NC0003298_MONITORING REPORT_19990629

NPDBS DOCYNENT SCANNINS COVER SHEET I
NPDES Permit:
NC0003298
Riegelwood Paper Mill
Document Type:
Permit Issuance
Wasteload Allocation
Authorization to Construct (AtC)
Permit Modification
Correspondence
Monitoring Report
Instream Assessment (67B)
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Permit
History
Document Date:
June 29, 1999
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INTERNATIONAL PAPER
June 29, 1999
Mr. Tommy Stevens
North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
P. O. Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
Subject: International Paper, Riegelwood Mill
NPDES Permit NCO003298
Semiannual Mercury Monitoring Report
Dear Mr. Stevens:
RIEGELWOOD MILL
JOHN L. RIEGEL ROAD
RIEGELWOOD, NC 29456
PHONE [phone] EM,
V°'h,teil
D�
JUL 2 1999
DIV. OF WATER QUALITY
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
CERTIFIED MAIL: Z 433 708 771
Attached please find the first semiannual mercury monitoring report for 1999. This report
includes monitoring results, findings and appropriate mercury reduction and control
opportunities pursuant to the Special Conditions in the Supplement to Effluent Limitations and
Monitoring Requirements per the subject permit.
In the second semester 1998 mercury report, we stated that effluent mercury concentrations
increased and the cause for the upward trend was under investigation. It was also noted that
HoltraChem (HCM) mercury loading had decreased for the period. Since that time,
International Paper found discrepancies in mercury loadings and lab analyses reported by HCM.
Duplicate samples of HCM 4% caustic (after it crosses the IP fence line) were obtained in
January of this year and sent to Oxford Laboratories (Wilmington, NC) for analysis. The
Oxford results were higher than those reported by HCM on the same stream. The results
appear below in Table I. Because of these disparities, International Paper requested that
HoltraChem: 1) place composite samplers on their 4% caustic solution, 50% caustic solution,
chlorinated water, and stormwater streams, 2) have composite samples analyzed by an outside
lab (Oxford) and 3) report results daily as HCM receives them. The samplers were in place by
March I, 1999, and they began using Oxford for their mercury analyses in February, 1999.
Table 1 : 4% Mercury Analyses from Oxford and HCM labs
Date:
Oxford Labs Results
for 4% Caustic Sample
HCM Lab's Results for 4%
Caustic Sample
Jan. 11, 1999
2,440 ppb
14 ppb
Jan. 12, 1999
676 ppb
54 ppb
Jan. 13, 1999
5,000 ppb
20 ppb
Jan. 14, 1999
3,150 ppb
121 ppb
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The more rigorous sampling showed higher than expected concentrations of mercury in their
4% caustic, chlorinated water, and stormwater streams. On April 8, 1999, HCM shut down
and began deconstruction and decommissioning of their mercury cell plant ahead of original
schedule.
Page three contains three graphs. The first graph represents mercury received in HoltraChem
(HCM) products and wastewater from January, 1997, through June, 1999. The graph is a
running seven (7) day average of mercury pounds per day received from their effluent and
product streams. The second graph shows HCM semester loading through June 23, 1999. The
third graph represents the mill's semester effluent mercury concentrations through June 14,
1999.
Riegelwood Mill's effluent mercury concentrations were below detect (<0.2 ppb) during April
and part of May this year. In May, HCM loading increased, followed by an increase in our
effluent mercury concentration. Although HCM shut down their mercury cell plant, they
continue to send decommissioning water as dilution water in their 4% caustic product and their
stormwater to our wastewater treatment process. HCM is reportedly actively pursuing better
controls for these streams to reduce their loading.
In regards to the construction of HoltraChem's new process, David McPhearson, Assistant
Plant Manager HMC Riegelwood, informed representatives of International Paper's Riegelwood
Mill that start up of the new membrane cell caustic plant is now scheduled for July 23, 1999.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this report, please contact E. J. Kreul at (910)
655-6229, or contact me directly at [phone]
Sincerely,
?N,A-A�
L. O. Grissom
Mill Manager

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