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Site IDParent SiteLocationCountyEFO
5635Copper Basin Utility2597 Hwy 68PolkChattanooga

Inspection Details

104956
5635
TN0059935
11/17/2021
Compliance Assistance
In Compliance
Amy Francis and I met with the certified operators at Copper Basin Utility District WTP today to provide some technical assistance regarding their filter backwash permit and total residual chlorine violations. The operators are working on reducing the chlorine in the discharge and returning to compliance with the permit. The plan moving forward is to determine the MDL for TRC on their spectrophotometer at the water plant. They will attach the MDL and supporting documentation to their next netDMR (November). Likely for this method (DPD colorimetric) the MDL will be between 0.05 and 0.08, which is greater than the permit limit of 0.032.

We also looked at the sampling location to see if that was an issue. They had been collecting the samples from within the pond rather than from the actual outfall. Future samples will be collected from the pond outfall discharge point. TAUD is also assisting the utility and they have begun feeding dechlorination tablets in one of the ponds. The operators are investigating whether they have the ability to operate the ponds in series, which will allow them to hold the water for a longer period of time. Currently the ponds are used alternately. The utility is also planning to have sludge removed from the ponds to see if that will help them hold onto the water for a longer period of time between discharges allowing for more time for the chlorine to react with the dechlorination tablets and/or dissipate naturally.