NC0006564_Correspondence_20230501

Transmittal
Baxter North Cove Facility Temperature Study
Date:
May 1, 2023
Attention:
Landon Davidson
Company:
NCDEQ Asheville Regional Office
Prepared by:
Jaime Robinson
Project name:
NPDES Permit No. NC0006564
Project no:
BAXNCNPI
No of pages:
1
Copies to:
file
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Enclosures/Attachments
Action requested
.;acobs
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
14120 Ballantyne Corporate
Place
Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28277
United States
T +1.704.544.4040
www.jacobs.com
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Please find enclosed 1 copy of the Baxter Healthcare Corporation North Cove Facility Temperature Study
as required in NPDES Permit No. NC0006564.
21 MAY G [IA23 DJ
Water Quality Regional Operations
Asheville Regional Office
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
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I

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC2C8BE0-9667-43DF-9770-B8C289D86128
Baxter
MAY 01 2023
Water Quality Regional Operations -
Asheville Regional Office
May 1, 2023
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources 2090 U.S. 70 Highway
NPDES Industrial Permitting Unit Swannanoa, NC 28778
Attn: Amir Adaryani, Environmental Engineer
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Subject: Baxter Healthcare Corp. Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit
Permit No. NC0006564
Temperature Study Submittal
Dear Mr. Adaryani,
Baxter Healthcare is submitting this Temperature Study as outlined in the Schedule for
Compliance for temperature as required in NPDES Permit NC0006564 dated October 17, 2022,
and effective November 1, 2022. Our North Cove Facility (NCF) discharges into the North Fork
Catawba River, a Class B Trout stream.
NCF is the largest producer of intravenous solution bags in the United States and is responsible
for approximately 70% of the supply to the nation's hospitals. Based on historical performance,
Baxter Healthcare NCF has demonstrated compliance with previous permit requirements and
subsequently achieved "Exceptionally Performing" facility status according to NCDEQ published
standards. Additionally, it is important to note that the Baxter NCF has not received any
historical notification — either formal or informal — that the facility was in violation of its NPDES
obligations at any time related to temperature.
Further investigation into the thermal effects of our operations on effluent temperature and on
the receiving stream is included in this Temperature Study, in accordance with the Schedule for
Compliance included in the most recent NPDES permit renewal issuance. This Temperature
Study focuses on permit requirements to "analyze the impacts of each wastestream on the
facility's effluent temperature under diverse operating and ambient conditions and characterizing
the impacts of the facility's effluent on the receiving stream temperature under diverse operating
and ambient conditions."
In addition, the Temperature Study contains the preliminary results of a trout population study of
the North Fork Catawba River in the vicinity of the NCF (Trout Study), which Jacobs
Engineering performed at the same time as the Temperature Study (August 2022, September
2022 and January 2023). We will submit a complete report of the Trout Study under separate
cover, but it is notable that no native trout were identified during the Trout Study, and the only
individual trout observed (non-native, brown trout) appear to have been hatchery -raised.
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
One Baxter Parkway / Deerfield, IEtinois 60015
T 224.948.2000

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC2C8BE0-9667-43DF-9770-B8C289D86128
Baxter
Baxter Healthcare NCF remains committed to advancing environmental stewardship and
successful completion of the NPDES permit renewal's Schedule of Compliance. The findings of
this study will be used to inform the development of a Compliance Action Plan as required. With
this increased understanding of the temperature variability of the North Fork Catawba River and
the potential influence of its wastewater effluent discharge, Baxter Healthcare NCF is requesting
a meeting to discuss incorporation of these results into the next step in the Schedule of
Compliance.
If you have any questions or need additional information, the Permittee contact is Brian Smith,
Director of EHS at the Baxter Healthcare NCF. He can be reached at 828.756.6753 and
brian d smith(-baxter.com.
Respectfully Submitted,
EDocuSigned by:
�v,
DC 652EE32E964DB...
Kristin Vaughn-Morico, PE, BCEE, D. WRE, CSP, Fellow WEF & ASCE
Vice President, Environment, Health Safety and Sustainability
Baxter International
I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction
or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather
and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the
system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is,
to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. 1 am aware that there are significant
penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing
violations.