1998-06-11_REPORT - C1981014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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jWW 1998 3 Energy Fuels Coal, Inc. 1997 Annual Hl&t46gy Rq"rt Primary uses of water at the mine are coal preparation and underground dust suppression. Historically, of the total water pumped for use at the mine, approximately 38 percent is consumed in the coal preparation plant, and 27 percent is used for underground dust suppression. The remainder of water use is attributed to pond evaporation and outside dust suppression and equipment washing. Water balance within the mine is a comparison of the consumptive use of the mine and the estimated input and output water in the water handling system., Water pumped into the system from the Corley Mine Well, shown on Table 2, totalled 40.2 ac-ft during the reporting period. The estimated consumptive use during the corresponding period was 50.3 ac-ft. Water discharged to the stream system was approximately 8.0 ac-ft. This comparison of input, consumptive use, and discharged water quantities illustrates the water balance within the mine. NPDES Discharges to Streams Water discharged to the stream system during the period of this report totalled approximately 8.0 ac-ft, as shown on to Table 3. Water discharges were treated and managed through Southfield's surface water handling system depicted on Figure 2. Discharges through NPDES outfalls were sampled and reported in accordance with the approved Colorado Wastewater Discharge permit. Water quality data for discharges to streams are summarized on Table 3. A review of these data indicate that all discharges were within NPDES permit limitation. In addition, all samples submitted for Acute WET testing from Outfall 004 were in compliance. Due to the positive WET test results from previous reporting periods, the Department of Health approved an extended WET test schedule to a semi-annual basis. These data indicate that Southfield's water treatment system effectively reduces the potential of significant impacts to State waters.