Document zoZ4qamvyLGZbjeQGK1QM2oKz

Conoco Chomiculs Continonliil Oil Comp-iny P.O. Box nos Wostlako. Louisiana 70669 <3U`) 491-621 1 October 21, 1977 Ms. Adlene Harrison Regional Administrator U.S. Environmental Proto ction Agency Region VI, Permits Bren db (6 AEP) 1201 Elm Street , First International Bui ding Dallas, TX 75270 RECEIVED OCT 2 5 1977 Dear Ms. Harrison, In accordance with the conditions of the Continental Oil Company - VCM Plant's NI-'DES Permit Mo LA 0003476 we are informing your office that the daily maximum limitation for ammonia discharge in waste water at outfall serial number 001 was e> ceeded on October 17 and October 19, 1977. A. Description of the Iion-Complying Discharge Waste water discharged from the VCM Plant's secondary treatment system at outfall serial n Jmber 001 showed an ammonia concentration of 78.3 pounds of ammonia or|) October 17, 1977 and 96.3 pounds of ammonia on October 19, 1977. Daily allowable maximum provided for in the plant's NPDES permit is 68 pounds of ammonia per day. B. Cause of Non-Compliance Aqueous ammonia is bdded to the secondary treatment system to enhance biological performai) ce. The aqueous ammonia is continuously added to the treatment unit Jbased on average COD loading of the wastewater treatment process, At the time of non-compliance an additional amount of ammonia was being added to the system on a test basis in an attempt to eliminate a filamlentous growth forming in the activated sludge unit, An unexpected two-fbid decrease in COD loading of the unit caused the non-compliance to o ccur related to the ammonia parameter. C. Period of Non-ComnV ance Non-compliance was ndicated in the 24 hours composite sample taken on October 17, 1977 (i e., from 0300 October 16 to 0300 October 17, 1977.) The 24 hr. composite of October 19 also indicated non-compliance, (i.e., from 0300 0c ober 18 to 0300 October 19, 1977). VVC 000012040 Ms. Harrison Page 2 The 24 hr. composi to collected on October 20, 1977 (i.e., from 0300 October 19 to 0300 October ?0, 1977) indicates the ammonia non-compliance related to daily maximum po jnds has been corrected. D. Steps Taken to Reduce, Eliminate and Prevent Recurrence Immediate action ta en when effluent sample showed ammonia non-compliance was to stop all amm nia addition to the secondary unit. Temporary pumps and hosing were ins tailed to divert part of the effluent stream to a temporary holding pd nd for reprocessing when ammonia levels return to normal. The 'pi ant tis investigating the potential of installing an ammonia analyzer on the effluent water to monitor ammonia levels on a continuous basis. Should further informatji on be required please contact G. L. Foshee, Chief Process Engineer at (31 3) 491-5062. Sincerely, Plant Manager br cc: R. A. LeFleur Executive Secretary Louisiana Stream Control Commission Drawer F.C. University Station Baton Rouge, LA 70803 BCC: REL-D, -JEC-CRH-J0G-PLF- GLF-JD VVC 000012041