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MEMORANDUM TO: Stan R. Phillippe DATE: 9 July 1980 FROM: Frank 0. McDermott SUBJECT: Spreckels Sugar Mill, Manteca, San Joaquin County On 19 June 1980, I inspected the wastewater facilities at the subject sugar mill with Mr. Lee Lofton, Acting Plant Manager. Mr. A. K. Boyden, Jr. , Plant Manager, was on vacation. As usual, the odor generated at the sugar mill was strong and offensive. The odor could be detected on Austin Road east of Highway 99, approximately 1.5 miles from the plant site. Strong odors emanating from the wastewater holding ponds and the cattle feed lot contributed greatly to the odor conditions. Late in May 1980, the lime kiln cooling tower collapsed. Also, operational problems with a water clarifier were experienced. These unit malfunctions increased the wastewater loadings to the holding ponds and field irrigation operation. Under normal operation of the holding ponds, Pond 119 plus a leveler pond for gravity flow irrigation, would be in service. Due to increased wastewater flow, Pond 1110 was full and in service, and emergency Ponds 119 and 118 contained about 1 foot of wastewater. The surface aerators for Ponds 119 and 1110 were on the pond levee. They were taken out of service because they exerted an electrical overload on the present power supply system. The power supply system capacity will be increased to ser- vice the needs of the surface aerators. At the time of my inspection, a number of barrels of the masking agent "En-Vaid" were observed on the pond levee. How- ever, the proportional pump feeding the masking agent was not operating. I do not believe the masking agent can control the very intense odors from these ponds. The cattle feed lot odor was also quite intense and similar to the odor generated at the wastewater holding ponds. The similarity may be due to the sugar beet pulp fed to the cattle. It is my understanding that sugar beet pulp is nonoffensive in a dry state, however, is quite odiferous in a wet state. A previous inspection found ponding in the irrigated field adjacent to Highway 99. Photos were taken and are on file. The intense odor generated at the sugar mill may be alleviated by the installation and the continous operation of the surface aerators, an investigation of feed lot management practices, and efficient operation of irrigated land to prevent ponding. My inspection finds the discharge in threatened violation of Board Order No. 77-247 which states in part: