HomeMy WebLinkAboutIndustrial Wastewater Discharge Permit - Unifrax-AlkegenCity of South Bend
Department of Public Works
Industrial Pretreatment Program
Significant Industrial User – Permit No. 218071-92046
In accordance with all the terms of Chapter 17 of the City of South Bend’s Municipal Code, and with any
applicable provisions of federal or state law and regulations, permission is hereby granted to:
Unifrax 1 LLC DBA ALKEGEN
54401 Smilax Road
New Carlisle IN 46552
for the contribution of wastewater into the City of South Bend Publicly Owned Treatment Works.
This permit is granted in accordance with the application filed on 11 January, 2023.
Effective on: 14 April, 2023
Expires on the: 13 April, 2028
Any violation of the terms and conditions of this permit shall be deemed a violation of the City of South Bend
Municipal Code and will subject the permittee to the sanctions set out in section 17-11 through 17-13 of the
Municipal Code. The permittee shall file an application for a renewal permit, a minimum of 90 days prior to the
expiration date.
Approved By:
June 25, 2024
June 11, 2024
Board of Public Works
City of South Bend
1316 County City Building
227 West Jefferson Boulevard
South Bend IN 46601
RE: Modification of Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit
Dear Board Members:
The Division of Environmental Services recommends approving the modification of the
Industrial Discharge Permit for Unifrax 1 LLC at the June 25, 2024, Board of Public Works
Meeting.
Unifrax 1 LLC has rebranded to Alkegen publicly. However, the legal name remains Unifrax 1
LLC. The Division of Environmental Services has changed this permit to reflect Unifrax 1,
LLC DBA Alkegen. No other changes have been made.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me (574) 235-5798 or at
sshane@southbendin.gov.
Sincerely,
Serena Lozano-Shane
Pretreatment Manager
City of South Bend
Division of Environmental Services, Department of Utilities
(574) 235-5798
sshane@southbendin.gov
Enclosure(s)
Agenda Request form- Industrial Discharge Permit Board of Public Works Signature Page,
Permit Briefing Memo
CITY OF SOUTH BEND JAMES MUELLER, MAYOR
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
ERIC HORVATH, DIRECTOR
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PERMIT BRIEFING MEMO
1. Facility Description
Unifrax 1 LLC DBA ALKEGEN engages in the production of high temperature ceramic fiber
insulation and value-added products. The ceramic fiber is produced from raw materials such as
alumina, sand, zircon, and kaolin. At this facility, insulation is manufactured in bulk, needled into
blanket form, or is processed into coatings/mixes.
Unifrax operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Unifrax currently employs 165 people. There is
no seasonal variation in production.
It has been determined that Unifrax does not fit into category 40 CFR 414: organic chemicals,
plastics, and synthetic fibers.
2. Discharge Description
This permit oversees, but not limited to, wastewater discharged at Sample Site 5-1. Discharge from
Sample Site 5-1 includes domestic wastewater and process wastewater from the fabrication
department which includes SiFab Line addition. The wastewater leaves the facility, is channeled
through Sample Site 5-1, and is measured via Parshall Flume and ultrasonic flow meter prior to
discharge into the City of South Bend Sewer System.
Unifrax has identified copper and zinc as known to be present in their wastewater. Unifrax suspects
that all toxic organic compounds are absent.
From 2018-2022, Unifrax 1 LLC DBA ALKEGEN wastewater flows were as follows:
Average daily flow was: 30,444 gpd.
Maximum daily flow was: 204,000 gpd
SiFab Line is estimated to add 4,000 to 10,000 gpd
Note that precipitation is diverted to a storm pond and is not discharged to the City of South Bend’s
POTW. Wastewater from furnace trough is also discharged to the storm pond.
3. Sample Site Description
Sample monitoring is conducted at Sample Site 5-1, which is located in a sample shed south of the
facility. Inside the sampling shed is a manhole with a light plastic cover that has a handle to lift it
out of the opening. The wastewater is metered with a three (3) inch parshall flume and ultrasonic
flow meter. The flow meter output is in the shed and is equiped such that flow proportioned
sampling may be conducted.
4. Wastewater Treatment
Unifrax employs the use of grit removal, filtration, and a settling tank to pretreat its wastewater.
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5. Classification
Unifrax 1 LLC DBA ALKEGEN is classified as a Significant Industrial User (SIU). Unifrax
Corporation is further categorized as a C industry per the City’s Industrial Pretreatment Program
Monitoring Plan in which all industries that discharge process wastewater between >25,000 gpd
<50,000 gpd are Category C industries.
6. Calculation of Limits
Discharge limits are applied from the South Bend Municipal Code without modification.
7. Monitoring Frequency
Monitoring frequencies are based on South Bend’s US EPA approved Industrial Pretreatment
Program Monitoring Plan.
8.Industrial Operator Certification Requirement
Operator Certification Requirement: A-SO
Industrial operator certification requirements are based on the criteria listed in Indiana
Administrative Code, Title 327, 5-22-5.
Permit Drafted by:
City of South Bend
Industrial Pretreatment Group
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AGENDA ITEM REVIEW REQUEST FORM
Date 6/11/2024
Name Serena Lozano-Shane Department UTILITIES
BPW Date 6/25/2024 Phone Extension 5798
Review and Approval Required Prior to Submittal to Board
Diversity Compliance
and Inclusion Officer Officer Name
BPW Attorney Attorney Name
Dept. Attorney Attorney Name
Purchasing
Check the Appropriate Item Type – Required for All Submissions
Professional Services Agreement Contract Proposal Open Market Contract Amendment/Addendum Special Purchase, QPA Bid Opening Bid Award Req. to Advertise Title Sheet Quote Opening Quote Award Reject Bids/Quotes Proposal Opening C/O & PCA No. PCA
Chg. Order, No. Traffic Control Resolution x Other: Unifrax Industrial Discharge Permit Modification – Name Change
Required Information
Company or Vendor Name
New Vendor Yes If Yes, Approved by Purchasing
No
MBE/WBE Contractor MBE WBE Completed E-Verify Form Attached Yes No Project Name
Project Number
Funding Source
Account No.
Amount
Terms of Contract
Purpose/Description _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For Change Orders Only
Amount of Increase Decrease
$
($ ) Previous Amount $
Current Percent of Change:
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Decrease
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New Amount $
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Time Extension Amount: New Completion Date: