REMEDIATION SYSTEM EVALUATION
SUMMITVILLE MINE SUPERFUND SITE
SUMMITVILLE, COLORADO
Report of the Remediation System Evaluation,
Site Visit Conducted at the Summitville Mine Superfund Site
June 12-13,2002
US Army
Corps of Engineers
US Environmental
Protection Agency
-------
This page is intentionally left blank.
-------
Office of Solid Waste EPA 542-R-02-018
and Emergency Response September 2002
(5102G) www.epa.gov/tio
clu-in.org/optimization
Remediation System Evaluation
Summitville Mine Superfund Site
Summitville, Colorado
-------
This page is intentionally left blank.
-------
NOTICE
Work described herein was performed by GeoTrans, Inc. (GeoTrans) and the United States Army Corps
of Engineers (USAGE) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Work conducted by
GeoTrans, including preparation of this report, was performed under Dynamac Contract No. 68-C-99-
256, Subcontract No. 91517. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
-------
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Remediation System Evaluation (RSE) involves a team of expert hydrogeologists and engineers,
independent of the site, conducting a third-party evaluation of site operations. It is a broad evaluation
that considers the goals of the remedy, site conceptual model, above-ground and subsurface performance,
and site exit strategy. The evaluation includes reviewing site documents, visiting the site for up to 1.5
days, and compiling a report that includes recommendations to improve the system. Recommendations
with cost and cost savings estimates are provided in the following four categories:
improvements in remedy effectiveness
reductions in operation and maintenance costs
technical improvements
gaining site closeout
The recommendations are intended to help the site team identify opportunities for improvements. In
many cases, further analysis of a recommendation, beyond that provided in this report, is required prior
to implementation of the recommendation.
This report documents a RSE of the Summitville Mine Superfund Site. The site visit was conducted on
June 12-13, 2002. This report therefore describes the status of the site as of that date. Modifications or
adjustments to operation at the site , in response to or independent of the RSE, have likely occurred since
the site visit.
The Summitville Mine Superfund Site is located in the southeastern portion of the San Juan Mountains,
in Rio Grande County, approximately 60 miles west of Alamosa, Colorado and 10 to 15 miles south of
Del Norte, Colorado. The site is defined as the permitted 1,231-acre mine site and is located adjacent to
the former town of Summitville at an elevation of approximately 11,200 feet. The site addresses impacts
due to acid mine drainage that results from mining activities conducted onsite between 1870 and 1992 by
a number of parties.
EPA took over the site from the responsible party in 1992, and by 1994 the site was added to the National
Priorities List. Interim remedial activities including excavation, reclamation work, and treatment of
impacted water have taken place at the site since EPA's involvement. A Record of Decision was
issued in 2001 for a final remedy that includes design and construction of a new water treatment plant,
upgrades to site wide diversions and drainage ditches, and other items for reducing the load of acid mine
drainage reaching downgradient surface water.
This RSE provides input to the site managers regarding both the interim remedy and aspects of the final
remedy. In general, the RSE team found an extremely well-operated treatment plant and site-wide
remedy. The site team has a good conceptual model of the site and have proven that they can prioritize
remediation activities effectively. Internal optimization efforts have already lead to increasing the plant
capacity from 500 gpm to 1,000 gpm, and the site team provided a number of recommendations that the
RSE team has included in Section 6.0 of this report. The site managers and O&M contractor are to be
commended for accomplishing several interim remedy goals, including addressing onsite waste areas and
reducing contaminant loading to the watershed, in a relatively short period of time.
-------
The RSE team made the following recommendations with respect to the effectiveness of the remedy.
The RSE team recommends that site managers place particular emphasis on draining the mine
pool. Elevated water in the mine pool may increase the hydraulic potential available for pushing
impacted water through the bedrock and eventually uncaptured to surface water. Draining the
mine pool to the proposed levels may reduce this hydraulic potential. Draining the mine pool
should commence immediately with the hope of significant progress to be made by the end of the
2002 operating season.
The RSE team offers the following considerations for the planned 2002 sediment removal from
the impoundment.
First, any excavation done this year should be useful for the final remedy impoundment.
Investing in modifications that do not provide additional storage volume and further
reduces the already limited capacity of the sludge disposal area is not cost-effective,
especially if major modifications to the impoundment will be made in a few years as part
of the final remedy.
Second, if the sediment removal does occur, the site managers should also consider
adding to the planned activities the construction a permanent intake for water extraction
to replace the existing raft-mounted structure. This permanent structure should be
constructed to improve operations for both the interim and final remedies.
Third, the sediment to be removed from the impoundment will be placed in the sludge
disposal area and will reduce the already limited amount of sludge storage. Therefore,
the benefit of sediment removal should be weighed against any negatives associated with
reducing the amount of sludge storage.
As part of further groundwater and seep management, the site managers should conduct a
hydrogeological evaluation to determine if the planned interceptor trench along the northern
boundary of the site will provide the expected capture of impacted water. Due to flow in both
the alluvium and the bedrock, potential exists for flow to bypass the planned interceptor trench.
A more effective approach may involve letting the impacted water continue to drain into the
valley and diverting this drainage to the impoundment while diverting clean water around this
area.
The RSE team made the following recommendations with respect to the reducing the costs of the remedy.
Reductions in the onsite surface water sampling program could lead to savings as high as
$50,000 per year. In addition, reductions in the groundwater and seep monitoring program could
help the State meet its goal of reducing the cost of its monitoring contract from $350,000 per
year to $200,000 or $150,000 per year.
Based on costs provided during the RSE site visit, discontinuing snow removal could save the
project approximately $275,000 per year in costs for leasing the equipment and for labor. The
site contractors report that snow removal is done to allow preventative maintenance to occur over
the winter and for security reasons. The specific benefits of this maintenance are unclear to the
RSE team and snow removal to allow access specifically for this preventative maintenance is
likely not cost effective. A portion of snow removal is supposed to be conducted by the Forest
Service, but is done by the EPA contractor. Correspondence subsequent to the RSE site visit
-------
indicates that the snow removal equipment has been purchased since the RSE site visit. Though
this approach ensures that the costs for leasing the equipment will not be incurred in future, to
achieve the full $275,000 per year in savings, snow removal would need to be discontinued. If
snow removal does continue, the site managers should seek reimbursement for snow removal
done on behalf of the Forest Service.
The local administration office in Del Norte should be phased out to eliminate costs of
approximately $50,000 per year. Other accommodations could be made at lower cost to address
those items handled by this local office.
Vehicles for the site are currently leased due to EPA contracting requirements. At a cost of
$66,000 per year, the cost of leasing the vehicles for 2 years more than pays for the cost of
purchasing the vehicles. Therefore, the RSE team recommends modifications to allow
purchasing of vehicles to reduce long-term costs. If vehicles last for five years, savings of
approximately $50,000 per year on average would be saved by purchasing instead of leasing.
Automation of the new treatment plant and associated reductions in labor are likely required to
reduce costs to the projected O&M costs. The RSE team suggests the site managers make a
target for costs associated with plant labor and make the necessary modifications to meet this
target. Some considerations are provided to help site managers acquire a qualified operations
staff in a cost-effective manner.
Recommendations for technical improvement include providing a new potable water supply for polymer
mixing, correcting the "dirty power" provided to the site, providing back up for sludge disposal and
removal components, and implementing lessons learned from current operations into the design and
installation of the proposed water treatment plant.
A single recommendation is made for gaining site closeout. The RSE team recommends that the site
managers seriously consider remedial approaches that will not require long-term water treatment. The
interim remedy and the proposed changes in the final remedy provide a necessary degree of protection
but must also operate in perpetuity at high cost. Various remedial approaches are suggested for the site
managers to consider, and the site managers are encouraged to revisit these approaches and others in the
future.
A table summarizing the recommendations and the associated annual life-cycle costs of the
recommendation is provided in Section 7.0 of this report.
in
-------
PREFACE
This report was prepared as part of a project conducted by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) and Technology Innovation
Office (TIO). The objective of this project is to conduct Remediation System Evaluations (RSEs) of
pump and treat systems at Superfund sites that are "Fund-lead" (i.e., financed by USEPA). The
following organizations are implementing this project.
Organization
Key Contact
Contact Information
USEPA Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response
(OERR)
Jennifer Griesert
1235 Jefferson Davis Hwy, 12th floor
Arlington, VA 22202
Mail Code 5201G
phone: 703-603-8888
griesert.jennifer@epa.gov
USEPA Technology Innovation
Office
(USEPA TIO)
Kathy Yager
11 Technology Drive (ECA/OEME)
North Chelmsford, MA 01863
phone: 617-918-8362
fax: 617-918-8427
yager.kathleen@epa.gov
GeoTrans, Inc.
(Contractor to USEPA TIO)
Doug Sutton
GeoTrans, Inc.
2 Paragon Way
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 409-0344
Fax: (732) 409-3020
dsutton@geotransinc.com
Army Corp of Engineers:
Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive
Waste Center of Expertise
(USACE HTRW CX)
Dave Becker
12565 W. Center Road
Omaha, NE 68144-3869
(402) 697-2655
Fax: (402) 691-2673
dave.j.becker@nwd02.usace.army.mil
The project team is grateful for the help provided by the following EPA Project Liaisons.
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Darryl Luce and Larry Brill
Diana Cutt and Rob Alvey
Kathy Davies
Kay Wischkaemper
Dion Novak
Region 6
Region 7
Region 8
Region 9
Region 10
Vincent Malott
Mary Peterson
Richard Muza
Herb Levine
Bernie Zavala
They were vital in selecting the Fund-lead pump and treat systems to be evaluated and facilitating
communication between the project team and the Remedial Project Managers (RPMs).
IV
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE i
PREFACE iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 PURPOSE 1
1.2 TEAM COMPOSITION 2
1.3 DOCUMENTS REVIEWED 2
1.4 PERSONS CONTACTED 2
1.5 SITE LOCATION, HISTORY, AND CHARACTERISTICS 3
1.5.1 LOCATION AND HISTORY 3
1.5.2 SUMMARY OF SITE CONCEPTUAL MODEL 4
1.5.3 CURRENT SITE CONDITIONS 6
2.0 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 7
2.1 REMEDY OVERVIEW 7
2.2 SITE DRAINAGE SYSTEM 7
2.3 TREATMENT SYSTEM 8
2.4 MONITORING PROGRAM 8
3.0 SYSTEM OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE AND CLOSURE CRITERIA 9
3.1 CURRENT REMEDY OBJECTIVES AND CLOSURE CRITERIA 9
3.2 TREATMENT PLANT OPERATION GOALS 9
4.0 FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM THE RSE SITE VISIT 10
4.1 FINDINGS 10
4.2 OVERALL REMEDY PERFORMANCE 10
4.2.1 CAPTUREOF SITE-RELATED CONTAMFNATION 10
4.2.2 PROGRESS TOWARD REMEDIATION 11
4.3 COMPONENT PERFORMANCE 11
4.3.1 POWER SOURCE 11
4.3.2 INFLUENT PUMP 12
4.3.3 LIME FEED SYSTEM 12
4.3.4 TANKS FOR LIME AND POLYMER FEED AND MIXING 12
4.3.5 POTABLE WATER AND POLYMER MIXING 12
4.3.6 SLUDGE THICKENER/CLARIFIER 13
4.3.7 SLUDGE PROCESSING AND DISPOSAL 13
4.3.8 ONSITE VEHICLES 13
4.3.9 FORMER CYANIDE DESTRUCTION PLANT (OFFICES AND LABORATORY) 13
4.4 COMPONENTS OR PROCESSES THAT ACCOUNT FOR MAJORITY OF MONTHLY COSTS 13
4.4.1 UTILITIES 14
4.4.2 NON-UTILITY CONSUMABLES 14
4.4.3 LABOR 15
4.4.4 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS 15
4.5 RECURRING PROBLEMS OR ISSUES 15
4.6 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 16
4.7 TREATMENT PROCESS EXCURSIONS AND UPSETS, ACCIDENTAL CONTAMFNANT/REAGENT RELEASES ... 16
4.8 SAFETY RECORD 16
-------
5.0 EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT 17
5.1 GROUNDWATER 17
5.2 SURFACE WATER 17
5.3 AIR 17
5.4 SOILS 18
5.5 WETLANDS AND SEDIMENTS 18
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 19
6.1 RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE EFFECTIVENESS 19
6.1.1 CONSIDERATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE MINE POOL 19
6.1.2 CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE 2002 SDI SEDIMENT REMOVAL 20
6.1.3 CONSIDERATIONS FOR GROUNDWATER AND SEEP MANAGEMENT 21
6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE COSTS 22
6.2.1 REDUCE WEEKLY ENVIRONMENTAL SURFACE WATER SAMPLING 22
6.2.2 REDUCE GROUNDWATER AND SEEP SAMPLING 23
6.2.3 ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY SNOW REMOVAL AND/OR OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT FOR CONDUCTING
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SNOW REMOVAL 23
6.2.4 SCALE BACK OR ELIMINATE DEL NORTE OFFICE 24
6.2.5 IMPROVE CONTRACTING TO ALLOW PURCHASING OF VEHICLES RATHER THAN LEASING 24
6.2.6 AUTOMATE TREATMENT PLANT OF THE FINAL REMEDY TO REDUCE LABOR REQUIREMENTS ... 24
6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENT 27
6.3.1 PROVIDE A NEW SOURCE FOR POTABLE WATER 27
6.3.2 REMEDIATE DIRTY POWER 27
6.3.3 PROVIDE NECESSARY BACKUP TO FILTER PRESS AND DUMP TRUCK 27
6.3.4 APPLY LESSONS LEARNED FROM EXISTING WATER TREATMENT PLANT TO DESIGN OF THE FINAL
REMEDY WATER TREATMENT PLANT 28
6.4 CONSIDERATIONS FOR GAINING SITE CLOSE OUT 29
6.4.1 CONSIDER REMEDIAL ACTIONS THAT COULD REPLACE LONG-TERM CONTAINMENT AND WATER
TREATMENT 29
6.5 SUGGESTED APPROACH TO IMPLEMENTATION 30
7.0 SUMMARY 31
List of Tables
Table 7-1. Cost summary table
List of Figures
Figure 1. The location of the Summitville Mine Superfund Site relative to nearby roads and municipalities
Figure 2. Site layout showing major features, including sub-basins, drainage ditches, and diversions
Figure 3. Labeled photograph of the Summitville Mine Superfund Site depicting main site features
Figure 4. Conditions of the Summitville Mine Superfund Site in 1993 prior to remedial action
Figure 5. The location of the Summitville Mine Superfund Site relative to nearby surface water bodies
VI
-------
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PURPOSE
In the OSWER Directive No. 9200.0-33, Transmittal of Final FYOO - FY01 Superfund Reforms Strategy,
dated July 7, 2000, the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response outlined a commitment to
optimize Fund-lead pump and treat systems. To fulfill this commitment, the US Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) and Technology
Innovation Office (TIO), through a nationwide project, is assisting the ten EPA Regions in evaluating
their Fund-lead operating pump and treat systems. This nationwide project is a continuation of a
demonstration project in which the Fund-lead pump and treat systems in Regions 4 and 5 were screened
and two sites from each of the two Regions were evaluated.
In fiscal year (FY) 2001, the nationwide effort identified all Fund-lead pump and treat systems in the
EPA Regions, collected and reported baseline cost and performance data, and evaluated a total of 20
systems. The site evaluations are conducted by EPA-TIO contractors, GeoTrans, Inc. and the United
States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE), using a process called a Remediation System Evaluation
(RSE), which was developed by USAGE and is documented on the following website:
http://www.environmental.usace.armv.mil/library/guide/rsechk/rsechk.html
A RSE involves a team of expert hydrogeologists and engineers, independent of the site, conducting a
third-party evaluation of site operations. It is a broad evaluation that considers the goals of the remedy,
site conceptual model, above-ground and subsurface performance, and site exit strategy. The evaluation
includes reviewing site documents, visiting the site for up to 1.5 days, and compiling a report that
includes recommendations to improve the system. Recommendations with cost and cost savings
estimates are provided in the following four categories:
improvements in remedy effectiveness
reductions in operation and maintenance costs
technical improvements
gaining site closeout
The recommendations are intended to help the site team identify opportunities for improvements. In
many cases, further analysis of a recommendation, beyond that provided in this report, is required prior
to implementation of the recommendation.
In FY 2002, additional RSEs have been commissioned to address sites either recommended by a Region
or selected by OERR. The Summitville Mine Superfund Site was cooperatively selected by OERR and
EPA Region 8. Though the site does not have a pump and treat system, site impacts from acid mine
drainage are addressed by a long-term remedy including water treatment. This site has high operation
costs relative to the cost of an RSE and a long projected operating life. This report provides a brief
background on the site and current operations, a summary of the observations made during a site visit,
and recommendations for changes and additional studies. The cost impacts of the recommendations are
also discussed.
-------
1.2
TEAM COMPOSITION
The team conducting the RSE consisted of the following individuals:
Jim Erickson, Hydrogeologist, GeoTrans, Inc.
Lindsey Lien, Engineer, USAGE HTRW CX
Peter Rich, Civil and Environmental Engineer, GeoTrans, Inc.
Doug Sutton, Water Resources Engineer, GeoTrans, Inc.
1.3
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Author
Environmental Chemical
Corporation
US EPA
CDM Federal
Rocky Mountain
Consultants
Rocky Mountain
Consultants
CDM Federal
US EPA
Date
12/15/1994
9/18/2001
9/2001
9/2001
11/2001
9/28/2001
Title
Water Treatment Focused Feasibility Study,
Summitville Mine Superfund Site, Summitville,
Colorado
Interim Record of Decision for Water Treatment,
Summitville Mine Superfund Site, Summitville
Colorado
Summitville Water Treatment Plant Operations
Report -August 2001
Summitville Mine Superfund Site, Remedial
Investigation Report, Site-wide Remedial
Investigation and Feasibility Study
Summitville Mine Superfund Site, Feasibility Study
Summitville Water Treatment Plant Annual Report
-2001
Record of Decision for Summitville Mine Final
Site-wide Remedy, Operable Unit 5, Summitville
Mine Superfund Site, Rio Grande County, Colorado
1.4
PERSONS CONTACTED
The following individuals associated with the site were present for the site visit:
Steve Eppelheimer, Senior Plot Operator, CDM
Joe Fox, Lab Manager/Plant Operator, CDM
Robbert-Paul Smit, Project Manager and Environmental Scientist, CDM
Karen Taylor, Senior Project Manager, CDM
Austin Buckingham, Site Manager, CDPHE
-------
The RSE team also contacted Victor Ketellapper and Jim Hanley from EPA Region 8 to discuss the site
and remedy.
1.5
1.5.1
SITE LOCATION, HISTORY, AND CHARACTERISTICS
LOCATION AND HISTORY
The Summitville Mine Superfund Site is located in the southeastern portion of the San Juan Mountains,
in Rio Grande County, approximately 60 miles west of Alamosa, Colorado and 10 to 15 miles south of
Del Norte, Colorado. The location of the site with respect to these landmarks is depicted in Figure 1.
The site is defined as the permitted 1,231-acre mine site and is located adjacent to the former town of
Summitville at an elevation of approximately 11,200 feet. A map of the site with main features is
presented in Figure 2, and a labeled photograph of the site is depicted in Figure 3. The site addresses
impacts resulting from mining for precious metals that began at Summitville in 1870 and continued
through 1992 by a number of parties.
Recovery of ore was conducted primarily through an underground network of adits until 1984 when
operations intensified with open pit mining by Summitville Consolidated Mining Company Incorporated
(SCMCI). In 1985 and 1986 the Heap Leach Pad was constructed to process ore from the open pit.
Between 1984 and 1992 approximately 10 million tons of ore were processed on the Heap Leach Pad by
adding a solution of sodium cyanide to extract gold and silver and processing the resulting "pregnant"
solution to recover the precious metals. A leak was detected in the Heap Leach Pad liner a week after its
operation began and several cyanide leaks resulted. A water treatment plant was installed and operated
to treat water impacted by cyanide and acid mine drainage, but this treatment and subsequent measures
were inadequate to sufficiently mitigate environmental impacts. In December 1992, SCMCI announced
bankruptcy and informed the State of Colorado that financial support for site operations would not
continue. EPA took over the site and modified the water treatment plant to treat site impacts. The site
was listed on the National Priorities List in 1994. Figure 4 shows a photograph of the site that is
representative of the site conditions at the time EPA took over the site. Site operations are now lead by
CDPHE with funding shared by CDPHE and EPA.
A number of emergency and interim remedial responses have taken place since 1992. The following
table summarizes the five "primary areas of concern" that were designated as independent operable units
(OUs) and were highlighted for emergency response actions and interim remedial actions by a series of
1995 RODs. The final remedy for the site is designated as OU5 in a 2001 ROD and is in the early stages
of implementation.
Area of Concern
Water treatment
Heap Leach Pad Detoxification/Closure
Excavation of Cropsy Waste Pile, Beaver Mud
Dump, and Cleveland Cliffs Tailings Pond and
Closure of the Mine Pit
South Mountain Groundwater
Site-wide Reclamation
Op. Unit
QUO
OU1
OU2
OUS
OU4
Status
Ongoing - to be modified and to continue as
part of OUS
Complete - to be maintained as
Complete - to be maintained as
part of OUS
part of OUS
To be addressed in OUS
To be complete in 2002
-------
The areas described in the above table can be identified on Figure 2. The following remedy components
are presented in the 2001 ROD for OU5:
Onsite contaminated water impoundment upstream of the Wightman Fork-Cropsy Creek
confluence
Construction of a new gravity-fed water treatment plant downstream of the contaminated water
impoundment
Possible breach and removal of the existing Summitville Dam Impoundment (SDI)
Construction of a sludge disposal repository
Upgrade of Wightman Fork Diversion
Upgrade of select site ditches
Construction of groundwater interceptor drains
Construction of a Highwall ditch (implementation of OU3)
Rehabilitation of Reynolds Adit Management of mine pool water
Continued site maintenance, and groundwater/surface water and geotechnical monitoring onsite
Surface water, sediment, and aquatic life monitoring in the Alamosa River and Terrace Reservoir
Site managers are currently studying each of these actions and potential modifications that would result
in a more effective and efficient remedy. This RSE report focuses on the ongoing water treatment
interim action and highlights considerations for the remedial activities to be conducted as part of OU5.
1.5.2
SUMMARY OF SITE CONCEPTUAL MODEL
Contaminant Sources
Acid mine drainage is the predominant form of contamination on site. Due to disturbances associated
with mining, an increased amount of sulfide bearing rock is exposed to air and water. In the presence of
both air and water, this rock oxidizes, and the reaction yields water with elevated metals concentrations
and acidic conditions. Once started, oxidation of the sulfide bearing rock can continue in absence of air
using other agents, such as ferric iron, as oxidants. Though these oxidation reactions occur naturally, the
disturbances from mining increase the mineral surface area for the oxidizing reactions to occur and
severely impacted water results. At the Summiville Mine site, the drainage has elevated iron and copper
concentrations and has a pH typically ranging from 2.5 to 4. The following table summarizes the various
sources or suspected sources of acid mine drainage at the Summitville Mine site.
Source
Bedrock Aquifer
Mine Pool
Highwall
Area of source (acres) or
Volume of impacted water (acre-feet)
147 acre-feet
14 acre-feet*
50 acres
Notes
Contaminated water may discharge to
underground workings or to surface as seeps
Contamination decreases with depth
Resulted from plugging the Reynolds Adit and can
be regulated by releases from Reynolds Adit
Northern face of South Mountain that was
exposed by open-pit mining
* This volume is provided in the 2001 ROD. A greater volume was drained from the mine pool in 2002 suggesting that the mine
pool is either larger than originally estimated or that the volume drained includes recharge.
According to the 2001 ROD, other smaller, but notable sources of acid mine drainage that remain at the
site include the North and South Mine Pits, the North Waste Dump, and the sludge disposal area. All of
-------
these sources generate acid mine drainage, but due to limited infiltration or short-lived saturation, the
volumes associated with these sources are minimal. According to the site managers, there does appear to
be evidence, however, that these areas are beginning to accumulate water.
Site-related contamination also exists in the water within the Heap Leach Pad. This water is impacted by
cyanide and, as reported in the September 2001 Remedial Investigation, has alkaline conditions
stemming from the use of sodium cyanide and lime during former processing operations. Though this
water remains onsite as a potential source of contamination to groundwater and Wightman Fork,
monitoring in 1999 and 2000 showed no cyanide impacts downgradient of the Heap Leach Pad,
suggesting that the contamination is contained.
Contaminant Transport
During winter months, snow accumulates throughout the site. On average, approximately 344 inches of
snow falls between October and April of each year. The total annual precipitation (i.e., volume of water
due to both snow fall and rain) averages approximately 40 to 44 inches per year (nearly three quarters
due to snow fall). Over a site of approximately 1,200 acres, this translates to average influx of water to
the site of approximately 4,200 acre-feet (approximately 1.4 billion gallons). During the non-winter
months (approximately early April to mid October), water may leave the site through evaporation, runoff,
or infiltration and subsequent discharge to groundwater and/or surface water. Water that infiltrates into
the mine workings and bedrock aquifer, becomes acid mine drainage by the above-mentioned process,
and then discharges to groundwater or surface water through adits, groundwater seeps, or bedrock faults.
Without the interim remedial efforts to address it, the acid mine drainage would flow into Wightman
Fork, which eventually discharges to the Alamosa River. Approximately 4 miles downstream, the
Wightman Fork discharges to the Alamosa River. Therefore, contamination in Wightman Fork can
impact the downstream segments of the Alamosa River and the Terrace Reservoir, which receives water
from the Alamosa River approximately 15 miles downstream from the Wightman Fork confluence. The
locations of Wightman Fork, the Alamosa River, and the Terrace Reservoir relative to the site are
depicted in Figure 5.
The acidic conditions associated with acid mine drainage helps further mobilize metals and therefore
may increase the metals concentrations in both groundwater and surface water. Metals transport may
occur in both the dissolved phase, as complexes with organic matter, or adsorbed to other metal oxides
suspended in the water or present in sediments.
Receptors
Potential receptors of site-related contamination include aquatic life found in Wightman Fork, the
Alamosa River, and the Terrace Reservoir. In addition, potential agricultural and human receptors are
also present. Though site-related contaminants are found significantly above background levels, human
health is not at risk. Therefore, aquatic life, due to its sensitivity to copper and other site-related
contaminants, serves as the primary risk driver. The following table summarizes the contaminants of
concern and various representative water quality criteria. This table is not an exhaustive list of water
quality criteria. Specific criteria exist for various portions of the Alamosa River, and in many cases, the
metals criteria are a function of hardness. Representative values are presented only to demonstrate that
the standards for aquatic life are driving the risks at this site.
-------
Contaminant of
Concern
Copper
Cyanide
Iron (total recoverable)
Zinc
pH
Representative Chronic
Water Quality Standard
(ug/L)
12 (hardness based)
5
12,0002
1 06 (hardness based)
Representative Acute
Water Quality Standard
(ug/L)
1 8 (hardness based)
5
none listed
117 (hardness based)
Representative Standard
for Human Consumption
(ug/L)
1,220' (near Jasper)
29.41 (Phillips University
Camp)
3003
274 (near Jasper)
6.5 to 9 standard units4
1 Ingestion of surface water by a recreational user. The ROD provides criteria for 3 geographical areas. The criteria and
geographical area listed in the last column of this table represents the most stringent of those 3 criteria.
2 Chronic standard for total recoverable iron between Wightman Fork and the Terrace Reservoir. The criteria for the Terrace
Reservoir are more stringent.
3 This is a secondary drinking water standard for aesthetic purposes.
4 This pH criteria is a fixed range established by the State of Colorado. A wider range (4 to 9 standard units) applies to an area of
the Alamosa River that is upstream and not impacted by the Summitville Mine site.
1.5.3
CURRENT SITE CONDITIONS
Previous interim remedial actions have included excavating exposed tailings, placing them in the open
pit, and then closing the pit. In addition, a network of drainage ditches are in place to direct acid mine
drainage to the Summitville Dam Impoundment (SDI) and unimpacted water directly to Wightman Fork.
Water stored in the SDI is then pumped to a water treatment plant and treated prior to discharge to
Wightman Fork. Though the interim remedial actions have significantly reduced impacts in Wightman
Fork and areas downstream, site-related contamination still impacts Wightman Fork and the Alamosa
River. These impacts are predominantly due to acid mine drainage discharging from seeps and faults that
are not contained by the network of ditches and to controlled releases of water from the SDI that are
necessary when the capacity of the water treatment plant and the impoundment are insufficient to address
the volume of acid mine drainage.
Because precipitation events, the snow pack, and the snow melt periods are subject to relatively
unpredictable variations in weather and the regional climate, the magnitude of impacts reaching
Wightman Fork and areas downstream vary from year to year. According to results from the 2001
Remedial Investigation that are summarized in the 2001 ROD, the collective baseline flow of acid mine
drainage to the SDI from the seeps, adits, pump house fault, and the French Drain ranges from 170 to 750
gpm depending on the above-mentioned climatic factors. An average of 450 gpm is typically assumed by
the site managers. During the snow melt season during May and June when runoff is high, the volume of
water entering the SDI is much greater. In years with average or above average snow pack, the combined
capacity of the SDI and water treatment plant are insufficient, and controlled releases from the SDI are
used to prevent an overtopping of the embankment.
-------
2.0 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
2.1 REMEDY OVERVIEW
The primary aspects of the long-term remedy are 1) maintaining a network of ditches to manage the flow
of acid mine drainage, 2) treating impacted water that is collected in the SDI, 3) otherwise controlling
water levels in the impoundment to prevent breaches, and 4) associated monitoring. The water treatment
plant was assembled from existing components and treatment plants at the Summitville Mine site by EPA
after it took over operations in 1992. Therefore, although water treatment from this facility began in
1995, some components of the system are over 30 years old. The plant operates from early April through
October each year and shuts down in the winter due to heavy snow, high winds, and cold temperatures.
All influent to the plant comes from the SDI. The plant was originally designed to treat 500 gpm. This
original rate, however, was insufficient and recent optimization efforts have improved the treatment
capacity to over 1,000 gpm. The influent concentrations of metals varies throughout the operating
season. For example, during the 2001 operating season, the influent copper concentration was generally
under 40 mg/L, but increased to approximately 60 mg/L by the end of operations on October 10, 2001.
This variation in the metals concentrations is due to dilution of the acid mine drainage during the snow
melt season. As the snow melt season comes to an end, dilution of baseline acid mine drainage
decreases. In addition, the SDI is stratified with higher metals at depth, and when the SDI is drawn down
during the end of the season, the water remaining is with relatively higher metals concentrations.
2.2 SITE DRAINAGE SYSTEM
The network of ditches and proposed additions to the existing network are depicted in Figure 2. In
general, the site is divided into three areas with the following discharges:
Basin A, the northwestern quarter of the site, encompasses the north waste dump, a number of
groundwater seeps, and the footprint of the former Beaver Mud Dump. Basin A discharges to
the SDI.
Basin B, the eastern half of the site, encompasses the Heap Leach Pad, the footprint of the former
Cropsy Waste Pile, and other areas. Basin B discharges to the Cropsy Creek and Wightman
Fork.
Basin C, the southwestern quarter of the site, encompasses the Highwall, North and South Mine
Pits, and Sludge Disposal Area. Basin C discharges to the SDI when analytical results suggest
high impacts and the flow is less than 25 cfs. During periods of high flow water from this area is
discharged to Wightman Fork.
In addition to the ditches that divert water as described above, ditches are in place to direct water to the
SDI from the Reynolds and Chandler Adits, French Drain, and surface water drainage from select site
roads.
-------
2.3 TREATMENT SYSTEM
The treatment plant removes metals via hydroxide precipitation. A 120 horsepower raft-mounted ABS
pump pumps approximately 1,200 gpm from the SDI to the water treatment plant. Of the approximate
1,200 gpm, about 200 gpm is immediately returned to the SDI, and 1,000 gpm is distributed to two
parallel treatment trains consisting of two!2,000 gallon tanks aligned in series for feeding lime and
anionic polymer and mixing prior to flowing to a single 60-foot diameter thickener/clarifier. Clarified
water is discharged directly to Wightman Fork or recycled back to the SDI. Underflow sludge from the
thickener (approximately 7% solids) is pumped to the head of the system for seeding at a rate of 20% of
the influent (a rate of 10% of the total influent to each treatment train). The remaining sludge is pumped
to a sludge holding tank. Settled sludge from the holding tank is dewatered in a 100-cubic foot filter
press. The sludge filtrate and decant water is recycled to the head of the plant while the lime sludge (an
average of about 25 cubic yards/day) is disposed of onsite in the mine pit area. The plant is operated
effectively to remove approximately 60 mg/L of copper at 1,000 gpm.
2.4 MONITORING PROGRAM
At the time of the RSE, the operations contractor was sampling 13 locations on a weekly basis. In
previous years, this sampling included up to 32 locations on a weekly basis. Correspondence subsequent
to the site visit indicates that the monitoring frequency has been reduced from weekly to biweekly. The
sampling program includes following locations:
Inflows to the SDI from the Reynolds Adit, Reynolds Pipe, and French Drain
Surface water flows from onsite ditches (SC-7, L3-1, and Ditch R)
Surface water flows in Cropsy Creek (CC-1 and CC-5), Wightman Fork (WF-1, WF-2.5, WF-5 and
WF-5.5), and the North Waste Dump Unnamed Tributary.
These samples are submitted for onsite analysis of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. In addition, flow,
pH, and conductivity are measured. Sample collection and analysis requires approximately 2 days for
field personnel and the onsite chemist. The results of this monitoring are used to help determine what
flow should be diverted to the SDI and what flow should be diverted to Cropsy Creek and Wightman
Fork. Monitoring results are also used to determine the surface water quality downgradient from the site.
In addition to this sampling, automated samplers collect 12-hour composite samples for onsite analysis
from both the influent and effluent. Occasional manual samples, perhaps those conducted on a weekly
basis, are used for quality assurance.
Groundwater monitoring and offsite monitoring of surface water, sediments, and biota are also conducted
on and offsite as part of a separate contract through CDPHE. In 2000, up to 26 wells were monitored for
major ions and metals, and in 1999 and 2000 groundwater seeps were monitored at 31 and 37 locations,
respectively.
-------
3.0 SYSTEM OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE AND CLOSURE
CRITERIA
3.1 CURRENT REMEDY OBJECTIVES AND CLOSURE CRITERIA
The 2001 ROD for the OU5 remedy highlights the following Remedial Action Objectives:
Control and treat surface water, groundwater, and leachate as necessary, to meet State and Federal
ARARs
Re-establish State aquatic use classifications and attainment of water quality numeric criteria in
Segment 3c for the Alamosa River and downstream
Ensure geotechnical stability of constructed earthen structures and slopes
Mitigate erosion and transport of sediment into Wightman Fork and Cropsy Creek
Control airborne contaminants from the site
Representative water quality criteria for the Alamosa River are summarized in the table in Section 1.5.2
of this report. Aquatic biota is the primary receptor driving risks at the site, and copper is the primary
contaminant driving risks at the site.
3.2 TREATMENT PLANT OPERATION GOALS
The following table presents the discharge criteria for the treatment plant.
Contaminant/Parameter
Copper
Iron
Manganese
pH
Discharge Criteria (mg/L)
0.1
50
5.6
6.5 to 9 standard units
The contractor is working on a fee/award system where outstanding performance can increase their
award. Outstanding performance requires that plant effluent has a copper concentration below 0.05
mg/L, the average monthly flow exceeds 1,000 gpm, and uptime exceeds 97% during the operating
season. The treatment plant often meets these criteria, but during dry years, regardless of performance,
the treatment plant may not meet the flow criteria due to a lack of water.
-------
4.0 FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM THE RSE SITE VISIT
4.1
FINDINGS
The RSE team found an extremely well-operated treatment plant and site-wide remedy. The site team
has a good conceptual model of the site and have proven that they can prioritize remediation activities
effectively. Internal optimization efforts have already lead to increasing the plant capacity from 500 gpm
to 1,000 gpm, and the site team provided a number of recommendations that the RSE team has included
in Section 6.0 of this report. The site managers and O&M contractor are to be commended for
accomplishing several interim remedy goals, including addressing onsite waste areas and reducing
contaminant loading to the watershed, in a relatively short period of time.
The observations provided below are not intended to imply a deficiency in the work of the system
designers, system operators, or site managers but are offered as constructive suggestions in the best
interest of the EPA and the public. These observations obviously have the benefit of being formulated
based upon operational data unavailable to the original designers. Furthermore, it is likely that site
conditions and general knowledge of groundwater remediation have changed over time.
4.2
OVERALL REMEDY PERFORMANCE
4.2.1
CAPTURE OF SITE-RELATED CONTAMINATION
Site conditions are dependent on the weather and regional climate and therefore vary significantly both
during the operating season and from season to season. The following table is taken from the 2001 ROD
and shows the yearly variability in the site conditions due to regional climate.
Year
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Volume of Water Released from SDI
Gallons
0
169,000,000
9,800,000
53,000,000
0
11,700,000
Acre-feet
0
518
30
164
0
36
Estimated Mass of
Copper Released
(pounds)
0
35,000
1,500
5,600
0
1,400
Percent Snow
Pack Compared to
Normal
28%
208%
107%
131%
67%
108%
Drought conditions during the 2001-2002 winter resulted in below average snow fall, and no water was
released from the SDI during the 2002 operating season. The snow pack data from 1996 through 2001
show that the average snow pack of these 6 six years is close to a previously determined average. The
average for these 6 years is 108% of normal. However, this data also shows great variability with only 2
of 6 years within +/-10% of that normal range. Two of the years (3 years if 2002 is included) were very
dry and the volume of water was easily handled by the remedy, but another 2 of the years greatly
10
-------
exceeded the average and large volumes of water from the SDI needed to be released. Based on this
snow pack data and the estimated volume released from the SDI (including 2002), the combined capacity
of the treatment plant and SDI will accommodate the runoff in less than half of the operating seasons.
The above analysis does not consider the volume of untreated acid mine drainage discharging directly to
surface water from seeps, faults, or groundwater. In 1999, approximately 72 gpm of the discharge from
seeps (approximately 24% of the total discharge from seeps) was directed to Wightman Fork untreated.
The associated iron and copper loading discharged to Wightman Fork was 1,010 pounds per day and 252
pounds per day, respectively. Also in 1999, an estimated 45 gpm discharged to Wightman Fork directly
from groundwater. The associated iron and copper loading was approximately 78 pounds per day and 1
pound per day, respectively.
Water quality criteria at station AR41.2 of Segment 3c of the Alamosa River were exceeded in all 7 of
the sampling events conducted in 1999. Of the 7 sampling events, there were 6 exceedances of the acute
level and 1 exceedence of the chronic level. One of the acute exceedances occurred in mid April during
the early snow melt period when the water treatment plant was not running, and the chronic exceedence
was attributed to an SDI release in late May. The remaining 4 exceedances were due to acid mine
drainage that is not intercepted by the current network of ditches and interceptor trenches. The pH was
below the 6.5 criteria in 4 of the 7 samples at the same sampling station. Further downstream in Segment
3c at station AR34.5 (Phillips University Camp) there were 2 exceedances of the acute copper standard, 2
exceedances of the chronic copper standard, and 4 exceedances of the pH standard in 7 sampling events.
Additional exceedances were noted further downstream in segments 8 and 9 as well.
Given that exceedances occur both during and after the snow melt period, it is evident that the
uncaptured seeps and discharging groundwater are impacting the river. Though the interim remedy is not
capable of meeting the standards in the Alamosa River, conditions have greatly improved since remedial
efforts began. Although the proposed final remedy will reduce the number and volume of SDI releases, it
is unclear to the RSE team from currently available analyses that the proposed remedy will eliminate or
significantly reduce uncaptured groundwater discharge and seeps that cause frequent exceedances of the
downstream water quality criteria.
4.2.2 PROGRESS TOWARD REMEDIATION
Acid mine drainage at the site will likely continue indefinitely unless water from precipitation and snow
melt ceases or the sulfide-bearing material is eliminated. Remedial efforts presented in the ROD include
long-term operation of a containment system including the network of ditches, increased water storage in
a larger impoundment, and construction and operation of a new treatment plant. Therefore, the current
remedial approach at the site will not remove the source of impacts and will not result in site closure.
EPA and CDPHE are aware of the limitations of the current remedial approach and are open to
evaluating other technologies or approaches in the future.
4.3 COMPONENT PERFORMANCE
4.3.1 POWER SOURCE
With the exception of the influent pump, the site is provided by electricity from offsite. Power frequency
distortion and voltage spikes have been problematic. The electrical power is deemed "dirty" because it is
outside the specifications for power delivered by most utilities. Fluctuations in voltage lead to power
11
-------
surges that can lead to temporary system shutdowns. Bad weather is the primary cause of voltage
fluctuations and power disruption to the treatment plant.
4.3.2 INFLUENT PUMP
The 120 horsepower ABS pump was installed for the 2000 operating season as a replacement to the
previous problematic unit. This new pump has provided significant improvement to operations and is no
longer a primary reason for system shutdown. This raft-mounted pump is located to extract water from
the SDI from various locations; however, movement of the pump early in the season is difficult due to ice
buildup on the SDI. There is difficulty in adjusting the pump intake point. The extracted water is
pumped at a rate of 1,200 gpm over 1,000 feet and an increase in elevation of over 100 feet though a 12-
inch diameter pipe. The pump is powered by a 350 KW Caterpillar diesel generator. Approximately 200
gpm of the 1,200 gpm of pumped water is returned directly to the SDI because the treatment plant is not
capable of treating the additional capacity. With current pump and generator, reducing the amount of
pumped water to 1,000 gpm would not reduce power consumption or reduce costs.
4.3.3 LIME FEED SYSTEM
The lime silo has bridging problems, and the silo vibrators require continuous operation to avoid
stoppage of the system. The eductor system has been working well provided the lime quality meets
industry standards. The silo has a capacity of 25,000 pounds, and the plant uses approximately 9,000
pounds per day. Lime is brought in by truck approximately two times per week.
4.3.4 TANKS FOR LIME AND POLYMER FEED AND MIXING
The tanks within the water treatment plant used for lime and polymer addition and mixing have
capacities of 12,000 gallons each. Because the plant capacity has been improved from 500 gpm to over
1,000 gpm, the open tanks are operating within two to three inches of overflowing. High water levels
within the tanks are necessary because water flows by gravity from tank to tank, but at 1,030 gpm high
water elevation in the tanks results in frequent splashing that complicates plant maintenance and
cleaning.
4.3.5 POTABLE WATER AND POLYMER MIXING
Clean water, referred to as "potable" water onsite (though it is not used for drinking), is necessary for
mixing and diluting the polymer prior to adding it to the process stream. Approximately 4.5 gpm of
potable water is required to mix the polymer to a 0.15% solution. This potable water is obtained from
three wells (the ABC well, the 17-mile well, and the "Inside" well). It is stored in both a 9,000 gallon
and a 3,000 gallon storage tank. Prior to the RSE site visit, the Inside well and 17-mile wells went
offline, suggesting the need for a new potable water source. Correspondence subsequent to the RSE site
visit indicates that the Inside well and the 17-mile wells are still the primary sources of potable water.
After mixing with potable water, approximately 22 gpm of plant effluent is used to further dilute the
polymer prior to addition to the process water. In the past, the plant operators attempted to use plant
effluent for the initial mixing of the polymer, but treatment effectiveness was compromised.
Mixing of the polymer is done manually every 1.5 hours. An automated mixing unit is onsite, but the
unit has insufficient capacity when the treatment plant is operating above 800 gpm. Part of the
automated unit is used for the secondary dilution. The operators have conducted jar tests with different
polymers at various concentrations to determine which polymers are best for various operating
conditions. Turbidity, effluent copper concentrations, and floe size are used to determine when polymer
12
-------
should be switched or the concentration should be adjusted. The other indicator for switching polymer is
the percent solids of the sludge, which operators try to maintain at 7 to 8% solids.
4.3.6 SLUDGE THICKENER/CLARIFIER
Water from the mixing and reaction tanks is sent by gravity to the sludge thickener/clarifier. The unit is
60 feet in diameter and has a capacity of 348,000 gallons. Operations staff keep the sludge bed at the
bottom of the clarifier at approximately 4 feet thick. An automated rake keeps the sludge bed properly
conditioned for the sludge pumps that transfer the settled sludge to a holding tank. There is no
mechanism for raising the rake when high torque is experienced (i.e., when the sludge at the bottom of
unit exceeds 10% solids). Therefore, maintaining the sludge at the proper density is of paramount
concern for the operators.
4.3.7 SLUDGE PROCESSING AND DISPOSAL
Sludge pumps transfer the sludge from the thickener to a sludge holding tank and to the head of
the plant for seeding. Sludge from the holding tank is dewatered in a 100 cubic foot filter press that
is operated at a maximum of 12 times per day. This maximum number of press cycles is reached when
metals influent is the greatest, which is typically at the end of an operating season when water levels in
the SDI are low and undiluted. During the operating season approximately 7 press cycles are done per
day. Sludge is carried by dump truck to the former mine pit area for sludge disposal. The sludge pumps
and filter press are powered by a 125 horsepower rotary screw compressor.
4.3.8 ONSITE VEHICLES
Seven vehicles plus additional heavy machinery are maintained onsite. The vehicles include an
ambulance (an EMT is onsite at all times), dump truck (for sludge disposal), utility/mechanics trucks,
sport utility vehicles for transport to and from the site, and three state-owned trucks. By EPA order, the
vehicles are to be leased and not purchased, even though the cost of leasing the vehicles for two years
would equal the cost of purchasing them.
4.3.9 FORMER CYANIDE DESTRUCTION PLANT (OFFICES AND LABORATORY)
The former cyanide destruction plant is used for office space and the onsite laboratory. Drinking water is
brought to the site, electricity is provided from an offsite source, and natural gas is piped to the plant,
office space, and laboratory for heating.
4.4 COMPONENTS OR PROCESSES THAT ACCOUNT FOR MAJORITY OF
MONTHLY COSTS
The following cost breakdown was provided to the RSE team by the site contractor during the site visit.
In addition to the listed operating costs, the State has a contract for well, sediment, and seep sampling
and data management for $350,000 per year. The State is currently attempting to cut these costs to
approximately $150,000 to $200,000 per year. Colorado State University also has a contract for
maintaining and monitoring the health of vegetation being planted as part of the remedy. Major cost
categories are furthered discussed in the following subsections.
13
-------
Cost Category
Labor (operators, mechanics, sampling, chemists)
Project management
Lime
Polymer
Parts/maintenance (pump rebuilds and heavy equipment)
Lab supplies
Facilities maintenance (drinking water, diesel for generator, electricity,
office trailers, heating, phones, fuel for vehicles, etc.)
Electrical contractor
Snow removal equipment (leased)
Vehicle leases
Snow removal labor
Funds to cover State tasks if additional costs are incurred
Del Norte office administration
Subtotal
Approximately 33% for overhead and profit
Annual Cost
$703,000
$94,000
$96,000
$42,000
$101,000
$23,000
$300,000
$15,000
$155,000
$66,000
$60,000
$100,000
$52,000
$1,807,000
-$600,000
~$2.4 million per year
4.4.1
UTILITIES
Utility costs were not specifically broken down during the RSE visit; however, the facilities maintenance
category covers utilities and related costs. For example, this category, which has a cost of approximately
$300,000 per year, includes electricity, propane tanks for heating trailers, natural gas for heating office
space and the water treatment plant, diesel fuel for running the generator for the influent pump, fuel for
the site vehicles, drinking water, and phone service. This category also includes rental fees for the guard
trailer and other items, but the bulk of the $300,000 per year is used for utility-related items. An
electrical contractor is also used each year for items within the treatment plant. During the 2002
operating season the cost for this contractor was $25,000; however, future costs are likely to be
approximately $15,000 per year.
4.4.2
NON-UTILITY CONSUMABLES
Approximately $328,000 per year is spent on materials or consumables, including lime, polymer, parts,
lab supplies, and vehicles. Vehicles have been included in this category because the costs re-occur each
year due to leasing them rather than purchasing them.
14
-------
4.4.3 LABOR
Labor for the long-term remedy (excluding offsite monitoring, vegetation, and other contracts) is
comprised of field labor, snow removal labor, office project management, and local project
administration. The costs for these for categories combined is over $900,000 per year
($703,000+$94,000+$60,000+$52,000), excluding the associated overhead and profit. Thus, labor
represents approximately half of the annual costs for long-term remedy.
For field labor, a total of 8 operators, 3 mechanics, and 2 laboratory chemists are employed full time
during the operating season. All of these individuals are not onsite at the same time, there are rotating
12-hour shifts for the operators because the treatment plant requires continuous attention 24 hours per
day. The operator labor is predominantly associated with the water treatment plant. The mechanics and
chemists spend time on both water treatment activities in addition to other items at the State's request. In
addition to labor during the operating season, 4 staff are maintained through the winter for snow removal.
Office project management is approximately $94,000 per year (excluding overhead and profit). It
includes health and safety issues, community relations, general project management, and technical
support. Local project administration is conducted through the Del Norte Office. Approximately
$52,000 per year is spent maintaining that local office where paper work for the field labor is maintained.
4.4.4 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Little cost is incurred for offsite chemical analysis because the majority of analysis conducted for water
treatment activities is done through the onsite lab. Lab personnel labor and lab supplies comprise the
majority of the costs for onsite analysis. Lab personnel labor is approximately $57,000 of the $703,000
per year for labor, and recent lab supplies have costed approximately $23,000 per year (including an
atomic adsorption spectrophotometer with a lease rate of$ 14,000). Including overhead and profit, the
total cost for onsite analysis is approximately $106,000 per year.
4.5 RECURRING PROBLEMS OR ISSUES
The plant operators and RSE team note the following recurring technical issues, some of which have
been discussed in Section 4.3 of this report.
Absence of quality "potable" water for polymer mixing
"Dirty power"
Lime feed silo bridging
Absence of a lifting mechanism for the rake in the sludge thickener
Poor building and roof insulation
Cramped conditions in the treatment plant complicating maintenance and cleaning
Absence of process water piping labeling and identification
Temporary pipe supports
Slip hazards surrounding the filter press
Absence of a cover on the sludge thickener (delays startup due to snow accumulation within the
thickener)
Inability to maneuver the pump intake point in the SDI in early operating season due to ice
buildup
Inclement weather delays system startup, hastens system shutdown, or interrupts power causing
shutdowns
15
-------
Many of the above issues are due to constructing a plant piecemeal from old, existing equipment. The
O&M contractor has taken steps to address many of these concerns. However, some of these concerns
will persist until a new plant is installed.
4.6 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
The treatment plant regularly meets the discharge criteria. However, the interim remedy as whole
frequently does not meet the surface water quality criteria in segments 3c, 8, and 9 of the Alamosa River.
The final remedy presented in the 2001 ROD is planned to meet both the discharge and water quality
criteria.
4.7 TREATMENT PROCESS EXCURSIONS AND UPSETS, ACCIDENTAL
CONTAMINANT/REAGENT RELEASES
Controlled releases from the SDI are required in years when there is greater than average snow pack.
Such releases have occurred in 4 of the 7 operating years from 1996 through 2002. These releases result
in discharge of water with low pH and high metals concentrations to Wightman Fork. These releases do
not represent a shortcoming of remedy operations; rather, they represent a shortcoming of the interim
remedy as a whole. The final remedy will be designed to avoid or minimize such releases.
4.8 SAFETY RECORD
There have been two slip/falls around the filter press since operations began in 1996 and a few near
misses with men working on ice over the SDI. Neither of the trips resulted in lost time, and placement of
a slip guard near the filter press has reduced the slipping hazard.
16
-------
5.0 EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM TO PROTECT HUMAN
HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The 2001 ROD states, "The Human Health risk assessments for the site and downstream study areas
found there to be no adverse health risk to humans. However, sufficient acute and chronic risks occur to
severely limit aquatic life in the Alamosa River downstream of Wightman Fork." Therefore, the primary
effectiveness issues regarding the site are ecological.
5.1 GROUND WATER
Groundwater beneath the site is an effectiveness concern in that it discharges to the surface through seeps
or directly to surface water. Groundwater is and will continue to be impacted by acid mine drainage, and
impacted groundwater requires containment to meet surface water quality criteria in Wightman Fork and
the Alamosa River. It is unclear from existing analyses if the remedial activities planned for the final
remedy will eliminate or sufficiently reduce impacts to surface water from the seeps such that water
quality criteria for aquatic life are met.
Drinking water quality in potable wells located downstream along the Alamosa River near Jasper have
not been adversely impacted by site related contaminants.
5.2 SURFACE WATER
A number of surface water receptors have been and will potentially continue to be impacted by site-
related contamination. Wightman Fork is the surface water body directly impacted by the site, but
contamination from Wightman Fork impacts the Alamosa River and potentially the Terrace Reservoir.
Due to the relatively high magnitudes of the water quality standards for Wightman Fork, the surface
water quality criteria for this water body are rarely exceeded due to site-related contamination. However,
the more strict water quality criteria for Segments 3a, 3b, 3c, 8 and 9 of the Alamosa River are frequently
exceeded for aluminum, pH, iron, zinc, copper, and cadmium. These exceedances are due to both
continued discharge from uncaptured groundwater and seeps as well as periodic controlled releases from
the SDI during the snow melt season. Background conditions also contribute to exceedances. For
example, Segment 3a is upstream of the site but is impacted predominantly by background conditions.
5.3 AIR
Control of airborne contaminants from the site is an objective of the 2001 ROD. Cyanide is likely the
greatest contaminant of concern for exposure via air; however, this contaminant of concern is isolated
from the air and should not present a risk. The possibility also exists for airborne transport of metals
from the site, however, this form of transport is likely negligible compared to transport via water,
especially given coverage by snow or vegetation over most of the site for the majority of the year.
17
-------
5.4 SOILS
There are two primary concerns regarding soils at the site. The first is that sulfide bearing compounds in
the soils and rock provide a continuing source of acid mine drainage. The second is that high volume
runoff during the snow melt season or during precipitation events may result in erosion and transport of
sediments to Wightman Fork. As part of the remedy, vegetation has been planted to prevent erosion and
decrease water infiltration. However, site managers report that due to recent drought conditions, the new
vegetation is struggling and additional attempts may be required for the vegetation to take hold.
5.5 WETLANDS AND SEDIMENTS
Sediment impacts were not reviewed by the RSE team. Wetlands to the north of site alongside
Wightman Fork have been adversely impacted by acid mine drainage. Vegetation in this area cannot be
sustained until acid mine drainage from seeps is prevented from discharging to this area.
18
-------
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
Remedial activities at the Summitville Mine site are in a transition from the interim remedy to the final
remedy. Though most of the interim remedial activities have been completed, the water treatment
component is ongoing and the existing system will eventually be replaced by an updated water treatment
facility as part of the final remedy. Due to funding and other issues, the time frame for implementing the
final remedy is unclear. Implementation may occur within as little as 2 to 3 years but could take much
longer. The RSE team, therefore, provides recommendations to improve the existing interim remedy as
well as recommendations to consider during implementation of the final remedy. The RSE
recommendations and considerations are presented in the following four categories:
recommendations to enhance effectiveness of the site remedy
recommendations to reduce remedy life-cycle costs
recommendations for technical improvement
considerations for gaining site closeout
The four categories are presented in four separate sections. In each of the section, the recommendations
with relevance for either the interim remedy or both the interim and proposed final remedies are provided
first. These recommendations are followed by those recommendations or considerations that are only
relevant to planning the final remedy.
Cost estimates provided herein have levels of certainty comparable to those done for CERCLA
Feasibility Studies (-307+50%), and these cost estimates have been prepared in a manner consistent with
EPA 540-R-00-002, A Guide to Developing and Documenting Cost Estimates During the Feasibility
Study, July 2000.
6.1 RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE EFFECTIVENESS
6.1.1 CONSIDERATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE MINE POOL
The Reynolds and Chandler Adits were plugged in 1994 to reduce acid mine drainage from the adits. As
a result, the underground workings of the mine were flooded creating a pool of acidic water with high
metals concentrations. As documented in the 2001 ROD, the estimated volume of water in the mine pool
is 14 acre-feet (approximately 4.6 million gallons) with a current water level of 250 feet above the
Reynolds Adit floor. The amount of water drained from the mine pool during 2002 was greater,
suggesting that the mine pool may have a greater volume than originally estimated or that the amount
drained included recharge. The water level of the mine pool can be controlled by releasing water from
the Reynolds Adit pipeline that penetrates the plug. By increasing flow through the pipeline and thereby
lowering the level of the mine pool, the seep discharge will decrease. The long-term plans of the site
managers are to maintain the plugs, which may require replacement within the next 10 to 15 years, and
maintain the water level at approximately 20 to 30 feet above the Reynolds Adit floor. By reducing the
water level in the mine pool and maintaining it at this lower level some of the hydraulic potential that is
responsible for pushing impacted water into the bedrock, and potentially into surface water, could be
eliminated. This could reduce some of the continual impacts to surface water that cause exceedances.
Therefore, the RSE team encourages the site managers to make draining the mine pool to the proposed
level (i.e., 20 to 30 feet above the Reynolds Adit floor) a priority and to correlate surface water quality
19
-------
with elevation of the mine pool. Given the exceptionally low snow pack during the 2001-2002 winter,
significant progress towards this goal should be made during the remaining portion of the 2002 operating
season. Draining the mine pool may be one of the few practicable solutions to reducing continual
loading of acid mine drainage to surface water. Some water should be left in the mine pool to reduce the
air exposure of sulfide bearing ore.
6.1.2 CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE 2002 SDI SEDIMENT REMOVAL
The site managers mentioned that due to the light snow pack this year the water treatment plant will
likely be shut down early in the season leaving resources available to conduct other activities onsite.
Specifically, the site managers mentioned a program to remove sediments from the SDI and to place
those sediments in the sludge disposal area. The specific plans or goals for the sediment removal were
not discussed with the RSE team, but the RSE team understands that approximately 70,000 cubic yards
of material will be excavated and placed in the sludge disposal area presumably to increase the storage
capacity of the SDI and to facilitate extraction from the SDI with the raft-mounted pump. Though this
excavation will occur in and around the SDI, not all of the removed volume (approximately 14 million
gallons) will translate to extra storage volume for water during the operating season.
The RSE team encourages the site managers to consider three items in relation to this proposed sediment
removal program.
First, any excavation done this year should be useful for the final remedy impoundment.
Investing in modifications that do not provide significant additional storage volume and further
reduces the already limited capacity of the sludge disposal area is not cost-effective, especially if
major modifications to the impoundment will be made in a few years as part of the final remedy.
If major modifications to the impoundment will not be made during the final remedy and
pumping will still be required to transport water from the impoundment to the water treatment
plant, then during the excavation efforts, a permanent structure for intake with multiple draw off
levels could be constructed. The use of a permanent structure would facilitate system start up
each April because water could be extracted from below the ice. Currently, system startup is
delayed because the ice must thaw or be broken to properly place the raft-mounted pump for
water extraction. Therefore, a permanent structure could extend the operating season by a few
days or longer and reduce dependence of system startup on favorable weather. Extra treatment
time afforded by earlier startup will further drawdown the SDI and provide more volume for
water storage during the snow melt period operating period. This will not be of particular benefit
for the 2003 operating season because the snow pack in 2002 was so light and the SDI will be as
low as possible at the end of 2002; however, in future years a permanent intake could provide a
substantial benefit. The cost to design and construct such a structure may increase the costs of
the activity by $50,000 to $100,000.
The site managers should carefully consider the value and potential drawbacks of SDI
excavation. Because the sludge disposal area is reaching capacity, the placement of excavated
sediments in that area will use valuable storage space for sludge generated by water treatment.
Assuming water treatment results in 7 loads per day of 100 cubic feet per load, 70,000 cubic
yards (approximately 1.89 million cubic feet) of storage space translates to 1,040 days of sludge
storage. Given a typical operating season is approximately 7 months long, 1,040 days of sludge
storage is equivalent to 5 operating seasons. Therefore, placement of excavated sediments will
hasten the need for the site managers to determine a new location for sludge disposal. The need
for new sludge disposal locations has been discussed, but the site managers suggested that a
20
-------
favorable location has not yet been determined. The RSE team therefore suggests that the site
managers carefully consider the volume of sediment to be removed. The RSE team suggests the
excavated sediment should be limited to that required to increase the volume of the SDI or to
construct a permanent intake structure.
6.1.3 CONSIDERATIONS FOR GROUNDWATER AND SEEP MANAGEMENT AS PART OF THE
FINAL REMEDY
Knight Piesold has been contracted with design and installation of the water management structures for
the final remedy. Their work will include diverting unimpacted surface runoff from the site and
capturing impacted groundwater seeps that are currently discharging to Wightman Fork. The following
three interceptor drains/trenches (depicted on Figure 2) are proposed for the site to divert impacted water
to the SDI:
Interceptor drain along the valley on the northern end of the site
Interceptor trench along the Highwall
Interceptor drain below the Heap Leach Pad area
In addition, collection of the seeps at the base of the SDI dam are also planned, and site ditches will be
improved to divert clean water from the site.
Although the Wightman Fork Diversion routes water around the SDI, the Wightman Fork between WF-
1.5 and the diversion still receives acid mine drainage from groundwater underflow and the wetlands area
seeps. Groundwater impacted with acid mine drainage discharges to the valley through both the alluvium
and the bedrock, which is approximately 34 feet deep near the location of the proposed trench.
Therefore, as part of the seep management work, the RSE team recommends that site managers
characterize the hydrogeology of the seep areas along the northern boundary of the site to evaluate
groundwater seep volumes, the potential for groundwater to bypass the proposed trenches, and the
potential volume of unimpacted groundwater and runoff that would be intercepted. Without proper
evaluation, interceptor trenches may capture the impacted water in the upper portion of the alluvium but
miss the majority impacted water that is located in the lower alluvium and bedrock. The original plan in
the ROD was to trench to bedrock; however, because of the greater than expected depth, this will not
likely occur. Therefore, capture provided by the proposed trenches will not likely be as significant as
originally thought.
The results of a hydrogeologic evaluation may therefore suggest that an alternative is more appropriate.
If groundwater with acid mine drainage that is supposed to be intercepted by the proposed trenches
ultimately discharges to the current Wightman Fork, the RSE team suggests beginning the diversion of
the Wightman Fork at WF-1.5 rather than its current location near the site entrance. This would further
isolate the relatively clean water at WF-1.5 from the acid mine drainage that is discharging to Wightman
Fork from the wetland area seeps and groundwater underflow. The discharge from the seeps could then
be routed to the SDI through Pond 6 and the Ditch S. Given that the estimated cost of the interceptor
drain is approximately $500,000, the cost of this evaluation should be limited to $100,000 so as not to
significantly increase the total cost of the drain if it is installed.
It should be noted that the proposed interceptor drain along this northern portion of the site would
primarily serve to reduce the volumes of unimpacted water flowing into the SDI. The Highwall
interceptor trench will also serve to reduce the flow of unimpacted water to the SDI. Therefore, these
proposed items will reduce the controlled releases of impacted water from the SDI but will have a limited
effect on reducing loading to surface water that is responsible for exceedances not due to SDI releases.
21
-------
The interceptor drain near the Heap Leach Pad and collection of the seeps at the base of the SDI dam, on
the other hand, should reduce the continual flow of acid mine drainage to surface water.
6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE COSTS
Acid mine drainage will likely continue at the site indefinitely, and the proposed final remedy does not
attempt to eliminate the contaminant source. Therefore, long-term operations to contain the
contamination will likely continue indefinitely. To minimize annual costs, and therefore life-cycle costs,
the site managers should focus on items that are required for operating the remedy and eliminate those
items that are not required. Overtime, changes in technology, changes in site conditions, or long-term
data records will allow further reductions in the costs required to maintain the remedy's performance.
6.2.1 REDUCE WEEKLY ENVIRONMENTAL SURFACE WATER SAMPLING
At the time of the RSE site visit, the onsite contractor was sampling up to 13 locations on a weekly basis,
which is a reduction from 32 sampling locations during 2000. Sampling of the water treatment plant
influent and effluent is conducted to monitor its performance, sampling of water in the ditches is used to
make decisions on diverting runoff to either Wightman Fork or the SDI, and sampling of Cropsy Creek
and Wightman Fork is conducted to determine the water quality downgradient of the site. Water is also
sampled from the Reynolds Adit, Reynolds Pipe, and French Drain to inform the plant operators of the
expected water quality in the SDI.
The RSE team sees the following opportunities for reductions in this sampling program. If implemented,
these reductions could lead to a reduction in chemist and/or sampling labor, which may translate to a
savings of over $50,000 per year.
The sample collection frequency of water from the Reynolds Adit, Reynolds Pipe, and French
Drain can be reduced to quarterly or semi-annually. The approximate 10 years of monitoring
records for these locations have established weekly fluctuations resulting from changes in flow
rates. Weekly concentration data are not needed for operation of the water treatment plant, since
water treatment influent concentrations are measured on a daily basis. Furthermore, the water
treatment plant is operated based on measurements of turbidity, sludge density, and the clarity of
the water in the sludge thickener/clarifier. Quarterly or semi-annual data will provide long-term
metal concentration trends for these sources.
Given the vast amount of historical weekly data available for the onsite ditches, it is questionable
if new data are needed to make real-time decisions on diversions of runoff flow. Routine
sampling of the ditches could be eliminated, and sample collection can be performed on an as-
needed-basis to document peak flow concentrations when spring runoff water is being diverted
around the SDI.
The weekly data collected for Cropsy Creek and Wightman Fork are not being used to make
operating decisions. Rather, they are being used to determine surface water quality
downgradient of the site. Because a comprehensive offsite surface water sampling program is
being performed on Wightman Fork and the Alamosa River, these additional weekly data appear
redundant. Reducing the sampling frequency from weekly to monthly for Cropsy Creek and
Wightman Fork would allow the site team to continue documenting metals discharges
immediately downgradient of the site.
22
-------
Correspondence with the operations contractor subsequent to the RSE site visit indicates that the
frequency of sampling has been reduced from weekly to biweekly since June 15, 2002. This should
represent cost savings to the project. Further savings may be realized if the sampling reductions
suggested in this section are implemented.
6.2.2 REDUCE GROUNDWATER AND SEEP SAMPLING
The RSE team acknowledges CDPHE's plan to reduce the monitoring from approximately $350,000 per
year to a cost of approximately $150,000 to $200,000 per year. The RSE team agrees with reducing
monitoring to reduce costs if remedy effectiveness is not sacrificed. The RSE team highlights the
following three areas where reductions could occur.
The characterization phase of this project is likely complete. Only those wells that directly
monitor the performance of the remedy should be sampled, and an annual sampling schedule is
more appropriate. Wells to remain in the sampling program include those in the Cropsy
Drainage, Heap Leach Pad, North Waste Dump, and mine workings/mine pit backfills. It
appears that more than 12 wells can be eliminated from the sampling program that currently
includes 26 wells. In particular, the following wells could likely be eliminated from the
monitoring program: NPDMW-3, NPDMW-3A, RMCMW-5A, ABCMW-1, ABCMW-3,
RMCMW-3, MRFMW-1, OC-27, OC-25, PW-1, RMCMW-2, and GWFDW-3. Approximately
3 to 4 days of field labor, 1 day of database management, and approximately $5,000 in analytical
costs could likely be eliminated as a result.
Seep-monitoring occurs annually; however, detailed monitoring of individual seeps should be
discontinued given that the characterization phase of this program is complete. One composite
sample should be taken each of the seep areas, such as the Cropsy Footprint, Heap Leach Pad,
and the combined Missionary-Chandler-North Waste Dump areas. Approximately 5 days of
field labor, 2 to 3 days of database management, and approximately $5,000 in analytical costs
could likely be eliminated as a result.
Assuming approximately $2,500 per day for field labor and $500 per day for data management, these
reductions may result in a cost savings of approximately $32,500 per year. Thus, additional reductions in
this program would likely be required to reach the cost reduction goals of CDPHE.
6.2.3 ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY SNOW REMOVAL AND/OR OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT FOR
CONDUCTING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SNOW REMOVAL
The O&M contractor is tasked with snow removal and maintenance of Park Creek Road, which is
approximately 18 miles in length, throughout the year. The Forest Service indicated that the site is only
responsible for snow removal of the last 15 miles of the road near the site, if the road is needed for site
operations. The first few miles would generally be the responsibility of the Forest Service due to other
users of that beginning portion of the road. However, the snow removal of the entire stretch is conducted
by the site contractor throughout the year as a goodwill gesture. The site staff perform preventative
maintenance at the site throughout the winter and therefore need to clear snow and maintain the roads
throughout the winter. Maintenance of the additional 15 miles is not significant increase in effort.
Snow removal is a significant site expense. Excluding overhead and profit, snow removal requires an
annual cost of $60,000 per year for labor and $200,000 per year for leasing the heavy equipment for five
months (December through April). Thus, the total cost is approximately $345,000 per year including
$85,000 for overhead and profit.
23
-------
Though not discussed in detail during the RSE site visit, the benefits of winter preventative maintenance
likely do not outweigh the costs associated with snow removal. The RSE team recommends that
appropriate measures be taken to avoid winter trips to the site and to discontinue snow removal and road
maintenance during the winter. With no winter trips to the site required, snow removal of the last 15
miles of road will not be required, and the Forest Service can resume responsibility for snow removal of
the beginning 3 miles of road. Snow removal and road maintenance will likely be required in early April
to ensure enough time for system startup before the snow melt season begins but this may be
accomplished by the Forest Service through negotiations. Therefore, approximately $275,000 of the
$345,000 per year for snow removal should be eliminated.
Correspondence subsequent to the RSE site visit indicates that the snow removal equipment has been
purchased since the RSE visit. Though this approach ensures that the costs for leasing the equipment
will not be incurred in future, to achieve the full $275,000 per year in savings, snow removal would need
to be discontinued. If elimination of snow removal is not feasible, EPA should obtain reimbursement for
that portion of snow removal and road maintenance conducted on behalf of the Forest Service.
6.2.4 SCALE BACK OR ELIMINATE DEL NORTE OFFICE
The Del Norte office provides a location for business that will not deliver their goods to the site, and it
provides a central meeting place for the site team prior to traveling to the site. In addition, administrative
work for the field labor is coordinated through this Del Norte Office. Due to the long-term nature of this
remedy, efforts should be made to phase out this office. Alternative accommodations can be made for
those businesses that do not deliver to the site, the site team can arrange for another meeting place, and
the administrative work could likely be conducted out of the contractor's home office near Denver.
Although Del Norte office personnel provide a radio contact offsite, telephones are installed at the site
and can be used for communication. Because some of the administrative work would be done in the
home office at increased cost, only a portion of the $52,000 per year (approximately $70,000 with
overhead and profit) could be eliminated. The RSE team estimates that savings of over $50,000 per year
could be realized by eliminating this office.
6.2.5 IMPROVE CONTRACTING TO ALLOW PURCHASING OF VEHICLES RATHER THAN
LEASING
Due to EPA contracting requirements the site contractors must continue to lease the site vehicles because
purchasing the vehicles is prohibited. Vehicle leases total $66,000 per year ($88,000 including overhead
and profit), and the site managers commented that the cost of vehicles would be paid within two years.
Conservatively assuming the vehicles last 5 years, leasing site vehicles translates to excess cost of
approximately $264,000 every 5 years or approximately $53,000 per year. The RSE team encourages
EPA to modify contracting procedures for this site to allow purchasing the vehicles rather than leasing
them.
6.2.6 AUTOMATE TREATMENT PLANT OF THE FINAL REMEDY TO REDUCE LABOR
REQUIREMENTS
Many aspects of the current system are passive or automated. Sampling of the influent and effluent is
done automatically. The lime eductor system feeds lime at a prescribed rate and does not require
substantial attention. Recycling of the filtrate from the filter press to the mixing tanks for seeding is
automated and also requires little attention. Water flows through the plant via gravity and also requires
little attention. The thickener/clarifier is also a passive system for the most part, but because the sludge
24
-------
rake can get stuck when solids increase beyond 10% and no lifting mechanism is in place, attention is
required.
The truly manual parts of the system include selecting and batching the polymer and operating the filter
press. Selecting the appropriate polymer is not done daily, but batching the polymer is done manually
every 1.5 hours. Operating the filter press is typically done 7 times per day but may be done up to 12
times per day when influent metals concentrations are elevated. Cleaning the plant, general maintenance,
and addressing shutdowns due to dirty power also requires manual labor. Because the plant is operating
at 1,000 gpm instead of the original capacity of 500 gpm, the tanks are operating within inches of
overflowing.
A new treatment plant that would operate at its design capacity could likely operate at reduced labor
compared to the existing system and could possibly operate unattended in the evenings during portions of
the operating season. Concerns about leaving the system unattended at night during the peak snow melt
season are legitimate, but during the other portions of the operating season when sufficient storage is
available in the SDI, if the system were to occasionally shutdown while unattended protectiveness would
not be sacrificed. Upon visiting the system in the next morning, the operators could restart the system
and only a few hours of treatment would have been lost. For a system to operate with reduced labor or to
operate for periods of time unattended the following items would be required: a covered
thickener/clarifier with a lifting mechanism for the rake, an automated polymer batching and mixing
system, and a solution for addressing the dirty power (this is discussed further in Section 6.3.2). In
addition, multiple filter presses would allow operators to let the sludge accumulate in a sludge holding
tank overnight and conduct additional press cycles during the day to regain the storage capacity in the
holding tank. An additional filter press could also serve as a backup to avoid system shutdowns if a
single press fails.
The RSE team envisions that the plant could operate effectively during much of the operating season
with two operators each working approximately 60 to 80 hours per week. This is equivalent to 4
operators (1 supervisory operator plus 3 other operators) working full time at the site rather than the
current 8 operators working at the site. In lieu of having a trained EMT onsite at all times and an
ambulance, it might be sufficient to have all site staff trained in CPR and First Aid. During system start
up and the peak of the snow melt season, additional time or staff might be required. This arrangement of
inconsistent work due to varying time frames and working hours is a complicating factor for finding
qualified operators in this relatively remote location. The site contractors expressed to the RSE team that
if the operators cannot rely on steady employment that other employment offers become more attractive.
Therefore, there may be a conflict between the minimum labor requirements for operating a new plant
and the availability of a qualified work force that is willing to meet those minimum requirements. This
conflict could result in an overstaffed treatment plant during periods of relatively stable or low flow. On
the other hand, minimizing the staffing may result in the treatment plant being understaffed during
periods of peak flow. This conflict occurs within a season when additional labor is needed only for the
periods of peak snow melt and from year to year depending on the volume of the snow pack when the
treatment plant could be shutdown during low snow pack years but must operate as long as possible and
with increased operator attention during high snow pack years.
Given that water treatment at the site will continue indefinitely and that labor is a high cost driver, a
solution to this conflict must be found for the remedy to operate cost-effectively in the long term.
Viewing snow pack and flow data from recent years, there is no typical snow pack year. Rather some of
the years have exceptionally low snow packs and other years have relatively (or in some cases
exceptionally high) snow packs. The 2002 operating season is one of those low snow pack years and
although water treatment can technically be shutdown early, to keep the operating staff, other activities
25
-------
are devised to provide them work through the operating season. During the 2002 operating season these
additional activities include the SDI sediment removal. Although this effort might be important for the
remedy as a whole, other activities in future years may not be worth the additional cost. Based on this
analysis of the snow pack data, and assuming a solution is found to address the conflict between plant
requirements and consistent work for operators, labor costs could be substantially reduced over the long-
term because less labor would be needed during the years with low snow packs.
To address this fluctuating labor requirements for the plant, the RSE team offers the following
considerations. Although these considerations may not provide exact solutions to improve the cost-
effectiveness, they may help site managers devise a viable solution.
It is more cost-effective to hire a smaller baseline staff and either provide overtime or seek
additional temporary contract help during periods where increased operator attention is required.
Over the years, finding temporary help may become easier as the community learns of the
periodically available employment. Based on discussions during the RSE site visit, it is apparent
that the current work force frequently opts for overtime.
If the treatment plant can be shutdown early due to a low snow pack, buy outs of the baseline
staff may be an option. Such a buy out would provide the staff with some compensation for the
period they are not working, while also providing cost savings to the system in labor in addition
to the cost savings in utilities and materials from not operating the plant.
Another option to account for early shut down due to a low snow pack is to structure the operator
wages to account for those years when the system may be shutdown early. Those wages could be
based on recent snow pack data and the estimated time that the system could have been
shutdown. For example, the snow pack data presented in Section 4.2.1 of this report suggest that
of the 7 operating years, 3 had snow pack levels significantly below average. During these years
water treatment could likely be discontinued 2 to 3 months early (i.e., in July or August instead
of October) resulting in a 4 to 5 month operating season rather than a 7 month operating season.
If operations were discontinued 3 months early during the 3 years with light snow pack then the
system would have only been operated for a total of 40 months rather than 49 months. This
translates to an approximate reduction in O&M costs of 20% (including labor, utilities, and
materials). To realize the savings in labor, operator wages could be adjusted for this 20%
reduction with the understanding that operations will be shutdown if continued treatment during
an operating season is not necessary for remedy effectiveness. If this snow pack data provides an
inaccurate forecast of the future, and the baseline staff operates more than expected, then
additional compensation could be provided to make up the difference. In this manner, savings is
guaranteed for the remedy if the current data accurately forecast or over-predict future snow
packs and operating requirements, and the operators are compensated if the forecasts
underestimate the future snow packs and operating requirements.
If the site staff is well diversified in the activities performed at the site then a single staff member
could perform sampling, plant operation, laboratory work, or general site maintenance. At least
one of the existing staff members have such diversified experience. With a diversified staff,
items such as sampling or lab analysis could be postponed by a short time if additional help is
required in the treatment plant or other site maintenance. The more activities or responsibilities
this diversified staff has, the more flexibility there is in using available staff to address
fluctuations in the labor requirements of any one activity.
26
-------
The RSE team suggests that the site managers set a target for reduced labor costs associated with site
activities for when the new plant is operational. Determining a suitable target will require further
discussion with the site managers and current contractors as well as consideration of funding availability
and the design of the new system. The RSE team suggests a preliminary target that is a 25% to 50%
reduction from the current labor costs of the site. This preliminary target accounts for recommended
reductions in onsite surface water sampling, laboratory analysis, and plant operation but does not include
the recommended reductions in snow removal and the Del Norte office. By setting this target, it will give
the site managers a cost-effectiveness goal, that when considered with the protectiveness goals, will help
them develop and manage an effective and efficient remedy. Furthermore, making such reductions in the
labor will be required if the projected O&M costs for the selected remedy are to be achieved. If such
labor reductions cannot be achieved and the O&M costs are greater than those projected, then the life-
cycle costs for the selected remedy should be updated.
6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENT
6.3.1 PROVIDE A NEW SOURCE FOR POTABLE WATER
Potable water is needed for mixing the polymer in order to maintain plant effectiveness. A new well is
required to provide sufficient potable water during drought years and when other wells have technical
problems. Assuming a new well is less than 200 feet deep, the cost for installation should be
approximately $30,000.
6.3.2 REMEDIATE DIRTY POWER
The operators of the water treatment plant have indicated that the supplied power has large variability
that sometimes falls outside the normal frequency range and causes electrical components to
automatically shut down. This requires on site operation 24-hours/day in case a motor kicks out and
must be restarted following the power fluctuation. The power supply connection point is located
approximately 15 miles away in Del Norte. These fluctuations are likely caused by the source of power
rather than its transmission, and redoing the utility lines between Del Norte and the site will not likely
correct the problem. A viable solutions is to conduct a small scale study lasting approximately 7 days
using a recording meter. For a cost of approximately $5,000, this study will identify the any phase
fluctuations in the feed, that will enable a competent electrical engineer to design a filtering system to
eliminate the frequency shifts or auto restart the system if shifts are caused by voltage spikes.
A filter, if needed, would be placed just before the main panel distributing the plant power to the various
motor control centers/starters. The installed cost of a 480/277 volt 600 amp filter would be
approximately $20,000. Retrofitting the controls for major equipment to automatically restart due to
voltage spikes would also cost approximately $20,000.
6.3.3 PROVIDE NECESSARY BACKUP TO FILTER PRESS AND DUMP TRUCK
There is no backup unit for the existing filter press or dump truck, and if either fails, plant operations
would need to be shutdown until repairs could be made or a replacement could be found. The RSE team
has seen a number of pump and treat systems with multiple filter presses that are rarely used. Of all sites,
the RSE team has visited, this site merits an additional one for back up or for doing additional press
cycles during the day. A new filter press would likely cost $60,000 to $70,000. For backup to the dump
truck, the site managers should locate a substitute truck that is available to rent if the current truck is in
need of repair. If the current truck breaks down and repair is impracticable, and replacement truck may
27
-------
need to be purchased. A previously-owned and operated dump truck with a value of approximately
$30,000 would likely be sufficient.
6.3.4 APPLY LESSONS LEARNED FROM EXISTING WATER TREATMENT PLANT TO DESIGN
OF THE FINAL REMEDY WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Most of the water treatment plant was built in the late 1960s. While it is still effectively removing
copper at an acceptable flow rate, it requires more attention and maintenance than that of a modern plant.
Given the long-term nature of this remedy, the RSE team agrees with the site team that a new plant is
justifiable. Though internal EPA and CDPHE deadlines suggest the new plant must be designed,
installed, and operating by April 2005, the RSE team does not believe this relatively short time frame is
due to the technical shortcomings of the existing treatment plant. Specifically, the planned flow capacity
of the new system is equal to that of the current system, and with minor readjustments, the current
operations team could likely keep this system operating at the current level of effectiveness for a number
of years, if necessary. Therefore, the condition of the current treatment plant does not necessitate the
construction of a new treatment plant in the short term.
Five years of plant operation have resulted in valuable information regarding water treatment options and
the site in general. The RSE team encourages the site managers to consider this gained experience when
designing and installing the new water treatment plant.
Location
The 2001 ROD specifies that the new treatment plant will be located downgradient of the SDI and will
receive influent by gravity. At the RSE site visit, the plant operators noted their strong opposition to this
plan given the particularly severe snow accumulation that occurs in the proposed location. In addition,
this proposed location would require rerouting site roads and utilities at significant expense. The primary
benefit would be the elimination of the influent pump, which requires approximately $100 per day in
diesel fuel to operate. Two other locations have been proposed for the new treatment plant: alongside the
existing plant and at the site entrance where the guard shack is currently located. Locating the plant near
the SDI is particularly attractive for two reasons. First, the plant is located near the site entrance and
operators can easily identify potential site visitors. This is a cost-effective approach to maintaining a
full-time security guard. Full-time security has already been eliminated to save costs. Second, the plant
is lower in elevation and less power will be required for pumping water to the plant. Water from certain
locations, such as the Reynolds Adit or Reynolds pipe could be directly fed to the treatment plant rather
than going to the SDI and requiring pumping to reach the plant. With reduced power needed for
pumping, a suitably sized influent pump may be able to operate off of provided electricity rather than
requiring the use of the diesel generator and some cost savings could result.
Sludge Thickener/Clarifler
The existing sludge thickener/clarifier is uncovered and allows snow accumulation within it. This
significantly delays system startup in April and shortens the operating season with snow storms in
October. Enclosing the sludge thickener/clarifier is one feature of a new plant that would reduce
operating time and allow for a more flexible operating season.
The rake for the existing sludge thickener/clarifier does not have a lifting mechanisms. This requires the
operators to pay particular attention to the percentage of solids in the sludge. If this percentage exceeds
10% then the system requires shutdown to adjust the rake manually. Including a lifting mechanism for
the rake in the new thickener/clarifier will be another feature that will reduce operator attention.
28
-------
Polymer Mixing and Addition
Proper mixing of the polymer requires a reliable source of potable water (in excess of 4 gpm). Without
this source of potable water the polymer does not work as effectively and the concentration of copper and
other metals in the effluent increase. A new source of potable water is required for the existing plant,
and therefore should be in place for the new plant.
The existing polymer system requires manual batching every 1.5 hours. This is operator intensive and is
one of the aspects of the current plant that requires substantial attention. Although an automated
batching and mixing system is available, it does not have sufficient capacity when the plant is operating
over 800 gpm. In the new treatment plant, the polymer batching and mixing system should be completely
automated to allow plant operators to attend to other aspects of the treatment plant.
Lime Silo
A new lime silo will be required for the new treatment plant. The current silo has complications with
bridging of the lime, which complicates lime addition to the process water. Properly placed and
functional vibrators or other mechanisms will be need to prevent bridging. The lime eductor system in
the existing plant functions well and a similar system is likely appropriate for the new treatment plant. A
new silo may be required for the existing system if it continues to operate for a number of years.
Filter Press
The new treatment plant would benefit from an improved filter press foundation. The existing plant filter
press is not level and side rail distortion requiring replacement has occurred. A properly designed level
foundation should prevent this problem in the new system. The existing treatment plant may require
another filter press in the near future.
Power Surge Protection
The solution used for correcting the dirty power in the current plant (described in Section 6.3.2) should
also be incorporated into the new plant to avoid unnecessary system shutdowns and damage to
equipment.
6.4 CONSIDERATIONS FOR GAINING SITE CLOSE OUT
6.4.1 CONSIDER REMEDIAL ACTIONS THAT COULD REPLACE LONG-TERM CONTAINMENT
AND WATER TREATMENT
Acid mine drainage from the Summitville Mine workings, French Drain and potentially the Heap Leach
Pad (HLP) will be a long-term O&M problem for this site. The current approach to the problem is to
treat the acid mine drainage at the downgradient end of the cycle. Efforts have been made at the site to
reduce these impacts and consolidate waste piles into the former open pit; however, a significant volume
of acid mine drainage continues to flow from the multiple sources at the site. These sources are
essentially infinite, and metal-laden, acidic water will need to be treated into perpetuity unless more
effort is made towards stopping the generation of acid mine drainage.
29
-------
The ultimate goal for the site should be to shut down the water treatment plant by stopping or reducing
acid mine drainage generation. A thorough review of the previous geochemical investigations at the site
is beyond the scope of an RSE; however, it appears that more effort is needed to characterizing the
geochemistry of the site and upgradient areas in terms of developing remediation approaches to stop or
reduce the generation of acid mine drainage. Pyrite oxidation is the likely the source as stated in the site
documents. Groundwater pH of 5 or less continues to promote pyrite oxidation and acidic water
production, and the acidic water accelerates the dissolution of metals from sulfide deposits at this site.
The following potential remediation efforts should be considered:
Backfilling the mine workings and adits with coal-combustion byproducts, especially fly ash,
could be done to buffer the pH, limit infiltration capacity, and reduce exposure of sulfide bearing
ore to air and water. A number of coal-fired plants are located in Colorado and northern New
Mexico providing relatively nearby sources of this material.
Surface soil amendments of lime or calcium carbonate could be used to inhibit the generation of
acid mine drainage.
Hydrogeologic controls such as reductions in fracture permeability in the vicinity of mine
workings would reduce the amount of infiltration and the production of acid mine drainage.
Reducing the hydraulic gradient upgradient of and beneath the HLP would prevent or reduce
groundwater upwelling through breaches in the HLP liner.
Though such remedies may require significant capital costs the selected long-term remedy has a
projected net present value cost of approximately $75 million as specified in the 2001 ROD and one of
the above approaches might prove to be cost effective.
6.5 SUGGESTED APPROACH TO IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of any of the ideas presented in Section 6.4 would take a number of years for proper
characterization, screening, design, community involvement, and implementation and might also prove
impracticable after further evaluation. However, these or similar source control approaches are the only
proactive way to avoid high perpetual annual costs associated with water treatment. The interim and
selected final remedies, on the other hand, provide a necessary level of protection and a viable long-term
solution. These remedies, however, will virtually assure that site closure is not achieved in the
foreseeable future. The existing water treatment plant can likely operate for a number of years at the
current level of effectiveness with only minor modifications, but if water treatment is to occur for 10
years or longer (which is likely the case), then a new treatment system is appropriate from both the
effectiveness and cost perspectives. The best course of action may be to continue with implementing the
final remedy but to also investigate the alternatives presented in Section 6.4. The RSE team also
encourages the site managers to revisit these alternative source control measures in the future as well as
any other technologies that arise even after the new water treatment plant is installed and operating.
30
-------
7.0 SUMMARY
The RSE team found an extremely well-operated treatment plant and site-wide remedy. The site team
has a good conceptual model of the site and have proven that they can prioritize remediation activities
effectively. Internal optimization efforts have already lead to increasing the plant capacity from 500 gpm
to 1,000 gpm, and the site team provided a number of recommendations that the RSE team has included
in Section 6.0 of this report. The site managers and O&M contractor are to be commended for
accomplishing several interim remedy goals, including addressing onsite waste areas and reducing
contaminant loading to the watershed, in a relatively short period of time.
The observations summarized in this report are not intended to imply a deficiency in the work of the
system designers, system operators, or site managers but are offered as constructive suggestions in the
best interest of the EPA and the public. These observations obviously have the benefit of being
formulated based upon operational data unavailable to the original designers. Furthermore, it is likely
that site conditions and general knowledge of groundwater remediation have changed over time.
The RSE team provides considerations for management of the mine pool, the planned excavation of
impoundment sediments, and continued groundwater and seep management. These considerations are
intended to result in enhancement of the remedy effectiveness. The RSE team also provides
recommendations to reduce costs of the existing remedy by proposing reductions in site sampling
programs, discontinuing snow removal activities in the winter, phasing out the local administration
office, purchasing rather than leasing site vehicles. Future cost reductions could result from ensuring a
certain level of automation in the planned treatment plant and reducing labor accordingly.
Recommendations for technical improvement for the existing water treatment plant included installing a
new supply of potable water for polymer mixing, correcting the "dirty power" provided to the site, and
providing back up for sludge handling and disposal equipment. In addition, the RSE team recommends
that lessons learned from current operations be applied to the design and installation of the planned
treatment plant.
The RSE team also recommends that site managers strongly consider an alternative remedial approach
that will not require long-term water treatment. The existing and planned remedies ensure that water
treatment will continue in perpetuity at relatively high annual costs (currently approximately $2.4 million
per year). Alternative approaches that address the source of acid mine drainage may require substantial
capital costs but could likely be more protective and cost-effective in the long term. The RSE team
provides various approaches for further consideration.
Table 7-1 summarizes the costs and cost savings associated with each recommendation in Section 6.0.
Both capital and annual costs are presented as well as life-cycle costs calculated both with discounting
(i.e., net present value) and without it.
31
-------
Table 7-1. Cost Summary Table
Recommendation
6.1.1 Considerations for management of
the mine pool
6.1.2 Considerations for the 2002 SDI
Sediment Removal
6.1.3 Considerations for groundwater and
seep management
6.2.1 Reduce Weekly Environmental
Surface Water Sampling
6.2.2 Reduce Groundwater and Seep
Sampling
6.2.3 Eliminate Unnecessary Snow
Removal and/or Obtain Reimbursement
for Conducting National Park Service
Snow Removal
6.2.4 Scale Back or Eliminate Del Norte
Office
6.2.5 Improve Contracting to Allow
Purchasing of Vehicles Rather than
Leasing
6.2.6 Automate New Plant to Reduce
Labor Requirements
6. 3.1 Provide a New Source for Potable
Water
6.3.2 Remediate Dirty Power
6.3.3 Provide Necessary Backup to Filter
Press and Dump Truck
6.3.4 Apply Lessons Learned from
Existing Water Treatment Plant to Design
of the New Water Treatment Plant
6.4.1 Consider Remedial Actions that
Could Replace Long-term Containment
and Water Treatment
Reason
Effectiveness
Effectiveness
Effectiveness
Cost
Reduction
Cost
Reduction
Cost
Reduction
Cost
Reduction
Cost
Reduction
Cost
Reduction
Technical
Improvement
Technical
Improvement
Technical
Improvement
Technical
Improvement
Site Closeout
Additional
Capital
Costs
($)
$0
$75,0003
$100,000
Cf)
3>\J
Cf)
3>\J
$0
$0
Cf)
j)\j
not
quantified
$30,000
$45,000
$70,000
not
quantified
not
quantified
Estimated
Change in
Annual
Costs
($/yr)
$0
$0
$0
($50,000)
($32,500)
($275,000)
($50,000)
($53,000)
not quantified
$0
$0
$0
not quantified
not quantified
Estimated
Change
In Lifecycle
Costs
(S)1
$0
$75,0003
$100,000
($5,000,000)
($3,500,000)
($25,000,000)
($5,000,000)
($5,300,000)
not quantified
$30,000
$25,000
$100,000
not quantified
not quantified
Estimated
Change
In Lifecycle
Costs
($)2
$0
$75,0003
$100,000
($1,170,000)
($819,000)
($5,850,000)
($1,170,000)
($1,240,000)
not quantified
$30,000
$25,000
$100,000
not quantified
not quantified
Costs in parentheses imply cost reductions.
1 assumes 100 years of O&M (consistent with ROD cost estimates), discount rate of 0% (i.e., no discounting
2 assumes 100 years of O&M and discount rate of 4.2% (consistent with ROD cost estimates)
3 the average of the estimated range of $50,000 to $100,000
32
-------
FIGURES
-------
FIGURE 1. THE LOCATION OF THE SUMMITVILLE MINE SUPERFUND SITE RELATIVE TO NEARBY ROADS AND MUNICIPALITIES.
-N-
^SUMMITVILLEMINE
SUPERFUND SITE
LEGEND
-------
FIGURE 2. SITE LAYOUT SHOWING MAJOR FEATURES, INCLUDING SUB-BASINS, DRAINAGE DITCHES, AND DIVERSIONS.
316 ACRES
HEAP LEACH PAD
(Note: This figure is based on figures in the 2001 ROD and the Summitville Mine Site-Wide RI/FS, Rocky Mountain Consultants, 2001).
-------
FIGURE 3 LABELED PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SUMMITVILLE MINE SUPERFUND SITE DEPICTING MAIN SITE FEATURES.
Cropsy Waste PtJe
Footprint
Water Treatmenl Plant
1 S itftge Disposal Cell
"" iMine Prtl
.> yd Reynolds Adrtj
Oitch R
Cropsy Creek" r^
L^ifc»r^
Hsstoric Town Site
Su-iiiinlville Dam Impoundment iSDI
(Note: This figure was provided to the RSE team by CDPHE.)
-------
FIGURE 4 CONDITIONS OF THE SUMMITVILLE MINE SUPERFUND SITE IN 1993 PRIOR TO REMEDIAL ACTION
'
(Note: This figure was provided to the RSE team by CDPHE.)
-------
FIGURE 5 THE LOCATION OF THE SUMMITVILLE MINE SUPERFUND SITE RELATIVE TO NEARBY SURFACE WATER BODIES.
JASPER CREEK
WF1
SUMMITVILLE MINE-
BURNT CREEK
SPRING CREEK
FERN CREEK
R34.5
.T1A
TERRACE
RESERVOIR
AR31.0
AR21.6«'
ALftMOSA RIVER AT
GUNBARREL ROAD
(HWY 15) BRIDGE
NOT TO SCALE
A WF
ROUTINE SURFACE WATER MONITORING SITE
WITH SEASONAL CONTINUOUS FLOW GAGING
ROUTINE SURFACE WATER MONITORING
SITE WITH SEASONAL CONTINUOUS FLOW
u GAGING, pH, SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE AND
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
ROUTINE SURFACE WATER MONITORING
SITE WITH NO INSTRUMENTATION
ROUTINE RESERVOIR MONITORING SITE
SUMMITVILLE MINE SITE-WIDE RI/FS
2000 NETWORK OF OFFSITE
SURFACE WATER
MONITORING SITES
Date: 08/24/01
| By: DJhT
Fto: RA1H8JH7.BTM\l3rofFSrrEW*TEFl.DWS
=imc
FIGURE:
2-6
(Note: This figure is a copy of Figure 2-6 from the Summitville Mine Site-wide RI/FS, Rocky Mountain Consultants, 2001)
------- |