NC0021121_correspondence_20020516

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RECEIVED
N.C. Dept. of EHNFR
FEB 0 7 2001
Winston-Salem
Regional Office
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. [ %
Charles R. Fu11-.; ood, Executive Director
February 6, 2001
Mr. Uriah F. Reeves
1.05 Chase Trail
Elkin, North Carolina 28621-9061
RE: Town of Mount Airy and Ararat River Color Complaint, Surry County
Dear Mr. Reeves:
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Thank you for your letter of December 18, 2000 concerning color and water quality
issues relative to Mount Airy's wastewater treatment plant discharge into the Ararat River- As
you are aware, Ms. Marquette Cain, NC Division of Water Quality and I visited the area with you
on February 2, 2001..We visually inspected several stream segments along the Ararat River and
its tributaries.
Du:ring our meeting, you indicated ongoing odor problems downstream of the discharge
and that fish caught below the wastewater treatment plant are not fit to eat as they have a very
strong smell. Additionally, you indicated that stream color has never improved despite the color
issue being publicized in 1992. You also informed us that the color problems are worse during
the workweek due to textile mill operations. You expressed concern that wastewater from textile
operations and car -washing operations may be entering waters of the State from point sources and
possibly from intentional dumping.
On our site visit we observed that the discharge from the wastewater treatment plant did
discolor the river. Sudsing was observed in both the river below the discharge and upstream of
the river confluence in Lovill Creek. Lovill Creek and other tributaries appeared clearer than the
river. Some odor was noticeable in the area below the discharge. Textile plant holding ponds are
close to the river. We observed gates or valves that appeared to be associated with the bolding
ponds. However, no direct discharges or releases were observed.
The North Carolina. Wildlife Resources Commission does not have regulatory authority over
wastewater treatment plants. Your concerns should be directed to the Winston-Salem Regional
Office and Ms. Marquette. Cain at 336/771-4600. Mr. George Smith, who oversees the pre-
treatment program for the regional office, can also be contacted at this number. It would be
helpful to the Division of Water Quality if you would document any unusual events that occur in
the river. Color photographs and videos would be helpful if they are labeled with the exact
location, date, and time. This would be especially helpful if discharges are observed, from any
textile mill holding ponds or car washes. Color photographs could help indicate the severity of
the color associated with the wastewater treatment plant.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries & 1721 Mai! Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
telephone: (919) 73. --3633 ext. 28I Fax: [phone]

Mr. Uriah F. Reeves 2 02/06/01
Prior to concluding our visit, we met with Mr. Clarence Tate (789-9058). He also
indicated that he believes that he has seen direct discharges into the river that were associated
with textile mill activities. Should you see any suspicious discharges, you should report them
immediately to the Division of Water Quality by calling the State Emergency Operations Center
at 1.-800-858-0368 or the U.S..Environmental Protection Agency national response number at I-
800-424-8802. They are available 24 hours a day for.emergency calls.
I hope that this information will be helpful to you. Unless the current NPDES permit is
modified, the best time to request color limits for the Ararat River would be when the Mount Airy
permit is renewed in 2004. Thank you for your concern for the river and the environment. If you
have any further questions, you may contact me at 336/769-9453.
cc: Marquetta. Cain, .DWQ
Dave Goodrich, DWQ
Sincerely.
Ron Linville
Regional Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
all FEB 1 3 2001
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