Beaver River Beaver River Watershed Watershed PCB Investigation PCB Investigation Technical Committee Technical Committee Meeting Meeting October 20-21, 2009 October 20-21, 2009
Jan 13, 2016
Beaver River Beaver River Watershed Watershed
PCB InvestigationPCB Investigation
Technical Committee Technical Committee MeetingMeeting
October 20-21, 2009October 20-21, 2009
PCB TMDL BackgroundPCB TMDL Background
Completed Ohio River PCB TMDL in 2002Completed Ohio River PCB TMDL in 2002 Entire WV border (277 river miles)Entire WV border (277 river miles)
Mainstem TMDL onlyMainstem TMDL only Basin is too large and data is too limited to Basin is too large and data is too limited to
address issue with a single TMDL for entire address issue with a single TMDL for entire watershedwatershed
Assigned allowable loadings to major Assigned allowable loadings to major tributariestributaries
Follow-up tributary TMDLs/source reductions Follow-up tributary TMDLs/source reductions necessary to meet WQS in the Ohio Rivernecessary to meet WQS in the Ohio River
Current ChallengeCurrent Challenge
The contamination is wide-spreadThe contamination is wide-spread TMDL required for the entire Ohio RiverTMDL required for the entire Ohio River
Identifying specific sources has been Identifying specific sources has been difficultdifficult Sampling indicates POTWs and numerous types Sampling indicates POTWs and numerous types
of industrial facilities may discharge PCBsof industrial facilities may discharge PCBs Thousands of potential sources spread over Thousands of potential sources spread over
basinbasin Need to focus on a smaller scaleNeed to focus on a smaller scale
Select tributary sub-basin to focus effortsSelect tributary sub-basin to focus efforts
Tributaries of ConcernTributaries of Concern AlleghenyAllegheny MonongahelMonongahel
aa BeaverBeaver MuskingumMuskingum KanawhaKanawha GuyandotteGuyandotte SciotoScioto Great MiamiGreat Miami GreenGreen WabashWabash
Identified tributaries of Identified tributaries of concern based on high-concern based on high-volume sample resultsvolume sample results
Ranked according to yield Ranked according to yield and loadand load
Why the Beaver River Why the Beaver River Watershed?Watershed?
Needed smaller area to focus source Needed smaller area to focus source identification effortidentification effort 3,130 square miles (Ranks 143,130 square miles (Ranks 14thth of Ohio R. tribs) of Ohio R. tribs) Beaver River has elevated PCB levelsBeaver River has elevated PCB levels Highest single sample concentration (19,300 Highest single sample concentration (19,300
pg/L)pg/L) Highest average concentration (11,700 pg/L)Highest average concentration (11,700 pg/L) Fourth highest load Fourth highest load Highest PCB yieldHighest PCB yield Interstate tributaryInterstate tributary
Tributary PCB LoadsHarmonic Mean Flow
0
10
20
30
40
50
60A
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Mon
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Bea
ver
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ater
Cum
berla
nd
Ten
ness
ee
PC
B L
oa
d (
g/d
ay
) Trib Load
Tributary PCB YieldsHarmonic Mean Flow
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000A
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Mo
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Be
ave
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PC
B Y
ield
([u
g/d
ay
]/S
q.
Mil
e)
Trib Load per Sq. Mile
Beaver Basin Beaver Basin ImpairmentsImpairments
Beaver River (Main stem)Beaver River (Main stem) Entire 21.49 miles listed as impaired by PCBsEntire 21.49 miles listed as impaired by PCBs TMDL completed 2001 for lower 3.8 milesTMDL completed 2001 for lower 3.8 miles
MahoningMahoning Lower 82 miles listed as impaired by PCBsLower 82 miles listed as impaired by PCBs
ShenangoShenango Lower 33.1 miles listed as impaired by PCBsLower 33.1 miles listed as impaired by PCBs TMDL completed in 2001 TMDL completed in 2001
ConnoquenessingConnoquenessing Not listed as impaired by PCBsNot listed as impaired by PCBs
Inventory of Potential Inventory of Potential SourcesSources
National Priority List (Superfund)National Priority List (Superfund) 6 NPL sites6 NPL sites
Toxics Release InventoryToxics Release Inventory 2 facilities2 facilities
267 potential sources based on SIC267 potential sources based on SIC These are facility types which were These are facility types which were
found by DRBC to discharge significant found by DRBC to discharge significant levels of PCBs levels of PCBs
Met with Ohio EPA and PA DEP Met with Ohio EPA and PA DEP personnel to discuss sources and personnel to discuss sources and sampling approachsampling approach
Proposed Sampling Proposed Sampling ApproachApproach
Phased sampling approachPhased sampling approach Conduct initial round of samplingConduct initial round of sampling Subsequent rounds based on previous resultsSubsequent rounds based on previous results Focus in on hot-spots Focus in on hot-spots
First round of samplingFirst round of sampling Sample each tributary near mouthSample each tributary near mouth
Beaver, Mahoning, Shenango, ConnoquenessingBeaver, Mahoning, Shenango, Connoquenessing Add additional sites based on sources and Add additional sites based on sources and
impaired segmentsimpaired segments Following rounds would allow for Following rounds would allow for
bracketing of potential sourcesbracketing of potential sources
Sampling (continued)Sampling (continued) Use high-volume water samplingUse high-volume water sampling
May only need to filter 250 to 500 May only need to filter 250 to 500 litersliters
Would allow for 2 samples to be Would allow for 2 samples to be collected each daycollected each day
Sampling ScheduleSampling Schedule Begin sampling in November 2009Begin sampling in November 2009 Takes 4 weeks for preliminary resultsTakes 4 weeks for preliminary results Select round 2 sites based on resultsSelect round 2 sites based on results Round 2 in early 2010Round 2 in early 2010 Repeat as budget allowsRepeat as budget allows Must be completed by June 30, 2010Must be completed by June 30, 2010
Questions or Questions or Comments?Comments?