NC0006564_Comments_20220309

Baxter Baxter Healthcare Corporation
P.O. Box 1390
Marion, NC 28752
February 28, 2022
RECEIVED
NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES MAR 0 9 2022
Water Quality Permitting Section
1617 Mail Service Center NCDEQ/DWRINPDES
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
RE: Notice of Intent to Issue NPDES Wastewater Permit NC0006564 Baxter Healthcare Corporation
This comment is being provided by the Baxter Healthcare North Cove facility in support of NPDES Permit
NC0006564. Baxter thanks NCDEQ staff for its work on this permit renewal.We also appreciate your quick
response to address our effluent pH measurement frequency question to clarify that the monitoring
obligation listed in the Table in Part I.A will continue at three times a week.
Baxter has operated the North Cove facility for 50 years,employing 3000 people.Our facility is the number
one provider of lifesaving/sustaining I.V. solutions to the US market. A core principle at Baxter is that we
are committed to operating our facilities in an environmentally responsible manner; as such,
environmental compliance is at top priority at Baxter. At the North Cove facility, we have demonstrated
this by:
• Implementation and maintenance of Environmental Management Systems whereby the
facility maintains an ISO 14001 certification.
• Commitment to continued improvements, including$24 million in design and
construction of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility that became operational
in 2017.
• Achieved a 94%zero to waste landfill rate.
Baxter Healthcare strives to eliminate any adverse impacts to our environment, including the North Fork
Catawba River, and we are exceptionally proud of our wastewater treatment facility and staff. The
Baxter Healthcare North Cove facility is supportive of the proposed permit and will continue to partner
with the DEQ to ensure our continued compliance.
Brian D Smith
EHS Director
Baxter Healthcare Corporation