<
SA/TIB-25
IMPACT OF THE SCHWARTZWALDER MINE
ON THE WATER QUALITY OF
RALSTON CREEK, RALSTON RESERVOIR, AND UPPER LONG LAKE
TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS BRANCH
SURVEILLANCE AND ANALYSIS DIVISION
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION VIII
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
BACKGROUND 1
SCHWARTZWALDER URANIUM MINE 3
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 6
Water 6
Bottom Sediment 14
RECOMMENDATIONS 16
APPENDIX A - COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH/DENVER A-l
WATER BOARD MONITORING DATA
APPENDIX B - METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN SELECTED B-l
WATER SAMPLES
APPENDIX C - LIQUID WASTE TREATMENT AND EFFLUENT C-l
MONITORING COMMITMENTS FOR THE SCHWARTZWALDER
URANIUM MINE
APPENDIX D - WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR URANIUM D-l
i
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
I. AREA MAP 2
II. RALSTON RESERVOIR SAMPLING STATIONS 10
III. UPPER LONG LAKE SAMPLING STATIONS 11
- ii -
-------
LIST OF TABLES
Page
I. RADIOACTIVITY IN SCHWARTZWALDER MINE
EFFLUENTS
II. RADIOACTIVITY IN WATER SAMPLES FROM RALSTON 7
CREEK AND LONG LAKE DITCH
III. RADIOACTIVITY IN RALSTON RESERVOIR WATER SAMPLES. ... 8
IV. RADIOACTIVITY IN WATER SAMPLES FROM UPPER LONG LAKE . . 9
V. RADIUM-226 AND URANIUM STANDARDS 13
VI. RADIOACTIVITY IN SEDIMENT SAMPLES 15
- iii-
-------
BACKGROUND
In March of 1972, results of the Colorado Department of Health/
Denver Water Board monitoring program for Ralston Creek in the vicinity
of the Schwartzwalder uranium mine were brought to the attention of EPA
Region VIII. These data (Appendix A) showed a significant degradation
of radiological water quality attributable to the mine effluent. At a
location immediately downstream of the mine discharge, radium-226 and
uranium concentrations in the creek reached levels that approached two
orders of magnitude greater than natural background concentrations.
Considering the magnitude of radioactivity concentrations in Ralston
Creek and use of the stream as a primary water source for two water supply
reservoirs - Ralston Reservoir and Upper Long Lake, Region VIII initiated
a limiting monitoring effort to supplement the State/Water Board program.
This monitoring activity extended over the period of May through September,
1972. Emphasis was placed on eliminating critical data voids; i.e., radio-
activity concentrations in the waters of Ralston Reservoir and Upper Long
Lake. In addition to the grab water samples collected from these impound-
ments, sample collection included the mine effluent, water and bottom sedi-
ment samples from Ralston Creek and Long Lake ditch, and bottom sediment
samples from the two impoundments.
A map of the area of concern is shown in FIGURE I. As illustrated,
the diversion of Ralston Creek flow to Upper and Lower Long Lakes is ac-
complished by means of a small diversion dam. According to Denver Water
Board personnel, this diversion is the only source of water for Upper Long
Lake and, therefore, the North Table Mountain Water District. Although
located south of the North Table Mountain plant, the Arvada water treatment
plant uses Ralston Reservoir as the source of raw water.
- 1 -
-------
FIGURE I
AREA MAP
O,
Sc k wartz w a. I Jer
h/lioe. Effluent"
c\
,-f-
Diversion
Oo-m
y>
I
C'l
z\
ol
AT
<<7
>
<*
/n
/<=>
Hi
v'
\ i
\y
C/\ J
:v
lower
LONG
LAKE
fclorl'U "Ta-bic. IfHn
Piltraiion
ArvaJLa.
Fi ttro.ilon Plant
-------
SCHWARTZWALDER URANIUM MINE
Owned and operated by the Cotter Corporation, the Schwartzwalder
uranium mine is located on Ralston Creek between Ralston Buttes and
Belcher Hill; north of Golden, Colorado. During the first half of 1972,
ore production was about 300 tons per day, but the plan for the immediate
future called for increasing production to 500 tons per day. Ore is
trucked in "small" trucks from the mine site to a "dump" point adjacent
to the Coors Company landfill. From this point, it is reloaded and
transported to the Cotter Corporation uranium mill at Canon City, Colorado.
The main effluent from the mine originates from dewatering operations.
Throughout 1972, the only treatment provided was some degree of solids
removal in a shallow sedimentation pond. After discharge from a pipe,
the liquid waste flowed a short distance across the ground and entered
the shallow pond. Pond effluent was conveyed to Ralston Creek by a ditch.
Grab samples of the mine effluent showed high concentrations of dissolved
uranium and radium-226 on the order of 15 mg/L and 80 pCi/L, respectively
(TABLE I). Selected metals analysis of the sample collected on 7/20
showed 5 p g/L arsenic, 1.0 mg/L fluoride, 15 yg/L lead, <2pg/L selenium,
and 18 ug/L zinc (Appendix B).
In addition to the main effluent, two small pipes located on the
west side of the road discharge relatively minor flows into a small pond
(less than 20 feet in length). There is no direct connection between
this pond and the creek and liquid loss appears to be by seepage. Although
the exact source(s) of the effluents was not determined, mine personnel
were of the opinion that the source was overflow from the process and
potable water system (ground water source). The radium and uranium results
for grab samples of these effluents confirmed this point of view since
the respective concentrations were comparable to those which can be expected
in ground water taken from uranium-bearing strata. The dissolved radium-226
concentration was about 0.5 pCi/L and dissolved uranium in the range of
400-500 mg/L (TABLE I).
Chemical treatment of the mine effluent has been the subject of a
lengthy research project (2% years) conducted by the Colorado School of
Mines Research Institute. The treatment scheme developed to reduce dissolved
uranium and radium concentrations involves a two-step, sequential, precip-
itation process: addition of ferric sulfate and lime to produce a ferric
hydroxide precipitation followed by barium chloride addition to effect a
barium sulfate precipitation. Uranium-bearing sludge is to be collected
in two settling ponds with periodic removal for reclaiming uranium values
at the Canon City mill. The schedule for treatment installation and
operation was set forth in a letter of October 4, 1972 (Appendix C) from
Mr. D. P. Marcott, Executive Vice President, Cotter Corporation, to Mr. E. D.
Dildine, Permits Branch.
- 3 -
-------
TABLE I
RADIOACTIVITY IN SCHMARTZWALDER MINE EFFLUENTS
Dissolved Radioactivity
Date of Radium-226 Gross a Gross 8 Radium-226 Uranium Thorium Alpha Thorium
Effluent Collection Content of (pCt/L) (pCi/L) (pCi/L) (u g/L) (y q/L) (pCi/L)
Suspended Solids
(pCi/gram)
Main mine effluent at pipe outfall, 5/12/72
upstream of sedimentation ponds. 7/20/72
Effluents from adjacent small pipes,
each draining into a small pond on
the west side of the road (no over-
flow from pond).
(a) Pipe closest to road. 7/21/72
(b) Pipe farthest from road. 7/21/72
2080
3800
709
86
72
0.4
n.>;
14,200
15,600
470
400
49
18
-------
A. Mine water treatment precipitation
system in operation
October 31, 1972
B. Commence monitoring of raw and
treated mine water
C. Submit first monthly report (for
November) covering water treatment
operation
D. Compliance with effluent limitations
considered to be reasonably attainable
November 1, 1972
December 15, 1972
November 1, 1973
The effluent limitations referred to in D (above) are 3 pCi/L and
5 mg/L for dissolved radium-226 and uranium, respectively.
- 5 -
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
Water
Radioactivity results for grab water samples collected from Ralston
Creek, Ralston Reservoir, and Upper Long Lake are presented in TABLES II,
III, and IV. These tables also contain the descriptions of the sampling
stations. For Ralston Reservoir and Upper Long Lake, the sampling station
locations are shown in FIGURES II and III.
Consistent with the findings of the State/Denver Water Board moni-
toring program, the two sets of grab samples from Ralston Creek showed
significant degradation in radiological water quality attributable to the
untreated mine discharge (TABLE II). Typically for an intermittent, moun-
tain stream, the degree of deterioration intensified from spring to summer
as flow decreased. At the time of the May 12 collection with significant
creek flow upstream of the mine, the dissolved concentrations immediately
downstream of the mine discharge were 3 pCi/L and 82 m g/L of dissolved
radium-226 and uranium, respectively. This approximated a dilution factor
of 20 times. However, in July there was no surface flow upstream and the
flow immediately downstream was totally mine drainage. This was verified
by dissolved concentrations of radium-226 and uranium in the creek compa-
rable to those in the mine effluent - 81 pCi/L and 20,3000 wg/L, respectively.
The results for the May 12 samples did not indicate any significant
difference between the radioactivity concentrations in Ralston Creek immedi-
ately downstream of the mine and at the diversion dam. However, in the
case of the July 21 samples, there was a 40 fold reduction in the corres-
ponding concentrations at these same locations. Although the data were
too limited for a positive explanation, the possible reasons include (a)
mass transfer of radioactive constituents from the water phase to bottom
sediment, (b) dilution from tributaries and/or ground water inflow to the
creek, and (c) the grab samples at each location being representative of
different flow regimes.
Although biological investigations were not conducted, the magnitude
of dissolved uranium concentrations observed in Ralston Creek during July,
1972, were sufficiently high to constitute a toxic environment. Existing
knowledge of uranium toxicity to aquatic biota is limited and lacking in
many areas. However, bioassays which have been conducted indicate an
environment with the potential for acute toxicity for fish when the dis-
solved uranium concentration exceeds 1.0 mg/L in "soft" water (Appendix D).
Grab water samples were collected over the entire length of Ralston
Reservoir on six (6) transects (FIGURE II). At each sampling location,
samples were collected from the water column at the surface and within a
few feet of the bottom. The dissolved uranium results for the selected
samples analyzed showed no detectable effect from the Schwartzwalder efflu-
ent (TABLE III). These data showed a range of <0.1 - 2.5 yg/L which is
typical for dissolved uranium in surface waters (normally less than 10
yg/L). The dissolved radium-226 data supported this finding with the
- 6 -
-------
TABLE II
RADIOACTIVITY IN WATER SAMPLES FROM RALSTON CREEK AND LONG LAKE DITCH
Station Description
Ralston Creek
(a) At footbridge crossing, up-
stream of mine effluent.
(b) Several hundred yards down-
stream of mine effluent.
(c) Approximately 0.5 mile down-
stream of mine at road culvert.
(d) Approximately one mile down-
stream of mine at road culvert.
(e) Pool behind diversion dam for
Long Lake ditch.
(f) Below diversion dam; approxi-
mately 100 yards upstream of
Ralston Reservoir.
Date of
Col lection
Radium-226
Content of
Suspended Solids
(pCi/gram)
5/12/72
7/20/72
5/12/72
7/20/72
7/21/72
7/21/72
5/12/72
7/20/72
9/27/72*
9/27/72**
Gross a
(pCi/L)
53
740
290
Gross 6
(pCi/L)
30
22
Dissolved Radioactivity
Radium-226 Uranium Thorium
260
750
270
(pCi/L)
0.1
0.6
3 1
81
22
15
5.6
1.7
9.2
2.2
WL)
0 9
8
82
20,300
4,670
3,400
106
2,560
1,170
425
fr9/L?
3
37
Alpha Thorium
(pCi/L)
0.2
0.9
Long Lake Ditch
At mouth, just upstream of discharge
into Upper Long Lake.
7/20/72
3.3
1,470
* Other results Suspended solids - 0.3 pCi/L gross alpha and 14 pCi/L gross beta, dissolved lead-210 - 32 pCi/L
** Other results: Suspended solids - 0.3 pCi/L gross alpha and 5 pCi/L gross beta, dissolved lead-210 - 9 pCi/L
-------
TABLE III
RADIOACTIVITY IN RALSTON RESERVOIR MATER SAMPLES
Station^3)
Gross a
(pCi/L)
Suspended Radioactivity
Gross B
(PCi/L)
Radium-226
(pCi/gram)
Gross a
(PCi/L)
Gross 6
(pCi/L)
Dissolved Radioactivity
Lead-210 Radium-226 Uranium
(pCi/L)
(PCi/L)
(u q/L)
Alpha Thorium
(PCi/L)
T-l.
A - Surface
Bottom
B - Surface
Bottom
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3
<1
<1
<1
3 <1
3 <0.4
4 <1
_Sample Lost
5.9
0.4
0 1
1.5
1.9
1.0
0.2
<0.1
-------
TABLE IV
RADIOACTIVITY IN WATER SAMPLES FROM UPPER LONG LAKE
I
UD
I
Station
(a)
1 - Surface
2 - Surface
3 - Surface
Bottom
4 - Surface
Bottom
5 - Surface
Bottom
6 - Surface
Bottom
7 - Bottom
8 - Surface
Bottom
Radium-226
Content of
Sus. Solids
(pCi/gram)
Dissolved Radioactivity
Radium-226 Uranium
12
(pCi/L)
0.9
0.9
0.7
0.6
0.9
1.0
0.8
0.5
0.8
0.3
0.8
0.9
0.8
(ul/L)
260
250
260
210
250
220
270
200
270
210
250
280
250
Finished water - North Table
Mountain water treatment
plant (7/21/72)
0.7
170
(a) Except as noted for the grab sample collected at the North Table
Mountain water treatment plant, the date of collection was 7/20/72.
-------
FIGURE II
RALSTON RESERVOIR
SAMPLING STATIONS
:v
T-H
-------
FIGURE IE
UPPER LONG LAKE
SAMPLING STATIONS
E DITCH
-------
specific exception of the surface sample collected at location A on tran-
sect, T-l. The dissolved radium-226 concentration in this sample was
found to be 5.9 pCi/L; indicative of contamination from the mine effluent.
Although such a finding was not unrealistic for the upper end of the
reservoir near the creek mouth, the specific result must be considered
anomolous since it was not consistent with the corresponding uranium
result as well as the dissolved radium-226 concentration in the surface
water sample collected at the adjacent location B. The dissolved radium-
226 concentration in the latter sample was a typical background value of
0.1 pCi/L.
In contrast to no detectable impact on the water quality of Ralston
Reservoir, water samples from Upper Long Lake showed elevated concentra-
tions of dissolved radium-226 and uranium. As shown in TABLE IV, overall
average concentrations in the lake were 0.8 pCi/L and 230 ug/L for dis-
solved radium-226 and uranium, respectively. Compared to natural back-
ground concentrations, the dissolved radium-226 was about 4 times higher
and uranium about 20 times higher. The distribution of radium-226 and
uranium seemed to uniform throughout the lake without significant concen-
tration differences among sectors or with depth.
Hater treatment processes consisting of rapid sand filtration or
chemical coagulation and rapid sand filtration are relatively ineffective
for the removal of dissolved radium-226 and uranium. This was illustrated
by the results for the grab samples of finished water collected from the
Arvada and North Table Mountain treatment plants (TABLES III and IV). In
each case, the dissolved radium-226 and uranium concentrations were com-
parable to those in the reservoir used as the raw water source. For
example, the sample of North Table Mountain finished water contained 0.7
pCi/L of dissolved radium-226 and 170ug/L of dissolved uranium in compar-
ison to the above cited averages of 0.8 pCi/L and 230 y g/L for Upper Long
Lake.
There is no question that the discharge of untreated mine water to
Ralston Creek increased the dose to ionizing radiation received by the
consumers served by the North Table Mountain District water system. Based
on the limiting rates of daily intake recommended by the Federal Radiation
Council and the National Committee on Radiation Protection (TABLE V), the
dose corresponding to daily consumption of 1.0 liters of North Table
Mountain is approximately 5% of the limit for a population group. Despite
the fact that this level of exposure does not constitute a significant
public health threat, the lack of waste treatment and the resultant ex-
posure was not consistent with the Federal doctrine to minimize radiation
exposure insofar as is practicable. It is to be noted that if the limit
for uranium, as recommended by the International Committee on Radiological
Protection, was applicable, the estimated dose for the consumption of North
Table Mountain water increases to nearly 40% of the dose limit.
Trace metals analysis of samples collected from Ralston Creek and the
two water plants on July 21 showed metals concentrations that were comparable
to or greater than the metals concentrations in the effluent sample collected
on July 20. These data are summarized in Appendix B.
- 12 -
-------
TABLE V
RADIUM-226 & URANIUM STANDARDS
Radionuclide
Radium-226
Uranium
Limiting Rate of
Daily Intake from
All Sources (Annual Average)
20^
22 mg/day(d)
0.7 mg/day(d)
Drinking Water
Standard
20 pCi/L
(b)
4.5 mg/L-Permissible
Absent-Desirable^0)
22 mg/L(b)
700 wg/L(b)
Recommending Authority
Federal Radiation Council
U.S. Dept. of the Interior,
Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration ("Report of the
Committee on Water Quality Criter
National Committee on Radiation
Protection (NCRP)
International Commission on
Radiological Protection (ICRP)
(a) Upper limit of Range II; corresponds to Radiation Protection Guide for average of suitable sample
of exposed population group.
(b) Calculated from the limiting rate of daily intake by assuming a daily intake from drinking water
of 1.0 liter/day and no intake from other sources.
(c) Adopted by the U.S. Public Health Service; basis is one-half the limit for taste and color.
(d) Based on 1/30 of the maximum permissible concentration for natural uranium for continuous occupa-
tional exposure, the specific activity for uranium-238, and activity ratio (uranium-234/uranium-238)
equal to unity, and a daily water intake of 2.2 liters/day from all sources.
-------
Bottom Sediment
Radioactivity in bottom sediment does not normally contribute to the
exposure to individuals. The value of analyzing bottom deposits for radio-
activity content is that the concentrations at a given location provide
insight to the relative magnitude of concentrations carried in the over-
lying water phase between periods of sediment flushing. Additionally, the
accumulation of radioactive materials in bottom deposits produces reservoirs
of these materials from which release can occur at some time in the future.
Under certain conditions, this release mechanism could have a significant
impact on water quality.
The results for all sediment samples are presented in TABLE VI. A
high level of contamination was observed in Ralston Creek and Long Lake
ditch. The maximum radium-226 concentrations in the creek and ditch
sediments approached or fell within the range characteristic of spent
tailings generated in the refining of uranium ore (150 to 500 pCi/gram).
Despite the fact that sediment samples were collected from the creek and
ditch during two distinctly different flow conditions, the radium-226
data when viewed in a composite manner exhibited the classical pattern of
decreasing concentration with increasing distance downstream from the
pollution source. The uranium data showed the same general pattern.
However, the maximum uranium concentration - 6 times higher than any other
result - was obtained for the sample collected at the mouth of Long Lake
ditch. This anomoly cannot be explained since the sample represented
more than an isolated "hot-spot" (the sample comprised a composite of
grab samples collected over several yards of the ditch bed).
A definitive assessment of the level of contamination in the bottom
deposits of Ralston Reservoir and Upper Long Lake is not possible since
data are not available on the radium and uranium content in sediment prior
to the operation of the Schwartzwalder mine. Moreover, the sediment sample
collected on May 12, 1972, at the footbridge crossing is apparently the
only "background" sediment sample collected after mine start-up. For this
sample, the uranium content was typical for a background location whereas
the radium-226 was substantially higher than would be expected. Based on
field studies conducted throughout the United States, the background con-
centrations of radium-226 and uranium in bottom sediment have been found
to be less than 2 pCi/gram and less than 2yg/gram, respectively. Using
these concentrations as the baseline for comparison, sediment at all loca-
tions in Ralston Reservoir and Upper Long Lake showed radium-226 and/or
uranium contamination. The data for Ralston Reservoir did not show signi-
ficant concentration gradients from the mouth of Ralston Creek to the dam.
Such a finding had been expected since it was assumed that the bulk of the
contaminated sediment carried into the reservoir from Ralston Creek would
settle out in the head-end of the reservoir.
- 14 -
-------
TABLE VI
RADIOACTIVITY IN SEDIMENT SAMPLES
Station Description
Schwartzwalder mine - soil sample from
the ditch conveying the mine effluent
to the first sedimentation pond (5/12/72)
Gross a
(pCi/g)
3270
Gross 6
(pCi/g)
7900
Radioactivity Content (dry weight basis)
ivity
Radium-226
(PCI/9)
1230
Uranium
2810
Thorium
g/g)
19
Alpha Thorium
(pci/g)
520
Ralston Creek
(a) At footbridge crossing, upstream of
mine effluent (5/12/72)
(b) Several hundred yards downstream of
mine effluent (5/12/72)
(c) Approximately 0 5 miles downstream
of mine at road culvert (7/21/72)
(d) Approximately one mile downstream of
mine at road culvert (7/21/72)
(e) Upstream of diversion dam for Long
Lake ditch (9/27/72)
(f) Below diversion dam, approximately
100 yards upstream of Ralston Reservoir
(9/27/72)
Long Lake Ditch
(a) [imiediately downstream of diversion
dam (5/12/72)
(b) At mouth (7/20/72)
Ralston Reservoir (9/27/72)
15
350
22
860
220
570
6
188
139
77
29
17
117
21
1
270
520
214
123
49
132
3450
9
31
25
19
40
5
65
10
37
T-l
T-2
T-3
T-4
T-5
A
B
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
4 3
9 8
T-6
Upper Long Lake (7/20/72)
2
8
5
4
12
2
2
9
6
2 2
4 3
2 0
2 0
3 8
4 6
3 2
3 6
4 4
32
34
6
21
7
17
67
10
9
38
20
37
17
15
27
12
15
9
56
6
27
23
19
26
23
23
27
24
20
24
18
20
20
18
25
17
13
7
15
15
9
19
5
4
11
12
9
9
7
7
-------
RECOMMENDATIONS
Since the Cotter Corporation has installed and is operating a treat-
ment system designed to control the releases of radium-226 and uranium to
Ralston Creek and downstream water supply reservoirs, follow-up action on
behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with the
responsible State agency, should take the form of effective and thorough
monitoring.
(1) The treated mine effluent should be monitored on a routine basis to
verify the effectiveness and operational reliability of the treatment
process.
(2) As a minimum, dissolved radium-226 and uranium concentrations in Ralston
Creek should be determined monthly at three locations: (a) upstream of
the location at which of the treated effluent enters the creek (b)
downstream of the discharge point; after complete mixing is achieved,
and {c) at the diversion dam. Sediment samples should be collected and
analyzed bi-annually - immediately in the spring after high flow and
in the fall. After the stability of the mine treatment system has been
demonstrated, the sampling frequencies for water and sediment samples
can be readjusted to less frequent collection.
(3) Radioactivity levels in the water and sediment of Ralston Reservoir and
Upper Long Lake should be determined annually. This activity should be
initiated during the fall of 1973.
(4) Chemical and radiological quality of North Table Mountain finished
water should be determined monthly. The monthly analysis should be
on composite samples prepared from daily (preferably) or weekly grab
samples.
The basic objective should be to essentially eliminate the release
of radioactivity-bearing solids (ore fines) to Ralston Creek and maintain
dissolved concentrations of radium-226 and uranium in the creek as far
below 1.0 pCi/L and 1.0 mg/L, respectively, as practicable. To maintain
an environment suitable for the development of a diverse aquatic popula-
tion, it may be necessary to maintain the dissolved uranium concentration
below 500 pg/L.
- 16 -
-------
APPENDIX A
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH/DENVER
WATER BOARD MONITORING DATA
A - 1
-------
RALSTON CREEK ABOVE SCHWARTZWALDER MINE
Date
Sample
Designation
Gross a
(pCi/L)
Gross 6
(pd/L)
Radium-226
(pCi/L)
Uranium-nati
(PCi/L)
1/7/72
X-112
MDA
50.7±13.5
0.21±0.11
MDA
2/1
X-124
9.4+7.1
MDA
0.12±0.11
MDA
2/16
X -125
MDA
MDA
MDA
4.25±2.12
3/3
X-132
MDA
MDA
MDA
1.40H.40
3/17
X-146
MDA
MDA
0.30±0.11
MDA
3/31
X-153
MDA
MDA
0.09±0.09
MDA
4/14
X-177
MDA
MDA
MDA
0.41±0.41
4/28
X-183
9.0±5.3
MDA
1.24±0.18
0.95±0.63
5/12
X-191
MDA
MDA
MDA
5/26
X-198
MDA
15.2±14.7
0.10±0.10
6/16
X-242
MDA
MDA
0.10±0.01
MDA - Minimum Detectable Activity
2
-------
SCHWARTZWALDER MINE EFFLUENT
Date
Sample
Designation
Gross a
(pCi/L)
Gross 3
(pCi/L)
Radium-226
(pCi/L)
Uranium-natural
(PCi/L)
1/17/72
X-110
3697±118
242±228
151.2+1.8
768±53
(Untreated)
1/17
X -113
3446±115
196±26
78.7±1.3
687±53
(Treated)
2/1
X-123
8196±179
746±48
180.4±2.0
616±109
2/16
X-126
4229±128
397±35
106.5±1.6
813±54
3/3
X-133
4437±134
378±34
113.8±1.6
1466±65
3/17
X-147
3477±120
290±30
97,4±1.5
510.8±49.8
3/31
X-156
5766±149
491±39
100.5±1.5
1731±50
4/14
X-180
9277±192
829±68
145.2±1.8
3804±50
X-186
9976±204
1023±75
12S .9±1.7
1012±22
5/12
X-194
5778±147
918±69
117.8±1.6
5/26
X-201
3249±103
464±50
145.0±1.8
6/16
X-245
13881±242
1576±91
158.7±1.9
A - 3
-------
RALSTON CREEK BELOW MINE PONDS
Date
Sample
Designation
Gross a
(pCi/L)
Gross 6
(pCi/L)
Radium-226
(pCi/L)
Uranium-natural
(PCi/L)
1/17/72
X-109
425±28
69.5±15.7
9.01±0.46
159±3
2/1
X-122
1170±51
152±
25.10±0.74
359±5
2/16
X-127
751±39
55. 1±14.7
4.42±0.33
20.8±2.2
3/3
X-134
409±28
23.2H1.5
6.79±0.40
35.3±19.6
3/17
X-148
178±17
21.3±10.8
2.98±0.28
47.3±3.5
3/31
X-154
299±22
24.3±11.2
3.49±0.28
9.12±1.4
4/14
X-178
563±30
76.1+23.6
6.38±0.39
50.00±12.19
X-184
157±16
20.4±17.6
4.75+0.34
86.21±6.29
5/12
X-192
111.0±13.3
24.6±16.6
2.88±0.26
5/26
X-199
171.8+16.6
30.5±17.6
6.11±0.37
6/16
X-243
482.5±29.4
51.2±21.0
5.37±0.36
-------
RALSTON CREEK AT DIVERSION DAM
Sample Gross a Gross 3 Radium-226 Uranium-natural
Date
Designation
(pCi/L)
(pCi/L)
(pCi/L)
(pCi/L)
1/17/72
X-lll
457±29
60.1±15.0
6.16±0.38
217±3
2/1
X-121
2085±71
162±23
10.01±0.47
660±54
2/16
X-128
662±35
70.2±15.9
6.41±0.39
34.9±2.2
3/3
X-135
310+27
26.4+11.8
6.00±0.37
171.3±20.0
3/17
X-149
255±20
18.5±10.6
5.22±0.35
61.18±3.66
3/31
X-155
432±28
28.6±11.7
3.94±0.30
105.9±14.0
4/14
X -179
426±28.2
55.7±21.3
5.40±0.35
73.17±12.19
X-185
184±17
26.3±18.4
3.03±0.27
88.10±6.29
5/12
X-193
117.2±13.6
38.1±18.3
4.31±0.32
5/26
X-200
771.1±58.3
48.5±21.6
4.35±0.33
6/16
X-244
423.4±27.6
51.5±20.9
2.78±0.26
-------
APPENDIX B
METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN SELECTED WATER SAMPLES
B - 1
-------
METALS IN SELECTED WATER SAMPLES
Station Description Dissolved Concentration (pg/L)^
Arsenic Fluoride" Lead Selenium" Zinc
Schwartzwalder mine; main effluent (7/20/72) 5 1.0 15 <2 18
Ralston Creek (7/21/72)
(a) Approximately 0.5 miles downstream of 5 2.1 55 <2 21
mine at road culvert.
(b) Approximately one mile downstream of 5 1.0 20 <2 88
mine at road culvert.
(c) Pool behind diversion dam for Long <5 0.8 20 <2 58
Lake ditch.
Finished water - Arvada water treatment <5 0.6 100 2 22
plant (7/21/72)
Finished water - North Table Mountain water 5 0.5 95 2 270
treatment plant (7/21/72)
(a) Fluoride reported as mg/L.
-------
APPENDIX C
LIQUID WASTE TREATMENT AND EFFLUENT MONITORING COMMITMENTS
FOR THE SCHWARTZWALDER URANIUM MINE
C - 1
-------
October 4, 1972
Mr. Evan D. Dildine
Chief, Permits Branch
Enforcement Division
Environmental Protection Agency
Region VIII
Suite 900, 1860 Lincoln Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Re: Refuse Act Permit Application
CO-2SB-OXT-2-OOQ256
(Cotter Corp., Schwartzwalder
Mine, Golden, Colorado)
Dear Mr. Dildine:
We are submitting this voluntary commitment
letter as a result of our meeting on September 13, 1972.
During the past 2^ years we have been investi-
gating means of controlling the radioactive constituents
in the mine water discharging into Ralston Creek. As a
result of our research effort, conducted primarily by the
Colorado School of Mines Research Institute, we are cur-
rently installing a mine water treatment plant utilizing
a precipitation technique to reduce the uranium and radium
226 concentrations to acceptable levels. This method in-
volves the addition of soluble iron (ferric) sulfate to
the water and subsequent coprecipitation of the radioactive
constitutents with the flocculant ferric hydroxide preci-
pitate by increasing the water pH to approximately 10 by
the addition of a milk of lime slurry. A solution of
barium chloride is added after the lime treatment to form
a dense precipitate of barium sulfate which coprecipitates
the remaining radioactive constituents. If necessary,
sulphuric acid will be introduced into the system to reduce
the pH to an acceptable level.
The precipitation method has been demonstrated
by laboratory and pilot plant testing to be an effective
method for controlling the concentrations of soluble radium
C - 2
-------
Mr. Evan D. Dildine
October 4, 1072
Page 2
226 and uranium in the mine water; however, the most prac-
tical methods of effecting a liquid solids separation and
compaction of the precinitated solids will need to be in-
vestigated and resolved after the precipitation equipment
is put into operation. Currently, two settling ponds (40'
x 120' and 60' x 120') have been provided to collect the
precipitated solids so that their further treatment can be
investigated. A third pond for stand-by purposes is now
being constructed. As often as is necessary to maintain
effective operation of the system, the precipitated solids
in the form of a wet s]udge will be removed from the ponds
and transported with the uranium ore to our chemical pro-
cessing plant at Canon City, Colorado.
Since radioactivity in the mine water was our
primary concern our research program and plant design were
not specifically related to the non-radioactive items set
forth in the List of Minimum Effluent Limitations attached
hereto as Exhibit 1. Consequently, concentrations of the
constituents other than the radioactive ones will have to
be monitored for the next several months to determine their
concentration levels in the treated mine water effluent.
Further treatment methods will have to be considered as re-
quired .
We expect to meet minimum effluent limitations
that are reasonably attainable no later than November 1,
1973, and we expect to meet those required for "best prac-
ticable treatment" within one year or earlier but not later
than 1976. A one year period was selected because mine
water flows and resulting metal concentrations vary on a
seasonal basis.
Specific dates for significant steps to be ac-
complished are as follows:
A. Mine water treatment
precipitation system
in operation
B. Commence monitoring of
raw and treated mine
wa tor
C. Submit first monthly
report (for November)
covering water treat-
ment operation
Octcbor 31, 1972
November 1, IS72
December 15, IQ72
C - 3
-------
Mr. Evan D. Dildine
October 4, 1972
Page 3
D. Compliance with effluent
limitations considered to
be reasonably attainable November 1, 1973
We agree to maintain the level of removal of pol-
lutants at minimum concentrations attained, consistent with
raw mine water concentrations and flows experienced during
the first year's operation of the mine water treatment system.
We will monitor the treated mine water effluent
discharging into Ralston Creek in accordance with the Moni-
toring Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit 2, in order to
measure those parameters for which minimum effluent limita-
tions have been established in Exhibit 1.
As a contingency plan for operation of the plant
facility, we will maintain a third pond for stand-by purposes.
We will maintain a diversion dike to protect the ponds from
excessive surface run-off. If the ponds or any other part
of the treatment system become ineffective or inoperative
so that the effluent limitations cannot be maintained, we
will suspend pumping operations in the mine and permit water
to accumulate in the mine until the integrity of the system
can be re-established. We will notify the Environmental
Protection Agency and the Colorado Water Pollution Control
Division as to our routine monitoring and will give prompt
notification as to any emergency situations.
All hazardous materials stored or used at the mine
or in connection with the water treatment system will be
stored in containers designed to prevent leakage and spil-
lage. They will be stored in locations selected to prevent
accidental spills that might pollute the environment. If,
despite these safeguards, an accidental spill occurs, we
will report such spill at once to the following:
Environmental Protection Agency
Denver, Colorado 232-3611, Ext. 2336
Non-duty hours:
Les Springer 985-7043
Alvin York 278-1319
B. David Clark 986-3533
C - 4
-------
Mr. Evan D. Dil.dinc
October 4, 1972
Page 4
Colorado Water Pollution Control Division
Denver, Colorado 388-6111, Ext. 231
Non-duty hours:
Frank Rozich 377-4689
Fred Matter 771-0254
E. 3. Pugsley 771-2088
If it appears that domestic water users downstream
may be affected by any accidental spill we will immediately
notify the following users:
Denver Board of Water Commissioners
City of Arvada
Dow Chemical Company
(Rocky Flats)
North Table Mountain
Water & Sanitation District
We have set forth our voluntary commitment to com-
mence and maintain a satisfactory abatement program. We
wish to assure you our continued cooperation in this regard.
Very truly yours,
COTTER CORPORATION
By J-
David P. Marcott
Executive Vice President
cc: E. B. Pugsley
Colorado Water Pollution
Control Commission
C - 5
-------
4Vb
October 17, 1972
Mr. Richard Andrews '
Environmental Protection Agency
Region VIII '
Suite 900 - 1860 Lincoln Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Dear Mr. Andrews:
As you requested in your telephone call of October 16,
I am enclosing copies of Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, which
were to have been included with our recent letter to
Mr. Dildine.
Please accept our appologies for the oversight. If we
can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to
call.
Very truly yours,
COTTER CORPORATION
Theda L. Hoyt (Mrs.)
Secretary to Mr. Marcott
C - 6
-------
E v'n 'jit 1
Li'olol Minimum Cctlucnl T.iniir ifio:is
Paramcfe r
pH
Tot. Susp. Solid:-.
Mn
. U
Pb
Zn
Cci
Cu
Fe
S04=
Ba
(TSS)
Ra
226
BOD5
Fecal Coliform
Se
V
Cr
Mo
Value Concentration
6. 5 - ?.0
30 nip, / I
1,0 mg/t
5 mo/1
0. 1 ITlg f\
1. 0 mg/L
0. 01 nig /I
] mg/l
2 mg/1
500 mg /I
1 rng/1
3 pCi/1
10 mg/l
2001 ml
not established
not sstablished
not established
riot established
C - 7
-------
j.x'nihil Z
Sell ; nr1"'/1/ alder ?.Iine WaU'i Effluent
Mont'j 1 ig Schedule
Parameter
U nit;;
L Ic.'
I' 1G 1")
pH
std.
[ S3
mg/1
i ron
mg/1
Ma
mg/1
U
mg/1
Pb
mg/l
Zn
mg/l
Cd
mg/1
Cu
mg/1
SO* (s)
mg/1
13a
mg/l
BOD5
mg/1
Ra-22o, dissolved
pCi/1
total fecal coliform
fr/100 ml
selenium
mg/1
vanadium
mg/1
molybdenum
mg/1
chromium
mg/1
requcn<-y
i " nc
:t ic
weekly
dml>
p c ib
weekly
b - hoi1 l"
Cj.ipo': irp
monthly
S — 11 —> L1 -
C'J
morulily
S- hoj r
co
monthly
u r
Cu: p Zj S 1r ,
rr.oruhly
8 - iioi! r
CO.-\"D3! ^
quarterly-
0 - hour
corn-DOS.: -
quarterly
8 - hour
corr.ioSi".:
quarterly
8 - ho u r
compos tie
monthly
8 - hour
composite
monthly
8-hour
co:rpositi
monthly
4-kor.r
cor.-ioosi'v
monthl v
S - b D > ¦ T
co m d h: *:
moalhl v
•j
grab
once*
8 -hon r
compos ¦ Le
once'-'
8 - li'mr
corn 00 site
once-
8 -hoLir-
cornnosre
once"-'
S-houv
compos 1: j
^frequency to be determined based on initial results
C - 9
-------
APPENDIX D
WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR URANIUM
D - 1
-------
2D1
URANIUM U
1 Gcncial Uiainum mid many of its balls are re-
ported to be highly to\ie (3G4, 2129, 2972), but the lit-
ciatuio docs not always confirm tins observation I" ad-
dition to its significance in atomic cneigy, uianium lias
been used in photogi apliy, in glazing and painting poi-
ccl.iut, and in clicmic.il piocesses Many ol tlie sails of
uianium .lie freely soluble in water anil, home, they may
constitute a health lias-aid if picscnt in a walei supply
Jfoubatilt et al (3711), however, impl> irom a limited
study of ceitain aie.is that natuial ui.inium m the soil,
which is absorbed by peisons thiough the water and
foodstuffs giown on the land, may be a limiting factor
in the incidence of leukemia
Most of the litoiaLure concerning uianium in water
relates to the ladiological hazards Results ate expiessecl
in terms of ladiation paiamctors lather than in coucen-
tiations of uranium in mg/1 Such references are cov-
ered in Chapter VIII, HadioaetmU The criteria in the
following paragiaphs deal with chemical effects without
reference to radiological hazards
2 Cioss Kefei ences See Radioactn lty, Chapter
VIII
3 Effects Upon Beneficial Uses
a Domestic Water Supply The Diwsion of Indus-
trial ll\jriene, Ontario Depaitment of Health, has sug-
gested a maximum allowable concentration for neutial
uianium in dunking water of 500 to 1000 micrograms
pei liter (3747)
b Stock and Wildlife "Watering In tests using two
urauium-fluoi ine compounds, the insoluble uranium tet-
rafluonde, UP<, and and soluble uranvl fluoride, UOjFs,
Maynard et al (3748) found that 2 percent of UF< and
0 05 percent of UO2F2 had 110 toxic effect in the diet of
rats Interference with growth and a depressed bodv
weight were observable during the second year in ani-
mals on dietary concentrations of 20 percent UF* and
0 15 percent of UO2F0 Some tendency toward anemia
was discoveied 111 male rats fed diets containing 0 25 and
0 5 percent UO2F2 While only mild injury was found 111
the kidneys of rats whose diets contained 20 percent of
UFi, definite renal tubular damage was found in rats
fed diets of 0 15 pcicent or more of UO2F2 In a one-year
feeding expei imcnt on dogs the same authors obscned
doses of 0 01 g/kg U02F2 and 1 0 g/kg UF< were with-
out efTect on body weight, but animals fed 5 g/kg of
UF< did not gam weight as almost all other animals did
The minimum dose given for one year that provided
unmistakable renal damage 111 dogs was 0 025 g/kg/day
for UO2F0 and 0 2 g/kg/day for UFj \Ioxan and Rhian
(1481) rcpoitcd that a concentiation of 5 mg/1 of ura-
nium in the drinking water increased mortality among
lats bring fed a ration containing 11 mg/1 of selenium
e Fish and Other Aquatic Life Hoffman (7CD) ex-
amined the wtiler of the River March between Czechoslo-
\nkia and Geiinany and found that it contained 0 001
mg/1 of uianium Much of this uranium was absorbed by
al^.ic but it was not lo\ic to them The alga Ochromonai
was icpoited to concent 1 ate natuial uianium (U-238) by
a factor of 330 from uatci in 48 bonis (338G) I11 a study
of the Black Sea, Pshenim (2910) found yeasts to be
mote active than baclei 1.1111 taking up uianium
Tai/uell and llemli'ison (I "i-l) found the % hour
Tli,„ ol l.ilhi'.id minnow in solt water (pII-_:7 I, alU.i-
11m 11V 1H mjr/l, haiilness = 20 mg/1) was 2 8 lii^'/l
101 ui.inyl snllate, IJOjSOi 31 IJ), 3 1 mg/1 foi uranyl
111I1.lie, IJC);(NO 1)_¦ OIljO, and 37 mg/1 tor 111 .my 1 .11 e-
t.ilr, i:0.((J,ll ,0^)2 211.0 In haul watci (pll-M2, total
alkalinity — 3(>0 mg/1, haidness 400 m;;/l), the 9G-
houi TL„, of uianjl sulfate was mcieascd to 135 m;(/l
Tims it appeals that uranium compounds arc consider-
ably nioie toxic 111 soft water than 111 haul water (2107,
2110,2973).
In Japan, it was obscivcd that 250 mg/1 of uianyl
mtiale 111 sea water inhibited the foimation of the fcitil-
i/.ilion membi.inc in Uicclns egj,'s and led to polyspermy
(3749) Rungniann and Kulin (2158, 3313) using River
Ifavel water, icpoited the threshold effect of uranyl 111-
tiate on Daphma to be 13 mg/1, on 8cciicdcsmu>,, 22
mg/1, 011 E coh 17 to 2 2 mg/1, and on a protozoan
(Microt rijina) 28 ing/1, all rxpiessed as uranium
From: "Water Quality Criteria,"
Second Edition by J.E. McKee
and H.W. Wolf, California
State Water Resources Control
Board, Publication 3-A (Re-
pring December, 1971)
D - 2
------- |