HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEQ-CFW_00058024NC Division of Water Resources Study Plan
Oven,iew
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources (DWR) proposes a study to screen surface waters in the
[ape Fear River basin for two water quality constituents of interest:
• Bromide (Br-)
Backp-ou�id
8�,Omftle
Bromide in surface water iu not health concern by itself. When water treatment plants (VVTPs) take in
surface water and disinfect with chlorine to produce drinking water, disinfection byproducts (DBPs) can
be created, indudin8triha|omethanes (THMs), ha|oaceticacids, bromate and chlorite. When the source
water contains elevated levels of bromide, brominated forms of THMs with higher molecular weights
are more likely to form, presenting both a greater risk to human health and an increased chance ofVVTP
exceedance of D8P criteria in drinking water.
Bromide sources infresh water may include saltwater intrusion, well drilling brines, industrial and
agricultural chemicals. Higher bromide concentrations may be observed during seasonal low flows
1,4-Dioxamm
1,4-Dioxane is a probable human carcinogen with drinking water advisory levels in place in several
countries and USstates (Mohr,ZU1O;Stepien,et at,JO14). Asawater quality contaminant, itishighly
persistent due to its "indefinite solubility in water" (Stepien, et aL, 2014). Conventional drinking water
treatment mechanisms have been found to be ineffective at removing 1,4-dioxane from source water.
However, it can be removed via advanced oxidation processes applying a combination of hydrogen
peroxide and other factors (Stepien, etoL, 2014; Water Research Foundation, 2014).
Sources of 1,4-dioxane include industrial solvents, paint strippers and varnishes, by-products of chemical
processes to manufacture soaps and plastics, and impurities in solvents, antifreeze and consumer
NC Division of Water Resources Study Plan
August 7, 2014
SWdy Objective
The study objective is to conduct a screening of the ambient bromide and 1,4-dioxane concentrations in
surface waters of the upper and middle Cape Fear River basin of North Carolina during all seasons.
Wdy Mee and Sampling Locations
DEQ-CFW 00058025
NC Division of Water Resources Study Plan
UGSG gages
Sampling Locations
Smaller Streams
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.................................. Maior Waters
Winston-Salem RO
0 10 20 40 Miles
August 7, 2014
Cape Fear River Basin
Bromide and 1,4-Dioxant
Study Sites
(NC Division of Water Resources,
OF
June 2014)
ki
DEQ-CFW-00058026
NC Division of Water Resources Study Plan
SWdy Scliedifle mid Sta0Qiig
Sampling will be conducted monthly for one year in order to capture seasonal variability in constituent
concentrations and flow. |tisanticipated that sampling will begin inAugust 2U14.
Sampling will be conducted by DWR staff members in the Winston-Salem and Wilmington regions clurin-V
their regular monthly ambient monitoring at 6 of the 12 stations. Stations B0210000 and BI will be
added to the monthly runs of the Winston-Salem region. No additional stations will be added to the
Wilmington monthly ambient monitoring. The remaining 6 stations will be sampled monthly by staff in
SWdyMlmffimds mid QA/QC
Sampling will be conducted according to methods described in North Carolina's Ambient Monitoring
System (AMS) Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) (NCDENR, 2014, Section B.2 and Appendices 7 and
O) and instructions provided by the contract laboratory for 1,4-dioxane collection. All samples to be
analyzed for bromide and 1,4'dioxanexviU be collected as near -surface (i.e. 0.1 meter depth) grab
samples.
One sample will be collected for the analysis of bromide and 1,4-dioxane at each site every month.
Additional quality assurance samples will be collected as requested by the DWR and contract
laboratories, and inaccordance with the AK8SCy\PP(NCDENR,2Ol4).
At each sampling event, a mu|d'parametermeter (e.g. Y3| Pro Plus with Ouatno cable orsimilar) will be
used in situ to measure instantaneous water temperature, pH, specific conductance and dissolved
oxygen values.
Method SW-846 8270 SIM (selected ion monitoring) will be used to evaluate the presence of 1,4-
dioxane at a contract laboratory to be determined. The practical quantitadonlimit (PQL)isexpected to
beapproximately 3 [ig/L Matrix spikes will beanalyzed toevaluate surface waters receiving different
types of inputs in which the potential for various types of interferences exist: B0750000 (domestic
wastewater effluent), B4050000(dam release), B7480000(urban stormxvater)and 88350000(sxvamp
1'romicle will be analyzed by the DWR Water Sciences Section, Microbiology & Inorganic Chemistry
'ranch, using EPA Method 300.0 with a PQL of I mg/L.
ffifoi�mmtiomNmmded from OUier Smnrcms
Surface discharge has been shown to be inversely related to 1,4-dioxane concentration in some cases.
Flow data from United States Geological Sodety(USGS) gages atornear sampling stations will be
downloaded asanexplanatory variable.
0
NC Division of Water Resources Study Plan
Aiialysis
Data for each sampling event will be reviewed promptly to allow modification of monitoring frequency
and other actions if indicated.
Study results will be summarized by parameter intabular and spatial formats. Data will be explored for
seasona|hy, flow dependency, and comparison with expected and advisory levels of the constituents of
interest. The small datauet (n=lZ per station) and short study dmeframewill preclude trend analyses;
however, the data are expected to beadequate to inform future directions related to bromide and 1,4-
diuxane in NC waters.
A written report of study results will be drafted by Water Sciences Section staff upon receipt of final,
quality -assured bromide and 1,4-dioxane results from the laboratories. The WSS Chief will provide
guidance on methods of providing reports to interested internal and public parties, and determining
future courses of action based on study results.
Em% �nmtmd Sft* Cost
The initial estimated cost for 1,4-dioxaneana|ysis, including matrix spikes, is $ZlOOO by contract lab.
More definitive costs will be established after selection of the laboratory. Bromide samples will be
analyzed in-house by the DWR WSS at a cost of $40.65 per sample, totaling approximately $6000. Other
study costs related tosampling and reporting will befor staff time. |tisexpected that during each
month of the study, an additional 10 minutes will be needed at each ambient site and that sampling at
the other four sites will take 1and Z hours inthe Winston-Salem and Fayetteville regions, respectively,
including travel time. The report including internal review will take approximately one and a half
months.
NC Division of Water Resources Study Plan
LitermWre Cited
Handke, P. 2008. Trihalomethane speciation and the relationship to elevated total dissolved solid
concentrations affecting drinking water quality atsystems utilizing the Monongahela River asa
primary source during the 3 d and 4 1h quarters of 2008. Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation.
K4ohr,T|i IOlO. Environmental Investigation and Remediation: 1/4-dioxaneand other solvent
stabilizers. CRC Press. In 1,4-Dioxane White Paper. 2014. Water Research Foundation.
(NCDENR) North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Division of Water
Resources, Environmental Sciences Section, Ecosystems Branch. IO14.Ambient Monitoring
System (AMS): Quality Assurance Project Plan, version 1.2.
environment: From sewage to drinking water. Water Research 48406-419.
Water Research Foundation. 2014. 1,4'DioxaneVVhhe Paper. Available ot
N.