Laserfiche WebLink
• On-site aeration structures were installed for HzS removal before <br />discharging the effluent. <br />• A pilot test was conducted to identify a flocculent for removing high levels <br />of oil and grease from the effluent. <br />• The main water source of the mine was changed from the high TDS(>5000 <br />ppm) alluvial well water to a significantly lower TDS (500 ppm) surface <br />lagoon. <br />• The raw water tank was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to remove <br />sludge built up over years. This sludge was found to contain significantly <br />high levels (1000 colonies/ml) of bacteria. <br />• An MSHA waiver was received to stop the use of Wendon Dustrol-10 <br />surfactant in the water spray at the longwall face. The surfactant has been <br />found to be lethal to fish life at 500 ppm. <br />The WQCD also sent an effluent sample and prior toxicity reports to the EPA laboratory in <br />Duluth, Minnesota to investigate the cause of toxicity. WQCD never heard from EPA in <br />this regard. WQCD does not think it is now necessary since the mine has been passing <br />the WET testing during the three (1994-97) water years. Besides no mine water is <br />discharged at this time requiring WET testing. A copy of the letter dated January 30, <br />1997 from WQCD is attached in Appendix H of the Thirteenth Annual Hydrology Report. <br />On December 28, 1992, WQCD wrote to WFU (now BME) asking either (i) to develop a <br />control program which eliminates the toxicity through treatment of the TDS or (ii) to <br />perform a study which determines if TDS is having a toxic effect on the stream and to <br />develop a level of TDS at the discharge point at which an instream impact is not <br />expected. On March 29, 1993, BME submitted a plan to use the Rapid Bioassessment <br />Protocol III per EPA guidelines. Under this plan, BME would test the extent of <br />impairment, if any, on the aquatic life in the White River due to the mine water discharge. <br />It would involve sampling and testing of micro-invertebrates. No fish would be collected <br />since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife refused to grant permission to do so because of the <br />endangered squawfish being planted in the river. BME never heard from WQCD or <br />received WQCD's approval of this plan. WQCD thinks it is now not necessary to do this <br />task since the mine passed the WET test during for three water years (1994-1997). <br />Besides, no mine water is discharged at this time requiring WET testing. See Appendix H <br />of the Thirteenth Annual Hydrology Report for WQCD's letter. <br />11