WQ0006058_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240923

September 23, 2024
Wayne Black – Regional Environmental Manager
Perdue Foods, LLC
P. O. Box 460
Lewiston, NC 27849-0460

Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Perdue Foods – Halifax Hatchery WWTF
Wastewater Surface Irrigation System
Permit Number: WQ0006058
Halifax County

Wayne Black,
On September 10, 2024, Chris Smith of the Division of Water Resources (DWR), Water Quality
Regional Operations Section (WQROS), Raleigh Regional Office (RRO) conducted a compliance
evaluation inspection of the Perdue Murfreesboro Hatchery #5 Wastewater Surface Irrigation System-
Permit No. WQ0006058. The purpose of this inspection was to ensure compliance with the subject
permit. During the inspection, the cooperation and assistance provided by Ashton Weller, Tim Mizelle,
and Neal Powell was helpful and appreciated.

This compliance evaluation inspection consisted of the following:
•Review of the permit
•Review of the owner/facility information
•Review of ORC logbooks, calibration documentation, Non-discharge wastewater monitoring reports
(NDMRs), Non-Discharge Application Reports (NDARs), Groundwater Monitoring Reports (GW-59s),
freeboard logs, and maintenance logs
•On-site inspection of treatment components and spray irrigation fields

The current permit was issued July 8, 2020 and expires December 31, 2026.
This facility is permitted for the continued operation of a 15,475 gallon per day (GPD) wastewater
treatment and irrigation facility consisting of two 8,400 gallon septic tanks in series, a 1,200 gallon septic
tank, approximately 700 linear feet (LF) of 6-inch gravity sewer, 1.5 million gallon (MG) unlined
treatment/storage lagoon, an irrigation pump station with dual 226 pumps, approximately 4,000 LF of 4-
inch and 8-inch force main sprinkler piping, a chlorination gas injection system for the pump station wet
well, a 5.0 acre spray irrigation area; and all associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances.
The wastewater is treated in several septic tanks in series. The septic tanks are pumped approximately
every 5 years. The wastewater then flows to the storage lagoon. The berm was well mowed and there
were signs and a locked fence preventing unauthorized access. The freeboard was about 2.8 feet and
Docusign Envelope ID: BCDD1AA2-C875-4397-80DC-8A9EAE14A901
WQ0006058
Halifax
September 23, 2024
Page 2 of 2

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Water Resources | Raleigh Regional Office
3800 Barrett Drive | 1628 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1628
919.791.4200

the water was nearly clear and odorless. The treated water is then pumped from a wet well next to the
lagoon to the spray field. Both pumps, the chlorine gas disinfection system and the flow meter were in
good order.
The grass in the 5 acre spray field was mowed and the pine trees looked to be in good condition. No
ponding or runoff was noted. The pumps were turned on and the spray heads appeared to be in good
working order.
The ORC reported that the chlorine gas system requires a lot of maintenance. The chlorine gas also
corrodes the pump room and the o-rings in the plumbing, creating additional maintenance needs. The
ORC expressed an interest in modifying the permit to change to a liquid sodium hypochlorite
disinfection system.
The ORC reported that other than the chlorine gas problems, the system is reliable and runs well.
All records were reviewed and appear to have been submitted on time, correctly, and complete.
Soil samples were last collected in November 21, 2023 and no issues were noted in the lab results.
The facility maintains 3 monitoring wells that were observed to be locked, labeled, and capped during
the inspection. They are sampled yearly by the ORC.
Overall, the system appears well maintained and appears to be compliant with permit conditions.
If you have any questions about this inspection or this letter, please contact Chris Smith at
[e-mail] or 919-791-4257.

Sincerely,

Michael Hall, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

Attachments: Compliance Inspection Report
cc: Laserfiche
Docusign Envelope ID: BCDD1AA2-C875-4397-80DC-8A9EAE14A901