HomeMy WebLinkAboutREE_InspRpt_AttA_2023CENTRAL VALLEY REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
INSPECTION REPORT
31 October 2023
DISCHARGER/LAND OWNER: Rare Earth Estates Subdivision
4128 Tiberon Way
Chico, CA 95973
FACILITY: Rare Earth Estates Subdivision
CONTACT(S): Patrice Sorenson, Operator, Hydrotec Solutions
INSPECTION DATE(S): 12 July 2023
INSPECTED BY: Josh Smith, Engineering Geologist,
Central Valley Water Board
David Durette, Senior Water Resources Control Engineer,
Central Valley Water Board
CONSENT/WARRANT: Patrice Sorenson, Operator,
Hydrotec Solutions
CIWQS INSPECTION ID: 53513122
WDID: 5A04NC00031
WDR ORDER NUMBER: R5-2014-0153-DWQ-R5264
BACKGROUND
The Rare Earth Estates wastewater treatment system (Facility) is located at
4128 Tiberon Way, Chico, Butte County. The Facility is regulated by the Central Valley
Regional Water Quality Control Board (Central Valley Water Board) under Waste
Discharge Requirements (WDR) Order 2014-0153-DWQ-R5264. The Facility was
enrolled in these WDRs in 2018 and was previously enrolled in WDR Order
R5-2008-0095.
Central Vallely Waterboard staff contacted Hydrotec Solutions staff, the Facility
operator, in June 2023 to perform a compliance inspection of the Facility since records
showed that one had not been completed since the enrollment of the Facility in the
current WDR’s in 2018. No problems have been reported at the site and reporting has
been completed on time and completely by Hydrotec Solutions. It was decided that a
site visit would be helpful to familiarize new Water Board staff with the site and to go
over any issues or questions either party may have.
Rare Earth Estates Subdivision - 2 - 31 October 2023
SITE DESCRIPTION
The Rare Earth Estates Subdivision is located at 4128 Tiberon Way, Butte County.
Currently the wastewater treatment facility serves 12 homes with the subdivision being
fully built out at this time (Photos 1 & 2). Each home is equipped with 1,500-gallon
below grade septic tank that discharges to a septic tank effluent pump (STEP) system
which pumps partially treated effluent to a centrally located treatment facility. The
treatment system consists of a 5,000-gallon recirculation tank, two Orenco AX-100
textile filter pods, and a 1,500-gallon dosing tank. After treatment the effluent is
alternately dosed to two subsurface dispersal fields (leach fields). The dispersal fields
consist of 2,950 linear feet of dispersal lines and is divided into six dispersal zones. The
six zones are divided into two fields which alternate treated effluent delivery. The
wastewater disposal system has a maximum designed discharge flow to the dispersal
field(s) of 4,500 gallons per day (gpd). A generalized facility map can be seen in
Photo 2.
INSPECTION OBSERVATIONS
Central Valley Water Board staff arrived at the site at 9:30 a.m. and met with
Patrice Sorenson and Kayla Rogers of Hydrotec Solutions. The weather was sunny with
clear skies and warm temperatures, approximately 75 F. Patrice Sorenson gave
consent for the site inspection and collect photographs.
First, we observed the treatment system including the Orenco treatment filter pods,
tanks valving and control panel (Photos 3,4,5 & 6). The system is secured behind
fencing and the control panel is equipped with auditory and visual alarms in case of
system faults. The operators noted the system has not had any problems in the past
few years and has required nothing more than normal maintenance.
Next, we observed the dispersal field area and piezometers standpipes (Photos 7 & 8).
The dispersal area is maintained by the mowing of grasses and weeds and is fenced
along the road way adjacent to the site. The operators noted that surfacing effluent has
never been observed at the site. Furthermore, the piezometers had not shown any
occurrence of ground water except for a limited time during the previous wet winter.
Staff left the site around 10:15am.
Rare Earth Estates Subdivision - 3 - 31 October 2023
SUMMARY
Based on the inspection findings, the Facility appears to be generally well-maintained
and operated as designed and within requirements observed in the current permit.
Inspector
_____________________________________
Josh Smith, P.G.
Engineering Geologist
Reviewer
_____________________________________
David Durette
Senior Water Resources Control Engineer
Attachments: Appendix A – Inspection Photographs 1-8
Rare Earth Estates Subdivision - 1 - 31 October 2023
ATTACHMENT A – Inspection Photos
Photo 1 – Site location map
Photo 2 – Generalized site layout map showing Housing Development,treatment area
and Leach field dispersal area.
Rare Earth Estates Subdivision - 2 - 31 October 2023
Photo 3 – The two Orenco filter pods looking west-northwest.
Photo 4 – The two Orenco treament pods looking west-southwest.
Rare Earth Estates Subdivision - 3 - 31 October 2023
Photo 5 – Pump control panel.
Photo 6 – Internals of Pump control panel.
Rare Earth Estates Subdivision - 4 - 31 October 2023
Photo 7 – Leach field area looking east.
Photo 8 – Piezometer at southwest of leach field area.