Middletown Wastewater Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
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The City of Middletown owns and operates a wastewater treatment plant in Middletown, Ohio. For disinfection, the plant uses chlorine, which is classified as an extremely hazardous substance. Two release scenarios (worst-case and alternate-case) were modeled using Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres, ALOHA(R), computer program. The worst-case scenario for chlorine (i.e., catastrophic failure due to corrosion, impact, or construction defects causing a direct release of 2,000 pounds of chlorine over a 10-minute period) resulted in an endpoint of 2.6 miles. The estimated number of persons residing in the 2.6-mile radius is 21,000. The alternate-case scenario (i.e., a gaseous release through a short pipe or valve) resulted in an endpoint of 0.4 mile. The estimated number of persons residing in the 0.4-mile radius is 220. SInce the plant uses and stores chlorine in excess of 2,500 pounds, it is subject to federal requirements including preparation of PSM and RMP programs. String ent RMP requirements (known as "Program 3 Level") apply to the City of Middletown because of Ohio's OSHA jurisdiction. The City of Middletown has developed an emergency plan to provide employees with specific details for emergency operations. Additionally, in-house procedures are in place for training personnel on the chlorine system, mechanical inspection of equipment, incident investigation, compliance audits, and emergency response and action plan. The City of Middletown has not had an accident involving chlorine that caused deaths, injuries, property or environmental damage, or sheltering in place at this facility in the past 5 years. |