| Violation ID |
Occurred Date |
Violation Type |
(-) Violation Description |
Corrective Action |
Status |
Classification |
Source |
| 1134795 |
07/30/2024 |
CAT2 |
Copper, Total Recoverable Monthly Average limit is 2.1 ug/L and reported value was 2.8 ug/L at EFF-001b. |
The investigation thus far indicates the source of the copper contamination may have originated from one of the SDF production wells. It is unclear at this time if the increased copper levels are from a mechanical component within the well. Data had shown that copper levels had been decreasing since the onset of the investigation, however recent monitoring in October 2024 may indicate an increasing trend. Additional monitoring will continue to be conducted to verify the source of copper contamination has been identified and will inform any corrective actions that may need to occur (i.e. mechanical well repairs) going forward. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1130100 |
06/29/2024 |
CAT2 |
Copper, Total Recoverable Monthly Average limit is 2.1 ug/L and reported value was 5.4 ug/L at EFF-001b. |
The investigation thus far indicates the source of the copper contamination may have originated from one of the SDF production wells. It is unclear at this time if the increased copper levels are from a mechanical component within the well. The suspected well has been temporarily taken offline to replace the mechanical seal and conduct further testing. Data shows that copper levels have decreased since the onset of the investigation. Additional monitoring will continue to be conducted to verify the source of copper contamination has been identified and will inform any corrective actions that may need to occur (i.e. mechanical well repairs) going forward. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1130099 |
06/05/2024 |
CAT2 |
Copper, Total Recoverable Maximum Daily (MDEL) limit is 5.8 ug/L and reported value was 6.7 ug/L at EFF-001b. |
The investigation thus far indicates the source of the copper contamination may have originated from one of the SDF production wells. It is unclear at this time if the increased copper levels are from a mechanical component within the well. The suspected well has been temporarily taken offline to replace the mechanical seal and conduct further testing. Data shows that copper levels have decreased since the onset of the investigation. Additional monitoring will continue to be conducted to verify the source of copper contamination has been identified and will inform any corrective actions that may need to occur (i.e. mechanical well repairs) going forward. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1126483 |
02/06/2024 |
DMON |
Due to a laboratory oversight, the commercial laboratory (Weck Laboratories) analyzed the ortho-phosphate-P sample for EFF-001b (which was sampled on 2/6/24) beyond the EPA Method 365.3 allowable holding time of 48 hours (on 3/4/24). However, the ortho-phosphate-P result (0.083 mg/L) was comparable to historical data for EFF-001b. |
Sweetwater Authority was not aware of the holding time violation for the ortho-phosphate-P sample collected at EFF-001b on 2/6/24 until the day before the data report was received from Weck Laboratories on 3/19/24. In order to prevent a reoccurrence of this holding time issue, Sweetwater Authority staff met with Weck Laboratories Management and requested that the Weck Laboratories Project Manager notify Sweetwater Authority immediately (within the compliance month) so that EFF-001b could be resampled for ortho-phosphate-P. Also, the Sweetwater Authority requested that Weck Laboratories provide a new Project Manager. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1126484 |
01/03/2024 |
DMON |
Quarterly sampling for total dissolved solids (TDS) was conducted on 1/3/24 for RSW-002b and sample analysis commenced on 1/4/24, which was within the Standard Method 2540C allowable holding time of seven days. However, the sample for RSW-002b was inadvertently discarded prior to completion of analysis. Due to a laboratory error, RSW-002b was not resampled, rather the original sample collected on 1/3/24 was mistakenly reanalyzed after the 7-day holding time had expired (1/17/24). Although the TDS sample for RSW-002b was analyzed past the allowable holding time, the data result was comparable to historical data at this location. |
In order to prevent a reoccurrence of this holding time issue, the Sweetwater Authority Assistant Laboratory Supervisor performed refresher training with laboratory staff pertaining to the need to strictly adhere to the TDS method specified holding time of seven days. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1109454 |
08/16/2022 |
DMON |
Due to a sampling error, weekly temperature monitoring was not conducted at EFF-001b, RSW-001b, and RSW-002b during the week of August 15, 2022.The impact on the compliance calculation of the running annual average temperature delta between the discharge brine and the receiving waters was insignificant (as three weekly temperature monitoring events were conducted in August 2022), however, this will be reported as a monitoring violation. |
The paired temperature monitoring at EFF-001b, RSW-001b, and RSW-002b had been scheduled for 8/16/22, but was not conducted due to an oversight. Corrective actions included the following: 1) Reiterated the importance to staff on making sure that all required Permit monitoring is completed, 2) Automatic reminders in Outlook will alert all Laboratory staff to complete the temperature monitoring by Thursday of each week. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1099139 |
10/14/2021 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-Sea Urchin or Sand Dollar-Larval develop Maximum Daily (MDEL) limit is 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-001b. |
As required in MRP Section III.B.7 of Permit Order No. R9-2017-0020 whenever a TST "Fail" results in an MDEL exceedance, an accelerated monitoring schedule
for chronic toxicity was initiated. The first two chronic toxicity accelerated monitoring events (November 15-16, 2021 and December 6-7, 2021) have resulted in a TST ¿Pass¿ evaluation. However, if either one of the remaining accelerated monitoring events result in a TST ¿Fail¿ evaluation, then the Regional Board would be notified immediately and the Authority would initiate a TRE/TIE protocol as specified in MRP Section III.B.8 of Permit Order No. R9-2017-0020. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1092233 |
04/21/2021 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-Sea Urchin or Sand Dollar-Larval develop Maximum Daily (MDEL) limit is 0 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-001b. |
As required in MRP Section III.B.7 of Permit Order No. R9-2017-0020 whenever a TST "Fail" results in an MDEL exceedance, an accelerated monitoring schedule for chronic toxicity was initiated. The first two chronic toxicity accelerated monitoring events (May 19-20, 2021 and June 2-3, 2021) have resulted in a TST "Pass" evaluation. However, if either one of the remaining accelerated monitoring events result in a TST "Fail" evaluation, then the Regional Board would be notified immediately and the Authority would initiate a TRE/TIE protocol as specified in MRP Section III.B.8 of Permit Order No. R9-2017-0020. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
|
Report displays most recent five years of violations. Refer to the Interactive Violation Report for more data.
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