Laserfiche WebLink
8 <br /> described a snowmelt bypass, which was a procedure whereby the WWTP would operate at full capacity <br /> to meet "all seasons" effluent parameters, and during a 60-day period in the spring, snowmelt could be <br /> discharge if it met stream standards that were reflective of the stream quality at that period. These <br /> standards were slightly reduced from the "all seasons" parameters, which reflected the natural degradation <br /> of a stream during spring runoff. It should be noted that the WWTP throughput capacity had significantly <br /> dropped because the Department of Wildlife (DOW) now required the plant to cease operations in the two <br /> driest months of the year, because the effluent was effectively the entire stream. The concern was that <br /> the discharge might be hazardous to sensitive aquatic species. As a result, the WWTP capacity was <br /> reduced by 2/12ths or 17%, which only exacerbated the total volume flow problems. <br /> Operational Issues <br /> The situation was now stable. Although not everyone was happy with the resolution of the issues, <br /> the WWTP was able to operate in a fashion that allowed a reasonable semblance of providing a water <br /> balance, when the snowmelt bypass was utilized as designed. It was felt that the Western U.S. was in a <br /> cycle of "wet" years, and that when these passed, there would no longer be need for snowmwelt <br /> bypasses. <br /> Then the bottom fell out of the worldwide molybdenum market. The Climax Mine was a high cost <br /> producer at the time, and production cutbacks were followed by shutdowns. In the fall of 1982, a 19 <br /> month shutdown began. The year of 1983 then, saw no mine production, and therefore no water <br /> consumed in tailing. The resultant high flows requiring treatment were a shock to everyone concerned. <br /> The amount of water generated in the old mining district was far larger than anticipated. The Company <br /> had been working under the belief that the WWTP, which was now operating at a nominal 126 I/s, but at <br /> an actual annual rate of 113 I/s (because of DOW concerns) would still be sufficient for us to eventually <br /> work our way out of the need for snowmelt bypasses. <br />