NCG551728_Inspection_20231222

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200
December 22, 2023
Joshua and Esther Clark
3719 Hamlin Road
Durham, NC 27704-8558
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG551728
Facility: 3719 Hamlin Road, Durham, NC
Durham County
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Clark:
On December 4, 2023, Tyler Clark 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, tablet chlorinator with
chlorine contact chamber, tablet dechlorinator, discharge pipe.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG551728 authorize
the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated
as unnamed tributary [stream segment 27-(1)] Falls Lake (classified WS-IV, NSA, CA) 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.Treatment system operation: The wastewater treatment system shall be
maintained at all times to prevent seepage of sewage to the surface of the ground.
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.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5E1E943C-1AA1-4B6F-9541-19A34A1F202E
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 General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain records associated
with sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years.
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 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 did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Please ensure
the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as
required by the General NPDES Permit.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Within 30-days of receiving this letter, please let this office know if you have
monitored your effluent discharge within the last 12 months and provide this
office with a copy of the lab results if you have. If you have not monitored your
effluent, then 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 15, 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.
6. 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 end of discharge pipe was not visible
nor accessible the day of the inspection. To comply with the general permit
monitoring requirements, you need to be able to sample and analyze the effluent
from your SFR system through the discharge pipe. You need to keep the area
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5E1E943C-1AA1-4B6F-9541-19A34A1F202E
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
around the discharge pipe cleared of vegetation, soil and leaves. Please take the
necessary steps to ensure the discharge outlet is visible and accessible.
Maintaining the area will allow you to monitor the discharge and to collect
effluent samples as required by the subject permit.

Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending 7/31/2024
and due 8/8/2023 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 #2-6
above.

If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective
action (if applicable), then please contact Tyler Clark at 919-791-4242.

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: RRO/SWP Files
Laserfiche

DocuSign Envelope ID: 5E1E943C-1AA1-4B6F-9541-19A34A1F202E
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 NCG551728 23/12/04 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)
3719 Hamlin Road
3719 Hamlin Rd
Durham NC 27704
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
11:00AM 23/12/04 17/08/10
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
12:00PM 23/12/04 18/07/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Joshua Clark,3719 Hamlin Rd Durham NC 27704//919-451-9516/Contacted
No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit Operations & Maintenance
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
Timothy Clark DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4234/
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
12/11/2023
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5E1E943C-1AA1-4B6F-9541-19A34A1F202E
12/22/2023
NPDES yr/mo/day
23/12/04
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Findings during the inspection were as follows:
1.Treatment system operation: The wastewater treatment system shall be maintained at all times to
prevent seepage of sewage to the surface of the ground.
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. The General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain records associated with
sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years.
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 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 did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Please ensure the
correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the General NPDES
Permit.
4.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.
5.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. Within 30-days of receiving this
letter, please let this office know if you have monitored your effluent discharge within the last 12
months and provide this office with a copy of the lab results if you have. If you have not monitored
your effluent, then 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 15, 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 theeffluent discharge as required is a violation of NPDES General Permit
NCG550000.
6.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 end of discharge pipe was not
visible nor accessible the day of the inspection. To comply with the general permit monitoring
requirements, you need to be able to sample and analyze the effluent from your SFR system through
the discharge pipe. You need to keep the area around the discharge pipe cleared of vegetation, soil
and leaves. Please take the necessary steps to ensure the discharge outlet is visible and accessible.
Maintaining the area will allow you to monitor the discharge and to collect effluent samples as
required by the subject permit.
Division records indicate the required annual fee ($60 per year) for the period ending 7/31/2024 and
NCG551728 17 (Cont.)
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5E1E943C-1AA1-4B6F-9541-19A34A1F202E
Permit:NCG551728
Inspection Date:12/04/2023
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
3719 Hamlin Road
Compliance Evaluation
due 8/8/2023 has been paid. There are no overdue fees for the subject COC.
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5E1E943C-1AA1-4B6F-9541-19A34A1F202E
Permit:NCG551728
Inspection Date:12/04/2023
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
3719 Hamlin 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:
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5E1E943C-1AA1-4B6F-9541-19A34A1F202E