Publication Summary

Ecology conducted a Class II Inspection at the Seattle Steel Mill on September 11- 13, 1989.

Ecology conducted a Class II Inspection at the Seattle Steel Mill on September 11- 13, 1989. Copper, nickel, and lead in the effluent leaving the mill site (at the junction box) exceeded Washington State marine water quality criteria. Holding pond water reused by the mill, junction box wastewater and wastewater leaving the Seattle Steel property (at the existing NPDES monitoring site) were all contaminated with PCBs at concentrations greater than marine water quality chronic criteria. Holding pond sludge and junction box and ditch sediments at the existing NPDES monitoring site were characterized by a high oil and grease content. All were contaminated with PCBs at concentrations above draft Washington State soil cleanup standards (Ecology, 1990). Sediments at the junction box also exceeded EP Tox dangerous waste criteria for cadmium and lead. Marine sediments collected at the outfall failed both the chemical (for total PCBs and copper) and biological criteria set forth in proposed Washington State sediment quality standards. Recommendations are made regarding the PCB and metals contamination on the mill property and wastewater monitoring parameters that should be included in the next NPDES permit.