I :r r3 0 I I. S rvej1]ry cQ & A : ‘i POTATO SERVICE, INC., SURVEY NOVEMBER 6 — 12, 1974 DECEMBER, 1974 REPORT OP DATA U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION I SURVEILLANCE AND ANALYSIS DIVISION NEEDHAM HEIGHTS, MASSACHUSETTS 02194 ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number Introduction 1 Description of Plant 1 Waste Treatment System 2 Sampling Program 3 Results 4 Discussion 5 ------- LIST OF TABLES Table Title 1 Abbreviations used in the Report 2 General Information — Sampling Locations 3 Field and Laboratory Analysis Results — PSIO1 4 Field and Laboratory Analysis Results — PSIO2 5 Field and Laboratory Analysis Results — PSIO3 6 Maximum, Minimum, and Average for PSIO1, PSIO2, and PSIO3 7 BOD 5 Data From Other Surveys Final Effluent (PSIO3) ------- LIST OF FIGURES Figures Title 1 Potato Service, Inc., Waste Treatment Facility ------- LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix Title 1 Potato Service, Inc., Permit ------- INTRODUCTION Enforcement Branch requested that Surveillance and Analysis Division do an industrial waste survey on Potato Service, Inc. , located in Presque Isle, Maine. This request was based on the fact that Potato Service’s self—monitoring data sho 7ed them in violation of their permit limitations. Surveillance and Analysis Division did an industrial waste survey for possible civil action during the month of November, 1974, at which time Potato Service was in full operation. DESCRIPTION OF PLANT Potato Service, Inc., located in Presque Isle, !laine, processes raw potatoes into french—fried potato products. The plant has a process capacity of 1,200 tons of raw potatoes per 24—hour day and operates six days per week. Rau potatoes, received from the surrounding farms, are stored in huge bins located on the premises. The potatoes are removed from the bins by water jets and floated to a scrubber which washes the dirt from the potatoes. After the potatoes are peeled with the help of a caustic solution, they go to the automatic slicers. From the slicers, they go to a blanching bath and then to the friers. From the friers, they travel to a quick freeze operation and on to the packaging end of the process. All waste waters that are generated from the washing, peeling, cutting, blanching, and freezing of the potato products are collected and sent to the uaste treatment system. ------- 2 WASTE TREATflENT SYSTEtI The treatment system is an extended aeration system designed for 95 percent BOD 5 removal and a maximum flow of 7.1 8 m 3 /min (2.88 MCD). The water from the transportation and washing of the potatoes passes through a mud clarifier prior to the aeration ponds. The balance of process water flows through a 30.48 meter (100 foot) diameter primary clarifier prior to the aeration ponds. The sludge generated from the clarifiers is drawn off to a vacuum filter, dewatered and trucked off to another plant for by—product recovery. The filtrate from the vacuum filters is introduced into the flow going to the aeration ponds. From the clarifiers the waste passes to the aeration ponds. The detention time in the two ponds is approximately 3.5 to 4.0 days. From the aeration ponds the waste enters two secondary clarifiers , and from these into a series of three polishing ponds. The sludge from the secondary clarifiers is returned to the aeration ponds. The final effluent goes into the Aroostook River. The treatment system also has two aerobic digesting ponds with a 5072 cubic meters (1.34 MC) holding capacity. The sludge return rate to the aeration ponds is approximately 50 percent of the incoming flo .v. Potato Service, Inc., was to start up the above described treatment in April, 1974, and was to reach the one pound of BOD 5 per one ton of raw potato processed limitation in their permit by October 1, 1975. While Potato Service, Inc., was able to start plant operation on schedule, they have been plagued with mechanical problems. The original design called for a total of eight 150—horsepower floating aerators, four in each pond. These aerators experienced ------- 3 continuous mechanical failure. Due to these failures, the aeration ponds remained anaerobic, producing little, if any, effective treatment. This anaerobic condition was witnessed by S & A personnel in mid—October during a pre—survey visit. Potato Service, Inc., after discussions with the manufacturer of the aerators, was able to replace each 150- hp aerator with two 75-hp aerators. This replacement period began the last week in October and ended the middle of November, according to Mr. Ellis Fongemie. As more 75—hp aerators were installed, the dissolved oxygen level in the ponds began to rise, as indicated by the monitoring data taken by the mill. According to the company. about November 1, the Number 1 aeration pond turned aerobic. The S & A survey began November 6. During the period of time S & A personnel were saripling Potato Service, Inc., Aeration Pond 1 was aerobic and Aeration Pond 1A was still anaerobic. At this time, Potato Service, Inc., was in the process of installing the aerators in Aeration Pond IA. In phone conversations with Potato Service, Inc., personnel since the survey, it was found that Pond 1A has also turned aerobic. During the pre—survey visit, it was also observed that Potato Service, Inc., was constructing a building over the secondary clarifier to stop the surface ice crusting on the clarifier. SA}fPLI G PflOGP.A I A sampling program was set up to monitor the influent to the treatment plant, near the effluent of the aeration ponds, and the final effluent to the river. These stations were lab led PSIO1, P Ifl2, and PSIO3, respectively. These three scations were to give data on which the efficiency of the treatment plant could be evaluated. ------- 4 The Enviroruaental Protection Agency, Region I ’s standard chain of custody procedures were used in the collection and shipping of all samples. All samples that were taken during the Potato Service, Inc., survey were analyzed at the mobile laboratory or shipped to the New England Regional Laboratory at : eedharn, !tassachusctts. The survey was to run for three consecutive 24-hour periods, giving a number of grab samples at each station along with the three 24—hour composites of the influent and effluent. Due to inoperative samplers and early plant shutdoun, the sampling program was mod .fied accordingly (see Table 2) to reflect the c nge in conditions. In addition to determining treatment plant efficiency, an effort was made to determine phosphorus levels. RES TJLTS The results of the November 6 survey are in tabular form (see Tables 3, 4, and 5), however, certain points of interest should be brought forth. BOD 5 was the only parameter in violation of the permit. Data shous phosphorus level was well below the permitted lir itation. Although Potato Service, Inc., does not have a coliforrn imitation until October 1, 1975, the data obtained shows Potato Service, Inc., l2. times above their permitted level. (See Table 5.) ------- 5 DIS CUSSIOU After evaluating data collected during the November 6 survey and other data collected by 1aine’s Department of Environmental Protection and Potato Services, Inc., prior to and following the S & A survey, it Is apparent that Potato Service, htc., Is finally approaching compliance with the limitations in their pernit. Data collected during the S & A survey represents the conditions which then existed at the plant. During the survey period, one lagoon was anaerobic. Since Potato Service, Inc., has installed 75—hp aerators, both lagoons are reportedly aerobic and the effluent Is meeting the permit conditions (see Table 7). BOD 5 data (see Tables 3 and 5) shows that overall plant BOD removal efficiency during the survey period was 91.3 percent. Review of past and present BOD data available (see Table 7), shows that Potato Service, Inc., has had a 97 percent reduction In BOD 5 loading to the river from mid— October to the first week in December. This reduction can be linked to the change from the anaerobic to the aerobic conditions in the ponds. tThile S & A personnel were conducting the survey, processing data from the plant showed that they were 28 percent below their permitted level for processing. Phosphorus concentrations discharging to the river were found to be well below the permitted level. Within the accuracy of the analytical pro cdures used, all phosphorus found was in inorganic form. Since only inorganic forms of phosphorus were found, toxicity to humans should not be a problem at the levels found. ------- 6 In conclusion, the results of the survey conducted during the period of November 6 — 12, 1974, presents the treatment facility operation during the transition period. Recent sa’iples (see Table 7) collected by the !laine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the mill indicate compliance with the permit. ------- TABLE 1 ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE REPORT ABBREVIATION Temp ph DO Comp MCD rn 3 /min BOD 5 Nonfilterab le Residue MLSS Total Vol Fixed Total P Colif arms Total Fecal SVI Set t leab le Solids DESCRIPTION temperature of sample field pH dissolved oxygen composite sample million gallons per day cubic meters per minute 5 day biochemical oxygen demand incubated at 20CC suspended sol.ids mixed liquor suspended solids total suspended solids loss on ignition at 600°C (organic) remaining after ignition at 600°C (inorganic) total Phosphorus total kjeldahl Nitrogen co].if arm bacteria total coliform bacteria fecal coliform bacteria sludge volume index amount of solids settled in one hour in 1—liter imhof cone UNITS OF MEASURE degrees centigrade, (°C) standard units, (SU) milligrams per liter, mg/i million gallons per day mg / 1 mg / 1 mg /1 ing/ 1 mg / 1 as Phosphorus as Nitrogen number per one hundred milliliters of sample number per one hundred milliliters of sample mg/ 1 mg / 1 tng /1 ml / 1 ------- TABLE 1 (cONT.) ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE REPORT Symbols preceding a report value denote the following: J = estimated, value not accurate K = less than L = greater than R = results not reported = no sample collected S = not present in measureable amounts ------- TABLE 2 GENERAL INFORNAT ION — SMIPLING LOCATIONS Location Station Latit:ide Longitude Station Number ‘ “ 0 ‘ “ Description No. of Grabs 24—hr. Composite 12—hr. Composite PSIO1 46 41 54 67 59 13 Influent to 6 1 1 . 106/74 1230 hrs. 11/08/74 1200 hrs. primary clarifier 11/07/74 1130 hrs.* 11/08/74 2300 hrs. 11/07/74 1200 hrs. 11/08/74 1100 hrs. 11/11/74 1235 hrs. 11/12/74 1135 hrs. PSIO2 46 41 54 67 59 08 Aeration ponds 7 0 0 PSIO3 46 41 54 67 59 01 Final effluent 9 11/08/74 0900 hrs. to river 11/09/74 0800 hrs. 0 11/11/74 1000 hrs. 11/12/74 0900 hrs. *Chajn of custody broken. ------- TABLE 3 POTATO SERVICE, INC. SURVEY POTATO SERVICE, INC. FIELD AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS RESULTS PSIOl NOVEMBER, 1974 Phosphorus ilydro and Nonfilterable O11fo s Settleab Temp. p11 DO BODç Total Ortho TKN Residue (m911) Fecal Total So1ic! Date Time °C SU mg/i mg/I mg/i mg/i mg/i TotaL Vol. Fixed No./].O Otnl - No./lOOml ml. ’i 06 1255 31.0 6.4 1900 121 128 990 780 210 L 5O,OOO L1x10 6 07 1030 30.0 7.0 KO.5 2600 29.7 -——— 2400 920 1500 2.0x10 6 60x10 6 350 Comp ———— ——— 3800 19.8 19.8 39.4 2200 1800 390 1210 33.0 69 K0.5 2200 18.8 15.7. ———— 610 390 210 2.6x10 6 71x 10 6 300 08 1220 33.0 6.4 K0.5 2200 9.4 9.O 1700 1400 280 800,000 27x10 6 25 Comp 5.5 3700 3O.4 .31.5 J45.5 4900 4400 490 ———— 1310 23 7.fl KO.5 2400 25.3 23.3 ———— 1200 1000 220 2.0x10 6 63x10 6 28 09 Comp 2800 - (U hr .) - 11 1025 30 7.7 2600 30.7 29.2 /———— 500 390 110 1.8x10 6 58x10 6 17 12 0625 ——— 1700 22.1 22.0 1000 900 110 3.6x10 6 64x10 6 21 Comp 6.8 ———— 2800 18.6 20.2 ———— 16000 15000 560 ------- TABLE 4 POTATO SERVICE, INC. SURVEY POTATO SERVICE, INC. FIELD AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS RESULTS PSIO2 NOVEMBER, 1974 Nonfilterabie Residue (mg/i) Temp. pH DO TKN MLSS MLSS MLSS N0 2 +NO 3 Date Time 0 C SU mg/i mg/i Totai Voi. Fixed SVI ( mg/i ) -- 06 ———— KO.5 13.0 iiOO 740 350 54. 0.04 07 iO45 ———— 7.9 12.8 i300 900 380 46. 0.38 i245 10 6.1 360 260 99 2778 0.11 08 1210 J73.8 5500 3700 1800 i60 0.14 1330 J 9.O 6000 4000 2000 110 0.08 09 1230 J19.3 2200 1500 700 50 0.04 11 lOiO 32.6 2700 i900 810 67 0.08 12 0615 55.6 5700 4000 1700 114 0.11 ------- TABLE 5 POTATO SERVICE, INC. SURVEY POTATO SERVICE, INC. FIELD AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS RESULTS PSIO3 NOVEMBER, 1974 Phosphorus Hydro and Nonfilterable Coliforms Settleable Residue (mg/i) Total Vol. Fixed Date 06 Time 1240 Temp. pH °C SU 11 8.0 DO mg/i KO.5 BOD 5 mg/i 370 Total Ortho TKN mg/i mg/i mg/i 12.20 5.08 ———— 79 07 1055 6 8.1 5.0 220 12.20 11.60 65 1120 ——— ———— 220 ———— ———— 89 1250 6 6.9 5.0 190 12.50 11.50 84 08 1155 16 7.9 4.9 180 5.43 5.26 ———— 78 Comp No composite sample taken due to inoperative equipment 1350 16 6.8 5.0 190 5.8 ) 5.42 ———— 85 09 0900 4 ———— 370 R R 5.6 79 Corn ———— 220 .-—— ——— ———— 38 1240 5 5.2 120 R R 71 0940 5 160 9.91 10.2 ———— 64 Fecal Total Solids No./lOOinl No./lOOrni m]/1. 6.7 8.4 7.5 7.0 0605 Comp. 66 13 L 50,000 67Q,000 Trace 50 69 61 15 20 22 6,000 ———— 6,000 i.2x106. ———•- 1.3x10 6 Trace ———— Trace 73 5 14,000 1.5x10 6 Trace 69 16 6,000 2.0x10 6 0 62 27 63 16 11 8 b 10,000 ———— 10,000 3.7x10 6 - ———— 34x10 6 0 ———— Trace 51 13 5,000 2.6x10 6 ———— 57 51 6 9,000 4.7x10 6 Traee 240 5.72 5.23 220 5.15 5.08 J5.22 59 54 5 ------- TABLE 6 MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND AVERAGE FOR PSIO1, PSIO2, AND PSIO3 Number of . Maximum Minimum Average Samples BOD 5 (mg/i ) PSIO1 3800 1700 2609 11 PSIO3 370 120 225 12 TNFR (mg/i ) PSIO1 16000 500 3150 10 PSIO3 89 38 71 12 TKN (mg [ PSIO2 J73.8 6.0 J34.0 8 MLSS (mg/i ) PSIO2 6000 360 3108 8 Total Phosphorus (mg/i ) PSIO1 121.0 9.4 32.6 10 PSIO3 12.5 4.7 3.0 8 Raw Potatoes Processed ( tons per day ) 932.7 799.0 861.9 4 days Sludge Return Rate (MGD ) 1.744 0.685 1.374 4 svi 2778 ‘46 8.2 7 (exclude 2778 in Avg.) Flow (MCD ) 2.03 1.46 1.73 4 ------- TABLE 7 BOD 5 DATA FROM OTHER SURVEYS FINAL EFFLUENT (PSIO3) (lbs. Type Flow BOD 5 /ton Date Sample ( mg/i) ( MGD) ( lbs./day) processed) Collector 09/19/74 Grab 571 1.75 8,337 9.68 DEP 10/03/74 24—hr. comp 1096 1.74 l5,9U 18.25 DEP 10/11/74 24—hr. comp 890 2.08 15,439. . 14. u DEP 11/06—12/74 Average 225 1.73 3,246 3.77 EPA 12/05/74 24—hr. comp 48 1.19 474 0.50 DEP ------- o r, its - P 3 + 0 f 0 Service PSI 01 - Inciuer + PSI 02 ,qerc 4 4.on Ponds Ps i 03 E ’Iue ± I ------- U. S. ENV I ROUMEUT/tI. PROTECT ION AGENCY & Tt TV rIT Ir’ JG 1111 Ł • ... . ... . i’... .. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02203 Application No.: ME0000566 (07YOO020 O443 ) Name of Applicant: Potato ServIce, Inc . Industry Type: Potato Processing Expiration Date: June 30, 1977 RATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELI! LINAT ION SYSTEM PERMIT Referring to Application Number 07Y0002000443 dated June 25, 1971 for a permit for the discharge of any pollutant into the navigable waters, waters of the contiguous zone, or ocean and under the provisions of Section 402 of the. Act of Congress approved October 18, 1972 (Public Law 92—500), herein called the Act, entitled the “Federal Water Pollu- tion Control Act Amendr ents of 1972,” the Potato Service Cor.i,any, Inc. Presg ie Isle , Maine 04769 ______________________ _______________________ is heLeby authorized by the Administrator to discharge pol1utant to tue Aro .stoo River at Pres u Isle, County of Aroostook, State of Maine in accordance with General Conditions 1(1) through (10) and the Special Conditions Ik(l) through C 11 ) hereinafter set forth. I. General Conditions 1. All discharges shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of thia permit. The discharge of any new pollutant not authorized by the permit which will or may have an adverse impact on the receiving waters shall be prohibited unless specifically authorized. 2. Atter notice and opportunity for a ht aring, this permit may be modified, suspended, or revoked in whole or in part during its term for cause including, but not limited to, the following: a. Violation of any terms or conditions- of the permit; b. Obtaining a p3rnhit by misreprc3entai ion or failure to distlose fully all relevant facts; and c. A change in conditions or the existence of a condition which requires either a temporary or permanent reduction or elimtha— tion of the authortzed discharge. ------- —2— 3. The permLLt shall permit thc P. ! ’.al A’!minlstratnr and other Environmental Protection Agency personnel, upon the presentation of proper credentials: a. To enter upon permittee’s p;emis es where an effluent source is located or in which any rejo cLs are required to be kept under the terms and conditions of this permit; b. To have access to and copy any records required to be kept under the terms and conditions of this permit; c. To inspect any monitoring equipment or monitoring method required in this permit; or • d. To sample at any intake, process or cooling effluent, vastewater treatment facility, and/or outfall; and to permit members of the public to conduct such sampling. 4. This permit may not be transferred to the permittee’s successor or assigns without the prior written approval of the Regional Adminis- trator. 5. The perinittee shall at all times maintain in good working order and operate at maximum efficiency all treatment or control facilities. • 6. The issuance of this permit does not convey any property rights in either real or personal property, or any exclusive privileges; nor does it authorize any injury to private property or any invasion of personal rights, nor any infringement of Federal, State, or local laws or regulations; nor does it waive the necessity of obtaining State or local assent required by law for the discharges authorized herein. 7. This permit shall be subject to such monitoring requirements as may be reasonably required by the Regional Administrator, including the installation, use, and maintenance of monitoring equipment or methods (including, where appropriate, biological monitoring methods). The permittee shall provide the Regional Administrator with periodic reports (at a frequency of not less than once per year) on the proper NPDES reporting form of monitoring results obtained by a permittee pursuant to the monitoring requirements contained herein. The per— mittee shall maintain records of all information resulting from any monitoring activities required herein. Any records of monitoring activities and results shall include for all samples: (a) the date, exact place and time of sampling; (b) the dates and times analyses were performed; Cc) who performed the sampling and analyses; Cd) the analytical techniques/methods used, including sampling, handling, and preservation techniques; and (e) the results of each such analysis. ------- —3— Any records of monitoring activities and reaults, n luding all. ort!i— nal strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation and calibration and maintenance records, shall be. retained for a mini— um of three years. This period shall be extended during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding_the dfscharge of pollutants by the permittee or when requested by tj e Regional Administrator. 8. Certifications pursuant to Section 401 of the Act 1 the comments of all governmental agencies on a permit application, and all informa- tion and data provided by an applicant or a permittee identifying the nature and frequency of a discharge shall be available to the public without restriction. All other information (other than effluent data) which may be submitted by an applicant in connection with a permit application or which may be furnished by a permittee in connection with required periodic reports shall also be available to the public unless the applicant or permittee specifically identifies and isable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Regional Administrator or his authorized representative that the disclosure of such information or a particular part thereof to the general public would divulge methods or processes entitled to protection as trade secrets. Where the applicant or permittee is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Regional Administrator or his authorized representative that the disclosure of the information or a particular part (other than effluent data) thereof would result in methods or processes entitled to protection as trade secrets being divulged, the Regional Administrator shall treat the information or the particular part (other than effluent data) as confi— dential and not release it to any unauthorized person. Such informa- tion may be divulged to other officers, employees, or authorized representatives oC the United States concerned with carrying out the Act. Notwithstanding the above, the Administrator, when the national security requires, may withhold any information from the public. 9. This permit does not authorize or approve the construction of any onshore or offshore physical structures or facilities or the under- taking of any work in any navigable waters. 10. The permittee shall send copies to the Director of the State Certifying Agency of all reports and communications required hereunder to be made or sent to the Regional Administrator. If the Administrator approves the permit program of the State Certifying Agency pursuant to Section 402(b) of the Act, then, during the period of such approval and subject to the provisions of said Section 402 and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder: (1) the permitree shall make or send to the Director of the State Certifying Agency all reports and communications required hereunder to be made or sent to the Regional Administrator and shailsend copies of the same to the Regional Administrator; and (2) all actions required or permitted to be taken hereunder by the Regional Administrator shall be taken by the Director of the State Certifying Agency. ------- —4— II. Special Conditions 1. Operation of Wastewater Facilities The permittee shall collect and treat all waste flows, including, if present, cooling water, from the plant site and discharge thei into its wastewater treatment facility in such a manner as to maximize re— n oval of pollutants. 2. Effluent Limits a. Until April 19, 1974, the perinittee is authorized to discharge to the Aroostook River an effluent whose effluent characteristics shall not exceed the values listed below. Discharge Calendar Month Operating Day Instantaneous Serial Average Composite Maximum Number Parameters Quantity Quantity Concentration 001 BOD 5 . 21,500 lbs/day 47,000 lbs/day 1,600 mg/i Suspended Solids 11,100 lbs/day 20,700 lbs/day 700 mg/i b. Phase I: After April 19, 1974, and until October 1, 1975, the permittee is authorized to discharge an effluent to the Aroostook River whose effluent characteristics shall not exceed at any time the values listed below. Discharge Calendar Month Operating Day Instantaneous Serial Average Composite Maximum Number Parameters Quantity Quantity Concentration 001 30D 5 1,800 lbs/day 2 300 lbs/day 100 tug/i Suspended Solids 1,800 lbs/day 2,300 lbs/day 100 mg/i Settleable Solids 0.1 mi/i ------- —5— c. Phase II: After October 1, 1975, the permittee is authorized to j charge an effluent to the Aroostook River whose effluent character— Utica li not exv i at any timc tho values lIsted below. Discharge Calendar Month Operating Day Instantaneous Serial Average Composite Maximum Number — Parameters Quantity Quantity Concentration 001 BOD 5 1,200 lbs/day 1,500 lbs/day 75 mg/i Suspended Solids 1,200 lbs/day 1,500 lbs/day 75 mg/i Settleable Solids 0.1 mi/i PhOSPhOrUS* 600 lbs7day 30 mg/i Fecal Coliform 100/100 mlIl * If after further study the Regional Administrator determines that continued discharge of phosphorus at the levels authorizcd will violate water quality standards or if after submission of the study referred to in Special Con- dition 3a(2) of this permit he determines that It is practical to reduce or eliminate the use of phosphorus compounds in the manufacturing process or otherwise practical to reduce the amount of phosphorus in the discharge, the Regional. Administrator may modify the terms of the permit, as provided in General Condition 2, to reduce the maximum amount of phosphorus permitted in the discharge. d. Phase III: After October 1, 1976, the permittee is authorized to discharge an effluent to the Aroos took River whose efflucnt ch r cteristics shall not exceed at any time the values listed in subsection 2c above, and in addition, the discharge shall not at any time exceed a total coliform bacteria count of 1,000/100 ml. e. The following other effluent limitations shall take effect by April 19, 1974. (1) The pH of the effluent shall not be less than 6.0 nor greater than 8.5 at any time. (2) The effluent shall contain neither a visible oil sheen, foam, nor floating solids at any time. (3) The discharge shall not cause visible discoloration of the receiving waters. (4) The discharge shall not cause a violation of the water quality standards of the receiving waters. (5) The effluent limitations contained above are based upon a present daily average plant production level of 1,200 tons per day of raw potatoes processed. Any significant incrcase or decrease in this production level shall be reported to the RegIonal /&dminlstrator Within one weck of its commence icnt. The RegIonal Administrator shall then review this cntirc permit, in Ught of the change, to ascertain the appropr teness of the effluent l5nits contained in this condition and may, if he determines them to be inappropriate, modify them accord— ------- —6- (6) There shall be no discharge which exceeds any of the v l e2 ncte’ 4 n Si ctial Condition 2. (7) The effluent shall not be acutely toxic to brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Acute toxicity shall be determined as follows: (a) Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are to be used as the standard fish for bioassay purpo es. (b) Only healthy, standardized stocks of brook trout are to be used. (c) Fifty fish are to be exposed to a 65 percent effluent concentration, and an equal number of control fish are to be exposed in water used for holding fish stocks. Cd) Each bioassay shall use a minimum of five test vessels of effluent—exposed fish and five test vessels of control fish. Ce) The effluent shall be considered as acutely toxic if the survival is less than 80 percent of the fish exposed to a 65 percent concentration of the mill effluent after 96 hours. Xortaltiy is dGfined as the lack of any movement of the fish over a - one-minute period. - (f) A static bioassay (no solution replacement) is acceptable as a test for deter inir.g that n effluent is acutely toxic, providing that the fish mortality used as evidence occurs within 24 hours from beginning the test. (g) All bioassay tests that require greater than 24 hours’ exposure must be flow—through tests. (h) The effluent cannot be said to be non—acutely toxic uhdcr these regulations unless it passes a 96—hour flow—through test. Ci) A bioassay is invalid if mortality in the control fish is greater than 6 percent during the test. C i) A valid bioassay test requires that there be at least 1.4 liters of fresh test solution every 24 hours for every one gram of fish. (k) Ninety percent molecular exchange of solution in the test vessels is required within 8 hours for flow—thorugh test. (1) The minimum water depth ifl any test vessel must be 10 centimeters. The minimum volume of solution in the test vessel must be 200 cubic centimeters per gram of fish. ------- —7- - (in) The liquid in all test vessels shall be aerated or oxygenated with only that amount of air or oxygen required to maintain the dissolved oxygen level. between 6 ai d 9 mg/i. 3 ygena ior& b.ll bc minimized to reduce the stripping of volatile compounds or the oxIdation of toxic components in liquid effluents. Aeration or oxygenation should be remote from, rather than in, the test vesse1 for flow—through bio— assays and in the test vessels for static bLoassays. (n) In any test, ind-ividual fish shall weigh between 2 and 10 grams and the weight of the largest fish shall not be more than 2 times the smallest. (o) The test shall be conducted at 15° * 1° centigrade. (p) When transportation of effluent is necessary, the sample of mill effluent to be tested shall be kept in sealed containers and within 24 hours be brought to and maintained at a temperature not exceeding 4°F. When the effluent is stored at the testing laboratory, it shall be maintained at 4°C until just prior to being used in the test vessels. Effluent shall not be aerated in storage tanks. All bioassay tests shall be commenced within 5 days of sai iple collection. (q) All test fish must be acclimated to fresh water. (8) Al ]. outf ails shall be of the submerged diffuser type. 3. Implementation Schedule a. Type of Schedule The perinittee shall comply with the followitig implementation schedule: (1) Completion of construction and start operation of: (a) Phase I (aerated lagoon, secondary clarifier, and polishing lagoon) by April 19, 1974; (b) Phase II treatment facilities by October 1, 1975; ‘Cc) Phase III treatment facilities by October 1, 1976. (2) Submission by August 1, 1974, of the following: (a) an analysis of the amount of phosphorus compounds used in the various processes in the operation of perriittee’s Presque Isle plant, including an analysis of the quantity of phosphorus absorbed by the finished product and the quantity discharged into the process :aste stream, and (b) a program to study and report to the Regior.al Administrator not later than August 1, 1975 alter- natives to the use of phosphorus compounds in these processes and the feasibility of these alternatives, zhIch program, upon approval by the Regional Administrator, shall become a part of the implementation schedule of this permit. ------- —8— (3) Submission of a plan to the Regional Adoini trator not later than January 31, 1975, which plan shall inc].udc.a proposed construction schedule for treatment of the discharge so as to meet the effluent limita- tions contained in Special Condition_2d above. Upon approval by the Regional Administrator, the construction scbedule shall be made a part of the implemen- tation schedule contained in this permit. (4) Operational level of Phase I attained by April 19, 1974. (5) Operational level of Phase II attained by October 1, 1975. (6) Operational level of Phase III attained by October 1, 1976. b. Reporting and Non-Compliance The permittee shall report to the Regional Administrator within 10 days following each date on the Implementation Schedule, detailing his compliance with the schedule date and event. If non—compliance is being reported,’ reasons for the non—compliance shall be stated plus an estimate of the date by which the perinittee will be in compliance. C. CertIfication by a Registered Professional Engineer Construction of the Phase I II, and III tre;tmer facilities refErred to in the implementation schedule contained in subsection 3a(l) above shall not be deemed complete until the permittee shall have furflished the Regional Administrator with a certificate of a registered professional engineer to the effect that such facilities have been designed and constructed in accordance with good ngincering practices and adequate safeguards against accidental discharges, except that the permittee shall not be deemed in violation of subsection 3a(1)(a) of such implenentation schedule if the permittee submits the required certification by May 19, 1974. ------- —9— 4. Monitoring and Reporting The permittee shall monitor and record the quality and quantity of each discharge according to the following schedule and other provisions: Discharge Serial Minimum Frequency Number Parameters of Analysis Sample Type Process waste treated) (during months of operation) After April 19, 1974: BOD 5 Daily” Composite Suspended Solids Daily 1 Composite Settleable Solids Daily Crab Plow Continuous Recording pH Continuous j Recording Turbidity Continuous Recording TKN Weekly Composite Phosphorus Weekly Composite Oil & Grease Weekly Crab After October 1, 1975: Fecal Coliform Monthly Crab After October 1, 1976: Fecal Coliform Monthly Crab Total Coliform Monthly Crab ------- |