NC0084620_Wasteload Allocation_19860618

NPDES DOCIMENT SCANNING COVER SHEET
NPDES Permit:
NC0084620
Unimin Crystal 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:
June 18, 1986
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State of North Carolina
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development
Asheville Regional Office
James G. Martin, Governor
MEMORANDUM
TO:
S. Thomas Rhodes, Secretary
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
WATER QUALITY SECTION
Randy Dodd'
Megg Kerr
Steve Tedder
Technical Services
June 18, 1986
THROUGH: Roy M. Davis, Regional Supervisor
Division Of Environmental Management
Forrest R. Westa
Water Quality Regtpervisor
FROM: Michael R. Parke 77/ Pr
Environmental Specialist
SUBJECT: Effluent Limitations for Feldspar Mining Industries
Mitchell County, North Carolina
A review of the proposed effluent limits for each of the
Feldspar Mining Industries has been conducted. Based on the new
fluoride allocations and the fluoride toxicity report a meeting
with the Feldspar Corporation, Indusmin, Inc. and IMC Corporation
has been scheduled for June 26, 1986, to explain the new
allocations of fluoride, toxicity of fluoride and the
alternatives the industries have in order to comply with the new
permit limits.
It is likely that a time schedule and special order by
consent or adjunction will be requested by one or all of the
industries.
Also, I would like to mention that Unimin Corporation
(formally Harris Mining Company) is in the final stages of
developing a mineral process using hydrofluoric acid. The
Company will be submitting an NPDES Permit application for a
fluoride discharge in the near future. Representatives of
Unimin, Inc. have been invited to the June 26, 1986 meeting.
Interchange Building, 59 Woodfin Place, P.O. Box 370, Asheville, N.C. 28802-0370 • Telephone [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Randy Dodd
Megg Kerr
Steve Tedder
Memorandum
June 18, 1986
Page Two
If you have any questions, please give me a call.
MRP:ls

DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
May 12, 1986
MEMORANDUM
TO: Arthur Mouberry
Forrest Westall
FROM: Randy Dodd Q41�
THRU: Meg Kerr 111K
SUBJECT: Effluent Limitations for Feldspar Mines,
North Toe River
Please find attached proposed effluent limits for three Feldspar
mines which discharge to the North Toe River. TSS limits are based on
current permits. Please note that allowable loadings and concentrations
are considerably above current discharge levels. Fluoride loadings are
based on an allowable loading of 574 #/D based on a 7Q10 of 45 cfs at
the mouth of Little Bear Creek, the current standard of 1.8 mg/1, 0.05
mg/1 background fluoride concentrations, and the previously defined
allocation among the three dischargers. Please note that a permitted
discharge by IMC Corp. to Little Bear Creek will require a fluoride
limit of 67.7 #/D, based on a 7Q10 of 0.3 cfs. Please note that an
additional loading of 506.3 #/D could be allocated to Feldspar and
Indusmin if 67.7 #/D were allocated to IMC.
Toxicity limits and monitoring requirements have also been developed
for each discharger based on the instream waste concentration and recently
developed Division protocol.
Please advise if questions.
RCD:mlt
Attachment

DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
ASHEVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
WATER QUALITY SECTION
July 31, 1985
MEMORANDUM
TO: Steve Tedder
Randy Dodd
Meg Kerr
THROUGH: Forrest R. Westall
Regional Engineer
Roy M. Davis
Regional Supervisor
FROM: Michael R. Parker7tR—P
Environmental Engineering Tech.
SUBJECT: Staff Report and Recommendations
Fluoride Limits for Feldspar Mining
Operations on North Toe River
Mitchell County, North Carolina
c\iD
RECEIVED
it-;U 61985
TECHNICAL SERVICES BRANCH
A review of the memorandum dated June 11, 1985, concerning the change in '
the background concentration of fluoride in the North Toe River has been com-
pleted. It appears that this instrean value for fluoride is a more realistic
number since there are no fluoride bearing discharges upstream of the Feldspar
Corporation. The recommended new limits are based on maintaining the North
Carolina Water Quality Standard of 1.8 mg/1 in the North Toe River at a point
just below its confluence with Little ear Creek. (This standard was based on
a 30-Day - 2-Year low flow of $5.2 cfs.
The new proposed limits could be included in the permits to be reissued;
however, discussions with personnel of the three mining operations indicate
that they may ask for a variance of the fluoride standard or request a Special
Order by Consent to give temporary relief until they can construct facilities
to remove fluoride.
It should also be noted that the Water Quality Standards and Assessment
Group is currently preparing a report on the water quality standard for fluoride
which we have been told concludes that the current standard may not be appropriate
and a higher value may be justified.
Based on this upcoming report, it is recommended that the NPDES Permits for
The Feldspar Corporation, Indusmin, Inc., and IMC Chemical Group be held until
this report is published and an appropriate course of action on our current
standard established. By holding the permits, there would be no change in the
effluent limits contained in the existing permits.

_ 2 _
If the permits have to be issued, it is recommended that they contain the
recommended new limits for fluoride as listedin the June 11, 1985, memorandum.
Each permit should, however, contain a reopener clause to allow for a change
in the fluoride limits should a new water quality standard be adopted by the
Environmental Management Commission.
If there are any questions, please contact me.
MRP:dk
cc: Arthur Mouberry

DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM: Randy Dodd
THRU: Meg Kerr m K
Steve Tedder
Forrest Westall
June 11, 1985
SUBJECT: Fluoride limits for Feldspar Mining Operations
on North Toe River
Fluoride limits have previously been determined for the three
feldspar operations on the North Toe River under 7Q10 and 30Q2 conditions.
These limits assumed a background concentration of 0.2 mg/1 of fluoride
based on a 1976 EPA study. More recent self -monitoring data from Feldspar
and ambient monitoring at Ingalls and Penland indicate that background
fluoride levels are generally near or below detection limits upstream of
the three dischargers. Based on the upstream monitoring data, a waste -
load allocation has been determined based on 7Q10 flow, the previously
determined breakdown of the total allowable load between the three dis-
chargers, and assuming a background concentration of 0.05 mg/1. Recommended
effluent limits are listed below.
Indusmin (30%)
IMC (32%)
Feldspar (38%)
Recommended Existing 1984 Self -
New Limits Limits Monitoring Data
173.8 #/D 220.3 #/D 179 #ID
185.4 #/D 235.0 #/D 105 #/D
220.2 #/D 279.1 #/D 218 #/D
Please advise if you have any questions.
RD:mlt
cc: Ken Eagleson

MEMORANDUM
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
ASHEVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
April 29, 1985
T0: Randy Dodd
Meg Kerr
Steve Tedder
THROUGH: Forrest R. Westa
Roy M. Day'
i7r
FROM: Michael Parker 'Mile
SUBJECT: Effluent Limitations for Feldspar Mining Operations
Mi tche 11 County
A review of the existing and proposed effluent limits for IMC Corporation,
Indusmin, Inc. and The Feldspar Corporation has been conducted. Presently each
company is in compliance with their respective NPDES Permit for all parameters,
however, should the regulati ons for toxics change based on a stream flow criteria of
7Q10 instead of the existing 30Q2 it will be difficult for these industries to comply
with the proposed fl uori de reducti on. Refer to the chart below:
Facility Current Fluoride Li mi is
Feldspar Corp.
Indusmin, Inc.
* IMC Corp.
279.1 lbs/day
220.3 lbs/day
235.0 lbs/day
Proposed Fluoride Limit/ 1984 Monitoring Data
206.1 lbs/day Li- = 218 lbs/day
162.7 lbs/day .11
173.6 lbs/day
* IMC recycles approximately 90% of its wastewater
179 lbs/day
105 l bs /day n
Recent contacts with each industry concerning the fluoride reduction has
caused considerable concern because they have been unable to develop a way to reduce
the amount of fluoride in the wastewater. The Mineral Research Laboratory in Asheville,
a part of N. C. State University, has tried to develop new technology to remove
fluoride and even eliminate the use of hydrofluoric acid but that effort has not
yet been successful.
It should be noted that a reduction in the fluoride limitations will
severly impact each industry economically. Should the stream criteria for toxics
change it will be necessary to work out a time schedule and special order by consent
for each industry which will allow them time to develop methods to reduce fluorides in
their effluents.
If there are any questi ons conerning this please let us know.
MRP/ls
cc: Arthur Mouberry
Doug Fi n an

11›
CI
.-1
C'3Z
f 542 #/D/ t fluoride.
��cL�ro� ^ = 0 ,,
the totat load.
adoption of 7Q10
not adopted, the
limits have also
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
March 8, 1985
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Roy Davis
Randy Dodd (.7)
THRU: Meg Kerr AI
Steve Tedder
SUBJECT: Effluent limitations for feldspar operations
in Mitchell County
IMC Corporation, Indusmin Inc., and Feldspar Corporation have permit
renewals currently pending. Effluent limitations were previously developed
for these dischargers based on water quality standards for fluorides and
turbidity. The fluoride limits were set based on a 30Q2 flow of 85.2 cfs
at the point immediately downstream of the three dischargers. PH and TSS
limits were also developed.
No technology -based limits have been promulgated for these industries.
Attached are recommended revised limits. The new fluoride limits are
based on 7Q10 of 45.6 cfs and background concentration = 0.2 mg/1. The 7Q10
limit has been proposed based on the anticipated regulation adoption for
toxic limits based on 7Q10. The previous allocations allowed for a total
load of 734 #/D of fluoride. The new allocation allows for a total load
The
same
percentages have
been
used in
allocating
Please note that these limits are contingent upon the
as the governing flow criteria. If this regulation is
effluent limit based on 30Q2 should be retained. PH
been amended to 6-9 SU for all three dischargers based
on the regulations.
Toxicity monitoring is recommended for Indusmin based on the screen
indicating a LC50 = 55. High effluent fluoride concentrations have been
reported in the past at Indusmin.

Roy Davis
March 8, 1985
- page two -
Also of interest is the fact that all three industries are .well below
their respective flow limits.
Please advise if questions.
RD:mlt
Attachments
cc: Doug Finan

Indusmin
RECOMMENDED EFFLUENT LIMITS
\
Flow (mgd) 2.02 ,w� '` r?�4.32 3.5
TSS (#/D) 1239.6 1320.0 1568.4
/
(30%) 173.6 (32%) 206.1 (38%)
Fluoride (#/D ) 162.7 1�K ' Lf r ;. n , 7
pH (SU) 6-9 6-9 6-9
Turbidity: For all: "The discharge shall not cause the turbidity of the
receiving waters to exceed 10 NTU. If the turbidity
exceeds 10 NTU due to natural background conditions,
the discharge shall not cause any increase in turbidity."
IMC
Feldspar
RECOMMENDED FLUORIDE LIMITS BASED
ON 30Q2 (#/D)
Indusmin 220.3
IMC 235.0
Feldspar 279.1

Indusmin
CURRENT EFFLUENT LIMITS
IMC Feldspar
Qw (mgd) 2.02 4.32 3.5
TSS (#/D) 1239.6 1320 1568.4
pH (SU) 6-8.5 6-10 6-10
Fluoride (#/D) 220.3 (30%) 235 (32%) 279.1 (38%)
Turbidity: For all: "The discharge shall not cause the turbidity of the
receiving waters to exceed 10 NTU."

=
FacilitU Namm�
T]pe of Waste
S�axus
Receiving Stream
Stpeam Class
Subbasin
Cmun'(,y
Aegional Office
Qequesnor
Da�e of Aequest
C\uad
Requesx No. 2139
] ALLOCATION APPAOVwL FOAM .... .... -.... .... .... .... .... .... .... ...
------~----
IMC Corp.
FELDSPAA nININ[;
EXISTIN�
NOATH TOE AIVEA
C.... TR
O/10306
MITCHELL
AQO
DOUQ FINAN
2-28-85
C11SW
Drainage Area (sq
T[\10 <cfs)
Winter 7Q10 (cfs>
30GU2 (cfs>
Average Flow (cfs>
------------------------- AECOMME�4DED EFFLUENT LIMITS --
W��s�eflow <mg4.32
5-Day BOD <m�rl>
An"o:ia Mixrogeo
Dissolved Oxygen
FecaJ. [:olif1O0m1):
6-9
�320 2a�O
rkA_ OAD J561
The ch'�rge sha�l no� cause C. xurbidity of zhe receiving
waters no e�caed �O ,�TU. Iv �he �urbidi10 NTU due
,ax:rai u",c�gro�nd ccnu�^ions, ��e
rl�:rice
�c 7.|l].
to
disc�zrge shazl no� cause an�
� ^
^
' .: -,. -;* 2..
l�mi^ r�vi�ed Previousl� t�s�d on 30q2 Thi� �imi� �ased
' . ..�'
--- ��� ` ��u: ^�m�� ��s�
�u�� �=. ^ ~
Reviewed bU�
Tec�.
�ecomuen�euby .... .... ....
�
�upport �uPnrvisor____
^
RegionalSuperysor.... .... .... .... _.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... -....
�pproval is ( yre�1minarV
zne 3-1 -----'--.... --
�inal
Pe,siT,s a En�ineerino................................................................... _
_'--
/
��-~���
��

^ ^^
.
Aequeso No. 2096
'.... .... .... .... .... - WAST[I.OAD ALLOCATION APPAOVoI.' FOAM ----------------------
Facility Name
Type of Waste
5tatus
Aeceiving Stream
Stream Class
Subbasin
County
Aegional Office
Qequestor
Da�e of Aequesx
Quad
Inuusmin, Inc.
FELDSPAA MININQ
EXISTINC
YiOATH TOE AIVEA
C-TA
0All O30�
MITCHELL
AAO
DOU� FINAN
2-14-85
C1zSW
Drainage Apea (sq mi>
7Ci1� (cfo>
Winter 7�1O (cfs)
30(J2 (cfm)
Average r1ow (ofs>
'
.)
°
--------------------.... .... -.... AECOMMENDED EFFLUENT LIMITS -------------------------
. --_
Wasneflow < IV, gd2.02
5-Day BOD
Ammoni'z nitrogen (mg/l) �
3issolved 3xygen (mg/z/ �
TE� ( /D) � 1237.6 2479.2
Fecal Co1iform (w/100ml>�
Fzuoride �#/u> �G 2."7 3 Z5A
.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ... .... .... .... .... .... .... ...
'
, L C-corSY-'
----------_-
The disc�arQe shall no� cause the �urbiui�yrece�ving
uaxers �o exceed 10 NTU. If nhe �urbidixy exceeds 10 N�i� due �o
,am/ral ba/:xgrounJ �cndi��ons^ �he discharge s�al� no� cause any
increase i, �ur�id���.
F1'mr�ue l�m�� 'ev�sed. PreviouslS �ased on 30q2T�i� limix based
Aeviewed b1�
Apcomoend*'! bu --8���.�±
supervisor___
'«
D......................................
Da�e
neg�onal Supe,visor___--______-_- ______~___
App,oval J.s ( } prplimina.ry � > vinaz
Perm�ns & Engineer�ng.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ............ .... __'-__---
Daxe___~_.... _.... ....

'-C
^ -^
PequestNm. : 2105
---~----------------- WASTELOAD ALl'OCATIOM APPAOVAL FOAM ---�------------------
Farilitg Name
Type of Waste
StWin us
Aeceiving �tream
Stream Class
Subbasin
County
AeQional Office
Aon, quesor
Date of Qequest
FELDGPAR COAP.
FELDSPAR MINING,
EXISIlNC
NORTH TOE AIVEA
(:-TA
0403V6
MITCHELL
APO
DOUC RENOWN
2-21-85
C11SW
Drainage Area {sq mi>
7Q10 (cfs>
Winter 7C\10 (cfs>
30(A2 (cfs)
Average Flow <cfs)
. -D",z\~\ A j). 7^ J R�
Wastef1ow (mgd) � � 3.5
5-Day BOC (mg/1)
Ammonia (mg/l> �
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) �
TSS (#/d) 1568.4 3136.8
Fecal ColJ.form (w/100ml)�
pH ( S U )
Fluoride
� zw4112°2
^
:1
-
....
Tlhe discharge shall non cause nhe MIrbidity of the receiving
waners nn exceed 10 NTU. If the 10 NTU due �o
natural background conditions' the discharge shall non cause ano
increase in tur�idi�y.
`
rluoride limievised eviousl� based on 3Oq2. This limi% baseu J��^ ^ ��~
on 7q10- ���°^� \�=�'' =2�9.1 �'0 \, ���, 4 �C ��(m en. ���� P.
React ommenued by
nevieweu Uy�
/
Tech. Supporupervisor.... .... .... _ ._
pion Qional
Apprnvm.l is ( ) preliminfinal
PermiAs & Engineering_____________----_--_- Date
3 V �