HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCG550537_2024 Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240628
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200
June 28, 2024
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Luiz Diaz
6411 Whitt Road
Durham, NC 27712
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG550537
Facility: 6411 Whitt Road
Durham County
Dear: Mr. Diaz
On 6/25/2024, Kevin Fowler 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 with effluent filter, flow
distribution box, primary and secondary sub-surface sub-surface sand filter, tablet chlorinator
with chlorine contact chamber, tablet dechlorinator, and discharge pipe.
General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550537 authorize
the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated
as an unnamed tributary to Little River (classified WS-II; HQW; NSW; 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. 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. After the inspection,
documentation was provided showing McFarland Septic LLC pumped out the
septic tank on October 30, 2023. The General NPDES Permit requires the
DocuSign Envelope ID: 66B60204-018A-486B-A5EC-055323C89874
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
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. 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 observed
dechlorination tablets in the treatment unit. Please continue to ensure the correct
type of tablets are used and maintained in the dechlorinator as required by the
General NPDES Permit.
4. 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 August 31, 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.
5. 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.
6. Part II Section B.14 of General Permit NCG550000 requires the permittee to “pay
the annual administering and compliance monitoring fee within thirty days after
DocuSign Envelope ID: 66B60204-018A-486B-A5EC-055323C89874
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
being billed by the Division.” Division records indicate the required annual fee
($60 per year) for the period due 9/1/2023, 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.
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 item 4 above.
If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective
action (if applicable), then please contact Kevin Fowler at 919-437-0047.
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: Laserfiche
DocuSign Envelope ID: 66B60204-018A-486B-A5EC-055323C89874
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 NCG550537 24/06/25 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)
6411 Whitt Road
6411 Whitt Rd
Durham NC 27712
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
10:00AM 24/06/25 21/08/19
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
10:20AM 24/06/25 25/10/31
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Luis A Diaz,6411 Whitt Rd Durham NC 27712///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
Kevin Fowler DWR/RRO WQ/919-791-4200/
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
06/28/2024
DocuSign Envelope ID: 66B60204-018A-486B-A5EC-055323C89874
7/2/2024
NPDES yr/mo/day
24/06/25
Inspection Type
C3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
System was in good condition. Saw effluent on day of inspection so indicated that they need to get
lab analysis done. Son sent in McFarland invoice to proof septic pump in 2023.
NCG550537 17
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 66B60204-018A-486B-A5EC-055323C89874
Permit:NCG550537
Inspection Date:06/25/2024
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
6411 Whitt 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:
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?
Outfall in back of property with large rip rap area.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?
Concrete contact chamber present.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?
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 66B60204-018A-486B-A5EC-055323C89874
Permit:NCG550537
Inspection Date:06/25/2024
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
6411 Whitt Road
Compliance Evaluation
Sand Filters (Low rate)Yes No NA NE
# 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)
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?
Septic pumped in 2023 by McFarlandComment:
Page#4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 66B60204-018A-486B-A5EC-055323C89874