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,~ ' - COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, Water Quality Control Division - Rationale - Page 4. Permit No. CO-0027146 III. RECEIVING STREAM: E. Receiving Water Data (continued) 2. Impacts on Downstream Water Sunolies or Other Receivine Waters: The discharge is not expected co have any impact on downstream users or segments, provided compliance with effluent limitations is achieved. IV. FACILITY DESCRIPTION A. Industry Description This facility is an underground coal mine. Production is down from a previous rate of 800,000 - 900,000 tons per year co 150,000 cons per year. The mine was idled from October, 1986, through April, 1989. There is a preparation plant at the site, as well as a coal loadout. The federal guidelines which apply co this facility are found under 40 CFR 434, titled Coal Mining Effluent Guidelines. Two chemical additives are used at this facility. They are summarized in Table IV-1. Both have the potential co be in runoff going to ponds discharging through outfalls U08, 011, 013 and 014. Tab 1e IV-1 -- Chemical Additives Chemical Name Purpose Constituents of Concern Nalco 8852(coagulant) Refuse Fines Thickener Compound Toxic co Fish* Nalco 9810(flocculanc) Refuse Fines Thickener None Apparent The permictee tried other coagulants, but none ~.ras as effective. It is unlikely that, due co the treatment system configuration, this additive would impact the receiving water. The manufacturer has scared chat the additive will break down rapidly in the ponds. It appears chat this usage should not endanger the aquatic life in the receiving water. B. Wastewater Treatment Description Several sedimentation ponds serve this site. They are summarized in Table IV-2. Mine drainage from three areas goes co three separate pond systems. Ten sedimentation pond s;~stems have been engineered to serve to control runof_° from various areas (outfalls 005 - 014), although no. 014 has not yet been constructed. The preparation pLanc is served by a non-discharging system. Water used in the prep pLanc is recirculated, none is discharged co state waters normally. During a major upset, there potentially could be a discharge to sedimentation pond 8, whose oucfall is no. 008. The flocculanc and coagulant shown in Table IV-1 are used in the refuse fines thickener circuit.