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If it is assumed that both the May and September results are representative, the following basic conclusions can be offered. ( 1) The low levels of chlorinated organics measured in • the September sampling seem to indicate that the problem observed in May, 1985 is not an ongoing or routine occurence. Since chlorination practices were constant during the period in question, it is highly unlikely that chlorination of the cooling water caused the formation of the subject organics. • Additionally, the low levels of chloroform (a common organic byproduct of chlorination) in the September sampling tend to discourage the notion that chlorinated organics are being formed through chlorination of the cooling water. • ( 2) The low concentrations of the subject organics in the September sampling implies that these constituents are not being introduced in the well supply water. ( 3) Based on conversations with the power plant super- visor, the cooling water system is closed with the exception of the "cold" and "hot side" reservoirs. No solvents are used in the cleaning or maintenance of the condenser tubes or other components of the cooling water system. The presence of chlorinated organics and phthalates in the May sample must • therefore have been introduced into the reservoirs in some fashion. The power plant supervisor has no knowledge of practices in or around the reservoirs which would have resulted in such contamination. Recommended Actions • Since the existence of the problem has not been firmly established, it is recommended that the next samplings from the cooling water system be taken at the "cold side" and "hot side" reservoirs and that sampling of the individual supply wells not be performed unless the "cold side" results show that the • compounds are present. The rationale for this recommendation is that the "cold side" sample represents a composite of the discharge from the supply wells. It is therefore possible to assess the quality of the supply water in one rather than five samples. If the "cold side" sample shows no problems , the well • sampling will not be required. Since each well sample is estimated to cost between $600 and $900 (depending on -the analyses performed and the laboratory used) , it seems reasonable to approach this concern in this fashion. It is also recommended that the EPA 606 ( Phthalate Esters ) • analysis be substituted for the EPA 625 analysis on the "cold side" sample, since the constituents of concern identified in the May, 1985 sample were all phthalates. 7 •