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. 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 chris.smith@ncdenr.gov Sincerely, Michael Hall, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachment: Compliance Inspection Report Notice of Violation Cc: Laserfiche DocuSign Envelope ID: 2AA1E4DE-FD5C-4075-8F09-05F4D649C81E