NC0084620_Biossay Compliance Inspection_20190430

April 30, 2019

Dennis Johnson
Sibelco North America
PO Box 100
Bakersville, NC 28705

SUBJECT: Bioassay Inspection Report
Sibelco/Crystal WWTP
NPDES WW Permit No. NC0084620
Mitchell County

Dear Mr. Johnson:

On 4/2/2019 & 4/4/2019, I conducted a Bioassay Compliance Inspection of the Sibelco/Crystal WWTP effluent.
This inspection was conducted to split samples with the facility for the chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia toxicity tests,
as well as Total Suspended Solids and Fluoride effluent limitations and monitoring requirements in NPDES WW
Permit No. NC0084620. All samples were found compliant.

The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection
report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me at 828-296-4500 or via email at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Linda Wiggs
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS-Inspection Report

Cc: ARO Server, LF
G:\WR\WQ\Mitchell\Wastewater\Industrial\Unimin Crystal 84620\Inspections\4-2019 BCI Tox\20190430_NC0084620_BCI.rtf
DocuSign Envelope ID: 573A7441-C866-48DA-A3DB-5E280ED329B7
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Form Approved.
OMB No. 2040-0057
Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 N 52 NC0084620 19/04/02 B S31112171819 20
21 66
Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
D N67707172 73 74 75 80
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
POTW name and NPDES permit Number)
Crystal Operation
300 Crystal Dr
Spruce Pine NC 28777
Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date
Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date
09:20AM 19/04/02 12/06/01
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
///
Other Facility Data
09:50AM 19/04/02 16/02/29
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Dennis W Johnson,2241 NC Hwy 197 Bakersville NC
28705//828-688-9213/8286889126
Contacted
Yes
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Flow Measurement Self-Monitoring Program Effluent/Receiving Waters Other
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s)Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Linda S Wiggs ARO WQ//828-296-4500 Ext.4653/
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#1
DocuSign Envelope ID: 573A7441-C866-48DA-A3DB-5E280ED329B7
4/30/2019
NPDES yr/mo/day
19/04/02
Inspection Type
B3111218
1
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Linda Wiggs met with Dennis Johnson to split samples.
DWR Results:
4/2/2019
Toxicity - Pass
TSS - 7.2 mg/l
Fluoride - 2.4 mg/l
Chloride - 2700 mg/l
Sibelco Results:
4/2/2019
Toxicity - Pass
TSS - 23.6 mg/l
Fluoride - 0.73 mg/l
Flow - 0.161 MGD
DWR Results:
4/4/2019
TSS - 28 mg/l
Fluoride - 1.6 mg/l
Chloride - 3800 mg/l
Sibelco Results:
4/4/2019
TSS - 33.4 mg/l
Fluoride - 0.76 mg/l
Chloride - 3200 mg/l
Flow - 0.115 MGD
NC0084620 17
Page#2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 573A7441-C866-48DA-A3DB-5E280ED329B7
Permit:NC0084620
Inspection Date:04/02/2019
Owner - Facility:
Inspection Type:
Crystal Operation
Bioassay Compliance
Other Yes No NA NE
DWR and Meritech Toxicity test resulted in Pass.Comment:
Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
Is the flow meter operational?
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
Comment:
Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
Is proper volume collected?
Is the tubing clean?
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
representative)?
Was setup at 40 ml and 1 pulse. We discussed correcting this but did not change it for the
toxicity test for consistency.
The staff did adjust the composite sampler to 100 ml aliquot and 5 pulses following the
toxicity test.
Comment:
Page#3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 573A7441-C866-48DA-A3DB-5E280ED329B7