Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the new permit require Alcoa’s BBP to test for cyanide and fluoride at regular intervals, as well as more frequently? Is Alcoa using a lab that can detect cyanide at the appropriate levels?

A: For Outfalls 011, 012, 013 & 019, a reasonable potential analysis (RPA) of the current data did not recommend any increases to the monitoring frequencies for Cyanide and Fluoride. A “reasonable potential analysis” (RPA) is the technical and regulatory process used to determine whether a pollutant discharged from a facility has the reasonable potential to cause or contribute to an exceedance of a water quality standard. For the stormwater Outfalls 002, 004, 017, 018, 022 & 023, monitoring was increased from semi-annual to quarterly for consistency with DEMLR’s individual industrial stormwater NPDES program. For Outfall 005, since there was reasonable potential to exceed the standards and a history of non-compliance with limits, monitoring of Cyanide and Fluoride will be increased to twice per month (2/month). However, after securing a minimum of 24 samples all showing non-detect (over a minimum period of one year), the Permittee may submit a written request for the Division to reevaluate monitoring frequency.  A clause has been added to the permit stating  that sufficiently sensitive test methods must be used to show compliance with the permit limit.

Q: Is Alcoa’s BBP required to use certified laboratories with testing methods and instruments sensitive enough to detect violations for all contaminants, including cyanide down to five μg/L?

A: NPDES Standard Conditions Part II Section C. 5., requires the following: Laboratories used for sample analysis must be certified by the Division. In accordance with 15A NCAC 02B .0505 (e)(5), Analytical determinations made pursuant to the requirements of this Section shall be made in adequately equipped laboratories staffed by person(s) competent to perform tests. Only monitoring programs that provide for the making of analytical determinations by qualified employees of the owner or by a laboratory certified by the Division under 15A NCAC 02H .0800 or 15A NCAC 02H .1100 shall be considered adequate. A clause stating that the permittee shall use sufficiently sensitive test procedures approved under 40 CFR part 136 for the analysis of pollutants and a definition of what that means has been added to the permit. This means that this certified method conducted by a certified lab ensures that specific analytes can be detected at low enough concentrations to meet permit requirements. 

Q: Can DEQ require Alcoa’s BBP to monitor for a wider range of contaminants, including PAHs, PCBs, and metals, including Aluminium, and other metals that are known constituents of spent potliner?

A: Special Condition C. (3.) has been added to the Draft renewal permit requiring Additional Effluent Monitoring. Within 180 days of the effective permit date, the permittee shall submit analyses for the compounds in Tables A through C of EPA Form 2C (EPA Form 3510-2C) for Outfalls 005, 012, & 013. This form shall also be used for NPDES permit renewal [40 CFR 122]. This requirement includes sampling for PAHs, PCBs, and metals.When the data is submitted, NPDES will review it to see if additional monitoring or limits are needed in the permit. Any detection of analytes shall be entered in eDMR, using the appropriate parameter code listed in the tables provided in the condition. 
There is no state surface water quality standard for Aluminum. To allow for comparison with the EPA 2018 Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Aluminum in Freshwaters under Section 304(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act, semi-annual monitoring was added to all outfalls and the mixing zone locations for Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) and Total Hardness. The calculation of Aluminum acute and chronic criteria is pH, DOC, and Hardness dependent. The data will be reviewed and a reasonable potential analysis will be performed to determine if limits are required. The permit will be re-opened and modified if necessary.

Q: What are the sampling requirements and limitations for permite-related monitoring at Alcoa?

A: The permit has daily maximum limits and monthly average limits where applicable. Daily values are entered into eDMR. The daily values are reviewed for compliance with the daily maximum (acute criteria) permit limits if applicable. eDMR averages the daily values for a monthly average. The calculated monthly average is reviewed for compliance with the monthly average permit limit (Chronic criteria).

Q: Can third party testing take place rather than Alcoa-paid contractors?

A: DEQ/DWR would consider working with the community to collect and/or split additional samples in common areas accessible to the public. There are no regulations that require Alcoa to hire a third party to test - the regulations require all sampling and tests to be performed in accordance with EPA test procedures documented under 40 CRF 136.

Q: Communities are sampling around the site, is there an opportunity to do split sampling in partnership with DEQ? 

A: Yes, DEQ can make arrangements to perform split sampling with the community in common areas accessible to the public

Q: Can DEQ help with gathering samples on Alcoa property that was once accessible to the community?

A: Does the community have specific outfalls or locations they are interested in DEQ sampling? DEQ can make arrangement to sample these locations during plant inspections or on a separate occasion; however, staffing is limited so this cannot be done on a routine basis.

Q: Did DEQ allow Alcoa’s BBP to divert discharge from Outfall 005 into Little Mountain Creek as a solution to meet permit limits? Where mixing zones used?
A: Outfall 005 discharges to Little Mountain Creek, however, Alcoa once requested to divert the 005 discharge to 012.  This request was denied and DWR recommended that Alcoa install Fluoride treatment for 005 wastewaters. Alcoa installed a pilot study fluoride treatment system and is expected to install permanent treatment in the future.  BBP has not been given any dilution (mixing) for its discharge to Little Mountain Creek, the 7Q10 as determined by the USGS is zero (0). Therefore, their discharge is directly meeting applicable water standards. 

Q: Can Outfalls 012 and 013 be  eliminated from discharging into the public access and swimming area on Badin Lake?
A: DEQ supports such a relocation and will inform Cube Hydro Carolinas LLC of our support for this action.  The Department does not have the authority to require it.

Q: How did DEQ determine that no groundwater was flowing into the lake from the outfalls  (011,012, 013)?
A: Outfalls 011, 012, and 013 discharge groundwater, stormwater and fire protection water (011, 012) to the lake. Groundwater is described as a possible source as stated in the previous permit and the draft permit, however, investigations by DWM are showing no groundwater in these dischargers.
 

Q:Where all on-site demolition activities at the Alcoa facility during the summer of 2025 permitted properly and where the proper inspections done prior to demolition beginning?

A: a.    Asbestos assessment was done in buildings on 2/4/25 by an NC-accredited Asbestos Inspector. The asbestos report showed a small amount of asbestos flooring, a small pile of asbestos pipe, and some asbestos-containing window caulking. 
b.    Health Hazard Demolition Notification was filed with DHHS on 2.27.25
c.    All these materials were properly removed by 3/19/25 - prior to the demolition activities beginning. DHHS has received clearance letters showing that these materials have all been removed.
d.    Contractor that is doing the demolition has a demolition permit on file with Stanly County - submitted 2/28/25, approved 3/11/25. (Permit # DEMO-25-12)."

Q:Can DEQ monitor the on-site demolition activities?

A:"DEQ staff have responded every time a complaint or concern was called in, there have been no violations observed by DEQ staff that can results in any kind of violation or elicit a compliance response. The demolition has remained above the concrete pad, so no Stormwater/Erosion Control Permits was needed. Link to DEMLR Inspection reports/photos

The demolition is permitted by the County, not the state/DEQ. DEQ will inform the community if/when an Erosion Control Plan is submitted for subsurface demolition. ALCOA had info on their website, DEQ has provided ALCOA guidance on better community engagement strategies, and DEQ hopes they will implement them as the demolition process proceeds. "
 

Q:Can DEQ sampling the building materials to ensure there are no hazardous chemicals present from the aluminum smelting process?

A: Building materials are not routinely sampled during construction. Emissions generated from the aluminum smelting process are not considered hazardous waste by regulatory definition (RCRA Subtitle C). Therefore, all ceiling and building materials were transported offsite to a permitted sanitary landfill for disposal.c

Q: How will the demolished building materials will be removed from the site? Will truck traffic be routed through residential areas?

A: Waste Generated During Demolition​:
a. Waste containing asbestos and mercury, fire extinguishers, other similar items must be removed prior to demolition starting. These materials were properly removed. 
b. Building materials will be recycled when possible and sent to landfills when it cannot be recycled​. The building materials are expected to be recycled as they consist of large metal siding sheets. If any building materials are taken to landfill, the may landfill requires testing prior to accepting materials. These waste acceptance tests are site specific, and it is up to the landfill to determine what it can and cannot accept.

Q:What dust control measures will be used to keep dust from leaving the site?

A:  "Demolition Dust Control Measures​ to be used by ALCOA included the following:
a. Engineering Controls: includes monitoring weather conditions and adjusting daily work during windy/rainy conditions.
b. Active Controls: water misting/spraying will be used to control dust as needed​. The dust that will be present during demolition will be controlled using water misting apparatuses to ensure that dust does not leave the site.

Other notes: DAQ's regulatory framework does not cover fugitive dust from the demolition site. Therefore, DAQ is limited in their authority to cover fugitive dust. The agency is aware of University/Community air quality monitoring for particulates that is producing non-regulatory indicator data. Those data have not shown levels of concern relative to the short term (24-hr) PM2.5 standard. "
 

Q: How will the potliners be removed from the buildings?
A: The potliners have previously been removed from the buildings, the buildings are empty and the metal siding/shell of the building is being removed through demolition activities. At the time of this information being uploaded the demolition of these builds has been completed. 

Q: Will demolition have impacts on stormwater runoff?
A: Stormwater/Erosion Control Permits are needed only if the demolition is breaking the surface of the soil. When the demolition advances to the point of breaking the concrete slabs, an Erosion Control Permit must be submitted prior to subsurface demolition occurring. As of June 24, 2025, ALCOA has changed their demolition plans and will not remove the concrete slabs and will not require an erosion control permit. 

Q: Will stormwater runoff impact fishing or swimming advisories to Badin Lake? Will there be stormwater runoff draining to Little Mountain Creek?
A: Prior to the submission and approval of an Erosion Control Plan, no stormwater permit is required for demolition. The only water used during demolition is used for dust control and does not produce enough runoff to require an Erosion Control Plan. No impacts are expected for Badin Lake and Little Mountain Creek. 

Q: How is DEQ sure that the floor sweepings are not hazardous?
A: All debris from the demolition activities are non-hazardous and are going to non-hazardous waste landfills. DWM has received the landfill material testing reports to confirm this. 
During the community meeting ALCOA held in July, the community mentioned that dust was coming off of the truck bed seven with tarps placed on top of the beds as they drove through the area. To reduce the amount of dust dispersal, the construction team began spraying the truck beds prior to covering them with tarps, before the trucks left the facility. 

Q: Are permits not needed for construction that is still occurring?
A: The demolition of the buildings has been completed, and clean up of the debris from the site was completed on August 22, 2025.