NCG060118_COMPLETE FILE - HISTORICAL_20030321

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Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation
North America
Paul Seagle
Manager: Environment, Health, and Safety
3400 Westinghouse Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28273
Telephone [phone] Fax 704 587 S109
E-mail [e-mail]
1
March 21, 2003
Mr. Rex Gleason
NC DENR
Water Quality Section
919 North Main Street
Mooresville, NC 28115
Mr. Derrick Harris
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Ciba
CERTIFIED MAIL
7000 0520 0024 5216 2860
CERTIFIED MAIL
Mecklenburg County Water Quality 7000 0520 0024 5216 2877
Land Use & Environmental Services
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Re: 5tormwater Contamination Observation on March 17, 2003
Dear Sirs:
At approximately 2.00pm on March 17, 2003, stormwater with a light blue tint was observed
flowing from a containment area on Ciba Specialty Chemicals Charlotte site property through a
conveyance bed in route to Steele Creek.
At approximately 10:00am on the same day, the stormwater in this containment area was checked
and approved for release into the conveyance bed. At that time there was no evidence of color and
the stormwater passed all parameters for which it was checked. At some point during release, it is
suspected that the stormwater was contaminated with some substance to effect the observed blue
tint.
At approximately 11:30am that day, a forklift was observed traveling from the Ciba distribution
warehouse through the stormwater to pick up clean pallets stored at the edge of the containment
area. It is suspected that residual dye on this forklift may have contaminated the stormwater. Then
around 11:45am that day, it was noted that a leaking pail of Cibacron Navy G-B dye was delivered
to the Ciba distribution warehouse by a common courier. The leaking pail was not delivered in an
overpack and some dye likely escaped to the containment area resulting in the tinted stormwater.
Around 10:00am on March 19, 2003, Ciba Specialty Chemicals notified Jay Wilson of Mecklenburg
County Water Quality Protection about the incident. Shortly thereafter, Ellen Huffman, of NC
DENR (Mooresville office), was notified of the incident. The Ciba Specialty Chemicals Charlotte
facility holds a general stormwater permit (NCG060000) with NC DEHR.
At approximately 9:00am on March 19, 2003, Derrick Harris of Mecklenburg Quality Water Quality
visited the site to inspect and review the incident. Inspection of the stormwater containment and
conveyance systems revealed no evidence of blue tinted water. It was also noted that samples were
retained and all records were in order. The Charlotte site was advised to submit a written report
within 5 days detailing the incident and measures to be implemented to mitigate chances for
recurrence.

To prevent recurrence of this event, Ciba Specialty Chemicals has implemented the following
measures effective immediately:
1. No forklifts are to be driven in the containment area if stormwater is present.
2. In the event a vehicle delivers a leaking container, that vehicle will be inspected to
ensure no product has escaped the vehicle. The leakage will also be absorbed/cleaned
before the vehicle is permitted to leave the property.
3. The timer that actuates the containment valve to the open position will be reduced
from 60 minutes to 15 minutes. At the end of each 15-minute interval the stormwater
will be visually inspected to ensure no contamination has occurred since the previous
release interval.
Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at 704-587-5038.
Best Regards,
41e
Manager: Environment, Health, and Safety
cc: R. Aplin
EH&S Files