Guilford County, NC
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FAQs
Health Hazards
Tall grass in my neighborhood is still annoying and unsightly. What do I do about the tall grass in my neighborhood? Somebody should be responsible for mowing it!
Many neighbors complain about these. First, the neighborhood could ban together and mow the lot or yard. There is no law on the books that prohibits neighbors from doing that. Just because you mow the yard once, that does not mean you will be responsible from now on or until someone buys the lot or home.
If the vacant lots or foreclosed homes are inside the city limits of Greensboro or High Point, residents can call the city of Greensboro (336-373-2111) or city of High Point (336-883-3111) and request to have these areas mowed. These cities have the authority to mow these areas and attach fees for this service.
Tall grassy areas are not breeding areas for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can breed in just two teaspoons of water. The best way to be rid of a mosquito problem is to eliminate breeding sites. Here are some tips to reduce mosquito breeding sites in your yard or around your house:
- Discard all containers in your yard that can hold water such as tires, bottles, flowerpot saucers, small pools, buckets and tarps. If containers cannot be discarded, empty them at least every seven days.
- Keep gutters clean and in good repair.
- Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
- Clean and change the water in birdbaths and outside pet bowls at least twice a week.
- Screen or cover any outside rain barrels.
- Clean ornamental ponds and stock with goldfish or Gambusia fish that feed on mosquito larvae.
- Make sure screens on windows and doors fit tightly and are not torn. This will prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Prevent bites by wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors. Use a repellent containing DEET (10% or less for children; 30% or less for adults; none should be used on infants). Be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Following these simple tips can help prevent mosquito breeding areas and potential bites. Remember, tall grass does not breed mosquitoes, stagnant water is the problem breeding area.
There is a foreclosed/empty home in my neighborhood. I am afraid that the tall grass will cause more rats and snakes in my yard. What can I do?
The Guilford County Department of Public Health would like to provide residents with some clarifying information. Tall grass may be unsightly in residential areas, but is not a breeding areas for rodents (rats) or snakes. Rodents and snakes are natural predators and will not live in the same area. Rodents will only live in areas that are close to a food and water source. The following suggestions will help reduce or eliminate rodents near your home by reducing food sources and harborage (living) areas:
- When feeding pets outside
- Provide enough food in the morning and evening for the pet to eat in ten minutes (always provide fresh water). Pets will adjust to this feeding schedule in a few days.
- Remove any remaining food immediately. (This will prevent any other wild animals from coming into your yard as well, such as raccoons, coyotes, opossums, etc.)
- Keep food in sealed containers in the home or basement. Rodents have an excellent sense of smell and my go inside your home looking for food.
- Do not fill bird feeders if you have seen rodents in your yard. Rodents will live close to this food source.
- Do not throw food scraps outside in your yard. This will attract rodents and other wild animals quickly.
- Keep garbage can lids on tightly and replace any cans that have holes. A rodent can fit through a hole that is the size of a quarter.
- Be aware of other possible food sources, such as fruit trees or dog droppings.
- If you choose to purchase rat poison, put it in areas that cannot be reached by children, pets or other animals. You may want to use a special tamper-resistant bait box or over the counter poisons. Guilford County does not provide poisons but can help you identify possible food or harborage sources.
Removing food sources can go a long way to help prevent rodents and other wild animals from coming into or staying in your yard.
Most snakes in this area are not poisonous, but people should be very cautious around snakes. Snakes are not a public health problem, but many people are afraid of them. Leave snakes alone and they will likely leave your yard on their own.
- When feeding pets outside
Call Environmental Health at 336-641-3771.
Monitoring Permit
AFTER THE INITIAL PERMIT FEE IS SUBMITTED AND THE PERMIT OBTAINED, ARE THERE ADDITIONAL FEES REQUIRED?
Yes. Each year, there is an annual renewal fee due which is equivalent to the full permit fee initially paid at the time of issuance. The due date of the annual renewal fee will be based upon the date that the permit was issued.- No. Simply fax or mail Guilford County Environmental Health copies of the records upon completion of the well abandonment activities.
- Simply submit your request on company letterhead for the additional wells you wish to install (over the initial number permitted) along w/ a check for the amendment fee ($60 for each additional well).
- Simply call Donna Mack at (336) 641-6798 and explain your situation. An extension for the MW fee invoice date can generally be granted.
IS THE CURRENT FEE FOR INSTALLING A MONITOR OR RECOVERY WELL DIFFERENT FOR COMMERCIAL AND NONCOMMERCIAL SITES?
No. The current fees apply to all sites within Guilford County (commercial AND noncommercial), regardless of classification. The existing fee schedule is $600 for the 1st well and $60 for each additional well thereafter.- No. The county does not require a fee to abandon monitor or recovery wells. There IS a charge, however, to abandon supply wells. To obtain information or fees relating to supply wells, please contact Guilford County Water Quality (Septic & Wells) at (336) 641-7613.
WHAT DO I DO IF THE NUMBER OF MONITOR/RECOVERY WELLS ON THE INVOICE DO NOT MATCH THE NUMBER OF WELLS ONSITE?
Call Donna Mack at (336) 641-6798 and explain your situation. If any of the site wells have been destroyed or cannot be located, you must provide an explanation to our office in writing. If you have properly abandoned any wells prior to receiving our invoice, you must provide us with the well abandonment records immediately so our database can be changed to accurately reflect the number of wells onsite.- ALL monitor and/or recovery wells within Guilford County (onsite AND offsite wells) require permitting and payment prior to installation.
Onsite Waste Water
- Yes, they are required state wide.
- No, these inspections are required by the North Carolina on-site wastewater rules. The rules require that the local health department conduct these inspections.
- Yes, we often find things that need to be repaired or replaced that are preventative measures. This simply means if you will fix the problem now it may prevent sewage on top of the ground later.
- The number one way to protect your system is to keep the solids from getting into your drainfield. You can do this by:
'keeping your tank pumped every 3-5 years
'keeping your filter in place and cleaned as needed
'not flushing any cleaning solutions, chemicals or grease down the toilet or drain
'limit the use of the garbage disposal
'do not put backwash from a water softener into your septic tank.
'limit your water use as much as possible. - It is a septic system with usually one pump, installed with small diameter (1-1.25 inches) schedule 40 pipe. The system is installed shallow (12-14inches deep) with 4-6 inches of soil cover. It is installed in 18 inch wide trenches and designed to distribute effluent equally to all parts of the system, once the system has been pressurized. The system works well, but must be monitored and maintained by a certified operator.
- http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/osww_new// Department of Environmental and Natural Resources
http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_index.htm Small Flows Clearinghouse
http://soils.usda.gov/ NRCS Soils
http://www.nowra.org/ NOWRA
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html Pathogens or Harmful bacteria in wastewater
http://www.statelocalgov.net/state-nc.cfm#county State and Local Agencies
http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/home.cfm EPA Septic Systems
http://www.shelterpub.com/_shelter/ssom_additives.html Tank Additives Article
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/tacu/conted.html Certified Operator List - Your system may be in your front yard, back yard, or your entire system may not even be on your property. You may call in @641-7613 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM to get information about your system type and system location, providing we have an updated file on your property.
- The answer is many fold. All systems with pumps that were installed or repaired beginning July 1, 1992 are required to have inspections completed on certain intervals. Inspections are not required by state rules, if your neighbor does not have a pump on their septic system or if their pump system was installed prior to July 1, 1992.
Regulated UST
- Yes, the UST State Trust Fund assists owner, operators, and landowners to clean contaminated soils and groundwater at both commercial and non-commercial sites. If you discover a leak, submit a Trust Fund application to determine you eligibility for reimbursement.
- permit.
For a complete listing of the regulations visit the UST Web site at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/waste-management/ust. - Notify you regional office and submit form UST-3 thirty (30) days before you close the tanks. If the tanks are closed by a professional engineer or a licensed geologist, you may submit form UST-3 five (5) working days before closure.
Notify the local fire marshal?s office.
Thoroughly clean all tanks. Remove them from the ground or fill them with a solid, non-reactive material like sand or concrete.
Dispose of removed tanks properly. Ask you contractor about proper disposal. USTs are often cleaned and cut up for scrap metal. Qualified personnel should perform this dangerous work. Otherwise you may be held responsible for environmental damage.
Conduct a closure site assessment to check for leaks. Prepare your site assessment report using the UST-12 format. If a release is found, either a P.E. or L.G. must seal the report. If no release if found, no professional seal is required.
Submit the site assessment and form UST-2 to your regional office and ask for a copy of Guidelines for Tank Closure. - Report it to your regional office within 24 hours.
If the assessment shows contamination levels above acceptable levels, clean up is required. - An operator is one who is in control of, or has responsibility for, the daily operation of an UST system.
- Bring all tanks into compliance with the regulations, or
Permanently close them.
Owners/operators of non-compliant tanks may be penalized. - UST systems that store motor fuel (gasoline, kerosene, diesel, aviation fuel, etc.) for resale.
UST systems that contain motor fuel for business vehicles.
Farm or residential tanks that hold more than 1,100 gallons of motor fuel. - Owners and operators are equally responsible for complying with all applicable UST regulations.
UST Home
- No. The Non-Commercial Trust Fund has been phased out by Session Law 2015-241 Section 14.16A.
IF I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING UP CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY A HOME HEATING OIL TANK, WHAT DO I DO AFTER I REPORT THE CONTAMINATION?
First of all, soil samples need to be taken to determine how much contamination is present. Groundwater samples may also need to be taken, especially if groundwater is close to the contaminated soil. These samples must be analyzed by a qualified laboratory. To ensure that the sampling is completed properly, a professional must be retained. Depending upon the levels and extent of the contamination and depending upon geology, further assessment and cleanup may be necessary. The Health Department staff can be helpful in determining what further steps are needed.- If a leak from an aboveground tank is discovered, it must be reported to the Health Department office immediately. If cleanup is required, the Health Department will provide you with guidance about how to proceed. Unfortunately, North Carolina?s cleanup fund does not cover releases from aboveground storage tanks.
- If you discover signs of a leak, spill, or contamination, such as stains on the soil, strong petroleum odor, puddles of oil, etc. contact the Environmental Health Division of the Guilford County Department of Public Health immediately at (336) 641-7613. If you are responsible for the contamination, the Health Department will provide you with the appropriate information as to how to proceed.
- Home heating oil tanks are exempt from the closure requirements (closure of USTs means removing the contents, removing the tank from the ground or filling with a solid, inert material, such as sand, and analyzing soil samples for any possible contamination). Even though these closure requirements do not apply to home heating oil tanks, a tank owner is advised to empty a tank once it is no longer being used in order to limit the chances of release. Although it is not a requirement to remove old heating oil tanks, potential buyers are sometimes reluctant to purchase property with USTs; therefore removal may be a good idea in the interests of resale.
- Home heating oil tanks are exempt from the technical regulations that apply to other, regulated underground storage tanks (USTs). Even though home heating oil tanks are exempt from these technical regulations, some groundwater regulations will apply if there is a leak or spill from your tank.
- Many companies do environmental work. Typically, they can be found in the yellow pages of a telephone book under “Environmental Consultants”. When choosing a company, we recommend getting several estimates and references. Site assessments and cleanup work must be conducted under the responsible charge of a licensed geologist or professional engineer.
- Primarily, the statutory tank owner is responsible for cleaning up the contamination. Who the statutory tank owner is depends upon when the tank was last used. If the UST has been used on or after November 8, 1984, then the current landowner can be considered the statutory tank owner. If the UST was taken out of use before November 8, 1984, then the last person who used that UST is still considered the tank owner (even if they no longer own the property). For example, if you bought a house with a home heating oil tank on it and that tank has not been used since the 1970’s, you would not be considered the statutory tank owner (unless you used that tank). However, if that tank was taken out of use in 1985 (or anytime after November 8, 1984), you would be considered the tank owner (even if you never used it).