NCG550869_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240626

June 26, 2024

Jonathan Bell
5715 Blue Spruce Dr.
Durham, NC 27712
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
General NPDES Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG550869
Facility: 5715 Blue Spruce Drive
Durham County
Dear Jonathan Bell,

On May 31, 2024, Staff from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family residence
(SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General NPDES
Permit. No one was at home at the time of the inspection.

Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, sub-surface sand filter, tablet
chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber, and a discharge pipe.

General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550869 authorize
the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated
as an unnamed tributary to Little River in subbasin 30401 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.
The inspector did not observe any evidence of seepage to the surface of the
ground during the inspection.
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
DocuSign Envelope ID: C5A484A3-4A90-4DC4-B9EA-AB04652BC3F3

Jonathan Bell, NCG550869
June 26, 2024 Page 2 of 3

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. 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. 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 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.

Division records indicate the required annual fees ($60 per year) have been paid. There are no
overdue fees for the subject COC.
DocuSign Envelope ID: C5A484A3-4A90-4DC4-B9EA-AB04652BC3F3

Jonathan Bell, NCG550869
June 26, 2024 Page 3 of 3

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 above.

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.

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: C5A484A3-4A90-4DC4-B9EA-AB04652BC3F3