ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
    February
    27,
    .1975
    OLIN
    CORPORATION,
    JULIET
    BLOCKSON
    WORKS,
    Petitioner,
    vs.
    PCB
    73—82
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,
    Respondent
    -
    George
    E.
    Buliwinkel, Attorney
    for
    Petitioner
    John T. Eernbom, Attorney for Respondent
    OPINION AND ORDER OF
    THE
    BOARD
    (by Mr. Henss):
    Petitioner seeks
    a variance extension with regard to the
    fluoride concentration in its sewer effluent.
    Z~tthe time the
    Petition was filed, the effluent standard
    (Rule 408, Water Pollution
    Regulations) was 2.5 mg/i of fluoride.
    The variance previously
    granted by the Board allows a concentration of
    20 mg/i fluoride
    in the effluent of the Joliet Blockson Works.
    That variance
    expired December
    1,
    1973.
    Petitioner cites
    the following:
    1.
    There is
    a petition before the Board
    (R73-15)
    which proposes an increase in the allowable fluoride
    concentration of effluents,
    and which casts doubt on
    the fluoride standard in Rule 408.
    2.
    The U.
    S. EPA has undertaken to issue effluent
    guidelines applicable
    to Olin’s Joliet Plant, which
    might include fluoride limits different from the Boards.
    3.
    The U.
    S. EPA has recently proposed guidelines
    for
    the Iron and Steel Industry which state that the “best
    available technology” will be able to reduce fluoride
    effluents only to
    a range of 4.2 mg/i
    to 10.4 mg/i
    (maximum
    daily average over
    30 consecutive days) and to
    a maximum
    single day composite of between 8.4 mg/i and 20.8 mg/i.
    This technology is based on the same lime treatment process
    planned by Olin.
    15—
    551
    —2—
    4.
    The installation and operation of the lime
    treatment process
    for fluoride removal will result
    in the generation of
    35 tons/day of CaF2 sludge,
    the
    disposal of which will pose a further problem.
    5.
    An affidavit signed by one of Olin’s process
    engineers indicates
    that the fluorides
    in the plant
    effluent have been at times and can be in the future
    drastically reduced by means of in—plant controls.
    Presently the fluoride concentration in the effluent
    is between
    10 mg/i and 20 mg/i for a monthly period and
    has been kept as low as
    7.5 mg/i for a period of seven
    days.
    The engineer estimates with
    a 95
    degree of
    certainty that the fluoride concentration can be re-
    duced to between
    4 mg/i and 8 mg/i through in—plant
    controls without the addition of a lime treatment
    facility.
    6.
    In order to be in compliance with the 2.5 mg/i
    standard by December 31,
    1974, purchase orders for the
    equipment would have had to be placed by April
    1,
    1974.
    Cost would be $1.4 million.
    The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency recommends that
    the variance be granted.
    We agree that Petitioner should be relieved of the necessity
    to proceed with the installation of the lime treatment facility
    at this time.
    Olin has the ability to reduce the fluoride con-
    centration in its effluent through in-piant controls.
    The
    generation of
    35 tons/day of sludge should be avoided if possible.
    A change in the fluoride standard is imminent (See R73-l5)
    and it appears that Olin will be able to comply with the new
    standard without the large expenditures
    of funds which are dis-
    cussed in this case.
    Under all of the circumstances we believe it would be un-
    reasonable to require Olin to meet the 2.5 mg/i fluoride standard.
    We will extend the variance for just a short time into the future
    and upon termination of this variance we will expect Olin to meet
    the new standard for fluoride which will be established in R73-l5.
    Of great significance
    in this proceeding is the fact that the
    water quality of the Des Plaines River, which receives the effluent
    of the Joliet Blockson Works has not exceeded the water quality
    standard of 1.4 mg/i fluoride.
    We would not wish to authorize
    any variance which would have the effect of violating the water
    quality standard for fluoride in the Des Plaines River.
    Petitioner abandoned
    a request that it be granted
    a variance
    for its discharge of lead.
    15—552
    —3—
    The fluoride variance will be granted to March
    31,
    1975.
    This Opinion constitutes the findings of fact and conclusions
    of law of the Illinois Pollution Control Board.
    ORDER
    It is the Order of the Pollution Control Board that
    Petitioner, Olin Corporation, be granted a variance from Rule
    408 with respect to the fluoride concentration in the effluent
    of the Joliet Biockson Works
    from December 1,
    1973 until
    March 31,
    1975.
    The following conditions shall be met:
    1.
    The concentration of fluoride in the effluent
    of the Joliet Blockson Works shall not exceed 20 mg/l
    fluoride.
    2.
    The effluent of the Joliet Blockson Works shall
    not cause or contribute
    to
    a violation of the water
    quality standard for fluoride in the Des Plaines River.
    ~,
    Christan L. Moffett, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control
    Board, hereby certify t1~eabove Opinion and Order was adopted
    this
    .~i4”
    day of
    ,
    1975 by
    a vote of
    4/
    toO
    15 —553

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