ML22193A034
| ML22193A034 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Erwin |
| Issue date: | 06/30/2022 |
| From: | Knowles T BWXT Nuclear Fuel Services, Nuclear Fuel Services |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards |
| References | |
| 21G-22-0079, ACF-22-0150, GOV-01-55-04 | |
| Download: ML22193A034 (133) | |
Text
- ew Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.
Certified Mail Return Receipt Required Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Attn: Document Control Desk
Reference:
- 1) Docket No.70-143; SNM License 124 21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 June 30, 2022
- 2) Letter from NFS to NRG, License Amendment Request for U-Metal at the NFS Site, dated November 18, 2021 (21G-21-0092)
- 3) Letter from NRC to NFS, Acceptance of Application for U-Metal License Amendment, dated March 25, 2022
- 4) Letter from NRC to NFS, Request for Additional Information to Support Environmental Review of NFS Application to Amend Its Special Nuclear Materials License SNM-124 to Construct and Operate a Uranium Metal Process, dated April 28, 2022
Subject:
RESPONSE TO NRC REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF NFS APPLICATION TO AMEND SNM-124 TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A URANIUM METAL PROCESS By our letter dated November 18, 2021, Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) submitted a License Amendment Request (LAR) for U-Metal at the NFS Site (Reference 2). By letter dated March 25, 2022, (Reference 3) NRG accepted the application with no omissions or deficiencies identified. As part of the detailed environmental review of the application, NRG staff requested additional information (Reference 4). NFS herein provides the following responses to the NRC Request for Additional Information (Attachment 1). NFS will provide, under separate cover, a revised Environmental Report that includes information provided in this transmittal.
If you or your staff have any questions, require additional information, or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (423) 743-1705, or Tom Holly, Licensing Manager, at (423) 743-2595. Please reference our unique document identification number (21 G-22-0079) in any correspondence concerning this letter.
1205 Banner Hill Rd, Erwin, TN 37650 t: +1.423.743.9141 f: +1.423.743.0140 www.nuclearfuelservices.com People Strong INNOVATION DRIVEN >
Sincerely, 21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES, INC.
~~J,l ~r c... -rk Tim Knowles "'{"
<a' Safety and Safeguards Director TCH/las : NFS Response to the Request for Additional Information Enclosure A:
NFS Licenses and Permits Enclosure B:
NPDES Permit TN0002038 - Wastewater Treatment Facility Enclosure C:
NPDES Permit TNR050873 - Storm Water Discharges Associated with - Industrial Activities Enclosure D:
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation - Rare Species Database Review Copies:
Ms. Jill S. Caverly Senior Project Manager Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Two White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-2738 Mr. James Downs Senior Project Manager Division of Fuel Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Two White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-27;38
Regional Administrator US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region II 245 Peachtree Center Ave., NE, Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30303-1257 Mr. Larry Harris NRG Senior Resident Inspector 21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150
Attachment 21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 NFS Response to the Request for Additional Information (44 pages to follow)
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 NFS Response to Requests for Additional Information for the Development of the Environmental Assessment for the BWXT Nuclear Fuel Services License Amendment Request to SNM-124 Authorizing Uranium Purification and Conversion Services (U-Metal Project)
Request 1:
Please provide a list of Federal, State, and Local Agency Licenses and Permits required for activities at the NFS facility and the current status of each. Also explain if any of these permits will need to be updated due to the processes associated with the proposed action. Please identify if any new permits will be required due to the proposed action. Please provide a copy of the current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
Response 1:
Included with this response is a table that contains all current Federal, State, and Local Agency Licenses and Permits (Enclosure A) required for activities at the NFS facility and the current status of each. Also, as requested, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF) Permit (TN0002038) (Enclosure 8) and NPDES Storm Water Permit (TNR050873) (Enclosure C) are provided. You will note that the expiration date for the NPDES Storm Water Permit is stated as June 30, 2022. This permit has been extended through June 30, 2025 by the State of Tennessee.
The potential liquid effluents generated from the proposed uranium metal process operation (Li-Metal) will not introduce any new radiological or chemical attributes. Any additional effluent volumes generated by the new process will be nominal. The volume/amount that NFS discharges will not significantly increase. Therefore, the NPDES WWTF Permit and the NPqEs Storm Water Permit will not require modification to support the Li-Metal Project.
A new air emission unit equipped with an air control device system will be installed to support the Li-Metal process. Installing a new system requires NFS evaluate the potential gaseous and particulate emissions to determine the impact to the environment.
In addition to the U-Metal Project, this new emission point will be supporting emissions from the current BLEU Preparation Facility (SPF) Bldg. 333 operations and a recently approved insignificant emissions unit for Advanced Pilot Line (APL) operations. The emission calculations for this new source considers all three (3) operations. Currently both SPF and APL planned emissions are released through a permitted stack system.
Once the new emission unit and control device system is completed, a permit modification request will be submitted to remove these sources from the current permitted stack prior to the new system becoming operational.
Page 1 of 43
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 NFS determined the combined total operations (BPF/APL/U-Metal) result in potential radiological emissions from the source equaling less than 0.1 millirem per year (mrem/yr) to the public. A conservative estimate of the radiological emissions and the effective dose equivalent to the most exposed member of the public is 0.00534 mrem/year.
NFS determined the combined total operations (BPF/APL/U-Metal) result in less than five tons per year of each chemical air contaminant and each regulated air pollutant that is not a hazardous air pollutant, and less than 1,000 pounds per year of each hazardous air pollutant. The potential emissions include:
Table 1.
Gaseous Emissions Emission Total BPF APL Li-Metal (tons/yr)
(tons/yr)
(tons/yr)
(tons/yr)
Particulate 0.05 0.04 0.00 0.004 Carbon Monoxide 1.7 1.7 NOx 2.4 1.07 0.09 1.23 Nitric Acid 1.3 1.16 0.00 0.17 Ammonia 2.3 0.01 2.29 Hydrogen Fluoride 0.24 0.24 NFS has submitted a request for a permit exemption for an insignificant emission unit designation as defined in parts 1200-3-9-.04(4)(a) and 1200-3-9-.04(4)(d)9 of the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Regulations for the new Li-Metal process operation. If this designation request is not granted by TDEC, then a new construction permit will be obtained for the Li-Metal process.
NFS will be required to obtain a Building Permit from the Town of Erwin to construct the new Utility Building (Building 389).
NFS will be evaluating the construction activities for the new process. If an area of land greater than 1 acre is disturbed, then it may become necessary to apply for a Storm Water Construction Permit. If construction is held to less than 1 acre, then storm water controls will be governed by the current NPDES permit.
The new Li-Metal process will not require any additional permit modifications.
Page 2 of 43
Request 2:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Please provide the physical details of the new facility including the details of all building/buildings that will be constructed or renovated as part of the proposed U-Metal Project including height, area and location. Please provide information in a publicly available response.
Response 2:
The new Utility Building (Building 389) is a combination of masonry and steel construction. The overall building height is equivalent to the existing facility; approximately 30 ft (above finished floor) on the east side and approximately 28 ft on the west side (monosloped roof). The building's interior rooms have masonry walls with steel doors and a concrete roof deck with the exception of the restroom facilities and office area where gypsum board with steel stud construction is used. Building 389 is approximately 3,000 ft2 and contains support equipment for main process operations such as a scrubber, solution storage tanks (e.g., wastewater, bulk chemical supply),
electrical room, AHF supply room and office areas. Solution storage is contained within a diked containment area. The new Utility Building is adjacent to the west side of the current processing area in the southwest corner of the plant site and located where the former Versatile Automated Gamma Assay System was used for radioactive waste analysis.
The main material processing area is contained within an existing building (Building 301) inside a Material Access Area that has been deactivated and decommissioned.
This portion of the building has previously been used for HEU process operations associated with the commercial development line. The main processing area occupies approximately 9,000 ft2 of the existing structure and is physically separated from other process operations unrelated to the proposed action.
Page 3 of 43
Request 3:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Provide details of the construction process for the new U-Metal Project including timeframe, material transport, access, noise, and effluent. Add any best practices or mitigation activities planned to reduce impacts. What it the expected duration of the proposed action?
Response 3:
The LI-Metal Project construction contract is under negotiation with the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA). The current proposed duration for construction is approximately 27 months, however is dependent upon funding profile.
Construction type material will be transported via flatbed, WB-62 type truck or other standard delivery type truck on the main roadways and access points to the site (Interstate 26 and main site access roads). Oversized deJiveries are not anticipated.
Construction type materials will be delivered to the site via existing access points and gates (e.g., new construction accesses to the Protected Area will not be created).'
Deliveries will be grouped as much as possible to reduce material transport requirements.
Anticipated construction equipment includes a 60 ft crane, backhoe, grader, front loader, trencher, boom truck, lull, concrete trucks, fork trucks and/or compactor for a short duration (<6 months aggregate). Noise from construction is anticipated to be typical construction type noise, a majority of which will occur within the Protected Area (with the exception of equipment and material transport). The Protected Area is surrounded by a 20-ft sand wall that would provide sound dampening for construction related noise. Construction activities are planned for daylight hours, primarily on weekdays. The average site ambient noise level within the Protected Area is approximately 65 decibels (based on a 3-year average).
Airborne effluents are anticipated to be normal construction type effluents (e.g.,
operation of a diesel vehicle); with the exception of the excavation for the Utility Building foundation, all work will be conducted on a paved surface with storm water runoff drains. Additional on-site fuel storage for construction equipment is not anticipated due to the small scope of the project and duration of construction vehicle use; if fuel storage is necessary, secondary containment will be utilized. "Crush and run" gravel will be used for a crane pad to allow for stability and drainage. The location for the new Utility Building is a paved surface and will require cuUexcavation for a foundation; all dust creating cuts (e.g., concrete, brick) will be conducted as a wet cut (with water) to mitigate fugitive dust. Excavated soil to support foundation work will be retained and stored on site within a contained area surrounded by erosion and sediment control Page 4 of 43
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 devices. Representative samples will be obtained to allow for accurate characterization.
Excavated areas (e.g., foundation) will be backfilled with 57 stone and crush and run until foundation work is completed. The final site area following construction of the new Utility Building will be a paved surface and utilize the existing storm water runoff system.
Page 5 of 43
Request 4:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Please provide a list of the gaseous effluents based on the proposed LI-Metal Project. What additions or changes will be made to the Radiological Surveillance program based on the license amendment adding the LI-Metal Project to the facility. Add details why or why not changes would be required.
Response 4:
The new U-Metal process gaseous effluents are provided in Table 2. As stated previously, the new U-Metal emission source will also include BPF and APL. These sources are also included in the attached table. With approval from the TDEC, these processes will share new Emission Point, STACKX-9Z01, and will be governed by requirements issued by the TDEC Division of Air Pollution Control. The gaseous effluents from the new U-Metal process are similar in attribute and quantity to those emitted from current operations at the NFS facility.
Chapter 9 of the US NRG License sets forth the requirements of the radiological effluent control and the environmental surveillance and monitoring program at NFS. This includes specific actions to be flowed into operating and sampling procedures; including performing routine measurements and calculations, comparing results to action levels, and reporting the results to plant management and the NRG, as appropriate. The license requires continuous sampling of all process ventilation stacks, collected and analyzed daily for the presence of radioactive material. In addition to point source sampling, NFS is also required to collect ambient air, soil, silt/sediment, vegetation, and groundwater samples from off-site locations. These are collected in areas surrounding the plant-site and based upon prevailing weather patterns.
Based upon this continuous monitoring, a biannual dose assessment for the maximally exposed off-site receptor is completed and submitted to the NRG. The new stack will be located in the same vicinity and will replace the current Building 301 Stack 774.
Therefore, the Radiological Surveillance program will not require any changes to support the new U-Metal process.
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T bl 2 a e.
aseous uen s rom e - ea roJec G
t f th UM t IP.
t Uranium Metal Purification and Conversion Process Chemical Name Chemical Formula Nitrogen Dioxide N02 Nitric Acid HN03 Acetic Acid CH3COOH HydroQen Peroxide H202 Inert Gases (02, N2, Ar) 02, N2, Ar Hydrogen H2 Hydrogen Fluoride AHF Hydrofluoric Acid HF Ammonia NH3 Iodine 12 Nitrous Oxide N20 Carbon Dioxide CO2 Carbon Monoxide co Water H20 Fluoroboric Acid HBF4 Radionuclides U-234, U-235, U-238 Particulate Matter BLEU Processing Facility (BPF)
Nitric Acid Vapor HN03 Nitrogen Dioxide Vapor N02 NORPAR 12 Tri-butyl Phosphate (C4H9)3P04 Radionuclides U-234, U-235, U-238 Particulate Matter Advanced Pilot Line Nitric Acid Vapor HN03 Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor H202 Nitrogen Dioxide N02 Ammonia Vapor NH3 Radionuclides U-234, U-235, U-238 Particulate Matter 21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 The above listed gaseous effluents are similar in attribute and quantity to those emitted from current operations at the NFS facility.
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Request 5:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What liquid effluent and/or run-off will be associated with the addition of the U-Metal Project? How will the current permits and treatment be impacted?
Response 5:
Due to the operations and controls already established at NFS, the impact of the additional U-Metal process on liquid effluent and/or runoff will be minimal. The amount of additional runoff due to the U-Metal process will be minor compared to that of the existing facility. The proposed process will not generate any new chemical or radiological attributes with the potential to enter surface water ways. Liquid effluent sampling or treatment will not require any changes to support the U-Metal process.
Based on this analysis, modifications to the NPDES Industrial Storm Water Permit (TNR050873) will not be required. NFS will be evaluating the construction activities for the new process. If an area of land greater than 1 acre is disturbed, then it may become necessary to apply for a Storm Water Construction Permit, however this is not anticipated. If construction is held to less than 1 acre, then storm water controls will be governed by the current NPDES permit.
The NFS Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (NFS-GH-906) will be revised to include information concerning the construction of the utility building. This plan is revised annually to capture any change to the plant site.
Page 8 of 43
Request 6:
218-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What additions or changes will be made to the radiological surveillance program based on the proposed action? Will the radiological monitoring programs need to be revised due to the addition of the U-Metal Project?
Response 6:
From a liquid effluent or ambient air standpoint, additional sampling will not be required.
The new stack, STACKX-9Z01, and control system will replace the existing Building 301 stack (Stack 774) and the sample data will be included in the NRG biannual effluent monitoring report. The radiological monitoring program will not be revised as the chemical/radiological attributes are not changing and the method used to perform the monitoring will not change. NFS' routine radiological surveillance program includes sampling of different media that could potentially be affected by facility operations. The radiological surveillance program will not require any changes to support the U-Metal process.
Chapter 9 of the US NRG License sets forth the requirements of the radiological effluent control and environmental monitoring program at NFS. This includes specific actions to be flowed into operating and sampling procedures. To ensure compliance, the license requires performing routine measurements and calculations, comparing results to action levels, and reporting the results to plant management and the NRG, as appropriate.
Continual monitoring of all gaseous and liquid effluents is required to demonstrate compliance. Samples are collected at a determined frequency and analyzed for the presence of radioactive material. When radionuclides are detected above the action levels, an investigation will be undertaken to identify the cause of the exceedance, and appropriate corrective action(s),will be initiated to reduce observed levels that are above the action levels and to minimize the likelihood of recurrence.
Based upon this continuous monitoring, a biannual dose assessment for the maximally exposed off-site receptor is completed and submitted to the NRG.
In addition to point source sampling, NFS is also required to collect ambient air, soil, silt/sediment, vegetation, and groundwater samples from off-site locations. These are collected in areas surrounding the plant-site and based upon prevailing weather patterns.
Since the new process will be located within the protected area of the plant and the new stack will be located in the same vicinity as the previous emission point, the Radiological Surveillance program will not require any changes to support the U-Metal process.
Page 9 of 43
Request 7:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What is the expected timeframe for decommissioning for the proposed action, U-Metal Project and what activities would be required?
Response 7:
The U-Metal Project would continue as long as the service is contracted. This has not been specifically defined; however, discussions indicated a long-term contract. The closest parallel is the downblending operations which has been safely performed by NFS for over 20 years (a routinely renewed contract). The proposed action is anticipated to be included in the scope of the next licensing renewal.
Activities for decommissioning would follow the standard safe shutdown approach to place all systems in a purged layup. The systems would then be disconnected from existing site facilities to put the systems (i.e., equipment) in a "cold and dark" condition to facilitate safe removal and disposal. Plans would be to use the facility for other processes until such time the site is decommissioned.
Page 10 of 43 J
Request 8:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Verify the additional building square footage. Will any non-paved land be impacted either by construction or operation? Verify no new construction entrances will be used and that the construction vehicles will enter through existing entrances.
Response 8:
Utility Building 389, the additional building proposed for the Li-Metal Project, is approximately 3,000 ft2. Building 301 is an existing structure that will house the process operations portion of the Li-Metal Project and is approximately 9,000 ft2. This building is in its final phase of decontamination and decommissioning to remove processing equipment no longer needed and will be an empty structure prior to the start of construction for the Li-Metal Project.
The proposed activity will not affect any previously un-disturbed land.
New construction entrances will not be created. Construction vehicles will enter through existing site and Protected Area entrances.
Page 11 of 43
Request 9:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Are there any actions or physical attributes of the new facilities due to the U-metal Project that might impact the visual resources during both construction and operation?
Response 9:
The visual resources will not be impacted by any actions or physical attributes of the new facility, during either construction or operation.
A new stack (Height of 85 ft and a tapered diameter of 46 inches at the base and 32 inches at the top) is planned for the Utility Building. However, it will replace an existing stack (Height of 75 ft and a tapered diameter of 32.125 inches at the base and 27 inches at the top) and be of similar appearance and construction. The new stack will be located within 15 ft of the existing stack and the existing stack will be removed.
A 60 ft crawler crane will be used to replace HVAC units on the roof of Building 301 and to assist in the construction of Building 389. The crane will be utilized for a short duration (approximately 60 working days) and will need to be removed to allow for continued construction. This type of crane has been utilized by the site for prior work activities.
Three existing HVAC units, which sit 6 ft above the HVAC platform, will be replaced with three new units on the roof of Building 301. One of the three new units will sit 2 ft taller than the existing units. The remaining two new units will be 1 ft and 2 ft shorter than the other two existing units.
Page 12 of 43
Request 10:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Verify that there have been no new scenic designated areas near the facility since the license renewal in 2011.
Response 10:
There is new data available on scenic resources within the viewshed of the facility. The information reviewed and cited does not identify any new scenic designated areas near the facility since the license renewal in 2011. Section 3.9 Visual Resources of the Supplemental Environmental Report will be revised to incorporate the updated information provided below and submitted to the NRC for review.
3.9 VISUAL/SCENIC RESOURCES The following changes have been made to the Facility since the 1980s:
Decommissioning of portions of the Facility that started in the mid-1980s; Construction of the BLEU Complex Facility on the southwest side of the Facility in August 2002; Security wall around the perimeter of the Facility started in 2007 and completed in 2012; Modernization of ammonia stripping tower (2012);
Replaced exit/entry access control point (2012);
Redesign and installation of the main stack (2014);
Replacement of fan house (2014);
Decommissioning of the BLEU Complex (2018);
Decommissioning of the northern burial ground area and surface water impoundments (2018);
Relocation of the meteorological tower (2020);
Addition of a new office building (2020); and Relocation and modernization of Versatile Automated Gamma Assay System (VAGAS) in 2021.
The protection and preservation of scenic and environmental resources on the Facility and surrounding community are part of all construction projects.
Previously identified scenic resources in the vicinity of the NFS Erwin Facility include (NRC 2011 ):
Nolichucky River: While it is not an officially designated scenic Page 13 of 43
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 resource, the river is a popular recreational feature located approximately 0.2-mile from the NFS Erwin Facility. The NFS Erwin Facility may be partially seen from the river as it flows nearby. An approximately 8-mile stretch of the river located upstream from the NFS Erwin Facility and extending from Poplar, North Carolina to Unaka Springs, Tennessee is listed in the Nationwide Rivers Inventory for its scenic, recreational, and geological values. The NFS Erwin Facility is not visible from this stretch of the river because of the mountainous terrain between these areas.
Appalachian Trail: The trail crosses the Nolichucky River approximately 1. 7-miles southwest of the NFS Erwin Facility.
Intervening vegetation effectively screens the NFS Erwin Facility from view along this section of the Appalachian Trail. The Town of Erwin is visible on the trail along Cliff Ridge; however, viewers would not be able to identify the NFS Erwin Facility from this vantage point.
Erwin Linear Trail: The Erwin Linear Trail runs parallel to Interstate 26 along North Indian Creek and the Nolichucky River. The NFS Erwin Facility may be partially visible at various locations along this trail.
The following resources were consulted to determine if additional scenic resources have been designated in the vicinity of the NFS Erwin facility since 2011:
Tennessee Scenic Roadways (TOOT 2022)
Tennessee Scenic Rivers (TDEC 2022)
State and National Scenic Byways (Scenic America 2022)
National Wild and Scenic Rivers (National Wild and Scenic Rivers System 2022)
National Scenic Trails (National Park Service 2022)
National Scenic Areas (Wikipedia 2022)
National Wilderness Areas (Wilderness Connect 2022)
Trails.com Unicoi County Hiking Trails & Greenways (Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce 2022)
No additional designated scenic resources were identified using these resources.
Page 14 of 43
Request 11:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Will there be any visual impact from the new building at the facility during construction or operation? How tall is the new utility building compared to the rest of the facility structures?
Response 11 :
The visual resources will not be impacted by any actions or physical attributes of the new facility, during either construction or operation.
A 60 ft crawler crane will be used to replace HVAC units on the roof of Building 301 and to assist in the construction of Utility Building 389. The crane will be utilized for a short duration (approximately 60 working days) and will need to be removed to allow for continued construction. This type of crane has been utilized by the site for prior work activities.
The new utility building is of equivalent height to the adjacent existing process facility; approximately 30ft high (above finished floor) on the east side and 28ft high on the west side (monosloped roof). There is a nearby structure adjacent to the roof of Building 301 that extends to a height of 62 ft; this is one of the tallest structures on the NFS site. The roof of Building 301 is at the same height as an equipment platform that will span the distance between Building 301 and Building 389. The roof of Building 389 is approximately 15 feet higher than the roof of Building 301, however is of similar height to other adjacent structures. The equipment platform will house the HVAC blowers associated with the scrubber (located in Utility Building 389), a 12-ton chiller unit and several small roof top units (RTUs); additionally, several pipe chases will span the distance between Utility Building 389 and Building 301 suspended from the bottom of the equipment platform. The elevation of the equipment on the platform will not extend higher than the roof height for Utility Building 389.
Three existing HVAC units, which sit 6 ft above the HVAC platform, will be replaced with three new units on the roof of Building 301. One of the three new units will sit 2 ft taller than the existing units. The remaining two new units will be 1 ft and 2 ft shorter than the other two existing units.
A new stack (Height of 85 ft and a tapered diameter of 46 inches at the base and 32 inches at the top) is planned for the Utility Building 389, however it will replace an existing stack (Height of 75 ft and a tapered diameter of 32.125 inches at the base and 27 inches at the top) and be of similar height and appearance. The new stack will be located within 15 feet of the existing stack and the existing stack will be removed.
Page 15 of 43
Request 12:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Provide details of the proposed process of the U-Metal project and the particulates that would be release in addition to other approved process. Would any of the emissions from the new process create a need for a new air permit?
Provide information on additional particulate control.
Response 12:
In preparation of the Insignificant Source Designation Application for TDEC, all processes (BPF, APL, and Li-Metal) have been evaluated and the potential to emit for particulates has been calculated. The total potential to emit particulates has been determined to be 0.05 tons/yr. Of this total, approximately 0.0045 tons/yr (10%) is expected from the Li-Metal process. Plant wide, the estimated particulate emission is approximately 18 tons/yr. The addition of particulates from the Li-Metal process equates to an increase of 0.025%.
All emissions have been reviewed and fall within the bounds of "Insignificant Emission Source" as defined in parts 1200-3-9-.04(4)(a) and 1200-3-9-.04(4)(d)9 of the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Regulations. Process off-gas and room ventilation streams are filtered with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters before passing to the process scrubber and emission stack.
NFS has submitted a request for insignificant emission source designation from the State of Tennessee, Division of Air Pollution Control. In the event that this request is denied, a construction air permit will be requested.
Page 16 of 43
Request 13:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Provide information on the type of effluents and mitigation due to construction including fugitive dust.
Response 13:
Airborne effluents from construction activities will be typical of industrial settings; anticipated large construction equipment includes a 60 ft crane, backhoe, grader, front loader, trencher, boom truck, lull, concrete trucks, fork trucks and/or compactor for a short duration (<6 months aggregate). Best Management Practices (BMP) will be implemented during construction for fugitive dust. Examples of BMPs (not all inclusive) include minimizing disturbed areas, water and/or street sweepers used as necessary, gravel utilized as backfill until pavement is restored, and trucks transporting any backfill will be covered.
Construction activities will occur on paved surfaces following excavation and foundation work. The location for the new Utility Building 389 is on a paved surface; for the foundation and subsurface utility lines, the paved surface will be removed via a wet cut method to reduce fugitive dust. Excavated soil in support of foundation work will be retained and stored. Representative samples will be obtained to allow for accurate characterization. Soil is not anticipated to be contaminated. Excavated areas (e.g.,
foundation) will be backfilled with 57 stone and crush and run until foundation work is completed.
Travel paths for equipment delivery will occur on paved surfaces and are not anticipated to create fugitive dust; if excessive dust is noted, wet mitigation methods would be employed.
With the exception of restoring impacted paved surfaces to allow for trenching and excavation, grinding activities are not expected to occur for the proposed activity. All building penetrations will be made with a wet cutting device or drill to assist in mitigating fugitive dust.
Page 17 of 43
Request 14:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Will construction or operation of the proposed project impact any Prevention of Signification Deterioration Class I areas within the region of the facility?
Response 14:
There are no Class I areas within 2 miles of the NFS site that would be impacted by construction or operation.
Page 18 of 43
Request 15:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 The application references 2011 noise standards. In addition, the ER states that the Town of Erwin does not have a specific environmental noise standard applicable to the NFS facility and that alarm levels outside the perimeter are not above significant levels. Are these facts still true in 2022? If not, please update the Town of Erwin noise requirements and any events that have exceeded the noise levels or have received complaints.
Response 15:
The Town of Erwin limits building operations within residential areas to occur between 7:00am and 6:00pm. The facility is zoned as Industrial. Unicoi County does not have a noise ordinance. No other changes to local noise ordinances or standards have occurred since 2011. To NFS's knowledge, there have been no noise complaints referred to the site by nearby residents that required action.
Page 19 of 43
Request 16:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What are the specific sources of noise during the construction and operation phases of the proposed action? When and how long would these activities occur.
What levels and mitigation measures are planned during these times? Are there any noise ordinances in the town of Erwin that would be exceeded by any activities on the site including construction and operational activities?
Response 16:
The construction area supporting the proposed action is within an industrial environment (e.g., immediate surrounding facilities are industrial in nature). The expected environmental noise generation would be attributed to use of ground moving equipment and crane usage (e.g., 60 ft crane, backhoe, grader, front loader, trencher, boom truck, lull, concrete trucks, fork trucks, compactor). These types of activities are currently performed at the NFS site on an as needed basis. The expected use of construction equipment would be intermittent and is expected to last < 6 months, aggregate.
Construction activities will occur within the Protected Area that is surrounded by a 20 ft tall sand wall which would provide significant noise mitigation to offsite locations.
Additionally, construction activities will typically occur during daylight hours (between 7:00am and 6:00pm), on weekdays to comply with the Town of Erwin construction time restriction to accommodate nearby residences.
Following construction, noise levels are anticipated to return to typical site ambient levels (Average of 65 decibels within the Protected Area, 50 decibels in the OCA parking area).
Page 20 of 43
Request 17:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 To what extent will the site be regraded to accommodate the new U-Metal Project Facilities? Will any of the construction or operational activities involve the subterranean environment (e.g., below ground surface)? Will construction of the process buildings include foundational activities? Will there be any subsurface systems put in place? If so, provide details.
Response 17:
The area identified for the new Utility Building 389 is currently a paved surface; some minor gradipg will be required to construct the approximate 3,000 square foot facility.
The Utility Building 389 will require a foundation; excavation will be to an approximate maximum depth of 8 fl below grade. In addition to the foundation work that supports the new Utility Building 389, subsurface utility lines will be connected to the current plant systems (e.g., city water, city sewer, fire main). Excavations to support the utility lines will be to a depth of approximately 3 fl. The new stack will also require a foundation; excavation will be to an approximate maximum depth of 4 fl. All excavated soil will be retained and stored. Representative samples will be obtained to allow for accurate characterization. Soil is not anticipated to be contaminated. Excavated areas (e.g.,
foundation) will be backfilled with 57 stone and crush and run until foundation work is completed. Following construction activities, all surfaces in and around Utility Building 389 and Building 301 will be returned to a paved state.
Subsurface systems, other than utility connections, (e.g., supply or retention tanks) will not be installed.
Groundwater is not expected to be impacted by either construction or normal process activities; historically, groundwater has been measured at depths greater than 10 fl below the ground surface. Groundwater measurements are obtained from groundwater monitoring wells and are documented on monitoring reports that are reviewed during periodic inspections.
Page 21 of 43
Request 18:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 The application's Environmental Report states that "Under the proposed action, no significant changes in NFS' authorized operations are planned regarding the discharge of facility effluents into surface waters. Liquid effluents at the NFS site are treated first at the [wastewater treatment facility] before they are discharged in compliance with NRC regulatory limits and state authorized NPDES permit levels into the Nolichucky River. Storm water discharge at the [facility] is regulated under a TDEC [Tennessee Department of Environmental Compliance]
multi-sector general NPDES storm water permit." What changes/additions would occur to the surface water discharge due to the addition of the U-Metal Project?
How would any new liquid effluent be treated? Would the current permits need to be updated to account for any new effluents from the proposed action?
Response 18:
Due to the current operations and controls already established at NFS, the impact of the additional Li-Metal process on liquid effluent and /or runoff will be minimal. This proposed process will not generate any new chemical or radiological attributes with the potential to enter surface water ways. Any additional effluent volumes generated by the new process will be nominal. The amount discharged will not significantly increase.
Liquid effluent sampling and or treatment will not require any changes to support the U-Metal process. As part of the US NRC license requirement, the NFS environmental surveillance program routinely samples surrounding surface waters, both up and downstream from the facility.
Because the nature of the work conducted at Li-Metal is similar to other existing processes, modification to the NPDES Industrial Storm Water Permit (TNR050873) will not be required. NFS will be evaluating the construction activities for the new process.
If an area of land greater than 1 acre is disturbed, then it may become necessary to apply for a Storm Water Construction Permit. If construction is held to less than 1 acre, then storm water controls will be governed by the current NPDES permit.
The NFS Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (NFS-GH-906) will be revised to include information concerning the construction of the utility building. This plan is revised annually to capture any change to the plant site.
Page 22 of 43
Request 19:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Are there any jurisdictional wetlands on or near the site? How will the proposed action affect those? Will there be any mitigation activities to avoid potential impacts?
Response 19:
USFWS National Wetland Inventory mapping indicates the presence of three riverine wetlands and one freshwater pond at the Facility, however this map is out of date (it is based on color infrared imagery from 1983) and not consistent with current site characteristics. There are no jurisdictional wetlands located on the NFS site and none will be impacted by the proposed action.
Page 23 of 43
Request 20:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What are the potential pathways for impacts to ground water due to construction and operation of the proposed U-Metal project?
Response 20:
The new Utility Building 389 will require a foundation; excavation will be to an approximate maximum depth of 8 ft. In addition to the foundation work that supports the new Utility Building 389, subsurface utility lines will be connected to the current plant systems (e.g., city water, city sewer, fire main). Excavations to support the utility lines will be to a depth of approximately 3 ft. The new stack will also require a foundation; excavation will be to an approximate maximum depth of 4 ft.
Groundwater is not expected to be impacted by either construction or normal process activities; historically, groundwater has been measured at depths greater than 10 ft below the ground surface in the construction area. Groundwater measurements are obtained from groundwater monitoring wells and are documented on monitoring reports that are reviewed during periodic NRC inspections.
Page 24 of 43
Request 21:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Is there any potential interaction with the groundwater due to the U-Metal Project? How will leaks and spills be treated? Are there any accident scenarios associated with the proposed action in which the groundwater would be impacted?
Response 21:
Groundwater is not expected to be impacted by either construction or normal process activities; historically, groundwater has been measured at depths greater than 10 ft below the ground surface in the construction area. Groundwater measurements are obtained from groundwater monitoring wells and are documente.d on monitoring reports that are reviewed during periodic NRC inspections.
The site has a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) that will account for activities associated with the construction and operation of the U-Metal process. Any spills or releases, during construction or operation, will be controlled and mitigated in accordance with site plans and procedures.
The implementing procedures of the SPCC are:
- 1. NFS-HS-E-05, Spill Response and Reporting;
- 2. NFS-GH-33, Inspection of Hazardous Material Containment Areas and Loading and-Unloading of Bulk Chemicals; and
- 3. NFS-HS-B-40, Inspecting Emergency Equipment and Supplies.
The NFS procedure for responding to releases, whether to land, water or air, is summarized as follows:
- 1) The responsible area supervisor or manager shall immediately, if safe to do so:
a) Immediately notify Safety Supervision or Plant Superintendent (if no Safety Supervision on-site) by calling Extension 1444, providing any available information on injuries, date and time of release, location, substance involved, amount released and any immediate hazards.
b) Remove any injured personnel for treatment or notify Fire Brigade to do so.
c) If possible, stop the leak.
Page 25 of 43
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 d) After the condition is brought under control, the area Supervisor should document the appropriate details of the event using the PIRCS (Problem Identification Resolution and Correction System).
- 2) The responding Safety Supervision or Plant Superintendent should, as appropriate:
a) Dispatch the Safety Department personnel to the scene. The Fire Brigade Personnel may be requested to respond as appropriate.
b) Utilize HazMat Quick Response Guides for initial spill response measures. For large spills, response measures should be continuously evaluated as event specific emergency condition parameters, such as quantity of release; wind direction; monitoring data; chemical modeling; become available. Additional guidance may be found in Safety Data Sheets located on the MSDS online system and by using the NIOSH guide to Chemical Hazards.
c) Refer to NFS procedure, NFS-HS-E-05 to determine if the spill is an oil, hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance and if it exceeds the appropriate reportable quantity (RQ). An attachment to the procedure, NFS-HS-E-05, lists the chemical substances stored in bulk at NFS and their reportable quantities. If the event is determined to be reportable, notify Safety Management using phone numbers listed in NFS-HS-E-05.
d) Upon notification of a reportable event, implement (Safety Management) EPA reporting requirements in accordance with NFS-HS-E-05.
The location for the new Utility Building 389 is paved with appropriate storm water run-off and drainage. Following construction activities, the area around the new Utility Building 389 will be returned to a paved state if disturbed during construction. The chemicals utilized within the Utility Building 389 (e.g., KOH, NaOH, Nitric Acid) are contained within a diked area; applicable deliveries will occur directly to the Utility Building 389 or be hard piped from the site's bulk chemical storage.
There are no anticipated accident scenarios that have an impact on groundwater.
Page 26 of 43
Request 22:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What changes, if any, are being made to the sites environmental monitoring program due to the addition of the U-Metal project? What changes, if any, are being made to procedures related to the minimization of contamination of the subsurface due to the new project.
Response 22:
The environmental monitoring program for liquid effluents or ground water will not require any changes for the new Li-Metal process because new radiological and chemical attributes will not be introduced. Currently, ground water monitoring wells are sampled at a set frequency (i.e., monthly/quarterly) for the presence of radionuclides.
The NFS Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (NFS-GH-906) will be revised to include the new building.
Erosion and sediment controls will be implemented during the facility construction to prevent storm water runoff. These controls will remain in place until all disturbed areas of the construction site are permanently stabilized.
Page 27 of 43
Request 23:
21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 The information regarding terrestrial resources in the application is dated from 1991 and 1996. Please provide updated information relevant to 2022. Please discuss any impacts if there is new information.
Response 23:
Updated information has been obtained and remains relatively unchanged. The USDA-NRCS Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas (2022) provides current information regarding forests, tree species, and wildlife species in the region.
The Tennessee Historical Society (2018) provides additional information regarding species present in the surrounding Cherokee National Forest.
Common mammal and bird species likely to occur in the vicinity of the facility are provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) (2022a and 2022b).
The Supplemental Environmental Report will be updated with this more recent data and submitted to the NRC for review. Below are revised Section 3.5.1 Terrestrial Biota of the ER:
3.5.1 Terrestrial Biota Plant communities at the NFS Erwin Facility are characteristic of the intermountain regions of central and southern Appalachia. The USDA-NRCS Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) (2022) indicates the NFS Erwin Facility is in the Southern Blue Ridge MLRA. The most common forest trees in this region include white oak, black oak, scarlet oak, chestnut oak, hickory, eastern white pine, Virginia pine, pitch pine, yellow poplar, and northern red oak.
Higher elevations also include black cherry, black birch, and sugar maple (USDA-NRCS 2022).
The NFS Erwin Facility lies within Indian Creek Valley. Plant communities in this valley consist of second growth forests and open grassy areas. Most of the Facility is occupied by buildings, building grounds, and open fields. Limited areas consist of woods and brush. Nearby mountainous areas, which are part of the Unaka Mountains Recreation Zone of the Cherokee National Forest, are largely undisturbed and support extensive forests and wildlife resources (USFS 2022a).
The terrestrial fauna of the Erwin region includes a large number of vertebrate species 120 birds, 47 mammals, and 54 reptiles and amphibians (Tennessee Historical Society 2018); however, most of these species would not be expected Page 28 of 43
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 to occur in the Indian Creek Valley because of extensive disturbance and lack of natural habitats. Species in this area are likely to include small rodents, eastern cottontail, Virginia opossum, red fox, and white-tailed deer (TWRA 2022a).
Common bird species in this area are likely to include mourning dove, northern flicker, blue jay, Carolina chickadee, American robin, European starling, Northern cardinal, red-tailed hawk, and house sparrow (TWRA 2022b). Many of these species are well adapted to developed urban and suburban areas. Undeveloped areas of the NFS site are likely to support some of the smaller wildlife species.
Important game species of the region include whitetail deer, eastern gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, and wild turkey, which occur in the forests of the surrounding mountains (USFS 2022b) but are not common on-site.
Page 29 of 43
L__ ___ _
Request 24:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 The information regarding fish species present in the Nolichucky River is dated 1996. Please provide updated information relevant to 2022. Please discuss any impacts if there is new information.
Response 24:
The TWRA Region IV Warmwater Streams and Rivers Fisheries Report provides baseline information on game and non-game fish and macroinvertebrate populations for the region including the NFS Erwin Facility. The most recent available report is from 2017. This report indicates that sportfish present in the Nolichucky River include all species of black bass as well as rock bass, muskellunge, channel catfish, flathead catfish and other sunfish. During the winter months the river is stocked with rainbow trout from the USFWS hatchery in Erwin. The report further indicates the river has historically supported 50 species of fish and at least 21 species of mussels (TWRA 2017).
The Supplemental Environmental Report will be updated with this more recent data and submitted to the NRG for review. Below is revised Sections 3.5.2 Aquatic Biota of the ER:
3.5.2 Aquatic Biota Aquatic habitat on or adjacent to the NFS Erwin Facility ranges from the Nolichucky River to several small streams. Banner Spring Branch contains several species of minnows where it converges with Martin Creek. Martin Creek is typical of creeks in eastern Tennessee. The stream bed is composed of sand, pebbles, rocks, and some organic matter. A state-operated fish hatchery is located on a tributary to Martin Creek approximately 600 feet upstream of the Facility. The Nolichucky River in the Erwin vicinity contains a substrate of rocks, sand, boulders, and some aquatic moss. The TWRA Region IV Warmwater Streams and Rivers Fisheries Report provides baseline information on game and non-game fish and macroinvertebrate populations for the region including the NFS Erwin Facility. The most recent available report is from 2017. This report indicates that sportfish present in the Nolichucky River include all species of black bass as well as rock bass, muskellunge, channel catfish, flathead catfish and various sunfish. During the winter months the river is stocked with rainbow trout from the USFWS hatchery in Erwin. The report further indicates the river has historically supported 50 species of fish and at least 21 species of mussels (TWRA 2017).
Page 30 of 43
Request 25:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Will any of the activities including both construction and operation of the proposed action potentially impact ecological resources? How will the natural habitats surrounding the facility be maintained? Will additional mitigation measures be required as a result of the activities for the proposed action?
Response 25:
The proposed action and all associated ground disturbance will take place within the previously disturbed areas within the protected area. Natural, undisturbed or ecological sensitive areas will not be affected by the proposed action during construction or operation. The site will have the required erosion and sediment control measures and Best Management Practices (BMP)s (consistent with TDECs Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook) installed prior to any ground disturbance until final restoration of the site. Examples of BMPs (not all inclusive) include utilizing a construction work schedule to sequence work, proper vehicular maintenance, designated storage areas, use of check dams (as needed), silt fencing, and crane pad stabilization.
Page 31 of 43
Request 26:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 The Environmental Report in the application identifies listed plant species that could potentially be impacted by activities at the facility. The ER references "the TDEC's August 20, 2021, response indicates that seven state-listed plant and animal species have been documented within one mile of the facility. Additional species are documented by TDEC within four miles of the facility; however, no impacts to any species are anticipated at such a great distance from the Facility.
The TDEC species list does not document occurrences of any information for Planning and Consultation tool (IPaC) identified species within one mile of the Facility." Please provide a copy of the referenced letter.
Response 26:
response.
Refer to Enclosure D for a copy of TDEC's August 20, 2021 Page 32 of 43
Request 27:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Will there be any construction impacts to ecological resources? How will the resources be protected during the construction process?
Response 27:
The proposed action and all associated ground disturbance will take place within the previously disturbed areas within the protected area. Natural, undisturbed or ecological sensitive areas will not be affected by the proposed action during construction or operation. The site work plan will have all the required erosion and sediment control measures, Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Best Management Practices (BMP)s (e.g., silt fence, straw bale structures, etc.) included and these measures will be installed prior to any ground disturbance until final restoration of the site.
Page 33 of 43
Request 28:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Provide the supporting data for the archaeological information from the National Park Service. Has a historic and cultural survey been conducted on this facility?
If so, please provide a copy. Will any of the proposed construction or operation activities affect undisturbed areas of the facility?
Response 28:
There is no potential for the proposed action to disturb or cause effect to pre-historic, historic, or cultural resources; all construction will occur in previously disturbed areas within the Protected Area. If an artifact is uncovered, an unanticipated discoveries plan would be implemented, and applicable agencies would be notified for further investigation.
Page 34 of 43
Request 29:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 How many jobs will the proposed action bring to the facility during both the construction and operational phases of the project? Would the addition of these jobs impact the housing, job market, school system within the immediate area?
Response 29:
NFS estimates the proposed U-Metal project will add 30-50 additional jobs during construction above current staffing, which will fluctuate during the project. Operation of the U-Metal project could produce 50-90 additional jobs for the site. Current contract projections indicate a reduction in workforce associated with the loss of the downblending scope; the addition of the U-Metal Project jobs will offset this potential downsize. If this offset were to occur, there would be no net effect on housing, the job market or the school systems within the immediate area of the NFS Site. If the positions associated with the U-Metal Project were required to be filled from external candidates, NFS preferentially recruits from the local population; the added operations positions associated with the U-Metal Project will follow this same methodology.
Housing availability in Unicoi County and the surrounding area (e.g., Johnson City, Gray, Jonesborough, Asheville, NC) provides for local housing options. The addition of less than 100 employees and associated family members would not make housing options any more or less available than the current housing market. Additionally, the addition of less than 100 employees and associated family members would not be anticipated to drive housing prices higher than current market rates.
The job market in Unicoi County and the surrounding area would not be impacted by either the construction or operations phase of the U-Metal Project; the addition of personnel available for employment associated with employees of the U-Metal Project are anticipat~d to be a portion of the total number of personnel actively working on the project. This would be less than 100 potential candidates entering the job market in a fairly large area.
The school system local to the NFS Site is a county wide school system (Unicoi County); however children of NFS employees are enrolled throughout several surrounding school systems in addition to Unicoi County. A portion of the employees associated with the U-Metal Project would have students; even if all the employee's students were enrolled in the Unicoi County School System, they would not all be in the same grade and would not represent an overwhelming impact on the local school system.
The addition of jobs associated with either construction or operations are not expected to impact the housing, job market, school system within the immediate area.
Page 35 of 43
Request 30:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What additional radiological sources are expected from the proposed action during the construction and operation phases? How will those be monitored?
What mitigation will occur to reduce impact to the public?
Response 30:
Additional radiological sources are not expected from the proposed action during construction and operation. The construction and operation impacts are monitored by a robust and comprehensive routine radiological surveillance program in consultation with TDEC which includes ambient air sampling, dosimeters, and surface water.
The operational mitigation to reduce the impact to the public incorporates safety factors into the design of radiological material related process equipment. NFS' emissions are reduced by the use of effluent control equipment, which minimizes the amount of air contaminants that reach the environment.
Page 36 of 43
Request 31:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What is the current level of traffic to the facility due to operation and workers?
Will transportation routes change due to the proposed action? Will there be any additional entrances for construction of the additional buildings? How many additional vehicles will be added to local roadways/railways due to construction and operation of the proposed action including material and workers?
Response 31:
Currently, over 1200 personnel work at the NFS site. The incremental impact of the proposed U-Metal project will not significantly increase the current level of traffic.
Transportation routes will not change for construction or, operation of the proposed U-Metal project. There will be no additional entrances for construction. There is estimated to be 30-50 additional vehicles to support construction activities and 50-90 vehicles distributed over three 8-hour shifts Monday-Friday (~17 - 30 at the beginning of the shift) for facility operations. NFS staggers shift start times in 30-minute segments to minimize traffic impacts and allow for security access.
Page 37 of 43
Request 32:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Please update ER Table 13 - "Employee Data Distribution by Residence" with current information.
Response 32:
The information listed in the Supplemental Environmental Report is current as of July 2021. There was an omission in deleting the title that was listed in the 2009 Environmental Report.
Deleted wording:
"Table 13 (NFS Employee Distribution by Residence_ represents the distribution of NFS employees among the ROI counties in April 2007."
Page 38 of 43
Request 33:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What additional wastes (radiological and non-radiological) will be produced due to the construction and operation of the U-Metal Project? How will these wastes be managed?
Response 33:
General construction debris will be produced due to the construction of LI-Metal Project.
It is anticipated that approximately 15,000 cubic feet of soil/asphalt/concrete will be packaged for disposal. This waste will be assessed for the presence of hazardous and/or radioactive materials. Based on the results of this evaluation, it will be processed using existing procedures and dispositioned at a licensed waste disposal facility.
Wastes generated (including general job control waste) as result of the new LI-Metal process operations will be handled in accordance with existing NFS waste handling procedures. On average, NFS handles and dispositions approximately 950,000 kg of radiological waste, 7,500 kg of hazardous waste, and 230,000 kg of non-hazardous waste annually. During operation of the LI-Metal process, it is anticipated that these waste streams will not be significantly impacted. Based on forecasted production rates, the LI-Metal process could produce up to 10,000 kg of radiological waste per year. This translates to a 1 % increase in radiological waste production for the entire facility. It is expected that hazardous and non-hazardous waste generation for this process may have a similar increase. New waste streams will not be generated from the construction or operation of the LI-Metal process and all wastes will be processed and dispositioned using existing procedures and waste vendors.
All waste will be handled in accordance with existing NFS waste handling procedures, managed in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements (NRC, EPA, and DOT), and transported to an approved licensed waste disposal facility.
Page 39 of 43
Request 34:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 How will the proposed action impact the liquid waste effluents and gaseous effluents? How will they being managed to meet the current allowable release limits under State, local and other federal permits?
Response 34:
The proposed action will have no significant impact on liquid or gaseous effluents. A review of all proposed and potential liquid and gaseous/particulate effluents found that no new chemical or radiological attribute would be emitted. All gaseous/particulate and liquid effluents will be governed by the current US NRC License, SNM-124, and applicable State of Tennessee air permits and NPDES permits.
Due to the current operations and controls already established at NFS, the impact of the additional U-Metal process on liquid effluent and /or runoff will be minimal; the amount of additional runoff due to the U-Metal Project will be minor compared to the existing facility. Analysis of this proposed process have identified no new chemical or radiological attributes with the potential to enter surface water ways. Liquid effluent sampling and or treatment will not require any changes to support the U-Metal process.
Because of this, modification of the NPDES Industrial Storm Water Permit (TNR050873) will not be required. NFS will be evaluating the construction activities for the new process. If an area of land greater than 1 acre is disturbed, then it may become necessary to apply for a Storm Water Construction Permit. If construction is held to less than 1 acre, then storm water controls will be governed by the current NPDES permit.
All gaseous emissions have been reviewed and fall within the bounds of "Insignificant Emission Source" as defined in parts 1200-3-9-.04(4)(a) and 1200-3-9-.04(4)(d)9 of the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Regulations. Process off-gas and room ventilation streams are filtered with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters before passing to the process scrubber and emission stack. NFS has determined that the proposed operations would result in potential radiological dose equivalent from the source of less than 0.1 millirem per year (mrem/yr) to the public and less than five tons per year of each chemical air contaminant and each regulated air pollutant that is not a hazardous air pollutant, and less than 1,000 pounds per year of each hazardous air pollutant. The potential to emit emissions include: Particulate (0.05 tons/year), Carbon Monoxide (1.7 tons/year, NOx (2.4 tons/year), Nitric Acid (1.3 tons/year), Ammonia (2.3 tons/year), and Hydrogen Fluoride (0.24 tons/year). A conservative estimate of the radiological emissions and the effective dose equivalent to the most exposed member of the public is 0.00534 mrem/year.
Page 40 of 43
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 NFS has submitted a request for insignificant emission source designation from the State of Tennessee, Division of Air Pollution Control. In the event that this request is denied, a construction air permit will be requested Page 41 of 43
Request 35:
21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 What and how much additional radiological, non-radiological, hazardous and commercial waste will be generated by construction and operation of the U-Metal Project? How will these wastes be disposed?
Response 35:
During the construction of the new Building 389 and associated utility lines, it is anticipated that approximately 15,000 cubic feet of soil/asphalt/concrete will be packaged for disposal. This amount will be assessed for the presence of hazardous and/or radioactive materials. This waste will be assessed for the presence of hazardous and/or radioactive materials. Based on the results of this evaluation, it will be processed using existing procedures and dispositioned at a licensed waste disposal facility.
On average, NFS handles and dispositions approximately 950,000 kg of radiological waste, 7,500 kg of hazardous waste, and 230,000 kg of non-hazardous waste annually.
During operation of the Li-Metal process, it is anticipated that these waste streams will not be significantly impacted. Based on forecasted production rates, the Li-Metal process could produce up to 10,000 kg of radiological waste per year. This translates to a 1 % increase in radiological waste production for the entire facility. It is expected that hazardous and non-hazardous waste generation for this process may have a similar increase. New waste streams will not be generated from the construction or operation of the new process and all wastes will be processed and dispositioned using existing procedures and waste vendors.
All waste will be handled in accordance with existing NFS waste handling procedures and will be managed in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements (NRG, EPA, and DOT) and transported to an approved licensed waste disposal facility.
Page 42 of 43
Request 36:
218-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150 Provide a discussion on past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions that may result in a potential for cumulative environmental impacts. What other projects are under consideration or have been recently added within all resource areas? How would those actions cumulatively impact the environment when
~dded to the impacts from construction and operation of the U-Metal Project?
Response 36:
At the NFS site, the BLEU Complex was decontaminated and decommissioned in 2015 to support additional expansion projects; this site was seeded with grass, however it remains an area available for future project development. A proposed project for a portion of this space is the addition of a warehouse/laydown area; the design of this laydown area is yet to be refined; however, it would be either of asphalt/concrete or "crush and run" gravel construction.
Regional projects that are large enough to be considered for a cumulative impacts discussion include the Unicoi hospital which was constructed in 2018 approximately 1.5 miles from the NFS facility. In addition, Blue Ridge Paddling purchased an existing facility approximately 1 mile from NFS in 2022. The combination of the NFS site along with these two projects have not created any significant or adverse impacts to the local community or the resource area.
According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TOOT) website on active and proposed projects, there is only one project scheduled for Unicoi County which is the I-26/Pinnacle Road bridge repair approximately 7 miles north of the U-Metal Project.
Lane closures will be in place for the entire project. It is anticipated that this project will be completed before the U-Metal project will commence therefore, no additional congestion on 1-26 from the construction of the U-Metal Project are anticipated.
There are no other known projects in progress or forecasted in the resource area.
There is no cumulative impact to the environment expected from construction and operation of the U-Metal Project from these identified projects.
Page 43 of 43
ENCLOSURE A:
NFS LICENSES AND PERMITS (3 PAGES TO FOLLOW) 21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150
NFS Licenses and Permits Type of License/Permit Issuing Agency License/Permit No.
Responsible Date of Expiration Renewal Department Frequency Special Nuclear Material License U. S.NRC SNM-124 Licensing 08/31/37 Quality Assurance Program for Shipping Packages for U.S. NRC 71-0249 QA Does Not Expire N/A Radioactive Material Quality Assurance Program for Rad. Material Packages U. S.DOE 2011-004 T&WM 11/30/25 Certificates of Compliance for Rad. Material Packages:
U. S.NRC 9315 T&WM 04/30/26 5 years ES-3IO0 Certificate of Compliance for Rad. Material Packages:
U.S. NRC 9291 T&WM 7/31/24 5 years LR-230 Certificate of Compliance for Rad. Material Packages:
U. S.NRC 9342 T&WM 5/31/24 5 years Versa-Pac Certificate of Compliance for Rad. Material Packages:
U. S.DOT 0575 T&WM 04/30/26 5 years 2000MED Hazardous Materials Certificate of Registration U. S.DOT 05 l 120550079C T&WM 06/30/23 Annual Federal Explosives License/Permit U. S.DOJ l-TN-l 71-33-3L-Security 11/01/23 3 years 01124 Federal WNVW604 05/06/31 Radio System Licenses Communication WNQK722 Security 10/12/29 10 years Commission KWW972 03/21/25 Radioactive Material (Source Material) License State of TN S-86001 Licensing 02/28/25 10 years Radioactive Material (Sealed Sources) License State of TN R-86002 Licensing 09/30/29 IO years Radioactive Material (R&D) License State of TN R-86008 Licensing 8/31/30 IO years Registration of X-ray Producing Equipment State of TN 786-0008 Licensing Per 1st Qtr. Invoice Annual Rad. Waste License-for-Delivery State of TN T-TN001-L21 T&WM 12/31/23 Annual Hazardous Waste Management Permit State of TN TNHW-157 Environmental 09/25/24 IO year max Safety NPDES Permit for WWTF Discharges State of TN TN0002038 Environmental 2/28/25 4 years Safety (submitted 05/19/20)
NPDES Permit for Storm Water Discharges State of TN TNR050873 Environmental 6/30/25 5 years Safety Tennessee Multi-Sector General NPDES Storm Water State of TN TNR053969 Environmental 8/3/25 5 years Permit (TNSP)
Safety
I Type of License/Permit Air Pollution Control Operating Permit:
Bldg. 234 Permit closed - closure letter issued by State 06/09/2016 Air Pollution Control Operating Permit:
Bldg. 300 & Bldg. 333 operations Environmental source 86-0002-08 Air Pollution Control Operating Permit:
Bldg. 330 / WWTF Environmental source 86-0002-12 Air Pollution Control Operating Permit:
Bldg. 130 Steam Boilers Environmental source 86-0002-24 Air Pollution Control Operating Permit:
Generator (1000 kW) Environmental source 86-0002-54 Air Pollution Control Operating Permit:
Emergency Generators; GEN0234, GEN0138, and GEN0480 Environmental source 86-0002-55 Air Pollution Control Operating Permit:
Two Emergency fire water pumps Environmental source 86-0002-57 POTW (Sanitary Sewer) Discharge Permit Nuclear Fuel Services Pretreatment Permit
- -As specified in license/registration
- -Not a regulatory requirement.
NFS Licenses and Permits Issuing Agency License/Permit No.
State of TN 017604P State of TN 071415P State of TN 070054P State of TN 070056F State of TN 070058P State of TN 069006P State of TN 069005P City of Erwin 013 City of Erwin 013 t -Every three years or when changes are made to the monitoring system Responsible Date of Expiration Renewal Department Frequency Environmental Safety Does Not Expire NIA Environmental Safety 11/01/25 9 years Environmental 11/01/25 9 years Safety Environmental Safety 11/01/25 9 years Environmental Safety 11/01/25 9 years Environmental Safety 11/01/24 9 years Environmental Safety 11/01/24 9 years Environmental 12/31/23 2 years Safety Environmental 01/15/23 2 years Safety
NFS Licenses and Permits Type of License/Permit Issuing Agency License/Permit No.
Responsible Date of Expiration Renewa~v II Department Frequenc Application for Authorization to Operate a Class V Underground Injection Well for Storm Water State of TN UNC00I Decomm.
06/03/24 5 year max Discharge to the Subsurface or Modification of a Karst Environmental Feature Attendant (Boiler) Variance Renewal State of TN NIA Facilities Support 04/30/23 t3 years Re-Accreditation Application for a Finn to Conduct Asbestos Activities & Finn Affirmation Statement and also State of TN A-F-846-88329 Industrial Safety 05/31/23 Annual Asbestos Certification Continuance and Re-Accreditation Application to Conduct Asbestos Activities Generator Site Access Permit State of UT 0109 000 006 T&WM 06/30/23 Annual WCS Generator Certification wcs TNNUCFSER T&WM 3/31/23 Annual Rad. Waste Registration (Shipper)
State of TX W0064 T&WM 04/30/25 10 years
ENCLOSURE 8 NPDES PERMIT TN0002038 WASTEWATER TREAMENT FACILITY (71 PAGES TO FOLLOW) 21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150
STATE OF TENNESSEE NPD.ES PERMIT No. TN0002038 Authorization to discharge under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Issued By STA TE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES William R. Snodgrass - Tennessee Tower 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11 th Floor Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1102 Under authority of the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act of 1977 (T.C.A. 69-3-101 et seq.) and the delegation of authority from the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 1251, et seq.)
Discharger:
is authorized to discharge:
Nuclear Fuel Services wastewater from Fenton's process, laboratory facilities, laundry facility, fuel production facilities, commercial development line (CDL), miscellaneous, blended low enriched uranium preparation facility (BLEU/BPF), development laboratories and decommissioning activities through Outfall 001 from a facility located at:
1205 Banner Hill Road, Erwin, Unicoi County, Tennessee to receiving waters named:
Nolichucky River at mile 94.6 for Outfall 001 in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements and other conditions set forth herein.
This permit shall become effective on:
This permit shall expire on:
Issuance date:
CN-0759 March 1, 2021 February 28, 2025 February 4, 2021 ~t:
for Je£i1/4erbodd Director RDA2366
TABLE OF CONTENTS A.
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS........................................................................ 1 B.
MONITORING PROCEDURES.......................................................................................................................... 3
- 1.
REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLING.................................................................................................................................... 3
- 2.
SAMPLING FREQUENCY....**...................******.....*.****..........***.........*****......****.....**.....****.****......*.*.........................*..*.4
- 3.
TEST PROCEDURES.................................................................................................................................................4
- 4.
RECORDING OF RESULTS..................................................................................................................,......................4
- 5.
RECORDS RETENTION..***..............*.*..**.*..*...*..*.**.........*.**...........**........*........***.....***.**.....***......******.**.*...***............ 4 C.
DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................................................................. 5 D.
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................................. 7 E.
REPORTING................................................................................................................................................... 8
- 1.
MONITORING RESULTS........................................................................................................................................... 8
- 2.
ADDITIONAL MONITORING BY PERMITTEE.................................................................................................................. 9
- 3.
FALSIFYING RESULTS AND/OR REPORTS...................................................................................................................... 9
- 4.
OUTLIER DATA.*****.......***..*.......................*.*.*...*..*.*.....******.......*.****...*..**......*.....****...***.......*.........*.**........***.**.*... 9 F.
SCHEDULE OF COMPLIANCE........................................................................................................................ 10 A.
GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................................................................................................. 11
- 1.
0UTYTO REAPPLY............................................................................................................................................... 11
- 2.
RIGHT OF ENTRY.................................................................................................................................................. 11
- 3.
AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS..................................................................................................................................... 11
- 4.
PROPER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................................................................................................. 11
- 5.
TREATMENT FACILITY FAILURE............................................................................................................................... 12
- 6.
PROPERTY RIGHTS............................................................................................................................................... 12
- 7.
SEVERABILITY...................................................................................................................................................... 12
- 8.
OTHER INFORMATION.......................................................................................................................................... 12 B.
CHANGES AFFECTING THE PERMIT.............................................................................................................. 12
- 1.
PLANNED CHANGES............................................................................................................................................. 12
- 2.
PERMIT MODIFICATION, REVOCATION, OR TERMINATION............................................................................................ 13
- 3.
CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP....................................................................................................................................... 13
- 4.
CHANGE OF MAILING ADDRESS.............................................................................................................................. 14 C.
NONCOMPLIANCE....................................................................................................................................... 14
- 1.
EFFECT OF NONCOMPLIANCE................................................................................................................................. 14
- 2.
REPORTING OF NONCOMPLIANCE........................................................................................................................... 14
- 3.
SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW................................................................................................................................ 15
- 4.
UPSET............................................................................................................................................................... 16
- 5.
ADVERSE IMPACT................................................................................................................................................ 16
- 6.
BYPASS..........***......***.......****.*...................*.**......***.*..........*........***...**........**.....*.......**....***.**.........*.....***.*....... 16
- 7.
WASHOUT......................................................................................................................................................... 17 D.
LIABILITIES................................................................................................................................................... 17
- 1.
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY................................................................................................................................ 17
- 2.
LIABILITY UNDER STATE LAW................................................................................................................................. 18 A.
TOXIC POLLUTANTS..................................................................................................................................... 19
B.
REOPEN ER CLAUSE...................................................................................................................................... 19 C.
PLACEMENT OF SIGNS................................................................................................................................. 20 D.
ANTIDEGRADATION..................................................................................................................................... 20 E.
BIOMONITORING REQUIREMENTS, ACUTE.................................................................................................. 20 F.
BIOMONITORING REQUIREMENTS, ACUTE (STORM WATER).................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
RATIONALE............................................................................................................................................................ 1 I.
DISCHARGER..................................................................................................................................................... 1 II.
PERMIT STATUS................................................................................................................................................ 1 Ill.
FACILITY DISCHARGES AND RECEIVING WATERS.............................................................................................. 2 IV.
APPLICABLE EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS GUIDELINES............................................................................................ 3 V.
PREVIOUS PERMIT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS....................................................................... 3 VI.
HISTORICAL MONITORING AND INSPECTION................................................................................................... 3 VII.
NEW PERMIT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS........................................................................... 3 VIII.
METALS AND TOXICS....................................................................................................................................4
- 1.
GROSS ALPHA PARTICLE ACTIVITY (INCLUDING RADIUM-226 BUT EXCLUDING RADON AND URANIUM): THE MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL FOR GROSS ALPHA PARTICLE ACTIVITY (INCLUDING RADIUM-226 BUT EXCLUDING RADON AND URANIUM) IS 15 PCi/L........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 TABLE 1: FACILITY INFORMATION.......................................................................................................................... 9 TABLE 2: GROSS ALPHA PARTICLE REASONABLE POTENTIAL CALCULATIONS......................................................... 9 TABLE 3: URANIUM REASONABLE POTENTIAL CALCULATIONS, MASS BASIS........................................................ 10 TABLE 4: URANIUM REASONABLE POTENTIAL CALCULATIONS, ISOTOPE BASIS................................................... 10 TABLE 5: BETA PARTICLE REASONABLE POTENTIAL CALCULATIONS, BASED ON NRC SEMIANNUAL REPORTS AND SUM OF FRACTIONS METHOD.............................................................................................................................. 11 VIII.
BIOMONITORING REQUIREMENTS, ACUTE................................................................................................ 19 IX.
ANTI DEGRADATION................................................................................................................. '....................... 20 X.
ELECTRONIC REPORTING................................................................................................................................ 20 XI.
PERMIT DURATION......................................................................................................................................... 21 APPENDIX 1......................................................................................................................................................... 22 FACILITY DISCHARGES AND RECEIVING WATERS................................................................................................ 22 APPENDIX 2A....................................................................................................................................................... 23 METALS AND TOXICS CONSIDERA T/ONS............................................................................................................. 23 APPENDIX 3......................................................................................................................................................... 32 PREVIOUS PERMIT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS......................................................................... 32 APPENDIX 4......................................................................................................................................................... 34 HISTORICAL MONITORING AND INSPECTION..................................................................................................... 34 APPENDIX 5......................................................................................................................................................... 36 NEW PERMIT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS................................................................................. 42
r PART I Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 1 of 22 A.
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Nuclear Fuel Services is authorized to discharge wastewater from Fenton's process, laboratory facilities, laundry facility, fuel production facilities, commercial development line (CDL),
miscellaneous, blended low enriched uranium preparation facility (BLEU/BPF), development laboratories and decommissioning activities through Outfall 001 to Nolichucky River at mile 94.6 for Outfall 001.
These discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:
Outfall 001, Effluent Gross, All Year Code Parameter Qualifier Value Unit Sample Monitoring Statistical Type Frequency Base 00340 Oxygen demand, chem.
<=
370 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum (COD) 00400 pH
>=
6.0 SU Grab Once Per Daily Minimum Batch 00400 pH
<=
9.0 SU Grab Once Per Maximum Batch 00530 Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
<=
40 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00530 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 30 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly
<=
Batch Average 00545 Settleable Solids
<=
0.5 ml/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00610 Nitrogen, Ammonia total (as
<=
30 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum N)
Batch 00610 Nitrogen, Ammonia total (as 20 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly N)
<=
Batch Averaqe 00630 Nitrite plus Nitrate (as N)
<=
420 Ibid Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00951 Fluoride, total (as F)
<=
20 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00951 Fluoride, total (as F) 15 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly
<=
Batch Average 01002 Arsenic, total (as As)
Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 01027 Cadmium, total (as Cd)
<=
0.01 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 01034 Chromium, total (as Cr)
Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 01042 Copper, total (as Cu)
<=
1.0 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 01051 Lead, total (as Pb)
<=
0.1 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum
01067 Nickel, total (as Ni)
Report 01077 Silver, total (as Ag)
<=
0.05 22708 Uranium, natural, total
<=
4.0 22708 Uranium, natural, total
<=
2.0 34475 Tetrachloroethylene Report 50050 Flow Report 50050 Flow Report 50060 Chlorine, total residual (TRC)
<=
2.0 70295 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Report 71900 Mercury, total (as Hg)
<=
0.05 71900 Mercury, total (as Hg)
<=
0.00037 TAA3B LC50 Static 48Hr Acute Report Ceriodaphnia TAA6C LC50 Static 48Hr Acute Report Pimephales promelas (1) Flow shall be reported in Million Gallons per Batch.
mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L MGD MGD mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 2 of 22 Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum Grab Monthly Daily Maximum Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Monthly Batch Averaqe Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum Estimate Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Estimate Once Per Monthly Batch Averaqe Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Monthly Batch Averaqe Grab Annual Minimum Grab Annual Minimum (2) pH and TRC analyses shall be performed within fifteen (15) minutes of sample collection.
(3) The chronic mercury limit shall apply only if the discharge of batches containing mercury occur four (4) or more consecutive days/week during the monitoring period; otherwise, only the daily maximum limit for batches containing mercury shall apply. If any individual analytical test result for mercury is less than the minimum quantification level (0.0002 mg/L), then a value of zero (0) may be used for DMR calculations and reporting requirements.
(4) The total residual chlorine limit is only applicable when chlorine is used in the treatment process.
(5) Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is only required to be sampled when a groundwater treatment system that contains PCE is discharging through Outfall 001.
Additional monitoring requirements and conditions applicable to Outfall 001 include:
There shall be no distinctly visible floating solids, scum, foam, oily slick, or the formation of slimes, bottom deposits or sludge banks of such size or character that may be detrimental to fish and aquatic life.
The wastewater discharge shall not contain pollutants in quantities that will be hazardous or otherwise detrimental to humans, livestock, wildlife, plant life, or fish and aquatic life in the receiving stream.
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 3 of 22 Sludge or any other material removed by any treatment works must be disposed of in a manner, which prevents its entrance into or pollution of any surface or subsurface waters.
Additionally, the disposal of such sludge or other material must be in compliance with the Tennessee Solid Waste Disposal Act, TCA 68-31-101 et seq. and the Tennessee Hazardous Waste Management Act, TCA 68-46-101 et seq.
The waters shall not be modified through the addition of pollutants or through physical alteration to the extent that the diversity and/or productivity of aquatic biota within the receiving waters are substantially decreased or, in the case of wadable streams, substantially different from conditions in reference streams in the same ecoregion.
The waters shall not contain substances or a combination of substances including disease
- causing agents which, by way of either direct exposure or indirect exposure through food chains, may cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction), physical deformations, or restrict or impair growth in fish or aquatic life or their offspring.
NOTE: For the monitoring and reporting of measurements of FLOW, the "Monthly Avg." shall be the total flow volume during the reporting period divided by the number of calendar days in that period. The "Daily Max." shall be the total flow volume for the day with the greatest amount of discharge during the reporting period. Example:
3 discharges of 15,000 gallons/day and 1 discharge of 20,000 gallons/day during a 1-month period results in a Monthly Avg. of 65,000 gallons/30 days, or 2,166 gallons/day (to be reported as 0.002166 MGD). The Daily Maximum to be reported for this example is 20,000 gallons/day or 0.020 MGD.
B.
MONITORING PROCEDURES
- 1.
Representative Sampling Samples and measurements taken in compliance with the monitoring requirements specified herein shall be representative of the volume and nature of the monitored discharge and shall be taken after treatment and prior to mixing with uncontaminated storm water runoff or the receiving stream. Appropriate flow measurement devices and methods consistent with accepted scientific practices shall be selected and used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of measurements of the volume of monitored discharges. The devices shall be installed, calibrated1 and maintained to ensure that the accuracy of the measurements is consistent with accepted capability of that type of device. Devices selected shall be capable of measuring flows with a maximum deviation of less than plus or minus 10% from the true discharge rates throughout the range of expected discharge volumes.
1 The division expects for permittees to meet EPA's guidance on proper operation and maintenance of flow measurement devices, as stated in the NPDES Compliance Inspection Manual. On page 120, the documents states, in part: "The facility must ensure that their flow measurement systems are calibrated by a qualified source at least once a year to ensure their accuracy."
- 2.
Sampling Frequency Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 4 of 22 If there is a discharge from a permitted outfall on any given day during the monitoring period, the permittee must sample and report the results of analyses accordingly, and the permittee should not mark the 'No Discharge' box on the Discharge Monitoring Report form.
- 3.
Test Procedures
- a.
Test procedures for the analysis of pollutants shall conform to regulations published pursuant to Section 304 (h) of the Clean Water Act (the "Act"), as amended, under which such procedures may be required.
- b.
Unless otherwise noted in the permit, all pollutant parameters shall be determined according to methods prescribed in Title 40, CFR Part 136, as amended, promulgated pursuant to Section 304 (h) of the Act.
In instances where permit limits established through implementation of applicable water criteria are below analytical capabilities, compliance with those limits will be determined using the detection limits described in the TN Rules, Chapter 0400-40-03-.05(8).
- 4.
Recording of Results For each measurement or sample taken pursuant to the requirements of this permit, the permittee shall re,cord the following information:
- a.
The exact place, date and time of sampling or measurements;
- b.
The exact person(s) collecting samples or measurements;
- c.
The dates and times the analyses were performed;
- d.
The person(s) or laboratory who performed the analyses;
- e.
The analytical techniques or methods used, and;
- f.
The results of all required analyses.
- 5.
Records Retention All records and information resulting from the monitoring activities required by this permit including all records of analyses performed and calibration and maintenance of instrumentation shall be retained for a minimum of three (3) years, or longer, if requested by the Division of Water Resources.
C.
DEFINITIONS Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 5 of 22 For the purpose of this permit, annually is defined as a monitoring frequency of once every twelve (12) months beginning with the date of issuance of this permit so long as the following set of measurements for a given 12 month period are made approximately 12 months subsequent to that time.
A bypass is defined as the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility.
A calendar day is defined as the 24-hour period from midnight to midnight or any other 24-hour period that reasonably approximates the midnight to midnight time period.
The Daily Maximum Amount is a limitation measured in pounds per day (lb/day), on the total amount of any pollutant in the discharge by weight during any calendar day.
The Daily Maximum Concentration is a limitation on the average concentration, in milligrams per liter (mg/L), of the discharge during any calendar day. When a proportional-to-flow composite sampling device is used, the daily concentration is the concentration of that 24-hour composite; when other sampling means are used, the daily concentration is the arithmetic mean of the concentrations of equal volume samples collected during any calendar day or sampling period.
"Degradation" means the alteration of the properties of waters by the addition of pollutants, withdrawal of water, or removal of habitat, except those alterations of a short duration.
"De Minimis" - Degradation of a small magnitude, as provided in this paragraph.
(a) Discharges and withdrawals
- 1. Subject to the limitation in part 3 of this subparagraph, a single discharge other than those from new domestic wastewater sources will be considered de minim is if it uses less than five percent of the available assimilative capacity for the substance being discharged.
- 2. Subject to the limitation in part 3 of this subparagraph, a single water withdrawal will be considered de mini mis if it removes less than five percent of the 7010 flow of the stream.
- 3. If more than one activity described in part 1 or 2 of this subparagraph has been authorized in a segment and the total of the authorized and proposed impacts uses no more than 10% of the assimilative capacity, or 7010 low flow, they are presumed to be de minim is. Where the total of the authorized and proposed impacts uses 10% of the assimilative capacity, or 7010 low flow, additional degradation may only be treated as de minimis if the Division finds on a scientific basis that the additional degradation has an insignificant effect on the resource.
(b) Habitat alterations authorized by an Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit (ARAP) are de minimis if the Division finds that the impacts, individually and cumulatively are offset by impact minimization and/or in-system mitigation, provided however, in ONRWs the mitigation must occur within the ONRW.
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 6 of 22 Discharge or "discharge of a pollutant" refers to the addition of pollutants to waters from a source.
The geometric mean of any set of values is the nth root of the product of the individual values where "n" is equal to the number of individual values. The geometric mean is equivalent to the antilog of the arithmetic mean of the logarithms of the individual values. For the purposes of calculating the geometric mean, values of zero (0) shall be considered to be one (1).
A Grab Sample, for the purposes of this permit, is defined as a single effluent sample of at least 100 milliliters (sample volumes <100 milliliters are allowed when specified per standard methods, latest edition) collected at a randomly selected time over a period not exceeding 15 minutes. The sample(s) shall be collected at the period(s) most representative of the total discharge.
The Instantaneous Concentration is a limitation on the concentration, in milligrams per liter (mg/L}, of any pollutant contained in the discharge determined from a grab sample taken at any point in time.
The monthly average amount shall be determined by the summation of all the measured daily discharges by weight divided by the number of days during the calendar month when the measurements were made.
The monthly average concentration, other than for E. coli bacteria, is the arithmetic mean of all the composite or grab samples collected in a one-calendar month period.
A one-week period (or calendar-week) is defined as the period from Sunday through Saturday. For reporting purposes, a calendar week that contains a change of month shall be considered part of the latter month.
Pollutant means sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes.
A Qualifying Storm Event is one which is greater than 0.1 inches and that occurs after a period of at least 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br /> after any previous storm event with rainfall of 0.1 inches or greater.
For the purpose of this permit, a Quarter is defined as any one of the following three-month periods: January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, or October 1 through December 31.
A rationale (or "fact sheet") is a document that is prepared when drafting an NPDES permit or permit action. It provides the technical, regulatory and administrative basis for an agency's permit decision.
For the purpose of this permit, Semi-annually means the same as "once every six months." Measurements of the effluent characteristics' concentrations may be made anytime during a 6-month period beginning from the issuance date of this permit so long as the second set of measurements for a given 12-month period are made approximately 6 months subsequent to that time, if feasible.
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 7 of 22 Upset means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology-based effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the permittee. An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation.
The term, washout is applicable to activated sludge plants and is defined as loss of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) of 30.00% or more from the aeration basin(s).
Waters means any and all water, public or private, on or beneath the surface of the ground, which are contained within, flow through, or border upon Tennessee or any portion thereof except those bodies of water confined to and retained within the limits of private property in single ownership which do not combine or effect a junction with natural surface or underground waters.
D.
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 1 Q10 day minimum, 10-year recurrence interval 30Q5 day minimum, 5-year recurrence interval 7Q10 day minimum, 10-year recurrence interval BAT - best available technology economically achievable BCT - best conventional pollutant control technology BDL - below detection level BODs - five-day biochemical oxygen demand BPT - best practicable control technology currently available CBODs - five-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand CEI - compliance evaluation inspection CFR - code of federal regulations CFS - cubic feet per second CFU - colony forming units CIU - categorical industrial user CSO - combined sewer overflow DMR - discharge monitoring report D.O. - dissolved oxygen E. coli-Escherichia coli EFO - environmental field office LB(lb) - pound IC2s - inhibition concentration causing 25% reduction in survival, reproduction and growth of the test organisms I U - industrial user IWS - industrial waste survey LCso - acute test causing 50% lethality MDL - method detection level MGD - million gallons per day MG/L(mg/L) - milligrams per liter ML - minimum level of quantification ml - milliliter MLSS - mixed liquor suspended solids
MOR - monthly operating report uCi - microcurie, unit of measurement for radioactivity pCi - picocurie, 1 uCi = 1,000,000 pCi mrem - millirem, used for doses of radiation NODI - no discharge NPDES - national pollutant discharge elimination system PL - permit limit POTW - publicly owned treatment works RDL - required detection limit SAR - semi-annual [pretreatment program] report SIU - significant industrial user SSO - sanitary sewer overflow STP - sewage treatment plant TCA - Tennessee code annotated Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 8 of 22 TDEC-Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation TIE/TRE - toxicity identification evaluation/toxicity reduction evaluation TMDL - total maximum daily load TRC - total residual chlorine TSS - total suspended solids ug/L - micrograms per liter WQBEL - water quality based effluent limit E.
REPORTING
- 1.
Monitoring Results Monitoring results shall be recorded monthly and submitted monthly using NETDMR.
Submittals shall be no later than 15 days after the completion of the reporting period. If NETDMR is not functioning, a completed DMR with an original signature shall be submitted to the following address:
STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES COMPLIANCE & ENFORCEMENT SECTION William R. Snodgrass - Tennessee Tower 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor
- Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1102 If NETDMR is not functioning, a copy of the completed and signed DMR shall be mailed to the Johnson City Environmental Field Office (EFO) at the following address:
STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES Johnson City Environmental Field Office 2305 Silverdale Road Johnson City, Tennessee 37601
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 9 of 22 A copy should be retained for the permittee's files.
In addition, any communication regarding compliance with the conditions of this permit must be sent to the two offices listed above.
The first DMR is due on the 15th of the month following permit effectiveness.
DMRs and any other information or report must be signed and certified by a responsible corporate officer as defined in 40 CFR 122.22, a general partner or proprietor, or a principal municipal executive officer or ranking elected official, or his duly authorized representative. Such authorization must be submitted in writing and must explain the duties and responsibilities of the authorized representative.
The electronic submission of DMR data will be accepted only if formally approved beforehand by the division. For purposes of determining compliance with this permit, data approved by the division to be submitted electronically is legally equivalent to data submitted on signed and certified DMR forms.
- 2.
Ad~itional Monitoring by Permittee If the permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently than required at the location(s) designated, using approved analytical methods as specified herein, the results of such monitoring shall be included in the calculation and reporting of the values required in the DMR form. Such increased frequency shall also be indicated on the form.
- 3.
Falsifying Results and/or Reports Knowingly making any false statement on any report required by this permit or falsify_ing any result may result in the imposition of criminal penalties as provided for in Section 309 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, and in Section 69-3-115 of the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act.
- 4.
Outlier data Outlier data include analytical results that are probably false. The validity of results is based on operational knowledge and a properly implemented quality assurance program. False results may include laboratory artifacts, potential sample tampering, broken or suspect sample containers, sample contamination or similar demonstrated quality control flaw.
Outlier data are identified through a properly implemented quality assurance program, and according to ASTM standards (e.g. Grubbs Test, 'h' and 'k' statistics). Furthermore, outliers should be verified, corrected, or removed, based on further inquiries into the matter. If an outlier was verified (through repeated testing and/or analysis), it should remain in the preliminary data set. If an outlier resulted from a transcription or similar clerical error, it should be corrected and subsequently reported.
Therefore, only if an outlier was associated with problems in the collection or analysis of the samples and as such does not conform with the Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants (40 CFR §136), it can be removed from the data set and not reported
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 10 of 22 on the Discharge Monitoring Report forms (DMRs). Otherwise, all results (including monitoring of pollutants more frequently than required at the location(s) designated, using approved analytical methods as specified in the permit) should be included in the calculation and reporting of the values required in the DMR form. You are encouraged to use "comment" section of the DMR form (or attach additional pages), in order to explain any potential outliers or dubious results.
F.
SCHEDULE OF COMPLIANCE Full compliance and operational levels shall be attained from the effective date of this permit.
A.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 1.
Duty to Reapply PART II Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 11 of 22 Permittee is not authorized to discharge after the expiration date of this permit. In order to receive authorization to discharge beyond the expiration date, the permittee shall submit such information and forms as are required to the Director of the Division of Water Resources (the "Director") no later than 180 days prior to the expiration date. Such applications must be properly signed and certified.
- 2.
Right of Entry The permittee shall allow the' Director, the Regional Administrator of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, or their authorized representatives, upon the presentation of credentials:
- a.
To enter upon the permittee's premises where an effluent source is located or where records are required to be kept under the terms and conditions of this permit, and at reasonable times to copy these records;
- b.
Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and
- c.
Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the Director.
- 3.
Availability of Reports Except for data determined to be confidential under Section 308 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, all reports prepared in accordance with the terms of this permit shall be available for public inspection at the offices of the Division of Water Resources. As required by the Federal Act, effluent data shall not be considered confidential.
- 4.
Proper Operation and Maintenance
- a.
The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems (and related appurtenances) for collection and treatment which are installed or used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the terms and conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance also includes adequate laboratory and process controls and appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of backup or auxiliary facilities or similar systems, which are installed by a permittee only when the operation is
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 12 of 22 necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of the permit. Backup continuous pH and flow monitoring equipment are not required.
- b.
Dilution water shall not be added to comply with effluent requirements to achieve BCT, BPT, BAT and/or other technology-based effluent limitations such as those in State of Tennessee Rule 0400-40-05-.09.
- 5.
Treatment Facility Failure The permittee, in order to maintain compliance with this permit, shall control production, all discharges, or both_, upon reduction, loss, or failure of the treatment facility, until the facility is restored, or an alternative method of treatment is provided. This requirement applies in such situations as the reduction, loss, or failure of the primary source of power.
- 6.
Property Rights The issuance of this permit does not convey any property rights in either real or personal property, or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to private property or any invasion of personal rights, nor any infringement of Federal, State, or local laws or regulations.
- 7.
Severability The provisions of this permit are severable. If any provision of this permit due to any circumstance, is held invalid, then the application of such provision to other circumstances and to the remainder of this permit shall not be affected thereby.
- 8.
Other Information If the permittee becomes aware that he failed to submit any relevant facts in a permit application or submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in any report to the Director, then he shall promptly submit such facts or information.
B.
CHANGES AFFECTING THE PERMIT
- 1.
Planned Changes The permittee shall give notice to the Director as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted facility. Notice is required only when:
- a.
The alteration or addition to a permitted facility may meet one of the criteria for determining whether a facility is a new source in 40 CFR 122.29(b); or
- b.
The alteration or addition could significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of pollutants discharged. This notification applies to pollutants which are subject neither to effluent limitations in the permit, nor to notification requirements under 40 CFR 122.42(a)(1).
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 13 of 22
- c.
The alteration or addition results in a significant change in the permittee's sludge use or disposal practices.
- 2.
Permit Modification, Revocation, or Termination
- a.
This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause as described in 40 CFR 122.62 and 122.64, Federal Register, Volume 49, No. 188 (Wednesday, September 26, 1984), as amended.
- b.
The permittee shall furnish to the Director, within a reasonable time, any information which the Director may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating this permit, or to determine compliance with this permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the Director, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by this permit.
- c.
If any applicable effluent standard or prohibition (including any schedule of compliance specified in such effluent standard or prohibition) is established for any toxic pollutant under Section 307(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Director shall modify or revoke and reissue the permit to conform to the prohibition or to the effluent standard, providing that the effluent standard is more stringent than the limitation in the permit on the toxic pollutant. The permittee shall comply with these effluent standards or prohibitions within the time provided in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions, even if the permit has not yet been modified or revoked and reissued to incorporate the requirement.
- d.
The filing of a request by the permittee for a modification, revocation, reissuance, termination, or notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not halt any permit condition.
- 3.
Change of Ownership This permit may be transferred to another party (provided there are neither modifications to the facility or its operations, nor any other changes which might affect the permit limits and conditions contained in the permit) by the permittee if:
- a.
The permittee notifies the Director of the proposed transfer at least 30 days in advance of the proposed transfer date;
- b.
The notice includes a written agreement between the existing and new permittees containing a specified date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between them; and
- c.
The Director, within 30 days, does not notify the current permittee and the new permittee of his intent to modify, revoke or reissue, or terminate the permit and to require that a new application be filed rather than agreeing to the transfer of the permit.
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 14 of 22 Pursuant to the requirements of 40 CFR 122.61, concerning transfer of ownership, the permittee must provide the following information to the division in their formal notice of intent to transfer ownership: 1) the NPDES permit number of the subject permit; 2) the effective date of the proposed transfer; 3) the name and address of the transferor; 4) the name and address of the transferee; 5) the names of the responsible parties for both the transferor and transferee; 6) a statement that the transferee assumes responsibility for the subject NPDES permit; 7) a statement that the transferor relinquishes responsibility for the subject NPDES permit; 8) the signatures of the responsible parties for both the transferor and transferee pursuant to the requirements of 40 CFR 122.22(a), "Signatories to permit applications"; and, 9) a statement regarding any proposed modifications to the facility, its operations, or any other changes which might affect the permit limits and conditions contained in the permit.
- 4.
Change of Mailing Address The permittee shall promptly provide to the Director written notice of any change of mailing address. In the absence of such notice the original address of the permittee will be assumed to be correct.
C.
NONCOMPLIANCE
- 1.
Effect of Noncompliance The permittee shall comply with all conditions of this permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of applicable State and Federal laws and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, permit modification, or denial of permit reissuance.
- 2.
Reporting of Noncompliance
- a.
24-Hour Reporting In the case of any noncompliance which could cause a threat to public drinking supplies, or any other discharge which could constitute a threat to human health or the environment, the required notice of non-compliance shall be provided to the Division of Water Resources in the appropriate regional Field Office within 24-hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. (The regional Field Office should be contacted for names and phone numbers of environmental response personnel).
A written submission must be provided within five calendar days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances, unless this requirement is waived by the Director on a case-by-case basis. The permittee shall provide the Director with the following information:
- i.
A description of the discharge and cause of noncompliance; ii.
The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue; and
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 15 of 22 iii.
The steps being taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncomplying discharge.
- b.
Scheduled Reporting For instances of noncompliance which do not cause a threat to public drinking supplies, or any other discharge which could constitute a threat to human health or the environment, the permittee shall report the noncompliance on the Discharge Monitoring Report. The report shall contain all information concerning the steps taken, or planned, to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the violation and the anticipated time the violation is expected to continue.
- 3.
Sanitary Sewer Overflow
- a.
"Sanitary Sewer Overflow means the discharge to land or water of wastes from any portion of the collection, transmission, or treatment system other than through permitted outfalls.
- b.
Sanitary Sewer Overflows are prohibited.
- c.
The permittee shall operate the collection system so as to avoid sanitary sewer overflows. No new or additional flows shall be added upstream of any point in the collection system, which experiences chronic sanitary sewer overflows (greater than 5 overflows per year) or would otherwise overload any portion of the system.
- d.
Unless there is specific enforcement action to the contrary, the permittee is relieved of this requirement after: 1) an authorized representative of the Commissioner of the Department of Environment and Conservation has approved an engineering report and construction plans and specifications prepared in accordance with accepted engineering practices for correction of the problem; 2) the correction work is underway; and 3) the cumulative, peak-design, flows potentially added from new connections and line extensions upstream of any chronic overflow point are less than or proportional to the amount of inflow and infiltration removal documented upstream of that point. The inflow and infiltration reduction must be measured by the permittee using practices that are customary in the environmental engineering field and reported in an attachment to a Monthly Operating Report submitted to the regional TDEC Field Office. The data measurement period shall be sufficient to account for seasonal rainfall patterns and seasonal groundwater table elevations.
- e.
In the event that more than five (5) sanitary sewer overflows have occurred from a single point in the collection system for reasons that may not warrant the self-imposed moratorium or completion of the actions identified in this paragraph, the permittee may request a meeting with the Division of Water Resources field office staff to petition for a waiver based on mitigating evidence.
- 4.
Upset Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 16 of 22
- a.
"Upset' means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology-based effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the permittee. An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation.
- b.
An upset shall constitute an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with such technology-based permit effluent limitations if the permittee demonstrates, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that:
- i.
An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; ii.
The permitted facility was at the time being operated in a prudent and workman-like manner and in compliance with proper operation and maintenance procedures; iii.
The permittee submitted information required under "Reporting of Noncompliance" within 24-hours of becoming aware of the upset (if this information is provided orally, a written submission must be provided within five days); and iv.
The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under "Adverse Impact."
- 5.
Adverse Impact The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize any adverse impact to the waters of Tennessee resulting from noncompliance with this permit, including such accelerated or additional monitoring as necessary to determine the nature and impact of the noncomplying discharge. It shall not be a defense for the permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit.
- 6.
Bypass
- a.
"Bypass" is the intentional diversion of wastewater away from any portion of a treatment facility. "Severe property damage" means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities, which would cause them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources which can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production.
- b.
Bypasses are prohibited unless the following 3 conditions are met:
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 17 of 22
- i.
The bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; ii.
There are not feasible alternatives to bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment down-time. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass, which occurred during normal periods of equipment down-time or preventative maintenance; iii.
The permittee submits notice of an unanticipated bypass to the Division of Water Resources in the appropriate environmental assistance center within 24-hours of becoming aware of the bypass (if this information is provided orally, a written submission must be provided within five days). When the need for the bypass is foreseeable, prior notification shall be submitted to the Director, if possible, at least 10 days before the date of the bypass.
- c.
Bypasses not exceeding limitations are allowed only if the bypass is necessary for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. All other bypasses are prohibited. Allowable bypasses not exceeding limitations are not subject to the reporting requirements of 6.b.iii, above.
- 7.
Washout
- a.
For domestic wastewater plants only, a "washout" shall be defined as loss of Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) of 30.00% or more. This refers to the MLSS in the aeration basin(s) only. This does not include MLSS decrease due to solids wasting to the sludge disposal system. A washout can be caused by improper operation or from peak flows due to infiltration and inflow.
- b.
A washout is prohibited. If a washout occurs the permittee must report the incident to the Division of Water Resources in the appropriate regional Field Office within 24-hours by telephone. A written submission must be provided within 5 days. The washout must be noted on the discharge monitoring report. Each day of a washout is a separate violation.
D.
LIABILITIES
- 1.
Civil and Criminal Liability Except as provided in permit conditions for "Bypass," "Overflow," and "Upset," nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee from civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance. Notwithstanding this permit, the permittee shall remain liable for any damages sustained by the State of Tennessee, including but not limited to fish kills and losses of aquatic life and/or wildlife, as a result of the discharge of wastewater to any surface or subsurface waters.
Additionally, notwithstanding this Permit, it shall be the responsibility of the permittee to conduct
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 18 of 22 its wastewater treatment and/or discharge activities in a manner such that public or private nuisances or health hazards will not be created.
- 2.
Liability Under State Law Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties established pursuant to any applicable State law or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.
PART Ill OTHER REQUIREMENTS A.
TOXIC POLLUTANTS Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 19 of 22 The permittee shall notify the Division of Water Resources as soon as it knows or has reason to believe:
- 1.
That any activity has occurred or will occur which would result in the discharge on a routine or frequent basis, of any toxic substance(s) (listed at 40 CFR 122, Appendix D, Table II and Ill) which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following "notification levels":
- a.
One hundred micrograms per liter (100 ug/I);
- b.
Two hundred micrograms per liter (200 ug/I) for acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per liter (500 ug/I) for 2,4-dinitrophenol and for 2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol; and one milligram per liter (1 mg/L) for antimony;
- c.
Five (5) times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant(s) in the permit application in accordance with 122.21(g)(7); or
- d.
The level established by the Director in accordance with 122.44(f).
- 2.
That any activity has occurred or will occur which would result in any discharge, on a non-routine or infrequent basis, of a toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following "notification levels":
- a.
Five hundred micrograms per liter (500 ug/I);
- b.
One milligram per liter (1 mg/L) for antimony;
- c.
Ten (10) times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application in accordance with 122.21(g)(7); or
- d.
The level established by the Director in accordance with 122.44(f).
B.
REOPENER CLAUSE If an applicable standard or limitation is promulgated under Sections 301 (b)(2)(C) and (D),
304(8)(2), and 307(a)(2) and that effluent standard or limitation is more stringent than any effluent
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 20 of 22 limitation in the permit or controls a pollutant not limited in the permit, the permit shall be promptly modified or revoked and reissued to conform to that effluent standard or limitation.
C.
PLACEMENT OF SIGNS Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this permit, the permittee shall place and maintain a sign(s) at each outfall and any bypass/overflow point in the collection system. For the purposes of this requirement, any bypass/overflow point that has discharged five (5) or more times in the last year must be so posted. The sign(s) should be clearly visible to the public from the bank and the receiving stream or from the nearest public property/right-of-way, if applicable. The minimum sign size should be two feet by two feet (2' x 2') with one inch (1") letters. The sign should be made of durable material and have a white background with black letters.
The sign(s) are to provide notice to the public as to the nature of the discharge and, in the case of the permitted outfalls, that the discharge is regulated by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Resources. The following is given as an example of the minimal amount of information that must be included on the sign:
TREATED INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER Nuclear Fuel Services (Permittee's Phone Number)
NPDES Permit NO. TN0002038 TENNESSEE DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES 1-888-891-8332 ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD OFFICE - Johnson City D.
ANTIDEGRADATION Pursuant to the Rules of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Chapter 0400-40-03-.06, titled "Tennessee Antidegradation Statement," which prohibits the degradation of exceptional Tennessee waters and the increased discharges of substances that cause or contribute to impairment, the permittee shall further be required, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this permit, to comply with the effluent limitations and schedules of compliance required to implement applicable water quality standards, to comply with a State Water Quality Plan or other state or federal laws or regulations, or where practicable, to comply with a standard permitting no discharge of pollutants.
E.
BIOMONITORING REQUIREMENTS, ACUTE The permittee shall conduct a 48-hour static acute toxicity test on two test species on the same samples of final effluent from Outfall 001. The test species to be used are Water Fleas (Ceriodaphnia dubia) and Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas).
The measured endpoint for toxicity will be the concentration causing 50% lethality (LC50) of the test organisms. The LC50 shall be determined based on a 50% lethality as compared to the controls.
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 21 of 22 Test shall be conducted and its results reported based on appropriate replicates of a total of five serial dilutions and a control, using the percent effluent dilutions as presented in the following table:
Serial Dilutions for Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing Permit Limit 0.50 X PL 0.25 X PL 0.125 X PL 0.0625 X PL Control (PL)
% effluent 100 50 25 12.5 6.25 0
The dilution/control water used will be a moderately hard water as described in Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms, EPA-821-R-02-012 (or the most current edition). Results from an acute standard reference toxicant quality assurance test for each species tested shall be submitted with the discharge monitoring report. Reference toxicant tests shall be conducted as required in EPA-821-R-02-012 (or the most current edition). Additionally, the analysis of this multi-concentration test shall include review of the concentration-response relationship to ensure that calculated test results are interpreted appropriately.
Toxicity will be demonstrated if the LC50 is less than or equal to the permit limit indicated for each outfall in the above table(s). Toxicity demonstrated by the tests specified herein constitutes a violation of this permit.
All tests will be conducted using four separate grab samples of final effluent, to be used in four separate tests, and shall be collected at evenly spaced intervals over one batch discharge event. If, in any control more than 10% of the test organisms die in 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br />, the test (control and effluent) is considered invalid and the test shall be repeated within 30 days of the date the initial test is invalidated. Furthermore, if the results do not meet the acceptability criteria as defined in Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms, EPA-821-R-02-012, or if the required concentration-response review fails to yield a valid relationship per guidance contained in Method Guidance and Recommendations for Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing, EPA-821-B-00-004 (or the most current edition), that test shall be repeated. Any test initiated but terminated before completion must also be reported along with a complete explanation for the termination.
The toxicity tests specified herein shall be conducted annually (1/Year) for Outfall 001 and begin no later than 90 days from the effective date of this permit.
In the event of a test failure, the permittee must start a follow-up test within 2 weeks and submit results from a follow-up test within 30 days from obtaining initial WET testing results. The follow-up test must be conducted using the same serial dilutions as presented in the corresponding table(s) above. The follow-up test will not negate an initial failed test. In addition, the failure of a follow-up test will constitute a separate permit violation which must also be reported.
Nuclear Fuel Services NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page 22 of 22 In the event of 2 consecutive test failures or 3 test failures within a 12 month period for the same outfall, the permittee must initiate a Toxicity Identification Evaluation/Toxicity Reduction Evaluation (TIE/TRE) study within 30 days and so notify the division by letter. This notification shall include a schedule of activities for the initial investigation of that outfall. During the term of the TIE/TRE study, the frequency of biomonitoring shall be once every three months.
Additionally, the permittee shall submit progress reports once every three months throughout the term of the TIE/TRE study. The toxicity must be reduced to allowable limits for that outfall within 2 years of initiation of the TIE/TRE study. Subsequent to the results obtained from the TIE/TRE studies, the permittee may request an extension of the TIE/TRE study period if necessary to conduct further analyses. The final determination of any extension period will be made at the discretion of the division.
The TIE/TRE study may be terminated at any time upon the completion and submission of 2 consecutive tests (for the same outfall) demonstrating compliance. Following the completion of TIE/TRE study, the frequency of monitoring will return to a regular schedule, as defined previously in this section as well in Part I of the permit. During the course of the TIE/TRE study, the permittee will continue to conduct toxicity testing of the outfall being investigated at the frequency of once every three months but will not be required to perform follow-up tests for that outfall during the period of TIE/TRE study.
Test procedures, quality assurance practices and determination of effluent lethality values will be made in accordance with Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms, EPA-821-R-02-012, or the most current edition.
Results of all tests, reference toxicant information, copies of raw data sheets, statistical analysis and chemical analysis shall be compiled in a report. The report shall be written in accordance with Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms, EPA-821-R-02-012, or the most current edition.
Two copies of biomonitoring reports (including follow-up reports) shall be submitted to the division. One copy of the report shall be submitted along with the discharge monitoring report (DMR). The second copy shall be submitted to the local Division of Water Resources office address:
Environmental Field Office - Johnson City Division of Water Resources 2305 Silverdale Road Johnson City, TN 37601 The reasonable potential to cause toxicity in the receiving stream will be evaluated based on the results of the WET testing. At that time, should the results so dictate, the division maintains the authority to institute specific numeric biomonitoring limitations.
Nuclear Fuel Services (Addendum)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page A-1 of A-3 ADDENDUM TO RATIONALE The Division has received the following comments to the draft permit. Each comment has been addressed in this following addendum.
What is the nearest potable water plant and how far is it from the point of discharge?
The closest drinking water plant is the Unicoi Water Filter Plant which is about 7.5 miles upstream from Outfall 001. The closest drinking water plant downstream is over 100 river miles from the point of discharge.
The permit should include the analytical method used for uranium to ensure the permittee knows exactly which method to be used for compliance purposes.
This permit continues to require compliance with 40 CFR Part 136 methods only.
Radiation is regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). That program's requirements may change over time. It is beyond the scope of this permit to provide guidance to the permittee on that program's requirements or to make those requirements enforceable through a water quality permit. The analytical method must have an MDL that is lower than both standards set by TDEC and the NRC, following requirements set in 10 CFR 40.63-40.65 and be accurate to 10% of the value for Uranium set in Table 2 in Appendix B of 1 O CFR 20. The mass spectroscopy method for Uranium meets these requirements and has been deemed appropriate for compliance by the NRC.
In the NFS new permit for NFS, NPDES, it says, on page 21, "Test procedures, quality assurance practices and determination of effluent lethality values will be made in accordance with Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms, EPA-821-R-02-012, or the most current edition." Where are those results? For the last 5 years? How do I access those results?
The toxicity (LC50) test results for the previous five years can be found in Appendix 4 of this permit beginning on Page R-36. Potential for toxicity presents when a reported percent value approaches or is less than the concentration of effluent in the river at low flow. The facility averages 0.016 MGD into a stream whose low flow rate is 124 MGD. When mixed the river is less than 1 % effluent. The lowest value reported is 20% meaning the discharge would have to be 20%
of the receiving stream (24.8 MGD) in order to have potential for toxicity.
Page R-3 of R-43 "The federal effluent guidelines are not applicable to the discharge from this facility. The effluent characteristic monitoring requirements will be based on the permit writer's best professional judgement, the state's drinking water standards, and the state's water quality criteria... Since when are Federal guidelines not applicable to Nuclear facilities?
Effluent limitation guidelines outlined in 40 CFR are the basis for NPDES limits for several industries, however, there are no such guidelines for nuclear facilities because the Nuclear
N.uclear Fuel Services (Addendum)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page A-2 of A-3 Regulatory Commission (NRG) has jurisdiction over these facilities instead. In the case for Uranium, effluent limits are based on the state's water quality criteria based on Uranium toxicity.
Best professional judgement (BPJ) limits are a type of technology-based limit developed on a case-by-case basis for a facility. No new best professional judgement (BPJ) was used to obtain limits in this permit. This permit retains the effluent limits developed in previous permit terms to comply with anti-backsliding provisions in permit regulations.
How often does TDEC test for the rads [on the] list?
TDEC does not currently test for radioactive material in surface waters since it is outside of its jurisdiction and scope. Radioactive material concentrations are measured at the point of discharge through the relevant NPDES permits, since there is where they are at their highest concentrations.
RE: Letter from Beverly Brown to Marie Moore, Dec. 23, 2019: Compliance Inspection Report NPDES Permit TN0002038 the benchmarks for copper, magnesium and nitrate/nitrite, aluminum, have been exceeded since Feb. of 1998, "due to high levels of these constituents in the surrounding groundwater." In USN's paperwork it's due to water running over rock for the magnesium. So which is it?
A number of factors could be contributing to elevated levels of magnesium, the explanations given are possibilities proposed based on what is known about the surrounding area.
The process performed as Nuclear Fuel Services does not have reasonable potential to release Magnesium into the water.
Nuclear Fuel Services (Addendum)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page A-3 of A-3 In the draft permit, the table for water quality-based calculations for metals and toxics had an incorrect value for the waste flow.
The value was much bigger relative to the actual flow rate of 0.016 MGD. The value has been revised in the table below, and has only increased the concentration limit and therefore shows this facility does not have reasonable potential to discharge metals or toxics in quantities that will affect fish and aquatic life.
II WATER QUALITY CALCULATIONS FOR METALS AND OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES II WATER QUALITY BASED EFFLUENT CALCULATIONS OUTFALL001 FACILITY: Nuclear Fuel SelVices PERMIT#:
TN0002038 Stream Stream Waste TII. Susp.
Hardness rvlcirgin ut (7Q10\\
(30Q5)
Flow Solids las CaC03)
Sutelv
- ::1Milb1 :.*: C'.iMGbi,;
-:>rMi.b(*;. *::::' :*rmotiC.'*:: :::* :.'fhiciln: ::.
1%1 124.100 180.000 0.016 14 32 50 1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11 12 13 14 Stream Fish/Aqua. Life (F & AL) WQC F & AL-instream allowable Cale. Eflluent Concentration Human Health Water Qualitv Criteria*
Bckgmd.
lab conditions Fraction ambient conditions (Tot) based on F & AL In-Stream Criteria Cale. Effluent Concentration **
Cone.
Chronic Acute Dissolved Chronic Acute Chronic Acute DrAanisms Water/OrAanisms DWS OrQanisms Water/Ori:1anisms DWS PARAMETER lugll]
lug/II (ug/1]
[Fraction)
(ugll]
(ug/JJ (ugll]
(ug/1]
(ug/1]
(ug/1]
(ug/1]
(uglll (ug/1]
(ug/JJ Copper {a,b) 5.152 3.383 4.593 0.328 10.303 13.991 19984.02 34287.05 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA Chromium Ill 73.418 29.149 224.085 0.199 146.836 1128.822 284798.55 4093550.37 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA Chromium VI 5.500 11.000 16.000 1.000 11.000 16.000 21335.19 40728.31 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA Chromium, Total 78.918 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA 100.0 NIA NIA 118634.86 Nickel {a,b) 24.957 19.834 178.575 0.397 49.914 449.392 96810.45 1646236.56 4600.0 610.0 100.0 25736918.14 3291173.14 422168.14 Cadmium {a,b) 0.213 0.305 0.620 0.261 1.168 2.375 3702.85 8386.07 NIA NIA 5.0 NIA NIA 26929.38 Lead {a,bl 2.051 0.714 18.319 0.174 4.102 105.275 7956.86 400365.92 NIA NIA 5,0 NIA NIA 16589.50 Mercurv {Tl {cl 0.020 0.770 1.400 1,000 0.770 1.400 2908.01 5351.54 0.051 0.05 2.0 172.99 167.37 11137.09 Silver la,b,el 0.227 NIA 0.453 1.000 NIA 0.453 NIA 878.98 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA Zinc (a,b) 83.937 44.989 44,624 0.268 167.874 166.512 325602.80 320319,87 26000.0 7400,0 NIA 145790853.38 41156553.38 NIA Cyanide (d) 2.600 5.200 22.000 1.000 5.200 22.000 10085.73 75246.63 140.0 140.0 200.0 772945.00 772945.00 1110475.00 Chlorine (T. Res.)
5,500 11.000 19.000 1.000 11.000 19.000 42670.38 104728.38 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA a Denotes metals for which Fish & Aquatic Life Criteria are expressed as a function of total hardness.
b The criteria for this metal is in the dissolved form at lab conditions. The calculated effluent concentration is in the total recoverable form.
c The chronic criteria for mercury is not converted to dissolved, since it is based on fish tissue data rather than toxicity.
d The criteria for this parameter is in the total form.
e Silver limit is daily max if column 8 is most stringent.
f When columns 7 or 8 result in a negative number, use results from columns 5 or 6, respectively.
g When columns 12, 13 or 14 result in a negative number, use results from columns 9, 1 o or 11. respectively, as applicable.
- Domestic supply included in river use so pick from columns 7,8, 12, 13, 14, 15 or Domestic supply not included in river use so pick from columns 7, 8, 12 or 15.
Water Quality criteria for stream use classifications other than Fish & Aquatic Life are based on the 30Q5 flow.
RATIONALE Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-1 of R-43 Nuclear Fuel Services I.
DISCHARGER NPDES PERMIT NO. TN0002038 Erwin, Unicoi County, Tennessee Permit Writer: Mr. Oscar Montenegro Nuclear Fuel Services 1205 Banner Hill Road Erwin, Unicoi County, Tennessee Site Longitude: -82.43262 Site Latitude: 36.130427 Official Contact Person:
Ms. B. MarieMoore Environmental Protection & Industrial Safety Manager (423) 743-1737 Nature of Business:
Nuclear fuel manufacturing and uranium recovery facility. Also conducts decommissioning/remediating and groundwater treatment activities related to past activities.
SIC Code(s): 2819 Industrial Classification:
Primary Discharger Rating:
Major PRIMARY INDUSTRY CATEGORY means any industry category listed in the NRDC Settlement Agreement (Natural Resources Defense Council v. Train, 8 ERC 2120 [D.D.C. 1976], modified 12 ERC 1833 [D.D.C. 1979]).
II.
PERMIT STATUS Issued March 01, 2016 Expired December 31, 2020 Application for renewal received June 04, 202-0
Watershed Scheduling Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-2 of R-43 Environmental Field Office: Johnson City Primary Outfall Longitude: 36.133333 Primary Outfall Latitude: -82.425 Hydrocode: 6010108 Watershed Group: 5 Watershed Identification: Nolichucky Tar et Reissuance Year: 2025 Ill.
FACILITY DISCHARGES AND RECEIVING WATERS Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS) discharges wastewater from Fenton's process, laboratory facilities, laundry facility, fuel production facilities, commercial development line (COL),
miscellaneous, blended low enriched uranium preparation facility (BLEU/BPF), development laboratories and decommissioning activities through Outfall 001 to Nolichucky River at mile 94.6 for Outfall 001. Process water is released in batches when required. Appendix 1 summarizes facility discharges and the receiving stream information for Outfall 001. Following is a list of questions and answers that are relevant to characterize this permit and the effluent.
Storm water discharges associated with the industrial activity of this facility are covered by the Tennessee Multi-Sector General Storm Water Permit TNR050873. Storm water concerns associated with this facility are covered in this general permit and will, therefore, not be addressed in the new permit.
What is the flow of wastewater discharged by Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS) and what is the flow of the receiving stream?
Over the previous permit cycle, NFS discharged an average of 0.0155 MGD per batch through Outfall 001, and 0.053 MGD on average to Erwin STP. The minimum expected critical low flow (7Q10) of the Nolichucky River is 124.1 MGD.
Does Nuclear Fuel Services discharge radioactive material?
Yes, NFS discharges small amounts of Uranium that remains in the wastewater after it is treated. Uranium is a naturally occurring, unstable element that very slowly decomposes into other elements, which releases trace amounts of radiation.
Does TDEC regulate the radioactivity from this facility?
No, TDEC can only regulate the amounts of material discharged in wastewater through NPDES permits, although this permit includes a maximum concentration for Uranium it is because of its toxicity rather than its radioactivity. TDEC does have a Division of Radiological Health that has monitored the area for radioactive materials in quantities that could affect human health.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has authority over nuclear processes and radioactive material. NFS operates under Operating License SNM-124, a detailed facility page can be found in the NRC's website at https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/fc/nuclear-fuel-services.html?panel=O#panelO
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-3 of R-43 An FAQ about Nuclear Fuel Services and the NRC can be found at https://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/fuel-fab/nfs-fags.html#2b7 What was done to follow up on the public hearing regarding this permit that took place on November 16th, 2015?
Responses were written in the final version of the previous permit for each comment received during the public hearing and lists the sampling events that were requested. A Best Professional Judgement was made and determined that Nuclear Fuel Services facility has the best practicable technology for their treatment in place.
Have Nuclear Fuel Services had any permit violations this permit cycle?
NFS has had no permit violations over this period.
IV.
APPLICABLE EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS GUIDELINES The federal effluent guidelines are not applicable to the discharge from this facility. The effluent characteristic monitoring requirements will be based on the permit writer's best professional judgment, the state's drinking water standards, and the state's water quality criteria.
V.
PREVIOUS PERMIT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Appendix 3 lists the permit limitations and monitoring requirements as defined in the previous permit.
VI.
HISTORICAL MONITORING AND INSPECTION During the previous permit term, Nuclear Fuel Services did not have any appreciable difficulty in meeting effluent limitations as outlined in the previous permit. A summary of the data reported on Discharge Monitoring Report forms during the previous permit term is summarized in Appendix 4.
During the previous permit term, the Division's personnel from the Johnson City Environmental Field Office performed a Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) of the Nuclear Fuel Services. The CEI was performed by Beverly Brown on December 23, 2019. The inspection report described properly run operations and found NFS to be in compliance with their individual NPDES permit and their general stormwater permit.
VII.
NEW PERMIT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS The proposed new permit limits have been selected by determining a technology-based limit and evaluating if that limit protects the water quality of the receiving stream. If the technology-based limit would cause violations of water quality, the water quality-based limit is chosen. The
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-4 of R-43 technology-based limit is determined from EPA effluent limitations guidelines if applicable (see Part IV); or from State of Tennessee maximum effluent limits for effluent limited segments per Rule 0400-40-05-.08.
Note that in general, the term "anti-backsliding" refers to a statutory provision that prohibits the renewal, reissuance, or modification of an existing NPDES permit that contains effluents limits, permit conditions, or standards that are less stringent than those established in the previous permit.
VIII.
METALS AND TOXICS Effluent permit limits for metals and toxics were determined as shown in Appendix 2A.
Outfall 001 Nuclear Fuel Services sends wastewater to the Nolichucky River through permitted Outfall 001 (river mile 96.4) and through Erwin STP's pretreatment program under permit TN0023001 (river mile 94.4).
In addition, the facility's NRC license (SNM-124) requires that the facility demonstrate that wastewater effluents will not cause the dose limits for individual members of the public to be exceeded. Compliance with the NRC license can be demonstrated by measurement or calculation that the individual likely to receive the highest dose from the facility's operation does not receive a total effective dose equivalent exceeding the annual dose limit in 1 O CFR 20.1301; or by demonstrating that the annual average concentrations of radioactive material released in the effluent at the boundary of the unrestricted area do not exceed the values specified in 10 CFR 20 Appendix B. All wastewater is also required to comply with the statutes and rules administered by TDEC's Division of Radiological Health.
Monitoring of flow quantifies the load of pollutants to the stream. Flow shall be reported in Million Gallons per Day (MGD) and monitored at the time of sample collection.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Total Suspended Solids is a general indicator of the quality of a wastewater and will be limited in this permit. The permit writer's technology-based limit for TSS of 40 mg/L, taken from Tennessee Rule 0400-40-05-.09(1 )(a) 1., "Conventional Secondary Treatment Plants."
The State of Tennessee Water Quality Standards for the protection of Fish & Aquatic Life
[Chapter 0400-40-03-.03(3) (c)] state there shall be no distinctly visible solids, scum, foam, oily slick, or the formation of slimes, bottom deposits or sludge banks of such size or character that may be detrimental to fish and aquatic life in the receiving stream.
The permit writer believes the limit of 40 mg/L daily maximum concentration will provide protection of water quality in the receiving stream. Considering the nature of wastewater collection and discharge system, the sample type will be grab and shall occur once per batch released..
mi Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-5 of R-43 According to the State of Tennessee Water Quality Standards [Chapter 0400-40-03-.03(3)
(b)], the pH for the protection of Fish and Aquatic Life shall lie within the range of 6.5 to 9.0 for larger rivers and shall not fluctuate more than 1.0 unit in this range over a period of 24-hours.
Considering that the receiving stream will provide some buffering capacity and that it was previously determined the receiving stream can withstand pH changes for all nearby dischargers, effluent limitation for pH will be retained in a range 6.0 to 9.0. The sample type will be grab.
Total Residual Chlorine In a letter dated May 16, 2001, Nuclear Fuel Services notified the division that the chlorination system had been removed from the treatment process. The letter stated that any chlorine treatment in the future would be conducted through the use of portable chlorine cylinders.
Wastewater treatment with chlorine involves mixing chlorine gas with water to produce free available chlorine (HOCI and OCI). The free available chlorine reacts with certain pollutants such as ammonia and coliform and converts the free available chlorine to chloramines. The amount of chlorine converted to chloramines is based on the contact time, pH and temperature of the wastewater. A properly designed system will maximize the breakdown and disinfection of pollutants and minimize the free available chlorine at the exit of the treatment system. The total residual chlorine concentration of 2 mg/L at the treatment system exit is an obtainable design parameter that is consistently applied to NPDES permits. The daily maximum concentration permit limit of 2 mg/L will be applied based on the permit writer's judgment of reasonable treatment. The testing for TRC will only be required when chlorine is utilized in the treatment process. The background concentration of TRC is assumed to be 0.0 mg/L.
Ammonia as N To assess toxicity impacts, the state utilizes the EPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for
. Ammonia (https://www.epa.gov/wgc/aquatic-life-criteria-ammonia), which is promulgated in Tennessee Rules, Chapter 0400-40-03-.03-3(3)0), dated September 11, 2019, and assumed stream temperatures of 25°C and 15°C and pH of 7.5 or 8.0 to derive an allowable instream protection value protective of chronic exposure to a continuous discharge. A mass balance equation with sewage treatment facility and stream flows and this allowable value determines the monthly average permit limit. The criteria document states that a 30Q5 flow value is protective in deriving allowable values. Where the division has 30Q5 flow values, the division may use them.
Otherwise, the division utilizes the available 7Q10 or 1Q10 values that are generally more conservative. The criteria continuous concentrations (CCC) derived from assumed temperature and pH values are as follows:
CCC values based on temperature and pH, in mg/L:
I Temperature (°C} 17.5 pH 18.0 pH 25 1.01
_ 0.56
The mass balance equation is as follows:
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-6 of R-43 CCC = QsCs+Qoo1Coo1 Qs+Qoo1 or, C
CCC(Qs+Qoo1)-(QsCs) 001=
Q where:
CCC = Criteria continuous concentration (mg/L)
Os = 7Q1 O flow of receiving stream (MGD) 0001 = Design flow of STP (MGD)
Cs = Assumed/Measured instream NH3 (mg/L)
Coo1 = Allowable STP discharge of NH3 (mg/L) 001
= 124.1 MGD
= 0.0155 MGD
= 0.1 mg/L Coo1 = 0.56 (124.1 MGD+ 0.0155 MGD)-(124.1 MGD x 0.1mg/L) = 3600 mg/L (summer) 0.0155 MGD Coo1 = 1.07 (124.1 MGD+ 0.0155 MGD)-(124.1 MGD x 0.1mg/L) = 7600 mg/L (winter) 0.0155 MGD Because the NH3-N concentration limits calculated to protect dissolved oxygen already set by this permit are more restrictive than the toxicity limits calculated above, the monthly average limits for NH3-N (20 mg/L monthly average, 30 mg/L daily maximum) will be retained in this permit.
Nitrite plus Nitrate The treatment system treats individual batches of wastewater, each of which can differ in quantity and nitrite-nitrate concentration. During a previous permit renewal period, the facility submitted nitrite-nitrate data that was utilized in the calculations for treatability-based limits from the procedure provided in EPA document 505/2-90-001 titled "Technical Support Document for Water Quality-based Toxics Control". The permittee has since maintained the average loading of nitrites and nitrates below the imposed limit and even accounting for other discharges has not come close to the maximum loading onto the receiving stream. This limit is therefore considered to protective of water quality and will be retained in the new permit.
Alpha Particles, Beta Particles, and Uranium Alpha particles are released when large atoms (atomic weight >210) decay into smaller atoms because at this point external forces are stronger that those holding the nucleus together.
Beta particles are released by atoms with nuclei that have more than the stable number of neutrons, which can be a byproduct of atoms that undergo alpha decay. Both processes occur naturally, and their rates of release (which are forms of radiation) are based on the element. These emitted particles will be referred to as radionuclides for the purposes of this permit.
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-7 of R-43 Uranium is a naturally occurring and relatively plentiful element usually found in rocks and sediment, though uranium containing ores are mined for their use in nuclear power. The process at NFS enriches processed uranium, meaning increasing the concentration of the specific U-235 isotope needed for nuclear power. And, although the excess Uranium is collected and the wastewater for the process is treated before discharge, some amounts of Uranium can remain in the effluent. Uranium often goes through alpha and sometimes beta radiation based on its isotope.
NPDES permits may only limit discharge based on the toxicity of the effluent and not its radioactivity, however, there are an number of water quality standards and designated uses for the water body that this permit must be protective of to prevent the degradation of Tennessee's waters. The imposed limits for Uranium based on drinking water standards will continue to apply, with a monthly average of 2 mg/L monthly average and a daily maximum of 4 mg/L for Outfall 001.
The division of water supply's primary drinking water standards for radionuclides (TN Rule 0400-45-01-.06 (5)) that are applicable to this wastewater are the following:
- 1.
Gross alpha particle activity (including radium-226 but excluding radon and uranium):
The maximum contaminant level for gross alpha particle activity (including radium-226 but excluding radon and uranium) is 15 pCi/L.
- 2.
The average annual concentration of beta particle and photon radioactivity from man-made radionuclides in drinking water shall not produce an annual dose equivalent to the total body or any internal organ greater than four (4) millirem/year
- 3.
The maximum contaminant level for total uranium is 30 micrograms per liter. The MCL of 30 micrograms per liter is based on the composition of natural Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale) NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-7 uranium. The federal (40 CFR 141.25) and state regulations (TN Rule 0400- 45-01-.14) state that "if uranium (U) is determined by mass, a 0.67 pCi/µg of uranium conversion factor must be used. This conversion factor is based on the 1 : 1 activity ratio of U-234 and U-238 that is characteristic of naturally occurring uranium". The facility discharges processed uranium which does not have the same activity ratio as natural uranium. The facility calculated the average specific activities for their discharge to the Nolichucky River and the wastewater to the Erwin STP for the 2014 calendar year.
- a. NFS Sewer EPOTW 013 ~2.4 uCi/g of U---+ 2.4 pCi/ug---+ 2400 pCi/mg
- b. NFS/BLEU Complex EPOTW019 ~1.4 uCi/g of U---+ 1.4 pCi/ug---+ 1400 pCi/mg
- c.
NFS WWTF TN00002038 ~23.5 uCi/g of U ---+ 23.5 pCi/ug ---+ 23500 pCi/mg The final radionuclides rule in the federal register addresses the scenario where the uranium does not have the composition naturally occurring in the environment. The federal rule provides the below excerpt regarding this issue. The permit calculations will utilize 30 pCi/L as the instream standard instead of 30 micrograms per liter.
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-8 of R-43 "Assuming a conversion factor of 0. 9 pCi/ug, an MCL of 30 ug/L will typically correspond to 27 pCi/L, which has a lifetime radiogenic cancer risk of slightly less than one in ten thousand, within the Agency's target risk range of one in one million to one in ten thousand. EPA is aware that circumstances may exist in which more extreme conversion factors(> 1.5 pCilug) apply. EPA does not have extensive data on these ratios at local levels, but believes these higher ratios to be rare. In these rare circumstances, uranium activities in drinking water may exceed 40 pCi/L.
Although these concentrations are still within EPA's target risk ceiling of 1 '10'4, EPA recommends that drinking water systems subject to extreme pCilug conversion factors mitigate uranium levels to 30 pCi/L or less, to provide greater assurance that adequate protection from cancer health effects is being afforded." (Federal Register Vol. 65 No. 236 December 7, 2000 page 76715)
Radionuclide loading and reasonable potential calculations were performed to check compliance for the previous permit and to ensure that the effluent limitations have resulted in water that meets all federal and state drinking water requirements. All the tables for these calculations can be found below this paragraph for both of the contributing dischargers in the area: Nuclear Fuel Services and Erwin STP. Facility information including flow rates, maximum concentrations, and permit limits are based on their respective NPDES applications and the permits' existing limits. When no reliable data is available for actual effluent concentrations, the permit's limit is used instead as a "worst case scenario" estimation of the actual discharge. These values can be found in Table 1.
Maximum waterbody loads were calculated in Tables 2-5 based on the maximum allowable drinking water standards for each parameter and critical low flow conditions (30Q5),
this provides a conservative estimate for the maximum amount of that pollutant the receiving stream will be able to dilute while still being safe for human consumption. While useful to determine allowable discharges, the goal of the NPDES program is to limit discharge of pollutants to levels well below the calculated maximum load. Reasonable calculations for gross alpha particles (Table 2) shows that the stream is only at 0.65% of its maximum capacity. Uranium reasonable potential was calculated based on the weight of natural Uranium discharged (Table
- 3) and based on the radiation caused by each isotope of Uranium (Table 4). The mass-based calculations converted the amount of Uranium to the amount of radiation it would emit and resulted in a 27.3% of the maximum capacity, while the isotope-based calculations resulted in a 0.60% of the maximum allowed load. The calculations showed no reasonable for the Uranium discharged to impact the stream, considering that the sum of all Uranium discharges accounts for less than a third of the maximum allowance and the fact that the maximum concentration used was the daily maximum limit of 4 mg/L while NFS has maintained a longtime average of around 1 mg/L in their discharge.
Table 5 uses data collected as part of NFS's bi-annual NRC effluent monitoring report, which can be found here under Operating; this table lists every radioactive substance in the effluent as well as the amount of radiation emitted by each. The Final Implementation Guidance for Radionuclides was then used to convert the radiation values of beta particle emitters to a fraction of the maximum allowable exposure to beta radiation (4 mrem/yr). The sum of all of these resulted in exposure levels well below that limit (average value was 0.05 mrem/yr).
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-9 of R-43 Table 1: Facility Information Nuclear Fuel Services (TN0002038)
Average Maximum Alpha - Application Value 129.79 pCi/L 236 pCi/L Beta - Application Value 360 pCi/L 837 pCi/L Uranium - 234 - Federal/Division of Rad. Health 300 pCi/L Uranium - 235 - Federal/Division of Rad. Health 300 pCi/L Uranium - 238 - Federal/Division of Rad. Health 300 pCi/L Total Uranium - Permit Limit 2.0 mg/L 4.0 mg/L Flow Rate - Application Data 0.0139 MGD 0.0155 MGD Erwin STP (TN0023001)
Value Alpha - Pretreatment Limit 300 pCi/L Beta - Pretreatment Limit 5000 pCi/L Uranium - 234 - Pretreatment Limit 300 pCi/L Uranium - 235 - Pretreatment Limit so pCi/L Uranium - 238 - Pretreatment Limit so pCi/L Total Uranium - Pretreatment Limit 300 pCi/L Flow Rate from NFS - Application Values 0.046 MGD Table 2: Gross Alpha Particle Reasonable Potential Calculations Maximum Daily Alpha Load = Max. Allowable Concentration x Critical Daily Flow Rate (3005)
= lS pCi X lBO MGD X 1,000,000 Gal/D X 3.785 L L
MGD Gal
= 1 022 X 1010 pCi D
Alpha Wastewater Flow Wastewater Daily Alpha Load Percentage of Source Concentration Maximum (pCi/L)
(MGD)
Flow (L/D)
(pCi/D)
Capacity (%)
NFS 236 0.0155 5.87E+04 l.38E+07 0.14 Erwin STP 300 0.046 l.74E+0S 5.22E+07 0.51 Total 0.65
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-1 0 of R-43 Table 3: Uranium Reasonable Potential Calculations, Mass Basis Maximum Daily Uranium Load = Max. Allowable Concentration x Critical Daily Flow Rate (3005)
= 30 pCi X 180 MGD X 1,000,000 Gal/D X 3.785 L L
MGD Gal
= 2.044 X 1010 pCi D
Uranium Uranium Percentage of Wastewater Wastewater Daily Uranium Source Concentration Concentration Maximum Flow (MGD)
Flow (L/D)
Load (pCi/D)
(mg/L)
(pCi/L)
Capacity(%)
NFS 4
94000 0.0155 5.87E+04 5.51E+09 27.03 Erwin STP 300 0.046 l.74E+05 5.22E+07 0.26 Total 27.29 Table 4: Uranium Reasonable Potential Calculations, Isotope Basis Maximum Daily Uranium Load = Max. Allowable Concentration x Critical Daily Flow Rate (3005)
= 30 pCi X 180 MGD X 1,000,000 Gal/D X 3.785 L L
MGD Gal
= 2.044 X 1010 pCi D
Uranium Wastewater Wastewater Daily Uranium Percentage of Source Concentration Maximum (pCi/L)
Flow (MGD)
Flow (L/D)
Load (pCi/D)
Capacity (%)
NFS - U234 300 0.0155 5.87E+04 l.76E+07 0.09 NFS - U235 300 0.0155 5.87E+04 l.76E+07 0.09 NFS - U238 300 0.0155 5.87E+04 l.76E+07 0.09 Erwin STP -
300 0.046 l.74E+05 5.22E+07 0.26 U234 Erwin STP -
50 0.046 U235 l.74E+05 8.71E+06 0.04 Erwin STP -
50 0.046 l.74E+05 8.71E+06 0.04 U238 Total 0.60
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-11 of R-43 Table 5: Beta Particle Reasonable Potential Calculations, Based on NRC Semiannual Reports and Sum of Fractions Method Jan 2020 - Jun 2020 Location Volume Activity Concentration Conversion to 4 mrem/yr
Reference:
Fraction of 4 NFS Wastewater to Sewer EPA 816-D-00-002 December 2016 mrem/yr (TN0023001)
Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L Appendix I (pCi/4mrem)
Pu-238 35,961,000 0.053 0.00E+00 0.000 Pu-239/240 35,961,000 0.053 0.O0E+00 0.000 Tc-99 35,961,000 0.053 0.00E+00 0.000 900 0
Th-228 35,961,000 0.053 l.77E-11 0.018 Th-230 35,961,000 0.053 l.49E-11 0.015 Th-232 35,961,000 0.053 8.73E-12 0.009 U-232 35,961,000 0.053 0.00E+00 0.000 U-233/234 35,961,000 0.053 l.69E-08 16.900 U-235/236 35,961,000 0.053 6.33E-10 0.633 U-238 35,961,000 0.053 2.18E-09 2.180 NFS Wastewater Treatment Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L Facility (TN0002038)
Am-241 4,320,076 0.006 2.21E-11 0.022 Cs-137 4,320,076 0.006 2.99E-10 0.299 200 0.001495 Na-22 4,320,076 0.006 2.78E-11 0.028 400 0.0000695 Np-237 4,320,076 0.006 0.00E+O0 0.000 Pb-212 4,320,076 0.006 9.24E-10 0.924 Pu-238 4,320,076 0.006 l.84E-11 0.018 Pu-239/240 4,320,076 0.006 3.00E-11 0.030 Pu-241 4,320,076 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 Ra-224 4,320,076 0.006 l.13E-08 11.300 Tc-99 4,320,076 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 900 0
Th-228 4,320,076 0.006 5.75E-12 Th-230 4,320,076 0.006 l.04E-10 Th-231 4,320,076 0.006 0.00E+00 Th-232 4,320,076 0.006 2.90E-11 U-232 4,320,076 0.006 0.00E+00 U-233/234 4,320,076 0.006 2.19E-08 U-235/236 4,320,076 0.006 8.66E-10 U-238 4,320,076 0.006 l.66E-10 0.006 0.104 0.000 0.029 0.000 21.900 0.866 0.166 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-12 of R-43 Sum of Fractions 0.0015645 Total Exposure (4 x Fraction) (mrem/yr) 0.006258
Jul 2019 - Dec 2019 Activity Location Volume Concentration NFS Wastewater to Sewer Liter MGD uCi/ml pCi/L (TN0023001)
Pu-238 28,576,600 0.042 0.00E+00 0.000 Pu-239/240 28,576,600 0.042 0.00E+00 0.000 Tc-99 28,576,600 0.042 0.00E+00 0.000 Th-228 28,576,600 0.042 2.69E-11 0.027 Th-230 28,576,600 0.042 2.09E-11 0.021 Th-232 28,576,600 0.042 2.87E-11 0.029 U-232 28,576,600 0.042 4.76E-11 0.048 U-233/234 28,576,600 0.042 9.65E-09 9.650 U-235/236 28,576,600 0.042 3.57E-10 0.357 U-238 28,576,600 0.042 1.45E-09 1.450 NFS Wastewater Treatment Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L Facility (TN0002038)
Am-241 3,304,291 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Cs-137 3,304,291 0.005 5.63E-11 0.056 Na-22 3,304,291 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Np-237 3,304,291 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Pb-212 3,304,291 0.005 1.09E-09 1.090 Pu-238 3,304,291 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Pu-239/240 3,304,291 0.005 2.30E-11 0.023 Pu-241 3,304,291 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Ra-224 3,304,291 0.005 1.05E-08 10.500 Tc-99 3,304,291 0.005 1.40E-08 14.000 Jan 2019 - Jun 2019 Activity Volume Concentration Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L 31,394,000 0.046 0.00E+00 0.000 31,394,000 0.046 0.00E+00 0.000 31,394,000 0.046 0.00E+00 0.000 31,394,000 0.046 2.24E-11 0.022 31,394,000 0.046 8.80E-11 0.088 31,394,000 0.046 3.27E-11 0.033 31,394,000 0.046 5.18E-11 0.052 31,394,000 0.046 1.73E-08 17.300 31,394,000 0.046 9.76E-10 0.976 31,394,000 0.046 2.35E-09 2.350 Liter MGD uCi/ml pCi/L 4,149,746 0.006 1.52E-11 0.015 4,149,746 0.006 7.37E-10 0.737 4,149,746 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 4,149,746 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 4,149,746 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 4,149,746 0.006 3.12E-11 0.031 4,149,746 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 4,149,746 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 4,149,746 0.006 1.31E-08 13.100 4,149,746 0.006 6.62E-09 6.620 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-13 of R-43 Conversion to 4 mrem/yr Average
Reference:
EPA Concentration 816-D-00-002 (pCi/L)
December 2016 Appendix I (pCi/4mrem) 0.000 0.000 0.000 900 0.025 0.054 0.031 0.050 13.475 0.667 1.900 0.008 0.397 200 0.000 400 0.000 0.545 0.016 0.012 0.000 11.800 10.310 900 Fraction of 4 mrem/yr 0
0.00198325 0
0.011455556
Th-228 3,304,291 0.005 4.30E-11 0.043 4,149,746 0.006 Th-230 3,304,291 0.005 4.50E-11 0.045 4,149,746 0.006 Th-231 3,304,291 0.005 2.78E-09 2.780 4,149,746 0.006 Th-232 3,304,291 0.005 3.29E-11 0.033 4,149,746 0.006 U-232 3,304,291 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 4,149,746 0.006 U-233/234 3,304,291 0.005 l.55E-08 15.500 4,149,746 0.006 U-235/236 3,304,291 0.005 7.28E-10 0.728 4,149,746 0.006 U-238 3,304,291 0.005 l.92E-10 0.192 4,149,746 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 7.15E-11 0.072 5.31E-09 5.310 0.00E+00 0.000 0.00E+00 0.000 3.37E-08 33.700 l.70E-09 1.700 4.77E-10 0.477 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-14 of R-43 0.022 0.058 4.045 0.016 0.000 24.600 1.214 0.335 Sum of Fractions 0.013438806 Total Exposure (4 x Fraction) 0.053755222 (mrem/yr)
Jul 2018 - Dec 2018 Location Volume Activity Concentration NFS Wastewater to Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L Sewer (TN0023001)
Pu-238 44,502,000 0.065 0.00E+00 0.000 Pu-239/240 44,502,000 0.065 0.00E+00 0.000 Tc-99 44,502,000 0.065 0.00E+O0 0.000 Th-228 44,502,000 0.065 0.00E+O0 0.000 Th-230 44,502,000 0.065 2.35E-11 0.024 Th-232 44,502,000 0.065 7.58E-11 0.076 U-232 44,502,000 0.065 0.00E+00 0.000 U-233/234 44,502,000 0.065 1.26E-08 12.600 U-235/236 44,502,000 0.065 4.41E-10 0.441 U-238 44,502,000 0.065 1.86E-09 1.860 NFS Wastewater Treatment Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L Facility (TN0002038)
Am-241 3,743,014 0.005 2.27E-11 0.023 Cs-137 3,743,014 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Na-22 3,743,014 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Np-237 3,743,014 0.005 5.64E-11 0.056 Pb-212 3,743,014 0.005 7.97E-10 0.797 Pu-238 3,743,014 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Pu-239/240 3,743,014 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Pu-241 3,743,014 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Jan 2018 - Jun 2018 Volume Activity Concentration Liter MGD uCi/ml pCi/L 29,946,000 0.044 7.86E-11 0.079 29,946,000 0.044 6.86E-12 0.007 29,946,000 0.044 7.69E-09 7.690 29,946,000 0.044 4.08E-11 0.041 29,946,000 0.044 l.37E-10 0.137 29,946,000 0.044 2.08E-11 0.021 29,946,000 0.044 5.92E-11 0.059 29,946,000 0.044 l.23E-08 12.300 29,946,000 0.044 5.84E-10 0.584 29,946,000 0.044 1.87E-09 1.870 Liter MGD uCi/ml pCi/L 3,762,141 0.005 2.93E-11 0.029 3,762,141 0.005 2.71E-10 0.271 3,762,141 0.005 1.95E-10 0.195 3,762,141 0.005 9.0lE-11 0.090 3,762,141 0.005 9.36E-10 0.936 3,762,141 0.005 1.62E-11 0.016 3,762,141 0.005 2.29E-11 0.023 3,762,141 0.005 3.67E-09 3.670 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-15 of R-43 Conversion to 4 mrem/yr Average
Reference:
EPA Fraction of 4 Concentration 816-D-00-002 mrem/yr (pCi/L)
December 2016 Appendix I (pCi/4mrem) 0.039 0.003 3.845 900 0.004272222 0.020 0.080 0.048 0.030 12.450 0.513 1.865 0.026 0.136 200 0.0006775 0.098 400 0.00024375 0.073 0.867 0.008 0.011 1.835
Ra-224 3,743,014 0.005 l.09E-08 10.900 3,762,141 0.005 9.14E-09 Tc-99 3,743,014 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 3,762,141 0.005 1.49E-08 Th-228 3,743,014 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 3,762,141 0.005 l.llE-11 Th-230 3,743,014 0.005 9.40E-11 0.094 3,762,141 0.005 9.15E-11 Th-231 3,743,014 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 3,762,141 0.005 0.00E+00 Th-232 3,743,014 0.005 2.17E-11 0.022 3,762,141 0.005 2.15E-11 U-232 3,743,014 0.005 4.81E-12 0.005 3,762,141 0.005 l.74E-11 U-233/234 3,743,014 0.005 1.42E-08 14.200 3,762,141 0.005 3.48E-08 U-235/236 3,743,014 0.005 6.71E-10 0.671 3,762,141 0.005 l.77E-09 U-238 3,743,014 0.005 2.29E-10 0.229 3,762,141 0.005 6.68E-10 9.140 14.900 0.011 0.092 0.000 0.022 0.017 34.800 1.770 0.668 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-16 of R-43 10.020 7.450 900 0.008277778 0.006 0.093 0.000 0.022 0.011 24.500 1.221 0.449 Sum of 0.01347125 Fractions Total Exposure (4 x Fraction) 0.053885 (mrem/yr)
Jul 2017 - Dec 2017 Activity Location Volume Concentration NFS Wastewater Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L to Sewer (TN0023001)
Pu-238 23,501,679 0.034 2.41E-12 0.002 Pu-239/240 23,501,679 0.034 0.00E+00 0.000 Tc-99 23,501,679 0.034 5.35E-09 5.350 Th-228 23,501,679 0.034 l.37E-11 0.014 Th-230 23,501,679 0.034 l.08E-10 0.108 Th-232 23,501,679 0.034 l.55E-ll 0.016 U-232 23,501,679 0.034 0.00E+00 0.000 U-233/234 23,501,679 0.034 6.28E-09 6.280 U-235/236 23,501,679 0.034 2.21E-10 0.221 U-238 23,501,679 0.034 9.59E-10 0.959 NFS Wastewater Treatment Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L Facility (TN0002038)
Am-241 3,565,706 0.005 l.65E-ll 0.017 Cs-137 3,565,706 0.005 l.65E-10 0.165 Na-22 3,565,706 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 Np-237 3,565,706 0.005 l.08E-ll 0.011 Jan 2017-Jun 2017 Activity Volume Concentration Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L 16,990,351 0.025 0.00E+00 0.000 16,990,351 0.025 0.00E+00 0.000 16,990,351 0.025 l.97E-08 19.700 16,990,351 0.025 l.0lE-11 0.010 16,990,351 0.025 l.98E-10 0.198 16,990,351 0.025 3.43E-11 0.034 16,990,351 0.025 0.00E+00 0.000 16,990,351 0.025 l.24E-08 12.400 16,990,351 0.025 6.38E-10 0.638 16,990,351 0.025 2.33E-09 2.330 Liter MGD uCi/mL pCi/L 4,070,343 0.006 0.00E+00 0.000 4,070,343 0.006 6.60E-10 0.660 4,070,343 0.006 4.20E-10 0.420 4,070,343 0.006 3.77E-11 0.038 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-17 of R-43 Conversion to 4 mrem/yr Average
Reference:
EPA Fraction of 4 Concentration 816-D-00-002 (pCi/L)
December 2016 mrem/yr Appendix I (pCi/4mrem) 0.001 0.000 12.525 900 0.013916667 0.012 0.153 0.025 0.000 9.340 0.430 1.645 0.008 0.413 200 0.0020625 0.210 400 0.000525 0.024 l
Pb-212 3,565,706 0.005 1.27E-09 1.270 4,070,343 0.006 Pu-238 3,565,706 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 4,070,343 0.006 Pu-239/240 3,565,706 0.005 3.12E-11 0.031 4,070,343 0.006 Pu-241 3,565,706 0.005 0.O0E+00 0.000 4,070,343 0.006 Ra-224 3,565,706 0.005 7.62E-09 7.620 4,070,343 0.006 Tc-99 3,565,706 0.005 3.12E-09 3.120 4,070,343 0.006 Th-228 3,565,706 0.005 O.00E+00 0.000 4,070,343 0.006 Th-230 3,565,706 0.005 3.02E-11 0.030 4,070,343 0.006 Th-231 3,565,706 0.005 6.07E-09 6.070 4,070,343 0.006 Th-232 3,565,706 0.005 1.87E-12 0.002 4,070,343 0.006 U-232 3,565,706 0.005 0.00E+00 0.000 4,070,343 0.006 U-233/234 3,565,706 0.005 1.57E-08 15.700 4,070,343 0.006 U-235/236 3,565,706 0.005 9.26E-10 0.926 4,070,343 0.006 U-238 3,565,706 0.005 2.96E-10 0.296 4,070,343 0.006 1.44E-10 0.144 1.21E-11 0.012 2.20E-11 0.022 8.27E-10 0.827 1.03E-08 10.300 4.37E-09 4.370 0.00E+00 0.000 5.83E-11 0.058 0.00E+00 0.000 2.66E-11 0.027 1.87E-12 0.002 8.08E-09 8.080 4.71E-10 0.471 2.29E-10 0.229 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-18 of R-43 0.707 0.006 0.027 0.414 8.960 3.745 900 0.004161111 0.000 0.044 3.035 0.014 0.001 11.890 0.699 0.263 Sum of Fractions 0.020665278 Total Exposure (4 x Fraction) 0.082661111 (mrem/yr)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-19 of R-43 This Facility operates Fenton's Reaction, which turns hydrogen peroxide into free radicals.
This process releases a large amount of product that contributes to COD, because of this continuing potential to discharge COD the limit will continue to apply.
Copper. Chromium. Nickel. Arsenic. Lead. Mercury. Silver. Cadmium. and Zinc In assessing the stream capacity for various pollutants, the cumulative effect of multiple dischargers in close proximity must be considered in the analysis. The facility discharges to the Nolichucky River at mile 94.6 and the Erwin STP discharges at mile 94.4. The application for the Erwin STP listed several industries as sending process wastewater to the plant. Since the discharges for these two permits are 0.2 miles from each other, the water quality calculations for industrial pollutants (metals, volatiles, acids, base/neutral) in Appendix 2a considers the total effect of both dischargers. It was found that these facilities discharge well below the maximum allowable load for metals and toxics. The only toxic material which reached close to the maximum allocation (around 50%) was Mercury, and this is because a very conservative estimate was used to estimate the amount of Mercury discharged by Erwin STP. Considering these facilities are the two largest dischargers of Mercury, this allocation is protective of water quality.
The possible organic compound that do have a reasonable potential to impact the stream are not found in the effluent and therefore not applicable. The previous permit limits and monitoring requirements for copper, chromium, nickel, arsenic, lead, mercury, silver, cadmium, and zinc will be retained in the new permit.
Fluoride The applicable water quality criteria for fluoride is the domestic water supply standard of 4 mg/L. The total stream capacity is 6005 lb/day with the NFS loading accounting for less than 1 % of the stream loading. The previous permit limits will be retained based on antibacksliding Total Stream Capacity 180 MGD X 8.34 X 4 mg/L = 6005 lb/day Nuclear Fuel Services Loading 0.0155 MGD X 8.34 X 20 mg/L = 2.6 lb/day Tetrachloroethylene CPCE)
The facility has partially shut down the groundwater system which accounted for most of the PCE concentration in the wastewater. The facility will only be required to test and report the concentration for PCE if a groundwater system is activated and discharging through Outfall 001 VIII.
BIOMONITORING REQUIREMENTS, ACUTE The discharge of industrial wastewater from Outfall 001 may contain several different pollutants, the combined effect of which has a reasonable potential to be detrimental to fish and aquatic life. The Tennessee Water Quality Standards criteria stipulates that "The waters shall not
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-20 of R-43 contain toxic substances, whether alone or in combination with other substances, which will produce toxic conditions... ".
Considering that this is a batch discharger with a combination of several different pollutants that can pose a threat to fish and aquatic life, acute biomonitoring shall continue to apply to the effluent from Outfall 001.
IX.
ANTIDEGRADATION Tennessee's Antidegradation Statement is found in the Rules of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Chapter 0400-40-03-.06. It is the purpose of Tennessee's standards to fully protect existing uses of all surface waters as established under the Act.
Stream determinations for this permit action are associated with the waterbody segment identified by the division as segment ID# TN06010108010_5000.
The division has made a water quality assessment of the receiving waters associated with the subject discharge and has found the receiving stream to be neither an exceptional nor outstanding national resource water. Additionally, this water partially supports designated uses due to Mercury, lacking its use for Recreation. This Mercury has been deposited from the atmosphere rather than from a point source. The discharge approved by this permit will not further contribute to the Mercury levels in the receiving stream because, based on DMR forms and the permit application, effluent concentrations of Mercury are well below the permit limit.
X.
ELECTRONIC REPORTING Starting on December 21, 2016, all Individual NPDES Permit holders will be required to submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) electronically through NetDMR. Prior to 21 December 2016, the permittee may elect to electronically submit DMRs instead of mailing paper DMRs.
EPA published the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule, which will modernize Clean Water Act reporting for municipalities, industries and other facilities. The rule was published in the Federal Register on October 22, 2015 and became effective on December 22, 2015. The rule replaces most paper-based NPDES reporting requirements with electronic reporting.
More information is available at http://www.tn.gov/environment/topic/wr-netdmr-and-electronic-reporting:
Getting Started on NetDMR, Electronic reporting schedule, Training Opportunities, NetDMR User Guide and other supporting information
XI.
PERMIT DURATION Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-21 of R-43 The proposed limitations meet the requirements of Section 301 (b)(2)(A), (C), (D), (E), and (F) of the Clean Water Act as amended. It is the intent of the division to organize the future issuance and expiration of this particular permit such that other permits located in the same watershed and group within the State of Tennessee will be set for issuance and expiration at the same time. In order to meet the target reissuance date for the Nolichucky watershed and following the directives for the Watershed Management Program initiated in January 1996, the permit will be issued to expire in 2025.
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NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-22 of R-43 APPENDIX 1 FACILITY DISCHARGES AND RECEIVING WATERS FACILITY OESCHARGES AND RECIEMNG WATERS OUTFALLOOf
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- Refsranca: Streamilow -Characteristic E&limation Methods for Unreguated Streams of Tennessee 2009---5159 Station #6-18 i
APPENDIX 2A Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-23 of R-43 METALS AND TOXICS CONSIDERATIONS The following procedure is used to calculate the allowable instream concentrations for pass-through guidelines and permit limitations.
- a. The most recent background conditions of the receiving stream segment are compiled. This information includes:
7Q10 of receiving stream (124.1 MGD, USGS)
Calcium hardness (32 mg/L)
Total suspended solids (14 mg/L)
Background metals concentrations (1/2 water quality criteria)
Other dischargers impacting this segment (none)
Downstream water supplies, if applicable
- b. The chronic water quality criteria are converted from total recoverable metal at lab conditions to dissolved lab conditions for the following metals: cadmium, copper, trivalent chromium, lead, nickel and zinc. Then translators are used to convert the dissolved lab conditions to total recoverable metal at ambient conditions.
- c. The acute water quality criteria are converted from total recoverable metal at lab conditions to dissolved lab conditions for the following metals: cadmium, copper, trivalent chromium, lead, nickel, zinc and silver. Then translators are used to convert the dissolved lab conditions to total recoverable metal at ambient conditions for the following metals: cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and silver.
- d. The resulting allowable trivalent and hexavalent chromium concentrations are compared with the effluent values characterized as total chromium on permit applications. If reported total chromium exceeds an allowable trivalent or hexavalent chromium value, then the calculated value will be applied in the permit for that form of chromium unless additional effluent characterization is received to demonstrate reasonable potential does not exist to violate the applicable state water quality criteria for chromium.
- e. A standard mass balance equation determines the total allowable concentration (permit limit) for each pollutant. This equation also includes a percent stream allocation of no more than 90%.
The following formulas are used to evaluate water quality protection:
Cm = QsCs + QwCw Qs+Qw
where:
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-24 of R-43 Cm
= resulting in-stream concentration after mixing Cw = concentration of pollutant in wastewater Cs
= stream background concentration Qw = wastewater flow Qs
= stream low flow to protect water quality:
Cw :<:::; (SA) [Cm (Qs + Qw) - QsCs]
Qw where (SA) is the percent "Stream Allocation".
Calculations for this permit have been done using a standardized spreadsheet, titled "Water Quality Based Effluent Calculations." Division policy dictates the following procedures in establishing these permit limits:
- 1. The critical low flow values are determined using USGS data:
Fish and Aquatic Life Protection 7Q 10 - Low flow under natural conditions 1Q10 - Regulated low flow conditions Other than Fish and Aquatic Life Protection 30Q2 - Low flow under natural conditions
- 2. Fish & Aquatic Life water quality criteria for certain Metals are developed through application of hardness dependent equations. These criteria are combined with dissolved fraction methodologies in order to formulate the final effluent concentrations.
- 3. For criteria that are hardness dependent, chronic and acute concentrations are based on a Hardness of 25 mg/Land Total Suspended Solids (TSS) of 10 mg/L unless STORET or Water Supply intake data substantiate a different value. Minimum and maximum limits on the hardness value used for water quality calculations are 25 mg/L and 400 mg/L respectively. The minimum limit on the TSS value used for water quality calculations is 10 mg/L.
- 4. Background concentrations are determined from the division database, results of sampling obtained from the permittee, and/or obtained from nearby stream sampling data. If this background data is not sufficient, one-half of the chronic "In-stream Allowable" water quality criteria for fish and aquatic life is used. If the measured background concentration is greater than the chronic "In-stream Allowable" water quality criteria, then the measured background concentration is used in lieu of the chronic "In-stream Allowable" water quality criteria for the purpose of calculating the appropriate effluent limitation (Cw). Under these circumstances, and in the event the "stream allocation" is less than 100%, the calculated chronic effluent limitation for fish and aquatic life should be equal to the chronic "In-stream Allowable" water quality criteria. These guidelines should be strictly followed where the
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-25 of R-43 industrial source water is not the receiving stream. Where the industrial source water is the receiving stream, and the measured background concentration is greater than the chronic "In-stream Allowable" water quality criteria, consideration may be given as to the degree to which the permittee should be required to meet the requirements of the water quality criteria in view of the nature and characteristics of the receiving stream.
The spreadsheet has fifteen (15) data columns, all of which may not be applicable to any particular characteristic constituent of the discharge. A description of each column is as follows:
Column 1:
The "Stream Background" concentrations of the effluent characteristics.
Column 2:
The "Chronic" Fish and Aquatic Life Water Quality criteria.
For cadmium, copper, trivalent chromium, lead, nickel, and zinc, this value represents the criteria for the dissolved form at laboratory conditions. The Criteria Continuous Concentration (CCC) is calculated using the equation:
CCC = (exp { me [ In (stream hardness)] + be}) (CCF)
CCF = Chronic Conversion Factor This equation and the appropriate coefficients for each metal are from Tennessee Rule 0400-40-03-.03 and the EPA guidance contained in The Metals Translator: Guidance For Calculating A Total Recoverable Permit Limit From a Dissolved Criterion (EPA 823-B-96-007, June 1996). Values for other metals are in the total form and are not hardness dependent; no chronic criterion exists for silver. Published criteria are used for non-metal parameters.
Column 3:
The "Acute" Fish and Aquatic Life Water Quality criteria. For cadmium, copper, trivalent chromium, lead, nickel, silver, and zinc, this value represents the criteria for the dissolved form at laboratory conditions. The Criteria Maximum Concentration (CMC) is calculated using the equation:
CMC = (exp { mA [ In (stream hardness)] + bA}) (ACF)
ACF = Acute Conversion Factor This equation and the appropriate coefficients for each metal are from Tennessee Rule 0400-40-03-.03 and the EPA guidance contained in The Metals Translator: Guidance For Calculating A Total Recoverable Permit Limit From a Dissolved Criterion (EPA 823-B-96-007, June 1996). Values for other metals are in the total form and are not hardness dependent. Published criteria are used for non-metal parameters.
Column 4:
The "Fraction Dissolved" converts the value for dissolved metal at laboratory conditions (columns 2 & 3) to total recoverable metal at in-stream ambient conditions (columns 5 & 6). This factor is calculated using the linear partition coefficients found in The Metals Translator: Guidance For Calculating A Total
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-26 of R-43 Recoverable Permit Limit From a Dissolved Criterion (EPA 823-B-96-007, June 1996) and the equation:
1
=
Ctotal 1 + { [Kpo] [ss<1+a)] [10"6] }
ss = in-stream suspended solids concentration [mg/L]
Linear partition coefficients for streams are used for unregulated (7Q10) receiving waters, and linear partition coefficients for lakes are used for regulated (1Q10) receiving waters. For those parameters not in the dissolved form in columns 2 & 3 (and all non-metal parameters), a Translator of 1 is used.
Column 5:
The "Chronic" Fish and Aquatic Life Water Quality criteria at in-stream ambient conditions. This criteria is calculated by dividing the value in column 2 by the value in column 4.
Column 6:
The "Acute" Fish and Aquatic Life Water Quality criteria at in-stream ambient conditions. This criteria is calculated by dividing the value in column 3 by the value in column 4.
Column 7:
The "Chronic" Calculated Effluent Concentration for the protection of fish and aquatic life. This is the chronic limit.
Column 8:
The "Acute" Calculated Effluent Concentration for the protection of fish and aquatic life. This is the acute limit.
Column 9:
The In-Stream Water Quality criteria for the protection of Human Health associated with the stream use classification of Organism Consumption (Recreation).
Column 10:
The In-Stream Water Quality criteria for the protection of Human Health associated with the stream use classification of Water and Organism Consumption. These criteria are only to be applied when the stream use classification for the receiving stream includes both "Recreation" and "Domestic Water Supply."
Column 11:
The In-Stream Water Quality criteria for the protection of Human Health associated with the stream use classification of Domestic Water Supply.
Column 12:
The Calculated Effluent Concentration associated with Organism Consumption.
Column 13:
The Calculated Effluent Concentration associated with Water and Organism Consumption.
Column 14:
The Calculated Effluent Concentration associated with Domestic Water Supply.
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-27 of R-43 The calculated chronic water quality effluent concentrations from Column 7 should be compared, individually, to the values calculated in Columns 12, 13, and 14 in order to determine the most stringent chronic permit limitations. The calculated acute water quality effluent concentrations from Column 8 should then be compared, individually, to values equal to two (2) times the values presented in Columns 12, 13, and 14 in order to determine the most stringent acute permit limitations. These water quality based limits should then be compared to any technology based (CFR or Tennessee "Rules") effluent limitations, and/or any previous permit limitations, for final determination of the permit limits.
WATER QUALITY CALCULATIONS FOR METALS AND OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES WATER QUALITY BASED EFFLUENT CALCULATIONS OUTFALL001 FACILITY: Nuclear Fuel Services PERMIT#:
TN0002038 Stream Stream Waste TI\\. Susp.
Hardness ivlmgin of (7Q10)
(30Q5)
Flow Solids (as CaCO3)
Saf.aly
- : '[MGDi, iMGDl*.
iMGDl *
. [mQill..
[njg/ij
[%]
124.100 180.000 100.000 14 32 50 1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
Stream Fish/Aqua. Life (F & AL) WQC F & AL-instream allowable Cale. Effluent Concentration 10 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-28 of R-43 11 12 13 Human Health Water Qualitv Criteria*
Bckgmd.
lab conditions Fraction ambient conditions {Tot) based on F & AL In-Stream Criteria Cale. Effluent Concentration""
Cone.
Chronic Acute Dissolved Chronic Acute Chronic Acute Oroanisms Water/Oraanisms DWS Organisms Water/Oroanisms PARAMETER
[ug/I)
[ug/I)
[ug/I)
[Fraction) rnn/1]
[ug/I)
[ug/I)
[ug/I)
[ug/I)
[ug/I)
[ug/I]
[ug/I]
[ug/I]
Copper (a,b) 5.152 3.383 4.593 0.328 10.303 13.991 8.35 12.48 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA Chromium Ill 73.418 29.149 224.085 0.199 146.836 1128.822 118.97 1219.29 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA Chromium VI 5.500 11.000 16.000 1.000 11.000 16.000 8.91 14.52 NIA NIA NIA N/A NIA Chromium, Total 78.918 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA N/A 100.0 NIA NIA Nickel (a,b) 24.957 19.834 178.575 0.397 49.914 449.392 40.44 488.06 4600.0 610.0 100.0 6417.54 831.54 Cadmium (a,b) 0.213 0.305 0.620 0.261 1.168 2.375 1.18 2.53 NIA NIA 5.0 NIA NIA Lead (a,b) 2.051 0.714 18.319 0.174 4.102 105.275 3.32 116.69 NIA NIA 5.0 NIA NIA Mercurv (T) (c) 0.020 0.770 1.400 1.000 0,770 1.400 0.85 1.56 0.051 0.05 2.0 0.05 0.05 Silver (a,b,e) 0.227 NIA 0.453 1.000 NIA 0.453 NIA 0.37 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA Zinc (a,b) 83.937 44.989 44.624 0.268 167.874 166.512 136.02 134.49 26000.0 7400.0 NIA 36324.46 10284.46 Cyanide (dl 2.600 5.200 22.000 1.000 5.200 22.000 4.21 23.04 140.0 140.0 200.0 193.66 193.66 Chlorine (T. Res.)
5.500 11.000 19.000 1.000 11.000 19,000 17.83 35.75 NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA a Denotes metals for which Fish & Aquatic Life Criteria are expressed as a function of total hardness.
b The criteria for this metal is in the dissolved form at lab conditions. The calculated effluent concentration is in the total recoverable form.
c The chronic criteria for mercury is not converted to dissolved, since it is based on fish tissue data rather than toxicity.
d The criteria for this parameter is in the total form.
e Silver limit is daily max if column 8 is most stringent.
f When columns 7 or 8 result in a negative number, use results from columns 5 or 6, respectively.
g When columns 12, 13 or 14 result in a negative number, use results from columns 9, 1 O or 11, respectively, as applicable.
- Domestic supply included in river use so pick from columns 7,8, 12,13, 14,15 or Domestic supply not included in river use so pick from columns 7, 8, 12 or 15.
- Water Quality criteria for stream use classifications other than Fish & Aquatic Life are based on the 30Q5 flow.
14 DWS
[ug/I)
NIA Chromium Ill NIA Chromium VI 68.97 Chromium, Total 117.54 Nickel(a,b) 6.81 Cadmium (a,b) 5.15 Lead (a,b) 2.78 Mercury (T) (c)
NIA Zinc (a,b) 277.66 Cyanide ldl NIA Chlorine (T. Res.)
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-29 of R-43 The maximum instream effluent mass were calculated using Fish & Aquatic Life criteria and the instream flow before any flow contributions from dischargers. The mass loads for these metals discharged by NFS and Erwin STP were calculated based on the values in the application and compared to these maximum loading rates. 100% of the MDL was used if the values are below detection, this provides a very conservative estimate for the total mass loading.
NoUchucky Water Quality Limitations Maximum lnstream Maximum lnstream Effluent Cone.
Effluent Mass EFFLUENT Chroric Acuie Chronic Acute CHARACTERJSTIC u;i11
~
lb/day lb/day Cadmium*
0.427 2.546 0.483 2.883 Copper*
10.303 13.991 11.665 15.840 Lead*
4.102 5.000 4.645 5.661 Nickel' 49.914 100.000 56.510 113.216 Silver' 0.000 0.453 NA 0.513 Zinc' 167.874 166.512 190.060 188.518 Mercu rv, fTl..
0.050 0.050 0.057 0.057 Chromium Ill 100.000 100.000 113.216 113.216 Chromium VI 11.000 16.000 12.454 18.114 Cyanide {T) "
5200 22.000 5.887 24.907 Antimony 5.600 5.600 6.340 6.340 Arsenic 10.000 10.000 11.322 11.322 Beryllium 4.000 4.000 4.529 4.529 Selenium 5.000 20.000 5.661 22.643 Thallium 0240 0.240 0.272 0.272
*- 1--
--- ~,
Erwin STP Daily Total Daily Mass i
i NFS Daily Mass Discharge I
Mass Discharge Discharge I
r------ --
t Percentage Percentage i
Average Daily Average Daily Average Daily Average Daily of Max.
of Max.
I Max.
Max.
Max.
Max.
Chronic Acute I
(g/day)
(g/day)
(lb/day)
(lb/day)
(lb/day)
(lb/day)
(lb/day)
(lb/day)
Allocation Allocation i
(%)
(%)
Cadmium 0.0636 0.0871 0.00014 0.000192 0.012 0.012 0.01214 0.012192 2.51 0.42 Copper 0.1948 0.7655 0.000429 0.001688 0.34 0.461 0.340429 0.462688 2.92 2.92 Lead 0.0613 0.1451 0.000135 0.00032 0.013 0.013 0.013135 0.01332 0.28 0.24 Nickel 0.2232 0.5355 0.000492 0.001181 0.017 0.013 0.017492 0.014181 0.03 0.01 Silver 0.0752 0.0871 0.000166 0.000192 0.013 0.013 0.013166 0.013192 2.57 Zinc 0.704 0.867 0.001552 0.001911 0.49 0.63 0.491552 0.631911 0.26 0.34 Mercurv 0.0062 0.0062 1.37E-05 1.37E-05 0.03 0.03 0.030014 0.030014 52.66 52.66 Chromium 0.4725 0.7914 0.001042 0.001745 0.012 0.012 0.013042 0.013745 0.01 0.01 Cyanide 0.434 0.741 0.000957 0.001634 0.14 0.18 0.140957 0.181634 2.39 0.73 Antimony 0.158 0.492 0.000348 0.001085 0.025 0.025 0.025348 0.026085 0.40 0.41 Arsenic 0.158 0.492 0.000348 0.001085 0.012 0.012 0.012348 0.013085 0.11 0.12 Bervllium 0.419 0.5276 0.000924 0.001163 0.012 0.012 0.012924 0.013163 0.29 0.29 Selenium 0.317 0.525 0.000699 0.001157 0.025 0.025 0.025699 0.026157 0.45 0.12 Thallium 0.095 0.158 0.000209 0.000348 0.012 0.012 0.012209 0.012348 4.49 4.54
1 2
3 Stream Dectection Lewis Bckgrnd.
Scan wac RDL Cone.
- EPA MDL PARAMETER
[ug/1)
[ug/11
[ug/lJ ANTIMONY 3.B 3.0 ARSENIC 1.0 1.0 BERYLLIUM 2.0 1.0 SELENIUM 5.0 2.0 1HALLIUM 5.0 ACROLEIN 0.0 50.0 1.0 ACRYLONTTRILE 0.0 so.a 1.0 BENZENE o.o 1.0 1.0 BROMOFORM o.o 1.0 1.0 CARBON TElRACHLORIDE o.o 1.0 1.0 CHLOROBENZENE o.o 1.0 CHLORODIBROM~METHANE o.o 1.0 CHLOROE1HANE o.o 1.0 2-CHLORO-ElHYLVINYL ElHER 0.0 1.0 CHLOROFORM o.o 5.0 0.5 DICHLOROBROM~ETHANE 0.0 1.0 1.0 1, 1-DICHLORDE1HANE 0.0 1.0 1.0 1,2-0ICHLOROETHANE 0.0 1.0 1.0 TRANS 1,2-0ICHLORO-,ElHYLENE 0.0 1.0 1, 1-0ICHLOROETHYLENE 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.2-DICHLOROPROPANE 0.0 1.0 1,3-DICHLORO..PRDPYLENE 0.0 1.0 1.0 ElHYLBENZENE 0.0 1.0 1.0 METHYL BROMIDE 0.0 1.0 METHYL CHLORIDE o.o 1.0 1.0 METHYLENE CHLORIDE 0.0 5.0 1.0 1.1,2,2-1ETRACHLORO-E1HANE 0.0 1.0 0.5 TETRACHLORO-ETHYLENE 0.0 1.0 0.5 TOLUENE o.o 1.0 1.0 1, 1, 1-TRICHLOROETHANE 0.0 1.0 1.0 101,2-TRICHLOROE1HANE 0.0 1.0 0.2 TRICHLORETHYLENE 0.0 1.0 1.0 VINYL CHLORIDE o.o 1.0 2.0 P-CHLORO-M-CRESOL 0.0 10.0 2-CHLOROPHENOL 0.0 10.0 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOL 0.0 10.0 2.4-DIMElHYLPHENOL 0.0 10.0 4,6-DINITRO-O-CRESOL o.o 10.0 24.0 2,4-DINTTROPHENOL o.o 10.0 42.0 2-NITROPHENOL 0.0 10.0 4-NITROPHENOL 0.0 10,0 WATER QUALITY BASED EFFLUENT CALCULATIONS OUTFALL 001 FACILITY: Nuclear Fuel Services PERMIT: TN0002038
- Stream, Stream Waste TU. susp.
Hardness f1Q10\\
130Q5l Flow SoUds fas caco:n
<MGDl IMGDI IMGDI Ima/II Im /11 124 180 O.Q16 14 32 5
I 6
7 I
B 9
Fish/Aqua. Life Calculated Effluent Margin of Safetv 1%1 50 10 I
11 I
12 Human Health Water Qualitv Criteria 13005) 13 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-30 of R-43 I
14 Water Qualitv Criteria Concentration In-Stream Criteria Calculated Effluent Concentration Chronic Acute Chronic Acute Qmanisms Water/Or DWS Omanisms Water/Orn DWS
[ug/1)
[ug/1)
Jug/I)
[ug/lJ
[uglll luwlJ lug/I)
[ug/11
[ua/1)
[ug/1) 640.0 5.6
- 6.0 3716449.0 32518.9 34841.7 150,0 340.0 600558.9 1361266.8 10.0 10.D 10.0 58069.5 58069.5 58069.S 4.0 23227.8, 5.0 20.0 20018.6 80074.5 50.0 290347.6 0.47 0.24 2.0 2729.3 1393.7 11613.9 290.0 190.0 1684016.0 1103320.8 2.5 0.51 14517.4 2961.5 510.0 22.0 5.0 2961545.3 127752.9 29034.8 1400.0 43,0 8129732.3 249698.Q 16.0 2.3 5.0 92911.2 13356.0 29034.8 1600.0-130.0 9291122.6 754903.7 130.0 4.0 754903.7 23227.8 4700.0 57.0 27292672.6 330896.2 170.0 5.5 987181.8 31938.2 NA NA NA NA NA.
NA 370.0 3.8 5.0 2146572.1 22066.4 29034,8 10000 140.0 100.0 58069516.1 812973.2 580695.2 150.0 5.0 5.0 671042.7 29034,8 29034.!I
.;,,210.0*c,
,, 3.4, 1219459.8 19743.6 2100 530.0 700.0 12194598,4 3077664.4 4064866.1 1500.0 47.0 8710427.4 272926.7 5900.0 46.0 34261014.5 267119.8 40.0 1.7 232278.1 9871.8 33.0 6.9 5.0 191629.4 40068.0 29034.8 15000 1300.0 1000,0 87104274.2 7549037.1 5806951.6 200.0 1161390.3 160.0 5.9 5.0 929112.3 34261.0 29034.B 300.0 25.0 5.0 1742065.S 145173.8 29034.8 24.0 0.25 2.0 139366.8 1451.7 11613.9 150.0 81.0 871042.7 4i0363.1 290.0 77.0 1684016.0 447135.3 850.0 380.0 4935908.9 2206641.6 280.0 13.0 1625946.5 75490.4 5300.0 69.0 30776843.5 400679.7
PENTACHLOROPHENOL o.o 10.0 5.0 15 19 60055,9 76070.8 30,0 2.7 1.0 174208.5 PHENOL 0.0 10.0 1700000 21000,0 9871817741.9 2,4,6-TRICHLOROPHENOL o.o 10.0 2.7 24.D 14.0 139366.8 ACENAPHTHENE 0.0 10.0 990.0 670.0 5748882.1 ACENAPHTHYLENE o.o 10.0 2.3 ANTHRACENE 0.0 10,0 0.7 40000 8300.0 232278064.5 BENZIDINE 0.0 50.0 0.0020 0,0009 11.614 BENZO(A)ANTHRACENE 0.0 10.0 0.3 0.18 0.038 1045.3 BENZO(A)PYRENE 0.0 10,0 0,3 0.18 0.038 0.2 1045,3 3.4 BENZO.J=LUORANTHENE 0.0 10.0 0.3 0.18 0.038 1045,J BENZO(GHl)PERYLENE o.o 10.0 BENZO(K)FLUORANTHENE 0.0 10.0 0.3 0.18 0,038 1045,3 BIS (2-CHLOROETHOXY} METHANE 0.0 10.0 BIS (2-CHLOROETHYL}-ETHER 0,0 10.0 1.0 5.3 0.30 30776,8 BIS (2-CHLOROlSO-PROPYL)
ETHER 0.0 10.0 65000 1400.0 377451B54.8 BIS (2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE 0.0 10.0 2.5 22.0 12.0 6,0 127752.9 4-BROMOPHENYL PHENYL ETHER 0.0 10.0 BUTYL BENZYL PHTHALATE 0,0 10.0 1900.0 1500.0 11033208.1 2-CHLORONAPHTHALENE 0.0 10.0 1600.0 1000.0 9291122.6 4-CHLORPHENYL PHENYL ETHER 0.0 10.0 CHRYSENE 0.0 10.0 2.5 0.18 0.038 1045.3 D1-N-BUTYL PHTHALATE 0,0 10.0 2.5 4500.0 2000.0 26131282.3 0I-N-OCTYL PHTHALATE 0,0 10.0 DIBENZO(A,H) ANTHRACENE 0.0 10.0 0.18 0,038 1045.3 1,2-0ICHLOROBENZENE 0.0 1.0 2.0 1J00.0 420.0 7549037.1 1,3-DJCHLOROBENZENE 0,0 5.0 2.0 960.0 320.0 5574673.5 1,4-DICHLOROBENZENE 0.0 5.0 2.0 190.0 63.0 1103320.8 J,3-0ICHLOROBENZJDINE o.o 10.0 0.28 0.2 1625.9 DIETHYL PHTHALATE 0,0 10.0 1.9 44000 17000,0 255505871.0 DIMETHYL PHTHALATE 0.0 10.0 1.6 1100000 270000.0 6387646774.2 2,4-DINITROTOLUENE 0,0 10.0 1.0 34.0 1.1 197436.4 2,6-0IN/TROTOLUENE o.o 10.0 1,2 DIPHENYLHYDRAZINE 0,0 10.0 2.0 0,4 11613.9 FLUORANTHENE 0.0 10.0 2.2 140.0 130.0 812973.2 FLUORENE 0.0 10.0 0.3 5300.0 1100.0 30776843.5 HEXACHLOROBENZENE o.o 10,0 1,9 0.0029 0,0028 1.0 16.840 HEXACHLOROBUTADIENE 0.0 10.0 5.0 180.0 4.4 1045251.3 HEXACHLOROCYCLO-PENTADIENE 0.0 10.0 1100.0 40.0 50,0 6387646.8 HEXACHLOROETHANE 0.0 10.0 0,5 33.0 14.0 191629.4 INOEN0(1,2,3-CO)PVRENE 0.0 10.0 0.18 0.038 1045.3 ISOPHORONE 0.0 10.0 9600 350.0 55746735.5 NAPHTHALENE o.o 10.0 NITROBENZENE 0.0 10.0 10.0 690.0 17.0 4006796.6 N-NITROSOD/.N-PROPYLAMINE 0.0 10.0 5,1 0.050 29615,5 N-NITROSODl* METHYLAMINE o.o 10.0 30.0 0.0069 174208.5 N-NITROSODI-PHENYLAMINE 0.0 10.0 60.0 33.0 348417,1 PHENANTHRENE 0.0 10.0 0.7 PYRENE 0,0 10.0 0,3 4000.0 830.0 23227806.5 1,2,4-TRICHLOROBENZENE 0.0 70,0 35,0 70.0 406486.6
- a. Columns 7-8, and 12-14 are the effluent concentrations allowable to prevent exceedence of water quality criteria.
- b. Potential to exceed criteria exists if the measured quantity in column 15 exceeds, or could exceed, the calculated allowable concentrations in columns 7-8, and 12-14.
- c. Additional testing !s required if the detection level used in the scan is higher than the state RDL and/or the MDL of the approW!d EPA scan method and industry is known to have that pollutant.
- d. All background concentrations for these volatile organic, acid-extractable, and base-neutral compounds are assumed zero in the absence or supporting monitoring data.
- e. Other metals for v.-hich data were proVlded on the application are evaluated on the Metals & Toxics spreadsheet.
- f. The downsheam hardness was calculated based on an application effluent hardness ol 133 mg/Land an upstream hardnesss of 66 mg/L.
- g. Reasonable potential does not exist ror the following reason(s):
The required MDL has been used and resulted in non-detection (BDL) or the contributing industrial processes are NOT likely to contain them.
Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale}
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-31 of R-43 15678,8 5807.0 121945!!83.9 81297,J 3890657.6 48197698.4 5.0 220.7 220.7 1161.4 220.7 220.7 1742.1 8129732.3 69683.4 34841.7 8710427.4 5806951.6 220.7 11613903.2 220.7 2438919.7 1858224.5 365838.0 1219,5 98718177.4 1567876935.5 6387.6 2090.5 754903.7 6387646.8 16.3 5807.0 25550.6 232278.1 290347.6 81297.J 220.7 2032433.1 98718.2 290.3 40.1 191629.4 4819769.8 203243.J 4064B6.6
APPENDIX 3 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-32 of R-43 PREVIOUS PERMIT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Outfall 001, Effluent Gross, All Year Code Parameter Qualifier Value Unit Sample Monitoring Statistical Type Frequency Base 00340 Oxygen demand, chem. (high
<=
370 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum level) (COD) 00400 pH
>=
6.0 SU Grab Once Per Daily Minimum Batch 00400 pH
<=
9.0 SU Grab Once Per Maximum Batch 00530 Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
<=
40 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00530 Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
<=
30 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly Batch Average 00545 Settleable Solids
<=
0.5 ml/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00610 Nitrogen, Ammonia total (as 30 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum N)
<=
Batch 00610 Nitrogen, Ammonia total (as
<=
20 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly N)
Batch Average 00630 Nitrite plus Nitrate (as N)
<=
420 Ibid Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00951 Fluoride, total (as F)
<=
20 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00951 Fluoride, total (as F) 15 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly
<=
Batch Averaqe 01002 Arsenic, total (as As)
Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 01027 Cadmium, total (as Cd)
<=
0.01 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 01034 Chromium, total (as Cr)
Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 01042 Copper, total (as Cu)
<=
1.0 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 01051 Lead, total (as Pb)
<='
0.1 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 01067 Nickel, total (as Ni)
Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 01077 Silver, total (as Ag)
<=
0.05 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 22708 Uranium, natural, total
<=
4.0 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 22708 Uranium, natural, total
<=
2.0 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly Batch Average 34475 Tetrachloroethylene Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum
50050 Flow Report 50050 Flow Report 50060 Chlorine, total residual (TRC)
<=
2.0 70295 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Report 71900 Mercury, total (as Hg)
<=
0.05 71900 Mercury, total (as Hg)
<=
0.00037 TAA3B LC50 Static 48Hr Acute Report Ceriodaphnia TAA6C LC50 Static 48Hr Acute Report Pimephales promelas
- 1) Flow shall be reported in Million Gallons per Batch.
MGD MGD mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-33 of R-43 Estimate Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Estimate Once Per Monthly Batch Average Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Monthly Batch Averaqe Grab Annual Minimum Grab Annual Minimum (2) pH and TRC analyses shall be performed within fifteen (15) minutes of sample collection.
(3) The chronic mercury limit shall apply only if the discharge of batches containing mercury occur four (4) or more consecutive days/week during the monitoring period; otherwise, only the daily maximum limit for batches containing mercury shall apply. If any individual analytical test result for mercury is less than the minimum quantification level (0.0002 mg/L), then a value of zero (0) may be used for DMR calculations and reporting requirements.
(4) The total residual chlorine limit is only applicable when chlorine is used in the treatment process.
(5) Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is only required to be sampled when a groundwater treatment system that contains PCE is discharging through Outfall 001.
Outfall 001
- Arsenic, total [as As],
Effluent Gross Daily max.
(mg/L) 10/31/2020 09/30/2020
<.01 08/31/2020 07/31/2020 06/30/2020
<.01 05/31/2020 04/30/2020 03/31/2020
<.002 02/29/2020 01/31/2020 12/31/2019
<.01 11/30/2019 10/31/2019 09/30/2019
<.01 08/31/2019 07/31/2019 06/30/2019
<.002 05/31/2019 04/30/2019 03/31/2019
<.01 02/28/2019 01/31/2019 12/31/2018
<.01 11/30/2018 10/31/2018 09/30/2018
<.002 08/31/2018 07/31/2018 06/30/2018
<.01 05/31/2018 04/30/2018 APPENDIX4 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-34 of R-43 HISTORICAL MONITORING AND INSPECTION
Cd],
- residual, Cr],
Cu],
thru treatment plant, Effluent Gross Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent Gross Gross Gross Gross Gross Weekly Daily max.
Daily max.
Daily max.
Daily max.
Monthly Weekly or average Daily (mg/L)
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
(mg/L) or total daily or geo.
max.
(MGD)
(MGD) mean (mg/L)
(m!:!/L)
<.0003 Not Required
<.0003 0.013558 0.014769
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.015
<.0003 0.01393 0.01491
< 1.4
<5
<.0003 Not Required 0.000541 0.013839 0.014733
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.0015 0.013899 0.014698
< 1.7
<5
<.0003 Not Required
<.003 0.000509 0.014144 0.01491
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.0015 0.014268 0.01505
< 1
< 1
<.0003 Not Required 0.00584 0.014008 0.01491
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.003 0.00998 0.014082 0.015192
< 1
<5
<.0003 Not Required 0.00911 0.014118 0.01491
< 1
<5
<.0003 Not Required
<.0003 0.013902 0.01491
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.015 0.00448 0.013648 0.014275
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.0015 0.014046 0.015333
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required 0.00264 0.013706 0.014627
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.015
<.0015 0.013617 0.014698
< 1 1.02
<.0015 Not Required 0.000428 0.013803 0.014839
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.0015 0.014393 0.015403
< 1
< 1
<.0003 Not Required
<.003 0.00785 0.01405 0.01491
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required 0.0146 0.01389 0.014627
< 1
< 1
<.0003 Not Required
<.0003 0.014145 0.01505
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.003 0.00838 0.013872 0.014769
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.0003 0.013723 0.01505
< 1 1.28
<.0003 Not Required
<.0003 0.01361 0.014487
< 1
< 1
<.0015 Not Required
<.003
<.0015 0.013605 0.014769
< 1
< 1
<.0003 Not Required 0.0076 0.013605 0.014416
< 1
< 1
<.0003 Not Required 0.00661 0.013598 0.014557
< 1
<5
<.0015 Not Required
<.003
<.0015 0.013697 0.014698
< 1.5
<5
<.0015 Not Required
<.0015 0.013608 0.014557
< 1
< 1
<.0003 Not Required
<.0003 0.013037 0.014134
< 1.4
<5
<.0003 Not Required
<.015 0.00396 0.013228 0.014346
< 1 1
<.0003 Not Required 0.00849 0.01373 0.014557
< 1.3
<5
<.0015 Not Required
<.0015 0.013605 0.014275
< 1
< 1
03/31/2018
<.002
<.0015 Not Required
<.003 02/28/2018
<.0003 Not Required 01/31/2018
<.0003 Not Required 12/31/2017 0.00755
<.0003 Not Required
<.003 11/30/2017
<.0003 Not Required 10/31/2017
<.0003 Not Required 09/30/2017
<.002
<.0015 Not Required
<.003 08/31/2017
<.0015 Not Required 07/31/2017
<.0003 Not Required 06/30/2017 0.00204
<.0003 Not Required
<.0003 05/31/2017
<.0015 Not Required 04/30/2017
<.0003 Not Required 03/31/2017
<.0017
<.0003 Not Required
<.003 02/28/2017
<.0003 Not Required 01/31/2017
<.0003 Not Required 12/31/2016
<.0085
<.0006 Not Required
<.003 11/30/2016
<.0003 Not Required 10/31/2016
<.0015 Not Required 09/30/2016
<.0017
<.0003 Not Required
<.002 08/31/2016
<.00011 Not Required 07/31/2016
<.00011 Not Required 06/30/2016 BDL BDL Not Required BDL 05/31/2016 BDL Not Required 04/30/2016 BDL Not Required Std. dev.
0.004 Min:
0.00204 Max:
0.00755
- ------**~-
Count:
18 55 55 18 Average:
0.005 Permit 0.01
2.0 limit
Ratio of long term average to limit 0.0015 0.00339 0.00592 0.00522 0.0128 0.0118 0.00164
<.0015 0.0081 0.00491
<.0015 0.00976 0.00388 0.000671 0.00808 0.000371 0.00465
<.00175 0.0138 0.00871 0.00502 0.00157 0.00596 BDL 0.004 0.000371 0.0146 55 0.006 1.0 0.005964857 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-35 of R-43 0.013262 0.013993
< 1 0.013548 0.014346
< 1 0.013238 0.014134
< 1.3 0.013045 0.014204
< 1 0.012982 0.013923
< 1 0.013388 0.01431
<2 0.013356 0.014204
< 2.3 0.013081 0.014416
< 1.3 0.013929 0.015107
< 2.3 0.013874 0.014627
< 1.31 0.013489 0.014487
< 1.7 0.013686 0.014557
< 1 0.013575 0.014487
< 1 0.013394 0.014134
< 1 0.013602 0.014557
< 1 0.014234 0.014487
< 1 0.013689 0.014451
< 1 0.014279 0.01491
< 1 0.014119 0.015015
< 2.1 0.014153 0.014769
< 2.2 0.014446 0.014698
< 1.6 0.014198 0.01498 BDL 0.014147 0.014769 BDL 0.014162 0.014733 BDL 0.000 0.000 0.012982 0.013923 0
0.014446 0.015403 0
55 55 55 0.014 0.015 15
< 1
< 1
<5
< 1
< 3.944
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1 1
<5
<5
<5 BDL 4
BDL 1
4 55 1.660 20 0.083
LC50 Static LC50 Static
Ceriodaphnia, Pimephales, Pb],
Effluent Gross Effluent Effluent Effluent Gross Gross Gross Weekly Monthly Monthly Daily average or Daily average or average or max.
max.
min.(%)
min.(%)
(mg/L) geo. mean (mg/L)
(mg/L) 10/31/2020
<.0005 Not Required 0.000279 09/30/2020
<.0005 Not Required
<.000293 08/31/2020
<.0005 Not Required 0.000274 07/31/2020
<.0025 Not Required 0.00017 06/30/2020
<.0005 Not Required 0.000287 05/31/2020
<.0005 Not Required 0.000508 04/30/2020
<.0005 Not Required 0.000495 03/31/2020
<.0005 Not Required 0.000194 02/29/2020
<.0005 Not Required 0.000096 01/31/2020
<.0005 Not Required 0.000085 12/31/2019 25 69.49
<.0025 Not Required 0.000074 11/30/2019
<.0025 Not Required
<.00007 10/31/2019
<.0025 Not Required
<.000065 09/30/2019
<.0025 Not Required
<.000065 08/31/2019
<.0005 Not Required 0.000065 07/31/2019
<.0005 Not Required
<.000065 06/30/2019
<.0005 Not Required 0.00009 05/31/2019
<.0005 Not Required 0.00011 04/30/2019
<.0005 Not Required
<.000065 03/31/2019
<.0005 Not Required 0.000069 02/28/2019
<.0005 Not Required 0.00012 01/31/2019
<.0005 Not Required 0.0001 12/31/2018 35.41 69.34
<.0025 Not Required 0.00011 11/30/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.00008 10/31/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.00021 09/30/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.00238 08/31/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.0004 07/31/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.00014 06/30/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.00035 05/31/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.0005 04/30/2018
<.0025 Not Required 0.0002 03/31/2018
<.0025 Not Required 0.00015 02/28/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.00014 01/31/2018
<.0005 Not Required 0.00014 12/31/2017 20.56 69.23
<.0005 Not Required 0.0002 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-36 of R-43
- Nickel, Nitrite+
total [as Nitrate total Nitrogen, ammonia Ni],
[as N],
total [as N], Effluent Effluent Effluent Gross Gross Gross Weekly Daily Weekly or average Daily max.
max.
or geo.
(mg/L) daily (Ibid) mean (mg/L)
(m~/L) 58.86 10.54 15
<.003 60.36 13.4 24 82.43 12.31 25 52.19 13.6 22 0.0221 82.2 15.45 24 72.58 9.94 18 58.58 11.75 18 0.00223 87.16 10.3 19 95.4 6.2 14 59.82 9.3 19
<.003 68.55 10.3 15 91.46 11.6 16 72.11 13.38 20
<.003 85.08 13.67 25 88.44 11.23 19 100.41 14.6 21 0.000765 93.66 12.08 17 62.32 13.58 22 99.02 13.46 19 0.0103 85.66 10 17 99.57 7.8 14 70.02 9.1 16 0.0101 88.43 12.1 23 123.98 11 18 91.84 13.13 25 0.00388 53.25 15.45 23 98.54 8.47 18 68.28 13.2 23 0.0155 67.57 9.23 18 63.67 11.69 20 76.79 14.5 24 0.00686 62.64 12.3 23 71.98 6.6 11 58.95 10.2 19 0.0124 59.14 11.2 19
11/30/2017
<.0005 Not Required 0.00025 10/31/2017
<.0025 Not Required 0.0002 09/30/2017
<.0025 Not Required 0.00037 08/31/2017
<.0025 Not Required 0.0002 07/31/2017
<.0005 Not Required 0.00016 06/30/2017
<.0005 Not Required 0.00021 05/31/2017
<.0005 Not Required 0.00013 04/30/2017
<.0005 Not Required 0.00038 03/31/2017
<.0005 Not Required 0.00019 02/28/2017
<.0005 Not Required 0.00024 01/31/2017
<.0005 Not Required 0.00032 12/31/2016 35.4
<.0005 Not Required 0.00017 11/30/2016
<.0005 Not Required 0.00025 10/31/2016
<.0005 Not Required 0.00018 09/30/2016
<.0005 Not Required 0.00014 08/31/2016
<.0025 Not Required 0.00014 07/31/2016
<.0005 Not Required
<.0001 06/30/2016 BDL Not Required 0.0009 05/31/2016 BDL Not Required 0.00019 04/30/2016 BDL Not Required 0.00018 Std. dev.
7.511 0.131 0.000 Min:
20.56 69.23 0.000065 Max:
35.41 69.49 0.00238 Count:
4 4
55 55 55 Average:
29.093 69.353 0.000
-~--
Permit 0.1 0.00037 0.05 limit:
Ratio of long term 0.00534 average to limit Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-37 of R-43 75.12 10.77 51.71 13.92 0.0208 79.15 12.5 122.19 7.6 119.79 13 0.0125 108.31 12.31 110.16 14.07 67.94 11.73 0.0105 116.88 8.4 77.57 10 84.44 12.2 0.00266 63.81 12.7 137.44 11.25 107.54 15.44 0.0176 77.61 13.1 24.57 4.31 2.99
<2 0.0145 14.68 BDL 103.78 6.64 96.2 12.7 0.007 25.774 2.495 0.000765 2.99 4.31 0.0221 137.44 15.45 18 55 55 0.011 79.142 11.421 120 20 17 22 23 14 21 17 22 19 19 22 19 20 24 23 24 14 2
8 25 21 4.444 2
25 55 19.255 30 0.659518182 0.57103774 0.641818182
- Silver, Solids, total [as settleable, pH, Effluent Gross Ag],
Effluent Effluent Gross Gross Monthly Daily max.
Daily Daily average or (SU) max.
max.
min. (SU)
(mg/L)
(mUL) 10/31/2020 6.66 8.31
<.0003
<.1 09/30/2020 6.91 8.29
<.0015
<.1 08/31/2020 7.35 8.3
<.0003
<.1 07/31/2020 6.62 8.24
<.0015
<.1 06/30/2020 7.01 8.21
<.0003
<.1 05/31/2020 6.83 8.7
<.0015
<.1 04/30/2020 6.88 8.44
<.0003
<.1 03/31/2020 7.19 8.3
<.0015
<.1 02/29/2020 7.16 8.53
<.0003
<.1 01/31/2020 7.02 8.49
<.0003
<.1 12/31/2019 6.86 8.58
<.0015
<.1 11/30/2019 7.01 8.56
<.0015
<.1 10/31/2019 6.95 8.06
<.0015
<.1 09/30/2019 7.29 8.12
<.0015
<.1 08/31/2019 6.97 8.14
<.0015
<.1 07/31/2019 7.08 8.19
<.0015
<.1 06/30/2019 6.83 8.95
<.0003
<.1 05/31/2019 7.59 8.36
<.0015
<.1 04/30/2019 7.47 8.69
<.0003
<.1 03/31/2019 7.18 8.43
<.0015
<.1 02/28/2019 7.62 8.62
<.0015
<.1 01/31/2019 7.02 8.86
<.0003
<.1 12/31/2018 7.15 8.3
<.0015
<.1 11/30/2018 7.12 8.51
<.0003
<.1 10/31/2018 7.26 8.54
<.0003
<.1 09/30/2018 7.13 8.43
<.0015
<.1 08/31/2018 6.99 8.32
<.0015
<.1 07/31/2018 6.61 8.04
<.0003
<.1 06/30/2018 7.09 8.38
<.0003
<.1 05/31/2018 7.41 8.4
<.0003
<.1 04/30/2018 7.31 8.27 0.0015
<.1 03/31/2018 6.71 8.2
<.0015
<.1 02/28/2018 6.77 8.41
<.0003
<.1 01/31/2018 6.98 8.38
<.0003
<.1 12/31/2017 7.32 8.3
<.0003
<.1 11/30/2017 7.27 8.45
<.0003
<.1
- Solids, total dissolved, Effluent Gross Daily max.
(mg/L) 9586.9 9074 9007 9924 11631.8 10502.5 11888 9949.7 8906.1 12321 11812.8 12813 12278.8 12091 9910 9641 10817.3 10677.9 10754 10117.5 8921.1 9371 12412.2 12655 11910.3 12275 10948 10174 12927.3 14920.8 13571 11700.5 10317 11783 10323.3 11835 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-38 of R-43 Solids, total Tetrachloroethylene, suspended, Effluent Effluent Gross Gross Weekly average Daily max.
or geo.
(mg/L)
Daily max. (mg/L) mean (mg/L)
< 10 16 9.7 16
<.000333 12.08 18 10.67 18 12.73 18
<.000333 12.69 22 11.83 18
< 9.2 17
<.000333 8.15 10 9.57 18 12.22 17
<.000333 13.2 20 12.38 30 10.11 15
<.000333 10.31 14 10.11 15 9.85 20
<.000333 10.33 16 9.46 15 12.79 28
<.000333 13.08 18 11.29 18 10.89 18
<.000333 12.67 18 10.4 16 14.09 20
<.000333 11.88 18 9.78 14 14.15 19
<.000333 13.38 20 14.08 26 11.09 24
<.000333 10.27 14 11.93 20 10.11 16
<.000333 10.15 16
10/31/2017 6.76 8.36
<.0003
<.1 09/30/2017 7.53 8.2
<.0015
<.1 08/31/2017 7.47 8.25
<.0015
<.1 07/31/2017 7.13 8.25
<.0003
<.1 06/30/2017 6.85 8.19
<.0003
<.1 05/31/2017 7.3 8.79
<.0015
<.1 04/30/2017 7.11 8.75
<.0004
<.1 03/31/2017 6.8 8.77
<.0004
<.1 02/28/2017 7.04 8.74
<.0004
<.1 01/31/2017 7.24 8.53
<.0004
<.1 12/31/2016 7.27 8.58
<.0008
<.1 11/30/2016 7.42 8.26
<.0004
<.1 10/31/2016 7.2 8.45
<.0004
<.1 09/30/2016 6.62 8.57
<.0004
<.1 08/31/2016 6.98 8.68
<.0002
<.1 07/31/2016 7.16 8.57
<.0002
<.1 06/30/2016 7.32 8.32 BDL BDL 05/31/2016 6.9 8.3 BDL BDL 04/30/2016 6.86 8.13 BDL BDL Std. dev.
0.254 0.212 Min:
6.61 8.04 0.0015 Max:
7.62 8.95 0.0015
~---~-.---*-------
Count:
55 55 55 55 Average:
7.083 8.418 0.002
~ --~ --------
Permit 6.0 9.0 0.05
0.5 limit
Ratio of long term 1.180545455 0.935333333 0.03 average to limit 13988.5 11638 10711 13404 9752.8 11093.6 11501 10701.1 8726.3 11745 9860.8 12953.1 12263.9 9536 5356 4432 5206.4 7396.8 10676 2032.911 4432 14920.8 55 10739.838 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-39 of R-43 10.15 19 9.42 16
<.0003 9.2 16
<10 22
< 9.94 16
<.000333 9.71 18 8.18 10 9.5 17
<.000333 8.83 12 10.75 19 9.33 14
<.000333 10.38 17 12 20 8.4 12
<.0003 8.15 10
<8 8
BDL 8
BDL 8.27 11 8.6 12 1.694 4.354 8.15 8
14.15 30 5
55 18 10.781 16.964 30 40 0.35938095 0.424090909
Uranium, total, Effluent Gross Weekly average Daily max.
or geo.
(mg/L) mean (ma/L) 10/31/2020
<.75
<.9 09/30/2020
<.76
<.9 08/31/2020
<.75
<.9 07/31/2020
<.9
<.9 06/30/2020
<.77
<.9 05/31/2020
<.83
< 1.3 04/30/2020
<.83
<.9 03/31/2020
<.77
<.9 02/29/2020
<.78
<.9 01/31/2020
<.74
<.9 12/31/2019
<.74
<.9 11/30/2019
<.86
<.9 10/31/2019
<.85
<.9 09/30/2019
<.81
<.9 08/31/2019
<.78
<.9 07/31/2019
<.77
<.9 06/30/2019
<.72
<.9 05/31/2019
<.88
<.9 04/30/2019
<.81
<.9 03/31/2019
<.74
<.9 02/28/2019
<.82
<.9 01/31/2019
<.89
<.9 12/31/2018
<.79
<.9 11/30/2018
<.72
<.9 10/31/2018
<.75
<.9 09/30/2018
<.79
<.9 08/31/2018
<.79
<.9 07/31/2018
<.81
<.9 06/30/2018
<.79
<.9 05/31/2018
<.76
<.9 04/30/2018
<.72 0.9 03/31/2018
<.74
<.9 02/28/2018
<.79
<.9 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-40 of R-43 Oxygen
- demand, chem. [high level]
[COD],
Effluent Gross Daily max.
(mg/L) 315 242 186 231 268 296 344 244 260 256 291 329 268 266 206 235 250 285 231 232 286 305 330 292 294 256 213 168 281 309 358 332 216
01/31/2018
<.87 12/31/2017
<.81 11/30/2017
<.83 10/31/2017
<.9 09/30/2017
<.9 08/31/2017
<.9 07/31/2017
<.9 06/30/2017
<.9 05/31/2017
<.9 04/30/2017
<.9 03/31/2017
<.9 02/28/2017
<.9 01/31/2017
<.9 12/31/2016
<.9 11/30/2016
<.9 10/31/2016
<.9 09/30/2016
<.9 08/31/2016
<.9 07/31/2016
<.9 06/30/2016 BDL 05/31/2016 BDL 04/30/2016 BDL Std. dev.
Min:
-~-~*-~*
Max:
Count:
55 Average:
Permit
2.0 limit
Ratio of long term average to limit
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9
<.9 BDL BDL BDL 55 4.0 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-41 of R-43 252 370 323 360 278 274 311 278 257 304 288 294 256 216 334 292 259 163 50 72 167 296 62.287 50 370 55 264.891 370
- 0. 715921376
APPENDIX 5 Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-42 of R-43 NEW PERMIT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Outfall 001, Effluent Gross, All Year Code Parameter Qualifier Value Unit Sample Monitoring Statistical Type Frequency Base 00340 Oxygen demand, chem. (high
<=
370 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum level) (COD) 00400 pH
>=
6.0 SU Grab Once Per Daily Minimum Batch 00400 pH
<=
9.0 SU Grab Once Per Maximum Batch 00530 Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
<=
40 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00530 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 30 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly
<=
Batch Averaqe 00545 Settleable Solids
<=
0.5 ml/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00610 Nitrogen, Ammonia total (as 30 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum N)
<=
Batch 00610 Nitrogen, Ammonia total (as
<=
20 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly N)
Batch Averaqe 00630 Nitrite plus Nitrate (as N)
<=
420 Ibid Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00951 Fluoride, total (as F)
<=
20 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch 00951 Fluoride, total (as F)
<=
15 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly Batch Average 01002 Arsenic, total (as As)
Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 01027 Cadmium, total (as Cd)
<=
0.01 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 01034 Chromium, total (as Cr)
Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 01042 Copper, total (as Cu)
<=
1.0 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 01051 Lead, total (as Pb)
<=
0.1 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 01067 Nickel, total (as Ni)
Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 01077 Silver, total (as Ag)
<=
0.05 mg/L Grab Monthly Daily Maximum 22708 Uranium, natural, total 4.0 mg/L Grab Once Per Daily Maximum
<=
Batch 22708 Uranium, natural, total
<=
2.0 mg/L Grab Once Per Monthly Batch Averaqe 34475 Tetrachloroethylene Report mg/L Grab Quarterly Daily Maximum 50050 Flow Report MGD Estimate Once Per Daily Maximum Batch
50050 Flow Report 50060 Chlorine, total residual (TRC)
<=
2.0 70295 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Report 71900 Mercury, total (as Hg)
<=
0.05 71900 Mercury, total (as Hg)
<=
0.00037 TAA3B LC50 Static 48Hr Acute Report Ceriodaphnia TAA6C LC50 Static 48Hr Acute Report Pimephales promelas
- 1) Flow shall be reported in Million Gallons per Batch.
MGD mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L Nuclear Fuel Services (Rationale)
NPDES Permit TN0002038 Page R-43 of R-43 Estimate Once Per Monthly Batch Average Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Daily Maximum Batch Grab Once Per Monthly Batch Averaqe Grab Annual Minimum Grab Annual Minimum (2) pH and TRC analyses shall be performed within fifteen (15) minutes of sample collection.
(3) The chronic mercury limit shall apply only if the discharge of batches containing mercury occur four (4) or more consecutive days/week during the monitoring period; otherwise, only the daily maximum limit for batches containing mercury shall apply. If any individual analytical test result for mercury is less than the minimum quantification level (0.0002 mg/L), then a value of zero (0) may be used for DMR calculations and reporting requirements.
(4) The total residual chlorine limit is only applicable when chlorine is used in the treatment process.
(5) Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is only required to be sampled when a groundwater treatment system that contains PCE is discharging through Outfall 001.
ENCLOSURE C NPDES PERMIT TNR050873 STORM WATER DISCHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES (3 pages to follow) 21G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150
TN r:.1 11:11*,,1 ()I Environment &
--- Conservation Tennessee Division of Water Resources (DWR)
Permits Documents Permit Appeals Moratoriums Complaints Inspections Eng. Plans Hydrologlc Del.
Exceptional Waters Ambient Monitoring QLP Data Oil & Gas Wells Q) Search Guidance and Help Link 0WR Permits In Tennessee Qv 1 - 1 of 1 Permit No TNR050873 1 - 1 of 1 Go
~
Row text contains 'TNR050873' V
Status not in 'Inactive. Withdrawn'
$He Nama Nuclear Fuel Services.
Im..
Permjttee Name i=-
Nuclear Fuel Services.
Inc.
Rows 50 X
X Actionsv Project Name ferm.!LTY.~
Status Rating NIA
.!.l!wilm 1205 Banner Hill Road Erwin If you have any questions or comments, email our staff at Water Permits@tn,gQY or call at (BBB) B91-TDEC (8332).
Count~
EFO Name Unicoi Johnson City Issuance 19-JUL-2020 Effective 20.IUL-2020
_glli!filiM_
30-JUN-2025 II
~~~i~~~~nt &
Conservation
State of Tennessee DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES William R. Snodgrass - Tennessee Tower 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1102 MS. B. MARIE MOORE NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES, INC.
15N200054 GOV0501 NPDES PERMIT TNR050873 EFFECTIVE:7/21/2020 EXPIRES:7/20/2022 DISTRIBUTION: ____
REG SVS BULLETIN BOARD NOA LEB RJF RJFr JMG DRH RMK DAL FXM BWM MW,M BMM AAM CSM JWN Ri<R bMR WRS JAS MJT RDW e-copy: bmmoore@nuclearfuelservices.com Tennessee Multi-Sector Permit (TMSP)
Notice of Coverage Fact Sheet New Tennessee's general industrial stonnwater discharge permit, also known as the Tennessee Multi Sector Permit (fMSP), became effective on July 20, 2020, for a period of two years. You are receiving this document because your name has been associated as an 'official contact' or 'facility contact,' affiliated with the TMSP permit tracking number TNR050873. If you receive more than one email from us, it means you are affiliated with more than one tracking number.
Previous TMSP reflected the 2015 federal Multi Sector General Pennit (MSGP), which expired on June 4, 2020. EPA has proposed a 2020 MSGP that is fundamentally different from the previous permit and from Tennessee's 2015 TMSP. The comment period for the federal MSGP ended June I, 2020, and the final pennit is not anticipated until November 12, 2020.
Rather than wait for EPA's final 2020 permit to inform Tennessee's new permit, we decided to reissue the 2015 TMSP, unchanged, for a term of two years. This will provide an opportunity to review the final federal pennit prior to proposing any changes to the TMSP. Reissuing the 2020 TMSP for a two-year term will avoid impacting new industrial facilities who would be unable to receive permit coverage without an active TMSP in Tennessee.
If you have coverage under the current TMSP and plan to maintain it in this permit cycle, we are providing you with an updated Notice of Coverage (NOC) for the two-year reissuance period.
If you have coverage under the current TMSP but no longer need it, submit the appropriate documentation (No Exposure Certification Form or Notice of Tennination) immediately. If you have coverage under the cmTent TMSP, but realize that NOC information should be updated (e.g., facility name, location, receiving stream, contacts), submit an updated Notice of Intent (NOi) form to Water.Permits@tn.gov. All TMSP forms and links to other resources can be found here:
https :i /wwvv. tn. gov /envii'.onment/permit-perm its/water-permits I /npdes-permits.1 /npdes-stonn water-pcnn itti ng-program/ripdes-i ndustrial-stonnwa tcr-general-permi t. html If you have any questions, contact us at 1-888-891-TDEC or by email at f,Vater.Permrts@tn.gov.
Sincerely, Water-Based Systems Unit Division of Water Resources
STATE. OF TENNESSEE Tracking No. TNR050873 Notice of Coverage under the General NPDES Permit for STORM WATER DISCHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY (TMSP)
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES William R. Snodgrass - Tennessee Tower 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1102 Under authority of the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act of 1977 (T.C.A. 69-3-l O l et~-) and the delegation of authority from the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 1251, et~.):
Discharger:
is authorized to discharge:
from a facility located at:
Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.
storm water associated with industrial activity 1205 Banner Hill Road in Erwin, Unicoi County to receiving waters named:
Martins Creek (mile marker N/A), and Nolichucky River (mile marker 95) in accordance with efCTuent limitations, monitoring requirements and other conditions set forth herein.
Coverage under this general permit shall become effective on July 21, 2020, and shall expire on June 30, 2022.
Notice of Coverage Issuance date: July 20, 2020 Applicable Sector(s): C P
A link to the copy of the TMSP, as well as permit requirements is at:
hllps://www.tn.gov/en vi ronment/perm it-perm its/water-permits l /n pdes-perm its I /npdes-stormwater-pcrm i tting-program/i1pdes-industrial-stormwater-g.enera l-pern1 it.html CN-0759 RDA 2366
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ENCLOSURE D TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION RARE SPECIES DATABASE REVIEW AUGUST 20, 2021 (5 PAGES TO FOLLOW) 21 G-22-0079 GOV-01-55-04 ACF-22-0150
I 15N210095 STATE OF TENNESSEE GOV0501 NRC SUPPLEMENT ENV RPT TNNHP_2021-288 8/20/2021 RARE SPECIES DATABASE REVIEW DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION August 20, 2021 Bessie Marie Moore Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.
1205 Banner Hill Road Erwin, TN 37650 Division of Natural Areas Natural Heritage Program William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor Nashville, Tennessee 37243 Phone 615/532-0431 Fax 615/532-0046
Subject:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Supplemental Environmental Report (36.130327, -82.43312)
Unicoi County, TN Rare Species Database Review
Dear Ms. Moore:
Thank you for your correspondence of 15 July 2021 requesting a ran: species database review for your Nuclear Regulatory Commission Supplemental Environmental Report for Nuclear Fuel Services, lnc. in Erwin, Unicoi County, Tennessee. The property boundaries for this project are delimited by Berkshire Drive to the southwest, Carolina Avenue to the east, Banner Springs Road to the north, and tbc CSX railway/Oxide Lane to the west. The property area also includes Parcel No. 086 031H A 004.07 on the west side of the CSX railway, at the end of Banner Springs Road. No new operations or development arc planned outside of the boundaries described above.
Per your submittal:
The Supplemental Environmental Report is being prepared to support NFS' SNM-124 license amendment request to include NFS' Uranium Purification and Conversion Services. The SNM-124 license allows the operation of the NFS Erwin facility. The prima,y licensed activity is the production of nuclear fuel for the United States Navy.
We have reviewed the state's natural heritage database with regard to the project boundaries, and we find that the following rare species have been observed previously within one mile of the project area:
Type Scientific Common Global St.
Fed.
St.
Habitat Name Name Rank Rank Prot.
Prot.
Vascular Diervil/a Mountain sessilifolia var.
Bush-G3 52 T
Dry Cliffs and Bluffs Plant rivularis honeysuckle Vascular Herac/eum Cow-parsnip GS 52 5
Moist Woods and Floodplains Plant maximum
TNN HP _2021-288 _NuclearFuelServiceslnc _ SupplcmcntalEnvRcportforNucRcgCommis _ UnicoiCounty _ TN Page 2 Scientific Global St. -
Fed.
St.
Type Common Habitat I
Name Name Rank Rank Prot.
Prot.
Vascular Southern Trillium rugelii Nodding G4 S2 E
Rich Mountain Woods Plant Trillium Vascular Tsuga Carolina
- G2G3 S3 T
Dry Ridges Hemlock i
Plan_t cgr_9/iniana
.I Vertebrate Carpiodes Highfin G4GS S2S3 D
Large rivers, mostly in Animal ve/ifer Carpsucker Tennessee River drainage. _
Outcrops, cliffs, talus Vertebrate Neotoma Allegheny Animal magister Woodrat G3G4 S3 D
slopes, crevices, sinkholes, I'
caves & karst.
Large-moderate size Vertebrate Percina Tangerine headwater tribs to G4 S3 D
Tennessee River, in clear, Animal aurantiaca Darter fairly deep, rocky pools, usually below riffles.
Within four miles of the project area the following additional rare species have been rep01ied:
Common Global St.
Fed.
st. --
Type Scientific Name Name Rank Rank Prot.
Prot.
Habitat Vascular Adlumia fungosa Climbing G4 S2 T
Rich Mesic Woods Plan,t Fumito(y Vascular Buckleya Piratebush G3 S2 T
Rocky Mountain Plant distichophyl/a Woods W/ Hemlock Vascular Calamagrostis Porter's G4 51 E
Rich Mountain Woods I
Plant porteri Reedgrass Vascular American Castanea G3 S2S3 s
Mesic to Dry Forests Plant dentata Chestnut Vascular Coryda/is Pale GS S1S2 s
Dry or Rocky Woods Plant sempervirens Corydalis Vascular Cymaphyflus Fraser's G4 S3 s
Mixed Mesophytic
__ Plant fraserianus Sedge Forests v*ascuf~ir Spinulose Dryopteris GS S1 T
Bogs Plant carthusiana Shield Fern Vascular Dwarf Moist Plant Goodyera repens Rattlesnake-GS S1 5
Conifer/Rhododendron plantain Woods I
Vascular Helianthus White-leaved G3G4 S1 T
Dry Open Woods Plant glaucophyllus Sunflower I
Vascular Hexastylis Virginia G4 52 5
Sandy or Rocky Woods i Plant
_ virginica ____
Heartleaf Vascular Lysimach-ia Wet Prairies and-Swamp GS Sl E
Plant terrestris Loose strife 5.)!llamps Vascular Oenothera Northern Plant parvijlora Evening-GS S1 s
Disturbed Open Areas primrose Vas-cular Spiraea Virginia G2 S2 LT E
Stream Bars and Plant virginiana Spiraea Ledges I
Vascular Stachys Clingman's G2 S1S2 T
Mountain Clearings Plant c/ingmanii Hedge-and Meadows
TNNHP _2021-288 _NuclcarFuclScrviccslnc_SupplementalEnvReportforNucRegCommis_ UnicoiCounty _ TN Page 3 i Ccimmon Global St.
Fed,,
C Type Scientific Name St.
Habitat Name Rank Ran_k_
!>rot.
Prot.
I nettle I
Symphyotrichum '
Vascular White Plant ericoides var.
Heath Aster GSTS S1 E
Barrens eric9ides Vascular Woodsia Alleghany Plant I
scopulina ssp.
Cliff-fern G4 S1S2 s
Mountain Cliffs appa/achiana Tsuga International caroliniana -
Carolina
- Rare, Vegetation Pinus (rigida, Hemlock G2 SNR Not
- Classification Foreset State
- pungens,
- Natural I
virginiana)
(Pine Type)
Listed I
Forest I
International Terrestrial Southern Southern
- Rare, Not Ecological Appalachian Appalachian GNR SNR i
System Spray Cliff Spray Cliff State Classification Listed Large creeks/small rivers with stable coarse sand and gravel Invertebrate :
Alasmidonta Appalachian Gl Sl LE E
substrates with cobble Animal raveneliana Elktoe
& boulders; upper Tennessee River watershed.
Leaf litter, rotting logs,
- Rare, talus in mixed i
woodland; may be Invertebrate lnflectarius Velvet Not G2G3 S2 arboreal; mid to upper Animal subpal/iatus Covert State elevations of Blue Listed Ridge; Carter & Unicoi I
counties.
- Rare, Moist leaf litter on Invertebrate Paravitrea White-foot Not wooded hillsides; Animal tridens Supercoil G2 S2 State '
northeast Tennessee; Ridge & Valley and Listed Blue Riqge.
Fields, edges, and I
- Rare, openings in moist, rich, Invertebrate Speyeria diana Diana
- , G2G3 S3 Not
forested mountains Animal Fritillary State: and valleys; Blue Ridge I
Listed
& Cumberland Plateau 1,
generally.
Leaf litter, logs, talus in I
Rare,,
mixed woodland, Invertebrate Stenotrema Highland G3 S2?
Not spring fed slopes;
-Animal altispira Slitmouth State higher elevations of Listed central & N Blue Ridge; northeast Tennessee.
I I
I
TNNHP _'.2021-288 _NuclearFuelServices[nc _ SupplementalEnvReportforNucRegCornmis_ UnicoiCounty _ TN Page 4
- Global St.
Fed.
St.
Type Scientific Name Common Habitat Name Rank Rank Prot.
Prot.
- Rare, I Aquatic cave obligate; Invertebrate Stygobromus A Cave Not northern Blue Ridge I
Obligate G2G3 Sl Animal barryi Amphipod State mountains; Unicoi Listed County.
In leaf litter and on
- Rare, logs in upland forests Invertebrate
! Smallmouth Not I
with limestone Animal Vertigo parvu/a V_ertigo G3 S2S3
- outcrops or talus; Blue State I
Listed Ridge; Washington &
Unicoi counties.
Hydric soils in beech-Vertebrate Condy/ura Star-nosed GS S2 D
! maple-birch forests at Animal cristata Mole I
higher elevations in I:
the Appalachians.
Vertebrate Cryptobranchus No
- Rocky, clear creeks and Animal alleganiensis Hellbender G3 S3 Status E
rivers with large shelter rocks.
, Seepage areas, springs, Carolina
- Rare, small streams, & wet Vertebrate Desmognathus Mountain G4 S2S3 Not rock faces; spruce-fir Anima[
carofinensis Dusky State forest floor; Blue Salamander Listed Ridge; Cocke, Greene, I
Unicoi Cos.
- Rare, Strongly flowing water Vertebrate Etheostoma Sharphead Not in riffles and chutes of G3 S2S3 large upland creeks Animal acuticeps Darter State and medium-sized Listed rivers.
Cave obligate year-Vertebrate Myotis Gray Myotis G4 S2 LE E
round; frequents Animal grisescens forested areas; I
migratory.
Eastern Hibernates in caves &
Vertebrate Small-mines; also uses Animal Myotis /eibii footed G4 S2S3 D
abandoned buildings, Myotis
~ridges, and barns seasonally.
Rich woods under downed logs, rocks, Vertebrate Plethodon Weller's leaf litter; spruce-fir, Animal we/leri
. Salamander G3 S2 D
birch-hemlock, and primarily deciduous forests of NE Blue Ridge.
I i
The Division of Natural Areas - Natural Heritage Program has reviewed the location of the proposed project workspace with respect to rare plant species. Based on the habitat within the project area and the type of project, we do not anticipate any impacts to occurrences of rare, threatened, or endangered plant species from this project.
We ask that you coordinate this project with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (Region 4, Rob Lindbom, 423-587-703 7, dcn11is.lii1dbom(ro,t.n.g,ov,). to ensure that legal requirements for protection of state
TNNHP _2021-288 _NuclearFue!Serviceslnc _ SupplcmentalEnvRcportforN ucRegCommis_ UnicoiCounly _ TN Page 5 listed rare animals are addressed. Additionally, we ask that you contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Field Office, Cookeville, Tennessee (931-525-4970) for comments regarding federally listed species. Please ensure that best management practices to address erosion and sediment are implemented and maintained during construction activities. Note that the General Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit states that "use of monofilament-type erosion control netting or blanket is prohibited in the stream channel, stream banks, or any disturbed riparian areas within 30 feet of top of bank." Where necessary and feasible, we encourage use of biodegradable netting under the CGP (Construction General Stonnwater Pem1it) as well.
Thank you for considering Tennessee's rare species throughout the planning of this project. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 615-532-4799 or dillon.blankenshiprcl.Ytn.!!OV.
Sincerely, Dillon Blankenship I Environmental Review Coordinator Tennessee Natural Heritage Program