Lake Linganore Water Treatment Plant - Executive Summary

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   FREDERICK COUNTY BUREAU OF WATER AND SEWER 
   LAKE LINGANORE WATER TREATMENT PLANT 
    
   RMP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
SECTION I 
 
The Frederick County Bureau of Water and Sewer owns and operates several water treatment plants (WTP) in Frederick County Maryland.  This facility is located at the end of Quinn Road at Lake Linganore Dam and is the second largest WTP operated by Frederick County Bureau of Water and Sewer. The Lake Linganore WTP treats about 1 mgd and serves 33,000 residential customers and commercial /industrial customers.   Chlorine, liquid or gas, is the primary disinfectant used at water treatment facilities in the United States.  Fourteen  thousand pounds of Chlorine is the maximum amount at this facility.  There are no other hazardous chemical used or stored above reportable quantities at this facility.  There has never been a release of Chlorine at this facility. This facility is one of two Bureau of Water and Sewer facilities required to submit RMP data; therefore, much of the  
data contained in this report will be similar or the same for both facilities.  
 
 
SECTION II & III 
 
Both relief scenarios used in this report use a single container 2,000 lbs.  With the policies and procedures in place and the safety record of this facility, it is believed that this is the greatest amount that would be released in a single incident.  
 
The first scenario  is a Chlorine gas release taking place over a 10 minute period.  This 10 minute period is the estimated time that it would take for sensors to sound the alarm, personnel response with appropriate PPE and equipment, and valve or line repair or seal.  
 
The second scenario is a rupture of a fusible plug (relief valve) with the total contents of one container emptied in an eight minute period of time. This time frame is based on the size of the fusible plug and the emptying of the complete container. 
 
Both the worst case and alternative release scenarios were calculated using the EPA's RMP*Comp  software and the Off  Site  
Consequences tables.   Given the safety and accident history of this facility it is believed that no other extensive modeling is necessary. 
 
 
SECTION IV & V 
 
The Frederick County Bureau of Water and Sewer has no flammables subject to RMP therefore, no scenarios are submitted. 
 
 
SECTION VII 
 
The Lake Linganore WTP has an excellent safety record having had no accidental releases in its 7 year history. 
 
 
SECTION VIII 
 
What-If & What-If/Checklists are used to update the PHA.  The last PHA was completed for this report on May 1999.  Many of the hazards identified are extremely remote yet are possible and were, therefore, listed for this report.   The What-If scenarios include environmental emergencies, human failures, power failures, and computer and equipment failure.  A Y2K review has been completed for potential impact on this facility.  This facility is not run 24 hours per day and it is unlikely that Y2K problems will have  significant impact.  In the event that Y2K causes a power fail 
ure or other equipment malfunction, standby personnel are planned for and backup equipment is also available. 
 
Frederick County Bureau of Water and Sewer has built redundancy into many of its critical processes.  This redundancy includes dual power and generators for power failures, duplicate pumps, controls, and sensors for other equipment.  Audible and visual alarms and procedures are in place for routine and emergency process control.  Automatic controls and shutoffs are equipped with manual backups in the event of power failures or other emergencies cause equipment failure.   
 
Chlorine containers are stored in a room separate from the rest of the treatment area in the South West Corner of the Building.  This building is not ventilated to the outside and any release would be contained in the facility.  During non occupied hours this facility is secured with a locked fence. 
 
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are continually reviewed and revised as necessary.  All SOPs were revie 
wed for this report. 
 
The Frederick County Bureau of Water and Sewer has an extensive Occupational Health and Safety program.  This program has set the benchmark for many other Frederick County Department of  Public Works safety programs.  Policies and plans are in place and training for all employees takes place throughout the year.  Currently these policies include the following:  
 
        PPE 
        Hazard Communication (RTK) 
        Emergency Action and Fire Prevention and Extinguisher Use 
        Chlorine Safety & Chlorine Repair Kit "A" & "B" 
        Emergency Response to Chlorine and Sulfur Dioxide Releases 
        Bloodborne Pathogens & First Aid / CPR 
        Atmospheric Testing & Respiratory Protection 
        Confined Space  
        Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO) 
        Safe Lifting 
        Fork Lift Safety 
 
Review of all policies is ongoing with a formal review once per year. Formal review was completed for RMP submission.  An on-the-job training program is being implemented using both health & safety training and job performance  
check-lists for job performance evaluation. 
 
An active employee safety committee is included in policy review.  The committee also conducts facility inspections on a periodic basis. 
 
Frederick County Bureau of Water and Sewer has implemented a Computerized Maintenance Management System for tracking of equipment maintenance both routine and repairs.  This system allows for faster retrieval  of tracking data, planning schedules for preventive maintenance, and resource (man-hours, parts and equipment) tracking.  This system is still in the implementation stage and, therefore, hard copy  maintenance logs are still in use for some areas and equipment. 
 
 
SECTION IX 
 
The Frederick County Bureau of Water and Sewer is a Frederick County agency and works closely with other Frederick County agencies to maintain its Emergency Response.  Other agencies include Frederick County Department of Fire and Rescue (LEPC), Frederick City and other Frederick County  Municipalities.  A joint disaster drill wa 
s held with Frederick City and County agencies on January 1997, at the Federal Emergency Training Center.  The Bureau's Emergency Response Plan (ERP) includes notification, evacuation and accountability requirements as well as health and safety instructions that are to be used in the event of a release.  Each facility location then is required to maintain  site specific SOPs for shut down, evacuation, notification and accountability.  A rotational on call supervisors list is included in the Bureau's general ERP.  This on-call supervisors list includes home phone numbers, pager numbers and cell phone numbers. Each on-call supervisor has a two way radio for communication also.  The Bureau's radios can also contact the County's Office of Emergency Communications (EOC). 
 
Copies of any and all Policies, Plans, Procedures and Maintenance records are available for review upon request. 
 
CERTIFICATION 
 
To the best of my knowledge, information and belief formed after reasonable inquiry, the info 
rmation submitted is true, accurate and complete. 
 
(See signed copy with submittal)
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