INDUSTRIAL WASTE SURVEY
CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY
Keene, New Hampshire
September 26 - 27, 1972
At the request of the Enforcement Branch, and with the permission of
Mr. L. W. Hewitt, Plant Manager, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region I personnel collected samples of the plating operation waste water
discharge of Central Screw Company, Mill Brook, and the Ashuelot River on
September 26 and 27, 1972. The main objective of this survey was to study
the effect of the waste water discharge upon the receiving water and the
Ashuelot River for a possible enforcement action against the company under
Section 13 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899 (USC 33 §§ 407).
Central Screw Company
Personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency, -Region I interviewed
Mr. L. W. Hewitt, Plant Manager of Central Screw Company, on two occassions:
June 29, 1972 during a reconnaissance survey conducted by personnel of the
Enforcement Branch, and September 26, 1972, the date of the sampling survey.
These discussions concerned the nature of the production process and the
waste water discharge to Mill Brook.
Central Screw Company produces metal screws and special fasteners made of
steel, stainless steel, and copper-base alloys. The plant operates twenty
hours per day, five days per week, and employs about 200 persons. Steel is
w
used at the rate of approximately 14,000 pounds per day.
A wax-base lubricating oil''is used in the screw-making process to reduce
wear on the machine. This oil is recycled until it becomes too dirty for reuse,
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The spent oil is stored in a 2,000 gallon tank until it is hauled by truck
to the municipal sanitary landfill.
Most of the waste comes from the plating process operation which
consists of cleaning, zinc and cadmium baths, and nickel, copper and
chromium plating. There are six constant over—flow water—rinse baths plus
a centrifugal water rinse all of which produce a constant waste water flow
and two alkaline degreasing baths which are dumped periodically (approximately
every two weeks). Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the plating process
operation.
Dye studies performed on September 27, 1972 revealed that waste water
from the various baths is collected in floor raceways and transmitted via a
clay pipe for approximately 1,000 feet to.Nill Brook. Neither the town nor
Mr. Hewitt know of any other tie—ins to this pipe.
A possible air pollution problem is produced by the heat treating
carbonitriding and case hardening operation. This finishing process consists
of a recycled quench which is kept cool by circulating water through cooling
coils. The water leaving the heat exchanger is discharged uncontaminated to
the plating rinse baths at about 80°F. However, this process, also known as
“gas cyaniding” may have toxic emissions to the atmosphere. The cyanide salts
carried over from the plating operation decompose into carbonates. If these
carbonates are carried into the atmosphere, they can combine with atmospheric
moisture to form toxic compounds. Heat treat furnances are major sources of
cytTInldo, nitro cn oxides, carbon monoxide, and metallic oxide emiosiona.
Sampling Information
Only the waste water from the plating room was sampled. This sampling
point, Station CSC1, was located inside the building at a junction box before
2
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ALKALINE DEGREASING
C ,)
C)
I
z
C)
m
-I
0
TI
I-
0
0
C.)
rn
JUNCTION BOX (STATION CsCi)
REVERSE CURRENT
ELECTROLYTIC CLEANER
RINSE
ACID
RINSE I
RINSE 2
RINSE 3
RINSE 4
ZINC CHLORIDE (ACID)1
ZINC CYANIDE I
ZINC CYANIDE 2
CADMIUM CYANIDE I
CADMIUM CYANIDE 2
CADMIUM CYANIDE 3
CADMIUM CYANIDE 4
RINSE
1 CENTRIFUGAL RINSE
NICKEL PLATING
COPPER PLATING
ECHROMIUM ELECTROPLATING J I
FINISHING OPERATIONS
CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY
PLATING PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
FIGURE 1
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the waste entered the clay pipe. Approximately 400 gallons per day of
boiler water enters this pipe between the junction box and the outfall to
Mill Brook; this boiler water was not sampled. Samples were collected at
Station CSC1 approximately every one—half hour for four hours and composited
proportionate to flow. The effluent flow rate was calculated on the basis
of measurements taken in the junction box. Grab samples were also collected
at this location. In addition, grab samples were collected in Mill Brook
upstream (MBO 1) and downstream (MBO 2) from the outfall, and in the
Ashuelot River upstream (ASR 1) and downstream (ASR 2) from its confluence
with Mill Brook. Table 1 describes the sampling stations. Figure 2 is a
sketch of the general area 8howing all sampling locations.
All samples were collected, preserved, and analyzed according to
“ EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, 1971. ”
The EPA Region I chain of custody record system was used Lo insure
the integrity of the samples. Analyses were performed at the New. England
Regional Laboratory in Needhaau, Massachusetts.
Results
Table 2 summarizes the results of the laboratory analyses. Some dilution
of the plating room effluent by boiler water occurs in the clay’pipe which
lowers the concentrations of this effluent as it enters the river. However,
the quantity of pollutants discharged by the company remains the same.
Based upon measurements made at the time of sampling, the average plating
room dischărg i rate was in xcess of 229,000 gpd (gallons per twenty hour
operating day); this is more than twice the rate reported in the Army Corps of
Engineer’s Refuse Act Permit Application.
3
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TABLE 1
SAMPLING STATION IDENTIFICATION
STATION LATITUDE LONGITUDE
0 0
CSC1 42 55 49 72 17 02 Plating room discharge—inside building
MBO1 42 55 48 72 17 16 Miii Brook—lO yards upstreatu of outfall
MBO2 42 55 43 72 17 14 Mill Brook—50 yards upstream of confluence
with Ashuelot River
ASR1 42 55 40 72 171. 20 Ashuelot River-upstream of Mill Brook
ASR2 42 55 37 72 17 14 Ashuelot River—downstream of Mill Brook
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CsC I
AL
CENTRAL
SCREW
KEENE, N.H.
COMPANY
FIGURE 2
/
SHOPPING CENTER
— GAS STATIONS
tI
MB 01
B + M RAILROAD
SCREW COMPANY
000
YARDS
ISLAND ST.
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The components of the plating room waste water were present in
concentrations so as to create the following pollutlonal load on
Mill Brook:
River Loading River Loading
Indicated by Grab Samples Indicated by Composite
Parameter Analyses Sample Analyses
( Pounds/20 hour day) ( Pounds/20 hour day )
Cyanide 117 3 70
Oil and Grease 73 —
Suspended Solids 52 55.5
Total Phosphorus 3.5 12.0
Code: J indicates an estimated value
Six gallons of muriatic acid were dumped at 1755 hours. Between 1515
hour to 1755 hours, the pH of the effluent (Station CSC 1) varied from 9.0
to 1.4 S. U. The composited sample had a pH of 3.0 S. U. The wide range in
pH is indicative of the variable nature of the waste iater.
The total waste from all operations, including sink wash water possibly
containing phosphates and boiler water should create greater pollutional
loadings than those tabulated above. Heavy metals analyses of samples
collected from the plating room effluent, Mill Brook, and the Ashuelot River,
when completed, will be incorporated as an addendum.
Impact on Receiving Water (Mill Brook) and the Ashuelot River
Between Stations NBO1 •and MBO2, Mill Brook showed a marked increase in
total phosphorus, oil and grease, and cyanide concentrations. This is the
reach into which Central Screw Company discharges its wastes. The Ashuelot
River showed similar increases between the Island Street bridge (Station
4
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ASR 1) and the Route 10 bridge (Station ASR 2). Miii Brook forms its
confluence with the A8hueiot River in this reach.
Based upon analysis of the composite sample collected at Station CSC 1,
Central Screw Company discharges approximately 70 pounds of cyanide per
operating day to Mill Brook increasing the cyanide concentration from an
average 0.089 milligrams per liter (mg/i) upstream at Station MBO1 to an
average 12.4 mg/i downstream at Station MBO2. In the Ashuelot River, the
cyanide concentration Increases from almost neglble (.002 mg/i average)
above its confluence with Mill Brook (ASR 1) to an average 1.83 mg/i below
its confluence (ASR 2).
The cyanide concentrations found In the discharge and both rivers down-
stream from Central Screw Company are lethal to fish and other aquatic life and
may be lethal to humans. A twenty—four hour TLm (mean tolerance limit) for
perch is reported to be 0.069 mg/i, while the death of all perch occurred at
0.10 mg/i of cyanide. Concentrations of 0.10 to 0.15mg/i f cyani de are toxic
to trout. The maximum safe total ingestion by humans has been estimated at
something less than 18 mg/day, part of which would come from the normal environ-
ment.
Cyanide is a true protoplasmic poison, combining in the tissues and thereby
preventing cellular oxidation and causing death through asphyxia. The toxicity
of hydrogen cyanide (flio8t cyanide in water is in the form of hydrogen cyanide)
is increased in a low pH environment, such as the plating room effluent.
Certain metals, such as zinc and cadmium, may complex with cyanide to increase
toxicity. There is presumptive evidence indicating the presence of both metals.
Central Screw Company also discharges twelve pounds of phosphorus per
operating day (based on composite sample analyses) increasing the phosphorus
concentration in Mill Brook from an average 0.26 mg/i upstream of the discharge
5
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(MBO1) to an average 1.56 mg/i downstream of the discharge (MBO 2).
The phosphorus concentration on the Ashuelot River similarly increases
from an average 0.05 mg/i above its confluence with Miii Brook to 0.15 mg/i
below its confluence. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for the growth of
aquatic organisms including algae. An overabundance or imbalance of this
nutrient can lead to eutrophication of water bodies.
More than 70 pounds per day of oil and grease is also discharged by
Central Screw Company. While collecting sediment samples, the sampling
crew noted that an oily sludge layer approximately three feet thick exists
in Mill Brook. A similar layer, approximately one foot thick, exists in the
Ashuelot River below its confluence with Mill Brook. Other discharges
containing oil and grease are suspected in Mill Brook upstream of the
Central Screw Company discharge. Also, whereas various types of weed growth
were observed in the Ashuelot River upstream of its confluence w4 th
Mill Brook, a complete absence of aquatic growth was noted below the arnfluence.
The Central Screw Company discharge also produces a suspended solids
loading rate, based on composite sample analysis, of 55.5 pounds per twenty
hour operating day. -Because of the plating room suspended solids discharge,
fish propagation may be diminished. Suspended solids are inimical to aquatic
life by causing abrasive injuries; by clogging the gills; and by blanketing
the bottom which smothers spawning beds, eggs, young, and food organisms.
Fish may be so weakened that the abrasive and clogging action of suspended
solids become more effective and dangerous, and even lethal in the presence of
even flow concentrations of toxic substances, such as cyanide.
6
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SMIPLE ANALYSES
ABBREVIATIONS & UNITS OF MEASURE
Analysis Reported Description Units of Measure
Temp temperature degrees Centigrade (0C)
pH hydrogen ion standard unite (S.U.)
concentration
Probe D.O. dissolved oxygen milligrams/iiter(mg/l)
Total NFR total suspended solids. mg/l
Turbidity Jackpon Turbidity Units(J.T.U.)
Total P total phosphorus mg/i as phosphorus
Oil and Grease mg/i as Hexane extractables
Cyanide mg/i as CN
Total Coliforms total coliform bacteria per 100 Milliliters
Fecal Coliforma fecal coliform bacteria per 100 Milliliters
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Tkt2
CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY
SEPTEMBER 26, 1972
LABORATORY ANALYSES
DEPTH T MP PROBE D.O.
(Ft) ( C) (ińg/1)
Field
pH Total NFR
(s.u.) ( ng/l)
Composite from
1 )pH ranged from
11420-1755 hours
Code: J—estimated value
STATION TIME LAB CODE
CSC1 Composite* 1
11420
1530
1700
MBO1 114145
1600
1715
MBO2 114%
1610
17140
1510
1630
1755
ASR2 11420
15145
1715
358143
358140
358141
358142
3581414
358145
358146
35814?
358t 8
358149
35850
35851
35852
35853
358514
35855
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.6
0.5
0.5
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
19.5
20
20
19.5
17.0
18.5
21.5
21 .5
22.5
15.0
15.0
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
5.14
6.6
5.6
5.14
5.2
8.8
9.2
9.1
9.3
TURBIDITY
Total P
OIL &
GREASE
CYANIDE
(J.T.U)
(mg/i)
(mg/i)
(mg/i)
DISCHARGE
3.0 - 29.1
8.3
6.30
-
J36.6
5.0 28.1
18.0
1.314
33.8
71.3
6.5 143.5
21.0
3.20
38.2
-
7.5 11.2
7.2
0.96 142.8
51.8
NILL BROOK
28.0
0.16
-
30.2
.013
7.0 20.6
6.0 26.14
27.0
0.18
36.3
-
6.0 146.3
36.0
0.1414
38.5
.165
7.2 15.14
12
1.140
142.5
10.14
9.1 10.9
13
2.20
50.7
-
7.8 114.0
16.0
1.08
1 41i.9
114.14
ASHIJELOT RIVER
2.1
0.06
141.5
.0014
6.14 1.6
5.9 1.5
2.3
0.014
1414.0
-
5.9 1.9
2.3
0.014
37.2
.000
6.2 16.2
5.5
0.18
36.9
1.72
6.3 2.14
3.14
0.114
28.6
-
6.1. 2.8
14.14
0.12
59.14
1.914
9.0 © 1515 hours to 1.14 @ 1755 hours
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
•TO
A. 4'N OFt
SUOJECTi
TO-
IAS
Addendum to Central Screw Company
Industrial Waste Survey, September 26 - 27, 1972
Thomas W. Devine, Chief
Technical Operations Section
DATE, November 20, 1972
Enclosed is the addendum to our Central Screw Company survey
sent to your office on November 13, 1972.' Metals analyses indicates
a more substantial menace exists toward aquatic life and to other
animals than that postulated in the original report.
D. H. Stonefield
Enclosure
EPA Form 1320-6 (11.71)
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ADDENDUM
INDUSTRIAL WASTE SURVEY
CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY
KEENE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
SEPTEMBER 26 — 27, 1972
Water and sediment samples were collected for metals analyses
(copper, cadmium, zinc, chromium and nickel) from the Central Screw
Company plating room effluent, Mill Brook, and the Ashuelot River.
The results of the laboratory analyses are given in Table 1 and the
calculated waste loadings are given in Table 2.
The plant effluent significantly increased the copper, cadmium,
zinc and nickel concentrations in Mill Brook which in turn significantly
increased the concentration in the Ashuelot River. The sediment heavy
meta].sconcentratior in the Ashuelot River similarly increased from
upstream of its confluence with Mill Brook to downstream of it.
The metals analyses of water samples indicate that a more significant
health hazard, exists toward aquatic life as well as humans than that
postulated in the original report. For example, toxicity increases because
zinc, copper and cadmium act synergistically with each other and cyanide
to form complex cyanide salts.
Concentrations of zinc as low as 100 micrograms per liter (ugh)
have been reported lethal toward fish. The zinc concentration in the
Ashuelot River downstream of the confluence with Mill Brook (Station
ASR2) averaged 363 ug/l. Copper and cadmium in concentrations less than
those found in the Ashuelot River (ASR2), either acting alone or through
interaction with each other and zinc, are also toxic toward fish; the
threshold concentration for fish of copper is 20 ug/l and that of cadmium
is 30 ug/l. Each of the heavy metals found in the effluent from Central
Screw Company produces a substantial menace to aquatic life and to
humans as well.
Analysis of the Ashuelot River sediments indicates that the Central
Screw waste metals are settling out in the river. The sediment metals are
toxic to benthic organisms which are food for higher aquatic animals such
as fish. These sediments can be resuspended during high flow periods.
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TABLE 1
METALS ANALYSES
WATER SAMPLES
Station Time Lab Code Depth Copper Cadiinum Chromium Zinc Nickel
(Feet) (ugh) (ugh) (ugh) (ugh) (ugh)
CSC1 Composite 35843 1.0 1070 10500 1500 17300 4900
1420 35840 1.0 1010 23750 78 6500 1500
1530 35841 1.0 630 3180 4500 308 21500
1700 35842 1.0 1070 18000 660 6100 920
oi 1445 35844 1.0 10 44 79 336 0
1600 35845 1.0 34 24 328 322 10
1715 35846 1.0 58 220 388 432 36
MBO2 1445 35847 0.6 430 1980 29 3350 1850
1610 35848 0.5 610 3360 40.4 332 600
1740 35849 0.5 340 2200 30 3920 2100
ASR1 1510 35850 1.0 0 0 4.6 12.6 0
1630 35851 1.0 0 0 4.6 10.6 0
1755 35852 1.0 2 0 6 - 21.4 5
ASR2 1420 35853 1.0 33 220 4.6 334 94
1545 35854 1.0 37 172 68 394 120
1715 35855 1.0 23 154 13.6 328 60
SEDIMENT SAMPLES
Copper Cadmium Chromium Zinc Nickel
(ugig) (ug/g) (ug/g) (ugig) (ug/g)
ASRI. 1510 35850 Seidment 13.47 2.2 599 42.9 10.96
ASR2 1420 35853 Sediment 39.90 99.76 96.76 389.0 42.90
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TABLE 2
LOADING RATES
CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY EFFLUENT
Mean Grab Sample Composite Sample
Loading Loading
(Pounds per day) (Pounds per day)
Copper 1.7 2.0
Cadmium 28.6 20.1
ChromIum 3.3 2.9
ZInc 8.2 33.0
Nickel 15.2 9.4
Basis: Calculated mean effluent flow rate = 229,000 gallons per 20 hour
operating day
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