NCS000046_Staff Report_20190715

NC Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
Review for New Permit — NCS000046
Airgas Specialty Gases
Durham, NC
Facility Activities and Process:
• SIC Code: 2813 — Industrial gases.
• The facility repackages gases into smaller containers and ships them out.
• Gas is loaded and unloaded onsite and liquid is stored in larger tanks outside.
• Gas cylinders are cleaned and painted inside the facility.
• Storage tanks stored outside mostly contain liquid N2, Ar, CO2, and 02; as well as gas Ar, 02,
and H2.
Monitoring Information:
• Monitoring data was provided during a compliance inspection on 4/16/2019 conducted by Thad
Valentine.
• The facility had mostly consistent monitoring data; except for a few instances where the facility
missed a first half or second half of the semiannual monitoring period. This was addressed
onsite by Thad, who recommended the facility keep more consistent data in the future and
make sure to take samples during both semiannual monitoring periods.
• The facility requested to remove phosphorus as a monitoring parameter from the permit.
Monitoring data showed extremely low levels or no detections of phosphorous during all
recorded events. Phosphorus has been removed from the permit.
• The facility has three outfalls that discharge to an unnamed tributary of Northeast Creek. Based
on the monitoring data and site conditions, Thad recommended the facility apply for
representative outfall status.
Surface Water Information:
• The facility discharges to an unnamed tributary of northeast creek, a class WS-V; NSW stream in
the Cape Fear River Basin.
• Northeast Creek is considered an impaired waters, experiencing problems with fecal coliform,
cadmium, water temperature, copper, pH, iron, arsenic, nickel, dissolved oxygen, turbidity,
elevated nitrogen, zinc, and lead.
Discussions with the Facility:
• Contact was made with the facility over phone and email was made on 4/11/2019 and
monitoring data was seen onsite during the inspection on 4/16/2019.
Regional Office Information:
• Sent to Regional Office Contact, Thad Valentine, on 4/11/2019.