ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
EPA-330/9-75-001
IMPACTS OF URANIUM MINING AND MILLING
ON SURFACE AND POTADLE WATERS
IN THE GRANTS MINERAL BELT, NEW MEXICO
NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER
DENVER,COLORADO
REGION VI DALLAS. TEXAS
SEPTEMBER 1975
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
IMPACTS OF URANIUM MINING AND MILLING
ON SURFACE AND POTABLE WATERS
IN THE GRANTS MINERAL BELT, NEW MEXICO
September 1975
NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER - Denver, Colorado
and
REGION VI - Dallas, Texas
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CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1
Background 1
1975 Water Quality Investigation 3
II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 5
III. RECOMMENDATIONS . . . 8
IV. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA 11
Location 11
Climate 11
Industry 12
V. REGULATIONS 15
New Mexico Water Quality Standards 15
NPDES Permits 15
Uranium-Milling Licenses 16
Potable Water Requirements 18
Nuisance Suits 19
VI. WASTE SOURCE EVALUATION 20
Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation 20
Ranchers Exploration and Development Corp. . 27
United Nuclear Corporation 28
United Nuclear - Homestake Partners 29
Anaconda 31
VII. STREAM SURVEYS 32
Arroyo del Puerto 32
Rio Puerco 33
Rio Paguate, Rio Moquino, Rio San Jose ... 35
VIII. INDUSTRIAL WATER SUPPLIES 36
REFERENCES 40
APPENDICES:
A - ANALYTICAL QUALITY CONTROL 41
B - CHAIN OF CUSTODY PROCEDURES 60
C - CHEMICAL ANALYSES DATA 69
D - SELENIUM 85
ii
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TABLES
1
2
3
4
Summary of NPDES Permit
Criteria
17
Summary of Analytical Data
for Industrial Discharges 22
Summary of Analytical Data
for Surface Water Sampling 33
Summary of Data for
Industry Potable Water Supplies 37
FIGURES
1 Map of Northwestern New Mexico 2
2 Ambrosia Lake Mining District
Surface Water Discharges 21
ABBREVIATIONS
AEC Atomic Energy Commission
gpm gallons per minute
kg kilograms
km kilometers
1/min liters per minute
m3/day cubic meters per day
mg/1 milligrams per liter
NEIC National Enforcement Investigations Center
NMEIA New Mexico Environmental Improvement Agency
NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
ORP-LVF Office of Radiation Programs-Las Vegas Facility
pCi/1 picocuries per liter
RIP resin in pulp (ion-exchange process)
USPHS United States Public Health Service
iii
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I. INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
The United States experienced its first uranium "boom" in the early
1950's as a result of cold-war activities and the fabrication of large
numbers of nuclear weapons. During that time, most of the currently-
known uranium deposits were discovered by massive exploration by the
U.S. government and private citizens. Many uranium mills were built at
various sites throughout the west to treat the uranium ores to produce a
uranium oxide called yellow cake.
This uranium milling was not without environmental damage. Among
the first recognized water-pollution problems was in the Animas River
Basin of Colorado and New Mexico. A mill at Durango, Colorado was
contributing abnormally high concentrations of radium to the water
supply of Aztec, New Mexico. To control radiochemical pollution re-
sulting from uranium milling in this area, the Colorado River Basin
Enforcement Conference was convened in 1960 by the states composing the
Colorado River Basin. Federal, State, and industry cooperative efforts
resulted in pollution control by which streams in the Colorado River
Basin contained near background levels of pollutants resulting from
uranium milling. Other uranium milling areas, most notably the Grants
Mineral Belt, were not situated on interstate streams and thus not sub-
ject to Federal pollution control before the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act Amendments were passed in 1972. Little pollution control
effort was expended toward mine and mill discharges within this area.
The Grants Mineral Belt [Fig. 1], stretching west from just north-
west of Albuquerque, New Mexico to the New Mexico-Arizona state line,
contains almost half of the United States uranium reserves. A second
uranium "boom" now underway promises to make the Grants Mineral Belt the
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MC KINLCV CO.
VALENCIA CO.
f/CURE I. loeoffon and Gtnmrel F.ofur.i o^ fh. Gronf. Min.rol 3.If in Norfhw.jf.rn N.w MEXICO
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foremost uranium mining and milling site in the United States. This
"boom" results from the demand for nuclear fuel elements in nuclear
power plants (Guccione, Aug. 1974).
1975 HATER QUALITY INVESTIGATION
The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Agency (NMEIA) realized
that little information was available on the water discharges from
mining and milling in the Grants Mineral Belt, and the subsequent effect
on ground and surface water resources of the area. On September 25, 1974
NMEIA requested EPA Region VI to conduct a survey of water-pollution
sources and surface and ground-water quality in the Grants Mineral Belt.
The National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) and the Office of
Radiation Programs-Las Vegas Facility (ORP-LVF) were subsequently asked
by Region VI to conduct a survey in cooperation with the NMEIA.
Studies conducted from February 24 to March 6, 1975 included
industrial waste source evaluation, potable water sampling, and limited
stream surveys by NEIC, and ground-water evaluations by ORP-LVF. NMEIA
provided assistance to both NEIC and ORP-LVF during the survey. The
three mining areas evaluated in the Grants Mineral Belt were [Fig. 1]:
Area Approximate Location
Ambrosia Lake 32 km (20 mi) N of Milan, N. Mex.
Churchrock 32 km (20 mi) NE of Gallup, N. Mex.
Paguate 16 km (10 mi) N of Laguna, N. Mex.
The mill sites are:
Kerr-McGee near Ambrosia Lake
United Nuclear-Homestake
Partners 8 km (5 mi) N of Milan
Anaconda 11 km (7 mi) W of Milan
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United Nuclear Corporation operates an ion-exchange plant in the
old "Phillips" mill near Ambrosia Lake. No conventional milling is
currently done at this site.
As stated in a February 14, 1975 letter from the Director of
NMEIA, the primary tasks of the study were to:
1. Assess the impacts of waste discharges from uranium mining
and milling on surface and ground waters of the Grants
Mineral Belt.
2. Determine if discharges comply with all applicable regu-
lations, standards, permits and licenses.
3. Evaluate the adequacy of company water quality monitoring
networks, self-monitoring data, analytical procedures and
reporting requirements.
4. Determine the composition of potable waters at uranium
mines and mills.
5. Develop priorities for subsequent monitoring and other
follow-up studies.
During the survey, samples were collected from wells, industrial
discharges, drinking water supplies, and surface streams. The samples
were appropriately preserved to determine the radiochemical, nutrient,
and metals content and shipped to the NEIC and ORP-LVF laboratories for
analyses (Appendix A). NEIC custody procedures were maintained during
the collection and analyses of the samples (Appendix B).
This report presents the findings of analyses of surface water
streams, potable water supplies, and industrial discharges. Appendix C
contains raw data for all samples collected during the survey and an-
alyzed by NEIC. The NEIC analysis, when combined with the ORP-LVF re-
port, will present an overall study of water quality in the Grants
Mineral Belt.
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II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Task: Assess the impacts of waste discharges from uranium mining
and milling on surface and ground waters of the Grants
Mineral Belt.
1. Radium concentrations in Arroyo del Puerto, a perennial
stream, exceed New Mexico Water Quality Criteria as a result
of discharges from the Kerr-McGee ion-exchange plant and
Sections SOW and 35 mines and from the United Nuclear-Home-
stake Partners ion-exchange plant. Selenium and vanadium
concentrations exceed EPA 1972 Water Quality Criteria for use
of the water for irrigation and livestock watering, and render
the stream unfit for use as a domestic water source.
2. Rainfall and runoff at the Anaconda Jackpile Mine erode
uranium- and selenium-rich minerals into Rio Paguate. This
erosion can be mitigated by waste stabilization and runoff
control.
Task: Determine if discharges comply with all applicable regulations,
standards, permits, and licenses.
At the time of sampling, the effluent from the Kerr-McGee ion-
exchange plant contained dissolved-radium 226 at concentrations
in excess of the applicable NPDES permit and New Mexico
uranium-milling license conditions. This radium discharge was
partly responsible for violations of New Mexico Water Quality
Standards for Arroyo del Puerto, a perennial stream. The
discharge also contained uranium at concentrations in excess
of NPDES permit criteria. No treatment other than settling is
currently in operation.
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2. The Kerr-McGee Section 30W mine discharge contained dissolved
radium-226 at concentrations in excess of the applicable NPDES
permit condition. No treatment other than settling is currently
in operation. This radium discharge also was partly responsible
for violation of New Mexico Water Quality Standards in Arroyo
del Puerto.
3. Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation has not applied for a discharge
permit for their Section 35 mine, although the effluent reaches
Arroyo del Puerto, a perennial stream. The discharge contains
an average of 51 pCi/1 of dissolved radium-226. No radium-
removal treatment is currently in operation.
4. Sampling at the United Nuclear Corportion Churchrock mine was
conducted when the operation was inactive due to a power
failure and subsequent mine flooding. Indications are that
the present treatment facility is inadequate to meet existing
NPDES permit conditions.
5. Approximatley 15 percent of the total flow through the United
Nuclear-Homestake Partners ion-exchange plant is discharged to
Arroyo del Puerto, with the balance of the flow returning to
the mines for in situ leaching. The discharge to Arroyo del
Puerto is not regulated by an NPDES permit, and it contributes
to the violation of New Mexico Water Quality Standards for
radium-226 in this perennial stream. Uranium is lost from the
ion-exchange facility. The facility is currently violating
conditions of the applicable State license.
Task: Determine the composition of potable waters at uranium
mines and mills.
1. Four industry potable water supply systems, obtained from mine
waters, exceeded 1962 U. S. Public Health Service Drinking
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Water Standards for selenium. Three such potable systems
exceeded both the existing USPHS and proposed EPA Interim
Primary Drinking Water Standards for radium. Such mine water
is supplied as potable to families of miners at the United
Nuclear Corporation Churchrock mine. These conditions are
considered intolerable as they bear on the long-term health of
those using the supplies. Non-potable systems at the Kerr-
McGee mill and Churchrock mine have high radium and selenium
concentrations, and are not adequately marked as non-potable.
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III. RECOMMENDATIONS
ACTION REQUIRED
1. Procedures be initiated to require United Nuclear Corporation
to immediately provide potable water which meets Federal
Drinking Water Standards for their Ambrosia Lake and Church-
rock operations.
2. Procedures be initiated to require Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation
to immediately provide potable water supplies which meet
Federal Drinking Water Standards at their mill and Sections 35
and 36 mines; the mill and Churchrock mine non-potable water
supplies be clearly marked.
3. NMEIA initiate appropriate action to insure safe industrial
potable water supplies at the United Nuclear Corporation's
Ambrosia Lake and Churchrock operations and at the Kerr-McGee
Nuclear Corporation's mill and Section 35 and 36 mines.
4. NMEIA should conduct periodic sampling of potable water
supplies at operating uranium mines and mills throughout the
State.
5. Improved mining practices should be adopted to reduce the
amount of radium leached from ore solids by ground water
present in operating mines.
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6. Procedures should be initiated to require Anaconda Company to
improve its present efforts at stabilizing waste and ore piles
at the Jackpile Mine in order to prevent water erosion from
transporting uranium and selenium into Rio Paguate.
7. Procedures be initiated to require Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation
to immediately install necessary treatment systems to reduce
the dissolved radium-226 concentration in the Section SOW mine
discharge to applicable NPDES permit conditions.
8. Procedures be initiated to require Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation
to file an application for discharge from their Section 35
mine. The permit should provide limits on total suspended
solids, radium-226 and uranium, consistent with the permit
conditions for the Section 30W mine.
9. Procedures be initiated to require Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation
to immediately install necessary treatment systems to ensure
that effluent from their ion-exchange plant meet applicable
NPDES permit and State uranium milling license conditions.
The Company should develop operating schedules to guard against
undetected uranium breakthrough and subsequent discharge of
uranium to Arroyo del Puerto.
10. United Nuclear-Homestake Partners should install pumps and
pipelines necessary to achieve complete recycle of ion-
exchange discharge. If unable to achieve complete recycle,
it will be necessary to issue an NPDES permit. The Company
should immediately install necessary treatment facilities to
comply with the applicable State uranium milling license.
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10
ADDITIONAL STUDIES REQUIRED
Resampling should be scheduled at the United Nuclear Corporation
Churchrock mine during periods of normal operation.
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IV. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA
LOCATION
The Grants Mineral Belt extends west from a point slightly north-
west of Albuquerque, New Mexico, north of the towns of Grants and Gallup,
almost to the New Mexico-Arizona state line [Fig. 1]. The Belt extends
about 48 kin (30 mi) north from the routes of U.S. 66 and the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe railroad. Some mining is conducted in Valencia
County, but the bulk of the Grants Mineral Belt is in southern McKinley
County.
The principal centers of population in the area are the towns of
Grants and Gallup, and the villages of Churchrock, Wingate, Milan, and
Laguna. Population in the area has increased rapidly since 1950, with
the development of extensive uranium mining and milling operations.
With the exception of the volcanically formed Mt. Taylor area, most
of the area is plateau topography underlain by sedimentary rocks.
Streams have incised steep-walled valleys in the area, with broad val-
leys in those areas underlain by easily erodable sediments.
The eastern half of the Grants Mineral Belt, including the Ambrosia
Lake district, is tributary to Rio San Jose. The western portion is in
the valley of the Rio Puerco, a tributary to the Little Colorado River.
CLIMATE
The Grants Mineral Belt area is semi-arid to arid, with an average
annual temperature of about 10°C (50°F). Maximum summer temperatures
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1.2
rarely exceed 38°C (100°F) with minimum temperatures occasionally below
-18°C (0°F). The humidity in the area is usually low, and moderate to
strong winds are common during the spring. Precipitation is largely
influenced by elevation, with a positive correlation between increasing
elevation and increasing precipitation. Annual average precipitation at
the Grants Airport is 21 cm (8.3 in), approximately 70% of which occurs
May through September.
INDUSTRY
Industry in the Grants Mineral Belt used to be largely centered
around farming and ranching, with limited tourism. Since 1950, the
economic base of the Grants Mineral Belt area has completely shifted to
industry, based on the mining and milling of uranium ore to produce
yellow cake.
Underground mining operations in the Grants Mineral Belt are by the
room and pillar method, which consists of driving a number of parallel
development drifts in the ore horizon. A series of parallel sluicer
drifts are driven at right angles, leaving a grid of ore pillars to sup-
port the overlying rock, or "roof." As the pillars are mined (robbed),
the roof is rock-bolted and supported by timbers as necessary to prevent
subsidence. The mined area (stope) is then abandoned.
The ore horizon in underground mines in the Grants Mineral Belt is
composed of the Westwater Canyon member of the Jurassic Morrison formation,
which is the main aquifer of the Grants Mineral Belt area. Therefore,
large quantities of ground water must be pumped from each mine to
prevent mine flooding. Ore bodies are dewatered by drilling "long
holes" from the development drifts into the ore horizon, and permitting
ground water to flow from the long holes into the drifts and then be
pumped to the surface for discharge. Water flow is by gravity to sumps
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near the mine shaft, with positive pumpage to the surface. This water
passes through settling basins at each mine to remove solids and then is
either pumped to an ion-exchange plant for removal of contained uranium,
or is discharged directly to surface water courses. Some of the ion-
exchange water is recycled to the mines for use in solution mining or is
used as a potable water supply for workers in the mines and mills.
Where the physical and economic situations permit, most mining
companies now collect underground mine water in a single location for
ion-exchange treatment to recover uranium which is dissolved in the mine
water. Recovery is accomplished by using specific resins which are
extremely selective in the removal of dissolved uranium. The mine water
is passed through the resin column where the resin becomes loaded until
it reaches its capacity for uranium (breakthrough). Flow is then
diverted to another barren resin column and the loaded resin is stripped
or eluted with a sodium chloride brine. The pregnant sodium chloride
brine is then treated in one of the uranium mills to precipitate yellow
cake. The barren solution is returned and reused for subsequent elution
steps.
Experience has shown that a carefully operated ion-exchange plant
will yield an effluent containing less than 1 mg/1 uranium in solution
(USEPA, April 1975). The greatest operating difficulty has been in
monitoring for breakthrough of the uranium, or the loading of ion-
exchange resins. Both United Nuclear Corporation and United Nuclear-
Homestake Partners return a portion of the ion-exchange effluent, or
tailings, to abandoned mines in the Ambrosia Lake area. This barren
water is used to leach the ore which remained behind in ore pillars
and rock which was not of ore grade. By this practice, uranium
resources are recovered which would otherwise be lost.
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14
The Anaconda Company operates its Jackpile-Paguate mine mostly as
an open-pit operation. From 1953 to the present, the operation has
yielded approximately 10 million tons of uranium ore with an average
grade of 0.25% uranium oxide (Graves, Aug. 1974). Mining is accomplished
with power shovels loading off-highway trucks. Ore is transported from
the mine to Anaconda's mill by rail.
No surface discharge of water is reported from the Jackpile mine.
Rainfall collects in pits and seeps or evaporates. However, intense
summer thunderstorms erode piles of waste and ore.
Three uranium mills are currently operating in the Grants Mineral
Belt, and several other mills are in the design or construction phase.
The three operating mills practice different techniques for uranium re-
covery. All three operate on the basis of zero discharge of waste to
surface waters by utilizing evaporation, seepage and, in one
case, subsurface injection. To solubilize the uranium, two of the mills
acid leach the ore while the third uses an alkaline leach circuit.
Uranium is concentrated by solvent extraction at two of the mills. In
all three mills, uranium is precipitated as yellow cake, a complex
uranium oxide. Ammonia is used in precipitating or purifying the
yellow cake at all three mills. Details on milling techniques at the
three facilities are provided in the August 1974 issue of Mining Engineer-
ing (Vol. 26, no. 8).
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V. REGULATIONS
The discharge of wastes to surface or ground waters from uranium
mining and milling operations are subject to a number of regulations.
Applicable portions of each regulation are discussed below.
NEW MEXICO HATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Water Quality Standards were adopted by the New Mexico Water
Quality Control Commission under the authority of Paragraph C, Section
75-39-4 of the New Mexico Water Quality Act (Chapter 326, Laws of 1973,
as amended). The NMEIA has held that general standards do apply to
receiving waters in the Grants Mineral Belt. The general standard that
governs these radioactive discharges follows:
Radioactivity - The radioactivity of surface waters shall be
maintained at the lowest practical level and shall in no case
exceed the standards set forth in Part 4 of New Mexico Environ-
mental Inprovement Board Radiation Protection Regulations,
adopted June 16, 1973.
These regulations set a maximum concentration of 30 pCi/1 of dissolved
radium-226.
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMITS
Congress, with the passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act Amendments of 1972 (PL92-500, Oct. 18, 1972) established the re-
quirement for NPDES permits for discharge of pollutants to waters of the
United States. Discharge of pollutants without a valid NPDES permit is
illegal.
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16
To date, three permits have been written covering four sources in
the area studied.
Permit No. Outfall No. Source
NM0020532 001 Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corp. Sec. SOW Mine
NM0020532 002 Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corp. Ion Exchange Facility
NM0020524 001 Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corp. Churchrock Mine
NM0020401 001 United Nuclear Corp. Churchrock Mine
The first three sources are currently pending adjudication with
respect to the need for an NPDES permit to discharge to Puertecito Creek
or Rio Puerco.
Specific numerical limits are set for the concentration of total
suspended solids (TSS), total uranium, and dissolved radium-226 [Table 1].
In addition, each permit contains the following statement:
Provision shall be made to assure the elimination of all
seepage, overflow or other sources which may result in any
direct or indirect discharge to surface waters other than that
authorized by this permit.
URANIUM-MILLING LICENSES
•U.S. Regulation 10CFR20 provides that all persons "who receive,
possess, use or transfer ... source material" shall be controlled by
general or specific license issued by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
(now called the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) or any state conducting a
licensing program. Source materials are defined as ores which contain
more than 0.05% of combined uranium and thorium. Under the regulation,
all ion-exchange plants and uranium mills are licensed by the New Mexico
Environmental Improvement Agency.
The regulations set forth the maximum concentration of various
radionuclidcs which are permitted in effluents to "unrestricted areas."
An unrestricted area is defined as any area to which access is not
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Table 1
SUMMARY OF NPDES PERMIT CRITERIA
Parameter
Company/Discharge
Kerr-McGee Corporation
Churchrock Nine
Section 30W Mine
(Ambrosia Lake)
Ion-Exchange Plant
(Ambrosia Lake)
United Nuclear Corporation
Churchrock Mine
Period of
Limitation
1/28/75-6/30/77
7/1/77-1/27/80
1/28/75-12/31/75
1/1/76-6/30/77
7/1/77-1/27/80
1/28/75-12/31/75
1/1/76-6/30/77
7/1/77-1/27/80
1/28/75-12/31/75
1/1/76-6/30/77
7/1/77-1/27/80
TSS (mq/1)
Daily
Avg.
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
100
20
20
Max.
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
200
30
30
Total Uranium (mq/1)
Daily
Avg. Max.
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
Dissolved Radium-226 (pCi/1) pH
Daily
Avg. Max.
30
3.3
150
30
3.3
100
30
3.3
30
30
3.3
Range
6.0-9.5
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.5
6.0-9.5
6.0-9.0
In addition to these parameters, the companies are required to monitor flow, -temperature, total molybdenum, total selenium
end total vanadium.
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controlled by the licensee to protect individuals from exposure to
radiation and radioactive materials. Personnel badge monitoring is not
required in unrestricted areas. The maximum allowable concentration of
radium-226 in a water effluent to an unrestricted area is 30 pCi/1. All
uranium mills and ion-exchange plants are controlled by this regulation
from the initial start-up of the facility.
POTABLE WATER REQUIREMENTS
Congress, with the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act (PL93-523,
Dec. 16, 1974) extended Federal control over many potable water supply
systems. Previously, only those systems used in interstate commerce
were required to meet USPHS Drinking Water Standards. The latest issue
of the USPHS Standards set a limit of 3 pCi/1 for radium-226, and
0.01 mg/1 for selenium.
The Safe Drinking Water Act applies to all public systems supplying
water to fifteen service connections or at least 25 individuals unless
the system is exempted by four specific criteria. The industrial po-
table water supply systems in the Grants Mineral Belt are thus covered
by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
As required by Sections 1412, 1414, 1415, and 1450 of the Safe
Drinking Water Act, the EPA Administrator, on March 14, 1975, proposed
Interim Primary Drinking Water Standards. These proposed regulations
include a limit of 0.01 mg/1 selenium. The Interim Primary Drinking
Water Standards are to be promulgated within 180 days of the enactment
of the Act, and they become effective 18 months after their promulga-
tion, or Dec. 1977. The EPA has proposed standards of 5 pCi/1 radium
(226 and 228} and 15 pCi/1 gross alpha (exclusive of uranium) under the
Act (Appendix D quotes the EPA Water Quality Criteria, 1972 on selenium).
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19
The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Agency (Sections 4 and 12,
Chapter 277, New Mexico Laws of 1971) is vested with authority to main-
tain, administer, and enforce the "Regulations Governing Water Supplies
and Sewage Disposal" adopted in 1937 by the former New Mexico State
Board of Public Health.
Section 1 of the aforementioned 1937 Water Supply Regulations
states:
No person, firm, corporation, public utility, city, town,
village or other public body or institution shall furnish
or supply or continue to furnish or supply water used or
intended to be used for human consumption or for domestic
uses or purposes, which is impure, unwholesome, unpotable,
polluted or dangerous to health, to any person in any county,
city, village, district, community, hotel, temporary or
permanent resort, institution or industrial camp.
It is from this and other sections of the 1937 regulations that the
NMEIA has authority to regulate public water supply systems. However,
individual residential sources used for private consumption are not
covered by the 1937 regulations. Therefore, the NMEIA can only advise
as to the quality of the water in the case of such residential sources.
NUISANCE SUITS
New Mexico is given specific authority to take enforcement action
against a polluter under the Nuisance statute (40A-8-1 through 40A-8-10,
1953 Compilation). A section titled Polluting Water (40A-8-2) allows
the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Agency to seek remedial action
against any wastewater discharger that pollutes any water of the state
whether it is public or private, surface or subsurface water. In 1973
the NMEIA successfully prosecuted the City of Hobbs for polluting ground
water by land disposal of the city's sewage effluent. The court order
required the City to remove the polluted water and supply potable water
to affected parties.
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VI. WASTE SOURCE EVALUATION
Five companies are currently engaged in mining and/or milling
operations in the Grants Mineral Belt, and several other companies are
presently in design or construction phases. The results of waste-source
evaluations at each of the operating companies are presented below.
KERR-MCGEE NUCLEAR CORPORATION
Kerr-McGee operates mines in both the Ambrosia Lake and Churchrock
Mining Districts of the Grants Mineral Belt. Water from five of the
Ambrosia Lake mines (Sections 17, 22, 24, 30 and 33)* is pumped to an
ion-exchange plant at the Kerr-McGee mill [Fig. 2]. The majority of
ion-exchange discharge (also referred to in the mining industry as
tailings) is used in the mill as process water and non-potable water. A
small remainder receives additional ion-exchange treatment for potable
water use within the mill. Excess ion-exchange tailings are discharged
into Arroyo del Puerto. The NPDES permit** and State uranium milling
license for this discharge requires that the radium 226 concentration
not exceed 100 pCi/1 and 30 pCi/1, respectively. The data [Table 2]
shows that this discharge contained an average of 151 pCi/1 radium-226
during the survey. This exceeds both the NPDES permit immediate limi-
tations and the State license. This latter license has been in effect
since the time of the construction of the ion-exchange plant. The
* The names of mines are based on the section in which they are located;
all of these are in T14N3 R9W, McKinley County, New Mexico.
** Kerr-McGee has requested an adjudicatory hearing on its permits for
the ion-exchange plant and Section SOU mine. The company contends
that an NPDES permit is not required to discharge to Arroyo del
Puerto. The Kerr-McGee State license is effective for the Kerr-McGee
ion-exchange plant.
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21
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Talla .1
SUK1UU OF AXALYTTCAl DATA FOR I71DUSTKTAL DISCHARGES
GRANTS MIIISOAL BELT SUR/EY
February 26-Harcli 6, 197S
Station Average Nui
Description Flow Coi
(ngd) S"
Kerr-HcGee
I-X Tailings
Bypass 0.64
Kerr-McGee
Sec 30W
Kine Oischg 1.36
Kerr-».cG«e
Sec 19 Kine
Discharge 0.15
Kerr-KcGee
Sec 35 Mine
Discharge 3.77
Kerr-HcGee
Sec 36 Mine West
Discharge 2.07
Kerr-XcCee
Sec 35 Mine East
Discharge 0.14
Kerr-KcGee
S<"lpa|il< holow
Tailings Pond -
Ranchers Exploration-
Johnny M Kino
Discharge 0.46
United Nuclear Corp.
Ion-Exchange
Discharge 0.08
United Nuclear-
Hniw-.MVp Pnrtnrrt
Ion Exchange
Discharge 0.60
United HutUor-
Hoirestalre Partners
Tai lines Pile Decant
Anaconda Co. Injection
Well Fi-rd 0.16
UnltPd Nuclear Corp.
Churchrock Kfr.e
Disc ha rye 2.06
Kerr-HcGee
Churchrock Mine
Discharge 2.18
iber
nposlte Gross Alpha (pC1/l)
"p1es Max. Kin. Avg.
3
3
1
3
3
3
1
1
3
3
1
1
3
3
600 430 510
1.400 1.300 1.400
72
3.000 2.400 2.700
850 570 680
580 510 560
- 144.000
20
2.300 1.400 1.800
970 760 830
- 29.000
- 62.500
870 730 810
240 210 230
Radium 2Z6 (pC1/1) Uranium (rnq/1)
Max. Mln. Avg. Max. M1n. Avg.
157 148 151 4.2 1.3 2.5
174 154 163 6.7 5.9 6.2
9.3 - - 0.23
68 32 51 26 14 19
178 101 131 3.4 2.6 3.0
•
72 59 65 2.5 2.3 2.4
65 160
- 1.6 - - 0.12
39 14.3 31 11 5.9 7.8
111 101 108 5.8 2.3 3.7
52 - - ISO
53 - - 130
27.3 19.8 23.3 7.6 6.5 7.2
8,7 6.8 7.9 0.97 Oi72 0.81
Total Suspended
Solids (mg/1)
Max. Mln. Avg.
31 16 25
26 17 22
16
120 86 100
44 33 38
32 27 29
38
7
735
16 7 10
. - 5
3
71 33 50
MAM f^
33 47
Selenium (mq/1)
Max. H1n. Avg.
0.07 0.03 0.05
0.04 0.03 0.03
- <0.01
0.08 0.04 0.07
0.01 <0.01 <0.01
0.03 <0.01 0.01
0.70
- <0.01
0.12 0.02 0.08
0.33 0.30 0.32
0.92
0.03
O.OS <0.01 0.04
OAl A Al A Al
.01 W.VI V*U1
Vanadium (nq/1)
Max. Mln. Avg.
1.0 0.7 0.9
0.8 0.7 0.7
0.6
1.0 0.6 0.8
1.0 0.8 0.9
0.8 0.4 0.6
5.6
- <0.3
0.5 <0.3 0.3
0.5 <0.3 0.3
6.8
6.3
0.5 0.4 0.4
•
ro
ro
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23
concentration of radium in the ion-exchange discharge could be reduced
to meet permit conditions with the relatively simple addition of barium
chloride. The New Mexico Water Quality Standards for Arroyo del Puerto,
a perennial stream, limits radium concentrations to a maximum of 30
pCi/1. The Kerr-McGee ion-exchange discharge to Arroyo del Puerto
contributes to violations of these standards (see Section VII. STREAM
SURVEYS) .
The NPDES permit for the Kerr-McGee ion-exchange discharge limits
uranium to a daily maximum concentration of 1 mg/1. During the three
days of composite sampling, the uranium concentration in the discharge
ranged from 1.3 to 4.2 mg/1 for an average of 2.5 mg/1, or 2.5 times the
permitted maximum concentration. This violation of the permitted level
probably resulted from overloading of the resin and failure to switch
resin columns. The Company should adopt a regeneration cycle that will
prevent resin saturation by uranium (breakthrough) which results in
permit violation.
Selenium is an extremely toxic substance which behaves very simi-
larly to arsenic. It is present in the ore of the Grants Mineral Belt,
and thus it could reasonably be expected to be present in water from
processing plants. The Kerr-McGee ion-exchange tailings contained from
0.03 to 0.07 mg/1, an average of 0.05 mg/1. These tailings also con-
tained almost 1 mg/1 vanadium, which has been shown to be toxic to
plants when present in irrigation water. The high selenium and vanadium
concentration precludes the use of Arroyo del Puerto for irrigation
(discussed in Section VII).
Mine water from other Kerr-McGee Ambrosia Lake mines (Sections 19,
SOW, 35, and 36) does not receive ion-exchange treatment. Section 19
Mine, currently under development, discharges approximately 378 1/min
(100 gpm) of wastewater which contains 9.3 pCi/1 of radium on the land
surface. Since this discharge does not reach a surface water course, the
Company has not applied for an NPDES permit.
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24
The NPDES permit for the Kerr-McGee Section 30W mine imposes im-
mediate limits on the radium-226 content of this discharge. The initial
maximum limit is 150 pCi/1, with a final limit of 3.3 pCi/1 [Table 1].
During the survey, this discharge contained an average concentration of
163 pCi/1 of radium-226 [Table 2] which exceeds permit conditions. The
discharge enters Arroyo del Puerto upstream of the Kerr-McGee ion-
exchange discharge and contributes to the water quality standards viola-
tion in Arroyo del Puerto (see Section VII). The SOW discharge also
contained selenium and vanadium [Table 2] and contributes to the high
concentration of these elements in Arroyo del Puerto.
The uranium concentration of Section SOW mine discharge is limited
to 2 mg/1 daily maximum by the NPDES permit. During the survey, the
uranium concentration of this discharge ranged from 5.9 to 6.7 mg/1, for
an average of 6.2 mg/1, a violation of the NPDES permit conditions. The
company reportedly plans to pipe this discharge to their ion-exchange
plant.
During the Grants Mineral Belt survey, 14,300 m /day (3.77 mgd) of
water was discharged from Kerr-McGee Section 35 mine settling ponds into
a marshy area south of the mine. Company officials claim this discharge
does not reach any surface water and therefore an NPDES discharge
permit is not required. Visual observations by NEIC personnel showed
that this discharge, estimated at several hundred gallons per minute,
does enter Arroyo del Puerto. The flow rate was highly variable, de-
pending on climatic conditions. The radium concentration in this waste-
water ranged from 32 to 69 (average 51) pCi/1 which exceeds limitations
currently specified in permits for similar discharges. The radium con-
centrations can be reduced to less than 30 pCi/1 with the addition of a
barium chloride treatment system. Gross alpha concentrations were high,
ranging from 2,400 to 3,000 pCi/1. ORP-LVF conducted analyses for the
alpha emitters other than radium contained in this discharge. The
analyses indicated that lead-210 may be significant in this and other
discharges; however, the data are not available at this time. Uranium,
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25
selenium, and vanadium are also present in this discharge [Table 2] and
contribute to high values in Arroyo del Puerto. Suspended solids in
the Section 35 mine discharge were high, ranging from 86 to 120 mg/1
with an average of 100 mg/1. Analysis of incoming mine water from long
holes within the area indicates that the radium concentrations in natural
ground water are less than 10 pCi/1. However, water moves over the
entire floor of the drift, and it is subject to agitation by passage of
haulage trains and during mucking. Accordingly, the suspended solids
concentration in the mine water is high, producing a high dissolved
radium concentration. The suspended solids and radium concentrations in
the effluent could be greatly lowered by improved housekeeping in the
mining operations, such as providing drainage channels along the sides
of the mine workings.
Section 36 mine has two discharges, identified as the east and west
discharges in relation to the mine shaft. Samples from each discharge
were collected and analyzed. Except for a minor amount of water used by
drilling rigs in the area, the entire mine pumpage receives treatment in
sedimentation basins before discharge into a large closed basin over the
San Mateo fault. During the survey, all the water was sinking into the
subsurface and moving as ground water. Survey results [Table 2] show
the west discharge contained an average of 131 pCi/1 radium-226 compared
to 65 pCi/1 in the east discharge. These concentrations exceed license
criteria (10 CFR20) for discharge to an unrestricted environment. The
discharge also contained from 0.4 to 1.0 mg/1 vanadium, which precludes
use of this water for crop irrigation on acid soils, or long-term use on
any soil (Committee on Water Quality Criteria, 1972).
Company officials stated that the Section 35 and 36 mine discharges
will be diverted to a new set of treatment ponds for biological removal
of radium 226, utilizing algal growth and radium incorporation. If
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26
necessary, radium-226 concentrations can be further reduced by barium
chloride treatment. These new ponds, to be constructed sometime during
1975, will discharge into the closed basin currently receiving the
Section 36 mine discharge. The increased flow into this closed basin
may result in a surface discharge to San Mateo Creek. In this case, an
NPDES permit will be required which should specify an immediate radium-
226 limit of 30 pCi/1.
Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation is developing a new mine in the
Churchrock mining district. The mine water receives treatment in two
sedimentation ponds. Some of the effluent from the pond is used in the
mine change-house for non-potable uses such as showers and commodes, and
the remainder is discharged into Rio Puerco. The immediate NPDES permit
limitations for this discharge include 100 mg/1 daily average and 200
mg/1 daily maximum total suspended solids concentration, 2 mg/1 daily
maximum uranium concentration and 30 pCi/1 dissolved radium-226. The
lack of ongoing mining activities in the mine is reflected in the
relatively low radiochemical concentration in the water from this mine
[Table 2], with an average radium-226 concentration of 7.9 pCi/1.
The Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation mill near Ambrosia Lake removes
uranium from the ore by an acid leach technique, followed by solvent
extraction to concentrate the uranium, and by ammonia precipitation of
yellow cake. A molybdenum byproduct recovery is also practiced at the
Kerr-McGee mill. Approximately 75% of the mill water is recycled, while
the other 25% is lost through seepage and evaporation. Because of
dissolved solids buildup, it is thought to be impossible to practice
100% recycle without dissolved solids removal techniques. Process water
for the Kerr-McGee mill is obtained from the Kerr-McGee ion-exchange
treatment plant. Tailings are discharged to a single large tailings
pond on the company property. Seepage from the pond is collected in a
catchment basin and is then pumped to a pond upgradient from the tail-
ings pond. Overflow from this pond is pumped upstream to another pond.
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27
In this way, all seepage from the evaporating ponds should be captured
by the catchment basin. However, physical inspection of the area
indicated that a quantity of seepage is lost to the subsurface, with a
portion of the seepage possibly appearing in the flow in Arroyo del
Puerto. This will require control under proposed NMEIA ground-water
regulations, or regulations to be proposed under the U.S. Safe Drinking
Water Act.
An 8-hr composite was collected from the catchment basin and
analyzed to determine the quality of waste which might enter the ground
water. The sample contained 144,000 pCi/1 and 65 pCi/1, respectively,
of gross alpha and radium-226. The radium concentration exceeds the AEC
license criteria (30 pCi/1) for discharge to a nonrestricted environ-
ment. The gross imbalance which exists between gross alpha and radium
indicates high concentrations of other alpha emitters. Identification
and quantification of these emitters, and the effect on ground water, is
discussed in the report by ORP-LVF. This water is extremely high in
sulfate (15,000 mg/1) due to the use of sulphuric acid for leaching the
Kerr-McGee ore. Suspended solids concentration in the seepage was
approximately 38 mg/1. Selenium was present in 0.70 mg/1 concentration,
or 70 times the drinking water standard. Vanadium was present in the
seepage at a concentration of 5.6 mg/1.
RANCHERS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Ranchers Exploration is currently developing the Johnny M. mine.
Mine water is treated in two settling ponds before being discharged into
San Mateo Creek. An NPDES permit application was filed by Ranchers
Exploration, however the permit had not been issued at the time of the
survey. The data [Table 2] show that the gross alpha and radium-226
concentrations were 20 and 1.6 pCi/1, respectively. This reflects the
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28
lack of ongoing mining activities in the operation. Uranium concen-
tration in the water was 0.12 mg/1, while the suspended solids con-
centration was 7 mg/1.
UNITED NUCLEAR CORPORATION
United Nuclear Corporaton has three mines (two active and one on
standby) in the Ambrosia Lake area. All mine water is pumped to an ion-
exchange plant for uranium recovery. Over 99% of the ion-exchange
effluent is used for solution mining. The remainder is either used as
potable water or is discharged into a holding pond for use in sand
backfill operations. There was no discharge from the pond at the time
of the survey. Although an application has been filed, company of-
ficials stated that wastewater does not reach Arroyo del Puerto; there-
fore an NPDES permit is not required.
Samples were collected from the ion-exchange effluent at a point
ahead of its return to the underground mines. The ion-exchange effluent
contained an average of 31 pCi/1 radium-226 and 1,800 pCi/1 of gross
alpha. Suspended solids concentration in the ion-exchange discharge
were from 3 to 7 mg/1. As shown in Table 2, selenium concentration
ranged from 0.02 to 0.12 mg/1, for an average of 0.08 mg/1.
United Nuclear Corporation also operates an underground mine in the
Churchrock mining district. The NPDES permit limits the radium-226
concentration to a maximum of 30 pCi/1. Other NPDES permit criteria
include 100 mg/1 of suspended solids daily average, 200 mg/1 suspended
solids daily maximum, and 2 mg/1 uranium daily maximum. A power failure
at the mine during the la'st week in February resulted in flooding of
work areas. During the survey, company personnel were pumping out the
mine and repairing underground equipment. Composite samples collected
during the clean-up operations contained an average radium-226 con-
centration of 23.3 pCi/1. After the survey, NMEIA personnel collected
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29
a grab sample on 14 March 1975 following the resumption of mining
activities. This sample contained 57 pCi/1 of radium-226 which exceeds
the permit limitation. The composite samples contained from
33 to 71 mg/1 suspended solids concentration, while the later grab
sample contained 320 mg/1 suspended solids. Uranium was present in the
discharge at an average concentration of 7.2 mg/1. Additional sampling
is suggested to check for NPDES compliance, once the mine returns to
typical operation.
UNITED NUCLEAR-HOMESTAKE PARTNERS
The United Nuclear-Homestake Partners joint venture operates four
underground mines (Sections 15, 23, 25 and 32) in the Ambrosia Lake
mining district. Uranium in the mine water is removed in an ion-exchange
plant. About 85% of the effluent is recycled through the mines and used
for in situ leaching (solution mining). The remaining 15% (0.08 mgd) of
the ion-exchange effluent is discharged into Arroyo del Puerto upstream
of the Kerr-McGee mill. An NPDES application has recently been filed
for this discharge. During this survey, the radium-226 concentration in
this discharge exceeded 100 pCi/1. The radium-226 concentration in this
discharge can be reduced to 30 pCi/1 or less with the addition of a
barium chloride treatment system. These high concentrations exceed the
NPDES permit issued for similar discharges and the State uranium milling
license currently in effect for this facility. This discharge contri-
butes to the violation of the New Mexico Water Quality Standards for
Arroyo del Puerto (see Section VII).
Suspended solids concentration in the United Nuclear-Homestake
Partners ion-exchange discharge are low, ranging from 7 to 10 mg/1.
Selenium concentrations range from 0.30 to 0.33 mg/1, more than 30 times
the drinking water standard for selenium. These concentrations would
pose a health hazard if the water v/ere used for a potable supply.
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30
The presence of a large supply of clear water suggests an attractive
alternative to plant personnel bringing their own drinking water to the
plant. Uranium concentrations averaged 3.7 rng/1, indicating a need for
closer monitoring of resin loading, or more frequent resin regeneration.
The United Nuclear-Homestake Partners Uranium mill recovers uranium
by alkaline leaching of the ore, followed by ammonia precipitation of
yellow cake. No ion-exchange or solvent extraction is practiced.
Tailings-pile decant water is recycled through the mill. Seepage from
the pile also enters ground water as determined by visual observation
and ORP-LVF sampling. A sample of the decant, which is indicative of
the quality of the seepage, contained 29,000 pCi/1 and 52 pCi/l» respect-
ively, of gross alpha and radium-226. The radium concentrations exceed
the 10CFR20 criteria for discharge to a nonrestricted environment.
The seepage also was found to contain 0.92 mg/1 of selenium, or 92 times
the drinking water standard. This is indicative of the geochemistry of
selenium, which is found to be highly mobile in alkaline solutions.
Results of the seepage on ground water are discussed in the ORP-LVF
report.
Additional samples have been collected from a number of wells in
the area downgradient from the United Nuclear-Homestake Partners tail-
ings pond and are currently undergoing analyses. Problems of inter-
laboratory agreement are being resolved by appropriate Analytical Qual-
ity Control (AQC) programs. AQC data for the NEIC determinations are
included in Appendix A. Results to date indicate that alkaline leaching
of uranium milling tailings or uranium ore produces water high in a
mobile form of selenium, and it presents definite problems of ground-
water pollution. Seepage control measures should be required at this
facility. Additional laboratory analysis of existing samples, and
additional sampling to define the extent of the problem are planned for
the near future.
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31
ANACONDA COMPANY
The Anaconda Company operates the world's largest open pit uranium
mine, the Jackpile Mine on the Laguna Indian Reservation. There is no
discharge of mine water to Rio Paguate or Rio Maquino. Precipitation
runoff from the disturbed land surface, however, adds radiochemical-
bearing solids to these streams. Stream samples [Table 3] show a
definite increase in radium-226 and selenium concentrations downstream
from the mining operation. The data show the need for stabilization of
waste material and improved handling of storm runoff.
The Anaconda Company uranium mill at Bluewater uses a Resin In Pulp
(RIP) ion-exchange process on an acid leach operation (Anon, Aug. 1974).
In this circuit, baskets of ion-exchange beads are agitated in a crushed
slurry ore. The beads, when loaded, are eluted with a dilute solution
of sulfuric acid and sodium chloride. Uranium is precipitated in two
steps, with the addition of calcium hydroxide during the first step and
magnesium hydroxide during the second step. This precipitate is then
washed with ammonium sulfate to remove sodium and produce a saleable
yellow cake.
Process wastes from the Anaconda mill are discharged into a 70-acre
tailings pond constructed on a highly permeable basalt flow. The water
which does not seep from this pond is decanted, filtered to remove
suspended solids, and fed at a rate of 1,100 1/min (300 gpm) to an
injection well. A sample of the well feed, which is indicative of the
seepage to the ground water, contained 62,500 pCi/1 and 53 pCi/l» re-
spectively, of gross alpha and radium-226 [Table 2]. Vanadium was
present in a concentration of 6.3 mg/1. The well feed contained 150
mg/1 uranium, which corresponds to a uranium loss of 245 kg (540 lb)/day.
At present values of yellow cake, this would have a market value of
$8,100 to $10,800/day. This uranium could be recovered by the instal-
lation of an ion-exchange plant between the present filter and injection
well.
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VII. STREAM SURVEYS
When the mines and mills were evaluated, selected stream stations
were sampled to determine the effect of mine and mill discharges on
water quality. The New Mexico Water Quality Standards limit the radium
concentration in surface streams to a maximum of 30 pCi/1. Data on the
samples collected from surface streams are provided in Table 3.
ARROYO DEL PUERTO
Arroyo del Puerto receives waste from the United Nuclear-Homestake
Partners and Kerr-McGee ion-exchange plants and from Kerr-McGee Section
SOW and 35 mines. There is no flow in the creek upstream of these
discharges.
Radium-226 concentrations of samples collected downstream from the
Kerr-McGee mill were from 45 to 50 pCi/1. These concentrations not only
violate the New Mexico Water Quality Standards, but exceed the AEC
criteria (30 pCi/1) for radium in water discharged to an unrestricted
environment. Radium concentrations in Arroyo del Puerto decreased near
the mouth to levels ranging from 6.1 to 7.2 pCi/1. This decrease is due
to the adsorption of radium on sediment and/or vegetation. During
periods of heavy run-off, the radium concentration can be expected to
increase due to scouring of the stream bed.
The selenium concentration of Arroyo del Puerto downstream from the
Kerr-McGee mill was 0.15 mg/1, decreasing to 0.04 mg/1 near the mouth.
Vanadium concentrations in Arroyo del Puerto near the Kerr-McGee mill
averaged 0.8 mg/1, increasing to 1.1 mg/1 near the mouth. Selenium and
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Table 3
Sin-MAPI OF AflALXTICAL DATA
FOR
SURFACE WATER SAMPLING
Number
Station Description of
Sample!
Arroyo del Puerto downstream
of Kerr-McGee Mill
Arroyo del Puerto near the mouth
San Kateo Creek
at Highway 53 Bridge
Rio Puerco downstream of
Churchrock Mines
Rio Puerco upstream
of Wingate Plant
Rio Puerco at Highway 666 Bridge
Rio Paguate at Paguate
Rio Koquino upstream of
Jackpile Mine '
Rio Paguate at Jackpile Ford
Rio Paguate at Paguate
Reservoir Discharge
Rio San Jose at Interstate Bridge
3
3
1
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
*
Gross Alpha (pCi/D
' Max. Min. Avg.
1,700 1,400 1,500
1,500 750 1,100
- 1 ,000
500 470 490
510 720 440
350 210 260
2.8
11.2
270
230
38
Radium-226 (pCi/1)
Max. Min. Avg.
50 45 47
7.2 6.1 6.5
1.09
2.60 0.97 2.04
1.63 0.36 0.81
0.42 0.09 0.22
0.11
0.17
4.8
1.94
0.37
Uranium (mg/1)
Max. Min. Avg.
12 5.0 7.7
6.6 4.7 5.8
4.7
5.0 3.8 4.2
4.8 3.7 4.2
2.5 1.7 2.0
- <0.02
- <0.02
1.2
1.1
0.10
Selenium (mg/1)
Max. Min. Avg.
0.16 0.13 0.15
0.07 0.01 0.04
0.02
0.07 0.03 0.04
0.01 0.01 0.01
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01
- <0.01
- <0.01
- <0.05
- <0.01
- <0.01
Vanadium (mg/1)
Max. Min. Avg.
1.0 0.6 0.8
1.9 0.5 1.1
- <0.3
0.6 0.5 0.6
0.9 0.3 0.6
0.6 0.3 0.5
0.6
1.8
0.5
0.6
0.3
CO
CO
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34
vanadium have harmful effects when present in high concentrations in
water used for irrigation or livestock watering. The 1972 EPA Water
Quality Criteria (Committee on Water Quality Criteria, 1972) suggests
that irrigation waters not exceed 0.02 mg/1 selenium and 0.1 mg/1 va-
nadium, while livestock waters should not exceed 0.05 mg/1 selenium and
0.1 mg/1 vanadium. On this basis, Arroyo del Puerto is rendered unfit
for irrigation and livestock watering by the uranium mining discharges
throughout its entire length. This is contrary to New Mexico Water
Quality Standards which require that discharges not render a water unfit
for a beneficial use.
The flow of Arroyo del Puerto enters San Mateo Creek where the
entire flow enters the aquifer within three miles of the confluence.
This recharge adds a large loading of radium and selenium to the ground
water. Ground-water evaluations by ORP-LVF will address this question.
RIO PUERCO
The Rio Puerco receives drainage from Kerr-McGee and United Nuclear
Corporation Churchrock mines. Samples collected downstream from these
discharges contained a maximum radium-226 concentration of 2.6 pCi/1
[Table 3]. The concentration decreased to 0.4 pCi/1 at the town of
Gallup. These concentrations meet the New Mexico Water Quality Criteria
of 30 pCi/1, as well as the PHS Drinking Water Standard of 3 pCi/1 for
radium-226. Selenium concentrations downstream from the mine discharges
ranged from 0.03 to 0.07 mg/1 for an average of 0.04 mg/1, or four times
PHS Drinking Water Standards. The selenium concentration decreased
downstream to 0.01 mg/1 at the Wingate plant and to less than detection
limits at Gallup.
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35
RIO PAGUATE. RIO MOQUINO, RIO SAN JOSE
The Rio Paquate and Rio Moquino flow through the Anaconda open pit
mines on the Laguna Indian Reservation. The combined flow enters Rio
San Jose near Laguna, New Mexico. Samples collected from these three
streams had radium concentrations of less than 5 pCi/1, which is less
than the Water Quality Standard of 30 pCi/1 set by the State of New
Mexico. An increase in the selenium concentration of Rio Paguate was
noted downstream from the Jackpile Mine. However, the concentration of
selenium at Paguate reservoir and in Rio San Jose were less than de-
tection limits.
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VIII. INDUSTRIAL WATER SUPPLIES
The majority of the mines and mills in the Grants Mineral Belt use
mine water as a potable supply. The present PHS Drinking Water Stan-
dards specify that the radium concentrations not exceed 3 pCi/1, and the
selenium not exceed 0.07 mg/1. The Safe Drinking Water Act (Public Law
92-523, Dec. 16, 1974) requires establishment of national drinking water
standards. The proposed standards limit selenium to 0.01 mg/1. Also,
EPA has proposed standards of 5 pCi/1 for radium-226 and -228 and
15 pCi/1 for gross alpha (40 CFR 141).
Data from potable water supplies in the Grants Mineral Belt are
summarized in Table 4. All but one of the water-supply systems contain
radium-226 in concentrations greater than the PHS Drinking Water Stan-
dard of 3.0 pCi/1. Severe violations of the 0.01 mg/1 selenium standard
are also present. Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation supplies water to mill
workers and to several mobile homes within the area; the source is ion-
exchange water from the mines, subsequently treated for radium removal.
As shown in Table 4, the radium concentration in this water was at an
acceptable level of 0.5 pCi/. The selenium in the water supply was 0.05
mg/1, or 5 times the drinking water standard. Treatment or an alternate
source of supply will be required to meet the selenium standards.
Kerr-McGee operates a dual water supply system within the mill and
the office facility -- a potable system described above, and a non-
potable system used for washing and sanitary facilities. The latter
uses ion-exchange tailings without further treatment. Radium concen-
trations in this water are extremely high, averaging over 150 pCi/1.
Company personnel are largely uninformed about the existence of the dual
water supply system and have admitted to drinking from the non-potable
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37
Table 4
SUMMARY OF DATA FOR
INDUSTRY POTABLE WATEH SUPPLIES
Description
Kerr-McGee - Mill Water Supply
Kerr-McGee - Sec. 35 and 36 Mines
Kerr-McGee - Churchrock Mine
United Nuclear Corporation -
Ambrosia Lake Area
United Nuclear Corporation -
Churchrock
United Nuclear Corporation -
Mobile Home Supply at the
Churchrock Mine
Gross Alpha
(pCi/1)
510
3,000
120
1,500
620
1,110
Radium 226
(pCi/1)
0.5
43
6.5
23.5
12.6
39.7
Selenium
(rag/1 )
0.05
0.05
0.01
0.11
0.06
0.06
t Reportedly used only for showers, stools, etc. and not for drinking
water.
-------
38
source. Warning signs should be posted on the non-potable water system
to prevent subsequent potable use of this radioactive water.
Water from the Kerr-McGee Section 35 mine is treated by ion-exchange
and used for a potable system for workers in Section 35 and 36 mines.
This water contained a radium concentration of 43 pCi/1 and a gross
alpha concentration of 3,000 pCi/1. This exceeds existing and proposed
standards for radiochemistry in the potable supply. The selenium in
this supply was 0.02 mg/1, twice the level which constitutes grounds for
rejection as a water supply under Drinking Water Standards.
Clarified water from the settling ponds at the Kerr-McGee Church-
rock mine are pumped into the Kerr-McGee change house for use in sani-
tary facilities. The water contained concentrations of radium-226
approximately twice the Drinking Water Standards. It also contained
selenium at a concentration of 0.01 mg/1, or the concentration which
constitutes grounds for rejection as a potable water supply. The supply
is not intended as potable, but it is not adequately marked as non-
potable.
United Nuclear Corporation maintains a potable water supply system
for its Churchrock mine as well as for mobile homes within the area.
Water from the mine is pumped into a holding pond on Sunday, when mining
activities are not under way. Water from this holding pond is then
passed through a filter for removal of suspended solids. No further
treatment is given. A sample collected from a water fountain within the
United Nuclear Corporation change-house contained 12.6 pCi/1 radium-226
and 0.06 mg/1 selenium. These levels exceed PHS Drinking Water Standards
and proposed standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The system is
supplied to a number of private trailers in the area, and it clearly
will come under the provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
-------
39
A sample was collected on March 5, 1975 from one of the mobile
homes supplied by the United Nuclear Corporation Churchrock mine water-
supply system. The sample contained 39.7 pCi/1 radium-226 and 0.06 mg/1
selenium. The trailer was occupied by the wife and three children of
one of the uranium miners. These concentrations' grossly exceed the
proposed and present drinking water standards and pose a health hazard
to the employees and their families. The United Nuclear Corporation
should take immediate action to improve the quality of this domestic
supply or locate an alternate source of water.
-------
40
REFERENCES
1. Anon, Aug. 1974. Anaconda's Resin-in-Pulp Process: Another
Route to Yellowcake, Mining Engineering, SME-AIME, 26, 8_:31-36.
2. Committee on Water Quality Criteria, Environmental Studies
Board, NAS and NAE, 1972. Water Quality Criteria 1972,
USEPA-R3-73-033, 594 p.
3. Graves, John A., Aug. 1974, Open Pit Uranium Mining, Mining
Engineering, SME-AIME 26, 8:23-25.
4. Gucci one, Eugene, Aug. 1974. Fuel Shortages Trigger a New
Uranium Rush in New Mexico, Mining Engineering, SME-AIME,
26, 8:16-19.
5. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Apr. 1975. Draft
Development Document for Effluent Limitations, Guidelines, and
Standards of Performance for the Ore Mining and Dressing
Industry Point Source Category, USEPA Contract No. 68-01-2682.
-------
Appendix A
ANALYTICAL QUALITY CONTROL
FIELD AND LABORATORY PROCEDURES
-------
ANALYTICAL QUALITY CONTROL
FIELD AND LABORATORY PROCEDURES
WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
Mining and milling operations operated by five companies were
investigated during the Grants Mineral Belt survey. Information was
obtained through in-plant surveys, review of NPDES permit applications,
and interviews with industry personnel, on water pollution control
practices at each site.
Sampling was conducted in accord with a previously prepared Study
Plan (attached). Sampling proceeded as planned, except that conditions
at United Nuclear Corporation's Churchrock mine were atypical due to
power failure and subsequent mine flooding. Daily composite samples
were collected manually into large cleaned containers on an equal volume
basis. The composite sample was then returned to a central sample
preparation site where individual samples were prepared in accord with
Table 4 of the Study Plan. Company sample splits were prepared where
requested. Filtering was done through a 0.45 v. filter, using stainless
steel pressure filtering equipment.
Where available, industry flow-measurement equipment was used. In
other cases, various standard flow measurement techniques such as "V"
notch weirs and stage recorders were used.
The samples were maintained under custody procedures and trans-
ported to the NEIC laboratory in NEIC vehicles.
-------
STREAM SURVEYS
Limited stream surveys were conducted to determine the effects of
mining and milling discharges on surface waters of the Grants Mineral
Belt. Sampling was generally in accord with the Study Plan, except
where there was no flow. Sampling in the Paguate area was restricted to
one-time grab sampling. Sample preparation was in accord with the
discussion in the previous section.
INDUSTRY HATER SUPPLIES
Grab samples were collected from industry potable and non-potable
(sanitary) water supplies, in accord with the Study Plan. Sampling
sites were at water fountains, faucets, or showers. The source was
permitted to run for a time before sample collection. Samples were
subsequently split and preserved, as discussed in the section on waste
source evaluation.
ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES AND QUALITY CONTROL
Samples collected during this survey were, for the most part,
analyzed according to procedures outlined in the EPA Manual, Methods for
Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, 1971. Gross alpha and radium-226
levels were measured according to procedures described in Standard
Methods for Water and Wastewater Analysis, 13th Ed. Uranium was measured
by the fusion/fluorescence procedure described as Method #02907-701 in
the ASTM Manual, Part 31, 1975. Selenium was analyzed by a fluorometric
procedure developed by Crenshaw and Lakin (Journal Research U.S. Geo-
logical Survey, 2_ (4), 483 (1974)); the fusion step was omitted, however,
since the samples were non-geological in origin. These analytical
procedures are summarized below.
-------
Parameter
Method
Reference
Co, Cu, Fe
V, Mo
Na
As
TSS, IDS
so
Cl
NH
Atomic Absorption1 EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis, 1971
4
3
N0
Gross
Radium-226
Uranium
Se
Atomic Emission1
Colorimetric
Gravimetric
Turbidimetric
Titrimetric
Automated Colorimetric
Automated Cadmium
Reduction
Internal Proportional
Counting
Radon emanation2
Fusion/Fluorescence1
Fluorometric
EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis, 1971
EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis, 1971
EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis, 1971
EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis, 1971
EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis, 1971
EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis, 1971
EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis, 1971
Standard Methods, Section 302.4.a.
Standard Methods, Section 305
ASTM, D290F
Crenshaw and Lakin, J. Res. U.S. Geol.
Survey, Vol. 2, No. 4, July-August,
1974, p. 483-487
1 Digestion of samples per Sec. 4.1.4. EPA Methods
2 EaSojBaSO. precipitate collected by centrifugationt dissolved in
diethylenetriconine pentaacetic acid, and placed directly in bubbler.
Reliability of the analytical results was documented through an
active Analytical Quality Control (AQC) Program. As part of this
program, replicate analyses were normally performed with every tenth
sample to ascertain the reproducibility of the results. In addition,
every tenth sample was spiked with a known amount of the constituents to
be measured and reanalyzed to determine the percent recovery. These
results were evaluated in regard to past AQC data on the precision,
accuracy, and detection limits of each test. As an example, AQC results
for Ra-226 and Se are tabulated on the following page.
-------
Parameter Radium-226 Selenium
Detection Limit 0.05 pCi/1 0.005 mg/1
Percent Difference in 0-1 pCi/1: 0-52% 0-0.1; 0-30%,
Duplicate Measurements 22% Avg. 21% Avg.
1-200 pCi/1: 0-8%, 0.1-1.0: 9-32%,
5% Avg. 15% Avg.
Percent Recovery from 1-200 pCi/1: 79-104%, 0-0.1 mg/1: 60-134%,
Spiked Samples 93% Avg. 109% Avg.
t 0-1 pCi/l represents the concentration range being consideredj 0-52%
' represents the range of the percent difference between duplicates,
and 22% represents the average of these variations.
On the basis of these findings, all analytical results reported for
the survey were found to be acceptable with respect to the precision and
accuracy control of this laboratory.
-------
STUDY PLAN
NEW MEXICO URANIUM MINING AND MILLING
WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS
OBJECTIVES
1. Determine the impact of previous and existing discharges to
ground and surface waters of the Grants-Mineral Belt and establish a data
base for future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits
and uranium mining and milling license guidelines due to expanded mining
and milling activities.
2. Determine whether the discharges from uranium mines and mills
comply with existing and proposed NPDES permits and uranium-milling
licenses.
3. Determine the composition of potable waters at uranium mines
and mills.
4. Determine if NPDES non-filers exist in the study area.
5. Evaluate the adequacy of company monitoring networks, self-
monitoring data, analytical procedures and reporting requirements.
BACKGROUND
Uranium ore was discovered in the Grants Mineral Belt in 1950
resulting in the construction of four processing mills, three of which
are still operating. The early mining started in the shallow deposits
of the Bluewater area and has progressed into the Ambrosia Lake area
where shaft mines of greater than 1000 ft have been developed. Ground
water from the overlying Dakoata aquifer and Westwater Canyon member of
the Morrison Formation is pumped from these mines and discharged to
surface waters. The industry is currently experiencing a major expansion
with design and/or construction of three new mills and numerous mines.
-------
Since the discovery of ore and the construction of uranium mills,
only a limited amount of company data has been developed on the chemical
and radiochemical characteristics of the mining and milling wastes. The
surface discharges from the mines receives only minimal treatment and
companies have not made a concerted effort to prevent seepage from mill
tailings ponds from entering subsurface water.
The NMEIA requested EPA, Region VI (letter dated September 25, 1974)
to conduct a "definitive survey of the Grants Mineral Belt". Through
meetings and subsequent correspondence, it was decided that the study
will be conducted jointly by New Mexico Environmental Improvement Agency
(NMEIA), National Field Investigations Center (NFIC) and Office of
Radiation Programs-Las Vegas Facility (ORP).
The three uranium mills (Kerr-McGee, United Nuclear-Homestake
Partners and Anaconda) and three mine (Kerr-McGee, United Nuclear and
United Nuclear-Homestake Partners) water treatment facilities (ion
exchange units or IX) operate under AEC licenses. These licenses have
been transferred to NMEIA. The licenses require meeting conditions
set forth in 10 CFR 20 of which the most significant is that liquid
waste discharged to areas with controlled access have radium 226 levels
equal to or less than 30 picocuries per liter (pCi/1).
NPDES permits have been issued for the Kerr-McGee mine discharges
at Ambrosia Lake (ion exchange unit and Section SOW mine) and Churchrock,
and the United Nuclear Corporation mine at Churchrock. The permit limitations
are summarized in Table 1. Kerr-McGee has requested adjudicatory hearings
on their permits.
-------
General New Mexico Water Quality Standards for perennial reaches
of streams, including those formed by wastewater discharges, apply to
the streams in the study area. The most significant provision of these
standards is that radium 226 concentrations must be less than 30 pCi/1.
REQUIRED STUDIES
A. Reconnaissance Survey
A reconnaissance survey was conducted by personnel of NMEIA, ORP
and NFIC during the period January 27-31, 1975. Company officials were
contacted to obtain existing data and facility inspections were conducted
at each of the mills and mines. A number of mine discharges, which are
not covered by an NPDES permit, are believed to be reaching San Mateo
Creek and its tributaries. Seepage from the Anaconda, Kerr-McGee and
United Nuclear-Homestake Partners mill tailings piles has an extremely
high potential of degrading water in the study area. Potable water
supplies at the mines and mills is, for the most part, obtained from
mine water treated by sedimentation followed in a few cases by selective
ion exchange units which may not remove radium and most heavy metals,
if present, from the mine water.
B. Industrial Waste Survey
Effluent monitoring of mine wastewaters will be conducted. Samples
will also be collected of the mill tailings pond water to ascertain the
type of pollutants which can enter the ground water.
Operating (active) mine discharges will be sampled for three
consecutive days with 24-hour composite samples being collected. Mines
currently under development and mill tailing piles will be monitored
-------
for 8 hours one day [Table 2 lists the stations and parameters which
will be measured during the survey].
C. Stream Surveys
In conjunction with the industrial survey, selected stream stations
will be sampled to determine possible water quality violations [Table 3].
These stations are located in San Mateo Creek upstream and downstream
from the Johnny M Mine discharge and downstream from the confluence
of Puertecito Creek; Puertecite Creek upstream of all discharges (upstream
of United Nuclear-Homestake Partners IX discharge), downstream from
Kerr-McGee Mill, and near the mouth at Rancho del Puerto; Rio Puerco
downstream of United Nuclear and Kerr-McGee mines, upstream of Wingate
plant, and in Gallup at Highway 666 Bridge; Rio Moquino upstream of
Jackpile Mine; Rio Paguate at Paguate, at the Jackpile Mine Ford and
at the Paguate Reservoir discharge; and the Rio San Jose at 1-40 bridge
east of Laguna.
The Rio Moquino, Rio Paguote and Rio San Jose are influenced by
storm run-off of tailings and ore piles. These streams will be sampled
during run-off.
D. Ground-Water Survey
Ground-water related activities will emphasize definition of the
hydrogeologic environment and sampling of selected wells and springs to
characterize existing water quality and relate it to uranium mining
and milling waste discharge.
A separate study plan for this portion of the study has been
prepared by ORP.
-------
LOGISTICS
All industrial, stream and well samples will be sent to the NFIC
laboratory for analysis. Industrial samples will be split with the
appropriate company. All samples will be field split for radiochemical
analysis with ORP. Alpha and radium 226 screening tests at NFIC will
be considered for further analyses by ORP for Th-230, Pb-210, Po-210,
Th-228, and possibly Ra-228. All samples will be collected and analyzed
following established NFIC Chain-of-Custody procedures. The size of
sample and preservative required are summarized in Table 4.
TIME SCHEDULE*
January 27-31, 1975 Reconnaissance Survey
February 3-21, 1975 Develop sampling schedule and
notify industries
February 24-25, 1975 Start setting up flow monitoring
equipment
February 26-March 8, 1975 Sample industries and streams
February 24-March 14, 1975 Sample ground water
PERSONNEL
A. Field Survey
NFIC 1 Supervisory Engineer (coordinator)
1 Geologist
3 Technicians
NMEIA 3 Technicians
*Report on the study findings will be completed within 2-3 weeks
following receipt of final analytical data.
-------
ORP
Region VII (Kerr Water Lab)
B. Report Preparation
NFIC
NMEIA
ORP
1 Hydro-Geologist
1 Health Physicist
1 Technician
1 Technician (part-time)
1 Engineer
1 Geologist
1 Technician (limited time)
1 Hydro-Geologist
1 Health Physicist
1 Hydro-Geologist
1 Health Physicist
1 Nuclear Chemist
EQUIPMENT
Gaging equipment
Peristaltic pump
Sampling and metering equipment
Pressure filtering units
Vehicles
4 Four-Wheel drive - 2 Denver and 2 Albuquerque (NFIC)
1 Sedan - Albuquerque (NFIC)
1 Van - Las Vegas (ORP)
1 Panel Truck - Kerr Center, Ada (ORP)
-------
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF NPDES PERMIT CRITERIA
Company/Discharge
Kerr-KcGee Corp.
-Churchrock Mine
Discharge
-Section 30W Mine
Discharge
(Ambrosia Lake)
-Ion Exchange
Discharge
(Ambrosia Lake)
United Nuclear
Corporation
-Churchrock Mine
Discharge
Period of
Limitation
1/28/75-6/30/77
7/1/77-1/27/80
1/28/75-12/31/75
1/1/76-6/30/77
7/1/77-1/27/80
1/28/75-12/31/75
1/1/76-6/30/77
7/1/77-1/27/80
1/28/75-12/31/75
1/1/76-6/30/77
7/1/77-1/27/80
TSS-mq/1
Daily Avq.
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
100
20
20
Daily Max.
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
200
30
30
Parameters!'
Total Uramum-mg/1
Daily Avg. Daily Max
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
Dissolved Radium 226-pCi/l
Daily Avg. Daily Max.
30
3.3
150
30
3.3
100
30
3.3
30
30
3.3
PH
Range
6.0-9.5
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9'.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.0
6.0-9.5
6.0-9.5
6.0-9.0
I/ In addition to these parameters, the companies are required to monitor flow, temperature, total molybdenum,
total selenium and total vanadium.
-------
TABLE 2 , .
INDUSTRIAL SAMPLING!/
Station
Nurrier Station Description
9001
9003
9005
9007
9009
9011
9012
9013
9C14
9015
Kerr-KcGee Ion Ex-
change Tailings
• By-Pass
Kerr-McGee Sec.
30 W Mine Water
Kerr-McGee Sec.
19 Mine Water
Kerr-McGee Sec.
35 Mine Water
Kerr-McGee Sec.!/
36 Mine Water
Kerr-McGee Seepage
below tailings
pond
Kerr-McGee Mill
Potable Water
Supply
Kerr-McGee Sec.
35 Mine Potable
Water Supply
Ranchers Exploration
Johnny H. Mine Water
Ranchers Exploration
q_.L__... U UJ
Number
Days
Sampled
3
3
1
3
3
Type
Sample
24-Hr. Comp.
24-Hr. Comp.
8-Hr. Comp.
24-Hr. Comp.
24-Hr. Coup.
Flow
By T
Parshall
Gage In
Control Str.
Bucket and
Stopwatch
Rectangular
Weir
Analysis Required^
SS SO,,
X
X
X
X
Gage or Buc-X
C1 Cu
X
X
X
X
X
Fe Mo
X
X
X
X
X
'Na NH3 & N03
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
Se V As Mn Co U-Nat
XX X X
XX X X
XX X X
XX X X
XX X X
Gross
Alpha
X
X
X
X
X
Ra,,e
X
X
X
X
X
ket & Stopwatch
1
1
1
1
1
8-Hr. Comp.
Grab
Grab
8-Hr. Comp.
Grab
None
None
None
Gage
None
X X
X
X X
X
X X
x
X
X
X
X X
x
x
X X
X
X X X X X X
X X
X X
XX X X
x x
X
x
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Potable Water Supply
-------
TABLE 2. Page 2
Number
Station Days Type
Hu-.ber Station Descrlotlon Sampled Sarcple
9016
9017
9018
9019
9021
9023
United Nuclear Corp.
IX Discharge
United Nuclear Corp.
Potable Water Supply
United Nuclear-Home-
staVe Partners IX
Discharge
United Nuclear-Home-
stake Partners
Tailings Ptle Decant
Anaconda Co. Injection
Well Feed
United Nuclear
Churchrock Mine
y
1
3
1
1
3
24-Hr. Conp.
8-Hr. Comp.
Grab
24-Hr. Comp.
8-Hr. Comp.
24-Hr. Comp.
24-Hr. Comp.
Analysis Required^/
Flow " '
By TSS
Weir or X
Gage
None
Calculate X
from com-
pany meters
None X
Company X
Keter
Parshall X
S01 C1 Cu Fe Ko Ka K
X XX
X
X XX
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X XX
K3 & NO, Se V As Mn Co U-Nst
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX X X
X X
XX X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
XX X X
Gross
Alpha
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ra,I6
X
X
X
X
X
X
9024 United Nuclear
Churchrock Potable
Water Supply
9025 Kerr-KcGee Church-
rock Mine
9026 Kerr-KcGee Church-
rock Mine Potable
Water Supply
24-Hr. Conp. Weir &
Recorder
Grab
None
XX X
X X
I/ pH. conductivity and temperature will be measured periodically at all stations.
2f Additional radlochealcal (Th-230. pb-210, Po210, Th 228. Ra 228} will be required 1f gross alpha and radium 226 analysis Indicate these compounds are
present.
3/ Two separate discharges, sample will be flow composited from both sources.
4/ Three 24-hour composite samples will be collected If discharging; If however, all water Is being used for solutions mining {I.e.. recycled to the mines)
then one 8-hr, composite will be collected.
-------
TABLE 3 1X
STREAM STATIONS1'
Station
Number
9030
9032
9034
9036
9038
,9040
9050
Station Description
San Mateo Creek at
Highway 53 Bridge
West of San Mateo •
San Mateo Creek up-
stream of Puertecito
Creek
Puertecito Creek
upstream of Partner's
IX Plant
Puertecito Creek
Downs tream from
Kerr-McGee Mill
Puertecito Creek
Near the Mouth of
Rancho del Puerto
San Mateo Creek
at Highway 53 Bridge
North of Grants
Rio Puerco at Highway
Number
Days
Sampled
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Type
Sample
Grab
Grab
Grab
Grab
Grab
Grab
Grab
Cl Mo
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
Na
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Analysis
. NO, & NH? Se
X
X
X X
X X
X X
X
X
Required^/
V Mn
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
U-Nat
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Gross
Alpha
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ra
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bridge Downstream from
United Nuclear and
Kerr-McGee Mines
9052 Rio Puerco Upstream
of Wingate Plant
Grab XXX
XXX
-------
TABLE 3, Page 2
Station
Number
9054
9060
9062
9064
9066
Number
Days
Station Description Sampled
Rio Puerco at Highway
666 Bridge, Gallup,
N. Mex.
Rio Paguate at Paguate
Rio Moquino Upstream
of Jackpile Mine
Rio Paguate at
Jackpile Ford
Rio Paguate at
3
I/
I/
I/
I/
Type
Sample
Grab
Grab
Grab
Grab
Grab
Cl
X
X
X
X
X
MO
X
X
X
X
X
Analysis Required!/
Na N03 & NH-, Se V
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Mn
X
X
X
X
X
U-Nat
X
X
X
X
X
Gross
Alpha
X
X
X
X
X
R&225
X
X
X
X
X
Paguate Reservoir
Discharge
9068 Rio San Jose at
1-40 Bridge East
of Laguna
I/
Grab
V pH, conductivity and temperature will be measured periodically at all stations.
Z/ Additional radiochemical (Th-230, Pb-210, Po 210, Th-228, Ra-228) will be required if gross alpha and radium 226
analysis indicate these compounds are present.
3/ This station will be sampled for 1 to 3 days if surface run-off occurs.
-------
TABLE 4
PRESERVATIVES AND SAMPLE SIZE REQUIRED
Size of Sample
1 liter (unfiltered)
1 liter (unfiltered)
125 ml (unfiltered)
2 1 (filtered)
8 1 (filtered)*
Preservative
Iced
5 ml HNO3/l
40 tng HgCl2/l - Ic«d
5 ml HN03/1
5 ml Hcl/1
Parameter
TDS, TSS, Sulfate,
Chloride
Copper, iron, Holy,
Sodium, Silenum,
Vanadium, Arsenic,
Manganese, Cobalt,
Total Uranium
Nitrate + Nitrite,
Ammonia
Gross alpha
Dissolved Radium 226
Th-230, Pb-210, Po-210,
Th-228, Ra-228
*4 liters each to NFIC and ORP.
-------
Appendix B
CHAIN OF CUSTODY PROCEDURES
-------
CHAIN OF CUSTODY PROCEDURES
General:
The evidence gathering portion of a survey should be characterized by the
minimum number of samples required to give a fair representation of the
effluent or water body from which taken. To the extent possible, the quan-
tity of samples and sample locations will be determined prior to the survey.
Chain of Custody procedures must be followed to maintain the documentation
necessary to trace sample possession from the time taken until the evidence
is introduced into court. A sample is in your "custody" if:
1. It is in your actual physical possession, or
2. It is in your view, after being in your physical possession, or
3. It was in your physical possession and then you locked it up in
a manner so that no one could tamper with it.
All survey participants will receive a copy of the survey study plan and will
be knowledgeable of its contents prior to the survey. A pre-survey briefing
will be held to re-appraise all participants of the survey objectives, sample
locations and Chain of Custody procedures. After all Chain of Custody sample1:
are collected, a de-briefing will be held in the field to determine adherence
to Chain of Custody procedures and whether additional evidence type samples
are required.
Sample Collection:
1. To the maximum extent achievable, as few people as possible should
handle the sample.
2. Stream and effluent samples shall be obtained, using standard field
sampling techniques.
3. Sample tags (Exhibit I) shall be securely attached to the sample
container at the time the complete sample is collected and shall
contain, at a minimum, the following information: station number,
station location, date taken, time taken, type of sample, sequence
number (first sample of the day - sequence Mo. 1, second sample -
sequence No. 2, etc.), analyses required and samplers. The tags
must be legibly filled out in ballpoint (waterproof ink).
-------
Chain of Custody Procedures (Continued)
Sample Collection (Continued)
4. Blank samples shall also be taken with preservatives which will
be analyzed by the laboratory to exclude the possibility of
container or preservative contamination.
5. A pre-printed, bound Field Data Record logbook shall be main-
tained to record field measurements and other pertinent infor-
mation necessary to refresh the sampler's memory in the event
he later takes the stand to testify regarding his action's
during the evidence gathering activity. A separate set of field
notebooks shall be maintained for each survey and stored in a
safe place where they could be protected and accounted for at
all times. Standard formats (Exhibits II and III) have been
established to minimize field entries and include the date, time,
survey, type of samples taken, volume of each sample, type of
analysis, sample numbers, preservatives, sample location and
field measurements such as temperature, conductivity, DO, pH,
flow and any other pertinent information or observations. The
entries shall be signed by the field sampler. The preparation
and conservation of the field logbooks during the survey will
be the responsibility of the survey coordinator. Once the
survey is complete, field logs will be retained by the survey
coordinator, or his designated representative, as a part of the
permanent record.
6. The field sampler is responsible for the care and custody of the
samples collected until properly dispatched to the receiving lab-
oratory or turned over to an assigned custodian. He must assure
that each container is in his physical possession or in his view
at all times, or locked in such a place and manner that no one can
tamper with it.
7. Colored slides or photographs should be taken which would visually
show the outfall sample location and any water pollution to sub-
stantiate any conclusions of the investigation. Written documenta-
tion on the back of the photo should include the signature of the
photographer, time, date and site location. Photographs of this
nature, which may be used as evidence, shall also be handled
recognizing Chain of Custody procedures to prevent alteration.
Transfer of Custody and Shipment:
1. Samples will be accompanied by a Chain of Custody Record which
includes the name of the survey, samplers signatures, station
number, station location, date, time, type of sample, sequence
number, number of containers and analyses required (Fig. IV).
When turning over the possession of samples, the transferor and
transferee will sign, date and time the sheet. This record sheet
-------
Chain of Custody Procedures (Continued)
allows transfer of custody of a group of samples in the field,
to the mobile laboratory or when samples are dispatched to the
NFIC - Denver laboratory. When transferring a portion of the
samples identified on the sheet to the field mobile laboratory,
the individual samples must be noted in the column with the
signature of the person relinquishing the samples. The field
laboratory person receiving the samples will acknowledge receipt
by signing in the appropriate column.
2. The field custodian or field sampler, if a custodian has not
been assigned, will have the responsibility of properly pack-
aging and dispatching samples to the proper laboratory for
analysis. The "Dispatch" portion of the Chain of Custody Record
shall be properly filled out, dated, and signed.
3. Samples will be properly packed in shipment containers such as
ice chests, to avoid breakage. The shipping containers will be
padlocked for shipment to the receiving laboratory.
4. All packages will be accompanied by the Chain of Custody Record
showing identification of the contents. The original will accom-
pany the shipment, and a copy will be retained by the survey
coordinator.
5. If sent by mail, register the package with return receipt request-
ed. If sent by common carrier, a Government Bill of Lading should
be obtained. Receipts from post offices and bills of lading will
be retained as part of the permanent Chain of Custody documentation.
6. If samples are delivered to the laboratory when appropriate person-
nel are not there to receive them, the samples must be locked in
a designated area within the laboratory in a manner so that no
one can tamper with them. The same person must then return to the
laboratory and unlock the samples and deliver custody to the
appropriate custodian.
Laboratory Custody Procedures:
1. The laboratory shall designate a "sample custodian." An alternate
will be designated in his absence. In addition, the laboratory
shall set aside a "sample storage security area." This should be
a clean, dry, isolated room which can be securely locked from the
outside.
2. All samples should be handled by the minimum possible number of
persons.
3. All incoming samples shall be received only by the custodian, who
will indicate receipt by signing the Chain of Custody Record Sheet
-------
Chain of Custody Procedures (Continued)
accompanying the samples and retaining the sheet as permanent
records. Couriers picking up samples at the airport, post
office, etc. shall sign jointly with the laboratory custodian.
4. Immediately upon receipt, the custodian will place the sample
in the sample room, which will be locked at all times except
when samples are removed or replaced by the custodian. To the
maximum extent possible, only the custodian should be permitted
in the sample room.
5. The custodian shall ensure that heat-sensitive or light-sensitive
samples, or other sample materials having unusual physical
characteristics, or requiring special handling, are properly
stored and maintained.
6. Only the custodian will distribute samples to personnel who are
to perform tests.
7. The analyst will record in his laboratory notebook or analytical
worksheet, identifying information describing the sample, the
procedures performed and the results of the testing. The notes
shall be dated and indicate who performed the tests. The notes
shall be retained as a permanent record in the laboratory and
should note any abnormalities which occurred during the testing
procedure. In the event that the person who performed the tests
is not available as a witness at time of trial, the government
may be able to introduce the notes in evidence under the Federal
Business Records Act.
8. Standard methods of laboratory analyses .shall be used as described
in the "Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for Analysis of
Pollutants," 38 F.R. 28758, October 16, 1973. If laboratory
personnel deviate from standard procedures, they should be prepared
to justify their decision during cross-examination.
9. Laboratory personnel are responsible for the care and custody of
the sample once it is handed over to them and should be prepared
to testify that the sample was in their possession and view or
secured in the laboratory at all times from the moment it was
received from the custodian until the tests were run.
10. Once the sample testing is completed, the unused portion of the
sample together with all identifying tags and laboratory records,
should be returned to the custodian. The returned tagged sample
will be retained in the sample room until it is required for trial.
Strip charts and other documentation of work will also be turned
over to the custodian.
-------
Chain of Custody Procedures (Continued)
11. Samples, tags and laboratory records of tests may be destroyed
only upon the order of the laboratory director, who will first
confer with the Chief, Enforcement Specialist Office, to make
certain that the information is no longer required or the samples
have deteriorated.
-------
EXHIBIT I
/
EPA, NATIONAL FIELD INVESTIGATIONS CENTER - DENVER
Station No. Date Time Sequence No.
Station Location
ROD Mnlale
Solids . Oil and Grease
con n o
Nutriente Other
Samplers:
\
-------
EXHIBIT II
FOR
SURVEY, PHASE.
DATE
TYPE OF SAMPLE.
ANALYSES REQUIRED
STATION
NUMBER
REMARKS
STATION DESCRIPTION
UJ
O
<
O
TYPE CONTAINER
•
PRESERVATIVE
NUTRIENTS . I
o
O
CO
O
8
a
to
2
/>
<
5
i SUSPENDED SOLIDS
| ALKALINITY
3
a
CONDUCTIVITY'
TEMPERATURE'
1 TOTAL COLIFORM
FECAl COIIFORM
TURBIDITY
UJ
\n
<
UJ
ee
O
0
<
5
METALS
J
<
a
•
PESTICIDES
03
a:
UJ
•
TRACE ORGANIC*
PHENOL
| CYANIDE |
-------
EXHIBIT III
Samplers:.
FIELD DATA RECORD
STATION
•
NUMBER
DATE
TIME
TEMPERATURE
•c
CONDUCTIVITY
/i mhos/cm
.
pH
S.U.
D.O.
mg/1
Gage Ht.
or Flow
Ft. or CFS
•
-------
EXHIBIT IV
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office Of Enforcement
NATIONAL FIELD INVESTIGATIONS CENTER-DENVER
Building 53, Box 25227, Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 60225
CHAIN OF CUSTODY RECORD
SURVEY
SIA1ION
NUMBER
S1A1ION IOCAMON
DAIE
Relinquished by. (s^noi^.j
Relinquished by: (S,s«jiur.j
Relinquished by: |s.ff~>rur.j
Relinquished by: fSi«naii>»j
Dispatched by: pipiarunj
Method of Shipment:
Date/
IIME
SAMPLERS: pig»at*n>
SAMPIE irpE
Walei
Comp
OlDb
An
"
SEO
NO
NO Of
COK1A1NERS
•
ANAIYSIS
REQUIRED
Received by: pignoivr>j
Received by: fSipnoiunj
Received by: /s-gnoiv.e;
Received by Mobile Laboratory for field
analysis: |i«,no/u>^
'Time
Received for Laboratory by:
Dale
Date
Dale
Date
Dale
/Time
/Time
/lime
/lime
/Time
Diil'ibulion: Orig - Accompany Shipmnnl
I Copy— Suivoy Coordinator Fiold Pilot
-------
Appendix C
CHEMICAL ANALYSES DATA
NEW MEXICO SURVEY
Feb. 26-Mar. 14, 1975
-------
CHEMICAL ANALYSES DATA
NEW MEXICO SURVEY
Feb. 26-Har. 14, 1975
Analyses Performed
Sample No.*
9001-30-0227
9001-30-0228
9001-30-0301
9003-30-0227
9C03-30-0228
9003-30-0301
9005-30-0227
9007-30-0227
9007-30-0828
9007-30-0301
9009-30-0227
9009-30-0228
9009-30-0301
9010-30-0227
9010-30-0228
9010-30-0301
9011-01-0227
9012-01-0226
9013-01-0226
9014-30-0228
9016-30-0227
9016-30-0228
9016-30-0301
9017-01-0226
9013-30-0227
9018-30-0228
9018-30-0301
9019-30-0228
9021-30-0223
9023-30-0304
9023-30-0305
Station Description
KM I-X TAILINGS BY-PASS
KM I-X TAILINGS BY-PASS
KM I-X TAILINGS By- PASS
KM SEC SOW MINE WATER
KM SEC 30W MINE WATER
KM SEC 30W MIME WATER
KM SEC 19 MINE WATER
KM SEC 35 MINE WATER
KM SEC 35 MINE WATER
KM SEC 35 MINE WATER
KM SEC 36 MINE WATER
KM SEC 36 MINE WATER
KM SEC 36 MINE WATER
KM SEC 36 MINE WATER
KM SEC 36 MIME WATER
KM SEC 36 MINE WATER
KM SEEPAGE BELOU T POND
KM POTABLE WATER SUP
KM SEC 35 WATER SUP
RE JOHNNY M MINE WATER
UNC I-X DISCHARGE
UNC I-X DISCHARGE
UNC I-X DISCHARGE
UNC POTABLE WATER SUP
UN-HP I-X DISCHARGE
UN-HP I-X DISCHARGE
UN-HP I-X DISCHARGE
UN- HP T PILE DECANT
ANAC INJ WELL FEED
UNC CHURCHROCK MIME D
UNC CHURCHROCK MINE D
Dis. Grosses
±95%CL
Dis. Ra-226
±95%C1
(pCi/1)
600
490
430
1300
1400
1400
72
3000
2400
2800
570
630
850
580
510
580
144000
510
3000
20
1600
2300
1400
1500
760
770
970
29000
62500
730
840
60
60
50
100
100
100
19
100
100
100
60
60
70
70
60
60
3000
60
150
10
100
100
100
100
70
70
70
1000
1300
60
70
149
148
157
174
161
154
9.3
32
52
69
113
178
101
59
72
65
65
0.54
43
1.6
14.3
39
39
23.5
111
101
in
52
53
19.8
22.9
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.02
1
0.1
0.4
1
1
0.5
2
2
1
1
1
0.5
0.5
Total U
(mg/1)
4.2
2.0
1.3
1.3
6.1
6.7
0.23
17
14
26
2.6
3.4
3.0
2.5
2.3
2.3
160
-
-
0.12
6.6
11
5.9
-
2.3
3.0
5.8
150
130
7.6
6.5
Sample numbers are presented by station number-sequence-date
-------
Sample No.
9023-30-0306
9023-01-0314
9024-01-0303
9025-30-0304
9025-30-0305
9025-30-0306
9026-01-0303
9036-01-0226
9035-01-0227
9036-01-0228
9038-01-0226
S038-01-0224
9038-01-0225
9040-01-0225
9050-01-0303
9050-01-0304
S050-01-0305
9052-01-0303
9052-01-0304
9052-01-0305
9054-01-0303
9054-01-0304
9054-01-0305
9060-01-0228
9062-01-0228
9064-01-0228
9065-01-0228
9068-01-0228
9080-01-0304
9081-01-0304
Station Description Date
UNC CHURCHROCK MINE D
UNC CHURCHROCK MINE D
UNC CHURCHROCK POTABLE WATER SUP
KM CHURCH30CK MINE DIS
KM CHURCHROCK MINE DIS
KM CHURCHROCK MINE DIS
KM CHURCHROCK H POTABLE WIS
PUERTECITO CK OS KM
PUERTECITO CK DS KM
PUERTECITO CK DS KM
PUERTECITO CK 9 RAN D PUERTO
PUERTECITO CK @ RAN D PUERTO
PUERTECITO CK I? RAN D PUERTO
SAM MATEO CK AT HWY 53
RIO PUERCO DS UN & KM
RIO PUERCO DS UN & KM
RIO PUERCO DS UN & KM
RIO PUERCO US WINGATE
RIO PUERCO US WINGATE
RIO PUERCO US WINGATE
RIO PUERCO PAGUATE
RIO HOQUINO
RIO PAGUATE @ JACKPILE FORD
RIO PAG @ PAG RES DIS
RIO SAN OOSE
KM SEC 36 3000 DRIFT
KM SEC 36 0900 DRIFT
A
Dis. GrosSo
870
3100
620
240
210
230
120
1700
1400
1400
1500
1100
750
1000
500
470
490
480
510
320
350
230
210
2.8
11.2
270
230
38
51
47
nalyses P
±95%CL Dis.
(pCi/1)
70
90
60
40
30
40
30
100
100
100
100
100
60
80
50
50
60
40
60
40
50
40
30
6.8
9.9
40
40
18
21
20
e r f o r
Ra-226
27.3
53
12.6
8.1
6.8
8.7
6.5
45
47
1
6.1
6.2
7.2
1.09
0.97
2.54
2.60
0.36
0.43
1.63
0.42
0.15
0.09
o.n
0.19
4.8
1.94
0.37
7.5
8.7
m e d
±95«C1
0.6
1
0.1
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.1
1
1
1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.03
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.02
0.04
0.05
0.01
O.C1
0.01
0.01
0.1
0.04
0.02
0.1
0.1
Total U
(mg/1 )
7.6
20
-
0.97
0.74
0.72
-
12
6.2
5.0
6.6
6.2
4.7
4.7
5.0
3.8
3.8
4.1
4.8
3.7
1.7
1.7
2.5
<.02
<.02
1.2
1.1
0.10
0.12
0.05
-------
Sample No. Station Description
9082-01-0305 UNC CHURCHROCK POT WS
@ SOWERS TR
9101-01-0224
9102-01-0224
9103-01-0225
9104-01-0225
9105-01-0225
9106-01-0225
9107-01-0225
9108-01-0225
9109-01-0225
9110-01-0225
9111-01-0225
9112-01-0225 GRANTS POTABLE
9113-01-0225
9114-01-0226
9115-01-0226
9116-01-0226
9117-01-0227 MONITOR, ANAC.
9118-01-0227
9119-01-0227
9120-01-0227
9121-01-0227
9123-01-0227
9123-01-0228
9124-01-0228
9125-01-0228
9126-01-0228
9127-01-0228
9128-01-0228
9129-01-0228
9130-01-0301
9131-01-0301
9132-01-0301
9133-01-0302
Dis. Grosses
Date
1110
9.
<3f
7
13
140
12
2500
47
39.
-------
Sample No. Station Description
9134-01-0303
9135-01-0303
9136-01-0303
9137-01-0303
9138-01-0303
9139-01-0305
9140-01-0305
9141-01-0305
9142-01-0305
9143-01-0305
9201-01-0226
9202-01-0226
9203-01-0226
9204-01-0226
9205-01-0225
9206-01-0226
9207-01-0227
9208-01-0227
9209-01-0227
9210-01-0227
9211-01-0227
9212-01-0303
9213-01-0303
9214-01-0303..
9215-01-0303TT
9216-01-0303
9217-01-0303
9218-01-0303
9219-01-0303
9220-01-0305
9221-01-0305
Dis. Grossa
Date
8
400
22
10
6
14
6
3
9
14
110
86
33
8
170
56
410
49
<2T
45
<3*
112000
8
14
104
45
70
20
67
12
17
Analyses P
+9556CL Dis
(pCi/1)
11
70
16
9
8
11
10
7
9
9
40
31
15
13
40
25
120
35
10
29
15
3000
32
34
37
25
38
24
42
10
10
e r f o
. Ra-2Z6
0.24
1.92
0.27
0.68
0.64
0.22
0.10
0.12
0.16
0.83
3.6
0.30
0.07
0.14
0.18
0.60
1.15
4.0
1.95
0.26
0.20
4.9
6.6
1.18
2.5
0.64
0.94
0.34
0.59
0.12
0.56
r m e d
±95%C1
0.01
0.04
0.02
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.04
0.1
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.1
0.04
0.02
0.01
0.1
0.1
0.03
0.2
0.02
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.02
Total U
(mg/1)
0.04
2.6
-
-
-
-
-
0.02
-
-
1.0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-------
Sample No.
9222-01-0305
9223-01-0305
9224-01-0305
9225-01-0305
9230-01-0228
9231-01-0228
9232-01-0228
9233-01-0228
t Minimum
tt Crocs a'i
Dis. Grosso
Station Description Date
2
4
24
12+
<2*
10
18
2
detectable concentration
Ipha sample used for radium determination
A n a 1 y s
±95«CL
9
9
12
15
6
10
13
4
e s P e r f o
Dis. Ra-226
(pCi/1)
0.57
0.37
0.13
0.29
0.31
1.7
3.7
0.18
r m e d
±95%C1
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.05
0.08
0.02
Total U
(mg/1)
w
-
-
_
_
.
0.02
0.04
-------
Sample No. Station Description
9011-30-0227
9012-01-0226
9013-01-0226
9017-01-0226
9019-38-0228
9021-30-0228
9024-01-0303
9026-01-0303
Analyses P
Date Cu Fe
mg/1
1.9 1,500
-
-
-
0.1 0.22
0.5 200
-
_ _
e r f o
As
1.1
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
3.0
0.15
<0.05
<0.05
r m e d
Co
0.94
-
-
-
0.10
0.62
-
_
-------
Sample No.
9001-30-0227
9001-30-0228
9001-30-0301
9003-30-0227
9003-30-0228
9003-30-0301
9005-30-0227
9007-30-0227
9007-30-0228
9007-30-0301
S009-30-0227
9009-30-0228
9009-30-0301
9010-30-0227
9010-30-0228
9010-30-0301
9011-30-0227
9012-01-0226
9013-01-0226
9014-30-0228
9016-30-0227
9016-30-0228
9016-30-0301
9017-01-0226
9018-30-0227
9018-30-0228
9018-30-0301
9019-30-0228
9021-30-0228
9023-30-0304
9023-30-0305
9023-30-0306
9023-01-0314
9024-01-0303
Station Description Date
KM I-X TAILINGS BYPASS
KM I-X TAILINGS BYPASS
KM I-X TAILINGS BYPASS
KM Sec 30W MINE WATER
KM Sec 30W MINE WATER
KM Sec SOW MINE WATER
KM Sec 19 MINE WATER
KM Sec 35 MINE WATER
KM Sec 35 MINE WATER
KM Sec 35 MINE WATER
KM Sec 36 MINE WATER
KM Sec 36 MINE WATER
KM Sec 36 MINE WATER
KM Sec 36E MINE WATER
KM Sec 36E MINE WATER
KM Sec 36E MINE WATER
KM SEEPAGE BELOW T POND
KM POTABLE WATER SUP
KM Sec 35 WATER SUP
RE JOHNNY M MINE WATER
UNC I-X DISCHARGE
UNC I-X DISCHARGE
UNC I-X DISCHARGE
UNC POTABLE WATER SUP
UN-HP I-X DISCHARGE
UN-HP I-X DISCHARGE
UN-HP I-X DISCHARGE
UN -HP T PILE DECANT
ANAC INJ WELL FEED
UNC CHURCHROCK MINE D
UNC CHURCHROCK MIME D
UNC CHURCHROCK MINE D
UNC CHURCHROCK MINE D
UNC CHURCHROCK POTABLE WATER SUP
Mo
2.5
2.3
2.4
2.8
2.6
2.6
0.6
5.2
5.0
4.7
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.5
0.3
11
3.3
8.2
0.3
4.4
4.4
4.4
6.0
1.3
1.5
1.3
70
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.2
1.9
Anal
Na
180
180
180
160
160
160
120
190
200
210
190
190
180
170
170
170
1,500
_
_
60
310
360
360
_
140
140
140
4,300
1,200
100
100
90
90
-
y s e s P e
Se
mg/1
0.06
0.03
0.07
0.03
0.04
0.03
<0.01
0.08
0.08
0.04
0.01
<0.01
0.01
<0.01
0.03
0.01
0.70
0.05
0.02
<0.01
0.11
0.12
0.02
0.11
0.33
0.33
0.30
0.92
0.03
0.06
0.06
<0.01
0.05
0.06
r f o
V
0.7
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.7
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.4
5.6
-
-
<0.3
<0.3
0.4
0.5
-
0.4
<0.3
0.5
6.8
6.3
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.7
-
r m e d
Mn
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.15
0.18
0.17
0.03
0.09
0.04
0.06
0.12
0.10
0.12
0.10
0.08
0.08
120
-
-
0.01
0.22
0.18
0.28
-
0.05
0.05
0.04
<0.01
340
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.18
-
-------
Sample No.
9025-30-0304
9025-30-0305
9025-30-0306
9026-01-0303
9036-01-0226
9036-01-0227
9036-01-0228
9038-01-0226
9033-01-0227
9038-01-0028
9040-01-0226
9050-01-0303
9050-01-0304
9050-01-0305
9052-01-0303
9052-01-0304
9052-01-0305
9054-01-0303
9054-01-0304
9054-01-0305
9060-01-0228
9062-01-0228
9064-01-0228
9066-01-0228
9068-01-0228
9080-01-0304
9081-01-0304
9082-01-0305
9101-01-0224
9102-01-0224
9103-01-0225
9104-01-0225
9105-01-0225
9106-01-0225
Station Description Date
KM CHURCHROCK MINE DIS
KM CHURCHROCK MINE DIS
KM CHURCHROCK MINE DIS
KM CHURCHROCK MINE POTABLE WATER SUP
PUERTECITO CK DS KM
PUERTECITO CK DS KM
PUERTECITO CK DS KM
PUERTECITO CK @ RAN d PUERTO
PUERTECITO CK (3 RAN d PUERTO
PUERTECITO CK @ RAN d PUERTO
SAN MATED CK 0 HWY 53
RIO PUERCO DS UN & KM
RIO PUERCO DS UN & KM
RIO PUERCO DS UN & KM
RIO PUERCO US WINGATE
RIO PUERCO US WINGATE
RIO PUERCO US WINGATE
RIO PUERCO (3 HWY 666
RIO PUERCO (3 HWY 666
RIO PUERCO (? HWY 666
RIO PAGUATE @ PAGUATE
RIO MOQUINO
RIO PAGUATE @ JACKPILE FORD
RIO PAG @ PAG RES DIS
RIO SAN JOSc'
KM Sec 36 3000 DRIFT
KM Sec 36 0900 DRIFT
UNC CHURCHROCK POT WS 9 SOWERS TR
G WILCOX - MURRAY ACRES
Mo
0.2
0.2
0.2
1.4
1.4
1.5
1.5
2.1
0.3
1.5
1.3
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.2
<0. 1
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.4
<0.1
Anal
Na
90
100
100
_
180
180
180
160
130
130
130
110
100
100
100
90
90
90
90
90
30
70
120
160
230
220
260
100
y s i s P
Se
mg/1
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.13
0.16
0.16
0.07
0.04
0.01
0.02
0.07
0.03
0.03
0.01
0.01
0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
0.05
<0.01
<0.01
0.01
<0.01
0.06
-
1.06
-
-
-
-
e r f o
V
0.7
0.8
0.9
-
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.5
1.9
0.8
<0.3
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.9
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.6
0.6
0.6
1.8
0.5
0.6
<0.3
<0.3
-------
Sample No. Station Description Date
9107-01-0225 C WORTHEN, BROADVIEW ACRES
9108-01-0225
9109-01-0225
9110-01-0225
9111-01-0225
9112-01-0225
9113-01-0226 C MEADOR - BROADVIEW ACRES
9114-01-0226
9115-01-0226
9116-01-0226
9117-01-0227
9118-01-0227
9119-01-0227
9120-01-0227
9121-01-0227
9122-01-0227
9123-01-0228
9124-01-0228
9125-01-0228
9126-01-0228
9127-01-0228
9128-01-0228
9129-01-0228
9130-01-0301
9131-01-0301
9132-01-0301 MARCUS WINDMILL
9133-01-0302
9134-01-0303
9135-01-0303 UNHP WELL P
9136-01-0303
9137-01-0303
9138-01-0303
9139-01-0305
9140-01-0305
Analysis P
Mo Na Se
mg/1
1.06
_
„
..
—
_
0.20
_
.
—
0.01
0.01
<0.01
0.01
0.01
.
0.01
—
.
_
_
—
0.02
_
—
0.13
_
<0.01
1.52
_
—
<0.01
_
<0.01
erformed
V Mn
0.3
_
w
—
—
_
0.3
—
„.
—
0.3
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.8
_
1.1
—
_
_
—
—
1.3
_
—
<0.3
_
1.3
0.4
.
—
<0.3
_
<0.3
-------
Sample No. Station Description Date
9141-01-0305
9142-01-0305
9143-01-0305
9201-01-0226
9202-01-0226
9203-01-0226
9204-01-0226
9205-01-0226
9206-01-0226
9207-01-0227
9208-01-0227 06 KM 43 14N, 9W Sec 32
9209-01-0227
9210-01-0227
9211-01-0227
9212-01-0303
9213-01-0303
9214-01-0303
9215-01-0303
9216-01-0303
9217-01-0303
9218-01-0303
9219-01-0303
9220-01-0305
9221-01-0305
9222-01-0305
9223-01-0305
9224-01-0305
9225-01-0305
9230-01-0228
9231-01-0228
9232-01-0228
9233-01-0228
Analysis P
Mo Na Se
mg/1
<0.01
<0.01
-
<0.01
-
-
-
-
-
<0.01
0.29
n.oi
-
<0.01
-
<0.01
0.02
<0.01
-
-
-
0.01
-
0.01
-
<0.01
-
-
<0.01
-
<0.01
<0.01
erformed
V Mn
<0.3
<0.3
-
<0.3
-
• -
-
-
-
0.4
0.8
<0.3
-
0.5
-
0.6
<0.3
<0.3
-
-
-
<0.3
-
<0.3
-
<0.3
-
-
<0.3
-
<0.3
0.3
-------
Sample No.
9001
9003
9005
9007
9009
9010
9011
9012
9013
9014
9016
9017
9018
Station Description
KERR-MCGEE I-X TAILINGS BYPASS
KERR-MCGEE Sec 30W MINE WATER
KERR-MCGEE Sec 19 MINE WATER
KERR-MCGEE Sec 35 MINE WATER
KERR-MCGEE Sec 36 W MINE MATER
KERR-MCGEE Sec 36 E MINE WATER
KERR-MCGEE SEEPAGE BELOW
TAILINGS POND
KERR-MCGEE POTABLE WATER SUPPLY
KERR-MCGEE Sec 35 WATER SUPPLY
RANCHERS EXPL JOHNNY M MINE
WATER
UNITED NUCLEAR CORP 1-X DISCHG
UNC POTABLE WATER SUPPLY
UNC-HP I-X DISCHARGE
Date
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
Mar. 1
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
Mar. 1
Feb. 27
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
Mar. 1
Feb. 25
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
Mar. 1
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
Mar. 1
Feb. 27
Feb. 27
Feb. 26
Feb. 26
Feb. 28
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
Mar. 1
Feb. 26
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
Mar. 1
TSS
_
16
31
29
26
23
17
16
-
120
93
86
_
36
44
33
-
32
29
27
COMP 38
GRAB 48
_
-
7
_
5
7
3
_
_
7
16
7
A n a 1 y
so4
.
_
_
_
-
_
_
_
-
-
-
_
_
.
13
13
13
-
14
17
14
2,200
2,200
.
-
6.1
_
_
_
_
.
.
_
-
-
s e s P e
Cl
mg/1
—
45
68
20
-
52
49
53
7.9
-
9.4
7.6
8.4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
15,000
16,000
-
-
-
-
190
200
190
-
-
49
49
49
r f o r
NH3f
0.06
0.06
0.05
-
0.19
0.21
0.18
-
0.13
0.11
0.15
0.06
-
0.07
0.04
0.04
-
0.04
0.03
1.8
-
-
460
0.13
0.18
-
0.07
0.04
0.01
-
0.08
0.05
0.06
0.10
-
m e d
N09 + NO™
0.88
0.79
0.90
-
1.3
1.2
0.94
-
1.4
0.22
0.39
0.44
-
0.30
0.21
0.26
-
0.34
0.26
0.28
-
-
16
1.0
0.32
-
0.28
0.07
0.06
-
0.06
2.1
2.1
2.2
-
t Crab Samples
-------
Sample No.
9019
9021
9023
9024
9025
9026
9036
9038
9040
9050
9052
9054
9068
9062
9064
9065
9068
Station Description
UNC-HP TAILINGS PILE DECANT
ANACONDA CO INJECTION WELL FEED
UN CHURCHROCK MINE DISCHARGE
UNC POTABLE WATER SUPPLY
KM CHURCHROCK MINE DISCHARGE
KM CHURCHROCK MINE POTABLE WS
PUERTECITO CREEK
PUERTECITO CREEK
SAN KATEO CREEK
RIO PUERCO
-------
Sample No. Station Description
Analyses Performed
Date IDS S04 Cl NH3 N02 + N03
mg/1
9101 MT TAYLOR MILL WORKS Feb. 24 780
OLD RTE 66
9102 G WILCOX - MURRAY ACRES Feb. 24 2,300
9103 Q CONNERLY - ZUNI TRAILER PARK Feb. 25 880
9104 T SIMPSON - MURRAY ACRES Feb. 25 1,400
9105 SCKVJAGERTY - MURRAY ACRES Feb. 25 1,300
9105 J PITMAN - BROADVIEW ACRES Feb. 25 1,300
9107 C WORTHEH - BROADVIEW ACRES Feb. 25 3,800
9108 PITflEY - MURRAY ACRES Feb. 25 2,200
9109 T A CHAPMAN - MURRAY ACRES Feb. 25 1,300
9110 1-X WATER HOLIDAY INN - GRANTS Feb. 25 430
9111 C&E CONCRETE - GRANTS Feb. 26 560
9112 GRANTS CITY HALL-CITY WATER SUP Feb. 26 730
9113 C MEADOR - BROADVIEW ACRES Feb. 26 1,600
9114 BELL - TRAILER PARK Feb. 26 970
9115 CO'JELL - SE OF ANACONDA Feb. 26 1,100
9116 MILAN WELL #1 CITY WATER Feb. 26 500
9117 ANACONDA - MONITOR WELL Feb. 27 2,300
9118 ANACONDA - WELL 2 Feb. 29 1,900
9119 ANACONDA - WELL 4 Feb. 27 880
9120 ANACONDA - MEXICAN CAMP Feb. 27 490
9121 ANACONDA - GERRYHILL Sec 5 Feb. 27 2,000
9122 ANACOtJDA - NORTH WELL Feb. 27 1,900
9123 ANACONDA - ENGINEERS1 WELL Feb. 28 960
9124 ANACONDA - BEPRYHILL HOUSE Feb. 28 940
9125 ANACONDA - LOS BLUEWATER Feb. 28 1,000
9126 ANACONDA - ROUNDY Feb. 28 1,100
9127 ANACONDA - FRED FREAS Feb. 28 540
9128 ANACONDA - LEROY CHAPMAN Feb. 28 490
9129 ANACONDA - JACK FREAS Feb. 28 780
9130 N MARQUEZ - HOUSE WELL Mar. 1 720
9131 C SAMDOVAL - WINDMILL Mar. 1 660
9132 N MARQUEZ - WINDMILL Mar. 1 2,200
9133 G EN1TART - GRANTS Mar. 2 1,600
25
180
33
37
46
39
260
110
9.5
55
30
32
120
34
6.2
14
11
270
42
10
4.2
4.2
61
65
12
110
18
18
54
4.8
27
'43
50
0.
0.
0.04
0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
0.01
.01
.01
0.01
0.05
0.02
0.01
<0.01
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.64
0.13
0.04
0.14
0.08
0.09
0.05
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.06
0.22
0.26
4.2
5.5
6.2
0.08
1.00
0.33
H
3.3
2.5
0.11
3.4
0.47
2.9
0.08
3.9
1.6
1.5
9.0
5.7
0.73
0.05
1.3
3.20
0.80
0.95
6.5
0.03
1.4
2.5
0.06
1.2
24
0.97
-------
Analyses Performed
Sample No
Station Description
Date
TDS S04 Cl NH3
N02 + N03
mg/1
9134
9135
9136
9137
9138
9139
9140
9141
9142
9143
9201
9202
9203
9204
9205
9206
9207
9208
9209
9210
9211
9212
9213
9214
9215
9216
9217
9218
9219
9220
9221
UN HP SUPPLY WELL 2
UN HP WELL D
UN HP SUPPLY WELL 1
ERWIN WELL - GALLUP
BOARDMAN TRAILER PARK - GALLUP
G HASSLER - GALLUP
DIXIE WELL - GALLUP
CHURCHROCK VILLAGE
WHITE WELL - GALLUP
TOGAY WELL - GALLUP
PHIL HARRIS (WILCOXSON) KM 46
COUNTY LINE STOCK TANK KM 52
NAVAHO WIND MILL KM 45
INGERSOLL RAND KM 49
BINGHAM (RAGLAND) KM 47
MARQUEZ (RAGLAND) KM 63
KM-S-12
KM- 43
KM-44
KM- 51
KM- 48
KM SEEPAGE RETURN
KM B-2
KM 36-2
KM 46
KM 47
KM 50
KM 51
KM 52
HAROGROUND FLATS WELL CRKM 2
E PUERCO R WELL CRKM 11
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
3
3
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
26
26
26
26
26
26
27
27
27
27
27
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
5
1,600
4,500
2,000
740
930
880
1,500
720
620
340
1,900
2,100
400
2,200
2,000
1,900
14,000
7,800
2,700
6,300
4,100
36,000
8,900
9,100
3,200
2,600
4,700
4,800
6,700
850
340
0.2
340
<0.2
14
<0.2
98
<0.2
0.5
630
14
23
56
6.8
36
40
34
3,100
38
17
44
31
3,100
3,400
1,700
100
74
470
61
1,300
0.2
14
0.03
1.0
0.07
0.09
0.50
0.02
0.30
0.50
0.01
0.02
0.14
0.06
0.02
0.05
0.04
0.05
0.50
NS
0.66
0.30
0.80
590
0.12
2.9
10
0.80
9.1
0.16
0.08
0.03
0.04
0.42
2.6
0.28
0.02
1.2
27
0.16
0.18
0.02
8.0
0.09
14
4.0
18
4.7
44
0.04
NS
11
79
1.3
12
0.25
8.0
2.0
2.6
16
0.40
1.3
0.28
14
-------
Sample No
Station Description
Date
Ana
1 y s e s
P e r f
TDS S04 Cl
NH
o r
3
m e
N02
d
+ N03
mg/1
9222
9223
9224
9225
9230
9231
9232
9233
PUERCO WELL CRKM 16
PIPELINE ROAD WELL CRK
NOSEROCK WELL CRKM 3
M 5
NORTHEAST PIPELINE WELL CRK M10
ANACONDA JACKPILE WELL
ANACONDA JACKPILE WELL
ANACONDA JACKPILE WELL
SHOP
PUGUATE MUNICIPAL WELL
4
P 10
- NEW
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
5
5
5
5
28
28
28
28
1,600
880
980
2,300
540
1,200
1,400
340
•<0
<0
<0
8.
•<0.
0.
0.
6.
.2
.2
.2
1
2
5
5
6
34
1.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
4
07
12
05
08
14
08
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
.01
.6
.03
.01
.05
.04
.05
.20
-------
Appendix D
SELENIUM
EPA WATER QUALITY CRITERIA 1972
-------
SELENIUM*
The toxicity of selenium resembles thai of arsenic and
can, if exposure is sufficient, cause death. Acute selenium
toxicity is characterized by nervousness, vomiting, cough,
dyspnea, convulsions, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hypo-
tension, and respiratory failure. Chronic exposure leads to
marked pallor, red staining of lingers, teeth and hair,
debility, depression, epistaxis, gastrointestinal disturbances,
dermatitis, and irritation of the nose and throat. Both
acute and chronic exposure can cause odor on the breath
similar to garlic (The Merck Index of Chemicals and Drugs
1958)."* The only documented case of selenium to.\ici(y
from a water source, uncomplicated with selenium in the
diet, concerned a three-month exposure to well water con-
taining 9 mg/l (Bcath I962)."1
Although previous evidence suggested that selenium was
carcinogenic (Ficzhugh ct al. 19H},"1 these observations
have not been borne out by subsequent data (Votganev
and Tschcnkes 1967)."' In recent years, selenium has
become recognized as a dietary essential in a number of
species (Schwarz I960,"1 Ncsheim and Scott 1961,'" Old-
field ct al. 1963'").
Elemental selenium is highly insoluble and requires oxi-
dation to sclenite or sclcnate before appreciable quantities
appear in water (Lalcin and Davidson 1967}.'" There is
evidence that this reaction is catalyzed by certain soil
bacteria (Olson I9G7).»«
No systematic investigation of the forms of selenium in
excessive concentrations in drinking water sources has been
carried out. However, from what is known of the solubilities
of the various compounds of selenium, the principal in-
organic compounds of selenium would be sclcnuc and
fclenaie. The ratio of their individual occurrences would
depend primarily on pH. Organic forms of selenium oc-
curred in sclcnifcrous soils and had sufficient mobility in
an aqueous environment to be preferentially absorbed over
Sclcnate in certain plants (Hamilton, and Death I9GI)."4
However, the extent to which these compounds might occur
in source waters is essentially unknown. Toxicologic exami-
nation of plant sources of selenium revealed that selenium
present in selcnifcrous grains was more toxic than inorganic
selenium added to the diet (Franke and Potter 1935)."'
Intake of selenium from foods in selcnifcrous areas (Smith
1941),J4! may range from 600 to 6,340 /ig/day, which ap-
proach estimated levels related to symptoms of selenium
toxicity in man based on urine samples (Smith et al.
1936,"' Smith and West/all 1937'"). If data on selenium
in foods (Morris and Levander 1970)'" are applied to the
average consumption of foods (U.S. Department of Agri-
culture, Agriculture Research Service, Consumer and Food
Economics Research Division 1967),111 the normal dietary
intake of selenium is about 200 fig/day.
If it is assumed chat two liters of water are ingested per
day, a 0.01 mg/I concentration of total selenium would
increase the normal total dietary intake by 10 per cent
(20 jig/day). Considering the range of selenium in food
associated with symptoms of toxicity in man, this would
provide a safety factor of from 2.7 to 29. A serious weakness
in these calculations is that their validity depends on an
assumption of equivalent toxicity of selenium in food and
•water, in spite of the fact that a considerable portion of
selenium associated with plants is in an organic form.
Adequate lexicological data that specifically examine the
organic and the inorganic selenium compounds are not
available.
Recommendation
Because the denned treatment process has little
or no effect on removing selenium, and because
there is a lack of data on its toxic effects on humani
when ingested in water, It is recommended tJiat
public water supply sources contain no more than
0.01 ing/1 selenium.
Hater Quality Criteria, 2972, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
------- |