#1 Chlorine Station - Executive Summary |
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Canadian River Municipal Water Authority uses chlorine, a hazardous material, which makes it necessary to observe certain safety precautions to prevent unnecessary exposure, to reduce the threat to our personal health as well as that of the community. It is our policy to adhere to all applicable Federal and State rules and regulations. Safety depends upon the manner in which we handle chlorine, the safety devices used in each facility and the training of our employees. The Authority supplies raw water to member cities and uses chlorine to control biological activity in the aqueduct. This is done by injection at four chlorine stations. These stations are located at; 1) #1 Chlorine Station 1 1/4 miles NW of the city of Sanford, Texas, 2) Borger Chlorine Station at 1800 So. Florida, Borger, Texas; 3)Amarillo Chlorine Station at 24 th and Fritch Hwy in Amarillo, Texas; and 4) Kress Chlorine Station, 1 mile NNW of Kress, Tex as on Hwy 87. Access to all of these sites is restricted to authorized employees and authorized contractors. The maximum chlorine stored at each of these facilities: #1 Chlorine Station 8000 pounds Borger Chlorine Station 4000 pounds Amarillo Chlorine Station 8000 pounds Kress Chlorine Station 4000 pounds Maximum total inventory 24000 pounds The following are the worst-case release scenarios and the alternative release scenarios with administrative controls and mitigation measures to limit the distances for each reported scenario. #1 Chlorine Station Worst Case Scenario - failure of all (4) 1-ton cylinders simultaneously would release 8000 pounds of chlorine, assumed to be in the form of vapor. The distance to the endpoint of 0.0087 mg/L (3 ppm), using the EPA RMP*(TM) model, will be 4.20 miles. Alternate Release Scenario - A pipe (tubing) failure allows a leak of 1840 pounds for 35 minutes. The distanc e to the endpoint of 0.0087 mg/L (3 ppm), using the EPA RMP*(TM) model, will be 0.60 miles. Borger Chlorine Station Worst Case Scenario - failure of both 1-ton cylinders simultaneously would release 4000 pounds of chlorine, assumed to be in the form of vapor. The distance to the endpoint of 0.0087 mg/L (3 ppm), using the EPA RMP*(TM) model, will be 3.00 miles. Alternate Release Scenario - A pipe (tubing) failure allows a leak of 920 pounds for 35 minutes. The distance to the endpoint of 0.0087 mg/L (3ppm), using the EPA RMP*(TM) model, will be 0.60 miles. Amarillo Chlorine Station Worst Case Scenario - Failure of all 4 1-ton cylinders simultaneously would release 8000 pounds of chlorine, assumed to be in the form of vapor. The distance to the endpoint of 0.0087 mg/L (3ppm), using the EPA RMP*(TM) model, will be 4.2 miles. Alternate Release Scenario - A pipe (tubing) failure allows a leak of 1840 pounds for 35 minutes. The dis tance to the endpoint of 0.0087 mg/L (3ppm), using the EPA RMP*(TM) model, will be 0.60 miles. Kress Chlorine Station Worst Case Scenario - Failure of 2 1-ton cylinders simultaneously would release 4000 pounds of chlorine, assumed to be in the form of vapor. The distance to the endpoint of 0.0087 mg/L (3ppm), using the EPA RMP*(TM) model, will be 3.0 miles. Alternate Release Scenario - A pipe (tubing) failure allows a leak of 1400 pounds for 180 minutes. The distance to the endpoint of .0087 mg/L (3ppm), using the EPA RMP*(TM) model will be 0.60 miles. The Canadian River Municipal Water Authority will comply with EPA's Accidental Release Prevention Rule and with all applicable state codes and regulations. Employees who work with the chlorination system are trained to safely handle, operate, and maintain the chlorine cylinders and chlorinators. The existing chlorination system has been designed according to good engineering practice and standards. T he system has been in service for many years with little, if any, change in operation. We operate our system to maintain the process as it was designed and not on a "fix it when it breaks down" schedule. An accidental release occurred on July 26, 1996. There were no injuries. There were some leaves on a tree that were damaged and the adjacent roads were closed for about 30 minutes. The Tulia Fire Department assisted with backup and support. The Texas Tier Two Emergency Response Program is the basis for dealing with chlorine leaks, and is updated annually. The following are planned changes to improve chlorine response safety: 1) Purchase a level "A" vapor protective suit, and train people how to use it. This is to be used in conjunction with the local LEPC response. 2) Send 2 maintenance people to a seminar for Chlorine Operations. 3) Have emergency response training for the people who respond to a chlorine leak. |