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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0020184_CORRESPONDENCE_20030812 NPDES DOCUMENT SCAAININS COVER SKEET NPDES Permit: NC0020184 Gastonia — Long Creek WWTP Document Type: Permit Issuance Wasteload Allocation Authorization to Construct (AtC) Permit Modification orrespondenc 201 Facilities Plan Instream Assessment (67B) Environmental Assessment (EA) Permit History Document Date: August 12, 2003 Thf�docum�t i�a priszt�d o��u�paper-i�or��aay ooateat oa the reYez-tee aide O�Oo� W AT, 919 Michael F. Easley,Governor William G. Ross Jr-, Secretary y North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources S^ Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director p Division of Water Quality August 12, 2003 I-airy Cummings City of Gastonia P.O. Laos 1748 Gastonia, NC 28053 Subject. NPDFS Permit NCO020184 Nlercury Requirement 1:1'111A NIcthod 1031 / Additional Information Long Creek WVIT11 Gaston C()Untl' Dcar NPD1 S Permittee: Ina Prot=ious letter dated August 30, 2002, your facility WAS notified of being subject to a new loin-level rnercury analysis (EPA illethod 1631) for NPDIIS monitoring requirements beginning September 1, 2003. The notification letter was mailed to 155 subject facilities. Since that mailing, the Division has participated in several tMercury 1631 Workshops to provide the regulated community with information on the new analytical requirements and clean sampling recommendations. Based on connnents received at these workshops, the following items are intended to clarify certain NPDI_,S requirements for the 155 subject facilities. 1. Mercury Sampling and Compliance: It is recommended that facilities collect some effluent samples for Method 1631 analysis prior to the 9/1/2003 effective date, in order to gain experience with the recommended clean sampling techniques as well as the analysis requirements. NI'D13S compliance will be judged using the new method results beginning 9/1/2003. 2. What Samples are Subject_ to Method 1631: Beginning 9/l/2003, all effluent samples collected for mercury from the subject facility are required to perform louv level mercury analysis. This includes efflecnt samples collected for any of the following requirements: a) monitoring specified in your "Effluent Limitations and Aonitoring Requirem(2nts" page of your NI'DES permit; b) monitoring specified in your NPDF'S Pretreatment Short "Perm ]Monitoring Plan (STMP) or Long 'Perm Monitoring Plan (Ur NIP); and c) NPDI.S permit renewal requirements. ']'he effluent samples must be analyzed by a laboratory certified by the Division for iNlcthod 1631, and effluent results must be submitted with the applicable monthly Discharge Nloniroring Rcport (DNIR). 3. Grab Sampling: The Environmental Protection Agency (1_,PA) currently reco mmencis that mercury samples for NIcthod 1631 analysis be collected as grab samples, since automatic composite samplers may be more subject to contamination. 'Therefore, the Division will allow permittecs to collect single grab samples directly into lab- proviciccl sample bottles for hermit requirements, even though the NPDI",S permit may specify "composite" samples for mercury. "The grab sample must be representative of the discharge. 4. Laborator�� Reporting Level- Based on the Division's review of commercial laboratories currently performing tNlcthocl 1t,31, a majority of labs were reporting a minimum level of quantitation (Ml-) of either 1.0 ng/I or less. The Division will require an NI of l ng/1 beginning 9/1/2003, which is consicler-ed reasonable and economically achievable. 5. Field Blank Collection: tNlethod 1631 requires that a minimum of one field blank accompany each set of samples collected from the sanie site at the same time, The field blank is used to identify COntamination during sample colection and transport activities. if mercury is present in the field blank at levels that would compromise reliable trteasurcrnenr of mercury in the wastewater sample, you should assume° that the effluent sample was Contaminated cluring collection or transit, and }'cru tt-ill need to eliminate any source of contamination that has been identified. The pernniucc shall report all effluent sample results on the applicable monthly DiN1R. If a tielcl blank fails to meet quality control criteria, the permittee should note that fact in the DNIR Cotnnietirs Section, and append the lab sheer for that tielcl blank. For Those facilities sampling for mercury under a hi-nited monitoring frequency (quarterly or less, such as Pretreatment 1.;1`.N'IP/S'I'sNll' nionitorino, , you must resample if the €ield blanks are outside cluality control criteria- 1-b)wevcr, for those Facilities with more freduent effluent rnonituring requirements wwr N.C. Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 (919)733-7015 Customer Service 1 800 623-7748 tC1 NPDES Mercury RcquirerrtCrtt Page 2 of 2 (i.e., monthly or more frC(Iucnt), resamplin7 is not required if field blank qualit. control criteria arc not achicvCd For a given sample event. Refer to Method 1631, Revision E-' (Section 9.4.5.2- Quality Control- ficicl Blanks), for speciFtc quality control criteria regarding field blank acceptabilit\ are] CFEluent sample reliability. G. Field Blank SnbtraCCion: Method 1631 provides For subtraction of fielei blanks (provided the}• meet quality control criteria defined above) from the eftIuent sample result if deemed appropriate by a regulatorV agency. Upton review, the Division will not allow ficicl blank subtraction froth effluent samples for reporting purposes. Based on a recent study using NIc'thod 1631 for wastewater samples collected at 38 xastcwntcr treatment plants, field blank concentrations were generally belcoa- the method duantitatiOn IevCI. Therefore, beginning 9/l/2003, the permiucc shall report the result rof the cfflucnt sample as proviclecl by the certified lab, without field blank subtraction, on the monthly DIMR submission. In the event of a mercury limits violation, the permittce retains the option to request rcmissimi of any penalty. if the permittce believes that the violation resulted from background contamination as indicated by the field blank, the permiace will need to doCttment that fact with Field blank qualitti' control data. 7. Sample Prescrvation/E Ir>Idin r Tinics: Samples for total merCury analysis by Method 1631 mast be ct:tllcctcci in tightly-capped fluoropolymer or glass bottles and preserved with BrCI or 1-10 within 48 hours of sample collection. The time to sample preservation may be extended to 28 days if a sample is oxidized in the sample I)Ottle. Samples must be analyzed within 90 clays of sample collection. If you have any questions about the contents of this letter,please contact the applicable Division staff listed below: Nlcrcury Nlethod: Rov Byrd 919-733-3908, extension 213 Certified Labs for Method 163 L- Fred Bone 919-733-3908,extension 273 NPDE.S Permitting: 'porn Belnick 919-733-5083,extension 543 NPD1_S Compliance: Vanessa l'lanuel 919-733-5083,extension 532 NPDE S Pretreatment: Dana Folic}' 919-733-5083, extension 523 Sincerely, Original Signet! By David A. Goodrich Alan W. Klimck, cc (hardeopy): CLAN(",c/u Lew Flicks, F nvironmcntal Chemist Inc.,6002 Windmill Wa},,Wilmington, NC__ 28,105 MVQ Re};iunal Otf7ces,WlItcr Quality CC (entail): UTA RC:,Iion 4, MadOly°ot 1)0111in)',c\Iarshall L!`'att MVQ 1V/atcr Quality Secmm; Regional OMCC Supervisors DWQ I,ahroramry Scctiun;Stcec Tedder, Lamv Ausley,]in3 'Meyer, R()t Byrd, bred Bo nc l)1\10 tModelinl;/TNIDI-, Nlichelle Woolfolk D\V(5 NPD1 S Compliance, V1 uwssa Manual D\VQ Prctreatntctn Unit D\VQ NPDES Unit NC League of MUnicipalitics, Anita Watkins NC: Labs Certified COr 1\Icth0d I63le NCO020184 14 �0F W A 7F9Q Michael F.Easley,Governor �O G William G. Ross Jr.,Secretary - 7 North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources � Alan W.Klimek, P.E.,Director 0 -C Division of Water Quality August 30. 2002 Subject: NPDES Mercury Requirement Implementation of EPA Method 1631 Dear NPDES Permittee: Mercury continues to be a water quality concern throughout North Carolina. Fish consumption advisories and impaired stream segments as a result of elevated mercury levels have been issued for several locations. NPDES permittees have,worked with the state to reduce potential risks from this pollutant, including tasks associated with collecting and reporting more accurate data. The most commonly used laboratory analysis for total mercury (EPA Method 245.1) has a method detection level of 0.2 ug/l, while the current water quality standard is an order of magnitude lower at 0.012 ug/l. Thus, true compliance with the water quality standard could not be judged. A more recently approved laboratory method (EPA Method 16311 should produce a detection level below the water quality standard, which would allow the Division to assess potential water quality impacts from dischargers more accurately. Therefore, this letter serves as notification to your facility that effective September 1, 2003, you will be required to begin using EPA Method 1631 (or subsequent low-level mercury methods approved by EPA in 40 CFR 136) when analyzing for total mercury. Your facility is subject to this new requirement because either 1) your facility has a current total mercury limit in its NPDES permit that is <0.20 ug/l; or 2) your facility has limited instream dilution (i.e., the instream waste concentration (1WC) is >6%). This requirement complies with 15 A NCAC 2B.0505(e)(4), which requires that "test procedures must produce detection and reporting levels below the permit discharge requirements." Mercury Laboratory Analysis - EPA Method 1631 On June 22, 1999, the US EPA approved a new analytical method (EPA Method 1631) for measuring very low concentrations of mercury in water. Subsequent revisions to Method 1631 include Revision C (current approved method) and Draft Revision D (scheduled for promulgation in October 2002). Method 1631 has a minimum level of quantitation of 0.0005 ug/I (0.5 ng/1), which is 400-times more sensitive than Method 245.1. The new method requires a clean laboratory environment which generally requires some lab retrofitting; thus, many permittees will likely contract a commercial lab to perform the analysis. Based on data compiled by Ohio EPA, commercial labs that are currently analyzing for EPA Method 1631 charge between $50-90 per sample, with turnaround times ranging from 5-28 days. Currently there is one commercial lab certified by North Carolina for EPA Method 1631. However. it is anticipated that several additional labs will also offer this analysis in the future as the demand for this method increases. When selecting a lab to perform low level mercury analyses, the permittee should review the lab's performance, experience, and reliability with the method, as well as cost considerations. Attachment A provides additional information on this method. Mercury Clean Sampling Techniques - EPA Method 1669 The greatest risk of contaminating the wastewater sample for low-level mercury analysis is during the sample collection effort. Thus, those facilities subject to EPA Method 1631 will also need to evaluate clean sampling recommendations provided in EPA Method 1669. Attachment A provides highlights on this method. NPDES Compliance All mercury monitoring data submitted to the Division will be reviewed for compliance with current effluent limits. If the permit contains monitoring only, the new method must still be used, and the need for a permit limit will be evaluated at a later date by comparing a statistical evaluation of the effluent data with the water quality standard and corresponding allowable effluent concentration. Therefore, the potential problem of sample contamination cannot be overemphasized, since it could result in NPDES effluent limits for total mercury, increased monitoring costs, and possibly unnecessary violations. All data submitted to the Division for NPDES compliance monitoring requirements are the responsibility of the permittee. Therefore, facilities subject to this new method are strongly encouraged to begin evaluating sampling methods and commercial labs before the deadline date, to ensure that field staff are property trained in the use of"clean sampling" techniques, and sampling and lab procedures are fully developed to minimize sample contamination. *A AX NCDENR N. C.Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh,NC 27699-1617 1919)733.7015 Customer Service 1 800 623-7748 li f NPDES Mercury Requirement Page 2 of 3 Additional Information For additional information and guidance regarding EPA Methods 1631/1669, the permittee may consult the following resources: North Carolina Division of Water Quality Laboratory Analysis: Roy Byrd, 919-733-3908, ext. 213 Lab Certification: Lab Staff. 919-733-3908 Clean Sampling: Sandy Mort. 919-733-2136, ext 245 NPDES Permitting: Tom Belnick, 919-733-5083, ext 543 Pretreatment:: Tom Poe. 919-733-5083. ext 522 US Environmental Protection Agency Method 1631/1669 Questions: Maria Gomez-Taylor.202-566-1005 EPA Sample Control Center, 703-461-2100 Websites: http:/Zwww.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/g,uidance/per-mitlOatt3.pdf The state of Ohio EPA provides an updated listing of laboratories providing contract services for EPA Method 1631, including costs, turnaround time. and lab contacts. The labs are identified for informational purposes only, and do not constitute an endorsement. The listed commercial laboratories may also provide advice on training, equipment, and sampling techniques appropriate for Method 1631. http://www.epa.gov/ost/methods1 163 L.h tml This EPA site provides information on the 1631 Method requirements and implementation guidance. httT)://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/lab This DWQ site provides information on EPA Methods (including 1669 clean sampling techniques)• and a listing of state-certified labs for EPA Method 1631. http://www.h2o.enr.state.nc.tis/NPDES/NPDESweb.html:click Documents This DWQ website includes a copy of this letter plus a list of facilities currently subject to EPA Method 1631. Conclusion The Division realizes that changing the method of mercury measurement will not be without difficulty on the part of the permittees, The requirement will affect approximately 155 facilities with mercury limits and/or monitoring requirements. These permittees will need to evaluate available laboratories, costs, and sampling techniques. For these reasons, the implementation date for EPA Method 1631 was delayed until September 1, 2003. The Division thanks you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter. if you have any questions about the contents of this letter, please contact the applicable staff listed above. Sincerely, ' J. William Reid, PE Supervisor, Point Source Branch cc(hardeopy):CLANC,c/o Lew Hicks.Environmental Chemistry Inc..6602 Windmill Way.Wilmington,NC 2B405 cc)email): EPA Region 4.Marshall Hyatt.Scott Gordon. Roosevelt Childress DWQ Water Quality Section:Coleen Sullins. Regional Offices DWQ Laboratory Section:Steve Tedder. Larry Ausley.Jim Meyer, Roy Byrd.Connie Brower DWQ Aquatic"toxicology Unit. Sandy Mort DWQ Pretreatment Unit.Tom Poe DWQ Modeling/TMDL. Michelle Wootfulk DWQ NPDES Compliance Unit.Shannon Langley DWQ NPDES Unit MCIC. Michael Johnson NC League of Municipalities,Paula Thomas Clean Water Fund of NC, Hope Taylor Severn Trent.Lab,Ohio. Mark Bruce ' NPDES Mercury Requirement Page 3 of 3 ATTACHMENT A Summary of EPA Methods 1631/1669 Effluent samples collected for mercury may become contaminated by numerous routes, including: 1) metal- containing labware, reagents, containers, and sampling equipment: 2) improperly cleaned or stored equipment: and 3) atmospheric mercury inputs in dirt and dust. Even human contact can be a source of mercury contamination (e.g., mercury amalgam fillings in the mouths of lab/field personnel can contaminate samples directly exposed to exhalation). Thus, it is essential that every effort be made to minimize sample contamination during collection. The US EPA provides recommendations to minimize contamination during sample collection in EPA Method 1669: Sampling Ambient Water for Determination of Trace Metals at EPA Water Quality Criteria Levels. This guidance describes a "clean hands/dirty hands" sampling technique to collect mercury samples, which is ideally performed with two people. A designated "clean hands" sampler handles all operations involving direct contact with the sample bottle, while the "dirty hands" sampler is responsible for all activities that do not involve direct contact with the sample bottle. This team sampling technique is recommended as a means to minimize sample contamination, but is not required. The US EPA is developing a trace metal sampling guidance strictly for effluent collection (Method 1670). The permittee will need to evaluate the various sampling recommendations and develop a sampling strategy appropriate for their particular situation. The overall philosophy behind any mercury sampling strategy should be to ensure that any object or substance that contacts the sample is nonmetallic and free from any material that may contain metals, in order to produce a reliable mercury measurement. Requirements and recommendations for EPA Method 1631 and clean sampling for low level mercury include: ■ It is strongly recommended that the permittee discuss sample collection, preservation, and shipping requirements with their laboratory, to ensure that the most current requirements of Method 1631 will be met. There have been several revisions to EPA Method 1631, and Revision D is proposed. ■ Each laboratory must perform and meet the minimum requirements of Method 1631 Quality Control. ■ Effluent samples for mercury analysis must be collected in clean fluoropolymer or borosilicate glass containers. It is recommended that the permittee request appropriate clean sample bottles or a mercury sampling kit from their lab. ■ Method 1631 requires that a minimum of one field blank accompany each set of samples collected at a given site. The field blank is used to identify contamination from sample collection and transport. If mercury is present in the field blank at levels that would compromise reliable measurement of mercury in the wastewater sample, you should assume that the sample was contaminated during collection or transit, and you will need to eliminate any source of contamination that has been identified and possibly resample. Including the field blank, the permittee should budget for two samples per monitoring event. ■ Samples must be preserved or analyzed within 48-hours after collection. Samples do not need to be refrigerated/iced during shipment provided they are tightly capped, shipped overnight to the lab, and preserved or analyzed by the lab within 48 hours of collection (per Draft Revision D). • If the samples are preserved within 48 hours, then they have a maximum holding time of 90 days prior to analysis (per Draft Revision D). ■ Sampling personnel must wear clean, non-talc latex gloves during sample collection and handling. • EPA currently recommends that mercury samples for Method 1631 analysis be collected as grab samples, since automatic composite samplers may be subject to contamination and loss of mercury via volatilization. Therefore, the Division will allow permittees to collect single grab samples directly into lab-provided sample bottles for permit requirements. The grab sample must be rcprescntative of the discharge. ■ If the person collecting the sample cannot directly reach the wastewater stream, a pole-type sampler may be attached to the sample bottle to extend the reach for sample collection. The pole and bottle clamp should be made of plastic and/or stainless steel and the mouth of the bottle should be held facing upstream of the pole. The use of a transfer vessel should be avoided. • All sampling equipment must be nonmetallic, or free of material that may contain metals. All materials that will directly or indirectly contact the sample must be cleaned using the procedures in Method 1631. • To minimize atmospheric contamination, do not sample during rainy weather or when the wind could blow dust particles into the sample bottle. To minimize human contamination, do not breathe into the sample bottle if you have mercury amalgam fillings in your teeth. ■ Sampling personnel should be trained in techniques for sampling mercury at low levels. Sample collection via the "clean hands/dirty hands" technique is recommended, but not required. • Since Method 1631 is performance-based, there is some flexibility in Method requirements.