NCG550533_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20190715

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secrerary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director
Matthew Kartes
401 Olive Branch Road
Durham, NC 27703
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
July 15, 2019
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Single Family Wastewater Treatment System
NPDES General Permit NCG550000
Certificate of Coverage NCG550533
Durham County
Dear Mr. Kartes:
On July 9, 2019, Vanessa Manuel from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family residence
(SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject NPDES General Permit. No
one was at home at the time of the inspection. The inspector left a packet of information regarding Single
Family Treatment Systems and the requirements of the General Permit at the residence.
Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, sub -surface sand filter, tablet
chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber, and discharge pipe.
General Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550533 authorize the discharge of
domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as Lick Creek (classified
WS-1V; NSW) in the Neuse River Basin. The authorized discharge is in accordance with the effluent
limits and monitoring requirements established within the General Permit. The checked boxes below
show what conditions were noted at your facility:
® 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 let this office know the date the septic tank was last checked andlor pumped out.
® 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
br wastewater use and not for sivilliming pools. Part 1, Section D (1) of NPDES General 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
DE Q�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
_ Raleigh Regional Office 1 3800 Barrett Drive ! Raleigh. North Carolina 27609
� \ � 919 7914200

Matthew Kartes, NCG550533
July 15, 2019
Page 2 of 2
good operating order. The inspector did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator.
Please ensure lire correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required
by the NPDES General Permit.
® Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C., Effluent Limitations and 11onitoring 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 and
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 if it is discharging, have it analyzed by a certified
commercial laboratory and submit the results to this office no later than October 21, 2019. 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.
® 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. Within 30-
days of receiving this letter, provide this office with a sketch or map of the location of the
discharge pipe in relation to the permitted residence.
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
onsite for a minimum of three years from date of sampling and available for inspection.
If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective action (if
applicable), then please contact Vanessa Manuel at 919-791-4255.
Sincerely,
4ck Bolich, L.G., Assistant Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Office Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Attachment(s): EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report
Cc: RRO/SWP Files
Laserfiche

.;nited State, �-^,-ranmental Prot@ation Agency
EPA Wash -gtcn D C 20460
Form Approved,
OMB No. 2040-0057
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A National Data System Coding (i e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr;mo,day Insp4Uion Type Inspector Fac Type
1 IN I 2 I$ I 3 l NCG550533 111 12 19,•07ro9 17 1 a( r I 19 I t( 201LJ
LJ U
6
21 _t 1
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating at QA Reserved
67 70 Iu ( 71 I t 72 L� 73 L___74 751 1 I I I ! 80
Section 8 Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial UstGrs discharging to POTW also include
Entry Time/Date
Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES oermit Number)
12 OOPM 19107I09
13108/01
401 Olive Branch Road
Exit TimelDate
Permit Expiration Date
401 Olive Branch Rd
Durham NC 27703
12 10PM 79/07/09
18107/31
Name(s) of Onsite RepresentaGve(s)fTides(s)IPhone and Fax Numbers)
Other Facility Data
I//
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Matthew Kartes,401 Olive Branch Rd Durham NC 27703;:519-596.53581 nontacted
Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit M Operations 8 Maintenance 0 Facility Site Review E Effluent/Receiving Waters
Section M 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 Dale
Vanessa E Manuel RRO WO/19"8 007--6=r-- /
/�„ LW7-1'7/-A125.5- ✓. t2, 20/9
-- �
Signature of titan ement O A Review% AgencylOfficelPhone and Fax Numbers Date
Z
EPA Form'3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete / r
Page#

NPDES yrlmolday Inspection Type
31 NCG550533 I11 12 19107r09 17 18 ICI
LJ
Section D Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
See attached inspection report.
Pageo

Permit: NCG550533 Owner -Facility: 401 Give Bra-_h Road
Inspection Date: 0710S1201B Inspection Type: Camphance 0vaxahan
Permit
Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
❑
❑
E
❑
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?
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❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
❑
0
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❑
Comment. Access to the discharge pipe and receiving waters was within a fenced area that was
secured with a chain lock on the fence. The owner was not at home during the inspection
site visit.
Operations S Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ M ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment:
Se titi—p c Tank
Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational?
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❑
Is septic tank pumped on a schedule?
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❑
❑
Are pumps or syphons operating property?
❑
❑
N❑
Are high and low water alarms operating properly?
❑
❑
■
❑
Comment:
Sand Filters Low rate
Yes No NA NE
(If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational?
❑
❑
N
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Is the distribution box level and watertight?
❑
❑
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Is sand filter free of ponding?
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N
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Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio?
❑
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# Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation?
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M
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# Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1 )
❑
❑
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Comment:
Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE
Are tablet chlorinators operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑
Page# 3

Permit: NCG550533 Owner - Facility: 401 olive Branch Road
Inspection Date: 0710912019 inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE
Number of tubes in use?
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
❑
❑
❑
M
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
❑
❑
❑
Comment: The inspector did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator.
Effluent Pipe
Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
❑ ❑
❑
W
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
❑ ❑
❑
M
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
❑ ❑
❑
Comment: Access to the discharge pipe and receiving waters was within a fenced area that was
secured with a chain lock on the fence. The inspector did not enter this area. The owner
was not at home during the inspection site visit.
papt 4