Document O3DjOr4RYEv6VMwmGJD3Vq8KX

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 4 ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 61 FORSYTH STREET ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960 ELECTRONIC MAIL CONFIRMATION OF E-MAIL RECEIPT REQUESTED Mr. Dino Heathcott Plant Manager Solmax Geosynthetics 1245 Eastland Avenue Kingstree, South Carolina dheathcott@solmax.com 29556 Re: Industrial User Reconnaissance Inspection Report Dear Mr. Heathcott: Thank you for the time and cooperation extended to the representative of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4 during the February 23, 2022, inspection of the Solmax Geosynthetics facility in Kingstree, South Carolina. Enclosed is a copy of the report for this inspection. If you have any questions about the report, please contact Mr. David Phillips at (404) 562-9773 or via email at phillips.david@epa.gov. Sincerely, Digitally signed by Castillo, Jairo Date: 2022.05.04 Castillo, Jairo 15:15:26 -04'00' Jairo Castillo, Chief Wastewater Enforcement Section Water Enforcement Branch Enclosure cc: Mr. Brian Wisnewski South Carolina DHEC Internet Address (URL) http://www.epa.gov United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Clean Water Act - Reconnaissance Inspection Report PT - Solmax - 022322 NPDES No. N/A SECTION A: Data System Coding MO/DAY/YR Inspection-Type Lead Inspector 2/23/2022 ROS (Reconnaissance David Phillips without Sampling) Facility-Type Unpermitted Industry SECTION B: Basic Field Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected: Entry Date/Time: Permit Effective (For industrial users, add recipient's NPDES permit number) 2/23/2022 10:55 AM Date: N/A Solmax Geosynthetics Exit Date/Time: Permit Expiration 1245 Eastland Avenue Kingstree, South Carolina 29556 Receiving POTW: SC0035971 2/23/2022 11:45 AM Date: N/A Facility Representative(s) / Title / Contact Info: Other Facility Data / Permits Held: Mr. Dino Heathcott, Plant Manager SC00023200035 (CAA Minor) SCRNE0895 (Stormwater - No Exposure) Facility Responsible Official / Contact Info: Additional Inspectors / Agency / Department: Mr. Dino Heathcott, Plant Manager (843) 201-1513 dheathcott@solmax.com Ms. Lori Baxley / SCDHEC / Columbia Mr. Danny Nicholas / SCHDEC / Columbia Ms. Shauna Stevens / SCDHEC / Myrtle Beach SECTION C: Areas Evaluated Permit Potential for Discharge Regulated Processes Industrial Pretreatment System Record keeping Compliance Self-monitoring Compliance Self-reporting Compliance Municipal Sewage Treatment System Slug Discharge Controls Monitoring Data Self-Monitoring Equipment Solids Handling/Disposal Compliance with Enforcement Other: Action - See attached Section D. SECTION D: Summary of Findings / Comments Lead Inspector Digital Signature: DAVID PHILLIPS Digitally signed by DAVID PHILLIPS Date: 2022.05.04 15:26:21 -04'00' Supervisor Digital Signature: Digitally signed by Castillo, Jairo Date: 2022.05.04 Castillo, Jairo 15:15:40 -04'00' ECAD Unit / Phone Number / E-mail WEB/WES - (404) 562-9773 - phillips.david@epa.gov ECAD Unit / Phone Number / E-mail WEB/WES - (404) 562-9257 - castillo.jairo@epa.gov Page 1 of 3 PT - Solmax - 022322 (Continued) Section D: Summary of Findings / Comments On February 23, 2022, the EPA was accompanied by SCDHEC representatives to conduct an unannounced Reconnaissance Inspection (RI) of the Solmax Geosynthetics facility located at 1245 Eastland Avenue in Kingstree, South Carolina. The inspectors were greeted by Mr. Dino Heathcott, the facility's Plant Manager, and presented credentials. This RI was conducted in support of a broader investigation of the pretreatment program that the receiving publicly owned treatment works (POTW) is authorized to implement. The EPA interviewed Mr. Heathcott to learn more about the facility's processes and potential for discharge before conducting a brief inspection of the facility, which was not in full production at the time. The following is a summary of the RI findings and observations. I. Records/Reports The EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online system indicates this facility holds a minor Clean Air Act permit (SC00023200035) and does not hold a CWA direct discharge permit. The facility has a state noexposure certification for its stormwater. The POTW servicing the vicinity (SC0035971) has not been reporting the facility to SCDHEC as an industrial user, or as a user requiring an individual pretreatment permit. II. Facility Site Review The facility representative shared that Solmax Geosynthetics, also known as Solmax, is a specialty thermoplastic non-woven geotextile manufacturer. The facility produces polypropylene structural products for clients in the landfill and landscaping industries. The resins employed in production are purchased rather than being produced onsite (i.e., Part 414 exempt). There are three primary product lines: netting/matting, felts, and bentonite GCL. The netting/matting production began in 2000. Resins for that process are acquired in the form of pellets that are melted and extruded into the netting and matting products. The felts production began in 2002; bailed poly-fibers are received and then pressed into felt. The bentonite GCL matting production began in 2012, which is an entirely dry process. Sodium bentonite is used for producing an underlayment. The facility representative conveyed that the matting process uses a quench pit that is filled with water. The quench water and pollutants that it may acquire are cycled into a storage tank outside the production building until it is reused together with make-up water. Any losses associated with the quench tank are evaporative. Production additives are not introduced to the pit or the quench water itself. The facility also employs an evaporative cooling tower. The facility representative pointed out a bypass valve on the cooling tower that was observed to be locked out. It was explained that, approximately 18 years prior, the valve had been opened errantly so now it is secured. Page 2 of 3 The facility representative, present since operations began in 2000, stated the POTW has never asked Solmax to complete a wastewater survey or user permit application. III. Findings/Recommendations The production wastewater generated at Solmax Geosynthetics is recycled and is not discharged to the POTW. Non-contact water may discharge, but the facility has taken material steps to prevent the occurrence. Present operations offer a low risk of any process discharge to the POTW; pretreatment control is therefore unnecessary at this time. Notwithstanding these findings, the authorized POTW pretreatment program should have surveyed the facility to evaluate its potential for a discharge prior to production in 2000, and thereafter with each successive production expansion. The facility's account suggests this did not occur. - END OF REPORT - Page 3 of 3