NC0000175_Waste Load Allocation_19911220

NPDES WASTE LOAD ALLOCATION
PERMIT NO.: NC0000175
PERMITTEE NAME; Unimin Corporation
FACILITY NAME: Quartz Operation
Facility Status: Existing
Permit Status: Renewal
Major -4 Minor
Pipe No.: 001
Design Capacity: 3.6 MGD
Domestic (% of Flow):
Industrial (% of Flow): 100%
Comments:
see staff report for sueeested limits and location may
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
Prepared by: / /�-
Reviewed y: V r c
CA_ -
Modeler I Date Rec. I #
�M� I lZ,?A lei l ion
Drainage Area (mil) /S3 Avg. Streamflow (cfs): a7o r
7Q10 (cfs) fS Winter 7Q10 (cfs) SS 30Q2 (cfs)
Toxicity Limits: IWC � % Acut Chronic
Instream Monitoring:
Parameters $ t.4Llk 11,4011C.—
Upstream y Location A-d 7A-14 A
Downstream i Location A" Aud e�
Effluent
Characteristics "A C.1 ��i l 4X-
BOD5 (mg/1)
NH 3 _N (mg/1)
D.O. (mg/1)
TSS ( #/d ) 13 120 .2410 (a)
F. Col. (/100 ml)
pH (SU) (�i+" 1 e�, –/0 (a)
F7uo✓(d E s 6,kce)
At J;;VC1
�F1 J), �" t�Y w�lYty w,rvtw f ;
1 /(jam T y 4 o i
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�f' SiMU •M'�'"c.wls ,/wi� ,+rc /CMfr iN 'iv /(►� e
Date; 12/20/91
Date: 7121192. Comments:
Date: AV 14 A
g
l //��

FACT SHEET FOR WASTELOAD ALLOCATION
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:
DL�
Tee �)Aj wfj4.�►4NJfi•�
l�
V r'7
Recommended : �'S-• — Date: 5120/92_ to P.
�►o;
Reviewed by r,
InstreamAssess
Regional r: 0. Date:
Permits & ngineering: C Date:
RETURN TO TECHNICAL SERVICES BY:
j uN 2 7 1992
Request# 61ME
Facility Name:
Unimin Corp -Quartz Operations (PIPE 001) CEIVED
Water Qut+llity S ctioa
NPDES No.:
NC0000175
Type of Waste:
Industrial - 100%
Facility Status:
Existing
xEr "92
Permit Status:
Renewal
`��
Receiving Stream:
The North Toe River
Stream Classification:
WS -III Trout
Aa#ailit bgioiral' ('Pf Y&
Subbasin:
040306
.Aiheolle, NortifCarollor
County:
Avery
Stream Characteristic:
Regional Office:
Asheville
USGS #
Requestor:
Barona
Date:
Date of Request:
12/20/'91
Drainage Area (mi2): 133
Topo Quad:
D11NW
Summer 7Q10 (cfs): 45
Winter 7Q10 (cfs): 55
Average Flow (cfs): 270
30Q2 (cfs):
IWC (°1$): 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:
DL�
Tee �)Aj wfj4.�►4NJfi•�
l�
V r'7
Recommended : �'S-• — Date: 5120/92_ to P.
�►o;
Reviewed by r,
InstreamAssess
Regional r: 0. Date:
Permits & ngineering: C Date:
RETURN TO TECHNICAL SERVICES BY:
j uN 2 7 1992

2
TOXICS/METALS/CONVENTIONAL PARAMETERS
Type of Toxicity Test: Chronic pass/fad
Existing Limit:
Recommended Limit: 11%
Monitoring Schedule: APR JUL OCT JAN
Existing Limits
Daily Average Daily Max.
Wasteflow (MGM 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 mofe than 10 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds 10 NTU
due to natural conditions, the discharge shall not cause any increase in turbidity.
Daily Average Daily Max. WQ or EL
Wasteflow (MGD): 3.6
TSS ( # /d): 1320 2640 EL
Fluorides ( # /d): 179 358 EL
Turbidity (NM:
Settleable Solids (mVl):
pH (SU): r'' b -/a EL
*The discharge shall not increase turbidity of receiving waters mofe 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: Emmic" Affected
Change in 7Q10 data
Change in stream classification
Relocation of discharge
Change in wasteflow
New pretreatment information
Other (onsite toxicity study, interaction, etc.) Fluorides
Parameter(s) are 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.

INSTREAM MONUORING 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
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 a,,,.„ ,,.:ate? Yes No
If yes, please provide a schedule (and basis for that schedule) with the regional
office recommendations:
If no, why not?
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.

G1
f=acility Name icN Permit #,4)G40001 %S— Pipe #00 /
CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS /FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QRTRLY)
(* *Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia) P/F at / /-b,
, See Pati-Z, Condition L .)
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit chronic toxicity using test procedures outlined in:
1.) The North Carolina Ceriodanhnia 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 -�L-76 (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 thirrd� days from the effective date of this permit during the months ofSa�+c.t�j , ,ei1,
aw.LOvl-aL e . Effluent sampling for this testing shall be performed of the PDES
permit 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, 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 altemate monitoring requirements or limits.
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 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 4e4Z-" cfs
Permitted Flow G / MGD
IWC%
Basin & Sub -basin QP--D.3— Q4
Receiving Stream�Ta -c.
County
QCLR Version 9191
Recommended by:
Date

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INSTREAM SELF- MONITORING DATA
MONTHLY AVERAGES
(�
Discharger: (idiln;,J
- �Jevh Q
Receivinu Stream:
Os" NJ,.,
Upstream Location:
/W,,, / /7/- .,rV44
DATE TEMP
Bec -9�
Nov 91
6cr-"
Sep 91
- fozflp/rY
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dv+-0a
-May
I /,/
IF
AP#-"
Mar -92z
$
�/
Feb -92- I
i
s'7
Jan -92 I
i/
, 6/
Dec -9e I
/;z I
. f8
Nov -90 I
9
4-0.3
Oct -94 I
`�`
. f o
Sep -94 I
177
Aug -90 I
ro I
.-7
Jul -90 1
3 1
, y3y
Jun -9d {
/5 I
•fZ I
May -90 {
'?
Apr -9d I
13
Mar -9f I
{
• L7 {
Feb -90 I
6 I
, yf I
Jan -9j I
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Dec -89 I
I
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Nov -89 I
I
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Oct -89 I
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Sep -89
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Aug -89
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Jul -89 I
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Jun -89 {
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May -89 I
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Apr -89 {
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Mar -89
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Fqb -89
Jan -89 {
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STREAM DATA
Permit No. Ak 6(j00 - /%S' `
Sub - basin: Qy-o1�d,c
Downstream Location:
TEMP balmy ^,j4 ;03
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' I DISCHARGE SERIAL NUMBER
FOR AGENCY USE
• lll�li #I
h
13. Activity Description Give a
narrative description of activity 217e The applicant is engaged in the extraction
(
producing this disehargs(ete
Instructions) of mica, feldspar, and quartz.
"Ni ni nrrtl
see attached simplified flow sheet.
14. Activity Causing Ofsehat*e 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 I of the Instruc•
tion Booklet. For SIC Codes not
listed in Table 1, use raw miter [at
or production units normally used
for measuring productlon.tsee
Instructions)
a. Raw Materials
Maximum
Unit
SIC Code Name
Amount /Day
(See liable q
ltli (1) 11)
t3$'
141
1459 Feldspar
900
Tons /Day
.1499 Quartz & Mic
200
Tons /Day
b. Products
SIC Code
11114111 (1)
Shared Discharges
(Serial Number)
(S1
Maximum Unit Shared Discharges
Naha Amount /Day (See Table 11 (Serial Number)
I( -3

DISCHARGE SERIAL NUMBER
001 FOR AO[mcv USE
17. Denriptlen of intake and Discharge
For each of the parameters listed below. enter In the appropriate post the value or code letter answer called for.(see Instructional
In addltlol% enter the parameter name and code and all required values for any of the following parameters It they were checked In Item 16t
ammonia. cyanide, aluminum, arsenic, beryllium% cadmium, chromlun% copper. lead. mercury. nickel, selenium. skw, phenols6 oil and grease.
and chlorine (rsslduall.
Influent Effluent
LP
.,
Parameter and Code _ ^ � � � � > y o
fig° E
a
(1) (2) 1 (3) (4) (S) (6) (7) (8)
Flow'
Gallons per day 50050 .956 2.75 ; 3.7 4.20 "Cont. " N/A
OOOS6
pH
Units 6.00 10.00 7/7 Grao
00400 X
Temperattua (Wester)
'F =
74028
Tpnperaturs (summer) '
74027
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(DOD 5-0ay) .
m6/I
00310
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
mg/I I
00340
Total Suspended (nonGI arable)
Solids 350mg /'_• 500 mg /1 7/7 Coin p
00530
Specific Conductance
micromhor/cm at 23° C
00095 I
i
Settleable Mattes (residue)
7/7 tiral
mU1 i
OOS45
*Other discharges sharing intake now (serial numbers).(see instructions)
II.6

17. (Contd.)
Parameter and Code
to
* Fluoride
044
GISCMAROE SERIAL NUMBER
t))I-
lntluent
Y
r
<
S
�3e
q
s
a3Q
«.»°
(1}
(2)
Pon AGENCY USE
Effluent '
> > oA<
S .a o xK z E
o wo< Cowin m x<
(3) (4) (3) (6) (7) (a)
18 lbs /lay _436_lbs. /day 7/` wrap
25 1 7/" Coll
*This is our present NPDES permit requirement
Is. Plant Controls Check It the fol-
Al .
lowing plant controls are evailabie
for this discharge.
Alternate power source for nudor
c
❑ APS
pumping facility.
Alarm or emergency procedure for
Q Atli
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 Additles If the
discharge Is treated with any con -
dltioner. Inhibitor, or algiCide.
;.
answer the following;
'.
8853 and Nalco 9809 polymers.
rM t ai :)
site
Nalco
a. Name o a er
b. Name and address of mane- Nalco Chemical_ Co.
facturer 2t>tft
.
c. Quantity (pounds added pe.r `a ii 41
million gallons of water treated).
U -7

,PART IV - EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Unimin Corporation - Quartz Operation has requested renewal of NPDEX
Permit No. NC0000175 ibr 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 /l. There are four companies, Unimin
Corporation - Quartz Operation, P T Feldspar Corporation, The
Feldspar Corporation and Unimin Corporation -Mica Operation, which
have similar industrial processes Arid wastewater characteristics.
Each Company discharges or proposes 1.o 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 al.loc.at:?d 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 NFDRS P—t mi.ts based on different
operational plans each Company hail proposed. With Unimin
Corporation -Mica Operations exercisirng 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.

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
I
Pollutants which are present in significant quantities or which
are subject to effluent limitation are as follows:
Effluent Characteristic Reported Load
(Specify Units)
Averaae Maximum
Flow 0.878.MGD 1.41 MGD
Total Suspended Solids 351 lbs /day 251.6 lbs /day
s
Fluorides, 163 lbs /day 388 lbs /day
PH min. 5.9 M.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. PROP,OSED FINAL EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
J -
Effluent Characteristic Discharge Limitation
(lbs da Other Limitations
Daily Daily (Specify Units)
Average Maximum Average Maximum
Discharge 001
Flow
Total Suspended Solids
Fluorides
Settleable Solids
Turbidity (See below)
pH
Chronic Toxicity
3.6 MGD 4.32 MGD
1320.0 2640.0
179.0 358.0
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.

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UNIMIN CORPORATION
/ �' QUARTZ OPERATION
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< �Ly � 4 ATTACHMENT A
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f
UNIMIN CORPORATION
QUARTZ OPERATION
Chronic Toxicity Testing Requirement_ ATTACHMENT B
The effluent discharge shall at no f-im- exhibit chronic toxicity
using test procedures outlined in:*
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 it 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 Division 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.