WQ0003396_Correspondence_20210923

arauco
CERTIFIED MAIL
Return Receipt Requested
Division of Water Resources, DEQ Raleigh Regional Office
Attn:Jason T. Robinson
3800 Barrett Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
Subject: Incident # 202101956 WQ Permit 0003396
985 Corinth Road
Moncure, North Carolina 27559
Tel: [phone]
Toll Free: 855-427-2826
Fax:[phone]
September 23, 2021
On September 21, 2021 at approximately 11:30 PM, the shift mechanic was called to the digesting/refining
area of our Moncure, NC wood products manufacturing plant for a reported leak on some wastewater
pipe on the Sweeco deck, which had separated in 3 places. The pipe is internal to the building and carried
refiner pressate water (or "squeeze" water). Another employee, attempting to prevent equipment and
electrical damage in the area due to the upset condition and rapidly rising water containment levels, used
a diaphragm pump and hose to pump the accumulating wastewater out of the nearby man door to the
concrete. The employee did not consult the shift supervisor or other employees and has been trained on
spill procedures. The pipe was repaired by 1:30 AM 9/22/2021 and the wastewater system corrected.
When day shift and management staff came in the next morning, the non -operational pump was noted
and upon investigation, environmental and management staff were made aware of the release at
approximately 9:25 AM 9/22/2021. Inspection of the stormwater conveyance system showed evidence of
some wastewater accumulation in ditches, but no evidence could be found in the outfall of offsite surface
water releases or impacts. The remaining water in the ditches and basin was diked and removed. As
required, a verbal report was made to NC Division -of Water Resources, DEQ within 24 hours of awareness
of the release, at approximately 8:48AM9/23/21�._
The non-stormwater discharge was comprised ef-a refiner pressate water, or "Squeeze" water, which
— comes from the digester and refining -parts of tW—wood panel process. This water has no chemicals in it
and is not treated with any chemicals or oils and -greases in any way; it is water that is squeezed from
wood in the refining process. In this process rawwood-chipsand shavings are treated with steam and hot
water to soften them and then excess water is "squeezed out" This water is not considered hazardous
— waste7-bntitis process wastewater and thus a non- tormwater discharge.. Environmental staff originally
estimafe_d the release at approximately 175 galWAs due to comi4i2g with stormwater, but operations
reported approximately 60-75 gallons of process water was released after evaluation.
Corrective actions for the incident include preventative maintenance on the system with the original
mechanical upset, including inspection of the pipes, refresher employee training on spill procedures and
stormwater pollution prevention, and additional cleaning of the stormwater conveyance system for
thoroughness.

Arauco remains committed to environmental stewardship and transparency with regulatory agencies
and submits this report to satisfy the 5-day reporting requirement for non-stormwater releases. If you
have any questions, please contact Savannah Carroll, Regional Environmental Manager, at
[e-mail] or at843-544-3025.
Sincerely,
Savannah Carroll for Jeff McMillian (Plant Manager, out of office this week)
Regional Environmental Manger