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1 Bates College SCARAB Walter Lawrance Papers Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library Mill Pollution Walter A. Lawrance Bates College Follow this and additional works at: Part of the Earth Sciences Commons, and the Environmental Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Walter A. Lawrance Androscoggin River Studies Twenty Fourth Annual Report, October, 1966, Androscoggin River Studies, Box 4, Folder 4, Walter A. Lawrance Papers, Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library at SCARAB. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walter Lawrance Papers by an authorized administrator of SCARAB. For more information, please contact

2 Twenty-Fourth Annual Report Part Three Mill Pollution Loads 1966 Introduction. The objective of this portion of the annual report is, the application of Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Dissolved Oxygen data for the determination of soluble pollution loads discharged to the Androscoggin River by the three companies. Berlin, New Hampshire Three sampling stations are located Area. in this area. Bell's Ice House, Mile 138.8,.about four miles upstream from Brown Company Mill, Gorham (Public Service), Mile and Gilead Bridge Maine, Mile The State Line is situated at Mile Some data obtained at Virginia Bridge is included here, but a more detailed description is included in the Rumford area section. During the summer, river water at Bell's Ice House station had a B.O.D. below one part per million. There is little variation from year to year. The B.O.D.'s for the seasons were, ,820 Ibs. per day ,220 n " " ,200 " ,820 n n " Water sampled at the Public Service station in Gorham,

3 BELL'S ICE HOUSE Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 day 20 C Date FLOW ppm Month ppm Month MT/d Aver. Aver. May June July August Sep1/iember June 2 - Sept 23 average

4 GORHAN Dissolved Oxygen - Diochemical Oxygen Demand Date FLOW DIS30LVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 dar 20 0 C MT/d pm m'd J./ Calc ppm T/d Cal c I :ay Month I~ont,h Aver Av(-r. 12 'i r-3 I.::> J loll "'l 9,...,., f."j t June l" $ S.39.J ~ II "8 ' ft July 1 ~ ~ h Lr 7.25 b:~~ h ~ "I I I '

5 GORHAM Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 day Date FLOW ppm MONTH ppm MONTH MT/d Aver. Aver. July AUfust ~ i~ ~O 1 Se~tember ~ l l 8 : ~ ~ b:~~ Z ~ ~ g l ~~.26 33:g~ i ~ * j:~ l fl:l ~ ~ ~ lz ~ il:1~ S ls ~ ~.1~ S 9 12 ~:1i ~:li t~:~ ~:~ ~ ~ S ~0 ~8 ~:r1 ~:S~ ~.3.2 2i S S ~ ~ ~:l~ ~ : l t j6:~ June - September 23 av~rage *Spi11 3i"

6 is contaminated with upstream natural pollution, wastes from the Brown Company's Mills and domestic pollution from Berlin and Gorham. The following calculations are based on the analytical results obtained June to September 22. The Berlin-Gorham domestic loads are the result of accepted standard calculations; Ibs. five day B.O.D. per person per day. Go rham (P. S. ) Bell's increase Berlin-Gorham Domestic load Brown Company average daily B.O.D D.O. surplus Brown Company average daily average daily Ibs/d ,340 27,040 32,700 41,520 Period 1JIay (4)* June (5) July (4) Aug. (4) Sept. ( 4) D.O. Bell's Ice House 1966 B.O.D. D.O. Surplus el June-Sept. average *Number of tests

7 r. :: :. - S!~--.. f ~! it Win ~... ; 1: ~t 1ITIIIIi! 1'" tlll:t. J Ii',,,,, I '::! I J I I I I 'T

8 4-1 Gorham (Public Service) 1966 Period D.O. B.O.D. D.O. Surplus May (14)* June (22 ) July (20) Aug. ( 23) Sept. (17) June-Sept. average *Nwnber of Tests Gilead, Maine 1966 Period D.O. B.O.D. 5 day Gor.-Gil. D.O. surplus B.O.D. %loss June (9) July (8 ) Aug. (9) (13.16)* 3.8 (22.4)* (17.82)* Sept. (7 ) June-Sept. averae *Omitting August first

9 GILEAD Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 day 200 G Date FLOW ppm Month ppm Month MT/d Aver. Aver. May 5 9.$5 12.~7 122.$3 2.$ 27.5$ $ $ $ 1~2.66 ~g 2.3 2~ g:5~ ~:l~ :5:66 June $.$0 55.4~ ' $ 1$.37 2.j t~ 19:~~ 1:~~ 67 2.j $$ 27 6.$ $ J62y : $ i~ ,,49 30.~ ~ 5.4j ~ Auyust 5.41 ~ , 11.$9 ~ $ 5.3$ $ $ :.$1 1.g (13.16)* g:8~ lp~ ~~ 5:66 6:~~ j~: Se1tember 5.11 ~.64 2$.$ ~ 5.67 r 3~.g3 2o~ :~~ gg j4:1~ 36.9$ 2. 1~2 ~ ~ l i $ $ 2.3 *Omitting August first June 2 - September 22 average 3$

10 Gilead, Maine. Line. This station is located about 1,500 feet downstream from the State Assuming the limited data are representative then, the B.O.D. load decreased 5,740 Ibs. per day as the water passed 11.2 miles eastward. Although the river flows were higher than 1965 this reduction closely approximates 5, 960 Ibs/d that of Gorham (total) T!d 39,140 Ibs/d Gilead g,~og tt Decrease 2.87, 4 t1 t1 14.6% The average daily D.O. surplus was 22.26, or 44,520 Ibs/d and the percentage B. O.D. loss was Virginia Bridge. This sampling station, which has become a key location in the classification discussions, is located at Mile This season the river water traversing the 42.8 miles from Gorham, N.H. had a daily average D.O. increase of 4.68, (9,360 Ibs/d), and a daily average B.O.D. reduction of 11.25, (22,500 lbs/d). Assuming no Benthal demand, the average reaeration rate between these two stations during the season was approximately 745 lbs. per mile per day. The surplus D.O. averaged (76,480 lbs/d) at the sampling location. The percentage loss of B.O. D. between Gorham, N.H. and Virginia Bridge, Maine, during the 1966 season was 64.9 and compares favorably with during a similar period in Rumford Area. This area includes the sampling stations located at Virginia Bridge,

11 Date l:ay 5 12 VIRGINIA BRIDGE Dissolved Oxygen - Biocheluical Oxygen Demand FLOVl I,iT Id I JISSOLVED OrIGEN ppm Calc I 'Ionth Aver B.O.D. 5 day 20 0 C ppm Calc IIIonth Aver CO June l July 1 l i ~ ~8 ~O ~ ~ ~9 1.< ~ 'l S

12 VIRGINIA BRIDGE Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 day 200 C Date FLOW ppm Month ppm Month fvlt/d Aver. Aver. J~~y g : g~ ~ ~ Auyust l jg b: ~ ~:~t '6.~8 0.8j 23 ~:t~ ~:~i ~:~~ ~ :6~ ~:~~ ~1.~ ~:66 ~:~~ Se~tember ~ ~ ~0 42.~7 0 A ~ O $ ~ June thru September 23 averame July thru September 23 "

13 Virginia Bridge 1966 Period D.O. B.O.D. Gil.-V.B. B.O.D. %Loss D.O. Surplus May (14)* June (22) July (21) Aug. (23 ) (57.8)** Sept. (17) June-Sept. Average *Number of Tests **Omitting Aug.l at Gilead. Period D.O. Dixfield B.O.D. 5 day Dix.-V.B. B.O.D. D.O. May (14) f f l19.76 June (22) f f July (21) f Aug. (23) f Sept. (17) f3l.07 f 5.62 June-Sept. Average f30.l4 f 6.54 Surplusf Deficit-

14 L[7 Date I'=ay June DIXFIELD Dissolved O:cygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand FLOW M:T/d ~ DISSOLVED O~aGEN ppm Calc J':onth Aver B.O.D. 5 day 200C ppm T!d Calc I ~onth Aver ~ ~ lo tl g July ~ ~ ~ EL l ~9 41.3~

15 DIXFIELD' Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 day 200e Date FLOW ppm Month ppm Month MT/d Aver. Aver. July ~6 6: 8 l 21 ~:l3 3.0~ o66 t6: 0 Z 5.~ ~ ~ i ~.~ AUfust ~ ~ r5.5 H~ t~:zo g ~ g.o 3~:6~ ~g:,4 t~ 6:6~..1 ~7.39 ~:jj 44.5~ jo.ll 23 6:ta ~:~~ 7.4 ~:~~ ~3:~~ j8.0~ :6~ g:~~ ~5:3~ jo j4.0j 6.1~ jl g:~~ Se~tember g:~~ 7.8~ ~ l~ 21. ~ 5.'l ~ l ~ ~.93, l:1~ ~ ~:~~ 'l June - September 23 average '1.

16 Dixfield Bridge and the Riley Dam. At the two Bridge locations B.O.D. determinations were made five times each week. The seasons averages were: Virginia Bridge D.O B.O.D. Dixfield Bridge tt " " Difference =r:5o " I " The average daily D.O. surplus at Dixfield was small, 6.54, ( Ibs/d). B.O.D. June-Sept. Dixfield Bridge ,920 Ibs. tt Virginia Bridge increase ,280 ~ area Domestic ,400 " Oxford Paper Co ,880 " Oxford Paper Co * 1963 B.O.D. Ti'd Ibs/d 58,880 74,840 99,820 60,000 *Strike period excluded. n Itct Riley Dam. This season B.O.D. determinations were made on three days each week; D.O. tests were recorded six days each week. For the calculations the D.O. test results were used only on those days when B.O.D.'s were obtained.

17 RILEY Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.Do 5 day 20 0 C Date FLOW ppm Month ppm Month MT/d Aver. Aver. May 5* * * Lost June 2* ~( * ** * * July * * ? 12.22? * * *Oxford Paper Co. analysis; all others I.P.Co.

18 ,.-

19 RILEY Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 day 20 C Date FLOW ppm Month ppm ~10nth ]y;t/d Aver. Aver. August * * ** 1. 7? 9.19? * ** 0. 9? 5. 72*~~ * September 1* * * * June-September 23 average **Omitting August 12 and 19 *Oxford Paper Co. analysis; all others I.P.Co.

20 ~~ Riley Dam 1966 Period D.O. B.O. D. Dix.-R.D. D.O. Surplus B.O.D. %Loss May ( 9) June (13) July (13) Aug. (11) Sept. (10) June-Sept. Average Assuming no Benthal demand the decrease in D.O. and B.O.D. indicates an average reaeration of about 1100 lbs. D.O. per mile per day. D.O. B.O.D. Dixfield Bridge Riley Dam Decrease = 8.51 for the 15.4 mile stretch. Jay Area. The Jay area includes the Riley Dam, Jay Bridge (old) and Chisholm (Otis) sampling stations. This year the river water was allowed to continuously flow over the Dam and the average daily reaeration from this and to the Jay station was 22,110 lbs. per day, cf Part Two of this report. For calculations relating to the International Paper Company's pollution load the D.O. loads were used only on those days when B.o.D. determinations were made. Interpretation of the

21 seasons B.O.D. results for June, when the discharge of wastes to the river was erratic and for September, when the Jay Mill was down nearly all of the test period, is unreliable o For these reasons, the July and August data are used for determining the probable pollution load at the Jay Mill. Jay Bridge (old) B.O.D ,720 Riley Dam (above) B.O.D T!d 3~,940 Increa1J.e ,780 The B.O.D. decrease between the Dam and the entrance to the Jay Ivlill is unknown; the distance is small but with vigorous reaeration at the Dam the B.O.D. loss might be significanto As an approximation, it may be recorded that the Jay Hill pollution load during July and August was somewhat higher than the reaeration gain (19,580 Ibs/d) during these months. During these two months the primary treatment plant was not always operating at maximum efficiency. Period D.O. Jay, Maine 1966 B.O.D. D.O. Surplus May (6) June (8)* July (9 ) Aug. (9) Sept. (6)** July-Aug. average June-Aug. average **Omitted Pulp ljiill down Sept 4-23 except for ten hours Sept. 8 * Production erratic at Jay Mill.

22 5) JAY Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 day 200 C Date FLOW ppm Month ppm Month MT/d Aver. Aver. Mav JaRe J~iY Au~ust Se~tember Note: Pulp!J1:il1 at Jay down from September 4 to 23 except for ten hours September 8.

23 ' b Chisholm (Otis) 1966 Period D. O. B.O.D. D.O. Surplus May (6) June (8)>:' July (9) Aug. (9 ) Sept. (6)** July-Aug. aver June Aug. aver *Production erratic at Jay Mill **Omitted Pulp Mill down Sept Chisholm (Otis). Dissolved oxygen analyses were made on each week day but owing to laboratory limitations B.O.D. determinations were obtained twice weekly. The sampling station is located just below the mill and it is probable that the Otis soluble pollution load is uniform dispersed. There is no sampling station just above the mill, hence there is no convenient base to judge the pollution discharge to the river from Otis. The July and August analyses indicate an average daily loss of 10,040 lbs. B.O.D. This decrease between Jay and Otis must have been larger than this figure indicates, as the B.O.D. at Otis includes the contribution of this mill. During the Jay Mill shut-down in September 4 to 23, the Otis B.O.D. analyses have much higher demands than when the Jay Mill was operatingli

24 CHISHOLM (OTIS) Dissolved Oxygen - Biochemical Oxygen Demand DISSOLVED OXYGEN B.O.D. 5 day 200C Date FLOW ppm Mon8h ppm Month MT/d Aver. Aver. May :'~ ~ June J~iy AUfust Se~tember Note: Pulp :r.u1l at Jay down September 4 to 23 except for ten hours September 8

25 Comparisons of the B.O.D. results are listed in the Table below. Period May June (13 omit) July Aug. Sept. Riley Dam B.O.D. Tons/day Monthly Averages International Paper Company Jay * Jay-Riley Dam * *Jay Pulp Mill down Sept n! Chisholm * Chis.-Jay I: 5.38 :; * North Turner The daily average five day B.O.D. Bridge. and D.O. loads arriving at this station, during the eleven week test period, were tons and Tons respectively although this indicates a small 4.0 tons surplus of D.Oo there were six weeks when a deficit existed. Efforts were made to compare the Otis results with those of North Turner on nb.o.d. days" but there did not appear to be any consistent data on which to pass judgement. Part Four of this report contains detailed data at this and other stations in the Pool. Turner Center Statistics and personal observations, Bridge. indicate considerable Benthal activity in the river area between the two Bridges. During the test season, an average daily B.O.D. decrease of 3,480 lbs was accompanied by a loss of 23,040 lbs. of dissolved oxygen; a ratio of 1 to 6.6. With the exception of Week #1, all of

26 '--. ~~r.... I...,, I I I , iid1j Ii. ~ l II.i 1 ~ -: -. 'i'" -\ ~ I I Ii!.' ~:> - 1 ;1 -. r r.,.1 t-~ - r- I:

27 the remaining ten weeks of the special test period there was an oxygen deficit, ranging from 1060 Ibs. to 53,000 Ibs. per day. Deer Rips Dam. This station may be considered as the southern end of the Pool. Extensive data (cf Part Four) were obtained and systematicly studiedo The quality of the water was consistently poor throughout the entire season. The B.O.D. load passing this station was high and the D.O, present was very low. The average daily B.O.D. load was tons and with only 4.17 tons of available oxygen the deficit was 9.89 tons. (19,780 Ibs). Benthal activity was very ndticeable until the third week of July and much of the Pool was at or near the anaerobic condition. After being approximately constant for four weeks the B".O.D. load decreased by about 50% in Week #4 and a slow decline was registered during the remaining seven weeks. The Pool and C To maintain at least five ppm of Classification. dissolved oxygen in the water, at all times and places, would require a drastic reduction in upstream pollution loads and probably mechanical reaeration in the Pool for several years. For an example estimate, the highest oxygen deficit occurred at North Turner Bridge during the first week of July. The oxygen deficit to satisfy the ultimate B.O.D. demand of the water entering the Pool, would be x 1.6 equal to or 102,940 Ibs. D.O. per day. There were present 49,200 Ibs. of D.O. thus the actual oxygen deficit

28 b \ would be 53,740 Ibs. Assuming the reaeration in the Pool equals the Benthal B.O.D. contribution, then to maintain five ppm with the 7.02 MT/d river flow during that week, another 7.02 x 5.0 or 35,100 Ibs. of oxygen would be required. Under the conditions existing during the first week of July and if the Benthal assumption is valid(?) then the reduction in B.O.D. and an increase in D.O. would have to total about 90,000 lbs. per day to maintain a C standard.

29 Recapitulation B.O.D. Load Five day; Ultimate 20 0 C June-September Location Bell's Ice House Gorham, N.H. Gilead, Maine Virginia Bridge Dixfield Riley Jay (July-August) Chisholm (July-August) North Turner Bridge* Turner Center Bridge* Deer Rips Dam* *Eleven Week Period B.O.D. Five day 200 C (27.86) (22.86) Company Load to River Ibsld ) 14:67 29, , ,780?