ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION \<;EN< \
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
TECHNICAL APPENDIX
INDUSTRIAL WASTE-SOURCE
EVALUATIONS
WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS
IN THE
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
1971-72
NATIONAL FIELD INVESTIGATIONS C E N T E R - D E N V E R
AND
REGION VIM DENVER. COLORADO
JUNE 1972
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ERRATA
TO
TECHNICAL APPENDIX ON INDUSTRIAL WASTE-SOURCE
EVALUATIONS - WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS IN THE
SOUTH PLATTE" RIVER BASIN, COLORADO, •1971--72"""-
The following errata refers to statements and recommendations in
the above document.
ADOLPH COORS COMPANY
Page 9 - Recommended BOD and suspended solids values should be
53 lbs/1000 bbl or 1500 Ibs/day, whichever is less.
The recommended fecal coliform limitation should be 100/100 ml.
V
CONTINENTAL OIL COMPANY - DENVER REEINERY
Page 21, lines 18 and 19 - Phenol values should be in ug/1 or ppb,
Page 22, line 5 - The refinery is a Class "B" refinery.
Page 23 - The recommended daily values should be as follows:
COD . 550' Ibs
Oil & Grease 10 mg/1
Phenols 1.1 Ibs
Suspended Solids 165 Ibs or 30 mg/1
Ammonia 190 Ibs
Total Chromium 1.3 Ibs
GATES RUBBER COMPANY
Page 28 - The recommended oil and grease concentration should be
altered to.10 mg/1.
The recommended suspended solids level should be 10 ing/1.
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY - BRIGHTON, COLORADO
Page31 - Best practicable treatment technology for this mill
should be defined as follows:
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BOD - not to exceed 0.2 Ibs/ton of beets sliced
or 440 Ibs/day between the beginning of the
campaign and December 1; not to exceed ' ' '
0.3 Ibs/ton of beets sliced or 660 Ibs/day
between December 1 and the end of the
campaign.
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY - EATON, COLORADO
Page 46 - The recommendations for this mill should be modified
as follows:
BOD - not to exceed 0.3 Ibs/ton of beets sliced
or 650 Ibs/day between the beginning of the
campaign and December 1; not to exceed
0.5 Ibs/ton of beets sliced or 1100 Ibs/day
between December 1 and the end of the
campaign.
Suspended Solids - not to exceed 0.5 Ibs/ton of
beets or 1100 Ibs/day.
Dissolved Oxygen - greater than 4.0 rng/1.
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR, COMPANY - FORT MORGAN, COLORADO
Page 52 - The recommendations for this mill should be modified
as follows:
BOD levels are not to exceed 0.5 Ibs/ton or 1730 Ibs/day.
GREAT WESTERN"SUGAR COMPANY - JOHNSTOWN SUGAR RECOVERY AND MSG PLANT
JOHNSTOWN, COLORADO
Page 57, last line - pH was extremely high (14.6).
Page 63 - The recommendations should be modified as follows:
BOD and suspended solids levels should not exceed 1000 Ibs/day
-2-
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Dissolved oxygen should be greater than 4.0 mg/1.
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY - LONGMONT, COLORADO
'" ' Pages 68 and 71 - The •recommendations^should; be mojii^fied. as.iu:,,
follows:
BOD levels should not exceed 0.35 Ibs/ton or 1155 Ibs/day.
Dissolved oxygen should be greater than 4.0 mg/1.
Temperature of the discharge should be less than 90°F.
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY - LOVELAND, COLORADO
Pages 75 and 78 - The recommendations should be modified as
follows:
BOD - not to exceed 0.35 Ibs/ton of beets sliced or
1300 Ibs/day between the beginning of the
campaign and December 1; not to exceed 0.45 Ibs/ton
. of beets sliced or 1650 Ibs/day between December 1
and the end of the campaign.
Dissolved oxygen should be greater than 4.0 mg/1.
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY - STERLING, COLORADO
Page 86 - The recommendations should be modified as follows:
Dissolved oxygen should be greater than 4.0 mg/1.
LOVELAND PACKING COMPANY - LOVELAND, COLORADO
Pages 88 and 90 - The suggestions and recommendations should be
modified as follows:
BOD.and suspended solids should not exceed 0.20 lbs/1000 Ibs
LWK.
Oil and grease should not exceed 10 mg/1.
RF.l-TMKKY CORPORATION - COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO
\2_ - This is n Class "U" refinery.
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Page 108 - The recommendations should be modified as follows.
The daily loads of the effluent should be:
COD 290 Ibs .-Q-,
Oil & Grease 10 mg/1
Phenols 0.55 Ibs
Suspended Solids 30 mg/1
Ammonia 100 Ibs
Total Chromium 0.7 Ibs
FLOYD HAAG SAND AND- GRAVEL COMPANY
Page 127 - The company should provide treatment to produce a
•suspended solids level of 30 mg/1.
-A-
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
TECHNICAL APPENDIX
ON
INDUSTRIAL WASTE-SOURCE
EVALUATIONS
WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS
IN THE
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
1971-72
NATIONAL FIELD INVESTIGATIONS CENTER-DENVER
AND
REGION VIII
DENVER, COLORADO
JUNE 1972
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ill
INTRODUCTION 1
ADOLPH COORS COMPANY 3
AMERICAN SMELTING AND REFINING COMPANY 11
CITY OF DENVER ASPHALT PLANT 15
CONTINENTAL OIL COMPANY DENVER REFINERY 19
GATES RUBBER COMPANY 25
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
Brighton, Colorado 29
Eaton, Colorado 37
Fort Morgan, Colorado 47
Johnstown, Colorado 55
Longmont, Colorado 65
Loveland, Colorado 73
Sterling, Colorado 81
LOVELAND PACKING COMPANY . 87
MARTIN MARIETTA CORPORATION 91
MONFORT OF COLORADO PACKING COMPANY 95
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO 99
REFINERY CORPORATION (TENNECO OIL COMPANY) 105
SIGMAN MEAT COMPANY, INCORPORATED 109
WELD COUNTY BY-PRODUCTS COMPANY 113
SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIES VISITED AND NOT SAMPLED 117
Brannan Sand and Gravel Company (Pit #1),
Commerce City 117
Buckley Air National Guard Station,
Arapahoe County 117
Burlington Northern Railroad, Incorporated,
Denver 117
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Section Page
SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIES VISITED AND NOT SAMPLED (cont'd) . . 118
Carnation Milk Company, Johnstown 118
Centennial Race Track, Littleton 118
Colorado School of Mines Research Institute,
Golden 119
Eastman Kodak Company, Windsor 119
Farr Farms Feedlot, Greeley 120
Fitzsimons Army Hospital, Aurora 120
Flatiron Sand and Gravel Company, Fort Collins . . . 121
Floyd Haag Sand and Gravel Company, Loveland .... 121
Gates Cycle Poultry Farm, Brighton 122
Koppers Company, Incorporated - Forest Product
Division, Westminster 122
Kuner Empson Company, Brighton 123
Lester Jones Sand and Gravel Pit, Denver 124
National By-Products Company, Denver 124
Power Engineering Company, Denver 125
Stapleton International Airport, Denver 125
Superior Sand and Gravel Company, Commerce City . . . 126
Western Paving and Construction Company,
Westminster 126
Windsor Packing Company, Windsor .... 126
RECOMMENDATIONS 127
ii
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
BOD - Biochemical Oxygen Demand, 5-Day
COD - Chemical Oxygen Demand
CSF - Concentrated Steffan Filtrate
DO - Dissolved Oxygen
KJ-N - Kjeldahl Nitrogen as Nitrogen
LWK - Live Weight Killed
MPN - Most Probable Number
NH.-N - Ammonia as Nitrogen
N02-N03-N - Nitrite Nitrate Nitrogen
Total P - Total Phosphorus
SS - Suspended Solids
TOC - Total Organic Carbon
WTP - Wastewater Treatment Plant
RM - river mileage (e.g. 311.1/6.7) with first number denoting dis-
tance from mouth of the South Platte River to the confluence
with a tributary stream, and second value Indicating distance
upstream of mouth of the tributary stream
cfs - flow rate given in cubic feet per second
gpm - flow rate given in gallons per minute
mgd - flow rate given in million gallons per day
mg/1 - concentration given in milligrams per liter
tjmhos/cm - unit of specific conductance (mho — the inverse of
the standard unit of electrical resistance, the ohm)
measured over a 1-centimeter distance, conventionally
made at 25°C
ppb - parts per billion
iii
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INTRODUCTION
This appendix summarizes information concerning industrial waste
sources investigated in the South Platte River Basin and supplements the
main report entitled, "Water Quality Investigations in the South Platte
River Basin, Colorado, 1971-72."
Forty-four industrial plants were visited in order to ascertain
water pollution 'control practices. Twenty-three of these plants were
selected for in-plant sampling to determine both the waste loads dis-
charged and the adequacy of present water pollution control practices.
Included in this appendix is a report on each industrial plant visited
with the exception of the Great Western Sugar Company mills at Greeley
and Ovid. These plants are discussed in separate reports entitled,
Effects of Waste Discharges on Water Quality of the Cache la Poudre and
South Platte Rivers, Greeley Area and Investigations of the Effects of
the' Waste Discharges from the Great Western Sugar Mill at Ovid, Colorado
on Water Quality Conditions in the South Platte River.
The format used for those industries where in-plant sampling was
conducted is as follows:
A. Introduction — includes background information and contacts;
B. Waste Treatment Facilities — includes type of system, number
and sizes (where information was available) of units;
C. Discussion of Plant Evaluation and Findings — includes infor-
mation on evaluation procedure, data from chemical and bacteri-
ological analyses, visual observations, etc.;
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D. Summary and Conclusions;
E. Recommendations
Summary paragraphs are included on those industries visited but not
sampled.
The waste treatment requirements recommended for an industry are
based on the following criteria:
i
1., Expected low flows in the receiving stream, as determined by an
examination of available flow records;
2. : Compliance with applicable water quality standards;
3. Waste-load limits achievable by the installation of best prac-
ticable treatment technology currently available.
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ADOLPH COORS COMPANY
GOLDEN, COLORADO 80401
A. GENERAL
The Adolph Coors Company operates a brewery, an aluminum can plant,
and a ceramic plant. Approximately 2,800 people are employed in these
plants. The brewery operates continuously and produces 9,000,000 barrels
of beer per year. Raw materials used include barley, rice, and hops.
Wastewater from the brewery, the can and ceramics plants and the
City of Golden are treated in the wastewater treatment plant that is
owned and operated by the Adolph Coors Company. In 1964 studies by the
1 2/
South Platte River Basin Project—'— indicated that this plant was pro-
viding adequate treatment and disinfection. The BOD of the effluent
discharged was 30 mg/1.
Studies on the ceramics plant— indicated that adequate treatment
was not provided; in 1964 wastewater (approx. 35,000 gpd) containing
an average of about 3,100 mg/1 of suspended solids was being discharged
to Clear Creek via Tucker Gulch. It was recommended at that time that
the effluent be discharged into the municipal sewer.
Water pollution control practices were evaluated by the National
Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) personnel February 3 through
5, 1972. Howard Lewis, an environmental control engineer, and Gary Downing,
a sanitary engineer, provided assistance and information.
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
Hater is obtained from three sources. These include springs
(approx. 3.7 mgd), the City of Golden (0.01 mgd) , and Clear Creek
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(23 mgd). The spring water is used for beer, the city water for boiler
feed and cooling, and Clear Creek water for cooling.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Cooling water from the brewery (22 mgd), boiler blowdown (300 gpd) ,
sand filter backwash water (up to 8,000 gpd), and two small flows of
unknown origin are discharged, without treatment, to Clear Creek upstream
of the Coors treatment plant. These discharges and the flow in Clear
Creek are diverted for agricultural use during the irrigation season.
All other wastewaters from Adolph Coors Company, together with those
from the City of Golden and a railroad maintenance garage, are treated at
the Coors treatment plant. Wastewaters from the ceramic plant and the
railroad garage receive pretreatment prior to being discharged to the
plant operated by the Coors firm.
This plant, designed for an average flow of 6 mgd with an influent
BOD loading of 30,000 Ib per day, consists of the following:
1. Preliminary treatment — including grit removal, bar screens*
and comminutor.
2. Primary treatment — one clarifier with a volume of 638,000 gal.
3. Secondary treatment — mechanical aeration with 24 turbines
(volume of 2.5 million gallons) and two final clarifiers with
a combined volume of 1.2 million gallons.
4. Disinfection — chlorination in the contact chamber with a
detention tine of 15 min at a flow of 6 mgd.
Polymers are employed as additives in the primary clarifier to aid
in settling. Sulfuric acid is used to neutralize cyanide wastes from the
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aluminum can plant. The effluent from the treatment plant enters Clear
Creek approximately one mile downstream from the main Coors plant at
RM 15.4.
An expansion program is presently underway to increase the effi-
ciency of the treatment plant. This program includes the addition of
a new grit chamber and surge tank; improved chlorination facilities;
conversion to pure oxygen in the aeration tanks; and addition of vacuum
filtration for sludge handling. After October 1, 1972, only brewery
wastes will be treated in the upgraded Coors wastewater treatment plant.
All other wastewaters will be transported to the Metropolitan Denver
Sewage Disposal District No. 1 plant (Metro) by means of a new interceptor.
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
The waste-source survey at the Coors wastewater treatment plant was
conducted February 3 through 5, 1972. Two 24-hr composite samples (com-
posited on a flow weighted basis) were collected from the influent and
effluent (after chlorination) with SERCO automatic samplers. Grab
samples were collected from the effluent and analyzed for chlorine
residual and densities of total and fecal coliform bacteria. Temperature,
pll, and conductivity were also measured periodically.
The daily discharge of BOD, COD, and SS in the effluent was 7,930 Ib,
8,190 Ib, and 729 Ib, respectively [Table 1]. The fecal-coliform bacteria
levels in the effluent numbered from 4 to 2,600/100 ml [Table 2]. The
data indicate that the plant was organically overloaded and not providing
adequate treatment. During the February survey the BOD-removal efficiency
ranged from 69-90 percent.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
COORS WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
GOLDEN, COLORADO
FEBRUARY 4-5, 1972
Parameter
Flow (mgd)
pH
Temperature (°C)
Conductivity (ymhos/cm)
BOD5 (mg/1)
COD (mg/1)
Total Solids (mg/1)
Suspended Solids (mg/1)
Influent
Range
6.6-9.6
15-20
900-1,800
840-1,200
1,220-1,280
1,260-1,380
316-324
Average
1,020
1,250
1,320
320
Effluent
Range
4.13-5.42
6.9-7.5
9-14.5
400-1,950
118-262
200-213
800-839
10-24
Average
4.79
190
206
820
17
Percent
Removal
69-90
83-84
92-97
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TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
COORS WASTEUATER TREATMENT FACILITY
GOLDEN, COLORADO
Date
February 3, 1972
February 4, 1972
Tine
0330
1025
1440
0825
1155
Total
Coliforn
Count /100 ml
300
23,000
110,000
1,300
34,000
Fecal
Coliforra
Count/100 ml
24
980
2,600
4
1,300
Chlorine
Residual
mg/1
0.1
0.4
0.0
0.4
0.3
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As noted earlier, after October 1, 1972, only brewery wastes will be
treated by this facility. Under the Refuse Act Permit program waste loads
have been proposed for this plant. These loads, based on ''best treatment"
practices for breweries, are:
1. BOD and suspended solids, eacli not to exceed 53 lb/1000 bbl
of beer produced, equivalent to 30 mg/1.
2. COD - not to exceed 133 lb/1000 bbl.
3. The fecal»coliform bacteria densities in the effluent not
to exceed 1000/100 ml.
Irrigation diversion records show that, during certain periods, the
entire Clear Creek flow is diverted upstream of the treatment plant dis-
charge. Thus, the flow in Clear Creek consists of treatment plant ef-
fluent. Clear Creek, a tributary to a navigable stream, is classified
(Colorado Water Quality Standards) as suitable for municipal and indus-
trial water supply (Class A and C), respectively, and for irrigation
(Class D). The standards specify that fecal«coliform bacteria densities
in Class A waters "shall not exceed a log mean of 1000/100 ml or exceed
2,000/100 ml in more than 10 percent of the samples collected in any
30-day period," To prevent violation of the above standards the Coors
Company will be required to produce an effluent that meets the criteria
proposed for the Refuse Act Permit.
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The BOD treatment level was not adequate. Efficiency of BOD—
removal went down to levels as low as 69 percent. The Coors wastewater
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treatment facility has been discharging to Clear Creek a BOD waste-load
that has increased 11 times since 1964. An effluent containing 53 Ib
each of BOD and suspended solids/1000 bbl or 1450 Ib per day of each,
and 133 Ib COD/1000 bbl or 3600 Ib per day is achievable through the
installation of "best treatment" technology.
2. After October 1, 1972, only brewery process wastes will be
treated in this plant. All other wastewaters will be diverted to the
Metro treatment plant.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that conditions for the U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers Refuse Act Permit for the Adolph Coors Company brewery include
the following limits:
1. The BOD and suspended solids, each, shall not exceed 53 Ib/
1000 bbl of beer produced or 1450 Ib/day of each, whichever is less.
2. The COD shall not exceed 133 lb/1000 bbl of beer produced or
3300 Ib/day, whichever is less.
3. The fecal coliform bacteria density in the effluent shall not
exceed 1000/100 ml.
G. REFERENCES
_!/ A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basin3 PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
2f Municipal Waste Report, Metropolitan Denver Area, South Platte
River Basin3 PR-3, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare, Public Health Service, Division of Water Supply and
Pollution Control, South Platte River Basin Project. Denver,
Colorado. December 1965.
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11
AMERICAN SMELTING AND REFINING COMPANY
495 EAST 51ST AVENUE
DENVER, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
In extracting cadmium, thallium, and indium from smelter bag-house
by-products (received from smelter operations in Mexico and Texas), the
American Smelting and Refining Company refines about 6.6 tons of raw
metals per day. Metals are leached with sulfuric acid and purified by
electrolysis on aluminum cathodes. No attempt is made to recover the
impurities (zinc, lead, and copper) from the process. The Company
operates the plant continuously and employs 138 persons.
Water, obtained from the City of Denver (70,000 gpd) and the Farmer's
Irrigation Ditch (140,000 gpd), is used for cooling, boiler feed, process
water, and domestic purposes.
Water pollution control practices at the Company were evaluated
by personnel of the National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D)
on September 28 and 29, 1971. Max Coats, Company manager, provided
assistance and information.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Process wastewater and floor washings are neutralized with spent
carbide in a batch operation and then discharged to a holding pond. A
ditch around this holding pond collects seepage and surface runoff and
empties into a storm sewer, at 51st Avenue and Pearl Street; the flow
subsequently enters the South Platte River at RM 314.5. The Company has
applied for a U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Refuse Act Permit for this
discharge.
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C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
A grab sample was collected daily, on September 28 and 29, 1971,
from the drainage ditch at the point of entry to the storm sewer. Analyses
were conducted of COD, TOC, SS, and heavy metals [Table 1]. The pll,
temperature, and conductivity were also measured. Based on data in the
Refuse Act Permit application, the flow is approximately 0.11 mgd.
Wastewaters being discharged to the South Platte River contain only
negligible amounts of contaminants. The pH of 9.0, however, is high.
The volume of flow is small. No detrimental effects should occur to the
South Platte River.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The small amounts of pollutants discharged by this plant should have
little adverse effect on the receiving waters.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
AMERICAN SMELTING AND REFINING COMPANY
SEPTEMBER 28-29, 1971
a/
Parameter— Average Range
Flow (mgd) 0.11—
pH (S.U.) , ' 9.0-9.1
Temperature (°C) 15-16
Conductivity (ymhos/cm) 650-700
TS i 415 400-430
SS . 45 30-60
Cyanide <0.02-/
„ /
COD
TOC
Heavy t^etals
Cadmium 0.08 0.01-0.15
c/
Chromium <0.02-
Copper <0.02-0.02
Lead <0.05—
Zinc 0.20 0.11-0.29
a/ All units of measurement are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b/ This flow value is obtained from Corps of Engineers Permit application.
c/ Both values were identical.
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15
CITY OF DENVER ASPHALT PLANT
3600 FOX STREET
DENVER, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The City of Denver Asphalt Plant produces a paving material by drying
wet aggregate and mixing it with asphalt. The plant operates approxi-
mately 40 hours per week producing up to 1,200 tons/day (930 tons/day
during the survey) of paving material.
Water, obtained from the City of Denver (approx. 32,000 gpd) is
used in scrubbers to remove dust particles that are produced during the
drying of aggregate.
Water pollution control practices were evaluated by personnel of
the National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) on September 28
and 29, 1971. Albert Cavarra, plant manager, provided assistance and
information.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Wastewater from the scrubbers flows to a settling basin (8 ft x 8 ft
x 8 ft). The flow rate was approximately 32,000 gpd — during the survey.
The effluent from the settling basin is discharged through a storm drain
to the South Platte River at RM 316.14. Since the time of the 1971 survey
the effluent from the settling basin has been connected to the municipal
sewer, thus eliminating this discharge to the South Platte River.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
Grab samples of the wastewater discharged to the South Platte River
were collected on September 28 and 29, 1971. The pH, temperature, and
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16
conductivity were measured both times samples were collected. Based on
Denver Water Department records, the flow was 0.032 mgd.
Visual observations indicated that a potential pollution problem may
exist with the use of diesel fuel at this plant. Fuel is used to wash
equipment and coat truck beds in order to prevent asphalt from sticking
to the bed. During these operations a large amount of diesel fuel is
spilled. Spills in the plant area drain to the settling pond and then
to the river. No provisions have been made to remove accumulated diesel
fuel from the pond.
Analyses of the effluent samples [Table 1] show that high levels
of suspended solids (2260 mg/1) were being discharged to the river.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
During the time of the survey large amounts of suspended solids
(2260 mg/1) were being discharged to the South Platte River. This
problem has been corrected inasmuch as all wastewaters are now being
discharged to the municipal sewer.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
CITY OF DENVER ASPHALT PLANT
SEPTEMBER 28-29, 1971
a/
Parameter-
Flow (mgd)
pH
Temperature (°C)
Conductivity (ymhos/cm)
Oil & Grease
TS
SS
Average Range
0.032
6.5-6.7
12-15
360-500
_/
3,850 1,860-5,840
2,260 1,400-3,170
aj All units of measurement are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b/ This value is based on one sample.
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19
CONTINENTAL OIL COMPANY
DENVER REFINERY
5801 BRIGHTON BOULEVARD
COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO 80022
A. GENERAL
The Continental Oil Company operates a refinery and an asphalt plant
at its Commerce City facility. About 155 persons are employed at the
refinery, 25 at the asphalt operation.
In operating continuously, the refinery produces propane, butane,
gasoline, kerosene, "Jet-50" oil, diesel oil, and other petroleum pro-
ducts. This operation produces 30,000 bbl per day. The raw materials
employed include crude oil, caustic soda, sulfuric acid, tetraethyl lead,
lime, ethylmercaptan, chromates, zinc, and phosphates. Rhenium is used
as the reforming catalyst. Water for cooling-water is obtained from both
wells and the City of Denver.
The asphalt plant processes heavy oil to yield asphalt and fuel oil,
with the "light" ends being sent to the refinery. The asphalt plant
operates continuously to produce 8,000 bbl of asphalt per year. Well
water is used for both cooling and steam.
This industry was evaluated in 1964.— At that time wastewater dis-
charged into Burlington Ditch contained an average of 700 ppb phenol and
3.4 mg/1 of trivalent chromium. It was recommended through the Enforce-
ment Conference that the Company provide additional treatment to reduce
phenol concentrations to 25 ppb and to remove chromium from the effluent
before June 1, 1967.
Water pollution control practices were evaluated by personnel of the
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20
National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) on September 22 and
23, 1971. Chief Refinery Chemist Hinton Dillard provided assistance and
information.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
At the asphalt plant condensate from the steam stripper flows through
a small oil separator, combines with cooling-water and storm runoff, and
passes through a second oil separator. Approximately 60 percent of the
effluent is recycled through the cooling towers, with the excess (about
100 gpm) receiving additional treatment (described in the following
paragraph). Oil fron both separators is reclaimed.
At the tine of the 1971 survey the excess flow from the second oil
separator was discharged into a plastic-lined holding pond. The effluent
from this pond passed through two straw filters and was then discharged
into Sand Creek. According to Company officials, the holding pond and
straw filters have now been abandoned: the excess wastewater flow from
the oil separator presently being discharged into the refinery wastewater
treatment system.
Process- and cooling-waters fro?"i the refinery flow through two API
separators (one having tvo compartments) and combine with the storm sewer
discharge (if any) and with tiie effluent frora the asphalt plant [Figure 1].
"Sour water," from a catalytic process at the refinery, is first
steara-stripped in order to remove sulfides. It then flows to a bio-pond.
The effluent from the pond combines with the effluent from the API separators,
The total combined flow (API, asphalt plant, storm sewer, and pond
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SOUR WATER STEAM
STRIPPER
PROCESS &
COOLING WATER
STORM SEWER
BOILER
BLOWDOWN
SLUDGE
KNOCKOUT
[ PITS
EFFLUENT FROM ASPHALT PLANT
SLUDGE TO
LANDFILL
l_
AEREATED
LAGOONS
~T~
OXIDA-
TION
POND
TO BURLINGT
DITCH
Figure 1. Continental Oil Company Refinery Wastewaler Treatment Plant
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21
effluents) enters a large separator (75 ft in diameter and 5 ft deep).
The effluent from the separator then enters a series of three lagoons.
The first two lagoons are equipped with surface aerators; the third
lagoons are equipped with surface aerators; the third lagoon acts as a
sedimentation basin. Baffles have been installed at the point of dis-
charge from the last lagoon in order to prevent accidentally spilled oil
from entering the receiving waters (Burlington Ditch).
Boiler blowdown wastes are discharged into two large sumps (approx.
&-hr detention time) where solids are precipitated and removed to a
sanitary land-fill. The effluent from the sumps is discharged directly
into the third lagoon.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-FLAHT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
In the sampling program, two 24-hr composite samples were collected
manually on September 22 and 23, 1972. These were composited on an equal-
volume basis. The pH, temperature, and conductivity were measured each
time a sample was collected. The flows were estimated by Company officials.
The summary data indicated that the effluent contained concentrations
of phenol as high as 180 nig/1 [Table 1], a value exceeding the recommended
*
limit of 25 r,ig/l. The effluent also contained a small amount of chromium
(0.72-0.76 mg/1), exceeding the recommendation of no chromium.
As noted previously, the configuration of treatment measures has
been changed by the Company since the time of the 1971 in-plant survey.
Combined effluents fron the asphalt plant anil the refinery are discharged
* These values were recommended by Fl-ie Conference in the Hatter of Pollution
in the South Platte River Basin in the State of Colorado.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
CONTINENTAL OIL COMPANY
COT1MERCE CITY, COLORADO
SEPTEMBER 22-23, 1971
a/
Parameter-
Flow (mgd)
pH
Temperature (°C)
Cond. (pmhos/cm)
Oil & Grease
Total Solids
SS
TOC
COD
Phenol (Mg/1)
Metals
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Zinc
Asphalt
Range
7.3-7.8
25.5-28.0
950-1,400
<5-10
660-710
5-7
180-600
<0. 02-0. 03
<0. 01-0. 02
Plant
Average
0.172
<5
685
20^
6
5<£'
390
<0 01—
* p /
<0.02-'
<0.025
<0.5^-
<0.015
Refinery
Influent Effluent
Range
8.7-9.3
1,600-2,700
9-120
1,280-1,450
30-40
1,500-1,900
1.7-2.2
<0. 02-0. 02
0.39-0.45
Average Range Average
0.576
7.1-8.0
20.0-26.0
1,400-2,100
48 3-9 4
1,360 1,220-1,390 1,300
60^ 6(£
35 20
155^ 11<£
1,700 <10-180 <95
<0 . 01— <0 . 01—'
2.0 0.72-0.76 0.74-y
<0.02c/ <0-02C
<0.05— <0.05—
0.42 0.19^'
a/ All units of measurement are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b_/ Tliis value is based on one sample.
c/ All values are the same.
-------
23
to Burlington Ditch. The present loads discharged to Burlington Ditch
and their effects on the quality of receiving waters are not known at
this time. Burlington Ditch overflows into Sand Creek downstream from
the point of discharge from Continental Oil Company.
Waste loads discharged by Continental Oil Company should be limited
in accord with "best treatment" practices for a Class D refinery. The
daily loads discharged to Burlington Ditch should contain no more than
1,575 Ib of COD; 80 Ib of oil and grease; 1.5 Ib phenol; 310 Ib of SS;
160 Ib of ammonia; and 1.6 Ib of total chromium.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The average phenol and chromium concentrations observed were in
excess of those levels attainable by "best treatment."
2. The asphalt plant is currently discharging all its wastewater
into the refinery treatment system. Although this will eliminate the
direct discharge of waste loads to Sand Creek, it will increase the
loads discharged into Burlington Ditch. Wastes discharged by Continental
Oil Company will continue to reach Sand Creek because Burlington Ditch
overflows into the creek downstream from the discharge.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. The Continental Oil Company obtain a Refuse Act Permit.
2. The daily effluent load discharged to Burlington Ditch by
Continental Oil Company shall contain no more than 1,575 Ib of COD;
80 Ib of oil and grease; 1.5 Ib of phenol; 310 Ib of suspended solids;
160 Ib of ammonia; and 1.6 Ib of total chromium.
-------
24
F. REFERENCE
\J A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basin, PR-63, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project,
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
-------
25
GATES RUBBER COMPANY
999 SOUTH BROADWAY
DENVER, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Gates Rubber Company, sixth largest rubber processor in the
United States, manufactures tires, commercial and industrial hoses, and
drive belts. The raw materials used include rubber (natural, synthetic,
and reclaimed); rayon; nylon; dacron; cotton; carbon black; zinc stearate:
zinc oxide; sulfur; soap stone; xylene; and toluene. Water is obtained
from the City and County of Denver and three company wells. The Denver
plant operates continuously for 5.5 days a week. Approximately 5,800
people are employed.
As a result of previous studies conducted in 1964— it was recom-
mended that all wastewaters from the Gates complex be discharged into the
municipal sewer by January 1, 1967. This disposal method has not been
accomplished.
Gates water pollution control practices were evaluated by personnel
from the National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D), August 17
to 20, 1971. T. A. Conti of the Gates Environmental Control Section pro-
vided information and assistance.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Two categories of wastes are produced: a) those from manufacturing
processes and b) those from rubber reclaiming. Six oil sumps collect
process wastes. All sumps, except sump No. 3, discharge, without treat-
ment, to the South Platte River through two outfall lines located at
-------
26
South Cherokee Street (KM 322.35) and at Mississippi Avenue (KM 322.50).
Sump No. 3 collects all oily wastewater from the manufacturing pro-
cesses. This wastewater then flows through an oil skimmer to a city-owned
settling pond. Overflow from the pond discharges to the South Platte
River (KM 322.25).
Wastewater (34,000 gpd) from the rubber reclaiming operation passes
through a 60-mesh screen and is then discharged to the Denver municipal
sewer.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
From August 17 to 20, 1971, three 24-hr composite waste samples of
the discharges from the Mississippi Avenue storm sewer and from the set-
tling pond were collected. The composites were made up of four equal-
volume grab samples. Temperature, pH, and conductivity were measured at
the times samples were collected. Company officials estimated the flows
[Table 1].
At the time of the survey the discharge from the Mississippi Avenue
storm sewer contained a high concentration of oil and grease (19 mg/1).
The effluent from the settling pond contained a concentration of suspended
solids as high as 54 mg/1 [Table 1].
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. In order to remove oil and grease the discharge from the Mississippi
Avenue storm sewer requires treatment.
2. The effluent from the city-owned settling pond requires additional
treatment in order to reduce the suspended solids concentration.
-------
27
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
GATES RUBBER COMPANY
AUGUST 17-20, 1971
Mississippi Avenue
Outfall
Parameter
Flow (mgd)-''
pH
Temperature (°C)
Cond. (yrohos/cm)
Oil & Grease (mg/1)
TS (mg/1)
SS (mg/1)
Average
0.65
7.6
19
500
28
Range
7.0-8.0
27-30
725-850
14-23
430-550
18-42
Settling Pond
Outfall
Average
1.02
8.6
6
350
32
Range
7.0-9.0
22-27
440-550
4-9
330-370
20-54
a/ Flows were estimated by Company officials,
-------
28
3. Previous studies, by the South Platte River Basin Project in
1964, indicated that all waste discharges from this company could be
diverted to the municipal sewer. However, this method of disposal has
not been accomplished.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the Gates Rubber Company take the following
pollution control measures:
1. Divert all wastewaters after treatment (i.e., oil & grease
removal) to the municipal sewer by December 31, 1972, or
2. If the Company does not connect to the municipal sewer, the
Gates Rubber Company wastewater discharges meet the following conditions:
a) oil and grease concentration shall not exceed 5 mg/1 or 70 Ib
per day, whichever is less, and
b) suspended solids concentration shall not exceed 30 mg/1 or
410 Ib per day, whichever is less.
F. REFERENCE
I/ A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basin3 PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
-------
29
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
BRIGHTON, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Brighton mill is a straight-house sugar beet refinery operation.
It is rated at 2,178 tons per day of sliced beets, but averaged 2,100 tons
per day during the 1971-72 campaign. This campaign started October 6, 1971,
and ended in late January. The mill employs about 290 people during the
campaign, 60 to 100 people during the interim, and from 15 to 50 persons
who are engaged in sugar packaging throughout most of the year.
It was reported— that in January 1965 this mill was discharging an
effluent containing approximately 27,000 Ib of BOD per day to the South
Platte River. In order to achieve a water-quality improvement in the
river the Project— recommended that this plant reduce the waste load
to a maximum BOD and suspended solids of 1,100 Ib each per day. In October
1967 a new waste treatment system was installed to provide for the recir-
culation, treatment, and complete re-use of waste flume water. This improve-
2/
ment in waste treatment resulted in a 90-percent reduction in waste loads.—
A water pollution survey performed (November-December 1969) by the
Colorado Water Pollution Control Commission revealed that the Brighton mill
3/
violated the State water quality standards (for inadequate treatment).—
Overflow from flume and washwater settling ponds was not being pumped to
the impounding lagoon, but allowed to drain into the McCann Ditch and sub-
sequently discharged into the South Platte River.
-------
30
Water pollution control practices at the plant were evaluated by the
National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-Denver) personnel during
December 1971. Great Western personnel contacted were: Gary Maggie, assis-
tant district factory engineer, and Gus Schneider, master mechanic, Brighton.
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
The plant employs less than half the average water usage (2.75 mgd)
for a sugar-beet processing plant of comparable size. Approximately 1.9
mgd is pumped from the McCann Ditch; 0.85 mgd from Company wells; and 0.01
mgd from the City of Brighton. The McCann Ditch pump station is located
on a small pond that diverts McCann Ditch waters and receives condenser
spray overflow. Discharge to the South Platte River is from this pond.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
The only surface discharge from this mill consists of a condenser-
spray pond overflow and excess water from McCann Ditch [Figure 1], Company
officials estimated the condenser overflow at 600 to 800 gpm — plus an
unknown amount of McCann Ditch flow. During the survey this discharge was
measured at 3.6 cfs (1,600 gpm). Plant sanitary wastes are discharged
to the Brighton municipal waste treatment plant.
The Brighton mill recycles all flume water. The flume water, after
use in the plant, is pumped to a screen station (two 4-ft by 8-ft link-belt
vibrating screens) and then discharged to a horseshore-shaped, earthen
settling basin [Figure 1]. After passing through this primary basin the
flume water enters the first of two secondary settling basins, each 125 ft
by 210 ft. Effluent from the second of these basins is then diverted for
-------
LEGEND
MUD
WATER
A STATIONS
Figure 1.Plant Schematic and Sampling Stations Great Western Sugar Company
Brighton,Colorado
-------
31
various purposes such as the beet washer, wet hopper, and the constant
level supply tank. A flow rate of approximately 5,000 gpm is maintained
through the closed flume water circuit. Effluent from the secondary settling
basins has a BOD of approximately 3,000 mg/1. The pH level is maintained
at about 8.0 at all times by the addition of two-to-three tons lime. Muds
are removed from the settling ponds periodically, placed on the periphery
for drying, and then leveled out in the summer.
Lime mud wastes are passed through a pump into a six-to-eight acre
pond located adjacent to the South Platte River. The pond is built about
30-to-40 feet above the surrounding terrain. No surface discharges occur
from this pond; however, in the event of a dike failure, massive amounts
of lime mud could spill into the river.
A surge pond (approximately 20 acres) receives excess flume water
from the recycle ponds; bypassed flume water in case of pump failure or
*
similar emergency; and, if necessary, other plant wastes. No discharge
was observed from the surge pond; however, historically, there have been
incidents of overflows from the surge and lime ponds to McCann Ditch as
a result of pump failures.
Waste loads attainable by the best practicable treatment technology
currently available for the sugar beet industry and the present plant
capacity are as follows:
a) BOD - shall not exceed 0.2 Ib/ton of beets sliced or 430 Ib/day;
whichever is less;
* At this mill most of the general plant wastes, i.e., floor drains,
boilouts, spills, scrubber washer effluent are discharged into the
flume water circuit. Press washwaters and some condensates also
enter the flume system.
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32
b) Suspended solids - shall not exceed 0.5 Ib/ton of beets
sliced or 1,075 Ib per day, whichever is less; and
c) Fecal coliform bacteria - if pathogenic organisms are
demonstrated to be present in the discharge, the effluent
shall be regulated so that fecal coliform bacteria shall
not exceed 1000/100 ml.
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
In-plant sampling was conducted at this mill December 6 through 11,
1971. Three 24-hr composite samples were collected of the McCann Ditch
flow and the plant effluent for chemical analyses [Table 1]. Field
measurements (pH, temperature, and conductivity) were made several times
each day. Five daily grab samples of the mill effluent and the major raw
water source, McCann Ditch, were collected for bacteriological determina-
tions. No significant variations in water quality were observed between
the McCann Ditch water source and treated mill effluent, except for a
3-fold rise in water temperature [Tables 1 and 2].
The Brighton mill was discharging an average of 230 Ib BOD per day
(0.11 Ib per ton of beets sliced) during the survey. There was no signifi-
cant difference between the BOD of the raw water supply (McCann Ditch) and
that of the plant effluent. Company data for the 1971-72 campaign indicate
that the final effluent contained an average of 0.07 Ib BOD per ton of
beets sliced.
*
Nutrients in the mill effluent were adequate to stimulate massive
growths of algae and slimes in the South Platte River downstream. Company
officials attribute these high values to the poor quality of McCann Ditch
* Data reported by the Company for the period October through December 1971
indicate the effluent contained phosphorus in the range of 0.05 to
0.25 mg/1 and the inorganic nitrogen in the range of 15.7 to 17.7 mg/1.
-------
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
DECEMBER 6-10, 1971
Sta.
No.
BRI-2
BRI-1
Sta.
No.
BRI-2
BRI-1
Flow Temp .
Station Description cfs (°C)
McCann Ditch at intake Range 4.4 0.0-5.0
Average 4.4
Plant effluent Range 3.3-4.3 7.0-15.0
Average 3.6
TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
DECEMBER 6-10, 1971
Fecal Coliform
(MF Count/100 ml)
Cond .
(urohos)
400-1.400
850-1,400
BOD
(mg/1)
3-35
14
6-20
12
Alkalinity
(mg/1)
253-288
273
253-288
273
Fecal Streptococci
(MF Count/100 ml)
Station Description Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean
McCann Ditch at intake >6,000 >330 140 5
Plant effluent >6,000 >110 20 8
,400 810
,700 1,700
Minimum
100
500
CO
CO
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34
water. During October through December 1971 total phosphorus and inorganic
nitrogen in the water supply ranged from 0.07 to 0.16 mg/1 and 11.2 to
14.3 mg/1, respectively.
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
1. Water pollution control practices at the Brighton mill have im-
proved significantly since 1965 studies. However, nutrients in the ef-
fluent were high, but Company officials attribute this to the poor quality
of the intake water from McCann Ditch.
2. The lime mud pond is located adjacent to the South Platte River
and, in case of dike failure, represents a potential pollution hazard.
3. This mill discharged 550 gallons of wastewater per ton of beets
sliced, a low figure when compared to other mills of similar size.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. The waste discharge limit attainable by "best treatment" be included
in the conditions for the Corps of Engineers Refuse Act Permit to be issued
to the Great Western Brighton mill.
2. The lime mud pond and the surge pond be sealed to prevent exces-
sive percolation, and the dikes of all ponds be constructed in accord with
best engineering practices to preclude possible dike failure.
3. The Company be commended for water conservation and the signi-
ficant improvements in waste treatment attained since the 1966 Conference.
-------
35
G. REFERENCES
1. Report to the Second Session of the Conference in the Matter of Pol-
lution of the South Platte River Basin, U. S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration,
South Platte River Basin Project, April 27, 1966.
2. The Beet Sugar Industry — The Water Pollution Problem and Status of
Waste Abatement and Treatment, PR-8, U. S. Department of the Interior,
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River
Basin Project, Denver, Colorado, June 1967.
3. Water Pollution Survey of the Great Western Sugar Company and the
Kuner-Empson Canning Company of Colorado^ Colorado Water Pollution
Control Commission, November 24, 1969 to March 11, 1970.
-------
37
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
EATON MILL
EATON, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The plant at Eaton is a straight-house sugar refinery; end molasses
is shipped to the Loveland and Longmont Great Western facilities. The
1971-72 campaign started October 4, 1971, and terminated on January 16,
1972. At the time of the visit, the plant was processing an average of
2,322 tons of beets per day. The plant has 130 employees during the
campaign and retains some 40 persons full time during the remainder of
the year.
During the 1965-66 campaign only 20 to 25 percent of the flume
water was recirculated. The main plant sewer was an open discharge to
Eaton Draw. It contained all plant wastes except lime mud, pulp silo
drainage, and sanitary sewage. The only waste treatment provided was
the separate handling and storage of lime mud that went to a pond with
no apparent overflow.—
The water pollution control practices at this mill were evaluated by
personnel of the National Field Investigations Center-Denver from
November 26 to December 3, 1971. Great Western officials contacted were
Don Morris, plant superintendent; Lynn Hullinger, chief chemist; Ron Olson,
master mechanic; and Gary Maggie, assistant district factory engineer for
the Great Western Sugar Company.
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
The Eaton mill receives all of its water supply (3 mgd) from Company-
owned wells. However, during water-short periods water is withdrawn from
-------
38
the Eaton Draw via the ditch which normally carries the excess spray
pond water.
The beets are transported into the plant via a flume system. Water
in the system is maintained at a pH of 7.5. This water is then screened
and either re-cycled directly or sent to the treatment system and then
re-cycled to the plant. Acidic and caustic boilouts enter this system.
Water is first employed to extract the sugar and is then evaporated
and condensed. Condensates are re-used as boiler supply, or as centri-
fuged washwater, or discharged to the spray pond. A minimum of 3,500 gpm
is required to run the various condensers.
Pulp press waters are re-used in the diffuser or employed in pre-
liming. Factory floor drain wastes are collected into a sump and re-used
in juice recovery.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Three surface discharges from the Eaton mill were evaluated. These
are described as follows:
1. The excess condenser water from the spray pond [Figure 1] accounts
for more than 90 percent of the total plant discharge volume. According
to Company data, the BOD of this effluent varied from 3 to 15 mg/1 during
the 1971-72 Campaign.
2. Gas scrubber effluent from the kiln house is released separately
to Eaton Draw (average flow about 50 gpm). Company data show that the
effluent BOD varied from 6 to 51 mg/1.
3. Boiler blowdown is also discharged directly to Eaton Draw. Accord-
ding to Company data flows ranged from 40 to 204 gpm. The BOD ranged from
20 to 138 mg/1.
-------
ROAD
LEGEND
• EFFLUENT SAMPLING POINT
A STREAM SAMPLING STATION
S: SPRAY POND OVERFLOW
G: GAS SCRUBBER EFFLUENT
B: BOILER SLOWDOWN
ROAD
EATON WWTP
Figure 1 Flow Diagram for Great Western Sugar Mill at Eaton, Colorado
November 30-December 3, 1971
6
A
STATION 7 AT MOUTH
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39
The Eaton mill has a closed flume*water, recycle system. After use
in the beet washing operation, flume-water is passed over three Link-
Belt vibrating screens (4 ft by 8 ft). During a tour of the plant on
November 26, 1971, only two of these screens were observed operating.
A portion of the flow can be recycled from the screen to the head of
the beet flume. Residual flume waters, 3,000 to 3,500 gpm, are discharged
to the treatment works, consisting of two oval-shaped earthen primary
basins operating in parallel (each approximately 400 ft by 60 ft by 10 ft)
and two secondary basins in series (300 ft by 100 ft and 250 ft by 100 ft,
respectively — both about 10 ft deep). The system is maintained at a
pH of about 7.5 by the addition of five-to-six tons of lime daily.
Overflow from the secondary basins is returned to the factory. Flume
muds from the primary and secondary basins are deposited in a low area
on the south edge of the factory property.
Three surge ponds are located south of the settling basins -to receive
excess flow from the flume circuits. The first pond [Figure 1] is about
100 ft by 200 ft and, during the survey, was about one-half filled. Flow
from the first pond discharges to a trapezoidal pond (450 ft by 350 ft
by 530 ft by 175 ft). This, the second pond, was nearly full. Overflow
from the second pond is returned to the settling basins. The third surge
pond which is 200 ft by 330 ft had not been used at the time of the survey.
Overflow from this pond is presumably returned to the primary settling
basins and then to the factory; however, plant officials were not
absolutely certain of the flow pattern.
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40
Lime muds are discharged to a large lagoon (approximately 10 acres
and non-overflowing), located northeast of the factory along Eaton Draw.
No direct seepage was visible but percolation probably enters Eaton Draw.
The treatment facilities were reported by Company officials to cost
$250,000. Dike construction around the settling basins was poor; numerous
cracks were observed in the earthen walls. Further stabilization of the
dikes is necessary to preclude failures and excessive seepage.
Sanitary sewage from this mill goes to the Eaton municipal sewer.
Waste loads have been proposed for this plant under the Refuse Act
Permit Program on "best treatment" for the sugar beet industry and present
plant capacity. These loads are as follows:
a) BOD - not to exceed 0.3 Ib/ton of beets sliced or 700 Ib per day,
whichever is less;
b) suspended solids - same as for BOD; and
c) Fecal coliform bacteria - if pathogenic organisms are demonstrated
to be present in the discharge, the effluent shall be regulated so that
fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed 1000/100 ml.
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
Three discharges from the mill [Figure 1] were sampled: the spray
pond effluent (RM 7.0), the gas scrubber effluent (RM 6.9), and the boiler
blowdown (RM 6.85). The effluent from the Eaton Wastewater Treatment Plant
(WTP) was also sampled (RM 6.6). In addition, three stations on Eaton
Draw were sampled: Eaton Draw upstream of Great Western outfalls (RM 7.2),
Eaton Draw downstream from the Eaton WTP effluent (RM 6.5), and Eaton Draw
at the mouth (RM 0.1).
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41
One grab sample per day (November 30, 1971 to December 4, 1971) was
taken at the Eaton Draw stations. Field measurements of temperature,
pH, and conductivity were made at the time of the sampling. A SERCO
automatic sampler was used to obtain a 24-hr composite on the spray
pond effluent. Grab samples of the gas scrubber effluent were composited
every four hours. The boiler blowdown discharge was sampled for field
measurements only.
Eaton Draw upstream of the Great Western Sugar Company discharge had
a BOD of 3.4 mg/1. The spray pond and gas scrubber discharges from the
Great Western Sugar Company had BOD levels of 21 and 15 mg/1, respectively
[Table 1].
The Eaton Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent had a BOD level of 72
mg/1. Although this is high, the load discharged was only about 100 Ib
per day. In 1965 the Eaton treatment plant consisted of a primary septic
tank and sand filters that were in poor condition. (About one-third of
the influent was being bypassed to Eaton Draw and the remainder received
minimum treatment.)
The present plant consists of an oxidation ditch with brush aeration,
a secondary clarifier, and chlorination before discharge to Eaton Draw.
However, there has been only a slight improvement in effluent quality since
1965 (72 mg/1 versus 94 mg/1).
*
The log mean fecal-coliform and fecal-streptococci bacteria densities
in the Great Western mill discharges were lower than those at the back-
ground stations (RM 7.2) where a fecal coliform count of greater than
* Bacteria densities are log mean concentrations, unless otherwise specified.
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TABLE 1
FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 3, 1971
Map
Key
1
2
3
4
5
Station Description
Eaton Draw upstream
of Great Western
Co. discharge
(RM 249.0/6.9/7.2)
Spray pond dis-
charge Great West-
ern Co.
(RM 249.0/6.9/7.0)
Gas scrubber dis-
charge Great West-
ern Co.
(RM 249.0/6.9/6.9)
Boiler blowdown
Great Western Co.
(RM 249.0/6.9/6.8)
Discharge from
Eaton WTP
(RM 249.0/6.9/6.6)
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Temp.
Flow °C
1.7-2.1 2.0-7.0
1.8
4.2-4.3 24.0-25.0
4.3
0.02-0.03 13.0-23.0
0.03
48.0-55.0
0.22-0.27 0.0-10.0
0.25
Cond . BOD
ymhos/cm pH mg/1
1,400-1,520 8.0-8.3 2.0-6.6
3.4
1,400-1,500 7.7-8.1 13-25
21
1,350-2,000 7.5-10.5 10-24
15
400-570 8.2-9.2
1,650-2,100 7.4-7.8 46-100
72
TOC DO
mg/1 mg/1
5-10 8.3-10.5
8
6-15
10
10-140
54
17-130
65
Eaton Draw downstream
from Eaton WTP Range
(RM 249.0/6.4/6.5) Average
15.0-19.0
Eaton Draw at mouth Range 21.8-23.1 4.0-8.5
(RM 249.0/6.9/0.1) Average 22.4
1,450-3,000 7.8-8.2 12-36
26
1,500-1,850 7.8-8.3 12-18
14
7-19 3.0-4.0
13
9-11 9.1-10.0
10
-------
43
920 and a fecal streptococci count of 16,000 [Table 2] were measured.
The discharge from the Eaton treatment plant had a fecal coliform count
of 12,000/100 ml. Downstream from the treatment plant, the fecal coliform
count in Eaton Draw increased to 1,700/100 ml and the fecal streptococci
increased to 47,000/100 ml.
In 1965, the Eaton Great Western mill discharged 20,800 Ib per day
of BOD (9 Ib per ton) and 15,200 Ib suspended solids per day (5 Ib per
ton) and increased the fecal-coliform bacteria density in Eaton Draw by
300,000 MPN/100 ml greater than the densities observed upstream. The
recommendations of the 1966 Conference on the Matter of Pollution in the
South Platte River Basin stated that the BOD and suspended solids loading
from the Eaton factory should not exceed 1,000 Ib per day and that the
density of fecal-coliform bacteria in the receiving stream not be increased
by more than 1,000/100 ml. During the 1971 survey the Great Western
Sugar Company was discharging 490 Ib of BOD (0.2 Ib per ton) and, as
indicated earlier, the fecal coliform bacteria densities were much lower
in the effluent than in the receiving stream. Company data [Table 3] for
the 1971-72 campaign indicated that loads of BOD and suspended solids ranged
from 0.13 to 0.34 Ib per day and 0.40 to 1.1 Ib per day, respectively.
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The Great Western Sugar Company has markedly improved the treatment at
its Eaton mill since the 1965 survey. The SS loads discharged during the
1971-72 campaign exceeded the conditions set by the Refuse Act Permit
Program for the plant. Additional solids removal is necessary to meet the
0.3 Ib total suspended solids per ton of beets specified.
-------
TABLE 2
RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES
NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER, 1971
Fecal Coliform/100 ml
Map Key Station Description Maximum Log Mean Minimum
1 Eaton Draw upstream <6,000 <920 180
of Great Western Co.
(RM 249.0/6.9/7.2)
2 Spray pond overflow 120 21 4
from Great Western Co.
(RM 249.0/6.9/7.0)
Gas scrubber discharge 900 <47
from Great Western Co.
(RM 249.0/6.9/7.0)
Eaton WTP effluent
(RM 249.0/6.9/6.6)
Eaton Draw downstream
from Eaton WTP
(RM 249.0/6.9/6.5)
<60,000 12,000 5,900
8,900 1,700 780
Eaton Draw at mouth 720 500 360
(RM 249.0/6.9/0.1)
Fecal Streptococci/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
98,000
19,000
58,000
130,000
18,000
16,000 4,200
7,900 5,200
4,100
200
47,000 16,000
6,800 2,900
-------
TABLE 3
ANALYTICAL DATA
SUBMITTED BY THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
MILL AT EATON, COLORADO
Map Key Station Description
2 Spray pond discharge
Great Western Sugar
Company, Eaton, CO.
(RM 249.0/6.9/7.0)
3 Gas scrubber dis-
charge Great Western
Sugar Company,
Eaton, Colorado
(RM 249.0/6.9/6.9)
Month
October 1971
November 1971
December 1971
January 1972
October 1971
November 1971
December 1971
January 1972
Flow
mgd
2.68
3.09
2.11
2.46
0.068
0.039
0.065
0.017
Temp.
°C
20-28
16-26
23-27
23
22-24
20-30
17-25
19
BOD
pH
8.1
8.0-8.3
7.9-8.2
8.2
7.8-8.0
7.6-8.0
7.4-8.1
7.2-7.8
mg/1
15
3
3
3
6
11
4
739
Ibs/day
335
78
53
62
3.4
3.5
2.2
104
Total
Solids
mg/1
1,561
1,294
1,352
1,192
1,948
2,731
2,238
1,564
Suspended
Solids
mg/1
91
74
140
28
219
1,344
266
244
Ibs/day
1,850
1,910
2,460
575
124
436
144
352
Fecal
Coliform
Count/ 100 ml
140
<10
10
20
23,000
25
160
10
Fecal
Streptococci
Count/100 ml
750
165
450
111,000
590
60
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46
Construction of dikes around settling basins was poor. Numerous
cracks have occurred in the dikes. As a result, there are increases in
the amount of seepage from these basins. Additional stabilization of
the dikes is necessary in order to reduce seepage and preclude the possi-
bility of dike failure.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. The waste load limits proposed for the Refuse Act Permit be met
(i.e., BOD and suspended solids shall not exceed 0.3 Ib each per ton of
beets processed or 700 Ib per day, whichever is less, and, if pathogenic
organisms are demonstrated to be present in the discharge, the effluent
shall be regulated so that fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed
1,000/100 ml.
2. All wastewater ponds be constructed in accordance with best
engineering practices in order to prevent excessive seepage and to pre-
clude possible dike failures.
G. REFERENCES
1. The Beet Sugar Industry — The Water Pollution Problem and Status
of Waste Abatement and Treatment, PR-8, U. S. Department of Interior,
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River
Basin Project. Denver, Colorado. June 1967.
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47
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
FORT MORGAN MILL
FORT MORGAN, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Fort Morgan sugar-beet processing mill is a Steffen-house opera-
tion. During the 1971-72 campaign (September 28-February 4) an average of
3,570 tons of beets per day were processed. Employment during the campaign
was 260. Fifty-five people are employed in routine construction and
maintenance and in the production and sale of high grade lime during the
remainder of the year. The mill has a rated capacity of 3,450 tons per
day of sugar beets and also processes 170 tons per day of molasses.
In December 1963 this mill discharged more than 22,000 pounds of BOD
to the South Platte River.— Company officials reported that more than one-
half million dollars has been spent since 1969 in water pollution control
improvements and internal plant changes. The Colorado Implementation Plan
originally established a compliance date of December 31, 1969, for installa-
tion of "revised waste handling procedures". This date was later extended
to December 31, 1971, a date beyond that recommended by the Conferees to
the South Platte River Basin Enforcement Conference (i.e., June 30, 1971).
Water pollution control practices at this mill were evaluated by
personnel of the National Field Investigations Center - Denver (NFIC-Denver)
during November 29 to December 3, 1971. Company personnel providing informa-
tion and assistance were: Robert Troudt, plant superintendent; James Young,
master mechanic; Ray Kaiser, district engineer; and Jack Powell, district
manager.
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48
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
The average water supply is 11.A mgd of which 11.1 mgd is obtained
from a lake located on plant property; the remainder is purchased from the
City of Fort Morgan. (The lake is fed by a major irrigation canal originat-
ing on the South Platte River about 12 miles upstream of Fort Morgan.)
City water is used for emergency boiler feed, sanitary needs, turbine
packing, and the CSF filters.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Condenser water, the major source of wastewater from this mill,
averaged 11.9 mgd during the survey. The Refuse Act Permit application
cites only 10.0 mgd from this source. The reason for this discrepancy
was not determined.
The Fort Morgan mill has recently completed the final year of a
3-yr program for construction and installation of a full-system waste treat-
ment facility. [All the pollution control facilities completed are illus-
trated in Figure 1.]
The flume-water recycle rate is about 8500 gpm. Water in the closed
circuit is maintained at a pH between 8.0 and 12.0 by the daily addition of
five-to-seven tons of lime. All flume water is pumped across three, link-
belt travelling screens (5 ft by 8 ft). Screened flume water (approximately
3000 gpm) is returned to a constant level tank for re-use; the remainder
(5000 to 6000 gpm) is conveyed to a 90 ft diameter EIMCO clarifier for
settling mud. Normally overflow from the clarifier is returned to the
constant-level tank as flume water supply. However, the overflow can be
by-passed and pumped to a surge pond (450 ft by 150 ft by 11 ft), as was
the case during the plant evaluation.
-------
MUD PONDS
4 PONDS @1420'x60'
OVERFLOW
LIME
POND
11 ACRES
ACID BOILOUT
POND
'/2ACRE
BOILER SLOWDOWN
INTO OPEN FIELD
LEGEND
MUD
WATER
A STATIONS
Figure 1.Plant Schematic and Sampling Stations Great Wertern Sugar Company
Fort Morgan,Colorado
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49
Settled muds from the clarifier are pumped across the highway to four
mud ponds (each 1,420 ft by 60 ft by 5 to 8 ft), with one pond being used
at a given time. The muds are allowed to settle and the supernatant is
returned to the primary beet flume. When the mud pond is filled, flow is
transferred to an alternate pond. Periodically the muds are cleaned out by
dragline and hauled away. Lime muds from the straight- and Steffen-house
operations and some wastage from the CSF operation are conveyed to an
11-acre lime mud pond.
The mud ponds cover an area that was the site of the original lime mud
ponds. The stability of the lower mud ponds and the present lime mud ponds
were judged, by EPA investigators, to be poor. A dike failure would discharge
these wastes into adjacent marshy lox^lands and, subsequently, into the South
Platte River.
Acid and caustic boilouts are conveyed to a deep, unlined (non-over-flow-
ing pit) about one-half acre in area. Boiler blowdown is discharged into an
open field. The mill has installed curbings around many of the unit opera-
tions in order to prevent spills and leakage from reaching the floor drains.
Most of the wastes washed into the floor drains are either collected in
the constant-level tank or enter the closed-flume water circuit. However,
there is a possibility that these enter the condensate drain, which subse-
quently merges with the lake overflow, and then discharge to the South
Platte River.
Waste loads have been proposed for this plant under the Refuse Act Permit
Program based on "best treatment" for the sugar beet industry and on present
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50
plant capacity. These loads are as follows:
1. BOD - not to exceed 0.5 Ib/ton of beets sliced or 1,820 Ib per day,
whichever is less;
2. Suspended solids - same as BOD;
3. Fecal coliform bacteria - if pathogenic organisms are demonstrated
to be present in the discharge, the effluent shall be regulated so that
fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed 1000/100 ml.
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
Effluent sampling [Station MOR-1, Figure 1] was conducted during
November 29 to December 3, 1971. Three 24-hr composite samples were collec-
ted for chemical analyses using Serco samplers. Field measurements of pH,
conductivity, and temperature were made periodically; a grab sample was
collected daily for bacteriological analyses. Results of the analyses
[Tables 1 and 2] indicate that about 2,300 Ib per day (0.65 Ib/ton) of
BOD was discharged. Company data collected during the 1971-72 campaign
showed that the BOD ranged from 26 mg/1 (0.48 Ib/ton) to 279 mg/1 (7.35
Ib/ton). Plant officials are investigating the possible sources of this high
BOD, e.g., floor drain and sewer connections to the condensate water sewer.
The South Platte River upstream of the mill discharge was relatively
clean, as indicated by the presence of mayflies and caddisflies. Downstream,
*
slimes and algae were nurtured by the discharge from the mill. The benthos
was affected adversely in this reach, numbering 257/sq ft of which 83 percent
were sludgeworms.
* Company data indicate that, during the 1971-72 campaign, the effluent con-
tained an average of 7.56 mg/1 inorganic nitrogen and 0.06 mg/1 phosphorus.
-------
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
FORT MORGAN MILL
NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 3, 1971
Station Description
MOR-1 Condenser water
Average
Range
Flow
mgd
11.9
10.4-14.4
Temp.
°C
28-32
Cond.
pmhos/cm
1,250-2,150
BOD
pH rag/1
8.2-8.6 12-34
Alkalinity
(as CaCO )
mg/1
275
270-280
TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
Station Description
Fecal Coliforms/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum % Samples
<2000
Fecal Streptococci/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
MOR-1 Condenser water
48
<4
0
13,000
1,900
180
-------
52
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The data collected during the effluent sampling indicate that there
has been a substantial reduction in the waste loads discharged by this
plant since 1963. However, the Company data show there were discharges of
effluent, during the 1971-72 campaign, that exceeded 26,000 Ib BOD per day
(7.4 Ib/ton). The possible causes of the high BOD in the condenser water
were being investigated by Company officials.
Effects of the waste discharge on the South Platte River were evident
by the slime and algae growths and the change in the benthic community.
Construction of dikes around the ponds is poor. This situation permits
increases in the seepage rate from these ponds. Additional stabilization
of the dikes is necessary in order to reduce the seepage and preclude the
possibility of a dike failure.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. Waste load limits proposed for the Refuse Act Permit be met (i.e.,
BOD and suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 0.5 Ib each/ton of
beets processed or 1,820 Ib per day, whichever is less, and, if pathogenic
organisms are demonstrated to be present in the discharge, the effluent
shall be regulated so that fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed
1000/100 ml).
2. All wastewater ponds be constructed in accordance with best engineer-
ing practices to prevent excessive seepage and to preclude possible dike
failures.
-------
53
G. REFERENCES
I/ The Beet Sugar Tndustry — The Water Pollution Problem and Status
of Waste Abatement and Treatment, PR-8 U.S. Department of Interior, Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. June 1967.
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55
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
JOHNSTOWN SUGAR RECOVERY AND MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE PLANT
JOHNSTOWN, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The factory at Johnstown is comprised of a sugar recovery house and
a monosodium glutamate (MSG) plant. About 163,600 Ib of sucrose and
13,800 Ib of MSG are produced per day. The factory operates year round,
except for a few weeks' annual shut-down for maintenance, and employs
approximately 405 people.
The sugar recovery plant receives molasses from five Steffen houses
and uses, to extract sugar, the barium saccharate process. This process
generally involves the regeneration of barium carbonate and the precipi-
tation of sugar from molasses by barium hydrate.
The MSG establishment employs concentrated Johnstown filtrate and
concentrated Steffen filtrate as the two primary raw materials.
In 1965,— wastewater treatment consisted of segregating weak and
strong wastes, the weak wastes going directly to the Little Thompson
River and the strong wastes to a treatment lagoon, with constant overflow
to the Little Thompson River.
The Colorado Water Pollution Control Commission set a compliance
date of December 31, 1969 (later extended to October 1, 1970) by which
time the plant would have the "indicated treatment" (not defined). (The
Conferees to the South Platte River Basin Enforcement Conference recom-
mended that all discharges into the South Platte River Basin shall have
adequate remedial or control facilities by June 30, 1971.)
Water pollution control practices were evaluated by personnel of the
National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) during December 1971.
-------
56
Great Western officials contacted were Robert Monroe, general manager;
Tony Fiasco, district engineer; Jim Dalbey, assistant district engineer;
T. Miller, factory manager, Johnstown; Richard Mann, plant chemist; and
Richard Dayton, master mechanic.
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
Water (approx. 3.75 mgd) is obtained from Hillsboro canal; this
amount is supplemented by direct take-off from the Little Thompson River.
The plant also obtains water from wells (approx. 0.87 mgd) and from the
City of Johnstown (0.45 mgd). Water is employed in cooling, evaporation,
filter washing, gas scrubbing, clean-up, and for sanitary purposes.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Condenser water (approx. 600 gpm) is conveyed in a separate line to
stabilization ponds [Figure 1]. Strong chemical spills, acid and caustic
washings, and the lime kiln scrubber overflow go to a chemical pond that
has no overflow. Prior to this evaluation, general plant wastes (approx.
2,200 gpm) were discharged to two aeration basins in parallel (each,
325 ft by 160 ft by 15 ft); each equipped with a 75-hp aerator. Overflow
then went to the stabilization pond that covers 10-12 acres. However,
since August 1971, the aeration basins were temporarily out of service
for new construction that involved the removal of the common center wall
between the two aeration basins, thus converting to a single unit (650 ft
by 160 ft). A third 75-hp aerator was to be installed with construction
scheduled for completion in January 1972. At the time of this evaluation
general plant wastes flowed directly into the stabilization ponds.
Company officials stated that the "old" aeration basins and the
-------
STATE HIGHWAY 60
SUGAR FACTORY
AERATION
LAGOON
AERATION
LAGOON
L
BYPASS LINE
A SAMPLE POINT
C: CONDENSER^ WATER LINE
S: SPILLS, BOILOUTS, ETC.
INTERMITENT FLOW
CONTINUOUS FLOW
LITTLE THOMPSON
RIVER SAMPLED
LITTLE THOMPSON
RIVER SAMPLED
AT RM 4.0
Figure I Flow Diagram of Great Western Sugar Co. at Johnstown, Colorado
December 6-11, 1971
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57
stabilization ponds provided approximately 60 percent BOD reduction.
With the modification of the aeration basins, Company officials estimate
the BOD removals will be about 80 percent. A stilling chamber (60 ft by
20 ft) was being installed in order to settle sludge from the aeration
basin effluent. The sludge is to be returned to the basin with the
effluent being discharged to the stabilization ponds. There was no plan
to convey the return sludge to the top end of the basin; instead, the
settled (activated) sludge will be allowed to "filter" from the stilling
chamber into the aeration basins.
Wastes entering the stabilization pond system flow through three
compartments in series. The pond overflow is discharged over a weir and
into an open ditch to the Little Thompson River. Three 5-hp aerators,
which were previously used in the chemical pond, had been removed and
installed in the third compartment of the stabilization pond. The ponds
are between two and four feet in depth, odorous, and almost completely
anaerobic. Visual observations indicated that the pond effluent is
extremely poor. The detention time in the stabilization ponds is esti-
mated to be about five days.
The first compartment of the pond is cleaned once every two years;
the remaining compartments have never been cleaned. No improvement in
cleaning schedules has apparently been made since completion of the South
Platte River Basin Project studies in 1965.— The Company reports that
wastes enter the stabilization ponds at a pH range of 6.8 to 7.4. The
effluent has a pH range of 7.5 to 8.2. In the mid-1960's, the pH level
of Johnstown effluents was extremely low (14.6). Company officials
-------
58
indicated that the improvement is the result of segregation and collection
of strong plant wastes into the chemical pond.
A drainage ditch runs along the perimeter of the west and south
sides of the stabilization pond system and mixes with the pond effluent
immediately downstream from the pond overflow weir. This drainage ditch
was carrying a flow of about 100 gpm and was described, by Company offi-
cials, as being comprised of: (a) excess overflow from the plant raw
water supply pond situated on the northwest corner of the plant property
together with, (b) drainage from outlying agricultural fields north and
east of the factory treatment ponds.
Waste loads have been proposed for this plant, under the Refuse Act
Permit Program, based on "best treatment" for the sugar-beet processing
industry on present plant capacity, and receiving water requirements.
These limits are as follows:
1. BOD - not to exceed a total waste load of 1,000 Ib/day;
2. Suspended solids - same requirement as for BOD; and
3. Fecal coliform bacteria - not to exceed 1,000 organisms/100 ml.
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
The effluent from the Johnstown plant was sampled continuously for
three days commencing on December 8. Three 24-hr composites (equal vol-
ume composite) were collected (SERCO automatic sampler). Grab samples
were collected periodically, from December 6 through 11, for bacteriolog-
ical analyses, pH, conductivity, and temperature measurements. Water
quality was also determined in the Little Thompson River upstream and
downstream from the Great Western discharges. This was compared with
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59
results of a stream survey conducted (Sept. 7-11, 1971) when the plant
was closed for maintenance [Tables 1 and 2].
In December, as a result of the plant discharge, the BOD in the
Little Thompson River increased by a factor of 20. The DO levels ranged
from 10.6 to 10.7 upstream of the plant, but were decreased to as low as
4.0 mg/1 downstream. Bacteria densities also increased from 360 to
6,900/100 ml. Dense slime growths covered the rocks and logs submerged
in the stream. Sludge banks had formed; the bottom animal community was
limited to pollution-tolerant organisms such as sludgeworms. Violations
of the Basic Standards Applicable to All Waters of the State were occurring.
During the 1965— survey, the Johnstown plant was discharging 11,900 Ib
of BOD per day to the river from two points. The fecal-coliform bacteria den-
sities in the two discharges were 4,900 and 950,000 MPN/100 ml, respectively.
It was recommended at the reconvening of the Second Session of the
21
Conference in the Matter of Pollution in the South Platte River Basin,—
that the total, 5-day BOD load from this plant not exceed 800 Ib per day.
The December 1971 survey indicated that the BOD load discharged to the
Little Thompson River was more than 7,000 Ib/day.
The company data [Table 3] indicates that the BOD and suspended
solids loads that were discharged varied between 4,350-10,200 Ibs and
2,280-3,000 Ib/day, respectively, for the period November 1971-March 1972.
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The Great Western Sugar Company Johnstown plant discharge caused
violation of the Colorado Standards. The Basic Standards Applicable to
All Water of the State were violated. The BOD and bacterial densities
-------
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
LITTLE THOMPSON RIVER
SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER 1971
Map
Key
Station Description
Flow
cfs
Cond.
pH ymhos/cn
Temp. D.O.
°C mg/1
BOD
mg/1
September 7-10 , 1971
2
6
Little Thompson River
at Route 1-25, upstrea-n
of Great Western
(EM 260.4/7.0/11.1)
Little Thompson River
at mouth, downstream
from Great Western
(EM 260.4/7.0/0.1)
Range
Average
Range
Average
54.0-72.0
63.0
7.9-3.1 2,700-3,500
3,120
7.9-8.1 2,600-4,000
3,210
15-22 5.3-8.4
6.9
14-19 6.4-7.0
6.8
3.7-8.4
6.1
3.8-4.2
4.1
December C-ll, 1971
3
4
5
Little Thompson River
upstream of Great
Western
(RM 260.4/7.0/2.1)
Effluent from Great
Vies tern
(EM 260.4/7.0/2.8)
Little Thompson River
downstream from Great
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
20.7
4.2-4.8
4.4
24.9-25.4
25.1
7.9-8.4 2,600-3,500
3,130
7.3-8.5 1,050-2,550
7.9-3.3 1,400-3,250
2,600
0-3 10.6-10.7
5-11
0.5-4.5 4.0-7.0
5.8
2.0-7.0
4.0
267-320
297
46.0-148
82.0
Western
(Rll 260.4/7.0/1.1)
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TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
LITTLE THO!!PSO:i RIVKR
SEPTEMBER AMD DECEMBER 1971
Map
Key
Fecal Coliforras/100 ml
Station Description
Septentoer 7-10, 1971
2 Little Thompson River at
Route 1-25, upstream of
Great Western
(RM 260.4/7.0/11.1)
6 Little Thompson River at
mouth, downstream from
Great Western
(RM 260.4/7.0/0.1)
December 6-11, 1971
3 Little Thompson River
upstream of Great
Western
(RM 260.4/7.0/4.0)
4 Effluent from Great
Western
(RM 260.4/7.0/2.8)
5 Little Thompson River
downstream from Great
Western
(RM 260.4/7.0/1.1)
Total Coli£orms/100 ml _
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum LOR Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
_ Fecal Streptococci/100 ml
48,000 38,000 27,000 2,700 1,900 1,400 80,000 25,000
48,000 41,000 35,000 3,500 2,300 1,300 22,000 14,000
15,000
3,000
700
800
360
160
2,200 1,300
500,000 210,000 88,000 19,000 6,900 1,500
9,600
6,100
660
150,000 38,000 9,000 350,000 290,000 270,000
86,000 60,000 42,000
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TABLE 3
DATA SUBMITTED BY THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
FOR THE JOHNSTOWN PLANT DISCHARGE
Month
November 1971
December 1971
January 1972
February 1972
March 1972
Mean
Flow
mgd
4.35
4.25
4.51
2.72
4.2
Temp.
°C
Range
12-13
7-10
6-8
8-12
15 Max.
7
7
7
7
7
pH
Range
.5-7.8
.5-7.8
.2-8.4
.1-8.4
.4-8.3
BOD
mg/ia/
282
249
230
348
124
Ib/day
10,200
8,820
8,650
7,880
4,350
Suspended
Solids
mg/lS/
63
68
77
107
85
Ib/day
2,280
2,400
2,900
2,400
3,000
Total Total
Coliforms Coliforms
MPN/100 ml MPN/100
595,000 14,
169,000 12,
1,000,
9,
2,
ml
000
000
000
600
755
Fecal
Streptococci
MPN/100 ml
43,000
180,000
a/ These are net levels (effluent minus intake-concentration).
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63
increased about 20 times from those observed upstream.
The data (both EPA and Great Western Sugar Company) indicate that
the BOD load discharged during November 1971-March 1972 ranged from
4,350-10,200 Ib, which is four to ten times greater than the load limit
proposed for the Refuse Act Permit.
Compliance dates established for this plant in the Colorado Imple-
mentation Plan (December 31, 1969) and the South Plate River Basin
Enforcement Conference (June 30, 1971) have not been met.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. Waste load limits proposed for the Refuse Act Permit be met
(i.e., BOD and suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 30 mg/1
each, or 100 Ib per day, whichever is less).
2. The effluent shall be regulated so that fecal coliform bacteria
shall not exceed 1000/100 ml.
G. REFERENCES
y The Beet Sugar Industry — The Water Pollution Problem and Status
of Waste Abatement and Treatment, PR-8, U. S. Department of the
Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South
Platte River Basin Project. Denver, Colorado. June 1967.
2J Report of the Second Session of the Conference in the Matter of
Pollution of the South Platte River Basin, U. S. Department of
Health, Education, and Welfare, Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration, South Platte River Basin Project. Denver, Colorado
April 27, 1966.
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65
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
LONGMONT MILL
LONGMONT, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Longmont sugar beet processing plant is a Steffen-house operation.
The mill, in 1971, was operating at its rated capacity of 3,307 tons of
sugar beets sliced per day and 185 tons per day of processed molasses.
Employment during the campaign involved 265 persons.
An extensive waste source survey was conducted at the Longmont plant
in November 1965 with an addition in November 1966.— The later study was
carried out in order to determine any water quality changes resulting from
the construction of a treatment lagoon for total plant wastes. The investi-
gation revealed that, in the effluent, both the suspended solids and the
temperature were significantly lowered, but dissolved organics and bacteria
densities were at the same levels, or had increased.
21
It was recommended— that the waste discharge from this mill be
limited to 1,450 Ib per day each of BOD and SS. At the reconvened second
session of the Conference in the Matter of Pollution in the South Platte
River Basin (Denver, Colorado, November 10, 1966) the Conferees recommended
that all waste discharges (to basin waters) install adequate remedial or
control facilities by June 30, 1971, in order to comply with the water
quality standards that were being a) established by the State of Colorado
Water Pollution Control Commission and b) approved by the Secretary of the
Interior. The Commission subsequently set a compliance date of December
31, 1968, at which time this industry was to have adequate treatment.
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66
In 1968, the Company constructed a "closed" flume water recycle
system. Studies by the Colorado State Department of Health, in 1969-70,
indicated that the condenser water discharged raised the temperature of
St. Vrain Creek from 10°C to 20°C. Seepage from the waste lagoons was
3/
septic and lowered the dissolved oxygen of St. Vrain Creek.—
Water pollution control practices were evaluated by the National
Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) during December 1971. The
Great Western officials contacted were: Ralph Bristol, factory manager;
Robert Barker, master mechanic; and Gary Maggie, district factory
engineer (Johnstown).
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
St. Vrain Creek water is completely diverted to the mill just up-
stream of the Longmont wastewater treatment plant outfall (RM 22.5).
After the mill uses about 9.1 mgd of the creek water, any excess of the
diverted water, after being mixed with condenser water, overflows to the
stream (RM 22.0). This surface (creek) water is augmented by City of Long-
mont water (0.75 mgd). The latter is primarily employed for sanitary
needs, Company lawn irrigation, the centrifugal wash, emergency feed on
the boilers, and feed for the barometric condenser.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Condenser water is the major discharge from the mill and the only one
for which the Great Western Sugar Company has applied for a Refuse Act
Permit. The volume of discharge averaged 7.3 mgd during the study period,
December 6 through 10, 1971.
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67
A drain collects seepage from the lime and flume-water surge pond
area. During the survey, the flow from this drain was approximately 1 cfs.
The "closed" flume water disperses about 6,000 gpm of water, main-
tained between pH 8 and 9 by the daily addition of four to five tons
of lime. The flume water (6,000 gpm) is passed through a screen station
(six, at 6 ft by 7 ft); then a portion (2,000 gpm) is diverted into the
primary and secondary settling basins [Figure 1]. The two kidney-shaped
primary settling ponds (each approx. 400 ft long by 50 ft wide across the
top and 20 ft wide across the bottom) are alternately used to enable
sluicing of the excess basin muds into the mud sluice pond. Effluent from
the primary settling ponds enters the secondary settling basin (donut-shaped,
approx. 100 ft by 250 ft).
Overflow from the secondary basin is re-used at various points in
the flume water system. Any excess water from the secondary basin dis-
charges to an anaerobic surge basin (approx. 300 sq ft by 15 ft in depth)
that is equipped with two 5-hp aerators. During a plant inspection on
December 1, 1971, strong odors were emanating from this area. This anaero-
bic surge basin can be emptied for cleaning by flushing its contents to
surge pond No. 1.
Excess flume water from the "closed" circuit is bypassed to surge
pond No. 1 together with general plant wastes, boiler blowdown, various
laboratory wastes, acid boilouts, and some floor and yard drains.
According to Company officials, dumps and spills in the juice end of the
plant are collected in a sump inside the mill and re-used at the first
carbonation station. Steffen-house drains either return to the juice
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68
area for recovery or are discharged into the flume circuit. Floor drains
of the CSF are primarily directed to surge pcnd No. 1. The northwest
corner of surge pond No. 1 is equipped with a standpipe that transfers
flow to surge pond No. 2.
Gas-scrubbing effluent from the lime kiln area is discharged into
the closed, flume-water circuit. Lime mud wastes are slurried and de-
posited into a lagoon. The Company also uses two ash ponds which are
fairly extensive. Both were full at the time of the inspection; there
was little freeboard available, particularly on the southeast corner of
pond No. 2. The EPA investigators judged the dikes of these ponds to
be lacking in structural stability. There was a well defined seep flow
originating from the southeast corner of pond No. 2. Overflow from these
ponds enters the water supply pond.
Limits on waste loads have been proposed for this mill, under the
Refuse Act Permit Program, based on "best treatment" for the sugar-beet
processing industry and on present plant capacity. These loads are
as follows:
1. BOD - not to exceed 0.5 Ib/ton of beets sliced or 1,650 Ib/day,
whichever is less.
2. Suspended Solids - same limits as for BOD.
3. Fecal coliform bacteria - if pathogenic organisms are demonstrated
to be present in the discharge, the effluent shall be regulated
so that fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed 1000/100 ml.
-------
PLANT
USED FLUME WATER
SV-1
LEGEND
MUD
WATER
A STATIONS
Figure 1 Plant Schematic and Sampling Stations Great Western Sugar Company
Longmont,Colorado
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69
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
An in-plant evaluation was conducted during December 6 through 10, 1971.
Three 24-hr composite samples were collected at selected discharge points
*
[Stations LONG-1 and LONG-2, Figure 1] using SERCO automatic samplers.
Periodic measurements were made of the pH, conductivity, and temperature,
and grab samples were collected dally for bacterial analyses. Two stream
stations (SV-1 and SV-2) were also sampled daily on a grab basis and
analyzed for the same variables.
Results [Tables 1 and 2] indicate that an effluent containing about
2,520 Ib per day (0,80 Ib/ton) BOD was discharged to the stream. At
the time of the survey the Longmont Wastewater Treatment Plant was discharging
about 4.0 mgd of effluent, containing 2,100 Ib BOD, to St. Vrain Creek
just downstream (RM 22.5) from the point of diversion for the Great Western
water supply.
The stream survey showed that the result of this combination, wastes
from the treatment plant and from Great Western mill, was a violation of
the DO criterion (3.0 mg/1). Temperatures were increased by as much as
13°C, also as a result of these discharges.
Downstream from them, large sludge beds have formed. Sphaevotilus,
a filmentous bacterium, covered much of the stream bottom with dense growths.
* The Company has applied for only one Refuse Act Permit. This is for
the condenser water discharge (Station LONG-1). During the survey, the
drain collecting seepage from the lime and surge ponds had a fairly
constant flow. Moreover, the Company apparently has the need to
periodically discharge from the overall treatment system. If these
discharges cannot be eliminated through improved waste management,
then permits should be obtained for them.
** Company data for the 1971-72 campaign indicate that the pounds BOD per
ton of beets sliced ranged from 0.29-0.78.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
DECEMBER 6-10, 1971
Station
SV-1
SV-2
LONG-1
LONG- 2
Station
SV-1
SV-2
LONG-1
LONG- 2
Description
St. Vrain River downstream
from Great Western Co.
(RM 270.0/20.6)
St. Vrain River upstream
of Great Western Co.
(RM 270/22.5)
Condenser water effluent
(RM 270.0/22.0)
Seep drain from lime and
surge pond area
(RM 270.0/20.9)
Total Coliforms/100
Maximum Log Mean
740,000 >40,000
2,100 1,200
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
ml
Minimum
940
570
Flow Temp. Cond. Dissolved Oxygen BOD
mgd °C umhos/cm pH mg/1 % Sat. mg/1
33.6-37 5.0-13.0 1,200-1,380 7.7-8.4 0.3-3.7 3-33 45-65
36 2.1 55
22.4-26 0.0-1.0 825-1,350 7.7-8.3 10.4-12.6 85-106 2-6
25 11.3 3
6.7-9.4 30.0-46.0 950-1,300 8.1-9.2 30-54
7.3 46
0.0-6.5 1,400-2,200 7.5-8.4 5-8
0.65 6.7
TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
Fecal Coliforms/100 ml Fecal Streptococci/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean
96,000 1,300 10 81,000 12,000
270 190 84 2,300 930
250 38 10 39,000 9,700
440 <33 <10 53,000 7,500
Alkalinity
mg/1
230-265
251
198-230
214
205-225
213
197-661
498
Minimum
810
560
1,200
2,300
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71
These conditions represent violations of Sections B and D of the Colorado
Basic Standards Applicable to All Waters of the State.
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. In Longmont, the waste loads from the Great Western mill in combina-
ation with those from the treatment plant caused violation of the DO cri-
terion and of the Basic Standards Applicable to All Waters of the State.
2. The condenser water discharge (30°-46°C) raised the temperature
of St. Vrain Creek by as much as 13°C.
3. Analytical results indicated that the mill discharged about
eight tenths of a pound of BOD per ton of beets, a figure that exceeds
the effluent quality (0.5 Ib BOD/ton) achievable by installation of
"best treatment".
4. The mill has two continuous discharges (seepage and condenser-
water) and makes periodic discharges from the flume-water treatment system.
Improved waste management could eliminate the need for such discharges.
5. Excessive seepage (icfs) occurs through the dikes of the waste-
water storage ponds.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. The waste load limits proposed for the Refuse Act Permit be met
(i.e., BOD and suspended solids shall not exceed 0.5 Ib/ton of beets pro-
cessed or 1,650 Ib/day, whichever is less; and, if pathogenic organisms
are demonstrated to be present in the discharge, the effluent shall be
regulated so that fecal coliform bacteria shall not exceed 1000/100 ml).
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72
2. All wastewater ponds be constructed in accordance with best engineer-
ing practices in order to prevent excessive seepage and to preclude the
possibility of dike failure.
3. Improved waste management techniques be implemented to eliminate
periodic discharges from the flume-water treatment system.
G. REFERENCES
1. The Beet Sugar Industry — The Water Pollution Problem and Status of
Waste Abatement and Treatment, PR-8, U. S. Department of the Interior,
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River
Basin Project, Denver, Colorado, June 1967.
2. Report to the Second Session of the Conference in the Matter of
Pollution of the South Platte River Basin, U. S. Department of
Health, Education, and Welfare, Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration, South Platte River Basin Project, April 27, 1966.
3. Water Pollution Survey of the Great Western Sugar Company and the
Kuner-Empson Canning Company of Colorado, Colorado Water Pollution
Control Commission, November 24, 1969 to March 11, 1970.
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73
GREAT VJESTERN SUGAR C011PAHY
LOVELAI7D MILL
LOVELAND, GOLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Loveland rail! is a Steffen-house operation and prepares CSF
— for shipment to the Great Western plant at Johnstown. As of December 1,
1971, the average process rate was 3,900 tons per day sugar beets sliced
and 200 tons per day non-Steffen nolasses. Loveland also produces 200 tons
per day of molasses (for shipment to Johnstown). The total employment
during the campaign x^as about 265 people; 30-50 people are employed during
the remainder of the year.
During the 1963-64 campaign, two treatment fields provided for the
processing of waste; the primary cell was 92 acres and the secondary cell
was 41 acres. Wastewater flowed through the primary cell in numerous
shallow channels and was transferred through three culverts to the secon-
s
dary cell; effluent then flowed to a ditch and subsequently to the Bin;
Thompson River.— The effluent BOD measured 510 rng/1 (15 Ib/ton of beets
processed), a value that represented a reduction of about 25 percent in
the treatment fields. (An earthen dike w
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74
water quality standards (i.e., treatment providing less than 80 percent
removal of BOD).
Capital expenditures for waste treatment/control facilities at
Loveland were $200,,000 in 1970 and $300,000 in 1971. Present treatment
consists of mechanical clarification and recycle of all flume-water.
Only the condenser water is discharged to the Big Thompson River.
The Loveland mill was evaluated for water pollution control practices
by the National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) personnel on
December 1, 1971. The Great Western Company officials providing informa-
tion and assistance were: Dan Conwell, plant manager; Nick Watson, district
engineer, Johnstown; Gary Maggie, district plant engineer (Johnstown).
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
The water supply is from two sources: (1) surface water diverted
from the Greeley-Loveland canal (averages 11.2 mgd) and (2) City of
Loveland water (averages 1.0 mgd). Water is used to cool barometric
condensers and to supplement losses to the "closed" flume system. City
water is used for emergency boiler feed, sanitary needs, turbine packing,
and for the CSF operations.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
The Loveland mill has a "closed" flume-water recycle system of
limited efficiency. The circulated flume-water is pumped over three
link-belt vibrating screens (5 ft by 12 ft) operating in parallel.
Then, by gravity, the flow is channelled into an EIMCO clarifier (90 ft)
[Figure 1]. Effluent from the clarifier is recycled and settled muds
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SURGE BASIN I HI-LEVEL OUTFLOW
LIME
BASIN
20 ACRES
COOLING POND |1|
80 ACRES
t-H
COOLING POND |2|
50 ACRES
LEGEND
MUD
WATER
STATIONS
Figure 1.Plant Schematic and Sampling Stations Great Western Sugar Company
Lovcland,Colorado
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75
(approx. 500 gpm) are discharged into a AO-acre raid pond (non-over-
flowing) , located two miles east of the mill. Wastewaters from floor
and yard drains are discharged into the "closed" flume-water system.
Normal flow on the "closed" flume-water system ranges from 6,000 to
8,000 gpm. Two tons of lime are added daily to the flume-water circuit
in order to hold the pH level above 7.0. Surges occur in the circuit;
at such times the flow increases up to 10,000 gpm. When this happens,
the excess flow is pumped to a surge basin (200 ft by 100 ft by 8 ft). Any
overflow from this basin is returned to the pump house for recirculation.
Condenser waters and ashes from the boilers are conveyed in an open
ditch, approximately two miles east of the plant, to where this waste
flow intercepts overflow from Boyd Lake. The entire flow is discharged
into two cooling ponds operating in series — the first covers about
80 acres and the second about 50 acres [Figure 1]. Overflow from the
second pond flows, by means of a three-quarter mile long ditch, to the
Big Thompson River.
Lime muds are carried in a separate pipeline east of the plant and
are discharged to a 20-acre, non-overflowing pond located directly west
of cooling pond Ho. 1. Considerable seepage was observed over large
downslope areas surrounding the lir.e pond and the cooling ponds.
Waste loads have been proposed for this plant under the Refuse
Act Permit program. These loads are based on "best treatment" for
the sugar-beet processing industry, present plant capacity, and receiving
water requirements. These requirements are as follows:
1. BOD - not to exceed 0.35 Ib/ton of beets sliced or 1,850
Ib/day, whichever is less;
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76
2. Suspended solids - sane as that for BOD; and
3. Fecal coliform bacteria - if pathogenic organisms are
demonstrated to be present in the discharge the effluent
shall be regulated so that fecal coliforin bacteria shall
not exceed 1000/100 ml.
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
A plant evaluation was conducted at this mill in December 1971.
Three 24-hr composite samples were collected, with SERCO automatic
samplers, at selected stations [Figure 1]. Periodic measurements were
made of the pll, conductivity, and temperature; daily grab samples were
collected for bacterial analyses.
Results of the analyses [Tables 1 and 2] shov? that the BOD and SS
of the main discharge (Station LOVE-2) averaged 13 mg/1 (0.22 Ib/ton)
and 23 mg/1 (0.4 Ib/ton), respectively. Data furnished by the Company
for the 1971-72 campaign indicated that the maximum number of pounds of
BOD and SS discharged per ton of beets processed was 0.24 and 1.34, re-
spectively. Water pollution control practices have improved significantly
from those found during the 1963-64 campaign. At that time the nill was
discharging an effluent containing more than 50,000 pounds of BOD per
day. It was the major source of pollution in the Big Thompson River.
As noted earlier, seepage was observed in the areas surrrounding
the lime and cooling ponds. Analysis of this seepage (0.13 mgd) from
the lime pond area [Table 1] indicated that this BOD value is higher
(100 mg/1) than that (65 mg/1) of the main discharge.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
DECEMBER 6-10, 1971
Station
LOVE-1
LOVE-2
LOVE-3
Description
Condenser water
plus Boyd Lake
overflow
Cooling pond
effluent
Seepage from
lime pond
Flow Temp. Alkalinity Cond.
mgd °C rag/1 pmhos/cm
Range 9.1-11.4 15.0-20.0 140 470-590
Average 10.0
Range 6.7-9.4 0.0-5.0 130 520-650
Average 7.6
Range 0.13 3.5-10.0 658 1,350-1,650
Average
PH
8.4-9.2
7.9-8.2
7.2-7.8
BOD
mg/1
54-65
58
6-18
13
14-100
51
Susp.
Solids
mg/1
510-1,210
860
5-60
23
15-50
28
TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
Station
LOVE-2
LOVE-3
Description
Fecal Coliforms/100 ml
% Samples Fecal
Maximum Log Mean Minimum >2000 Maximum
Cooling pond effluent 32 <8 <4 0 110,000
Seepage from lime pond 20 <9 <4 0 4,700
Streptococci/100 ml
Log Mean
2,200
1,400
Minimum
310
550
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78
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The data indicate that the Loveland mill was providing adequate
treatment of its surface discharges during the 1971-72 campaign (0.22 Ib
i
of BOD/ton of beets processed). This represents a significant reduction
i
from the waste loads discharged during the 1963-64 campaign (15 Ib of
BOD/ton of beets processed).
Seepage (0.13 mgd) from the wastewater ponds was observed during the
in-plant evaluation in December 1971. Analyses of the seepage from the
lime-mud pond area showed it had a higher BOD value (100 mg/1) than that
from the main discharge (65 mg/1).
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. The limits proposed for the Refuse Act Permit be met at this mill
(i.e., the BOD and SS discharged shall not exceed 0.35 and 0.5 Ib, respec-
tively, per ton of beets processed or 1,300 and 1,850 Ib/day, respectively,
whichever is less, and, if pathogenic organisms are demonstrated to be
present in the discharge, the effluent shall be regulated so that fecal
coliform bacteria shall not exceed 1000/100 ml.
2. Waste ponds be constructed in accord with best engineering
practices to preclude excessive seepage and possible dike failures.
G. REFERENCES
_!/ The Beet Sugar Industry — Tiie Hater Pollution Problem and Status
of Waste Abatement and Treatment, PR-8, U. S. Department of the
Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South
Platte River Basin Project. Denver Colorado. June 1967.
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79
2J Report to the Second Session of the Conference in the Matter of
Pollution of the South Platte Hiver Basin, U. S. Department of
Health, Education, and Welfare, Federal Hater Pollution Control
Administration, South Platte River Basin Project. April 27, 1966.
3/ Water Pollution Survey of the Great Western Sugar Company and the
Xuner-Eirrpson Coj-ming Conpany of Colorado^ Colorado Water Pollution
Control Commission. November 24, 1969 to March 11, 1970.
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81
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
STERLING MILL
STERLING, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Sterling sugar-beet processing mill is a straight-house oper-
ation. End molasses from this operation is shipped to Fort Morgan.
Liquid protein concentration (LPC) from Johnstown and some processed
molasses from Fort Morgan are added in the dried beet-sugar pulp pro-
duction. The plant is rated at 2,435 tons of sugar beets per day.
During November the plant was processing an average of 2,590 tons of
sugar beets per day. The campaign started October 4, 1971, and ended
about January 20, 1972. Total employment during this campaign was about
200 persons.
The Sterling plant discharged an effluent containing more than
42,000 Ib BOD per day (19 Ib/ton of beets processed) in December, 1963.-
Installation of a truck hopper that requires no water resulted in a
reduction of the wastewater discharged. During 1967 pollutional loads
associated with pulp silo wastes were eliminated because of pulp pressing
and drying facilities. Great Western officials reported that approxi-
mately $500,000 were, spent during 1970 and 1971 both for waste separation
and improvement of the treatment system. A "partial" recycle, flume-
water system is now used. About 25 percent of the flume water is treated
by aerated lagoons and settling basins and then discharged to the South
Platte River.
Water pollution control practices at this Great Western plant were
evaluated by personnel of the National Field Investigations Center-Denver
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82
(NFIC-D) November 29 through December 3, 1971. Information and assist-
ance was provided by Great Western Superintendent Nick Shyne and Ray
Kaiser, a district engineer.
3. WATER SUPPLY AMD USES
llill water is supplied by the adjacent Sterling Ho. 1 irrigation
canal (4.8 mgd); Company-owned wells (4.8 mgd); and by Sterling city
water (0.3 mgd). City water is used for sanitary demands, emergency
boiler feed, and other, minor plant needs. The canal- and well-water
provide condenser water (4.4 to 7.3 mgd daily) and augment flume-water
losses (600 to 800 gpra) .
C. UASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
The single discharge to the South Platte River consists of: excess
canal water not used for water supply; treated plant wastes from both
the aeration lagoons and polishing pond; and condenser cooling-water
[Figure 1]. The volumes of treated mill wastes and condenser water dis-
charged are 600 to 800 gpm and 3,000 to 5,000 gpm, respectively. Sanitary
waste is discharged into the Sterling municipal waste treatment system.
Acid and caustic boilouts, boiler blowdown, and other strong wastes are
discharged into a holding pit (non-overflowing). Lime muds from the
purification and filtration process are stored in a 8-acre, non-over-
flowing pond. Flow surges in the flume circuit that are too large for
the treatment system are discharged into the non-overflowing surge pond
(130 ft by 360 ft).
Condensates from the first and second evaporator effects are re-used
-------
r
LIME WASTES
ACTIVE LIME
POND 8-ACRES
CONDENSER WATERS
STLG-1
STLG-3
PLANT
FLUME
WATERS
EXCESS FLUME WATERS
PUMP
(STATION
SCREEN!
STATION!
UNTREATED FLUME
WATER & PLANT
WASTES
MUD PONDS
3@400'x83'
ACID
CAUSTIC
BOILOUTS
CANAL WATER
RECEIVING
POND
AERATION
BASINS
3@350'*140
SURGE
BASIN
36D'x130'
POLISHING
POND
374'xllO'
-N-
STLG-2
Ul
H
I-
TREATED FLUME WATER & CANAL WATER
LEGEND
-- MUD
WATER
A STATIONS
Figure l.Planl Schemalic and Sampling Stations Great Western Sugar Company
Sterling,Colorado.
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as boiler supply and press wash. Condensates from the third and fourth
effects are directed to various hot-house uses. Direct condensate dis-
charge from the nill originates primarily from the fifth-effect evaporator
condenser and from vacuum-pan condensers.
Flume-water and general plant wastes are directed into the treat-
ment re-use system. Water (approx. 3,000 gpm) is circulated through the
flume system. No lime is added for pE adjustment. Flume-water leaves
the northeast side of the plant by means of a ditch and is lifted over a
series of three, travelling link-belt screens (8 ft by 5 ft with 1/4 in.
openings). Flume-water then enters into a mud-settling recirculation
system comprised of three separate ponds (each, 400 ft by 83 ft by 10 ft).
The water enters one of the outside ponds and flows into the middle pond.
The overflow from the middle pond returns to the flume system. The re-
maining outside pond receives no flow until it is necessary to remove the
settled muds from the other outside pond. Approximately 80 percent of
the overflow from the middle pond is recycled into the flume circuit.
The remainder (600 to 900 gpm) is conveyed through the mill waste treat-
ment system in the following sequence: a) a snail receiving pond (100 ft
by 150 ft); b) three aeration ponds (each 350 ft by 140 ft by 13 ft),
which can operate in parallel or in series, with two floating 50-hp
aerators in each; and c) a. polishing pond (374 ft by 110 ft by 5 ft)
with a 10-hp aerator positioned at the inlet.
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
A waste-source survey was conducted at the Sterling mill from
November 29 to December 3, 1971. Three 24-hr composite samples
-------
(composited on an equal volume basis using SERCO automatic samplers)
were collected at selected stations [Figure 1]. Grab samples were
collected daily for bacteriological analyses. The pli, conductivity,
and temperature were measured periodically. Results [Tables 1 and 2]
showed that the bacterial quality of the main canal discharge (STLG-3)
was low in fecal coliforms (370/100 ml) but high in fecal streptococci
(>860,000/100 ml). The BOD and SS in the main canal discharge (17.9 cfs)
were 2,310 Ib (0.9 Ib/ton) and 3,840 Ib (1.5 Ib/ton) per day, respectively.
A stream survey was also conducted on the South Platte River during
the in-plant evaluation. Downstream from the main discharge the stream
was severely polluted. Massive growths of slimes and algae covered the
rocks and other submerged objects. Pollution was so intense in this
reach that the pollution-tolerant sludgeworms were virtually eliminated
(reduced from 752/sq ft upstream to 6/sq ft).
Data provided by the Company indicated that during the 1971-72
campaign the BOD of the main discharge ranged from 15-211 mg/1 (average
78 mg/1). The net BOD load discharged (subtracting out the BOD of the
intake water) ranged from 0.4 to 4.7 Ib per ton. An effluent containing
one-half pound per ton eacli of T>OD and suspended solids is achievable
A*
through the installation of best treatment." The flow data reported
by the Company showed the discharge ranged from 4.6-8.1 mgd, signifi-
cantly lower than that measured during the in-plant survey (11.6 mgd).
* Bacteria densities are the log mean, unless otherwise noted.
** Waste loads, proposed for this rail! under the Refuse Act Permit Program.,
are based on I:best treatment:I for the su^ar-beet processing industry,
present plant capacity, and receiving water requirements. Loads for
BOD and SS are 0.5 Ib each per ton of beets sliced, not to exceed
1220 Ib per day of each. In addition, if pathogenic organisms are
demonstrated to be present in the discharge, the effluent shall be
regulated so that fecal colifom bacteria shall not exceed 1000/100 ml.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 3, 1971
Sta.
No.
STLG-1
STLG-2
STLG-3
Sta.
No.
STLG-3
STLG-2
STLG-1
Station Description
Condenser discharge Range
Average
Effluent from trans- Range
port system Average
Main canal discharge Range
Average
Station Description
Main canal discharge
Effluent from transport system
Condenser water discharge
Flow Temp. Cond. BOD
mgd °C umhos/cm pH mg/1
7.0-7.5 20.0-29.0 1,500-2,600 8.6-8.8 18-36
7.2 24
0.23-1.2 11.0-15.0 1,400-1,900 7.5-8.8 180-300
0.50 250
10.9-12.2 11.0-15.0 1,400-1,900 8.4-8.6 19-26
11.6 24
TABEL 2
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
Fecal Coliforms/100 ml
Log % Samples
Maximum Mean Minimum >2000
810 370 150 0
6,300 3,700 900 80
110 <42 28 0
Total
Solids
mg/1
1,300-1,570
1,450
2,030-2,130
2,160
1,170-1,640
1,400
Fecal
Maximum
3,600,000
7,900,000
60,000
Suspended
Solids Alkalinity
mg/1 mg/1
10-100
50
220-1,300
740
20-60
40
Streptococci/100
Log Mean
>860,000
>1, 000, 000
5,000
258-281
270
514-541
529
279-288
283
ml
Minimum
>100,000
>100,000
490
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86
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The waste load from the Sterling mill has been reduced signifi-
cantly since 1963 when the load was measured at 42,000 Ib BOD per day.
Available data (EPA and the Great Western Sugar Company) indicate that
the number of pounds of BOD per ton of beets processed varied from about
0.4 to 4.7.
2. Maximum fecal-coliform bacteria densities in the main discharge
were less than 1,000/100 ral during the in-plant survey.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the following limits proposed for the Refuse
Act Permit be met at this mill:
1. The BOD and suspended solids loads from the plant not exceed
0.5 Ib each per ton of beets processed or the total load of each dis-
charged not exceed 1,220 Ib per day, whichever is less.
2. If pathogenic organisms are demonstrated to be present in the
discharge, the effluent shall be regulated so that fecal coliform bacteria
shall not exceed 1,000/100 ml.
G. REFERENCE
I/ The Beat Sugar Industry — Tne Hater Pollution Problem and Status
of Waste Abatement and Treatment3 PR-8, U. S. Department of the
Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South
Platte River Basin Project. Denver, Colorado. June 1967.
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87
LOVELAND PACKING COMPANY
1000 SOUTH LINCOLN STREET
LOVELAND, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Loveland Packing Company, which employs 75 persons and operates
on a 40-hr week, slaughters approximately 1,500 hogs and processes three
tons of beef per week. Edible and inedible parts are rendered. In
addition, 300 hogs are fed within the plant area.
Water (50,000 ppd) obtained from the City of Loveland is used for
cooking, plant cleaning, processing of carcasses, and domestic use.
In 1965— this company was processing approximately 100 head of
cattle and 250 hogs per week. However, wastewater treatment facilities
have not been expanded in conjunction with overall plant expansions.
The water pollution control practices of this packing plant were
evaluated by personnel from the National Field Investigations Center-
Denver (NFIC-D) , September 28 to 30, 1971. Ronald Miltonburger, a
company official, provided information and assistance.
3. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
All process wastewaters receive treatment in a 65,000-gpd waste-
water treatment facility. The facilities consist of a grease trap that
is skimmed daily: a shaker screen to remove solids; an aeration basin
equipped with one aerator; a clarifier; and a polishing basin. The
effluent from the plant flows, by means of a small stream, to the Big
Thompson River (RM 260.4/25.5).
Washdown water from the hog pens is discharged into an evaporative
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88
lagoon. At the time of the 1971 investigation there was a small amount
of water in the lagoon.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
Four grab samples each of the wastewater treatment plant influent
and effluent were collected during September 29 and 30, 1971. Temperature,
pll, and conductivity were measured each time a sample was collected.
Flows were estimated from water-use information [Table 1].
There is a daily effluent containing 43 Ib of BOD (0.64 lb/1,000 Ib
LWK*) and 39 Ib of suspended solids (0.58 lb/1,000 Ib LWK) discharged to
the -Big Thompson River. Waste loads have been proposed for this industry
under the Refuse Act Permit Program. These loads are based on "best
treatment" for the meat processing industry, present plant capacity, and
receiving water requirements. These requirements are as follows:
1. BOD shall not exceed 0.14 lb/1,000 Ib LWK or 15 Ib/day,
whichever is less;
2. suspended solids shall not exceed 0.1 lb/1,000 Ib LWK or
15 Ib/day, whichever is less; and
3. The fecal-coliforin bacteria density shall not exceed
1,000/100 ml.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The present discharge containing 0.64 Ib BOD per 1,000 Ib LWK and
0.58 Ib suspended solids per 1,000 Ib LWK is not in accord with "best
treatment" available for the meat processing industry.
* This figure is based on current production of 67,500 Ib/day.
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89
TABLE 1
LOVELAND PACKING COMPANY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
SEPTEMBER 28-30, 1971
a/
Parameter—
Flow (mgd)—
pH
Temperature (°C)
Cond. (ymhos/cm)
Total Solids
SS
Oil & Grease
TOC
COD
BOD
Influent
Range Average
6.8-7.6
22-24
700-2,200
710-1,720 1,140
120-640 492
260-540 373
440-540 500
530-1,770 1,077
Effluent
Range
7.5-7.7
14.5-15.0
1,200-1,600
650-1,730
22-198
14-22
70-180
120-145
40-240
Average
0.05
890
94
17
83
135
105
aj All units of measurement are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b/ This value is obtained from water-use records.
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90
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that appropriate abatement actions be taken to
ensure that the Loveland Packing Company provide "best treatment" to
produce an effluent which meets the following limits:
1. The effluent contain no more than 0.14 Ib of BOD per 1,000 Ib
LWK or 15 Ib per day, whichever is less.
2. The effluent contain no more than 0.1 Ib of suspended solids per
1,000 Ib LWK or 15 Ib per day, whichever is less.
3. The fecal-coliform bacteria density of the effluent not exceed
1,000/100 ml.
F. REFERENCE
\J A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basins PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
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91
MARTIN MARIETTA CORPORATION
P. 0. BOX 179
DENVER, COLORADO 80201
A. GENERAL
Martin Marietta, the largest manufacturer of aerospace hardware in
the metropolitan Denver area, employs between 11,000 and 12,000 people on
a 40-hr work week. Water is obtained from the City of Denver for all
uses within the plant.
A study conducted in 1964— indicated that this company was providing
adequate wastewater treatment.
Water pollution control practices were evaluated by personnel of
National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) on September 29 and
30, 1971. Company officials who provided information and assistance
were: Ross D. Miller, facilities manager; Peter D. Kaunitz, safety and
facilities engineer; Thomas W. Johansen and D. Griffiths, maintenance and
water effluent engineers; Jerold M. Bidwell; Dr. Rex E. Paulsen; George P.
Fulton; and Robert B. Morgan
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Industrial and domestic wastes are treated in separate treatment
facilities. The sanitary wastewater treatment plant consists of a pri-
mary clarifier, a two-stage trickling filter with an intermediate clari-
fier, and a final clarifier. The chlorinated effluent is discharged to
Brush Creek (RM 341.1/210) a tributary to the South Platte River.
Industrial wastes, primarily from plating operations, are discharged
into holding tanks (four 20,000 gal. and four 60,000 gal.) for treatment.
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92
Acidic, alkaline, and cyanide wastes are treated with lime, sulfuric acid,
and sodium sulfite, respectively. Wastewaters that contain hexavalent
chromium are treated with either sodium sulfite or sulfur dioxide (used
when the chromium concentration exceeds 2.5 mg/1) to reduce the chromium
ion to the trivalent form. Lime is then added to bring the pH to 9.0 in
order to precipitate chromium hydroxide. The precipitate and any waste-
waters not otherwise treated are discharged into two lagoons. The remain-
ing liquid is tested and, if found to be adequately treated, is discharged
to Brush Creek.
On June 7, 1971, Martin Marietta signed a contract with the Martin K.
Eby Construction Company to repair and improve the operation of the indus-
trial treatment facility. Improvements scheduled to be completed by
February 1972 include:
a) modification of the acid and alkaline holding tanks;
b) modification of the chemical feeding system with a new chemical
control and storage building;
c) modification of sedimentation tanks;
d) a new sludge-pumping station;
e) modification of an emergency holding pond; and
f) construction of an evaporation pond and a force main.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
Grab samples of the industrial effluent were collected daily on
September 29 and 30. Temperature, pH, and conductivity were measured
each time a sample was collected [Table 1]. Company records show that
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93
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
MARTIN. MARIETTA CORPORATION
SEPTEMBER 29-30, 1971
a/
Parameter-
Flow (gal.)-''
Temperature (°C)
Cond. (ymhos/cm)
PH
Oil & Grease
COD
TS
SS
BOD
MH«, as Nitrogen
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
(as M)
Nitrites and Nitrates
(as N)
Total Phosphorus
itetals
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Zinc
Average
30,000
27
66
1,110
65
23
0.7
5.3
3.3
0.65
<0.1
0.56
0.13
<0.05
0.09
Range
23-26
1,000-1,700
7.2-7.3
1,080-1,140
50-80
5-40
1.5-9.0
2.9-3.6
0.6-0.7
0.52-0.60
0.16-0.20
0.03-0.10
a/ All units of measurement are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b/ This value represents average flow per release.
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94
an average of four 30,000 gal. releases are discharged daily to Brush Creek.
The effluent contained high levels of oil and grease (27 mg/1) and
suspended solids (65 mg/1). The heavy-metals concentrations are rela-
tively low and should not cause an adverse effect on the receiving waters.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The effluent from the treatment facility contained large amounts
of suspended solids and oil and grease.
2. The Company has modified the industrial wastewater treatment
facilities to produce a better effluent.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that appropriate water pollution control measures
be taken by Martin Marietta Corporation to ensure that the amounts of
oil and grease and suspended solids are reduced to 10 mg/1 and 30 mg/1,
respectively.
F. REFERENCE
I/ A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basin, PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
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95
MONFORT OF COLORADO PACKING COMPANY
NORTH OF 1IIGKWAY 85
GREELEY, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
Monfort of Colorado operates tx/o feedlots (Greeley and Gilcrest) , a
meat-packing plant (north of Greeley), and a portion-cutting operation
(Greeley). The firm employs approximately 1,400 people. Each feedlot
has a capacity of 100,000 head of cattle and covers 360 acres. Cattle
are fed for 120 days before slaughtering. The packing plant slaughters
and processes 2,100 cattle and 2,500 sheep daily. Bones, hooves, and
grease are also processed to produce tallow and meat scraps.
Water is obtained from the City of Greeley for use in the packing
plant. Wells also supply water, which is used for cattle watering, dust
control, and irrigation.
During 1964,— only the north feedlot was in operation. The over-
flow from the collection basin discharged to the Cache la Poudre River.
The packing plant discharged all wastewater directly to the river.
The water pollution control practices at the packing plant were
evaluated by personnel from the National Field Investigations Center-
Denver (NFIC-D), during the periods August 25 to 27, 1971 and January
26 to 28, 1972. Lowell Adams, engineer, provided information and
assistance.
B' WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Runoff from the Greeley feedlot is collected in two large holding
basins. The overflow from these basins enters a ditch that is used for
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96
irrigation of a 60-acre cornfield. Although there is no direct discharge
to the Cache la Poudre River, the irrigation return-flow does reach the
river immediately dox^nstream from the bridge at Spanish Colony.
Runoff from the Evans feedlot flows through an underground tile
drain to a lagoon. The wastewater from this lagoon is used to irrigate
a pasture. The effluent from the lagoon also overflows into this same
pasture.
The process and cleanup water from the packing and rendering plants
as well as all holding pen wash-down water flows through a settling tank
equipped with a skimmer. The settling tank supernatant is discharged to
the municipal sewers. Non-contact cooling-water (approx. 1,200 gpra) is
circulated over cooling towers. The excess cooling-water (approx. 1 mgd)
as well as water employed to defrost the ice from the refrigeration coils
is discharged directly to the Cache la Poudre River.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
During both surveys sampling consisted of the collection of three
24-hr composites of the packing plant effluent. Equal volume aliquots
were composited. Assistance in the sampling program was provided by
employees of the Greeley Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP).
Analytical data [Table 1 and 2] revealed that the total BOD load in
the effluent discharged by the Monfort Company to Greeley WTP is approxi-
mately 18,000 Ib per day, or approximately 65 percent of the total organic
waste load received by the plant. This loading exceeds the WTP design
capacity (13,000 Ib of 30D/day). The City of Greeley is constructing
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97
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
MONFORT OF COLORADO MEAT-PACKING PLANT
AUGUST 25-27, 1971
a/
Parameters-
Flow (mgd)
BOD
COD
TS
SS
Oil & Grease
Average
1.6
1,170
1,800^
6,610
1,040
250^
Effluent
Range
310-1,480
2,430-10,100
940-1,150
aj All units of ineasurerient are in ing/I unless otherwise noted.
b_/ This value is based on one sample.
TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS
MONFORT OF COLORADO MEAT-PACKING PLANT
JANUARY 26-28, 1972
a/
Parameter-
Flow (mfid)
BOD
COD
TS
SS
Effluent
Average
1.75
1,290
2,340
3,570
1,210
Range
1.70-1.81
1,160-1,400
2,230-2,550
2,840-3,980
616-1,560
£/ All units of measurement are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
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98
a new facility to treat Monfort wastes, waste-activated sludge from the
21
present WTF, and domestic sewage.—
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The present BOD load discharged by the Monfort of Colorado
meat-packing plant exceeds the design capacity of the Greeley Wastewater
Treatment Plant.
2. The City of Greeley is constructing a new treatment plant to
process the Monfort wastes and waste-activated sludge from the existing
municipal treatment plant.
3. Runoff from the feedlots is used for irrigation.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the City of Greeley proceed with the proposed
construction of a new plant in order to treat Monfort of Colorado meat-
packing plant wastes and waste-activated sludge from the existing municipal
waste treatment plant, with the effluent from the new system to contain
not greater than 25 mg/1 each of BOD and suspended solids.
F. REFERENCES
I/ A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basin, PR-63, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
2J Report on Effects of Waste Discharges on Hater Quality of the Cache
la Poudre and South Platte River - Greeley Area, National Field
Investigations Center-Denver and Region VIII, Environmental Pro-
tection Agency. Denver, Colorado. February 1972.
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99
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO
DENVER, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Public Service Company of Colorado owns and operates three
steam power plants in the Denver metropolitan area. These plants,
Arapdhoe, CheTokee, and Zuni, generate heat from coal or natural gas
to produce steam. The steam is used to drive turbines that are coupled
to electric generators. These three plants employ a total of 160 people.
The plants were evaluated during 1966 by personnel of the South
Platte River Basin Project.— The studies indicated that high concen-
trations of solids were being discharged by all three plants. Further
investigations of the water pollution control practices were suggested.
It was recommended that the backwash water discharge from the water
softeners be connected to the sanitary sewer on or before January 1, 1967.
Water pollution control practices for each power plant were evalu-
ated September 22 and 23, 1971. Public Service personnel providing
assistance and information were: Ray Dudley, assistant superintendent of
the Cherokee plant; Ed Kiggins, assistant superintendent of the ArapcJioe
plant; William Dixon, manager of the Zimi plant.
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
The Apapa}ioe plant obtains water from the City of Denver, the South
Platte River, and three wells. The Ctierokee plant obtains water from
the City of Denver, Copelancl Reservoir, Farmers and Gardeners Ditch, and
three wells. The Zicni plant obtains its water fro.n the City of Denver
and the South Platte River.
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100
Water uses within all three plants include boiler feed, cooling
ash removal, and domestic needs. Cooling water is treated with Ualco
215 (a chlorinated phenol) and Nalco 385 (an organic phosphate, sul-
finated lignin). Boiler water is treated with sodium sulfite and meta-
phosphate.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Industrial wastewater at the Arccpahoe plant receives treatment in
four settling ponds. These ponds are arranged so that all wastes pass
through at least two ponds prior to being discharged into the South
Platte River (RM 324.7).
The Cnerokee plant treats all industrial wastewater in three set-
tling ponds. The effluent from these ponds is discharged to the South
Platte River (RM 312.5).
At the Zitni plant, backwash water from the water softeners, once-
through cooling-water and cooling-tower blowdown are discharged to the
South Platte River without treatment. All other wastewater, which con-
tains high levels of suspended solids, is discharged into two settling
ponds. The effluent from these ponds is also discharged to the River
(RM 319.06).
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
Two 24-hr composites (equal-volume grab samples) were collected of
the settling pond discharge to the South Platte River (Arccpahoe3 Cherokee,
and Zuni, plants) and from the cooling-tower blowdown and once-through
cooling-water discharges at the Zuni plant. Temperature, pH, and
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101
conductivity were measured each time a grab sample was collected. Flow
rate of the discharges was estimated by Company officials.
Analyses of the effluent samples [Table 1] indicate that, with the
exception of high pll (10.0) in the Zuni plant cooling-tower blowdown,
the wastewater being discharged to the South Platte River by the Public
Service Company contains only negligible amounts of contaminants.
The backwash water from the water softeners at the Zuni plant was
not sampled because this discharge is made once daily at an unscheduled
time. The discharge should receive treatment in order to remove suspended
solids prior to being released to the river.
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The pH in the cooling tower blowdown at the Zun-L plant is
high (10.0).
2. Backwash water from the water softeners at the Zwii. plant is
discharged to the South Platte River without treatment. This practice
is not in compliance with the recommendations of the South Platte River
enforcement conference.
3. Discharges from the Arapdhoe and Cherokee plants contain negli-
gible amounts of pollutants and, as a result, should not have an adverse
effect on the receiving x«iters.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that appropriate water pollution control measures
be taken by Public Service Company's Zuni, plant in order to ensure that
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO
SEPTEMBER 22-23, 1971
Arapdhoe plant, Littleton
Settling pond effluent
Clierok.ee plant, Denver
Settling pond effluent
Zuni plant , Denver
Settling pond effluent
Cooling-tower blowdown
Discharge
Major cooling-water
Discharge
Arapahoe plant, Littleton
Settling pond effluent
Cherokee plant, Denver
Settling pond effluent
Zuni plant, Denver
Settling pond effluent
Cooling-tower blowdown
Discharge
Major cooling-water
discharge
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Flow No. and Type
(mgd) of Sample
2 Composite^-
1.2 11 Grab
2 Composite^-
9.86 11 Grab
c/
2 Composite—
0.141 10 Grab
2 Composite—
0.150 10 Grab
2 Composite^-'
23.7 10 Grab
Cadmium Chromium
(mg/1) (mg/1)
<0.l£' <0.03*'
0.02-0.04 0.03-0.22
0.03 0.013
<0.0l- <0.02-/
<0.01-/ <0.02-/
P / Q /
<0.01- 0.02-'
, Temp .SJ
pl£' °C
7.4-9.9 14-18
7.5-8.2 15-21
7.0-7.9 15-22
10.0-10.4 22-28
7.6-7.9 11-17
Copper Lead
(mg/1) (mg/1)
0.0& <0.05^
0.07-0.11 .
0.09 <0.05^-
6.04S-/ <0.05^-'
<0.02-/ ^.O^
0.0^ 0.05s-/
Cond.5.' COD^' Total Solids
ymhos/cm (mg/1) (mg/1)
1,600-1,900 1,310-1,500
187 1,400
950-1,100 760-820
790
510-750 510-740
262 630
1,100-1,290 580-740
187 660
590-725 480-580
530
Zinc
(mg/1)
0.05-0.09
0.07
0.26-0.29
0.28
0.15-0.17
0.16
<0. 01-0. 03
<0.02
0.21
0.17-0.26
Susp. Solids^'
(mg/1)
38
80
69
30
120
a/ Measurements are made from grab samples.
b_/ This is based on one sample.
c/ Four grab samples were taken on September 22, and
d/ Four grab samples were taken on September 22, and
¥/ All values were the same.
seven on September 23, to make up daily composite.
six on September 23, to make up daily composite.
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103
the pH of the cooling-tower blowdown is between 6.5 and 8.5 and that the
backwash water from the water softeners contains no more than 30 mg/1 of
suspended solids.
G. REFERENCE
_!/ 4 Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basinj PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
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105
REFINERY CORPORATION
(TENNECO OIL COMPANY)
5800 BRIGHTON BOULEVARD
COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
Refinery Corporation refines crude oil into gasoline, kerosene,
diesel oil, furnace oil, and residual fuel oil. The operations include
crude de-salting and topping, catalytic re-forming, fluid catalytic
cracking, and catalytic polymerization. The firm employees 42 people in
a continuous operation, processing 10,000 to 14,000 bbl per day of crude.
Water, obtained from six wells, is employed for cooling, process, and
domestic uses.
Based on a survey conducted in 1964,— the South Platte River Basin
Project report recommended that the Company provide additional treatment
in order to reduce phenol concentrations in the effluent on or before
June 1, 1967.
Water pollution control practices were evaluated by the National
Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) during the period, August 17-20,
1971. R. R. Rankin, plant manager, and Walter Lackenmann, assistant
manager, provided assistance and information.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Wastewaters from the catalytic receivers and stripper units, together
with "sour water," are discharged into a holding tank. The contents of
this tank are then conveyed to a flue-gas stripper where the phenols
are driven off and burned. The effluent from the stripper passes through
a de-salting chamber, combines with the oily waste discharges from the
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106
refinery, and then passes through an oil separator (two compartments).
The underflow from the oil separator is combined with untreated cooling
water and boiler blowdown. The combined waste streams are discharged to
Sand Creek, a tributary to the South Platte River, a navigable stream.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
Three composite samples were collected from August 17 through 20,
1971 of: a) the effluent from the flue-gas stripper; b) the effluent
from the oil separator; and c) the combined discharge to Sand Creek.
Each composite consisted of three equal grab samples. Temperature, pli,
and conductivity were measured each time a sample was collected.
Amounts of oil and grease as high as 21 mg/1 were discharged to
Sand Creek [Table 1]. As a result of this discharge, a discoloration in
Sand Creek, downstream from the Refinery Corporation discharge, was
observed during the survey. Concentrations of phenol in the effluent
to Sand Creek, according to Company data, averaged 0.15 mg/1.
Waste loads discharged by the Company should be limited in accord
with "best treatment" for a class C refinery. The daily loads in the
effluent discharged to Sand Creek, a tributary to the South Platte River,
should contain no more than 340 Ib of COD; 27 Ib of oil and grease;
0.5 Ib of phenol; 100 Ib of SS; 53 Ib of amraonia and 0.5 Ib of total
chromium.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. Based on Refinery Corporation data, the Company has decreased
the concentrations of phenols discharged to Sand Creek from 1.7 mg/1 in
1964 to 0.15 mg/1 in 1971.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
REFINERY CORPORATION
AUGUST 17-20, 1971
a/
Parameters—
pH Range
Temperature (°C) Range
Cond. (umhos/cm) Range
Oil & Grease Range
Average
BOD Range
Average
TOC Range
Average
TS Range
Average
SS Range
Average
Metals:
Cadmium Average
Chromium Range
Average
Copper Range
Average
Lead Range
Average
Zinc Range
Average
Hydrogen
Sulfide
Stripper
8.0-9.0
40-48
2,000-2,300
40-280
160
N'D'^
25-400
242
1,380-1,540
1,453
<20-100
<47
<0.0l£>
0.20-0.38
0.29
0.06-0.11
0.09
0.03-0.10
0.07
0.22-0.53
0.38
Oil
Separator
Effluent
8.0-11.0
39-49
7,000-8,500
13-22
18
450-1,500
975
280-880
523
540-1,000
707
<20-50
<37
<0.01^
<0.03£/
0.04^
<0. 03-0. 06
<0.05
0.01-0.13
0.07
Effluent
to
Sand Creek
7.6-8.0
29-32
2,400-2,600
7-21
14
N.D.-
30-290
126
1,530-1,620
1,580
22-68
41
<0.0li'
O.ld/
0.03^
0.08^
O.U*/
a/ All units of measurement are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b/ Samples are toxic to seed.
c/ All samples are the same.
d_/ This value is based on one sample.
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2. Levels of oil and grease as high as 21 mg/1 in the final ef-
fluent are responsible for a discoloration in Sand Creek.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that appropriate abatement actions be taken to
ensure that Refinery Corporation provide "best treatment" in order to
produce an effluent that meets the following limits: the daily loads
of the effluent discharged to Sand Creek, a tributary to a navigable
stream, shall contain no more than 340 Ib of COD; 27 Ib of oil and
grease; 0.5 Ib of phenol; 100 Ib of suspended solids; 53 Ib of ammonia;
and 0.5 Ib of total chromium.
F. REFERENCE
I/ A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basin, PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
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SIGMAN MEAT COMPANY, INCORPORATED
6000 WEST 54TH AVENUE
ARVADA, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Sigman Meat Company, Incorporated, operates a processing plant
on a 16-hr day, five days per week, and employs 250 people. Daily
operations process approximately 20,000 Ib of beef and 40,000 Ib of pork
to produce bacon, ham, pork rinds, lard, and lunch meat. Water, obtained
from four wells, is chlorinated and used both for process water and for
plant clean-up waters.
In 1964,— the Sigman Meat Company operated a packing house
(slaughter-house and processing plant) at this location. All waste-
waters discharged into the sewer of the Clear Creek Valley Sanitation
District.
Water pollution control practices were evaluated by personnel of
the National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) during the
period, August 11 to 14, 1971. Company officials providing assistance
and information were Benjamin Koch and Herbert Jara.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
All wastewater (approx. 0.36 mgd) flows through a skimming pond
(60,000 gal. capacity). The effluent from the pond passes through two
grease traps and is discharged to the Clear Creek Valley Sanitation
District sewer. Grease that is removed in the pond and from the grease
traps is sold to a rendering company.
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C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
Three 24-hr composites of the effluent from the Sigman Company
were collected from August 11 through 14, 1971. The composites (flow
weighted) were made up of hourly grab samples. Temperature, pH, and
conductivity were measured each time a sample was collected [Table 1].
Sigman is discharging to the Clear Creek Valley Sanitation District
plant wastewaters (0.36 mgd) that contain an average load of 3,600 Ib per
day of BOD. The plant is presently hydraulically overloaded by approxi-
mately 0.4 mgd or the equivalent of the Sigman discharge. In addition,
the BOD loading in the effluent discharged by Sigman was approximately
50 percent of the total loading received by the District plant. Therefore,
at the time of the survey pretreatment facilities were not adequate.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. Pretreatment of Sigman Meat Company, Incorporated wastes was
inadequate.
2. The wastewater discharged by the Sigman Meat Company adversely
affects the operation of the Clear Creek Valley Sanitation District plant,
in that 50 percent of the BOD loading received by the overloaded plant
originates from the Sigman operation.
3. The Clear Creek Valley Sanitation District plant is hydraulically
overloaded by an amount approximately equal to the Sigman Meat Company
discharge (0.4 mgd).
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
SIGMAN MEAT COMPANY, INCORPORATED
AUGUST 11-14, 1971
a/
Parameter—
Flow (mgd)
Temperature (°C)
pll
Cond. (ymhos/cm)
BOD
TOC
TS
SS
Settleable Solids
Average
Value
0.36
1,200
413
4,130
585
0.9
Range
24-29
7.1-10.3
2,400-8,000
1,000-1,400
285-480
3,900-4,300
390-780
0.2-2.0
a/ All units of measurement are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
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E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that adequate pretreatment of wastewaters be pro-
vided by Slgman Meat Company, Incorporated>so that the effluent contains
no more than 250 mg/1 each BOD and suspended solids.
F. REFERENCE
I/ A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basin, PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin
Project. Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
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WELD COUNTY BY-PRODUCTS COMPANY
1012 NORTH 11TH AVENUE
GREELEY, COLORADO
A. GENERAL
The Weld County By-Products Company processes from 150 to 200 dead
animals (sheep, hogs, and cattle) per 40-hr week to produce dog food. A
limited slaughtering operation is also conducted at this location. Water,
obtained from the City of Greeley, is used for process-water and for
plant clean-up water. Paunch manure is hauled to the county land-fill
site. (Bones, hooves, etc., are sold to the Denver Rendering Company.)
Between 15 to 20 people are employed.
In 1965,— the Company discharged all wastes to a septic tank. The
effluent from the septic tank was discharged to the Cache la Poudre River.
The septic tank was not operating properly because of accumulation of
.solids within the tank. This firm was not providing adequate treatment
of the wastewaters being discharged to the river at that time.
Water pollution control practices were investigated by the National
Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D) on August 27 and September 28-
29, 1971. Mr. Ulrich, owner, provided assistance and information.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Blood and all other wastes are collected from three working areas
and discharged into a septic tank. The effluent from the septic tank
flows into an evaporation lagoon. A small drainage ditch, located
adjacent to the lagoon, collects seepage from the lagoon. The flow in
the ditch discharges to the Cache la Poudre River (RM 249.0/7.4).
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C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
A grab sample of the flow in the ditch upstream and downstream from
the lagoon was collected for bacterial analyses. Samples were also col-
lected in the Cache la Poudre River upstream and downstream from the point
of the discharge (Table 1], The results of analyses of these samples
i
indicate that the ,seepage from the lagoon causes significant increases
in fecal-coliform [bacteria density in the ditch (from 940 to 140,000/100 ml)
and in the river (from 280 to 6100/100 ml).
Based on the results of the above sampling, a grab sample was col-
lected at the drainage ditch downstream from the lagoon on September 28
and 29, 1971 [Table 2]. A review of the data revealed high BOD (105
mg/1) and suspended solids (3120 mg/1) in the drainage ditch.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. Treatment provided by Weld County By-Products was inadequate.
Seepage from the lagoon increased the bacteria densities and levels of
BOD and suspended solids in the drainage ditch, which subsequently dis-
charges to the Cache la Poudre River.
2. The discharge from the drainage ditch increased the fecal-
coliform bacteria densities in the Cache la Poudre River from 2800 to
6100/100 ml.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that Weld County By-Products Company seal its
lagoon in order to reduce the amount of seepage entering the Cache la
Poudre River.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
AT WELD COUNTY BY-PRODUCTS COMPANY & ON THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER
AUGUST 27, 1971
Station Description
upstream of Weld County
By-Products (RM 249.0/6.9)
Cache la Poudre River,
downstream from Weld
County By-Products
(RM 249.0/7.1)
Total
Coliforms
Count/100 ml
130,000
Fecal
Coliforms
Count/100 ml
Small drainage ditch -
upstream of lagoon
Small drainage ditch -
downstream from lagoon
Cache la Poudre River,
25,000
330,000
88,000
940
140,000
2,800
6,100
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TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
WELD COUNTY BY-PRODUCTS COMPANY LAGOONiL/
SEPTEMBER' 28-29, 1971
Parameter Average Value Range
PH 7.£'
Temperature (°C) 12^
Cond. (ymhos/cm) 4,000 4,000
TS (mg/1) 15,300 12,700-17,900
SS (mg/1) 3.12CA7
BOD (mg/1) 105 90-120
aj Samples were collected from drainage ditch downstream from the lagoon.
b/ All values were the same.
F. REFERENCE
I/ A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte
River1 Basin3 PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River
Basin Project. Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
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SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIES VISITED AND NOT SAMPLED
Brannan Sand and Gravel Company (Pit //l)_j_ Commerce City
This firm produces four, grades of gravel and one grade of sand.
The plant employs four people and operates 8 hr per day. In 1968,—
this industry was discharging untreated wastewater (1,380 pgn) to Clear
Creek. At present, the water that is obtained from the gravel pit is
used for washing of the gravel and is returned to the pit. There is no
discharge to Clear Creek.
Buckley Air National Guard Station, Arapahoe County
This military base has a permanent staff of 1,000 persons. During
weekend drills, approximately 2,000 people are on duty within the complex.
Since the wastewater treatment facilities did not include disinfec-
tion during 1968, it was recommended— that such facilities be constructed.
The present wastewater treatment facilities, which are composed of
preliminary treatment; primary treatment - one clarifier; secondary
treatment - trickling filter and clarifier; and disinfection - chlori-
nation, are providing adequate treatment prior to discharge of the
wastewaters to Toll Gate Creek. Approximately one-half of the industrial
wastes are treated in this treatment plant. The remaining industrial
wastewaters flow into a sump where oil and grease is removed and where
the water seeps into the ground.
Burlington Northern Railrojul, Incorporated, Denver
This railroad (formerly Chicago, Burlington and Ouincy Railroad)
provides operations for car washings and maintenance of trains. Car
washings (from 8-20/day) involves a Lix acid cleaner in water (600 gal).
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A previous study— indicated that the underflow from the oil
separator was being discharged to the South Platte River. It was re-
commended that this discharge be connected to the sanitary sewer on
or before January 1, 1967.
The 1971 survey showed that wastewater is collected in a sump.
The flow from the sump passes through an oil separator, with the
effluent being discharged into the Denver municipal sewer.
The Water Pollution Control Division of the Colorado State Depart-
ment of Health and the City and County of Denver Department of Health
21
and Hospitals— have determined, through dye dispersal studies, that
fuel which is spilled in the fueling area enters the South Flatte River.
The problem is being studied; no enforcement actions have been initiated.
Carnation Milk Company, Johnstown
This plant processes whole milk and produces 0.5 million cases of
evaporated milk per year. During 1965— this company was discharging
all wastes except cooling water to the Johnstown sewer. Cooling water
was discharged to the Ilillsboro Ditch.
Since the time of the 1965 study the operation has not been changed.
The cooling water (300 gpta) that is discharged to the Rillsboro Ditch at
90°F does not cause any problems because all of the water in the ditch
is used for irrigation.
Centennial Race Track, Littleton
The Centennial Race Track is in operation 90 days a year. The
sunnier operation uses approximately 100,000 gpd of water (supplied by
the City of Denver) for hose watering, washing, and sanitary purposes.
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Sanitary wastes are discharged to the Littleton Wastewater Treatment
Plant. All other wastewater is allowed to seep into the ground or
evaporate.
Colorado School of Mines Research Institute, Golden
The Research Institute, a non-profit, self-supporting organization
performing contract research for the mineral industry, has two centers of
operation (Golden and North Table Mountain).
The Golden operation discharged wastewater from research projects
as well as storm runoff flows into a large holding pond, located adjacent
to Clear Creek. This pond is sealed with bentonite and a dike has been
constructed to prevent the pond from overflowing into Clear Creek. Any
effluent from the holding pond is discharged to the municipal sewer. In
1966,— the effluent from the holding pond was being discharged directly
to Clear Creek.
The North Table Mountain complex discharges all industrial waste-
water to a 4-acre evaporation pond, also sealed with bentonite. No
discharge from this pond was noted during the 1971 visit.
Eastman Kodak Company, Windsor
This facility, new to the state, is engaged in the conversion of
commercial size film materials to a smaller size and involves no
chemical processing. The plant, which is still under construction,
will manufacture metal lithographic plates by 1973. Color photo-pro-
cessing and plastic extrusion will be added in the future.
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Industrial wastewater receives pretreatment in a sealed lagoon
(6 x 10 gal. capacity) with a detention time of approximately ten days.
The effluent from the lagoon is discharged to the Windsor Wastewater
Treatment Plant.
Farr Farms Feedlot, Greeley
This feedlot, which normally has a cattle population of approximately
15,000, has pens located on both the north and south banks of the Cache
la Poudre River. Previous studies— revealed that the runoff from these
feedlots was being discharged directly to the Cache la Poudre River; it
was recommended that this discharge be removed from the river.
Wastewater from the south lots is collected in under-drains and dis-
charged to three lagoons operated in series. The contents of the lagoons
are used for irrigation of corn fields.
Calf barns located on the north side of the river discharge waste-
water to two evaporation ponds. The feedlots drain into Ogilvy Ditch.
The water in Ogilvy Ditch is used for irrigation. According to Company
officials, during 1972 drainage from the feedlots will be collected and
discharged into the evaporation ponds. Also, Company plans include the
construction of additional ponds equipped with aerators to provide
adequate treatment.
Fitzsimons Army Hospital, Aurora
The Department of the Army operates a wastewater treatment plant
at Fitzsimons General Hospital. In 1964,— the treatment plant, a high-
rate trickling filter, discharged effluent through a polishing pond to
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Toll Gate Creek, a tributary of Sand Creek. The effluent was chlorinated
and the plant was providing adequate treatment except for the removal of
solids. It was recommended that by January 1, 1967, this treatment plant
should provide 90-percent SS removal.—
At present (1971-72) a large holding pond receives the effluent from
the treatment plant. The water from the treatment plant is used for irri-
gation within the hospital grounds. At the tine of the investigation
there was no discharge to the Toll Gate Creek.
Flatiron Sand and Gravel Company, Fort Collins
The Company produces 71,000 tons of sand per two-month season. A
2.8-acre gravel pit furnishes wash water (250 gpn), used to wash sand.
The "spent" water is then returned to this pit. At the end of each
season, approximately half of the water is released through a second
gravel pit to a ditch that empties into the Cache la Poudre River.
It was reported in a previous study— that all wastewater was dis-
charged directly to the river without treatment; it was recommended
that adequate treatment be provided.
Inasmuch as there was no discharge from this industry — at the
time of the 1971 survey, the 1966 recommendation has been complied with.
Floyd Haag Sand and Gravel Company, Loveland
This firm produces sand and gravel at the rate of 150 tons per 3-hr
day. Water, obtained from the Big Thompson River, is employed in the
washing of sand and then discharged, without treatment, to the river.
This condition was reported in 1968,— but no action has been taken to
correct the problem.
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Gates Cyclo Poultry Farm, Brighton
The Gates farm is engaged in the production of eggs for market. The
farm has a capacity of 200,000 laying hens. The birds are kept in a care-
fully controlled environment in order to obtain maximum egg production.
In 1964 wastewater, consisting of manure, waste feed, feathers,
ground-up dead birds, and broken eggs, was discharged into a 12-acre
lagoon, adjacent to the South Platte River. The effluent from the lagoon
was discharged to the river. Because of the offensive odors and poorly
treated effluent from the lagoon, it was recopjnended— that Gates Cyclo
provide adequate waste treatment including disinfection by January 1, 1968.
Current treatment facilities consist of a mechanical aeration unit
followed by a secondary clarifier. The effluent from the clarifier is
discharged into two evaporative lagoons. Sludge is pumped to a drying
bed. There is no discharge to the South Platte River.
Koppers Company, Incorporated - Forest Product Division, Westminster
The Adams County plant of the Koppers Company is engaged in the preser-
vation techniques applied to wood products. Products receiving treatment
include railroad ties, utility poles, fence posts, and selected lumber.
The chemicals used are butane, creosote, p-oil, and fire retardants.
A study conducted in 1964— reported that wastewater froir. this
Company was allox^ed to seep into the ground, thus creating a potential
for ground-water pollution. At least two wells should be provided in
order to monitor the quality of the ground-water and to indicate changes
that Biay be occurring as a result of the Koppers operation.
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123
According to Company officials, all chemicals are consumed in the
wood preservation process. Inspection of the area indicated that this
industry was not discharging wastewater.
Kuner Empson Company, Brighton
The Brighton plant of the Kuner Empson Company processes cucumbers,
green and wax beans, cabbage and peppers to produce fresh packed and
cured pickles, canned beans, peppers, and sauerkraut. The principal
additives include salt, sugar, spices, and alum. This plant operates
from July 1 to March 15 each year.
In 1964,— this industry was discharging all wastewaters, except
flume-water and pickle-canning wastes, to either McCann Canal or the
South Platte River. Flune-water was recycled, with any excess flowing
to a small pond. The overflow from the pond entered McCann Canal.
Pickle canning wastes were discharged to Brighton sewer.— Based
on the results of sampling, it was recommended that all wastewater being
discharged to the South Platte River be connected to the municipal sewer
on or before January 1, 1967. This recommendation has been met. All
wastewaters, except non-contact cooling-water and flune-water, are dis-
charged into a pond. The contents of this pond are used to irrigate
land owned by the Kuner Conpsny. The flune-water is completely recycled
and non-contact cooling-water (obtained front the City of 3>righton) is
discharged to the South Platte River.
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Lester Jones Sand and Gravel Pit, Denver
Gravel is quarried from an area near Sand Creek. The gravel is
washed; and wash-water (25-50 gpra) is discharged to,a ditch that empties
into Sand Creek.
A previous study— revealed that this firm was discharging wash-water
(500 gpm) to Sand Creek without treatment; therefore, it was recommended
that treatment facilities be constructed. Although the Company has,
since 1966, decreased the size of its operation, the firm has not complied
with the above recommendation.
National By-Products Company, Denver
National By-Products Company (formerly Capital Rendering Company)
processes waste fat and bone to produce animal fats and proteins. Studies
conducted in 1964— showed that all wastewaters were discharged to the
South Platte River. Treatment consisted of two grease traps that had
a total detention time of 11 minutes. It was recommended that all waste-
water be discharged to the municipal sewer on or before January 1, 1967.
At present, all wastewater except cooling water is treated in a
clarifier equipped with a skimmer. The effluent is discharged to the
North Washington Wastewater Treatment Plant. Once-through cooling water
(175 gpm) is discharged to the South Platte River. Operations at the
National plant do not contribute to any degradation in the water quality
of the river.
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125
Power Engineering Company, Denver
Power Engineering Company is engaged in the grinding and chrome
plating of shafts, pump rods, and other engine parts. Parts are washed,
inspected, and, if found acceptable, plated. During 1964,— the Company
provided wastewater treatment in a non-overflow settling basin. At
present, all wastes are discharged into the municipal sewer.
Stapleton International Airport, Denver
Stapleton International Airport is owned by the City and County of
Denver and operated by its Public Works Department. Individual airlines
and industries rent space from the City.
In 1964,— four storm sewers conveyed industrial wastes from the
airport to Sand Creek. These wastes contained cleaning solutions; oil
and grease; solvents, paint particles; spent plating solutions with
heavy metals; and other chemical materials. It was recommended that all
industrial wastes be discharged to the sanitary sewer on or before
January 1, 1967.
Currently industrial wastes are being collected and treated in an
oil skimmer and settling pond. Effluent from the pond is discharged
into the municipal sewer. During periods of heavy rains, the storm
sewers bypass all flow into Sand Creek. Consideration should be given
to installing separate sewers in order to prevent any bypassing of
industrial wastes to Sand Creek.
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126
Superior Sand and Gravel Company, Commerce City
The Superior Sand and Gravel Company produces about 300 cu yd daily
of a fine mesh sand, the kind that is used in the manufacturing of bricks.
Dredged from Sand Creek, the sand is washed with water, also obtained
from Sand Creek. This wash-water is then returned to the creek but
without treatment. .
This practice was observed in 1964.— It was .recommended that
solids be removed from the effluent prior to its discharge to Sand Creek.
However, the Company has not taken any action to provide for treatment
of its wastewater.
Western Paving and Construction Company, Westminster
This plant annually produces approximately 500,000 tons of asphalt.
Sand and gravel is dredged and used in the asphalt production.
In 1964,— wastewaters were discharged to Clear Creek without treat-
ment. It was recommended that treatment facilities be constructed to
remove solids.
Uater used in air scrubbers is recycled through two 10-acre ponds.
There is no discharge froin these ponds to Clear Creek.
Windsor Fackim; Company, Windsor
The Uindsor Packing Company processes sheep, hogs, and cattle (250-
300 head/month) to produce sausage products and edible lard.
In 1965,— all wastex^ater received adequate treatment in a lagoon.
At present, the wastewater receives adequate treatment in two lagoons.
There is no discharge fron these lagoons.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recoromended that:
1. Burlington Northern Railroad, Incorporated, develop an oil-
contingency plant in order to ensure that no oil discharge reaches the
South Platte River.
2. The Floyd Haag Sand and Gravel Company provide treatment in
order to produce an effluent containing no more than 20 mg/1 of
suspended solids.
REFERENCES
!_/ A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River
Basinf PR-6B, U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
Denver, Colorado. December 1966.
2J Verbal information obtained from personnel of the Water Pollution
Control Division of the Colorado Department of Health.
GPO 844- 830
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