NC0000400_Issuance of Permit_19961216

V
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Mr. Glenn Young
K -T Feldspar Corporation
P.O. Box 309
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
Dear Mr. Young:
TZ.WVVA
[DEHNFi
December 16,1996
Subject: NPDES Permit Issuance
Permit No. NC0000400
K -T Feldspar Corporation
MItchell County
In accordance with the application for a discharge permit received on May 28, 1996, the Division is
forwarding herewith the subject NPDES permit. This permit is issued pursuant to the requirements of North
Carolina General Statute 143 -215.1 and the Memorandum of Agreement between North Carolina and the US
Environmental Protection Agency dated December 6,1983.
If any parts, measurement frequencies or sampling requirements contained in this permit are unacceptable
to you, you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following
receipt of this letter. This request must be in the form of a written petition, conforming to Chapter 150B of the
North Carolina General Statutes, and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, Post Office Drawer
27447, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 -7447. Unless such demand is made, this decision shall be final and
binding.
Please take notice this permit is not transferable. Part II, EA. addresses the requirements to be followed
in case of change in ownership or control of this discharge.
This permit does not affect the legal requirements to obtain other permits which may be required by the
Division of Water Quality or permits required by the Division of Land Resources, Coastal Area Management
Act or any other Federal or Local governmental permit that may be required.
If you have any questions concerning this permit, please contact Paul Clark at telephone number (919) 733-
5083, extension 580.
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
David A. Goodrich
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
cc: Central Files
Asheville Regional Office
Mr. Roosevelt Childress, EPA
Permits and Engineering Unit -
Facility Assessment Unit
Aquatic Survey & Toxicology Unit
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 -0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Actlon Employer 50% recycled / 10% post - consumer paper

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
In compliance with the provision of North Carolina General Statute 143 - 215.1, other lawful standards
and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
K -T Feldspar Corporation
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at
K -T Feldspar Corporation
on NCSR 1151
west of Spruce Pine
Mitchell County
to receiving waters designated as the North Toe River in the French Broad River Basin
in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I,
11, III, and IV hereof.
The permit shall become effective February 1, 1997
This permit and the authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on December 31, 2001
Signed this day December 16, 1996
Original Signw -.
1)swid A. Goodrich
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Division of Water Quality
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
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ROAD CLASSIFICATION
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
HARD SLIRF ACE
LIGHT -DUTY ROAD, HARD OR
IMPROVED SURFACE
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
HARD SURFACE
UNIMPROVED ROAD
Latitude 35 °55'30"
Longitude 82 105'29"
Map # D10NE
Sub -basin 040306
Stream Class C -Trout
Discharge Class
41
Receiving Stream
North Toe River
Design 0 1.73 MGD
Permit expires 12/31/01
ti�
SCALE 1:24 000
0 1 MILE
0 7000 FEET
wt:=A W202111
1 0 1 KILOMETER
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
QUAD LOCATION
K -T Feldspar Corporation
NC0000400
Mitchell County

A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS FINAL
Permit No. NC00th7400
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall serial number
001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below:
EFFLUENT. CHARACTERISTICS_,., LIMITS
Monthly Weekly
Averaqe Average
Flow 1.73 MGD
Total Suspended Residue 1240 Ibs/day
Total Fluoride 132 Ibs/day
Settleable Solids
Turbidity 2
pH 3
Chloride 4
Chronic Toxicity 5
' Sample locations: E - Effluent, I - Influent, U - Upstream 100 yards from outfall, D - Downstream 100 yards from outfall. Instream samples shall be grab
samples and shall be conducted 3/week.
2 The discharge shall not cause the turbidity of the receiving water to exceed 10 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds these levels due to natural background
conditions, the discharge level cannot cause any increase in the turbidity of the receiving water.
3 The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 10.0 standard units.
4 Chloride shall be monitored quarterly during the same months as toxicity testing.
5 Chronic Toxicity (Cedodaphnia) P/F at 6.0 1/6; February, May, August, and November; See Part III Condition E.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam In other than trace amounts.
MONITORING: REQUIREMENTS
Daily
Measurement
.Sample
Sample
Maximum
frequency I
Type
Locations
Continuous
Recordinq
I or E
2480lbs/day
Daily
Composite
E
264 Ibs/day
Daily
Composite
E, U, D
Daily
Grab
E
Daily
Grab
E, U, D
Daily
Grab
E, U, D
Quarterly
Composite
E
Quarterly
Composite
E
' Sample locations: E - Effluent, I - Influent, U - Upstream 100 yards from outfall, D - Downstream 100 yards from outfall. Instream samples shall be grab
samples and shall be conducted 3/week.
2 The discharge shall not cause the turbidity of the receiving water to exceed 10 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds these levels due to natural background
conditions, the discharge level cannot cause any increase in the turbidity of the receiving water.
3 The pH shall not be less than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 10.0 standard units.
4 Chloride shall be monitored quarterly during the same months as toxicity testing.
5 Chronic Toxicity (Cedodaphnia) P/F at 6.0 1/6; February, May, August, and November; See Part III Condition E.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam In other than trace amounts.

Part III
Permit No. NC0000400
E. CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QRTRLY)
The permittee is required to perform the toxicity test as specified below.
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit chronic toxicity using test procedures
outlined in the "North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure,"
Revised November 1995, or subsequent versions.
The effluent concentration at which there may be no observable inhibition of reproduction
or significant mortality is 6_0% (defined as treatment two in the procedure document). The
permit holder shall perform .quarterly monitoring using this procedure to establish
compliance with the permit condition. The tests will be performed during the months of
Februarv. May. August, and November. 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 it was performed,
using the parameter code TGP3B. Additionally, DWQ Form AT -1 (original) is to be sent to
the following address:
Attention: Environmental Sciences Branch
North Carolina Division of
Water Quality
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 sample must be measured and reported
if chlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste stream.
Should there be no discharge of flow from the facility during a month in which toxicity
monitoring is required, the permittee will complete the information located at the top of the
aquatic toxicity (AT) test form indicating the facility name, permit number, pipe number,
county, and the month/year of the report with the notation of "No Flow" in the comment
area of the form. The report shall be submitted to the Environmental Sciences Branch at the
address cited above.
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 the permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is
required, then monthly monitoring will begin immediately until such time that a single test
is passed. Upon passing, this monthly test requirement will revert tc
months specified above. '
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests perf,
Carolina Division of Water Quality indicate potential impacts to the
permit may be re- opened and modified to include alternate monitor
limits.

.-
FACTSHEET
NC0000400
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
,APPLICATION FOR
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
PERMIT TO DISCHARGE TREATED WASTEWATER
Application No. NC0000400 Date: 10/16/96
1. SYNOPSIS OF APPLICATION
Annlicant's Name
KT Feldspar Corporation
Aunlicant's Address
PO Box 309
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Facility Address
NCSR 1151
west of Spruce Pine
L= of Operation
Process includes milling, processing, and flotation of ore to produce feldspar, mica, and
quartz. Mica and sand are by- products of the feldspar flotation process.
J)esien Capacity of Facilitv
1.73 MGD.
Annlicant's Receiving Water
Jteceiving Stream: North Toe River
Classification: C -Tr
Sub- Basin: 04 -03 -06
See Attachment A for a map showing the discharge location(s).
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Page 1 .. .

FACTSHEET
NC0000400
Description of Wastewater Treatment Facilities
A 1.73 MGD wastewater treatment facility consisting of three influent pump stations,
polymer addition, pH adjustment, screw classifier, inorganic solids settling ponds (two of
which are alternated during cleaning), and flow totalizing and recording equipment.
Tvpe of Wastewater (as reported by applicant).
100 % Industrial
2. PROPOSED EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
See attached copy of Effluent Page(s) from Draft Permit.
3. )MONITORING REOUIItEMENTS
The applicant will be required to monitor regularly for flow and those parameters
limited in Section 2 above with sufficient Fequency to ensure compliance with the
permit conditions. Frequency, methods of sampling, and report dates will be
specified in the final permit.
4.FECTNE DA's OF PROPOSED EFFLUENT LIMITS
LAND COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE IF APPLICABLE)
The limits become effective on the date of permit issuance.
Chronic Toxicity
Fluoride Re- opener
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Page 2

FACTSHEET
NC0000400
6. BASIS FOR PROPOSED EFFLUENT LIMITS,
There are no federal guidelines for processing of ore for quartz and feldspar. The
fluoride limit is based on allocated load to the five mining facilities which produce
quartz (in close proximity). The total load from all plants is based on protection of
an instream fluoride level of 1.8 mg/l. Total suspended solids is based on
treatability levels from the WWTP and BPJ. North Carolina has no water quality
standard for total suspended solids.
Chloride is a by- product from the precipitation process and has been recommended
for quarterly monitoring (there is no NC water quality standard for chloride, but
there is an action level).
The toxicity testing requirement is placed on all major facilities and other facilities
with complex wastestreams (Departmental memo 7/22/87). The toxicity limit is
based on the instream waste concentration under 7Q10 conditions.
The pH limit was based on the water quality standards contained in NCAC 2B
.0211.
Turbidity and settleable solids monitoring are included due to the potential for solids
from the ore processing and the wastewater treatment process to be in the effluent.
7. REOUESTED VARIANCES OR ALTERNATIVES TO REOUIRED
None
The previous effluent sheeMimits are attached. No major changes have been made
to the permit.
The NPDES Permit expires on: 12/31/2001
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FACTSHEET
NC0000400
The administrative record, including application, draft permit, fact sheet, public
notice, comments received, and additional information is available by writing the
Division of Water Quality, Water Quality Section, P. O. Box 29535,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 -0535. The above documents are available for
review and copying at the Archdale Building, 9th Floor, Water Quality Section,
Permits and Engineering Unit, 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina
27611 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Copies will be provided at a charge of 10 cents per page.
Additional information concerning the permit application may be obtained at the
above address during the hours stated in item No. 9 by contacting: Paul Clark at
(919) 733 -5083, extension 580.
Draft Permit to Public Notice - 10/23/96
Permit Scheduled to Issue - 12/9/96
12. PROCEDURES FOR THE FORMULATION OF FINAL DETERMINATIONS,
a. Comment Perms
The Division of Water Quality proposed to issue an NPDES Permit to this applicant
subject to the effluent limitations and special conditions outlined above. These
determinations are tentative and are open to comment from the public.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the permit application
or on the Division of Water Quality's proposed determinations to the
following address:
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
WATER QUALITY SECTION
POST OFFICE BOX 29535
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27626 -0535
All comments received within thirty days following the date of public notice will be
considered in the formulation of final determinati* vGlhVqard to this application.
Page 4 WU
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FACTSHEET
NC0000400
b. Public Hearing
The director of the Division of Water Quality may hold a public hearing if there is a
significant degree of public interest in a proposed permit or group of permits.
Public notice of such a hearing will be circulated in newspapers in the geographical
area of the discharge and to those on the Division of Water Quality's mailing list at
least thirty days prior to the hearing.
C. Anneal Hearings
An applicant whose permit is denied, or is granted subject to conditions he deems
unacceptable, shall have the right to a hearing before the Commission upon making
written demand to the Director within 30 days following issuance or denial of the
permit.
d. Issuance of the hermit when no hearing is held
If no public hearing or appeal hearing is held, and after review of the comments
received, the Division of Water Quality's determinations are substantially
unchanged, the permit will be issued and become effective immediately. This will
be the final action of the Division of Water Quality.
If a hearing is not held, but there have been substantial changes, public notice of the
Division of Water Quality's revised determinations will be made. Following a 30-
day comment period, the permit will be issued and will become effective
immediately. This will be the final action of the Division of Water Quality unless a
public or appeal hearing is granted.
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NC0000400 Summary
October 7, 1996
KT Feldspar Corporation has applied for renewal of their NPDES permit to discharge 1.73
MGD treated industrial wastewater.
KT Feldspar conducts milling, processing, and flotation of Feldspar. The mica and sand
are byproducts of the Feldspar floatation process. No effluent guidelines have been
developed for this industry.
KT WWTP consists of three influent pump stations, polymer addition, pH adjustment,
screw classifier, inorganic solids settling ponds (two of which are alternated during
cleaning) and flow totalizing and recording. Wastewater and tailings containing
approximately 5 % solids are treated with hydrated lime and polymer then pumped to the
first of three settling ponds. Water level is controlled by a weir chimney and overflow
goes into second settling pond where water level is controlled by weir which discharges
into North Toe River after passing through weir overflow. Ponds are dredged periodically
to remove settled tailings. Dredge tailings are hauled to landfill to be used for reclamation.
There are no effluent guidelines for this industry and the effluent limits were developed
using production and process information and the NC Water Quality Standard for fluoride
of 1.8 mg/1. There are four other companies, The Feldspar Corporation, Unimin
Corporation -Mica Operations, Unimin Corporation - Quartz Operations, and Unimin
Corporation- Crystal which have similar industrial processes and wastewater characteristics.
Each company discharges or proposes to discharge fluorides to the North Toe River. It has
been determined that there is a maximum assimilative capacity of 574 lbs/day of fluoride in
the North Toe River at the mouth of Little Bear Creek, which is the most downstream point
fluoride is discharged. All five permits are interdependent on each other because the total
assimilative capacity for the fluoride is allocated between the five industries and all permits
should be issued at the same time.
_NYLA Summary
The attached summary documents the effluent limits and monitoring requirements'
development for the five mining facilities that discharge into the North Toe River. This
summary specifically addresses process wastewater limits and monitoring requirements
development.
The facility conducts a quarterly chronic pass/fail toxicity test with a 1% limit and has
consistently passed their toxicity tests since September 1994.
KT has two general stormwater permits NCGO20273 and NCG020274. Thus, the
stormwater discharge does not have to be incorporated into the process wastewater
discharge permit (as has been done with one of the Unimin facilities).
L6 01 Nar
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Part III
Permit No. NCO044954
E. Chronic Toxicity Limit ( Ceriodaphnia, Quarterly Pass/Fail)
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit chronic toxicity in any two consec ive toxicity tests,
I
using test procedures outlined in:
1.) The North Carolina Ceriodaphnia chronic effluent bioassay procedure (No #h Carolina Chronic
Bioassay \an ure - Revised *September 1989) or subsequent versions.
The efflucentration at which there may be no observable inhibi on of reproduction or
significan' is 5.4% (defined as treatment two in the North Carol' a procedure document).
The permr all perform quarterly monitoring using this proced to establish compliance
with the pon 'on. The first test will be performed after thirty days from issuance of this
permit due Mon s of February, May, August, and Novembe Effluent sampling for this
testing sherfonne at the NPDES permitted final effluent scharge below a ll treatment
processesAll toxicing results requ as part of this permit conditio will be entered on the Effluent
Discharge oring Form (MR- for the month in which it w performed, using the parameter
code TGPdditionally, DEM AT -1 (original) is to be nt to the following address:
Attention:
Environmental Sciences Branch
North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management
P.O. Box 29535
Raleigh, N.C. 27626 -0535
Test data shall be complete and accurate and include all )kpporting chemical/physical measurements
performed in association with the toxicity tests, as w 1 all dose /response data. Total residual
chlorine of the effluent toxicity sample must be me red d reported if chlorine is employed for
disinfection of the waste stream.
Should any single quarterly monitoring indicate failure to m specified limits, then monthly
monitoring will begin immediately until such ti a that a single tes 's passed. Upon passing, this
monthly test requirement will revert to quarterly the months specifie above.
Should any test data from this monitoring
Division of Environmental Management i
permit may be reopened and modified to my
NOTE: Failure to achieve test c
control organism survival and ap
and will require immediate retesti
suitable test results will constitute
irement or tests perfon
ite potential impacts to
alternate monitoring req
by the North Carolina
eceiving stream, this
is or limits.
as specified in the cited document, s h as minimum
environmental controls, shall constitute invalid test
130 days of initial monitoring event). Failure to submit
fiance with monitoring requirements.

MINING FACILITIES, NORTH TOE RIVER
FACILITIES:
NC0000361 (Schoolhouse Quartz). Located at River Mile 41.5, this is
the first mine discharge of the five within close proximity. This facility was
recently permitted to construct a tertiary treatment system to meet a fluoride limit
of 109 lbs/day. The UNIMIN facility NC0000175 traded 109 lbs /day fluoride
load to the Schoolhouse facility, which subsequently reduced its existing load
of 219 lbs /day to 109 lbs /day.
Stormwater is covered under GP NCG020112.
NC0000353 (The Feldspar Corporation). Located at River Mile 33.8,
this facility has phased effluent limits. After Unimin Crystal begins to
discharge directly to North Toe River, Feldspar's total fluoride monthly average
limit will decrease from 225 to 174 lbs /day. As noted in Mike Parker's
staff report (7/18/96), the facility has never discharged from
outfalls 002 and 003 (both of which are non - contact cooling water
discharges). Please investigate the possibility of terminating one
or both of these outfalls since it appears the facility is not
discharging from these outfalls.
Stormwater is covered under general permits: NCG020256 and NCG020257.
NC0084620 (Unimin Crystal). Located at River Mile 33.8, this facility
currently discharges to the Feldspar plant (NC0000353). UNIMIN requested
an increase in flow from 0.173 MGD to 0.36 MGD for incidental wastewater
associated with the process. The facility is to begin discharging directly via this
permit in the near future. The increase in flow increased the IWC, and
consequently, the toxicity testing percentage.
NC0000400 (K -T Feldspar Corporation). Located at River Mile 29.2,
this facility does not have a non - contact cooling water discharge. The
Biocide Condition will be omitted from this permit, unless the
region provides a reason for retaining this condition. Review of
instream monitoring data for the period January 1993 through July 1996
indicated six violations of the fluoride water quality standard at the downstream
station. Feldspar facility (NC0000353) did not have any violations over the
same time period.
Stormwater is covered under general permits: NCG020273 and NCG020274.
NC0000175 (Unimin Quartz). Located at River Mile 28.6, this facility is
the last mine of the five in close proximity. This facility was recently permitted
to construct a tertiary treatment system to meet a fluoride limit of 109 lbs /day
[see note under NC0000361].
Stormwater is covered under the NPDES permit.
L6 0I NU
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/1996 12:10
D634 -P & E
7842516452
uct 14
DIVI-5iON QF WA7ER QUALITY
Qctobu 14, 1496
To: Fouest WestO
Mike Pad=
From Susm A. Wilsot
Pans Clmkp6C
Sublom KninS Paca]Wm as ttat Notch Tbc 3UVa
'95 16 =13
PAGE 02
P. 02/X
Please xvmw dw enclosed M"pp]m, *taunt shwxc , ana spec oondtaaus l�nvc =Y
ctamwaucr Wagmwa. if applicable) mr4ing ttwe rrnewal of the'a'winiAglpmcersmgg
facilities loaded on ft Noah Too River in the Finach Dmad River Basin. The foDOvAng
summarizes the mes review of dxae facilities:
• Nbach$rtges am proposed tD the lluari(k IoaM)p at each fs►c&Y De f. SW O kner
6M /951 Ttw P YTmt would 100 to be involved in the future re- Allocaion
Ocvelopmcat of f%odda at those facilities.
• P&E rmomme ads effluent monitoring firgmmcies (TT'F. TSS) of weekly for Mlitim
t1 MGD3; daily for bdiicim �P- I MCrU [WOU txINN refIem this f tOCVCYI
• P&B mcomaaem ds Meet i mstrmm mnnftO t be weekly for f1io1Edu <1 MCD: VW**
for utilities a Z MGD. This should pmvlft ft nivj6ioo mgft dais to mviaw dwft
tba neat punaii cycle. [Sonw faeltirim eaccsa4 ha" aeuy bwftam umftwing].
• As.recomnwadW by your office, chlo icde monkocing has been hnplrmentcd gawttxxly
(during the sum ma as toxicity Uobzg).
E lumt settleable solids, pH, mbd tmidify monhodog have bed► oondamd an a deity
Rupency
,1
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MINING FACE ITIES ON THE NORTH TOE RIVER
Permit Limits and Monitoring Requirements
Facility Unimin Schoolhouse Qtz.
NPDES No NC0000361
LcIlly
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
Freq.
PF (MGD)
2.16
Pl No
NC0000175
TF (# /day)
109
218
daily
TF (mg/1)
6.1
12.1
218
TSS (# /day)
450
721
daily
TSS (mg11)
25
40
jffSS (mg/1)
SS
88
monitor
daily
pH (SU)
(SU)
6-10
daily
Turb(NTU)
10
daily
Tox
P/F 11%
P/F 10%
Qtrly
U,D
TF,Turb
(may)
LcIlly
NCO085839
NC0000353
Mon. avg.
Unimin Qtz
3.5
Pl No
NC0000175
348 daily
Mon. avg.
Dail. max.
F (MOD)
3.6
54
F (#Tday)
218
436
F (rg1)
7.3
14.5
r'SS MAJay)
1320
2640
jffSS (mg/1)
44
88
S
daily
monitor
(SU)
daily
6-10
Turb(NTU)
10
Tox
P/F 11%
U,D
PH (day)
Freq.
F
daily
daily
daily
daily
QMyy
TF, urb
pH
(daily —
3 /week)
Feldspar
NCO085839
NC0000353
Mon. avg.
Dail. max. Freq
3.5
200
174
348 daily
6
12
1568
3137 daily
54
108
monitor daily
6-10 daily
10 daily
P/F 11% Qtrly
TF,Turb,
pH
(daily)
Unimin Qtz (processing - new)
NCO085839
Mon. avg.
Dail. max. Freq.
0.682
Mon. avg. Dail. max.
200
400 weekly
35
70
142
284 weekly
25
50
70
monitor daily
86.6
6-10 daily
weekly
10 weekly
120
P/F 1.1590 Qtrly
TF,Turb
daily
(weekly)
October 2,1996
Unimin
Crystal
NCO084620
Mon. avg. Dail. max.
Freq.
0.173
50
100
weekly
35
70
86.6
173.2
weekly
60
120
monitor
daily
6-10
daily
10
daily
LC50>65%Qtrly
TF (wkly)
Turb,
PH (day)
K -T Feldspar
NC0000400
Mon. avg. Dail. max. Freq.
1.73
132 264 weekly
9.1 18.2
1240 2480 weekly
86 172
monitor daily
6-10 daily
10 daily
P/F 6% Qtdy
TF,Turb,
pH
(daily —
3 /week)

DEHNR /DWQ
FACT SHEET FOR WASTELOAD ALLOCATION
ilitv Name:
Ap 'cant Address:
Facili Address:
Permitt d Flow
Type of Waste:
Facility/P6 it Status
Stream Classe catio
Subbasm:
County:
Regional OfficQe:
USGS Topo uad:
Discharge Location:
NPDES No.: C0020192
City of Gastonia/Catawba Creek Wastewater atment Facility
P.O. Box 1748, Gastonia, NC 28053 -1748
Duke Street, Gastonia, Gaston County
8.0 MGD
Domestic - 50 %/Industrial - 50%
Existing/Renewal
Catawba Creek
C (Changes to WS -III and B when Oters Lake Wylie)
030837 Strezh Characteristic:
Gaston U GS #
Mooresville
G14NW age Area (mi2): 12
Please refer to USGS map Summer 7Q 10 (cfs): 1.5
Winter 7Q10 (cfs): 3.0
Average Flow (cfs): 14
IWC ( %): 90.29
Wasteload Allocation Su
Monitoring and limits will re ain the same for /theajority of parameters in th e permit.
Oxygen consuming wastes hav generally not lem. Lake Wylie continues to
have problems with nutrients an therefore the l nitrogen and total phosphorus
limits will remain in the permit.
A reasonable potential analysis indic ed tha cadmium, cyanide, lead, and nickel will be
limited during the forthcoming permit ri d, while only monitoring will be required for
chromium, copper, silver, and zinc. Th metals requirements are the same as they were
in the last permit period except that chro um was limited in the last permit and only
monitoring will be required for the fo c\rati
ermit period.
Review of pretreatment allocation le foba Creek WWTP indicated that three
industries (Industrial Electroplate ,Modyeing, and Spring Ford Knitting)
discharge mercury to the facility Mercuring is also required as part of the Long
Term Monitoring Plan (LIMP . Review data for the period 12/95 -4/96 indicated
only one detecti on on 3/7/96 a mercury ate n equal to 0.3 ug/1(greater than water
quality standard of 0.012 u ). Mercury ng no limit) will be required in the
proposed draft permit. (For more detail, please fer to the summched t the end of the Fact Sheet).
Special Schedule Req ' ements and additments om Reviewers:
Recommend by:
Reviewed by
Instream ssessment:
Regional Supervisor:
Permits & Engineering:
RETURN TO TECHNICAL SERVICES BY:
Page 1

NC000400
INSTREAM MONITORING
1
1 FLUORIDE
FLUORIDE
FLUORIDE
TURBIDITY
1p
LP
DN
DN
UP DDOWN
MA
WGH
MA
HIGH 1 1
MA 1 MA 1
96071
0.76
1.2
0.89
1.11 I
71
6.51
9606
0.341
0.51
0.31 i
0.561
701
681
9605
0.341
0.46
0.421
0.531
321
30
9604
0.48
0.58
0.611
0.851 1
3.4[
3.7
96031
0.32
0.45
0.521
1.211 1
4.491
4.46
9602
0.251
0.33
0.231
0.341 1
3.2 1 '
3.17
9601
0.341
0.73
0.561
1.661 1
5.13
4.92
9512
0.72
0.91
1.321
1. 7
2.35
2.35
9511
0.58
0.81
1.29
�.
3.1
3.21
9510
0.57
0.82
0.58;
' 0.91 1
1 7
16.71
9509
1.02
1.631
1.091
1.541 1
6.781
6.241
9508
0.8
4.241
1.061
1000J1
10.61
0.371
0 71
V
-
0.78
1.1
0.741
11 1
9.961
9.931
9061
0.911
2.14
0.96
"1
18.61
19.21
9§P51
794 4
8,771
1_ x.51
1.01
0.651
0.83
1.031
1.451 1
1.631
7.21
3.9
6.81
4.1
9',03 0671
1.11
0.651
1.321
9.6
9
95&2,161
2.781
0.671
1.481 1
7.51,
7.38
95 1
0.821
�I
1.371
0.98
1.31
1
6.71
1
6.5
1 9307
0.791
_1.091
1_.131
0.951
1.251
1
7.6
8
9306
00400instrdata
Page 1
5PQ Y N"
1_
FUJORIDE
1
1 FLUORIDE
TURBIDITY
lP
UP J DN I DN
UP
DOW
MA
HIG -1 1 MA FM
I MA
MA
94121
0.83
1.041
1.011
1.45
1 4.13
4.56
194111
0.76[0.971
1.2
1.6
1 4.7
5.2
1-94101
0.921
1.91
1.6
4.2
1 3.31
4.1
94091
0.76
1.01 1
1.32
.66
2.6
3.3
9408
0.35
-- 0.451
0.8
1.13
15.5
16.8
1 9407
0.7
0.981
1.01
1.62
1 21.3
22.4
1 94061
0.57
0.75
1.04
1 14.7
15.8
1 94051
0.54
_0.761
0.711
0.771
1.08
1 13.9,
12.4
1 9404
0.481
0.91
0.591
0.861
11.2
11.7
1 9403
0.541
1.11
0.86JOW
v
8.6
9.4
94021
0.331
0.431
0.731
1.231
6.3
7.3
94011_
0.51
0.61
0.54
0.691
1 11.2
11.6
1 93121
0.791_1.291
1.23
-� 5.2
6.2
1 93111
1.161
1.431
1.42
3.71
5.2
1 9310
1.291
1.481
1.36
1.611
1 3.61
4.2
9309
1.111'
1.241
1.281
1.531
9.61
10.3
1 93081
0.881
1.271
1.651
10.71
1 1 .2
1 9307
0.791
_1.091
1_.131
0.951
1.251
7.6
8
9306
0.57
0.821
0.71
0.9
5
5
9305
0.21
0.31
0.261
0.37
9.7
9.99
9304
0.12
0.14
0.43
0.541
1
5.261
5.48
9303
0.21
0.23
0.541
0.71
11.51
11.4
1 9302,
0.51
1.'
0.31
0.341
1
6.81
7
1 93011
0.22
0.32
0.381
0.581
1
81
8
Page 1
5PQ Y N"

ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TREATMENT FACILITIES
I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in the State
of North Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically, weekly, full time)
the construction of
the project, for
the Project Name Location
Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was
used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed
to be built within substantial compliance and intent of the approved plans and
specifications.
Signature
Date
Registration No.

Filed with . A- 14)
70 6co X a91fjt,5,
7 aL i,f-NA ,L_ a _7&1,,26 -
On ,19^.
Certification
of publication of legal notice in
MffCHELL NEWS JOURNAL
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, NC weeks
$
$
$
- jta& 1jPQ",-4 /.arum f
Paid
19_
No.
MTCCHELL
NEWS - JOURNAL
Cost of Advertisment
... ............. $ O
Cost of Affidavit d r
Total ...............$
/�.(! / Od
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF MITCHELL
1, Richard N. Bacon, Publisher of the Mitchell News- Ioumal, a
newspaper published in Mitchell County, North Carolina, in compli-
ance with statutes G.S. 1 -597 of North Carolina, as amended in 1947
session of General Assembly, being duly sworn, certify that the
attached advertisement of
was duly published in the aforesaid paper once a week for
consecutive weeks, beginning with the issue date
cQ /W , 19 96
(signed)
( ner,Pa ,Publisher or other �.
Employee Authorized to make the affidavit)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this O day of
�1
/ Notary Public for M ttchell County
l /� North Carolina
My Commission expires
i
No.
�=
2 -
O �
as
v
,y!.!

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
,POST OFFICE BOX 29535
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
27626 -0535 .
NOTIFICATION OF INTENT
TO ISSUE A STATE NPDES
PERMIT . .
On the basis of thorough staff
a permit renewal for a facility
review and application of Article
located at Unimin Quartz
21 of Chapter 143, General
Operation, off NC Highway 226,
Statutes of . North Carolina,
near, Spruce Pine, Mitchell
Public Law 92 -500 and other
County. The facility is permitted
lawful standards and
to discharge up to 3.6 MGD of
regulations, the North Carolina
treated industrial wastewater
Environmental Management
and stormwater into the North
Commission proposes to' issue
Toe River,' a Class C -Trout
a permit to discharge to the
stream in the, French Broad
persons listed below effective
River Basin, which has a 7Q10
12/9/96 and subject to special
flow of 45 cfs. Fluoride is water
conditions.
quality limited. For some
parameters, the available load
Persons wishing to comment
capacity of the immediate
upon or object to the proposed
receiving water will be
determinations are invited to
consumed. This may affect .
submit same in writing to the
future water quality , based
above address no later than
effluent limitations for additional
11/22/96. All comments
dischargers within this portion of
received prior to that date will be
the watershed.
considered in the formulation of
3. NPDES No; NC0000353..The
final determinations regarding
Feldspar Corporation, 1040
the proposed permit. A public
Crown. Point Parkway, Suite
meeting may be held where the
270, Atlanta, GA 30338 has
Director of the Division of
applied for a permit renewal for
Environmental Management
a facility located at The Feldspar
finds a significant degree of
Corporation, NCSR 1121 in
public interest in a proposed
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County.
permit.
The facility is permitted to
A copy of the, draft permit is
discharge 3.5 MGD of treated
industrial wastewater from three
available by writing or calling the
ouffalls into the North Toe River,
Division of Environmental
a Class C -Trout stream in the
Management, P.O. Box 29535,
French Broad River Basin which
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-
has a 7Q10 flow of 43.00 cfs. iII
0535, (919)733 -7015.
Fluoride is water quality limited. 4
The application and, other
For some parameters, the I
available load capacity of the +
information may be inspected at
immediate receiving water will
these locations during normal
be consumed. This may affect
office hours. Copies of the
future water quality based
information on file are available
effluent limitations for additional
upon request and payment of
dischargers within this portion of
the costs of reproduction. All
the watershed.
such comments or requests
regarding a proposed permit
4. NPDES No. NC0084620.
should make reference to the
Unimin Corporation, Post Office
NPDES permit numger4i�d
Box 588, Spruce Pine, NC
below. i6 (tN�Ott
28777 has applied for a permit
renewal and modification for a
Date: Oct. 1- �9f,�;,D 3.� DO�ility located at Unimin Crystal
David A. Go rich for
Operation, east of NC Highway
A. Preston Howard Jr., P.E.,
226, southeast of Spruce Pine,
Director
Mitchell County. The facility has
Division of Environmental
requested a permit modification
Management
to discharge up to 0.36 MGD of

....... .. .._ �_. _...a r-eiuspar %..urpurauuw, the proposed permit. A public Crown Point Parkway, Suite
meeting may be held where the 270, Atlanta, GA .30338 has
Director of the Division. of
Environmental t Mana ement applied for a permit renewsl for
a facility located at The Feldspar
finds a: significant degree of Corporation,. NCSR 1121- in
public interest in a. proposed Spruce Pine, Mitchell_ County.
permit. The facility is permitted to.
A. copy of the-. draft ` permit is discharge 3.5 MGD of treated
available by writing or calling the: industrial wastewater from three
Division outfalls into the North Toe River,
of Environmental
a Class C -Trout stream in the
Management; P.O. Bois 29535, . 'French Broad River Basin which
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626- has a 7Q10 flow of 43.00 cfs.
0535,(919)733-705, Fluoride is water quality limited. ,
The, application. and 'other
.For. some' 'parameters, the
-_ - - available load capacity' of the
information may be inspected at
immediate receiving "water will
these locations during normal ' be consumed. -This may" affect
office hours. Copies. 'of the future water: quality 'based
information on file are available .effluent limitations for additional
upon request and payment of dischargers within this portion of
the costs of reproduction. All the watershed:
such comments or requests
regarding a proposed permit ` 4. NPDES. No. NC0084620.
should make ,reference to the Unimin Corporation, Post Office..
NPDES permit number listed... Box 588, .Spruce, Pine, NC 1.
below. 28777 has .applied for a' permit'
! renewal and. modification for a,
Date: Oct. 18, 1998
'facility located at Unimin Crystal
David A. Goodrich for , Operation; east of NC Highway
A. Preston Howard `Jr. P.E., 226, southeast of Spruce Pine,
i,. Director.' ' ` A Mitchell County The facility has
` ':,,
Division of: Environmental «•.requested a permit modification•.
Management
to discharge up to 0:36. MG of
0. treated - industnal; wastewater
into the; North. toe;; River,' a;
Public notice of intent to issue a : .
$tats NPDES permit to the
` Class C- Troutt` stream:' in the'
French; Broad; River.:; Basin,
following Mr
which has A 7Q10 flow of 41 cfs..
1. NPDES No. NC0000406. K T i Fluoride .is "water. quality: limited: "mil
Feldspar Corporation, Box 309, For some ; parameters,': the-
Spruce Pine, NO. 28777 has i 'available load capacity.. of the
Applied fora permit renewal for imrTiediate" receivin wafer will
a facility ocated at K -T Feldspar-,` 9"
tY be' consumed: This. may ,affect
Corporation, on NESR .1151 `future :water. quality' based
west of Spruce Pine, Mitchell .1'. effluent limitations fof' additional:
County. The facility is permitted ., dischargers.withm this porilonof::
to.. discharge . 1..73; ; MGD of.
the watershed:
treated" .industrial wastewater
#3737/j0!-2,$796 ;, +x .:• .:,
from one outfall into; North,Toe
z €. River, a Class C -Trout stream in
the French Broad:; River Basin.;
which has" a 7Q10, flow: of 44-0.
cfs. Fluoride is 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 iimita s for additional`
dischargers vFitfiin s Lion of,
Me wat rshed
2. NPI$000?laQy'
Uniniln' Corporation, P.O. Box,
588, ' Spruce Pine, North
Carolina 28777 has applied for

�G
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
BUNCOMBE COUNTY
iss.
NORTH CAROLINA
L'F"°' " -s. Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said
PUBUCNOTICE County and State, duly commissioned, qualified
r1.'' STATE OF N.C.
`EnvironmentbIMgmt -
Cammis:i«, ,_ and authorized by law to administer oaths,
Post Office personally appeared Mischelle Miller
;NOTIFICATIONOF
Y r. I ISSUE A
'STATE NPDES PERM
IT Who, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
'On the basis of thorough
,staff review d, application that he (she) is LEGAL BILLING CLERK
'.Nf. VUDIIC LOW 97 -500 &
;other awfultiitand s & of ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES COMPANY,
Envi-
ronmental Mgmt commis -
-ston proposes -to issue a engaged in publication of a newspaper known as
Permit to discharge to the
Persons /96 below effec-
tive THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN -TIMES
five �12NN6 & subrect to
special conditions.`y ,,;
Persons wishing to com-
ment upon or oblect to the
Proposed ..determinations published, issued, and entered as second class
are invited to submit some
in" writing to the " -- :above
address no later . than lli mail in the City of Asheville, in said County
rece
f ved prior
22J96 ',"-All ' .comments and State; that he (she) is authorized to make
recei to that date
will be considered in the
formulation of g6rdln g The � deter-
minatlon .; regardin this affidavit and sworn statement • that the
Proposed permit, A public
fneet(ng- 1.may• ;_be s,held notice or other legal advertisement, a true
where the Dir. of the Div.
W;jlnvdEs na v ironmental .g
algnrticant?degree copy of which is attached hereto, was published
pf public In terest n a pro-
poseypermrt.;tlr:.., in THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES on the following
A,ltopy of the dr
lab le b y- virit
q�t P or:
ermit ' date: OCTOBER 2 2 , 19 9 6
is pvaTin
wllin0 the DIV;'�f Environ
ta�.Mgmt % Box
Is
626 0535,1919) 015.: .
Y,iapplrcatron: a, other,. and that the said newspaper in which said
nto:may be; nsPected at .
lIcaria durinpnof notice, paper, document or legal advertisement
ma office taunt. Copies of • g
1h0 Tntormotiogon file are
avoliable upon request a was published was, at the time of each and
ppaayYmmeent.. oT ;ttk = c is of
3elProdutfipl 1,iAll� such
�-reogmomenntos;or:tuests every publication, a newspaper meeting all of
itewlulemdlureference the requirements and qualifications of Section
�NPDES permit num-
rllstedbslow;.N 1 -597 of the General Statutes of North Carolina
} QOi1oa`ut .
J►:Pmro2word, r, and was a qualified newspaper within the
dlVISW of meaning of Section 1 -597 of the General
• Envlrofxnen�al mt
rce ar.
M
NpD S p
ter-
S to Statutes of North Carolina.
f fg
.T so Ipg,
>P a�teTlL:ho� This 29th day of OCTOBER 1996
MT
ptle'W"all (Signature of person making affidavit)
°'''II"'
If. pargltfet Ilfillted.' Sworn to and subscribed before me
qugi M16 ' the
IyO�Boa ity0fihe' This 29th day of OCTOBER 1996
t may 0-C M i1r111tolio � hi l of the gere within ) �'` �i X //
of ttl! woterstled. J !!
;.1 -`NCM175. (Notary Public)
rpr pp Box See.
14, r 28M has
l 831U expires: October 24, 2001
-�.Permit�f renewal +� � �$ .
ruse
pplus, M c 11 Ca. The Cili-
fY b permlffed fo dischorge
tea
to ; +3.d MGD of . treated
Nwuetrlol wastewater d,
tt er IntO.the'.North
T •Rlver,'_a C16ss C•Traut

tl81r6nal dischargers within
this portion of the watershed.
2. NPDES No. NC0000175.
Unimin Corp., PO Box S88,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777 has
applied for a permit renewal
for a facility located of
Unimin Quartz Operation, off
NC Hwy 226, near Sppru
Pine, Mitchell Co. The foS9111" ll-
ly is permitted to discharge
up to 3.6 MGD of treated
Industrial wastewater &
stormwater Into the North
Toe River, a Class C -Trout
stream in the French Broad
River Basin, which has a
7Q10 flow of 45 cis. Fluoride
is water quality limited. For
some parameters, the avail-
able load capacity of the
immediate receiving water
the immediate receiving
water wi I I be consumed. This
may affect future water qual-
ity based limitations for addi-
tional dischargers within this
Portion of the watershed.
4. NPDES No. NC0027898. NC
Dept of Correction, 831 West
Morgan St., Raleigh, NC
27603 has applied for a Permit
renewal for a facility located
at Yancey Correctional Cen-
ter 04670, County. Road 1138,
approx. four miles west of
Burnsville, Yancey Co. The
facility dischargers 0.0177
MGD of treated domestic
wastewater from one outfall
Into an unnamed tributa to
the Cone River, a Cass
a 7Q10 flow of 0.05 cfs. No
Parameters are water quali-
ty limited, but this discharge
may affect future alloca-
tions.
S. NPDES No. NC000353. The
Feldspar Corp., 1040 Crown
Point Parkway, Suite 270,
Atlanta GA 303;18 has applied
for a Permit renewal for a
facility located at The Feld-
spar Corp.,. NCSR 1121 in
Spruce Pine, Mitchell Co.
The facility Is Permitted to
discharge 3.S MGD of treated
industrial wastewater from
three outfalls Into the North
Toe River, a Class C -Trout
of 43.00 cfs. Fluoride is water
quality limited. For some
cte ildF o capacity of the
receiving water will be
consumed. This may affect
future water quality based
effluent limitations for addi-
tiondl dischargers within this
Portion of the watershed.
6. NPDES No. NC0084620.
Unimin Corp., PO 588,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777 has
applied for a Permit renewal
& modification for a facility
MGD of treated industrial
wastewater Into the North
Toe River, a Class C -Trout
stream In the French Broad
River Basin, which has a
7Q10 flow of 41 cfs. Fluoride
is water quality limited. For
some parameters, the avail-
able 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.
October 22,19% (6200)
(Notary Public)
My Commission expires: October 24,2001

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Asheville Regional Office
MEMORANDUM
E31EHNF;Z
WATER QUALITY SECTION
August 15,.1996
TO: Dave Goodrich
Permits and Engineers g Unit
THROUGH: Forrest R. Westa 1
Regional WaterQu Supervisor
FROM: Mike Parker %tf
Environmental Chemist
SUBJECT: Staff Reports
Feldspar Mining Company's
i Avery and Mitchell County's
I have completed the staff reports and recommendations for
the following facilities:
The Feldspar Corporation
NPDES
Permit
No.
N00000353
K -T Feldspar Corporation
NPDES
Permit
No.
NC0000400
Unimin Corporation - Schoolhouse
NPDES
Permit
No.
N00000361
Unimin Corporation - Crystal
NPDES
Permit
No.
N00084620
Unimin Corporation - Quartz
NPDES
Permit
No.
N00000175
It is requested that all of these permits be sent to public
notice and issued at the same time with the same expiration
dates. As you know all of these permit are interdependent on
each other because of the fluoride allocation in the North Toe
River. The total allocation of fluoride (574 lbs /day) is
allocated between these companies.
Also, please refer to the attached letter dated June 21,
1995, to Representative Charles Buchanan from Steve Tedder,
advising that the fluoride allocation will not be reduced when
the permits are reissued.
Interchange Building, 59 Woodfin Place ��y� FAX [phone]
Asheville, North Carolina 28801 ) An Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer
Voice 704 - 251 -6208 ,. , . 50% recycles / 10% post- consumer paper

Dave Goodrich Memo
August 15., 1996
Page Two
Additionally, chlorides have been noted in the results of
the Annual Pollutant Analysis data provided by these companies.
It may need to be added to the permits as a new.parameter. If it
is decided to be added it is recommended that monitoring only be
conducted until we have adequate data to determine it limits are
necessary.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the staff
reports, please call me at 704 - 251 -6208.
i

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
June 21, 1995
Representative Charles Buchanan
Route 1, Box 273
Green Mountain, North Carolina 28740
Re: Fluoride
Dear Representative Buchanan:
ALTX.;TA
IT yr
C)EHNF 'to
This correspondence is to clarify our position and hopefully to address concerns expressed by several
feldspar and quartz processing operations near Spruce Pine concerning fluoride limitations within their
NPDES permits.
The Water Quality Section of the Division of Environmental Management has worked closely with the
mining facilities on the fluoride allocation issue for several years. In 1985 we worked with the mining
operations to allocate the available assimilative capacity of the North Toe River in consultation with the
mining interests in that area.
The industries have expressed concerns that we may modify the allocations upon permit renewal in
1996. Although an error in mass calculations has been noted, I can assure you that there will not be a
reduction in allowable pounds allocated to these facilities for fluoride upon permit re- issuance. We will
continue to monitor the situation as the allocation for fluoride has been exhausted in the North Toe River
near Spruce Pine.
I have relayed this information previously to Unimin Corporation and to Charles Case and Lucius
Pullen.
If there are additional questions, please do not hesitate to call.
SWT: ps
cc: Forrest Westall
Don Safrit
r
rISS ti � a �tj
����•`••' Jam"_
Sincerely
Steve W. Tedder, Chief
5W. ater Quality Section
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 -0535 Telephone [phone] FAX 919 - 733 -2496
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% pest- consumer paper

TO: PERMITS AND ENGINEERING UNIT
WATER QUALITY SECTION
Attention: Paul Clark
DATE: July 23, 1996
NPDES STAFF REPORT AND RECONMENDATION
COUNTY Mitchell
PERMIT NUMBER NC0000400
PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Facility and Address: K -T Feldspar Corporation
Post Office Box 309
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
2. Date of Investigation: July 23, 1996
3. Report Prepared By: Michael R. Parker
4. Persons Contacted and Telephone Number: Glenn Young
704/765 -9621
5. Directions to Site: From the intersection of N.C. Highway 226 and
NCSR 1151 travel south on NCSR 1151 "0.1 mile. The Corporation
property begins at the end of this road.
0
6. Discharge Point(s), List for all discharge points:
Latitude: 350 55139" Longitude: 820 05145"
Attach a USGS map extract and indicate treatment facility site and
discharge point on map.
U.S.G.S. Quad No. D10NE U.S.G.S. Quad Name Spruce Pine, N.C.
7. Size (land available for expansion and upgrading): 2 acres
8. Topography (relationship to flood plain included): The wastewater
treatment facility -is located approximately 500 feet upland from
the North Toe River and is not subject to flooding.
9. Location of nearest dwelling: Approximately 200 feet to the north
east.
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10. Receiving stream or affected surface waters: North Tod Rivi
a. Classification: C -trout
b. River Basin and Subbasin No.: 04 03 06
C. Describe receiving stream features and pertinent doM_
uses: fishing, wading, fish and wildlife propagates_
canoeing, industrial water supply, irrigation.
PART II - DESCRIPTION OF DISCHARGE AND TREATMENT WORKS
1. Type of wastewater: k Domestic
100 % Industrial
a. Volume of Wastewater: 1.73 MGD (Design Capacity)
b. Types and quantities of industrial wastewater: Wastewater is
generated from the processing of ore to produce feldspar,
mica and sand.
C. Prevalent toxic constituents in wastewater: Fluoride
d. Pretreatment Program (POTWs only): NA
in development approved
should be required not needed
2. Production rates (industrial discharges only) in pounds per day:
500 tons /day maximum.
a. Highest month in the past 12 months: lbs /day
b. Highest year in the past 5 years: lbs /day
3. Description of industrial process (for industries only) and
applicable CFR Part and Subpart: The milling, processing and
flotation of Feldspar. The Mica and sand are by products of the
Feldspar flotation process. In accordance with 40 CFR Part 436
Subpart I -Mica and Sericite Subcategory and Subpart AI- Feldspar
Subcategory have been reserved. No effluent guidelines have been
developed for this industry.
4. Type of treatment (specify whether proposed or existing): The
existing wastewater treatment facility consists of 3 influent pump
stations, polymer addition, pH adjustment, screw classifier, three
inorganic solids settling ponds (two of which are alternated
during cleaning) and -flow totalizing and recording equipment.
5. Sludge handling and disposal scheme: Sludge or tailings from the
wastewater treatment facility is placed in a private landfill used
for mine reclamation. This landfill is approved and permitted by
the Division of Land Resources, Land Quality Section.
6. Treatment plant classification (attach completed rating sheet):
Class II.
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SIC Codes (s) : 3295
Wastewater Code(s): Primary 41 Secondary
Main Treatment Unit Code: 51502
PART III - OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
1. Is this facility being constructed with Construction Grant funds
(municipals only)?
2. Special monitoring requests:
3. Additional effluent limits requests:
4. Other:
PART IV - EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
K -T Feldspar Corporation has requested renewal of NPDES Permit No.
NC0000400 for the continued discharge of industrial process
wastewater from the production of Feldspar 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 other companies, The
Feldspar Corporation, Unimin Corporation -Mica Operations and
Unimin Corporation- Quartz Operations and Unimin Corporation -
Crystal which have similar industrial processes and wastewater
characteristics. Each company discharges or proposes to discharge
fluorides to the North Toe River. It has been determined that
there is a maximum assimilative capacity of 574 lbs /day of
fluoride in the North Toe River at the mouth of Little Bear Creek,
which is the most downstream point fluoride is discharged. All
five Permits are interdependent on each other because the total
assimilative capacity of the fluoride is allocated between the
five industries and all permits should be issued at the same time.
There have been no changes in the waste characteristics,
industrial process or wastewater treatment facilities since the
permit was last issued.
It is recommended that the permit be issued for five years with
the existing limits and monitoring requirements. Chloride has
shown up in the other feldspar company's APA report but chloride
was not reported by K -T Feldspar in their APA report. It may be
necessary to include chloride in their permit. If it is included
chlorides should be monitored at monthly intervals.
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