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The CSU Macromolecule lab was unable to quantify the substance(s) in the samples. <br />The CDPHE lab, however, was able to analyze their samples. The CDPHE lab <br />determined that the sample from the Edwards Portal spring contained 65 mg/1 of total <br />organic carbon. The North Fork upstream and downstream samples contained 1.9 mg/1 <br />and 1.4 mg/1 of total organic cazbon, respectively. These high levels of TOC (34-46 <br />times ambient levels) indicate that there are some high-moleculaz weight organics <br />present. As noted above, these organics aze not volatile or semivolatile organics <br />(pesticides, herbicides, disinfectant byproducts, benzenes, cresols, etc., which are lower <br />molecular weight compounds). Although there is no direct evidence that these <br />substances aze humic acids, the TOC levels aze one more piece of anecdotal evidence that <br />they do exist in the Edwazds Portal spring. At any rate, it can be said with a fair amount <br />of confidence, that the organic cazbon present in the spring is not hazazdous. It can also <br />be said that, based on the upstream and downstream samples, the Edwards Portal spring <br />is not contributing TOC to the river. <br />Based on the testing performed by the Division, I believe that it is relatively safe for the <br />Division to make the finding that the water discharging from the Edwards Portal spring <br />(and into the North Fork of the Gunnison) is benign. There aze no metals that aze either <br />above the applicable stream standards or aze contributing any significant degree of <br />degradation to the stream segment. None of the NPDES permit limits are being <br />exceeded. The color of the water is caused by organics that are not identifiable but, as <br />such, are not pollutants that are considered hazardous. <br />Please let me know if you have any questions and what you think our next step should be. <br />