2024-05-03_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (2)

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2.05-78 Rev. 11/96- PR07; 04/06-PR10; 12/14- TR136, 04/24 – TR153 aerated spring flow. Care is taken to minimize any increases in turbidity. Sample bottles are capped, labelled, placed on ice, and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Typical Hydrologic Sampling Methods-Ground Water Ground water monitoring wells are measured seasonally as described on page 2.05-75. Monitoring measurements include field and laboratory parameters as identified in Table 5. Static water levels are measured first at each well. In obtaining samples from ground water wells, the field technician samples each well the same way each time. In general, the ground water wells at West Elk do not exhibit recovery within the time necessary to complete sampling. For this reason, as explained during the 1993 permit renewal, three casing volumes of water are not removed from the wells. A PVC thief with a brass foot valve is used to obtain samples. The bailer is rinsed with distilled water before and after each sample. After rinsing, the bailer is gently lowered into the water column in the well. The sample is obtained, striving to disturb the well water column as little as possible during sampling and retrieval. Prior to measurement, instruments and equipment (filters and instruments) are rinsed with distilled water. Field parameters are measured (Table 5) and the water sample is filtered, divided into the proper sample bottles, sealed, cooled as appropriate, boxed, and delivered to the laboratory for analysis. In some cases, samples may not be available since there is insufficient water for sampling. This means that there is not enough water to fill the sample bottles and an additional 300 to 500 ml of sample for rinsing and field parameter measurement. Typical Hydrologic Sampling Methods-Mine Inflows Flow measurements, field parameters and a water quality sample will be collected from mine inflow locations as close to the inflow source as safely possible. Flow estimates will be recorded for the inflows that are expressed as roof drippers, seeps, or dispersed flow that are less than 5 gpm. Field parameters and a water quality sample will be obtained if the inflow is of sufficient, discernable flow (>5 gpm) and/or lasts longer than 7 days. If the inflow is continuous, an initial sample will be obtained, and then sampled at least annually thereafter. Because the location and conditions of the inflows will vary, as they will originate from the roof, floor, or ribs and may be flowing at a very low or high rate, it is difficult to describe how information on each inflow will be collected. To the extent possible, flow measurements will be taken through the use of a timed volume approach as close to the source of the inflow as possible. The sampler will time the flow into a specific measured volume container to establish flow rate. Several measurements will be taken and averaged prior to reporting. Field parameters of temperature, pH, and conductivity will be procured as close to the inflow source as possible by selecting a sample volume from the inflow and measuring the sample for the parameters using standard instruments which have been calibrated. Samples for analysis of laboratory parameters per Table 5 will be collected by filling a clean, pre-fixed sample bottle from non-aerated flow. Sample bottles will be capped, labeled, placed on ice, and transported to the laboratory for analysis. If the sampler is unable to obtain a sample following the above described methods due to conditions in the mine or if the inflow is of very high volume and/or flow, the sampler will attempt to obtain the most accurate measurement of flow and as representative water quality sample, as safely possible. Monitoring Mining Impacts-Surface Water