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ncrGl\/~[j <br />AuG Z ~ 1s96 <br />Phone Call Log for Upset Reporting OIvi519n 01 ,. . ~ ~ ~- <br />Water Quality Control Division <br />Permits and Enforcement Section <br />Entity: Mountain Coal Company -West Elk Mine <br />Permit No.: CO-0038776 Person Reporting: Henry Barbe <br />County: Gunnison Phone No.: 970-929-2238 <br />Start Date of Potential Upset: Tues.,30 Jul 96 Upset Duration: Not yet known. <br />Date & Time of Upset: 30 July 96 - ? Has this happened before: No <br />Probable Cause: MCC believes TSS measurements of Pond MB-1's (Outfall 002's) discharge <br />may exceed permit limits based on pre-discharge TSS analyses showing 112 mg/I on <br />Tuesday, 30 July 96, and 127 mg/I on Wednesday, 31 July 96. The pond is receiving <br />approximately 120 gpm of 84°F mine water from Entry #3's fault. MCC suspects the mine <br />water contains organic matter which is interfering with the operation of the polymeric <br />flocculent; the addition of bleach to a sample of effluent dropped out the suspended <br />material. The only change since the large Entry /t3 mine water surges earlier this year is the <br />addition of an underground sump. MCC did not discharge until they had no more room to <br />store the water. <br />Written Report to Follow: Yes <br />Actions: MCC has contracted with Wright Water Engineers/Waste Engineering to <br />investigate the problem and recommend treatment solutions. They also plan to invite <br />water treatment chemical applications personnel to test various treatment chemical <br />regimes for effectiveness. MCC had Seacrest analyze the suspended material and it was <br />not algae. They will have an x-ray diffraction particle sizing screen performed to help <br />identification. <br />MCC plans to maintain increased effluent sampling, with TSS sampling 3 times/day and <br />weekly WET tests. MCC also plans to conduct WET tests on instream samples collected <br />up and downstream of this discharge. Instream TSS effects will be calculated from <br />effluent analyses and instream flow rate measurements. <br />If exceedences do occur, the reported upset may offer an affirmative defense. <br />Recorded By: Kathleen Sullivan <br />Date: August 1, 1996 <br />cc District Engineer, Field Support Section <br />David Berry/Mike Boulay, DMG <br />Original to MS 3 File <br />