HomeMy WebLinkAbout972859.tiffCOLORADO
July 16, 1997
Mike Cervi
Northern Colorado Brine
P.O. Box 169
Sterling, Colorado 80203
Dear Mr. Cervi:
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
1517 16TH AVENUE COURT
GREELEY, CO 80631
ADMINISTRATION (970) 353-0586
HEALTH PROTECTION (970) 353-0635
COMMUNITY HEALTH (970) 353-0639
FAX (970) 356-4966
IOW
Weld County Planning flDept
JUL 1 8 19S7
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On June 19, 1997., a representative of the Environmental Protection Division (the Division) of
the Weld County Health Department inspected Northern Colorado Brine, located at 10600 Weld
County Road 54, Milliken, in Weld County, Colorado. The purpose of the inspection was to
inspect and assess the facilities compliance with the "Regulations Pertaining to Solid Waste
Disposal Sites and Facilities" (the Regulations) as promulgated by the Solid Waste Disposal
Sites and Facilities Act, Title 30, Article 20, Part 1, C.R.S., as amended, and the Operational
Standards as set forth in USR-540:83:3.
On this date, it was observed that the facility's day-to-day operations were in substantial
compliance with the "Regulations Pe . -inIn to Solid -Waste Disposal Sites and Facilities" and
the Operational Standards as set fort i • USR-540:8 :3. However, one observation was made
which requires additional clarification and information. It is as follows:
1) The liner in Pond C appeared to have been recently dug up. According to the facility
operator, Herb Ikenouye, liquid nitrogen had been added and disked into the soil in order
to enhance remediation. As we have indicated in previous correspondence, due to the
potential for comprising the pond liner, prior to placing waste in Pond C, as well as pond
D and E, you must submit a testing plan to both this office and the Solid Waste Section of
the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) for review and
approval. The results of any future testing must be reviewed and approved by the Weld
County Health Department and the CDPHE prior to use of the ponds.
We recommend that prior to conducting additional remediation on the site, a
comprehensive remediation plan should be submitted to both the Division and the
CDPHE for review and approval. Submittal of such a plan will allow us to review and
comment on the plan in order to provide some assurance that the remedial activities will
not have to be duplicated sometime in the future.
91185B
PL co59
Mike Cervi
July 16, 1997
Page 2
In addition, the Division is concerned about one additional item According to Section 4 5 7 and
other citations m the facility's design and operations plan, "there is no existing groundwater
beneath the site other than that which might exist below the Pierre Shale " However, records
on file in our office indicate that groundwater is present m the underdram Therefore, the
presence of water in the facility underdram indicates a liner failure In accordance with
Development Standard 7 F of USR-540 83 3 the Division requests that the ongin of the water in
the underdram be determined
As you are aware Development Standard 7.F. states
"In the event it is concluded that the evaporation ponds are leaking or liquid waste is
detected in the seepage detection system, the County and State Health Departments shall
be notified immediately Receipt of all waste -at the facility shall be discontinued until it
can be determined by the State or County Health Department, from evidence presented by
the operator or State/County Health Departments, which pond(s) is leaking The
defective pond(s) shall be drained and repairs completed immediately in accordance with
Operation Standard Seven (7)B "
As you are aware, we have also made this request in previous letters dated November 14, 1996,
May 1, 1997, and May 22, 1997 Please submit a comprehensive response to this letter,
including a plan for the determination of the origm of the water in the underdram no later than
August 1, 1997 Agam, I must advise you that failure to address the above items will leave us no
choice but to recommend to the Weld County Planning Department that they consider scheduling
this facility for a probable cause hearing
I would recommend that we meet in the very near future so that we can discuss our concerns with
the underdram at the facility If you would like to meet or if you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to call me at (970) 353-0635, extension 2232
Sincerely,
I
Trevor Jincek
Supervisor
Environmental Protection Services
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cc• Todd Hodges, W.C Planning Department
Roger Doak, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Lee Morrison, W C Attorneys Office
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