Oaks Wastewater Treatment Facility - Executive Summary |
|
The Montgomery County Sewer Authority's Wastewater Treatment Facility handles 4, 1-ton liquid chlorine containers. As a result, accidental release prevention and emergency response policies have been instituted which include: operating and maintenance procedures, training and incident investigation, programs for handling chlorine, notification of key personnel during an emergency, immediately available SCBA and protective equipment to be used by trained personnel, an on-site emergency response plan and procedures for notification of local emergency planning individuals in the event local emergency response is needed. The worst-case release scenario as described in this program is the release of the entire contents of a 1-ton liquid chlorine container in 10 minutes, or 200 lb./min. Since all of the on-site containers are enclosed in a building the release rate has been reduced to 110 lb./min. For the worst-case release scenario, a wind speed of 1.5 meters/sec and an atmosperic stabi lity class F was used. Using a combination of local data and an approved modeling program, the distance to the Toxic Endppoint Limit(TEL) was determined to be 2.04 miles. The alternative-release scenario was based on a chlorine container isolation valve stem failure. According to the Chlorine Institute this is the most common malfunction that results in an accidental release. A release rate of 0.16 lb/min, a wind speed of 1.5 meters/sec. and atmospheric stability class F was used. This data when modeled produced no off-site impacts. The chlorine-specific accidental release prevention program in place at the facility provides written procedures that incorporate operational and maintenance data and training procedures for dependable use of relief valves, leak detection systems, manual shut-off systems and alarms. Mitigation systems in use include complete enclosure of the chlorine supply and chlorination systems. No Accidents have occured in the last five years. Procedures are in place to identify and record any future accidents or incidents. An On-Site Emergency Response Program, including an evacuation plan, assembly areas and other safety information has been developed. This program has been coordinated with the SARA Title III, Off-Site Emergency Response Plan, which has been included as an appendix to the Risk Management Program and will supersede the on-site response program in the event that an accidential release extends beyond the facility's boundaries. The Authority plans to continue updating the the Program as required and will review the Program every five years or when applicable on-site conditions change. |