NC0000175_Wasteload Allocation_19920806

NPDES DOCIMENT 5CANNINO COVER :SHEET
NPDES Permit:
NC0000175
Unimin Quartz Operation
Document Type:
Permit Issuance
Wasteload Allocation
Authorization to Construct (AtC)
Permit Modification
Complete File - Historical
Engineering Alternatives (EAA)
Correspondence
Owner Name Change
Instream Assessment (67b)
Speculative Limits
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Document Date:
August 6, 1992
This document is printed an muse paper - igisore any
content on the reverse side

NPDES WAS IL LOAD ALLOCATION
PERMIT NO.: NC0000175
PERMITTEE NAME:
FACILITY NAME:
Unimin Corporation
Quartz Operation
Facility Status: Existing
Permit Status: Renewal
Major 'd Minor
Pipe No.: 001
Design Capacity: 3.6 MGD
Domestic (% of Flow):
Industrial (% of Flow): 100 %
Comments:
see staff report for suggested limits and location map
RECEIVING STREAM: the North Toe River
Class: C-Trout
Sub -Basin: 04-03-06
Reference USGS Quad: D 10 NE (please attach)
County: Mitchell
Regional Office: Asheville Regional Office
Previous Exp. Date: 2/29/92 Treatment Plant Class: Class IV
Classification changes within three miles:
Requested by: Rosanne Barona Date:
Prepared by: ` ! t 4 Date:
Reviewed If� jCiAncLPh/diDY) Date:
12/20/91
g
Modeler
Date Rec.
#
SM13
1ZZo'S1
(0(0&O
2
Drainage Area (mi ) /33 Avg. Streamflow (cfs): a7�
7Q10 (cfs) I5 Winter 7Q10 (cfs) 30Q2 (cfs)
Toxicity Limits: IWC %/ % Acuteehronic)
Instream Monitoring: �
Parameters gvbr, /�`l st64/ iz /E F✓
Upstream Y Location 4,211, /I/ 74 A4
Downstream Y Location Yid14,thl
Effluent
Characteristics
,f, 6 font.
4-/ / /;19X.
BODS (mg/I)
NH3-N (mg/1)
D.O. (mg/1)
TSS iP/ct /)
/ 300
a6.go (E,)
F. Col. (/100 ml)
pH (SU)
64t/ft--1a3
(9 -/0 (� )
Ficio✓rd is (-/a)
•.t? °1 g
35Ez )
�/6,d, nT-u
,tr 15
Shall •, 1[. st 44.4 Ndc4sr
i.v -/a.'hnel,"i.
.cI i Z4 £i, t/a
v •Aii
.
Comments:

Facility Name:
NPDES No.:
Type of Waste:
Facility Status:
Permit Status:
Receiving Stream:
Stream Classification:
Subbasin:
County:
Regional Office:
Requestor:
Date of Request:
Topo Quad:
FACT SHEET FOR WASTELOAD ALLOCATION
Unimin Corp -Quartz 0
NC0000175
Industrial - 100%
Existing
Renewal
The North Toe River
WS-III Trout
040306
Avery
Asheville
Barona
12/20/91
D11NW
Request #
perations (PIPE 001)
66I °ECEIVED
Wator Quality St'ction
JUN 5 _ 1992
Asheville, Regional Mite
Asheville, North' Carotirr
Stream Characteristic:'
USGS #
Date:
Drainage Area (nii2):
Summer 7Q10 (cfs):
Winter 7Q10 (cfs):
Average Flow (cfs):
30Q2 (cfs):
IWC (%):
133
45
55
270
11
Wasteload Allocation Summary
(approach taken, correspondence with region, EPA, etc.)
Facility requesting renewal of existing NPDES permit. One of the four fluoride bearing waste
dischargers into the North Toe River. All facility permits are interdependent because total
assimulative capacity of fluoride is allocated between the four industries and all permits should be
issued at the same time per the Asheville RO.
Special Schedule Requirements and additional comments from Reviewers:
04- rill)
Sax, D N NeX - 70,, ■ % A. 2 Ay,/ c^e,(-/Le
±2/1‘44)(._
Recommended Date: 5/20/92
Reviewed by
Instream Assessmept: iz, , G CL47Q--er-LJ Date: S
Regional Si --- O _. - Date:
Permits & ngineering: C— 7 i Date: -7// 3 (� Z
RETURN TO TECHNICAL SERVICES BY: JUN 2 7 1992
1,0

2
TOXICS/METALS/CONVENTIONAL PARAMETERS
Type of Toxicity Test: Chronic pass/fail
Existing Limit:
Recommended Limit: 11 %
Monitoring Schedule: APR JUL OCT JAN
Existing Limits
Daily Average Daily Max.
Wasteflow (MGD): 3.6
TSS (#/d): 1320 2640
Fluorides (#/d): 218 436
Settleable Solids (ml/1): monitor
pH (SU): 6-10
Turbidity (NTU):
*The discharge shall not increase turbidity of receiving waters mole than 10 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds 10 NTU
due to natural conditions, the discharge shall not cause any increase in turbidity.
Recommended Limits
Daily Average Daily Max. WQ or EL
Wasteflow (MGD): 3.b
TSS (#/d): 1320 2640 EL
Fluorides (#/d): 179 358 EL
Turbidity (NTU): SAC
Settleable Solids (ml/I): Monk+ems
pH (SU): .- 6-/D EL
*The discharge shall not increase turbidity of receiving waters more than 10 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds 10 NTU
due to natural conditions, the discharge shall not cause any increase in turbidity.
Limits Changes Due To:
Change in 7Q10 data
Change in stream classification
Relocation of discharge
Change in wasteflow
New pretreatment information
Other (onsite toxicity study, interaction, etc.)
Parameter(s) Affected
Fluorides
Parameter(s) arc water quality limited. For some parameters, the available load capacity of the immediate
receiving water will be consumed. This may affect future water quality based effluent limitations for additional
dischargers within this portion of the watershed.
OR
_X_ No parameters are water quality limited, but this discharge may affect future allocations.

3
INSTREAM MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Upstream Location: Above Facility Intake
Downstream Location: Penland Bridge
Parameters: Fluoride, turbidity,pH,settleable matter
Special instream monitoring locations or monitoring frequencies:
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION & SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Adequacy of Existing Treatment
Has the facility demonstrated the ability to meet the proposed new limits with existing treatment
facilities? Yes No
If no, which parameters cannot be met?
Would a "phasing in" of the new limits be appropriate? Yes No
If yes, please provide a schedule (and basis for that schedule) with the regional
office recommendations:
If no, why not?
Special Instructions or Conditions
Wasteload sent to EPA? (Major) (Y or N)
(If yes, then attach schematic, toxics spreadsheet, copy of model, or, if not modeled, then old
assumptions that were made, and description of how it fits into basinwide plan)
Additional Information attached? (Y or N) If yes, explain with attachments.

Facility Name &vieivco(pAA ud t a Permit #/)COOD0 /7S Pipe #OO /
CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QRTRLY)
r
(**Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at //�o, , See Pazt4----- , Condition .)
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit chronic toxicity using test procedures outlined in:
1.) The North Carolina Ceriodaphnia chronic effluent bioassay procedure (North Carolina Chronic Bioassay
Procedure - Revised *September 1989) or subsequent versions.
The effluent concentration at which there may be no observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality
is // 7o (defined as treatment two in the North Carolina procedure document). The permit holder shall perform
quarterly monitoring using this procedure to establish compliance with the permit condition. The first test will be
performed after thirty days from the effective date of this permit during the months of3,oivaAA-g , ,et /,
AwcLoc,-4-vL . Effluent sampling for this testing shall be performed at the PDES
permitfd final effluent discharge below all treatment processes.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this peir it condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge
Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the month in which it was performed, using the parameter code TGP3B.
Additionally, DEM Form AT- 1 (original) is to be sent to the following address:
Attention: Environmental Sciences Branch
North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, N.C. 27607-6445
Test data shall be complete and accurate and include all supporting chemical/physical measurements performed in
association with the toxicity tests, as well as all dose/response data. Total residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity
sample must be measured and reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste stream.
Should any single quarterly monitoring indicate a failure to meet specified limits, then monthly monitoring will
begin immediately until such time that a single test is passed. Upon passing, this monthly test requirement will
revert to quarterly in the months specified above.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re -opened and
modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits.
NO'l'E: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control organism
survival and appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid test and will require immediate
retesting(within 30 days of initial monitoring event). Failure to submit suitable test results will constitute
noncompliance with monitoring requirements.
7Q10 cfs
Permitted Flow 3. / MGD
IWC% //
Basin & Sub -basin Qf. - D.3
Receiving Stream R/d 4-7g-e-R v-e,e -
County ; fc_iite
Recommended by:
QCLR Version 9/91

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STREAM DATA
INSTREAM SELF -MONITORING DATA
MONTHLY AVERAGES
Discharger: dk,).1 „J - Jam .
Receiving Stream: . QSc /tl J (✓
Upstream Location: fjl,yc ®6-vttkc-
•
DATE TEMP figio/D/T' fi-c/0 863
-Dec-91
Nav t
•Sep 91
` tay 1
A—9-1
Mar-93-
Feb-9 -
Jan-91-
Dec-90
Nov-99
Oct-99
Sep-90
Aug-90
Jul-90
Jun-9d
May-90 / , S39
Apr-9 /3 3
Mar-90
Feb-90
Jan-90
Dec-89
Nov-89
Oct-89
Sep-89
Aug-89
JuI-89
Jun-89
May-89
Apr-89
Mar-89
Fqb-89
f-
Jan-89
5 3/
i
77
, 6 /
/ 2
1,03
q ,,o
6 ,77
/3 ,y3cl
/5 ,1Z
8
` .L7
6
Ys'
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Permit No. PVC 6JOo "/'%Y
Sub -basin: 7 d)6 ;G
Downstream Location:
TEMP
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13. Activity Description Glve a
narrative description of activity
producing this discharge.(see
Instructions)
14. Activity Causing Discharge For
each SIC Code which describes
the activity causing this discharge.
supply the type and maximum
amount of either the raw material
consumed (Item 14a) or the product
produced (Item 14b) in the units
specified in Table 1 of the Instruc-
tion Booklet. For SIC Codes not
listed in Table 1. use raw material
or production units normally used
for measuring productlon.(see
instructions)
a. Raw Materials
214*
SIC Code
DISCHARGE SERIAL NUMBER .
001
I2134I The applicant is engaged in the extraction
1
FOR AGENCY USE
Name
of mica, feldspar, and quartz.
"Mi ni ng"
See attached simplified flow sheet.
Maximum Unit
Amount/Day (See Table 1)
Shared Discharges
(Serial Number
(1)
(2)
(').
1459
Feldspar
900
(4i
Tons/Day
(s)
1499
Quartz & Mica
200
Tons/Day
b. Products
SIC Code
214b (1)
Name
(2)
Maximum Unit
Amount/Day (See Table 1)
(3),;' (4)
Shared Discharges
(Serial Number)
(5)
c

DISCHARGE SERIAL NUMBER
001 •
17. Description of Intake and Discharge
FOR AGENCY USE •
s & u , J,
Q�4i f..
For each of the parameters listed below. enter In the appropriate box the value or code letter answer called for.(see instructions)
In addition, enter the parameter name and code and MI required values for any of the following parameters If they wore checked In Item 161
ammonia, cyanide. aluminum. arsenic, beryllium. cadmium, chromium, copper.1ead. mercury. nickel, selenium. zinc. phenols, o11 and grease.
and chlorine (residual).
•
Parameter the Code
.
•
Influent
Effluent
Untreated Intake
Water
(Daily Average)
In -Plant Treated
NI Intake Water
(Daily Average)
a.
A
(3)
Minimum Value
Observed or
4' Expected During
Discharge
Activity
Maximum Value
H Observed or
Expected During
Discharge Activity
Frequency of
Analysis
Number of
Analyses
"
cu
a.
a
(8)
Flow*
Gallons per day
00056 50050
.956
2.75
4.20
"Cont."
1 /'
pH
Units
00400
6.00
10.00
• 7/7
Gra
Temperature (winter)
°F
74028
Temperature (summer)
°F
74027
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
D 5-day)
00310
.
Chemical Oxygen Demand ((OD)
mg/1
00340
•
Total Suspended (nonfilterable)
Solids
mg/1
00530
350mg/
500 mg/1
•
7/7
Co 1j
Specific Conductance
micromhos/cm at 25° C
00095
4
Settleable Matter (residue)
ml/1
00545
7/7
•
f.ra„
*Other discharges sharing intake flow (serial numbers).(see instructions)
II-6

DISCHARGE SERIAL NUMBER
nnl
17. (Cont'd.)
Parameter and Code
• ti:.}.
g rs
Influent
Effluent
Untreated Intake
Water
(Daily Average)
In Plant Treated
• Intake Water
(Daily Average)
d
r
u
Q
a
(3)
• Minimum Value
Observed or
Expected During
Discharge
Activity
Maximum Value
:. Observed or
• Expected During
Discharge Activity
• Frequency of
°% Analysis
•
• Number of
Analyses
O Sample Type
* Fluoride
218 lbs/day
436 lbs./day
7/7
Con
Turbidity
-
25
7/7
Corr
*This is our present NPDES permit requirement
18. Plant Controls Check 1f the fol-
lowing plant controls.are available
for this discharge.
Alternate power source for major
pumping facility.
Alarm or emergency procedure for
power or equipment failure
Complete Item 19 If discharge is
from cooling and/or steam water
generation and water treatment
additives are used.
19. Water Treatment Additives If the
discharge is treated with any con-
ditioner. Inhibitor. or algicide.
answer the following:
a. Name of Materlal(s)
b. Name and address of manu-
facturer
c. Quantity (pounds added per
million gallons of water treated).
"2tla
•
❑ APS
[R ALM
Nalco 8853 and Nalco 9809 polymers.
Nalco Chemical Co.
41
P
7.
11-7

PART IV - EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Unimin Corporation -Quartz Operation has requested renewal of NPDES
Permit No. NC0000175 for the continued discharge of industrial
process wastewater from the production of feldspar, mica and
quartz at their plant near Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
There are no effluent guidelines for this industry and the
effluent limits were developed using production and process
information and the North Carolina Water Quality Standard for
fluoride of 1.8 mg/1. There are four companies, Unimin
Corporation -Quartz Operation, E--T nel.dspar Corporation, The
Feldspar Corporation and Unimin Corporation -Mica Operation, which
have similar industrial processes and wastewater characteristics.
Each Company discharges or proposes Lo discharge to the North Toe
River. It has been determined that there is a maximum
assimilative capacity of 574 lbs/clay of fluoride in the North Toe
River at the mouth of Little Bear Creek, which is the most
downstream point fluoride is discharged. All four Permits are
interdependent on each other because of the total assimilative
capacity of the fluoride is allocated between the four industries
and all permits should be issued at the same time.
Because of existing agreements between the four companies and the
Division of Environmental Management, Unimin Corporation -Mica
Operations, is now proposing to construct industrial processes
which will utilize fluoride in the process. This agreement was
developed for the existing NPDES F'nim.its based on different
operational plans each Company had proposed. With Unimin
Corporation -Mica Operations exercising its option, Configuration
IV, in the existing NPDES Permits will now become the effluent
limitations.
Effluent limitations and the development of these limits are
listed in the draft permit and fact sheet, respectively.
It is recommended that the permit be issued.
Signature of Report Preparer
ater. Quality Regional Supervisor

N. C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
•
FACT SHEET
APPLICATION FOR
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
PERMIT TO DISCHARGE TREATED WASTEWATER
Application Number NC0000175 Date
1. SYNOPSIS OF APPLICATION
a. Name and Address of Applicant
Unimin Corporation - Quartz Operation
Post Office Box 588
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
b. Description of Applicant's Operation
Production of feldspar, mica, quartz and sand.
c. Production Capacity of Facility
1100 tons/day of raw ore
d. Applicant's Receiving Waters
North Toe River
Classification - "C-Trout"
For a sketch showing the location of the discharge(s), see
Attachment A.
e. Description of Existing Pollution Abatement Facilities
The existing wastewater treatment facilities consists of six
hydrocydones, a screw classifier, vacuum filters, chemical
feed system Jadar solids removal system, two stabilization
ponds, pH adjustment by caustic or acid, emergency overflow
pond, recycle pumps, flow measuring and recording equipment
and sludge disposal by landfill.

f. . Description of Discharges (as reported by applicant)
Discharge 001 - Process Wastewater
Pollutants which are present in significant quantities or which
are subject to effluent limitation are as follows:
Effluent Characteristic
Reported Load
(Specify Units)
Average Maximum
Flow 0.878.MGD 1.41 MGD
Total Suspended Solids 351. lbs/day 251.6 lbs/day
Fluorides 163 lbs/day 388 lbs/day
pH min. 5.9 s.u. max 9.89 s.u.
Turbidity 12.3 NTU 45 NTU
Settleable Matter <0.1 ml/1
Chronic Toxicity All tests results from July 1990 through
July 1991 indicates a pass.
Effluent monitoring data reported by Unimin Corporation -Quartz
Operation during October 1, 1990 - September 30, 1991.

2B. PROPOSED FINAL EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
Effluent Characteristic
Discharge 001
Flow
Total Suspended Solids
Fluorides
Settleable Solids
Turbidity (See below)
pH
Chronic Toxicity
Discharge Limitation
(lbsJday) Other Limitations
Daily Daily (Specify Units)
Average Maximum Average Maximum
1320.0
179.0
2640.0
358.0
3.6 MGD 4.32 MGD
6.0 s.u. 10.0 s.u.
Pass/fail at 16% - See Attachment B
This discharge shall not increase turbidity in the receiving water more
than 10 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds 10 NTU due to natural conditions,
the discharge shall not cause any increase in turbidity.

kW
W
3980
57' 30'
3979
39
55'
3975
f (l
1' I
• ,1-4,41 % N %dlc./ Uith
)197 j 11 •
f�1=
�y.
UNIMIN CORPORATION
QUARTZ OPERATION
ATTACHMENT A

UNIMIN CORPORATION
QUARTZ OPERATION
Chronic Toxicity Testing Requirement
The effluent discharge shall at no
using test procedures outlined in:.
ATTACHMENT B
exhibit chronic toxicity
1. The North Carolina Ceriodaphnia chronic effluent
bioassay procedure (North Carolina Chronic Bioassay
Procedures - Revised *February, 1987) or subsequent
versions.
The effluent concentration at which there may be no observable
inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality is 16%
(defined as treatment two in the North' Carolina procedure
document). The permit holder shall perform quarterly monitoring
using this procedure to establish compliance with permit
condition. The first test will be performed within thirty days
from issuance of this permit during the months of January,' April,
July and October. Effluent sampling for this testing shall be
performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge below
all treatment processes.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit
condition will be entered on the Effluent Discharge Monitoring
Form (MR-1) for the month in which i. t was performed, using the
appropriate parameter code TGP3B. Additionally, DEM Form AT-1
(original) is to be sent to the following address:
Environmental Sciences Branch
North Carolina Division of Environmental Management
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Test data shall be complete and accurate and include all
supporting chemical/physical measurements performed in association
with the toxicity tests, as well as all dose/response data. Total
residual chlorine of the effluent toxicity must be measured and
reported if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste
stream.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests
performed by the North Carolina ni.vi_sion of Environmental
Management indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream,
this permit may be reopened and modified to include alternate
monitoring requirements or limitations.
Note: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the
cited document, such as minimum control organism survival and
appropriate environmental controls, shall constitute an invalid
tests and will require immediate retesting (within 30 days of
initial monitoring event). Failure to submit suitable test
results will constitute non-compliance with monitoring
requirements.