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51 <br /> <br />can show that he has been conducting careful and regular <br />tests of the water, then the analyses dictated in the permit <br />can be changed. If a change in the analytical schedule can <br />be made, then conductivity as an indicative test for effluent <br />levels is the best candidate. <br />Other than conductivity, pH measurements should be made. <br />This test is indicative of the concentration levels of many <br />base metal ions and can be used as an essential test that <br />effluent quality is being maintained. Presently, there is <br />no substitute test for suspended solids so this is also <br />necessary. <br />If a mining operation is dealing only with diffuse aqui- <br />1] <br />fer water and if the chemical composition of the water has <br />been studied for a reasonable length of time, then for routine <br />compliance pH, conductivity and suspended solids should be <br />the only necessary tests. Total chemical analyses or analyses <br />for compliance should be necessary only a few times a year. <br />The burden of eliminating more stringent analyses lies on <br />the operator showing that he understands the nature of his <br />mine water and also understands how to perform the needed <br />analyses. <br />TESTS FOR MAINTAINING QUALITY CONTROL <br />A water effluent treatment system should be considered <br />like any other industrial chemical process. As such, it <br />should conform to the principles of process engineering (37). <br />To be successful, monitoring of the output has to be performed <br />C7