Ponce Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
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Compaqma de Aguas de Puerto Rico (CAPR) as operator of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority (PRASA) system has developed a Risk Management Plan (RMP) for management and prevention of risks associated with the storage and use of chlorine, a regulated toxic substance, at the Ponce Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The RMP was prepared in compliance with 40 CFR Part 68 and Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 112(r)(1). The Prevention Program elements build upon the facility's Process Safety Management (PSM) system prepared in compliance with 29 CFR Part 1910.119. Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies It is CAPR's policy to comply with applicable Federal and Puerto Rican requirements. The chlorination process at the Ponce Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant uses chlorine, a hazardous toxic substance regulated by EPA, OSHA, and PROSHO. Due to the hazardous characteristics of chlorine, the Ponce Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant observes various safety precau tions in the storage, conveyance and use of chlorine. The safety precautions are necessary to protect employees, contractors, and visitors at the Ponce Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and the immediately surrounding areas. Safety precautions include procedures and equipment to minimize the potential for accidental release, as well as a written emergency response program for response to any chlorine release that may occur. The Stationary Source and Regulated Substances Handled The Ponce Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant provides treatment for up to 18 million gallons per day of wastewater. The regulated substance handled at the Ponce Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is chlorine. Chlorine is delivered to the facility via truck in ton containers. The storage building has space for up to nine full containers, a total of 18,000 pounds of chlorine. Chlorine containers are connected to vacuum chlorinators. The chlorinators regulate chlorine use. From the chlorinators, chlor ine gas is distributed under vacuum to injectors. The injectors combine the gaseous chlorine with water. The chlorinated water is mixed with the wastewater plant flow for disinfection and odor control. The Ponce Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is also used as a distribution center for 150 pound cylinders of chlorine. The cylinders are received by truck from CAPR's San Juan Chlorine Distribution Center, then are distributed by truck to the various water filtration plants, wastewater treatment plants, and pumping stations. Empty cylinders are brought back from the plants to the San Juan Chlorine Distribution Center, then are returned to the supplier for inspection, servicing, and for refilling. Worst-case and Alternative Release Scenarios The worst-case release scenario was determined following EPA's Risk Management Program Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance. The worst-case release scenario is a vapor release of the entire contents of a ton container over a ten minute peri od (200 pounds of chlorine per minute). Other worst-case assumptions required by EPA include a low wind speed (1.5 meters per second), stable atmosphere (Class F), urban topography, and no active mitigation of the release. EPA requires the determination of the area (zone of vulnerability) which may be exposed to a chlorine concentration of 3 ppm or greater. According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association, 3 ppm is the maximum concentration of chlorine in air below which nearly all people could be exposed for one hour without serious health effects. Based on the worst-case assumptions, the zone of vulnerability was determined to extend 1.3 miles from the chlorine storage area. The following are known to be within the zone of vulnerability for the worst-case release scenario: residences, school, commercial and industrial areas, religious institution, and recreation area (beach). Approximately 26,000 residents are located within a 1.3 mile radius of the chlorine storage a rea. Many of these residents would not actually be impacted in even a worst-case release, as the chlorine would travel in the direction of wind. No known environmental receptors (such as state parks or officially designated wildlife preserves) are located within the zone of vulnerability. The conditions and parameters for the worst-case scenario are specified by EPA. A more realistic alternative release scenario was examined, also following EPA's Risk Management Program Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance. The alternative release scenario is a vapor release of the entire contents of a ton container through a broken 3/8 inch flexible connector tube. If the container was not shut off, the contents would be released at a rate of 21 pounds of chlorine per minute over a 95 minute period. More typical weather conditions are also used (wind speed of 3.0 meters per second, atmospheric stability Class D). Other conditions remain the same as in the worst-case scenario (urban topography and no mitigation of the release). The zone of vulnerability for the alternative release scenario is determined to extend 0.1 miles from the chlorine storage area. Approximately 50 residents and recreational area are located within a 0.1 miles radius of the chlorine storage area. These residents and recreational area could be impacted, depending on the direction of wind. No known environmental receptors are located within the zone of vulnerability. General Accidental Release Prevention Program and Chemical-specific Prevention Steps CAPR complies with PROSHO requirements for Prevention Programs and for Process Safety Management. Operators, maintenance staff and contractors are informed of chlorine hazards, and hazard signs are posted in the chlorine storage area. Standard operating and maintenance procedures have been developed, and employees who work with chlorine are provided training. Emergency Response Program CAPR has an emergency response program. Chlorine gas detecto rs are located within the storage area for early detection and warning of any leak. Leak repair kits are maintained on site, and operators are trained in how to quickly stop any leak that may occur. The emergency response program is coordinated with Civil Defense for notification of the public. CAPR periodically conducts various training programs, including emergency response training. All CAPR facilities are scheduled to receive refresher training by September 30, 1999. Five-year Accident History Within the past five years there have been no unplanned releases of chlorine in excess of 10 pounds resulting in injuries or significant property damage on site; or known offsite injuries, evacuations, sheltering in place, property damage, or environmental damage. Planned Changes to Improve Safety CAPR uses Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) to identify and recommend changes to ensure a high level of safety. Issues identified from a PHA are then addressed in CAPR's Prevention Program. R ecommendations from the most recent PHA include more frequent training in operating and maintenance procedures, and an improved preventative maintenance program. An audit of the RMP and PSM programs will be conducted within three years to verify the effectiveness of the program. |