By Walter F. Roche Jr.
In a second stormwater report this week US Nitrogen reported that runoff from its main manufacturing area in Greene County exceeded target levels by a factor of more than 100.
In a letter to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, US Nitrogen's plant manager Dylan Charles reported that magnesium levels at one of 12 outfalls was 8.14 milligrams per liter, while the benchmark level is .0636 milligrams per liter.
Magnesium levels at another stormwater drain point on the property was 3.39 milligrams per liter, more than 50 times the benchmark.
According to the letter excess levels of nitrogen, nitrates and nitrites also exceeded benchmarks at one collection area with .82 milligrams per liter. The benchmark is .62 milligrams per liter.
Charles noted that none of the materials used in the manufacturing process at US Nitrogen have notable levels of magnesium.
"We suspect the source of the magnesium detected with the stormwater are from background concentrations or water flowing across rocks," he wrote, adding that excess levels of magnesium have been detected in water from the Nolichucky River.
He said the stormwater is conveyed through a series of rock lined channels to protect against erosion.
"Limestone and dolomite contain various amounts of magnesium," the letter continues.
He said the company will investigate to find the cause of the excess nitrogen and will then implement a suitable corrective action plan. The company made the same promise in a stormwater report issued in January of 2020.
The excesses of magnesium and nitrates were collected in two areas, one collects runoff from a parking lot the other was in a ditch flowing to a detention pond.
The company also issued a second report this week for runoff from a water treatment plant. That report showed no excesses.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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