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Home My WebLink AboutNCG550723_NOV-2019-PC-0520_20190722ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality July 22, 2019 Certified Mail # 7017 0190 0000 9562 7039 Return Receipt Requested Melissa Gonzales and Karol Machado 4611 Bragg Road Durham, NC 27703 Certified Mail # 7017 0190 0000 9562 7046 Return Receipt Requested Melissa Gonzales and Karol Machado 3230 Redwood Road Durham, NC 27704-4038 Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0520 Compliance Evaluation Inspection Single Family Wastewater Treatment System NPDES General Permit NCG550000 Certificate of Coverage NCG550723 Durham County Dear Melissa Gonzales and Karol Machado: 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. The assistance of Frank Gonzales during the inspection was greatly appreciated. Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, pump tank, sub -surface sand filter, tablet chlorinator with chlorine contact chamber, and discharge pipe. NPDES General Permit NCG550000 and Certificate of Coverage (COC) NCG550723 authorize the discharge of domestic wastewater from your treatment system to receiving waters designated as an unnamed tributary to Panther Creek (classified WS-IV; 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 checked boxes below show what conditions were noted at your facility: ® NPDES Permit Ownership Change Form: According to the Durham County deed of records, Melissa Gonzales and Karol Machado own the residence and property located at 4611 Bragg Road in Durham, North Carolina. As the property owners, you are also the owners of the existing single-family wastewater treatment system, which treats the domestic wastewater from the residence and releases the effluent to the receiving waters indicated above. Because the treatment system makes an outlet to waters of the state, it is an activity for which the subject North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources _ Raleigh Regional Office 1 3800 Barrett Drive ' Raleigh. North Carolina 27609 /�� 919.791.4200 Melissa Gonzales & Karol Machado, NCG550723 July 22, 2019 Page 2 of 4 permit is required. In the inspection letter dated January 13, 2017, this office notified you of the requirement to complete and submit the Ownership Change Form. By failing to submit the NPDES Certificate of Coverage Ownership Change Form, you have operated a treatment works without a permit. To comply with North Carolina General Statute § 143-215. 1 (a), which requires a person to obtain a permit to make an outlet into the waters of the state, you will need to complete and submit the attached NPDES Permit Ownership Change Form to the Division. If you have any questions regarding change in permit ownership or completing the form, then please contact Vanessa Manuel at 919-791-4255. ® Treatment system operation: Part 1, Section D (2) of NPDES General Permit NCG550000 requires the permittee to maintain the treatment systems at all times to prevent seepage of sewage to the surface of the ground. During the inspection, the inspector observed seepage around the outside of the chlorinator and possible solids in the receiving ditch (UT to Panther Creek) at the discharge pipe and downstream of the discharge pipe (photos attached). Within 45-days of receiving this letter, please submit a written response to this office indicating Ilse actions you will take to evaluate the cause of the seepage near the chlorinator and the cause of the solids in the receiving ditch. Also include in your response actions you will take to remove all solids from the ground. ® Pumping the septic tank: Part 1, Section D (3) of NPDES General Permit NCG550000 requires the permittee to inspect the septic tank at least yearly to determine if solids must be removed or if other maintenance is necessary. Section D (4) requires the permittee to maintain all system components, including... septic tanks ... at all times and in good operating order. 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. The presence of seepage around the chlorinator and possible solids in the receiving ditch is an indication that the septic tank should be checked and pumped out. Within 45-days of receiving this letter, contact a septic tank pumping company to check the level of solids in your septic tank and provide this office with a written response indicating the findings. ® Chlorine tablets in the chlorinator: 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 good operating order. 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. The inspector observed possible solids in the chlorine contact tube and did not observe any chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Within 45-days of receiving this letter, please submit a written response to this office indicating the actions you will take to evaluate the cause of the solids in the chlorinator and to remove them from the unit. In addition, please ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the NPDES General Permit. Melissa Gonzales & Karol Machado, NCG550723 July 22, 2019 Page 3 of 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 and Total Residual Chlorine. Within 45-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. Because of the overgrowth of vegetation, the end of discharge pipe was not visible nor accessible the day of the inspection. The inspector could not determine if the outlet was discharging. To comply with the general permit monitoring requirements, you need to be able to sample and analyze the effluent from your SFR system through the discharge pipe. You need to keep the area around the discharge pipe cleared of vegetation, soil 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 subject permit. Part II, Section B (14) of NPDES General Permit NCG550000 requires the permittee to "pay the annual administering and compliance monitoring fee within thirty days after being billed by the Division." The annual fee ($60 per year) for the periods ending September 30, 2017, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2019, was due by October 7, 2016, October 8, 2017 and October 7, 2018, respectively. These fees have not been paid and are overdue. Payment in the amount of $180 must be remitted to the Division as indicated on the attached Annual Permit Fee Invoices 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 have available for inspection. This inspection report is being issued as a Notice of Violation because you are operating a treatment system without an NPDES permit and discharging domestic wastewater from a single family residence illegally. Within 45-days of receipt of this letter, please submit a written response to the above noted items. Melissa Gonzales & Karol Machado, NCG550723 July 22, 2019 Page 4 of 4 If you have questions or comments about this inspection or the requirements to take corrective action, then please contact Vanessa Manuel at 919-791-4255. Sincerely, io � Rick Bolich, L.G., Assistant Supervisor Water Quality Regional Office Section Raleigh Regional Office Attachment(s): EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report Attachment A — Inspection Photos NPDES Certificate of Coverage (COC) Ownership Change Form Annual Permit Fee Invoice Numbers — 2016PR008056, 2017PR008392 and 2018PR008475 Cc: RRO/SWP Files Laserfiche United States Environmental Protection Agency Farm Approved, EPA Washington D C 20460 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+mc:day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 �N I 2 I5 1 3 I NCG550723 111 12 19107-09 17 u u 18 I �, I 19 I c I 201 I u LJ LJ 21 6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 OA Reserved 67 70IJ 71 IJ 72 LLJ u I 731 I 174 751 I I I I I I 80 I I I I Section B. Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES permit Number) 10 25AM 19107109 13108101 4611 Bragg Road 4611 Bragg Rd Exit TimelDate Permit Expiration Date Durham NC 27703 11 10AM 19107109 18107/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representatives) Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data 111 �R4-rK �a�1 aOrs ( ,,, y¢ N a�1.1 �.� �....— A! c Zip a Name, Address of Responsible OfficiallritlelPhone and Fax Number Jr'k�r sgLrjvwf-B. lei p y T r�'s, Contacted nes,4611 Bragg Rd Durham NC 27703/1/ Yes Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit M Operations & Maintenance N Facility Site Review 0 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 Inspectors) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers �Van sa E Manuel RRO WQksg.4;rs-695z. ,�,z,00,y 2019 / Signature of Mana ment O A Reviewer AgencylOfficelPhone and Fax Numbers Deftl if � EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yrlmalday InspeoGon Type 31 NCG550723 �11 121 19/07/09 `17 18 Lc] I Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) See attached inspection report. Page# Permit. NCG550723 Owner -Facility: 4611 Bragg Road Inspection Date: 0710912019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? ❑ ❑ M ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The current resident in the home -is -not the Permittee. Per Durham County records. the new owners, Melissa Gonzales and Karol Machado. purchased the property on April 10. 2015. The new owners were notified of the requirement to complete and submit the Change of Ownership Form for NPDES Certificate of Coverage NCG550723 in the inspection letter dated January 13, 2017 (previous inspection conducted on December 20, 2016). North Carolina General Statute § 143-215.1 requires a person to obtain a permit from the Commission before operating any sewer system, treatment works, or disposal system within the State. To comply with G.S. 143-215.1. the new owners will need to complete and submit the Change of Ownership Form. Operations & 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: Septic Tank Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? ❑ ❑ M ❑ Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are pumps or syphons operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are high and low water alarms operating properly? ❑ ❑ M ❑ Comment: Sand Filters Low rate Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? ❑ ❑ N ❑ Is the distribution box level and watertight? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is sand filter free of ponding? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) ❑ ❑ M ❑ Page# 3 PermitNCGSSD723 Owner - Facility: 4611 Bragg Road Inspection Date. 07109/2019 Inspection Type. Compliance Evaluation Sand Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE Comment: Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 1 Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? ❑ M ❑ ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ M ❑ Comment: The inspector observed possible solids in the chlorinator tube. There were no tablets observed in the chlorinator. Although there were no chlorine tablets in the chlorinator, the new owner did have the correct chlorine tablets for wastewater disinfection. The inspector also observed seeoaae around the outside area of the contact tank. The owner will need to evaluate and ensure proper o eration and maintenance of the treatment units. Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? ❑ M ❑ ❑ Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? 1101111 If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Because of the overgrowth of vegetation, the end of the discharge pipe was not visible and the inspector could not determine if the outlet was discharging. The inspector observed possible sewage/sludge in the receiving ditch at the discharge pipe and downstream of the Pipe. The owner should contact a septic tank company and determine if wastewater solids are leaving the septic tank and if the sand filter has been adversely impacted. Page# 4 Attachment A 4611 Bragg Rd., Durham (NCG550723) — Inspection Photos, 2019Ju109 Chlorine contact tank — possible leak at unit base. I Discharge pipe from chlorine contact tank. Possible solids in receiving ditch near discharge pipe. Chlorine contact tank — possible leak at unit base (close-up). Discharge pipe into the receiving ditch. Possible solids in receiving ditch downstream of discharge pipe. I Page 1 of 1