WQ0002702_Regional Office Historical File Pre 2018 (18)

Division of Water Quality
Biological Assessment Unit
8 May 2007
Memorandum
To: Jimmie Overton
Through: Trish MacPherson
From: Michael Walters
Re: Results of benthic sampling of site downstream of Alchem Inc. facility, Rockwell NC
Introduction
On 21 March 2007 the Biological Assessment Unit (BAU) received a request from Kim Colson with the Aquifer
Protection Section to investigate possible impacts to an unnamed tributary to Second Creek below the Alchem
Inc. facility in Rockwell NC. Subsequently, contact was made with Ellen Huffman of Mooresville Regional Office to
further discuss the issue. Alchem Inc. is a producer of alum (aluminum sulfate) for use in wastewater treatment.
Potential impacts to the stream below the facility are low pH, high aluminum concentration, and habitat alteration
due to the movement of sand from the facility to the adjacent streambed.
Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled from a site approximately 950 meters downstream of the Alchem
facility on an unnamed tributary to Second Creek (figure 1). A second site was sampled on the same day on
another unnamed tributary to Second Creek to assess background conditions.
Methods
The study site below the Alchem facility was selected with the aid of a topographic map and the judgment of BAU
staff. The two considerations for study site selection were: 1) a drainage area of sufficient size such that adequate
flow for benthic sampling could be reasonably assured; 2) above relatively large tributaries so that dilution would
not mask the potential effects of the facility on water quality.

Potential reference sites were selected that had the following characteristics as determined from topographic
maps and aerial images: 1) near a road crossing for ease of access; 2) a drainage area of similar size to the site
downstream of Alchem; 3) a similar density of residences within the drainage area with respect to the Alchem site;
4) very few or no small impoundments in the drainage area. Two such potential reference sites were identified.
On 25 April 2007, benthic macroi nverteb rates were collected from the study site downstream of the Alchem
facility near Rockwell in Rowan County. The sample was collected using Qual-4 methods (2006. Standard
Operating Procedures for Benthic Macroinvertebrates. NCDENR DWQ Biological Assessment Unit). The Qual-4
sample is a composite of four collections: a kick, a sweep, a leaf -pack, and "visual' collections. All organisms
were picked in the field.
The two potential reference sites were reconnoitered. One of the two sites was rejected due to the presence of
livestock adjacent to the stream at the site. The second reference site was selected as the reference site, though
macroinverteb rate habitat suffered by the dominance of sand. As for the Alchem site, a benthic collection using
Qual-4 methods was made at the site selected as the reference.
The purpose of benthic sampling is to inventory the aquatic fauna and produce an indication of the relative
abundance of organisms for each taxon. Organisms are classified as Rare (1-2 specimens, denoted by "R" on
taxa tables), Common (3-9 specimens, "C"), or Abundant (>_10 specimens, "A"). Data from the inventory are
entered to a relational database.
Several data summaries (metrics) are calculated from those benthic data to facilitate the detection of water quality
problems. The metrics are based on a long history of observations and studies that show unstressed streams and
rivers have higher invertebrate diversity and a relatively high proportion of intolerant species. Conversely, polluted
streams have lower invertebrate diversity and are dominated by tolerant species. The diversity of the invertebrate
fauna is evaluated using taxa richness (i.e. the total number of distinct taxa present); the tolerance of the stream
community is evaluated using a biotic index (derived from the response of each taxon to the presence of
generalized stressors).
Two especially robust metrics are used extensively by the BAU for evaluating water quality in North Carolina: EPT
richness and the North Carolina Biotic Index (NCBI). Taxa within the three EPT insect orders (Ephemeroptera,
Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) are generally intolerant of many kinds of pollution. Therefore, higher EPT taxa
richness values indicate better water quality. Sampling was performed outside of the summer sampling window
(June through September) on which EPT criteria are based; therefore, before determining a bioclassification, EPT
taxa richness was corrected to remove winter -spring stoneflies that would not be present in summer (Appendix 1).
When comparing EPT richness between stream sites within the same season the uncorrected values are used.
The relative tolerance of the macroi nverteb rate community to stressors, as summarized by the NCBI, is also used
to help evaluate water quality. Both tolerance values for individual taxa and the final biotic index values have a
range of 0-10, with higher numbers indicating more tolerant taxa and more polluted conditions respectively. As
with EPT richness, it is necessary to adjust the BI, which is based upon summer sampling, for seasonality. For
piedmont samples collected during the spring sampling window (March through May) a value of 0.20 is added to
the biotic index before determining a bioclassification. When comparing biotic index values between stream sites
within the same season the unadjusted NCBI values are used.
Criteria for stream sites with a drainage area of less than 3 mi2 have not yet been developed by the BAU; such
sites are sampled using Qual-4 sampling methods and assigned a rating of either "Not Impaired" or "Not Rated"
based upon EPT richness criteria for EPT samples on larger streams. Sites that would rate Good -Fair or better
are considered "Not Impaired"; otherwise the stream is classified as "Not Rated." Piedmont criteria were used in
this study.
Fish/macroinvertebrate habitat was evaluated at both sites using a qualitative scoring system designed for
mountain and piedmont streams. A score was given to each of the following habitat components: degree of
channel modification; amount and variety of in -stream habitat; substrate composition; pool frequency and variety;
riffle length and frequency; stream -bank stability; light penetration; and riparian vegetative zone width. The scores
for each habitat component were summed to give an overall habitat score for each of the sites. Values for the
overall score range from 1 to 100.

Several physicochemical properties of the streams at both sites were measured. Data for temperature, dissolved
oxygen, and specific conductance were collected using a YSI-85 multi -meter. Measurements for pH were
collected using an Accumet AP61 meter.
Study Sites
unnamed tributary to Second Creek off Deer Chase Lane, Rockwell / Rowan County—"Akhem site"
Drainage area: 0.5 mi2
Stream width: 1.5 m
Stream depth: 0.2 m average
0.3 m maximum
Channel
characteristics:
Riffles and pools:
Substrate:
Habitat:
Bank
characteristics:
Riparian zone:
Canopy:
Habitat score:
Specific
conductance:
pH:
little sinuousity
pools frequent, though of similar
size; riffles infrequent, though
well-defined
mostly cobble, sand, and gravel;
cobbles moderately embedded
rocky substrate, sticks,
leafpacks, snags, undercut
banks, and root mats were all
common or abundant
erosional areas present; sparse mixed bank vegetation
with breaks; wide on left, narrow on right with adjacent fallow field
provides full shade to stream surface
72 (out of 100)
286 Nmhos/cm
6.8
unnamed tributary to Second Creek off SR 1006 / Rowan County —"reference site"
Channel
characteristics:
Riffles and pools:
Substrate
Habitat:
Bank
characteristics:
Riparian zone:
Canopy:
Habitat score:
Specific
conductance:
pH:
natural, sinuous
pools frequent, though of similar
size; riffles infrequent, though
well-defined
mostly sand, with small areas of
bedrock, boulder, cobble, and
silt
sticks, leafpacks, undercut
banks, and root mats were
either abundant or common;
rocky substrate, snags, and logs
were rare
bank vegetation healthy and of diverse types; one bank with a small amount of erosion
present
wide, though with a few breaks on both banks
provides a good mix of light and shade
71
78 Nmhos/cm
6.6

Results
Habitat conditions, physical and chemical water data, and geographical coordinates for the study and reference
sites are given in Table 1. Summary biological metrics and resultant bioclassifications are given in Table 2. Taxa
identified and the corresponding abundance classifications for the study and reference sites are given in Appendix
1.
Table 1. Habitat conditions, physical and chemical water data, and geographical coordinates for study (Deer
Chase Lane) and reference (SR 1006) sites sampled for benthic
macroinvertebrates on 25 April 2007.
Stream
UT Second Cr
UT Second Cr
Site Location
off Deer Chase Ln
off SR 1006
County
Rowan
Rowan
Drainage area (mil)
0.5
0.5
Collection date
25-Apr-07
25-Apr-07
BAU sample number
10158
10159
Habitat Scores
Channel modification
4
5
In -stream habitat
18
12
Bottom substrate
11
3
Pool variety
8
8
Riffle habitats
12
12
Bank stability and vegetation
6
13
Light penetration
8
10
Riparian vegetative zone width
5
8
Total Habitat
72
71
Other Habitat
Average stream width (m)
1.5
1.5
Average stream depth (m)
0.2
0.3
Canopy (%)
100
70
Substrate (%)
Bedrock
0
10
Boulder
5
5
Cobble
35
5
Gravel
20
0
Sand
30
75
Silt
10
5
Physicochemical
Temperature (°C)
15.8
19.4
Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)
6.6
6.1
Specific conductance (pmhos)
286
78
pH
6.8
6.6
Coordinates
Latitude (0)
35.567
35.551
Longitude (0)
-80.413
-80.459
Latitude (DID MM SS)
35 34 02
35 33 02
Longitude (DID MM SS)
-80 24 46
-80 27 33
4

Table 2. Summary biological metrics for study (Deer Chase Lane) and reference (SR 1006) sites sampled for
benthic macroinvertebrates on 25 April 2007.
Stream
UT Second Cr
UT Second Cr
Site Location off Deer Chase Ln
off SR 1006
County
Rowan
Rowan
Drainage area (miz)
0.5
. 0.5
Collection date
25-Apr-07
25-Apr-07
BAU sample number
10158
10159
Sample method
Qual 4
Qual 4
Richness (number of taxa)
Ephemeroptera
4
8
Plecoptera
1
3
Trichoptera
7
9
Total EPT
12
20
Seasonal Plecoptera
0
1
Corrected EPT
12
19
Odonata
5
4
Megaloptera
0
1
Coleoptera
5
9
Diptera: Chironomidae
19
23
Diptera less Chironomidae
6
8
Oligochaeta
6
4
Mollusca
3
1
Other
3
6
Total taxa richness
59
76
Other biological measures
EPT abundance
46
88
EPT Biotic Index
3.76
3.80
NCBI
5.62
5.20
Seasonal correction
0.20
0.20
Corrected NCBI
5.82
5.40
Bioclassification
Not Rated
Not Impaired
The preliminary bioclassifications for the Alchem site and the reference site are "Not Rated" and "Not Impaired"
respectively. Criteria have not been developed for small streams. The classifications used here are based on
criteria for the number of EPT taxa found in larger piedmont streams.
More important to this study are comparisons of the benthic community between the reference site and the study
site downstream of the Alchem facility. There was a slight increase in the NCBI value between the reference site
and the Alchem site, from 5.20 to 5.62, suggesting poorer water quality at the Alchem site. The greater indication
of a difference in water quality between the two sites is seen by comparing EPT richness. EPT richness indicates
diversity within the three orders of insects most sensitive to the presence of stressors; higher EPT richness
indicates better stream conditions. Twenty EPT taxa were collected from the reference site while 12 were
collected from the Alchem site, a decrease of 40%. The fact that the area for macroi nverteb rate colonization was
less at the reference site (due to the dominance of sand as the substrate) than at the Alchem site makes the
difference in EPT richness even more significant; the dominance of sand at the reference site likely depresses
EPT richness from what it would be otherwise with a substrate composition more similar to the Alchem site.
Degraded water quality at the site sampled downstream of the Alchem facility is indicated by the results of this
study.
5

cc: Ellen Huffman, Peggy Finley, Wes Bell, Andrew Pittner —Mooresville Regional Office
Darlene Kucken—Planning Section

Appendix 1. Taxa identified from and corresponding abundance classifications for study (Deer Chase Lane)
and reference (SR 1006) sites sampled for benthic macroinvertebrates on 25 April 2007. Superscript
"s" (s) indicates taxa removed for seasonal correction.
Stream
UT Second Cr
UT Second Cr
Site Location
off Deer Chase Ln
off SR 1006
County
Rowan
Rowan
Collection date
25-Apr-07
25-Apr-07
BAU sample number
10.158
10159
Ephemeroptera
Baetis flavistriga
R
Baetis pluto
A
Plauditus spp.
C
A
Ephemerella invaria sp. group
C
Eurylophella verisimilis
C
C
Maccaffertium modestum
A
A
Stenacron interpunctatum
C
Paraleptophlebia spp.
A
A
iPlecoptera
Perlesta spp.
C
R
Diploperla duplicatas
A
Isoperla holochlora
C
Trichoptera.
Cheumatopsyche spp.
C
C
Diplectrona modesta
C
R
Hydropsyche betteni
C
Triaenodes ignitus
R
Triaenodes melaca
C
Ironoquia punctatissima
C
C
Pycnopsyche spp.
R
R
Chimarra spp.
R
R
Lype diversa
R
Neophylax oligius
A
Neophylax ornatus
C
i Odonata
Calopteryx spp.
A
A
Argia spp.
R
Enallagma spp.
R
Boyeria vinosa
R
R
Gomphus spp.
R
R
Ophiogomphus spp.
R
;Hems tera
Corixidae
R
Megaloptera
Nigronia serricornis
R
jcoleoptera
Helichus fastigiatus
A
A
Agabus spp.
R
Neoporus spp.
C
A
Dubiraphia spp.
R
Macronychus glabratus
R
Microcylloepus pusillus
R
Stenelmis spp.
C
A
Cymbiodyta spp.
R
Ectopria nervosa
R
Anchytarsus bicolor
A
C
Diptera
Palpomyia group spp.
C
Culex spp.
R
Dixa spp.
R
Simulium spp.
A
A
Tabanus spp.
R
Antocha spp.
R
Dicranota spp.
R
Hexatoma spp.
R
C
Pseudolimnophila spp.
R
R
Tipula spp.
C
R
II

Appendix 1. —continued.
Stream
UT Second Cr
UT Second Cr
Site Location
off Deer Chase Ln
off SR 1006
County
Rowan
Rowan
Collection date
25-Apr-07
25-Apr-07
BAU sample number
10158
10159
Diptera Chronomidae
Cryptochironomus spp.
R
Micropsectra polita
R
Microtendipes pedellus sp. group
A
A
Paracladopelma undine
R
Paratanytarsus quadratus
R
C
Paratendipes spp.
C
C
Phaenopsectra spp.
C
C
Polypedilum aviceps
C
Polypedilum fallax sp. group
R
Polypedilum flavum
A
Polypedilum spp.
R
Rheotanytarsus spp.
C
Stictochironomus spp.
A
Tanytarsus sp. M
C
Tanytarsus spp.
R
R
Tribelos jucundum
R
R
Potthastia longimanus
R
Corynoneura spp.
C
C
Orthocladius dubitatus
R
Orthocladius robacki
C
Parakiefferiella spp.
R
Parametriocnemus spp.
A
A
Rheocricotopus glabricollis
C
Rheocricotopus robacki
R
Thienemaniella spp.
R
R
Tvetenia bavarica sp. group
C
C
Ablabesmyia mallochi
R
Larsia spp.
R
Natarsia spp.
C
Tanypus spp.
R
Thienemannimyia group spp.
A
C
I Oligochaeta
Branchiobdellida
C
Enchytraeidae
R
Lumbriculidae
R
A
Megadrile
R
Nais spp.
R
R
Pristinella spp.
R
Slavina appendiculata
R
Tubificidae
R
iCrustacea
Crangonyx spp.
Cambaridae
R
C
Caecidotea spp.
C
C
,Gastropods .
_
Micromenetus dilatatus
C
Elimia spp.
R
A
lBiValvia
Pisidium spp.
A
Other _
Turbellaria
R
Dugesia tigrina
R

Re: Study Ian for ALUHhM INN.
00
Subject: Re: Study plan for ALCHEM INC.
From: Ellen Huffman <[e-mail]>
Date- Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:16:14 -0400
To: Angela Scott <[e-mail]>, "Michael Walters (stream assess group)" <[e-mail]>, Stormie
Forte <[e-mail]>
CC: Michael Walters <[e-mail]>, andrew pitner <[e-mail]>, Peggy Finley
<[e-mail]>, Kim Colson <[e-mail]>
Hello Angela,
Per your request, please see attached stream assessment report. Please call (704/663-1699), if I can be of further
assistance.
Sincerely,
Ellen Huffman
-------------
Michael Walters wrote:
1 Hello Angela:
Ellen Huffman with Mooresville Regional Office should be able to help. I have CC'd her with this message.
Cheers.
Mike
Angela Scott wrote:
My boss Randall looked at our company file at the Mooresville Regional Office of
NCDENR. He found a memo in the file from you about a Study Plan: Biological
Assessement of unnamed stream below Alchem, Inc. facility. It was dated April 3, 2007.
Mr. Andrews would like to know what the outcome of this was, and any findings. Could
you please let me know the status.
Angela Scott
ALCkIFM, INC.
.5139 Red Road
Rockwell, NC 26138
phone:[phone] ext 24
fax: [phone]
email: a�[e-mail]
Michael Walters
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Environmental Sciences Section
Biological Assessment Unit
Phone: [phone] x 235
Fax: [phone]
entail: [e-mail]
Mailing Address:
1 of 2 6/4/2007 2:17 PM

xe: Ntuay plan Tor ALurwivi iN—
. - 4( '�- =
NC Division of Water Quality
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1621
Ellen Huffman
Environmental Specialist II
North Carolina Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources
Aquifer Protection
610 East Center Avenue
Mooresville, NC 28115
Ph: 704.663.1699 Fax: [phone]
Content -Type: application/pdf
B-20070508 2007 YAD 04 Alchem Study Rowan County Benthos Results.pdf
Content -Encoding: base64
2 of 2 6/4/2007 2:17 PM

field day(s)
Subject: field day(s)
From: Michael Walters <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2007 16:05:36 -0400
To: Ellen Huffman <[e-mail]>
Hey Ellen:
Okay, let's plan on Thursday 19 April and possibly Friday 20 April for the field work. We should be at the
site downstream of Alchem somewhere between 9:15 and 9:30 am on Thursday.
If it will help, I can give you a call when we hit the High Point area on that morning --we will be making a
quick stop to look at "ref2", but should be about 50 minutes from gearing up at the Alchem site at that
point.
Cheers.
Michael Walters
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Environmental Sciences Section
Biological Assessment Unit
Phone: [phone] x 235
Fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
Mailing Address:
NC Division of Water Quality
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1621
1 of 1 4/3/2007 11:17 AM

LIPPARD, MIKE & JULIE
103 Deer Chase Ln
Rockwell, NC 28138-8576
704 279-64-4 a: A"
TREXLER, C
109 Deer Chase Ln
Rockwell, NC 28138-8576
[phone] /
LAWSON, J P
110 Deer Chase Ln
Rockwell, NC 28138-8576
[phone]
DRAPER, TIM
111 Deer Chase Ln
Rockwell, NC 28138-8576
[phone]
LENTZ, AL & CONNIE
116 Deer Chase Ln
Rockwell, NC 28138-8576
[phone]
HOLLAND, ROGER L
208 Deer Chase Rd
Shelby, NC 28150-9361
[phone]
REYNOLDS, JOHN L
209 Deer Chase Rd
Shelby, NC 28150-9362
[phone]
FLETCHER, RICHARD P
212 Deer Chase Rd
Shelby, NC 28150-9361
[phone]
KEELEY, MIKE R & RHONDA
213 Deer Chase Rd
Shelby, NC 28150-9362
[phone]
R
b -�t-
i
n
jn,. /

Division -of Water Quality
Biological Assessment Unit
3 April 2007 a „ J 20G
Memorandum ..
NA RO
To: D11 O "°i:�..prot+2 tion
Jimmie Overton --
Through: Trish MacPherson
From: Michael.Walters
Re: Study plan: Biological assessment of unnamed stream below Alchem Inc. facility,
Rockwell NC
On 21 March 2007 the Biological Assessment Unit received a request from. Kim Colson with the Aquifer Protection
Section to investigate possible impacts to an unnamed stream below the Alchem Inc. facility in Rockwell NC.
Subsequently, contact was made with Ellen Huffman of Mooresville Regional Office to further discuss the issue.
Alchem Inc. in Rockwell is a producer of alum for wastewater treatment. Potential impacts to the stream below the
facility are low pH, high aluminum concentration, and habitat alteration due to the movement of sand from the facility
to the adjacent streambed.
Figure 1 shows the area around the Alchem facility. The area in green labeled "Alchem" is the. approximate ground
area for the Alchem facility. The point marked "sample" indicates the site downstream of the facility that will be
sampled to detect potential impacts to the stream. The points labeled "ref1" and "ref2" are two potential reference
sites that have the following characteristics as determined from a topographical map and aerial images: 1) near a road
crossing for quick access; 2) similar drainage areas to the site downstream of Alchem; 3) similar density of residences
within the drainage area with respect to the Alchem site; 4) very few or no small impoundments in the drainage area.
The drainage area for each of the sites is indicated roughly by the area bound with a red line.

Sampling at the site below the Alchem facility is scheduled for the morning of 19 April 2007 to assess the potential
influences from water chemistry and physical habitat alteration. If it appears that the sand has not moved downstream
from near the Alchem facility to that site, a second site upstream of "sample" will be sought to assess potential habitat
impairment. Ellen Huffman will be available to assist us with locating the second site if necessary:
The sites "ref1" and "ref2" will be reconnoitered to determine the feasibility of each as a reference site. The better one
of the two sites will be sampled.
Thus, two sites will be sampled during this trip assuming adequate flow. A third site may also be sampled on the
potentially impaired stream if necessary. We may be able to complete this work in a single day, though we will be
prepared for an overnight stay if needed.
✓ cc: eJEllen Huffman, Peggy Finley, Wes Bell, Andrew Pitner—Mooresville Regional Office
2

Division of Water Quality
Biological Assessment Unit
3 April 2007
Memorandum
To: Jimmie Overton
Through: Trish MacPherson
From: Michael Walters
Re: Study plan: Biological assessment of unnamed stream below Alchem Inc. facility,
Rockwell NC
On 21 March 2007 the Biological Assessment Unit received a request from Kim Colson with the Aquifer Protection
Section to investigate possible impacts to an unnamed stream below the Alchem Inc. facility in Rockwell NC.
Subsequently, contact was made with Ellen Huffman of Mooresville Regional Office to further discuss the issue.
Alchem Inc. in Rockwell is a producer of alum for wastewater treatment. Potential impacts to the stream below the
facility are low pH, high aluminum concentration, and habitat alteration due to the movement of sand from the facility
to the adjacent streambed.
Figure 1 shows the area around the Alchem facility. The area in green labeled "Alchem" is the approximate ground
area for the Alchem facility. The point marked "sample" indicates the site downstream of the facility that will be
sampled to detect potential impacts to the stream. The points labeled "ref1" and "ref2" are two potential reference
sites that have the following characteristics as determined from a topographical map and aerial images: 1) near a road
crossing for quick access; 2) similar drainage areas to the site downstream of Alchem; 3) similar density of residences
within the drainage area with respect to the Alchem site; 4) very few or no small impoundments in the drainage area.
The drainage area for each of the sites is indicated roughly by the area bound with a red line.

Sampling at the site below the Alchem facility is scheduled for the morning of 19 April 2007 to assess the potential
influences from water chemistry and physical habitat alteration. If it appears that the sand has not moved downstream
from near the Alchem facility to that site, a second site upstream of "sample" will be sought to assess potential habitat
impairment. Ellen Huffman will be available to assist us with locating the second site if necessary.
The sites "ref 1" and "ref2" will be reconnoitered to determine the feasibility of each as a reference site. The better one
of the two sites will be sampled.
Thus, two sites will be sampled during this trip assuming adequate flow. A third site may also be sampled on the
potentially impaired stream if necessary. We may be able to complete this work in a single day, though we will be
prepared for an overnight stay if needed.
cc: Ellen Huffman, Peggy Finley, Wes Bell, Andrew Pitner—Mooresville Regional Office
2