WQ0034775_Staff Report_20210615

State of North Carolina
Division of Water Resources

Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Staff Report

June 14, 2021
To: NPDES Unit Non-Discharge Unit Application No.: WQ0034775
Attn: Poonam Giri Facility name: Hexion Acme Facility

From: Tyler Benson and Geoff Kegley
Wilmington Regional Office
Note: This form has been adapted from the non-discharge facility staff report to document the review of both non-
discharge and NPDES permit applications and/or renewals. Please complete all sections as they are applicable.
I. GENERAL AND SITE VISIT INFORMATION
1. Was a site visit conducted? Yes or No
a. Date of site visit:
b. Site visit conducted by: Tyler Benson and Geoff Kegley
c. Inspection report attached? Yes or No
d. Person contacted: Ronal Bazinet: [e-mail]
e. Driving directions: West from Wilmington on Hwy 74/76, 18 miles to right on SR1878, 1 mile to right on
Fertilizer Rd, 0.2 miles to left on Neils Eddy Rd, 0.2 miles to plant entrance
2. Discharge Point(s): N/A
Latitude: Longitude:
Latitude: Longitude:
3. Receiving stream or affected surface waters: N/A
Classification:
River Basin and Subbasin No.
Describe receiving stream features and pertinent downstream uses:
II. PROPOSED FACILITIES: NEW APPLICATIONS N/A
III. EXISTING FACILITIES: MODIFICATION AND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
1. Are there appropriately certified Operators in Charge (ORCs) for the facility? Yes No N/A
ORC: Certificate #: Backup ORC: Certificate #:
2. Are the design, maintenance and operation of the treatment facilities adequate for the type of waste and disposal
system? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
Description of existing facilities: The system has been closed. Former inputs to the recycle system included
cooling tower blowdown, hexamine production wastewater, deionizer regeneration water, and some storm water
discharge back into the creek via NPDES permit NC0003395. Hexamine production wastewater, boiler
blowdown, and air stripper effluent are pumped to the Columbus County POTW which operates under NPDES
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 1 of 4

permit no. NC0087947. Site storm water (first 30 minute flush) and some process wash water is routed to a
concrete pond, where
discharged via NCS000156.
Proposed flow:
Current permitted flow:
Explain anything observed during the site visit that needs to be addressed by the permit, or that may be important
for the permit writer to know (i.e., equipment condition, function, maintenance, a change in facility ownership,
etc.). See narrative summary below.
3. Are the site conditions (e.g., soils, topography, depth to water table, etc) maintained appropriately and adequately
assimilating the waste? Yes or No
If no, please explain: n/a
4. Has the site changed in any way that may affect the permit (e.g., drainage added, new wells inside the compliance
boundary, new development, etc.)? Yes or No
If yes, please explain: Recycle system is no longer in operation.
5. Is the residuals management plan adequate? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
6. Are the existing application rates (e.g., hydraulic, nutrient) still acceptable? Yes or No
If no, please explain: N/A
7. Is the existing groundwater monitoring program adequate? Yes No N/A
If no, explain and recommend any changes to the groundwater monitoring program:
8. Are there any setback conflicts for existing treatment, storage and disposal sites? Yes or No
If yes, attach a map showing conflict areas.
9. Is the description of the facilities as written in the existing permit correct? Yes or No
If no, please explain:
10. Were monitoring wells properly constructed and located? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
11. Are the monitoring well coordinates correct in BIMS? Yes No N/A
If no, please complete the following (expand table if necessary):

Monitoring Well Latitude Longitude

!!!!!! -!!!!!!
!!!!!
!!!!!! -!!!!!!
!!!!!
!!!!!! -!!!!!!
!!!!!
12. Has a review of all self-monitoring data been conducted (e.g., DMR, NDMR, NDAR, GW)? Yes or No
Please summarize any findings resulting from this review: There have been numerous exceedances of permit
limits for MW-1 and MW-2 over the past several years. It should be noted that there is no true
upgradient/background well for this recycle system lagoon. Based on the location of the lagoon and a long
history of unrelated site contamination issues and ongoing clean-up efforts, there is no location that would
adequately reflect ambient conditions up-gradient of the pond. Formaldehyde, ammonia, nitrate and sulfate are
routinely exceeded (see attached graphs).
Provide input to help the permit writer evaluate any requests for reduced monitoring, if applicable. N/A
13. Are there any permit changes needed in order to address ongoing BIMS violations? Yes or No
If yes, please explain: !!!!!
14. Check all that apply:
FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 2 of 4

No compliance issues Current enforcement action(s) Currently under JOC
Notice(s) of violation Currently under SOC Currently under moratorium
Please explain and attach any documents that may help clarify answer/comments (i.e., NOV, NOD, etc.)
As mentioned, there have been numerous historical MW exceedances. A NORR was issued in 2018. There has
not been much action taken with this permit due to the inability to attribute the exceedances to the recycle system.
Have all compliance dates/conditions in the existing permit been satisfied? Yes No N/A
If no, please explain:
15. Are there any issues related to compliance/enforcement that should be resolved before issuing this permit?
Yes No N/A
If yes, please explain:
16. Possible toxic impacts to surface waters: none
17. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only): N/A

REGIONAL OFFICE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Do you foresee any problems with issuance/renewal of this permit? Yes or No
If yes, please explain:
2. List any items that you would like the NPDES Unit or Non-Discharge Unit Central Office to obtain through an
additional information request:
Item Reason

3. List specific permit conditions recommended to be removed from the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

4. List specific special conditions or compliance schedules recommended to be included in the permit when issued:
Condition Reason

FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 3 of 4

5. Recommendation: Hold, pending receipt and review of additional information by regional office
Hold, pending review of draft permit by regional office
Issue upon receipt of needed additional information
Issue
Deny (Please state reasons: )

6. Signature of report preparer:
Signature of regional supervisor:
Date:
A DDITIONAL REGIONAL STAFF REVIEW ITEMS

This staff report was completed for a request by the permittee for an ownership name change along
with a permit renewal request.

The system has ceased to operate as permitted, and in 2020 the permittee submitted a closure report finalizing
the closure o

Groundwater exceedances have been observed at the site (TDS, sulfate, ammonia, nitrate, and
formaldehyde). There is no upgradient/background well on site due to site process area contamination issues.
The land usage at this site dates back to the late 1800s and has continually been an active chemical
manufacturing facility. Current companies at the site include Hexion, Silar, And Oak-Bark (formerly Wright
Chemical Corp.). The site is also regulated under CERCLA/Superfund.

The Division issued a Notice of Regulatory Requirements for the groundwater exceedances in 2018. The
existing groundwater monitoring wells are located at the review boundary. The site borders Livingston Creek
and placement of monitoring wells further downgradient at the compliance boundary is impractical.

Attached are graphs showing recent groundwater trends. There appears to be an upward trend of some
contaminants. This may be due to the recent excavation and grading activities associated with lagoon closure
and the resulting instability of the groundwater system. Evaluation of potential impacts to groundwater from
the closed double lined lagoon is complicated by the lack of an upgradient well and the upgradient historical
contamination issues.

It is recommended that permit WQ0034775 be renewed in order to continue groundwater monitoring as
permitted to evaluate trends in the groundwater system as the site stabilizes after lagoon excavation, grading
and site reclamation completion.

FORM: WQROSSR 04-14 Page 4 of 4

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State of North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
WATER QUALITY REGIONAL OPERATIONS SECTION
NON-DISCHARGE APPLICATION REVIEW REQUEST FORM

May 3, 2021
To: WiRO-WQROS: Morella Sanchez-King / Tom Tharrington
From: Poonam Giri, Water Quality Permitting Section - Non-Discharge Branch
Permit Number: WQ0034775 Permit Type: Closed-Loop Recycle
Applicant: Hexion VAD LLC Project Type: Minor Modification
Owner Type: Organization Owner in BIMS? Yes
Facility Name: Hexion - Riegelwood CLRS Facility in BIMS? Yes
Signature Authority: Ronald Bazinet Title: Site Leader
Address: 333 Neils Eddy Rd., Riegelwood, NC 28456-9570 County: Columbus
Fee Category: Closed-Loop Recycle Fee Amount: $0 - Minor Mod
Comments/Other Information: [e-mail]
Attached, you will find all information submitted in support of the above-referenced application for your review, comment,
and/or action. Within 45 calendar days, please take the following actions:
Return this form completed. Return a completed staff report.
Attach an Attachment B for Certification. Issue an Attachment B Certification.
When you receive this request form, please write your name and dates in the spaces below, make a copy of this sheet, and
return it to the appropriate Central Office Water Quality Permitting Section contact person listed above.
RO-WQROS Reviewer: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________________
FORM: WQROSNDARR 09-15 Page 1 of 1