MONROE METRO. WASTEWATER FACILITY - Executive Summary |
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Executive Summary RMP Submit Accidental release prevention and emergency response policies for the Monroe Metropolitan Wastewater Facility. Emergency Response: The Monroe Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Facility has developed two major programs to address the accidental release of chlorine gas from our facility. Our Off-Site Response Standard Operating Procedures is the primary program dealing with the release of chlorine gas from our facility. This is an extensive response program that was developed by the County of Monroe, Monroe County Health Department, Office of Civil Preparedness, Monroe County LEPC, Wastewater Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Services and other organizations. Off-Site Response Program establishes polices and procedures for the following: Purpose, Concept of Operation; Hazard Description/Vulnerability; Emergency Response; Community Organization; Tasks and Education of duties during a release; Hazard Descript ion/Population Vulnerability; Emergency Response Procedures; Incident Classification; Procedures for Notifications/Warnings; Hazmat Incident Notification Form; Procedures for Central Dispatch; Procedures for Direction and Control during an event; Worst Case Plume Analysis; Location of EOC/Command Post; Assessment Procedures; Protective Actions; Time Estimates for Response; Health and Emergency Medical Procedures/Response; Registration of Emergency Shelters; Emergency Public Information; Containment/Clean-Up Procedures; Pre-Incident Training; Risk Area Assessment including; Risk Area Boundary; Evacuation Routes; and Access Control Warnings. Accidental Release Prevention: The facility has developed an extensive process safety management program in compliance with OSHA 1910.119. This program is designed to utilize a team approach to minimize the potential for release of chlorine gas at the facility. A safety review team has been established to review the program on a yearly basis and direct improvements to the program. This review is conducted using a "what if" question and answer program. The process safety management program is roughly 500 pages and includes sections on employee review and input, committee recommendations, process safety information, written process, facility planning, employee involvement, safety committee, accidental release investigation, Process Hazard Analysis, Operating Procedures and Practices, Employee Training, Mechanical Integrity, Quality Assurance, Pollution Incident Prevention Plan, Process diagrams and Relative Information on Chlorine, Written Emergency Chlorine Response Program including MSDS Information, The Chlorine Institute Manual, Information on the Emergency Repair kit "B", and the Wastewater Department Chlorine Safety Program. Future Improvements: One million three hundred thousand dollars has been budgeted for a Capital Improvements project that will install ultra violet disinfection so that chlorine gas will not be used at the facility. The Design/build is estimated to take two years, therefore, the anticipated start-up date is July 2001. Facility and Regulated Substance: The Monroe Wastewater Facility is located at 2205 E. Front Street, in the City of Monroe, Michigan. The wastewater facility is located in an industrial section of town isolated from residential areas. The facility processes 12.5 million gallons of wastewater from the community each day. Once the Wastewater is treated and the pollutants are removed, the effluent is chlorinated to kill pathogenic microorganisms. To effect this, disinfection chlorine is used. Up to a maximum of six ton cylinders can be stored in the chlorine storage area at a time. Usually, there are three or four full one-ton cylinders at the facility. The Worst Case Release Scenario, Tank Rupture: Ton chlorine cylinders are regulated by MDOT and are constructed to be transported over our highway system. Despite the fact that a tank rupture would be hi ghly unlikely, plans have been developed to seal off the area and to utilize the emergency "B" repair kit to correct the situation. Chlorine alarms are present and tested daily with personnel receiving yearly training on all aspects of the process. The more likely scenario, is a line rupture or gasket leak. Containment is provided within the chlorine room. Operators are trained in the use of "B" kit and SCBA utilization to effect an expedient repair. The Fire department is our local responder and their training is substantial in hazardous response. Depending on the type of release, the response actions that will take place and are governed by our off-site response Standard Operating Procedure. The entire chlorination feed system has been evaluated. The evaluation resulted in reducing the amount of chlorine cylinders from a potential of twenty-four to a maximum of six cylinders at any one time. Further improvements have been made to the storage area, monitoring and sodium b isulfate is available as a neutralization source. A new sodium bisulfate system has been installed in the storage area. Plans are further underway to install ultraviolet disinfection and discontinue the use of chlorine gas. This SYSTEM SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL by July 2001. Passive Mitigation Includes: Keeping all doors and ventilator system shutoff until repairs are made. This will contain a majority of the release so that active mitigation can be affective. Feed system review and upgrading. Alarm system for early response. Plant to replace the chlorine within a two-year period. Active Mitigation - to contain and absorb/neutralize released chlorine by using sodium Bisulfate. Bisulfate should absorb approximately 50% to 75% of the escaped gas. The General Accident Release Prevention Program that the Monroe Facility complies with is: The Process Safety Management PSM 1910.119. The Five Year Accident History: There has not been a reportable release of chlorine from the Monro e Wastewater Facility in the past five years. Emergency Response Program: As stated earlier, we employ PSM and an off-site emergency response plan at the Monroe Facility. The City of Monroe Fire Department is our designated first responders, and will work with the LEPC and the OCP during the activity. - Plans have been developed to respond to all events from the smallest leak up to a container rupture. - Employees are trained. - Plans are being made to discontinue the use of chlorine in a two-year period. Resent Planned Changes to Improve Safety: - We have increased the number and quality of signs designating the chlorine area. - Tank valves only opened 1/4 turn to enable quick shut down. Planned Changes to Chlorine System: - Discontinued use of chlorine within a two-year period. |