SHARE:  
Erosion Control Rule Updates
Erosion Control Measures are required for all single family building lots. Typical measures include silt fence, construction entrance and established ground cover.
 
Since April, 2019, land disturbance permits have been required for all lots within active subdivisions or for rural lots with disturbance over 1 acre. Builders may apply for individual lot coverage or for a permit to cover all their lots within a subdivision.
 
Wake County has created a standard lot erosion control plan. If used, builders do not need to hire a design engineer. However, if you will be mass grading the lots, a custom erosion control plan will be needed.
 
For more information, call Wake County Environmental Services customer support at 919-856-7400.
Tips for Residential Lot Builders
If you're building a residential lot in Wake County, take these steps to make the process as smooth as possible: 
  • Once you receive approval for your land disturbance permit from Wake County, you will need to apply for permit coverage under the NCG01 from NCDEQ.
  • The Wake County permit is good for two years. The Certificate of Coverage under the NCG01 issued by NCDEQ is for one year and can be renewed.
  • Prior to clearing, upload your State certificate of coverage to the County Permit Portal and contact your erosion control inspector for a pre-construction meeting.
  • To close out the County permit, contact your erosion control inspector for final inspection and certificate of completion; permanent ground cover sufficient to restrain erosion is required.
  • To close out the NCDEQ Certificate of Coverage; upload the County certificate of completion to the NCDEQ Portal.
Remember: Both the Wake County Land Disturbance permit and the Certificate of Coverage under the NCG01 from NCDEQ, may be revised to add additional lots. 

Well Inspections Are Key to Project Completion
Timely completion of a construction project that relies on a private well depends on careful attention to well inspection requirements. Private wells serving new homes must pass required well construction inspections and meet water quality standards before a certificate of occupancy (CO) can be issued.
 
Every new private well must pass a grout inspection at the time the casing is installed. The well driller will schedule the grout inspection. 
 
Both new and existing wells must also pass a wellhead inspection. The wellhead inspection is usually scheduled by the well driller or pump installer. Before requesting the wellhead inspection, be sure the well has power and has been disinfected, and chlorine has been cleared from the well. 
 
At the time of the wellhead inspection, Wake County Environmental Services will also collect water samples required by the well permit. All wells serving new construction must pass testing for coliform bacteria and inorganics, but many well permits will also require testing for naturally-occurring uranium, pesticides, or volatile organic compounds. The required testing is specified by the permit and has already been paid for before the permit is issued.
 
Well testing can take two weeks or more to complete after the samples have been collected. Any exceedances of drinking water standards must be corrected and confirmed by lab testing before the CO can be released. In eastern Wake County, one in five wells will require treatment and re-testing for naturally-occurring uranium.
Tips for Scheduling Well Inspections

  • Call 919-856-7400 to schedule a well inspection. (For customer support in Spanish, call 919-856-7411.) Have your well permit number handy.
  •  Inspection calls are received 7:30AM-9:30AM. You can expect shorter hold times after 8:15AM.
  • If you are on hold, you can choose to receive a callback. The callback option will hold your place in line and call you back automatically as soon your turn comes up.
  • To check the status of your well inspection, check the Wake County Permit Portal.
Wastewater Permit Updates
 Permit applications submitted in accordance with Session Law 2018-114 Section 11(c) subtitled “LSS Evaluation”, have increased during the last quarter. These permit types allow a Licensed Soil Scientist to submit documentation of their evaluation of soil conditions and site features to produce design and construction features for a new wastewater system or repair of an existing system.  Environmental Service modified it’s staffing model to provide greater flexibility and improve responsiveness to SL 2018-114 permit requests. This modification improved permit turn-around times and received acknowledgement from two national builders. Environmental Services continues to evaluate and refine permit processes and looks forward to further collaboration with the building community.
Mobile Home Permitting
The Onsite Wastewater Section is developing a process to automate the mobile home park billing process. This program, led by Jeff Gunter and Justin Milstein, will allow park owners to receive invoices electronically and submit payment through the Energov cashiering program. This new procedure will save time, increase collection rates, and reduce funds spent on mailing. Stay tuned for more information!
Subdivision Permitting
The Wastewater Program is in the planning phase of resequencing it’s subdivision permitting process.  This program is intended to perform the soil evaluations and permitting prior to or in conjunction with subdivision recordation, which would greatly decrease the turn-around time when the builder is ready to begin the home construction process. 

Planning is still underway with other Wake County Departments and business partners. Developers interested in this process should reach out to Onsite Project Manager, John Kase, to express interest..
What would you like to see here?
Is there a topic that you would like to see covered in a future newsletter? Send us your ideas through the following email: waterquality@wakegov.com
Wake County Water Quality | wakegov.com/water