Publication Summary

A Class II Inspection was conducted at the Inland Empire Paper Company (IEP) in Spokane, Washington, on September 10-13, 1990. The inspection was conducted in order to evaluate compliance with the NPDES permit limits.

A Class II Inspection was conducted at the Inland Empire Paper Company (IEP) in Spokane, Washington, on September 10-13, 1990. The inspection was conducted in order to evaluate compliance with the NPDES permit limits.

The effluent met NPDES permit requirements for BOD5, TSS, pH, rainbow trout bioassay, and discharge. Copper was found at 17.4 mg/L, slightly above the chronic water quality criteria. Mercury was found in the effluent at the level of 0.052 mg/L, which is above the chronic water quality criterion. Hexavalent chromium was detected in the effluent at 0.202 mg/L and 0.023 mg/L levels, which are also above acute and chronic water quality criteria. No effluent or receiving water toxicity was indicated by rainbow trout, Daphnia pulex, Ceriodaphnia dubia, fathead minnow larvae, or Microtox. No volatile organics, pesticides/PCBs, or BNAs were detected in sludge samples. However, a number of metals including chromium, copper, nickel, zinc, barium, and aluminum were detected. Resin/fatty acids and phenol were also detected in sludge. IEP and Ecology lab results from split samples for parameter analysis agreed well. Several remedial actions were recommended to address problems noted during the inspection.