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.7 4:-J! CENTRAL VALLEY REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD - INSPECTION REPORTI",-."'-L" DISCHARGER: J.R. Simplot Company LOCATION & COUNTY: Lathrop, San Joaquin County CONTACT(S): Donna Murphy and Bill Baterton INSPECTION DATE: 27 April 2000 INSPECTED BY: Kim A. Schwab, Associate Engineering Geologist ACCOMPANIED BY: n/a OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS- Arrived at I pm. The weather was warm and dry with gusty winds. Ms. Donna Murphy, Environmental I'D Specialist and Mr. Bill Baterton and I toured the three Class E surface impoundments and the stormwater pond in a company van. I took still photos bf the ponds and sump. Wastewater pond water was choppy due to the high winds. The 'wind contained suspended-solids which-could settle in the ponds as sediment. All three Class H ponds were full, but met the freeboard requirement of 2 feet per',NIDRs Order No. 97- 229, Discharge Specification B.11. We observed water discharging from a large diameter-pipe into the largest oftiie three Class H surface impoundments. Du'cks were'sitting on the edge-of the northeastern pond, as well as'in'the water. Ms. Murphy stated that the wastewater was dyed blue to enhance evaporation. We walked d6wn conct6te steps' to the sump area where potable water piping and wastewater piping day1ight'from'an'ufid.ergroiihd tunnel. The.tunn6l extends from the J.R. Simplot . process plant, under Howlafid'R6adJoAhe' sump area. The siimp-was.open to the emir6nment-so rainwater could impact the area. -There was a'ls6'a-small —2-foot square sump, of unknown depth,,which 'Contained murky, colored water. A high water/leak detection device was on the concrete flooring which is designed to alert the plant if water rises to a certain level. Piping that carries waste water is made of fiberglass. There was other metal piping which was severely rusted from exposure to the elements. Ther'e were no leaks from the piping during this inspection. Plant personnel inspect the ponds-and-piping every shift. The plant nms 24 hours a day. Furthermore,the plant has a dedicated potable water well installed adjacent to the ponds. One of the surface impoundments had two discharge pipes exposed above the water line. One pipe was dripping liquid into the pond. Mr. Bill Bateriton stated the two pipes were abandoned and should not be dripping. He stated that he would look into the situation. The unlined stormwater pond, which is south of the largest Class 11 surface impoundment, had very little water ponded. Ms. Murphy stated that a farmer uses the water for irrigation on adjacent land. The area around the ponds was barren of vegetation; therefore, sand was easily picked up by the gusty wind and suspended particles in the air. Mr. Murphy stated that the County Mosquito Abatement District required that they keep the vegetative growth to a minimum.