202101038_20210311_CatawbaComplaint.rtf

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Serrctary
S. DANIEL SMITH NORTH CAROLINA
❑ircrror Environmental Qualify
March 17, 2021
Reece Davis
3510 W Hwy. 10
Newton, NC 28658
SUBJECT: Investigation of Fuel in Surface Water
Incident # 202101038
Loves Travel Plaza
1760 South Fork Drive, Newton
Catawba County, NC
Dear Mr. Davis:
On March 8, 2021 this Office received your complaint of possible fuel oil on water surface in drainage ditch. The
ditch is located behind Loves Travel Plaza, at 1760 South Fork Drive Newton, and receives storm water from the
Travel Plaza. At the time of initial site investigation, it was not possible to positively identify substances on surface of
water. Field equipment was secured and a second site visit was conducted on March 10, 2021. The following field
readings were taken from drainage ditch:
Sample Point: At foot bridge
Temperature 13.0° Celsius (55.40° Fahrenheit)
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 6.43 mg/I
Percent Saturation DO 61.4%
pH 5.13
Specific Conductivity (SPC) 108.9
Sample Point: 100 feet upstream of foot bridge
Temperature 12.2' Celsius (53.96' Fahrenheit)
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 8.02 mg/I
Percent Saturation DO 74.3%
pH 5.75
Specific Conductivity (SPC) 120.8
Upon further investigation it was found that the scum like substance on the water's surface is a collection of dust and
pollen. The under lying substance, under the scum layer, is the result of a species of bacteria (the most common
Theobacillis ferroxidans) that convert Ferric Iron to Ferrous Iron and floats to the surface as a colorful rainbow sheen.
The two substances together had the appearance and behavior of a petroleum sheen.
None Caro&ns Department of Eavronrnentai _ _ -y I 7 :11':esuroes
ARooresvi1 a Regona: Office 161C Eaa Center I h'•»•esv e, North Carolina 28115
704-663-1699

At the time of the site investigation water quality in the ditch appeared to be good with water well oxygenated and pH
common to surface water readings in the surrounding area. If you should have any questions in regards to this
matter, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Roberto Scheller at [phone] or
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
by:
`— A14CC681 AF27425...
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Cc: Manager of Loves Travel Plaza, 1760 South Fork Drive, Newton, NC 28658
DEQ1
North Carving Dep a rtme nt of Environmental Q u ai rty I D :v sa n of W ate. ; esau rces
Mooresmlle Region; Office 1610 Eas[ Center Avenue, Suite 301 I !V. Dreso s. North aro na 28115
704.63-1699