ML20215M882

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:Phosphorus Level Exceeded Monthly Average Permit Limit for Sept 1986.Caused by Sewage Treatment Plant.Feed Rate Increased Incrementally While Phosphorus Levels Monitored

ML20215M882
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom
Issue date:	10/17/1986
From:	Leitch G PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	PENNSYLVANIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
References
NUDOCS 8611030406
Download: ML20215M882 (2)

Text

--

,. i u..

PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY t i

2301 MARKET STREET P.O. BOX 8699 PHILADELPHI A. PA.19101 12151841 4000 October 17, 1986 Department of Environmental Resources Bureau of Water Quality Management One Ararat Blvd.

Harrisburg, PA 17110

SUBJECT:

Noncompliance with NPDES Permit Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Permit No. PA 0009733 Gentlemen:

DESCRIPTION OF NONCOMPLIANCE:

The total phosphorus of a sample from discharge point 501 (Sewage Treatment Plant) exceeded the monthly average permit limit for the month of September, 1986.

Date Sample Taken: 9/03/86 Date Results Received: 9/12/86 Results of Analysis: 3.8 mg/l Monthly Average Analysis: 3.8 mg/l Permit Limitations: 2.0 mg/l Monthly Average 4.0 mg/l Instantaneous Maximum CAUSE OF NONCOMPLIANCE:

The cause of the noncompliance is the sewage treatment plant is not able to reduce the phosphorus to below the permit limit.

DURATION OF NONCOMPLIANCE:

The duration of the noncompliance has continued since the receipt of the new permit limits in October, 1985 except for August 1986.

8611030406ggo PDR ADOCK 71 PDR

'[' i S

v g 7 s CORRECTIVE ACTION:

During the month of August the ultrion system had been in operation at a feed rate of 200 ppm. The system appeared to be working well with on site phosphorus results of less than 1*

-ppm. After about 10 days of operation there was a Joss of biological life in the aeration tank. It could not be determined if this was because of the 200 ppm dosage of ultrion or a coincidence. The biological life was alldWed to recover with no ultrion feed. The system was then returned to service on August 27, 1986 at a 40 ppm feed rate.

During September, 1986, the feed rate was increased incrementally while phosphorus levels on biological activity were monitored. The average final effluent phosphorus level at the 40 ppm feed rate was approximately 3.l* ppm. On September 11, 1986 the feed rate was increased to 80 ppm. This resulted in an average effluent of approximately 2.4* ppm phosphorus. On September 22, 1986 the feed rate of ultrion was increased to 120 ppm. The test at this feed rate was interrupted because of a leak on the suction tubing of the ultrion injection pump on September 28, 1986. The tubing was repaired and the system a returned to service at the 120 ppm feed rate on October 1, 1986.  ;

P

• as measured on site using DCP (Direct Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer) which is not an approved method for NPDES analysis.

Very trul yours,

'G. M. Leitch /

Superintendent Nuclear Generation Division JAV/GML:ala cc: Environmental Protection Agency Director Water Permits Branch ONRR Pennsylvania Section 3WM52 US NRC 841 Chestnut Building Washington, DC 20555 l Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 Administrator, Region I office of Inspection and Enforcement

! US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406 i

I I

I

. . - .. . . _ - -