21 NCAC 39 .1006             MINIMUM ON-SITE WASTEWATER SYSTEM INSPECTION

(a)  The inspector shall obtain, evaluate, describe, or determine the following during the inspection:

(1)           Advertised number of bedrooms as stated in the realtor Multiple Listing Service information or by a sworn statement of owner or owner's representative; and

(2)           Designed system size (gallons per day or number of bedrooms) as stated in available local health department information, such as the current operation permit or the current repair permit.

(b)  The inspector shall obtain, evaluate, describe, or determine the following during the inspection:

(1)           Requirement for a certified subsurface water pollution control system operator pursuant to G.S. 90A-44, current certified operator's name, and most recent performance, operation and maintenance reports (if applicable and available);

(2)           Type of water supply, such as well, spring, public water, or community water;

(3)           Location of septic tank and septic tank details:

(A)          Distance from house or other structure;

(B)          Distance from well, if applicable;

(C)          Distance from water line, if applicable and readily visible;

(D)          Distance from property line, if said property lines are known;

(E)           Distance from finished grade to top of tank or access riser;

(F)           Presence and type of access risers;

(G)          Condition of tank lids;

(H)          Condition of tank baffle wall;

(I)            Water level in tank relative to tank outlet;

(J)            Condition of outlet tee;

(K)          Presence and condition of outlet filter, if applicable;

(L)           Presence and extent of roots in the tank;

(M)         Evidence of tank leakage;

(N)          Evidence of inflow non-permitted connections, such as from downspouts or sump pumps;

(O)          Connection present from house to tank;

(P)           Connection present from tank to next component;

(Q)          Date tank was last pumped, if known; and

(R)          Percentage of solids (sludge and scum) in tank;

(4)           Location of pump tank and pump tank details:

(A)          Distance from house or other structure;

(B)          Distance from well or spring, if applicable;

(C)          Distance from water line, if applicable;

(D)          Distance from property line, if said property lines are known;

(E)           Distance from finished grade to top of tank or access riser;

(F)           Distance from septic tank;

(G)          Presence and type of access risers;

(H)          Condition of tank lids;

(I)            Location of control panel;

(J)            Condition of control panel;

(K)          Audible and visible alarms (as applicable) work;

(L)           Pump turns on, and effluent is delivered to next component; and

(M)         Lack of electricity at time of inspection prevented complete evaluation;

(5)           Location of dispersal field and dispersal field details:

(A)          Type of dispersal field;

(B)          Distance from property line, if said property lines are known;

(C)          Distance from septic tank and also pump tank if a pump tank exists;

(D)          Number of lines;

(E)           Length of lines;

(F)           Evidence of past or current surfacing at time of inspection;

(G)          Evidence of traffic over the dispersal field;

(H)          Vegetation, grading, and drainage with respect only to their effect on the condition of the system or system components; and

(I)            Confirmation that system effluent is reaching the drainfield; and

(6)           Conditions that prevented or hindered the inspection or determination of Subparagraph (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this Rule.

(c)  If a client declines to allow a tank to be pumped, the inspection form shall contain the statement:

"Client requesting this inspection has been advised that for a complete inspection to be performed, the tank needs to be pumped. Client has declined to have the tank pumped at inspection and hereby acknowledges they have so declined." A space shall be provided for the client signature and date.

(d)  The inspector shall not:

(1)           Insert any tool, probe, or testing device inside pump system control panels; or

(2)           Dismantle any electrical device or control other than to remove the covers of the main and auxiliary control panels.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90A-72; 90A-74;

Eff. October 1, 2011;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2016; April 1, 2014;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 9, 2018.