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Home My WebLink AboutNCG550869_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20190925ROY COOPER Govo luwr MICHAEL S. REGAN Sr. rr,=ry LINDA CULPEPPER Orrc,. rar Jonathan Bell 5715 Blue Spruce Drive Durham, NC 27712 R 7 I I RTH CAPOLIN' Envfrvnmentaf Quality September 25, 2019 Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Single Family Wastewater Treatment System General NPDES Permit NCG550000 Certificate of Coverage NCG550869 Durham County Dear Mr. Bell: On September 12, 2019, Vanessa Manuel from the Raleigh Regional Office visited your single-family residence (SFR) wastewater treatment system to evaluate compliance with the subject General NPDES Permit. Your assistance during the inspection was greatly appreciated. Our records indicate the treatment system consists of a septic tank, sub -surface sand filter, disinfection consisting of tablet chlorinator and tablet dechlorinator units, and effluent 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 Crooked Creek (classified WS-IV; 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: ® 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 wet well. 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 seepage near the wet well and the actions yott will take to reprove 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 wet well is an indication that the septic tank should be checked and pumped out. Within 45-days of receiving this letter, contact a septic tank ptunping company to check the ti-rrIh (.,Ir,il;iij I)rlut IIT.rrit of Err.uur-rr,r nl fl Q11 I!iry I?rr "i+-n of 4ti 114r Rciuurrc. It,rlr;( 4li It yirnIa O{tsc: • r 'Shc7U i;.iv n tt r) c G 11, Jonathan Bell, NCG550869 September 25, 2019 Page 2 of 3 level of solids in your septic tank and provide this of ttce 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 far these tablets must indicate the tablets are approved Lor wastewater use and not Lor swinuninagools. 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 lint. In addition, please ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the chlorinator as required by the NPDES General Permit. ® Dechlorination tablets: Part 1, Section D (1) of NPDES General Permit NCG550000 requires the permittee to inspect the tablet dechlorinator 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 responsible for always having dechlorination tablets (if a required part of your system) in place. They must be the kind for wastewater treatment and not for swimming pools. The inspector observed the dechlorinator unit submerged in possible effluent discharge and was unable to observe any dechlorination tablets in the treatment unit. Witltut 45-days of receiving this letter, please submit a written response to this office indicating the actions you will take to evaluate and remedy the cause of the dechlorinator unfit being submerged. lit addition, please ensure the correct type of tablets are used and maintained in the dechlorinator as required by the NPDES General Permit. ® Analyzing the effluent: Part 1. C., EJfuejnt 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 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 December 20, 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. Jonathan Bell, NCG550869 September 25, 2019 Page 3 of 3 ® Locations of treatment units are unknown: Within 45-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. ® 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 end of discharge pipe was not visible nor accessible the day of the inspection. 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. 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. 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, A� 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 Cc: RRO SWP Files Laserfiche untnd 4tates Environmental Protect pn xgemj Form Approved EPA Veashmgtor+ D r 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 yrlmoiday Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type I 201 I 1 Ej 2 15 1 3 1 NCGSS0869 111 12 11910912 17 18 IJ I„ I 19 I LG J u 21 g Inspection Work Days Facility Set(•Manito- ng Evaluat an Rating B1 OA Reserved 67 701 LJ 1 71 L itJI 72 L , � 731 ILl I74 75�1 I I , .1 I I80 LJ L Section B Facility Data Name and Location of Facaity Inspected (For Industrial Users dis--harging to PCTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Data POTW name and NPDES Permit Number'. a9 55AM 19:09 12 13d08101 5715 Blue Spruce Drive Ex t Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 5715 Blue Spruce Dr Durham Ne 27712 1C 35AM 19'09:12 18;07 31 Name(s) or Onsite RepresentaGve(syiitlests Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data u! Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax N.mbe• Jonathan N Belt,5715 Blue Spruce Dr Durham NC 27712k.' Contacted Yes Section C- Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Operations & Ma ntenance N Facility Site Review ENluentlReceiving Waters Section D Summary of FlndinglComments (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 Date Vanessa E Manuel DWRrRRC W01919-791-421301 Signature of anagement O A Reviewer Agency.'Office.-Phone and Fax Numbers D le EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPOES yrlmolday Inspection Type t 31 NCG550869 12, 19l0912 17 18 1 - 1 Section D, Summary of FindinglComments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) See attached inspection letter. Pagew Permit: NCGSSoe69 Inspection Date: 09/12/2019 Owner - Facility: 5715 Blue Spruce Drive Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit (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? # Are there any special conditions for the permit? Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? Comment: Operations & Maintenance Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 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 (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? Are pumps or syphons operating properly? Are high and low water alarms operating properly? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ N ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ M ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ Comment: The permittee stated the septic tank was serviced 3-4 ears a o. but is unsure of the date. Sand Filters(Low rate) (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? Is the distribution box level and watertight? Is sand filler free of ponding? Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? # Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation? # Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) Comment: Disinfection -Tablet Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ Cl ❑ Cl ❑ ■ 1 Page# 3 permit: NCG550869 Owner - Facility: 5715 Blue Spruce Drive Inspection Dale: (3911212019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection Tablet Yes No NA NE Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑ M ❑ M ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ E Comment: The inspector observed Possible solids in the chlorinator tube. Due to the presence of the dark liquid in the chlorinator tube the ins ector could not determine if chlorine tablets were resent. The Permittee needs to investigate the cause of the li uid in the chlorinator tube and implement maintenance as needed. De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Tablet 1s the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? ❑ ❑ ❑ m Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ M Cl # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 2 Comment; The dechlorinator unit was submerged in a dark liquid. The permittee needs to investi ate and implement maintenance as needed. Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The end of the discharge Pipe was not visible. The vermittee needs to locate the outfall E�M Pa3L# 4 e MIMI !�- t I -4r Slow ;LvV 7' N4 Possible seepage solids