Mahoning Valley Sanitary District - Executive Summary |
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District (MVSD) owns and operates a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) which produces potable water from the Meander Creek Reservoir. MVSD furnishes potable water to the Cities of Youngstown, Niles, and it acts as an agent for these cities in supplying the Village of McDonald. Theses cities then supply water to the surrounding metropolitan areas including Girard, Canfield, Mineral Ridge, and portions of eight townships. MVSD presently serves 300,000 people and produces an average flow of 30 million gallons per day. Ammonia (anhydrous) and Chlorine are two of the various chemicals used in the treatment process to produce water that is safe to drink. Ammonia reacts with free chlorine to form chloramines which destroy pathogenic organisms. Chloramines also prevent the formation of the Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs), health concerns, which are formed when free Chlorine reacts with organic material in the water. Ammonia (A nhydrous) and Chlorine are both listed under 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 9 as a regulated toxic substance and their threshold quantities for accidental release prevention are 10,000 lbs and 2,500 lbs, respectively. Since the quantities of Ammonia (anhydrous) (10,400 lbs) and Chlorine (48,000 lbs) stored at the WTP are greater than the threshold values, MVSD must comply with 40 CFR Part 68 which requires the development and implementation of a risk management program. Chlorine and Ammonia (anhydrous) are toxic when inhaled or ingested. MVSD is aware of the direr consequences that exposure to these chemicals, even in the smallest amount, can have on the environment, the public, and our employees. MVSD is committed to handling Chlorine and Ammonia (anhydrous), and all other chemicals in the safest manner possible. The philosophy and objectives behind this commitment are: 1. The safety and health of all District employees is a prime priority. 2. The only acceptable level of safety and health performance is one that prevents injury and accidents. 3. Safety and health are an integral part of the daily business functions. 4. Safety and health are a responsibility that must be shared equally and without exception by everyone in the organization, and; 5. Management and those with supervisory responsibilities will be held accountable for the safety and health of the personnel for whom they are responsible. All employees will be required to make their safety and the safety of their fellow workers a prime priority. In modeling the worst case toxic release scenario for Chlorine and Ammonia (anhydrous), EPA's OCA Guidance Reference Tables were used to determine the distance to the toxic endpoints which were 3.0 and 1.2 miles, respectively. The topography category selected was rural because there are relatively few obstacles immediately surrounding the WTP and the actual topography is flat. No administrative controls are in place to limit the maximum quantity of chemical present, and the building was not considered as passive mitigation in the scenarios because both chemicals are handled outdoors. However, MVSD is committed to the safe storage, use, and handling of Chlorine and Ammonia (anhydrous), especially during the transfer of these chemicals, to minimize the potential for accidental release to the environment. The public receptors impacted common to both chemicals were schools, residences, recreation areas, and major commercial, office, or industrial areas. Chlorine also impacts a nursing home. Ammonia (anhydrous) does not impact any environmental receptors, but Chlorine impacts a bald eagle nesting area. In modeling the alternative case toxic release scenario for Chlorine and Ammonia (anhydrous), EPA's OCA Guidance Reference Tables were used to determine the distance to the toxic endpoint which were 0.3 and 0.2 miles respectively. As in the worst cas e toxic release scenario, the topography category selected was rural. A conservative approach in modeling the alternative case release scenario was chosen. The building was considered as passive mitigation in the scenarios, while the scrubbers were not considered. The building mitigation factor significantly reduces the release rate from the buildings. With scrubbers the amount of material released to the environment would be low. The only public receptors impacted by either chemical would be a wastewater treatment plant and no environmental receptors would be impacted. The general accidental release prevention program consists of MVSD's and its employees commitment to the safe handling, storage and use of Chlorine and Ammonia (anhydrous). MVSD's WTP is included in Trumbull County's Emergency Response Plan, and MVSD's Emergency Action Plan contains the appropriate mechanism to notify emergency responders when there is a need for a response. There were no accidents in the pas t five years, and no changes to the safety program are planned |