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Commission Minutes
GREENWOOD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE
October 11, 2006
Called meeting
The called meeting of the
Greenwood Metropolitan Commission was held Wednesday,
October 11, 2006 at 2:30 p.m., in the Training Room of
Greenwood Metropolitan District Technical Service Facility,
110 Metro Drive.
In
attendance:
Bob Haynie Richard
Coleman Jamie Peeler
Gene Hancock George
Martin Steve Pohlman
Michael G. Monaghan Brian Waldrep
Tim Fender
Henry Watts Tony
Williamson Travis Williams
Bryon Smith Roy
Hemphill John Lake
I.
Chairman Haynie called the meeting to order.
II.
Chairman Haynie gave the statement of compliance with
the notification provision of the Freedom of Information
Act.
III.
Show Cause Hearing for Greenwood Plating
Mr. Fender stated Greenwood
Fabricating and Plating’s (GF&P) reason for requesting a
show cause hearing. Mr. Fender said that they are here
because of the notice of violations GF&P received in late
August which had a $4000 civil fine attached to the letter.
The letter also called for additional tests at three
different sampling points. Mr. Fender said that GF&P had
questions about GF&P’s responsibility for the three sample
sites including GF&P’s discharge points. GF&P wanted to
state for the record that for the last seven years they have
had a good discharge record. GF&P began to notice some
problems with the membrane, which normally lasts for five to
seven years. GF&P had begun discussing with Metro what the
new permit limits would consist of. GF&P knew that the
permit limits would come down, but they did not know when it
was time to replace the membranes. While they were
discussing those items with Metro, GF&P noticed more
frequent failure of the membranes so they had to replace
about half of the unit. GF&P replaced those membranes and
ran primarily from the new half. They wanted to wait to
replace the other half until after they talked to the
Pretreatment Department of Metro. They wanted to discuss
the new silver limits. GF&P has replaced the other half of
the membranes. In June, GF&P had an issue of a discharge
that bypassed their system. Eaton Electrical sent a
discharge to GF&P that they did not know about, but was
responsible for. It was ten days after the discharge that
GF&P was notified. The discharge point that Eaton
Electrical was using has been removed. It was a week later
when GF&P had their first failure. From June to October 4th,
GF&P has had five membrane failures. The manufacturer of
the membranes sent replacements after two membranes failed,
but the manufacturer did not inform GF&P of any problems
with the membranes. After the third membrane failed, the
manufacturer sent their engineers to GF&P to see if GF&P was
causing the membranes to fail. When the fourth and fifth
membrane failed, the manufacturer sent a completely new set
of membranes. The manufacturer realized there was a problem
with the tubes that they sold to GF&P. GF&P has completely
replaced the problem tubes with the new ones. GF&P expects
after October 4th that they will no longer have
problems with the membranes. GF&P wanted an opportunity to
explain to the Board so they could understand the problem
they were experiencing. GF&P understands the need to meet
Metro’s discharge limits. GF&P provided a sample of the
membranes for the Board to see to help the Board better
understand GF&P’s pretreatment process. GF&P used the
sample membrane to explain their pretreatment process. GF&P
has installed some safety devices to help in case the
membranes were to fail again. They have asked the
manufacturer what they can do to help prevent this from
happening again. The manufacturer suggested they install a
bypass return device; that should be ready within the next
few weeks. GF&P is also changing the operating procedures.
GF&P would like to know if what they have done so far on
addressing the issue is satisfactory to Metro. GF&P would
like to know what their silver limit will be from Metro.
The limit being proposed requires them to spend a lot of
money on equipment. They would like to make a choice on how
much money they are going to spend. Chairman Haynie said
the limits are set by EPA and SCDHEC and as soon as Metro
knows the limits we would notify GF&P. GF&P realizes that
Metro is having some problems with locating the source of
the copper metal that is coming into West Alexander. GF&P
would like to help resolve the cooper issue since we are
asking them to pay for sampling. Metro may be asking GF&P
to pay for the sampling when they feel it may or may not be
their fault. GF&P wants to work with Metro in resolving the
issue. GF&P would rather be a part of the first discussion
of a problem whenever possible. The discharge points that
were specified in the letter are unclear to GF&P as to what
the requirement represents. GF&P would like to know what
testing will be done and how long will the tests run. Right
now it is viewed as an open ended expense for them. GF&P
would like some clarification on these issues or at least be
included in the discussion that would determine the
clarity. Chairman Haynie said that the Board will discuss
the questions that GF&P has concerning the issues. Metro
wants to work with GF&P. GF&P would also like for the Board
to consider reducing the fines.
IV.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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