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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCG551611_ncg551611 CEI letter 2024_20240911 Docusign Envelope ID: DOE632FC-COD1-468F-A49C-78634C5C4F5F Et,,`STATE aF� ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S.BISER Secretary * `QUA N°`�'* RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA Director Environmental Quality September 11,2024 Letitia Jones 4701 Mannix Road Durham,NC 27704 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Single Family Wastewater Treatment System Facilty address: 4705 Mannix Road,Durham Certificate of Coverage NCG551611 Durham County Dear Ms. Jones: On September 5,2024,Danny Smith from the Raleigh Regional Office of the Division of Water Resources(DWR)visited your single-family residence(SFR)wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General NPDES Permit. This wastewater treatment system is located at 4705 Mannix Road in Durham County,NC.The treatment system is currently permitted to the Letitia Jones. Our records indicate the wastewater treatment system consists of a septic tank, sandfilter, chlorinator, de-chlorinator and an outlet pipe. General NPDES Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage(COC)NCG551611 authorizes this discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as unnamed tributary to Panther Creek in the Neuse River Basin. Alternative to continued permit coverage. During a telephone conversation on September 5, 2024, you explained to Mr. Smith that the subject house is vacant,has no power,and is not currently habitable. Additionally,you explained that the waste treatment system at 4705 Mannix Road was installed;however, it was never connected or ever put into active use. Also, it is the understanding of Mr. Smith that there are no plans to repair structure or for anyone to return/move into the subject residence(4705 Mannix Road). Accordingly,there are two(2)possible alternatives to continued coverage under your permit (NCG551611). If applicable to your residential waste system and anticipated uses,you may need/wish to pursue a permit rescission OR request your permit become"inactive". Please see Attachment A for additional information on these options/approaches. Select permit requirements.Under your current permit you are required to properly maintain and operate your wastewater treatment system. This includes but is not limited to the following: 1. Pumping the septic tank: Septic tanks should be pumped out approximately 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 D E Q North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources vvvRaleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh,North Carolina 27609 NORTH CAROLINA 919.791.4200 Depa"mem of Envlmmme,01 Duality Docusign Envelope ID: DOE632FC-COD1-468F-A49C-78634C5C4F5F LCLILCI JUIICJ Compliance Evaluation Inspection- NCG51611 4705 Mannix Road Page 2 of 5 determine when pumping is required. The General NPDES Permit requires the permittee to retain records associated with sewage disposal activities for a period of at least 5 years. Please keep records (receipts) of septic tank pumping/solids removal for review during inspections. 2. Disinfection-tablet chlorinator and dechlorinator: It is required that chlorine tablets be maintained in the chlorinator to ensure proper disinfection of the discharged wastewater. Chlorine tablets are intended to 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 swimminiz pools. Please ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator and de- chlorination contact tubes as required by the General NPDES Permit. Please be sure to keep records of this nature available for your reference and used during future inspections. (Note: Examples of these products (disinfection and the disinfection neutralizer) can be readily observed online for purchase. You may wish to conduct an online search by using google for "chlorine tablets for wastewater"and "dechlorination tablets for wastewater") 4. Discharge outlet location. The permittee is required to conduct a visual review of the outfall location at least twice each year(once 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. Please ensure the outlet is always visible/maintained and cleared of vegetation 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 permit. 5. Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C.,Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements,within General Permit NCG550000 requires a permittee to annually sample and analyze the effluent leaving the treatment system prior to discharge. Once a year you will need to collect a representative sample of the effluent and have it analyzed by a certified commercial laboratory. If no wastewater flow is observed from your system,please document that information for your records and use during the next system inspection. If you have any questions regarding this matter,please do not hesitate to contact Danny Smith at(919) 791-4248. Note:For your reference, Certified Laboratory listings (see "Commercial In-state listing') can be found at this email address:hgps://www.deq.nc.jzov/about/divisions/water-resources/water- sciences/chemistry-laboratory/laboratory-certification-branch/certified-laboratory-listings 6. Access and Vegetation Maintenance. Routine vegetation maintenance provides required access to the treatment system components. This maintenance can also manage or help slow root growth and intrusion into the wastewater treatment system. It is recommended that woody vegetation be removed by hand from the wastewater treatment system footprint. [Severe root intrusion can negatively affect the treatment system's long-term performance that can lead to system failure.] North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources vRaleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh,North Carolina 27609 NORTHCAROLMA 919.791.4200 Daparimetlt of Envlronmantal Duality Docusign Envelope ID: DOE632FC-COD1-468F-A49C-78634C5C4F5F LCLILCI JUIICJ Compliance Evaluation Inspection- NCG51611 4705 Mannix Road Page 3 of 5 Always maintain access to the chlorinator,de-chlorinator, sand filter, septic tank and outlet pipe. Do not drive tracked or wheeled(heavy)vehicles over the system components. 3. 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 being billed by the Division." A review of the billing records for this facility indicates that the permit annual fee for 2024 is overdue. This billing period began on 0110112024 and ends on 1213112024. Attached is a copy of the invoice (2023PR012056)for your reference. Please pay this fee within 60-days of receipt of this letter. Please respond to this letter in writing within 30 days of receipt. Please explain how you will ensure full compliance with permit condition as set forth in this General Permit(NCG550000). Also,this Office would like you to please consider an alternative to continue coverage under your permit,if applicable to your residential waste system use. Instead of continued coverage,it may be appropriate for you to pursue a permit rescission OR request that your permit become"inactive". Please see Attachment A for additional information on these options/approaches. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Please call Danny Smith with this office at(919) 791- 4248 (danny.smith(&deg.nc.gov) so that we may further discus your permit,next steps, answer any questions you may have about your treatment system, and to confirm/update appropriate contact information. If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective action(if applicable),then please contact Danny Smith at 919-791-4248. Sincerely, LSigned by: Uavu-ss. -E. k atn. d B2916HAB32144F... 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 D E Q� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources vRaleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh,North Carolina 27609 NORTH C of Envl A 919.791.4200 Daparimetlt of Envlronmantal Duality Docusign Envelope ID: DOE632FC-COD1-468F-A49C-78634C5C4F5F LCLILCI JUIICJ Compliance Evaluation Inspection- NCG51611 4705 Mannix Road Page 4 of 5 Attachment A Permitting and Permit compliance: Given the abovementioned information regarding the vacant status of the permitted facility,the lack of use of your wastewater treatment system,and your plans not to reestablish occupancy at 4705 Mannix Road,please consider submitting a formal request for: 1) a permit rescission Or 2) a formal request to render your permit"inactive". Permit rescission request.If you no-longer need your permit,you should send a letter to the Division of Water Resources and request a formal permit recission. You will need to explain clearly in writing that you no longer need your permit and wish to have your permit terminated(rescinded). In your letter,you will also need to explain how you have permanently eliminated any wastewater discharge from your treatment system. Your letter should explain how the wastewater system is disconnected,that it is no longer receiving waste, and how the outlet is sealed off(concreted/plugged) so that it cannot discharge. Also,the relevant treatment unit tanks will need to be pumped out such that they no longer house waste. Note: In addition to the effluent pipe being permanently sealed off, it is also recommended that you have someone pump out and properly dispose of the waste remaining in the septic tank, any pump tanks or recirculation tanks. These tanks should be removed, crushed or backfilled such that they do not continue to collect and hold water. This will ensure waste is removed,tankage cannot continue to discharge, and the system does not become a future fall/water hazard for the public or wildlife. You should send this request,supporting information and materials to the following address: NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES Attention: Charles Weaver 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC,27699-1617 [Note: Staff from the Raleigh Regional Office will need to conduct a visit to confirm system status, as part of this rescission request process.] "Inactive"permit designation request. If you would like to retain your permit,you may request that your permit coverage be"inactive". This means that your waste system must be maintained such that it no longer discharges and it may not continue to receive waste. You will need to explain how you have eliminated the wastewater discharge in your letter and clearly explain in your request that you wish your permit to be designated as"Inactive". An inactive system does not discharge waste,new wastewater is not added to the system nor is waste generated at the site. This inactive designation will relieve you from having to sample your effluent. However,you will continue to be responsible to pay your annual($60.00)permit administration fee. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources vRaleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh,North Carolina 27609 NORTHCAROLMA 919.791.4200 Daparimetlt of Envlronmantal Duality Docusign Envelope ID: DOE632FC-COD1-468F-A49C-78634C5C4F5F LCLILCI JUIICJ Compliance Evaluation Inspection- NCG51611 4705 Mannix Road Page 5 of 5 This"inactive"approval allows you to keep your permit,but you are NOT allowed to use it(discharge wastewater)or continue to treat/receive wastewater. When you do choose to return your system to use, you will first need to send a written request to DWR communicating your wish to remove the "inactive" designation for your facility. This written request will be reviewed by DWR and a site visit will be performed to review/confirm that the waste system is properly maintained and operational. Once this determination/review has occurred, DWR will then provide you written approval for the return to normal use("active"), as covered by the general permit. You should send this request,supporting information and materials to the following address: NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES Attention: Charles Weaver 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC,27699-1617 [Note: Staff from the Raleigh Regional Office will need to conduct a site visit to confirm system status, as part of this"inactive"request process.] D E Q� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources vRaleigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh,North Carolina 27609 NORTH C of Envl A 919.791.4200 Daparimetlt of Envlronmantal Duality