Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
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Fairmont Waste Water Treatment Plant Risk Management Plan Executive summary. The Fairmont waste water treatment system utilizes chlorine gas for disinfection purposes. The facil ity utilizes one ton cylinders of chlorine gas which are received at the facility on a once-per-month basis. Up to three cylinders are maintained on-site at any one time. All threer cylinders are stored inside the waste water treatment plant chlorine cylinder storage room. The process utilizes one cylinder on-line at any one time. One additional cylinder is connected to an automatic transfer system. The automatic transfer system allows the second cylinder to go on-line as soon as the chlorine from the first cylinder has been totally utilized. The average chlorine usage rate at this facility is 100 lbs per day. The Fairmont waste water system utilizes a Wallace and Tiernan (WT) chlorinator system. This system operates such that the chlorine transfer from the cylinder to the chlorinators is under va cuum versus pressure. This type of arrangement provides for minimal potential for leaks of chlorine through the piping. The facility has a preventive maintenance program which is designed to maintain the equipment that handles chlorine gas in a good operating mode. Chlorine cylinders are received from the vendor and the transfer of the cylinders from the truck to the chlorine storage building is always performed during daylight hours, and is attended by the truck driver and a Fairmont waste water treatment plant operator. The Fairmont waste water treatment plant is not continuously manned, but all alarms are monitored bya SCADA control system which alerts off site personnel to alarm conditions for immediate response. There are two chlorine sensor systems located at the facility. These sensors are designed to detect any chlorine release within either the chlorine cylinder storage area or the chlorinator room. Both the chlorinator room and chlorine storage room are designed with e xhaust fans that automatically start if a chlorine release is identified by the sensors. The alternative scenario identified for this facility would be for a failure of the yoke piping which connects to the cylinder. If this piping and related regulator valve failed, a maximum of 50 lbs per hour of chlorine gas could be released from one cylinder. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES In the event of a severe chlorine release, FWTP employees are instructed to call 911 and request assistance from theFairmiont Fire Department. The Fire Department personnel can respond within 5 minutes and have the adequate personal protective equipment to isolate valves in the event of such an incident. Regarding lower volume incidents involving minor leaks, FwWTP has a contract with Chemply of Pittsburgh, PA. Chemply provides emergency response to any chlorine releases. Chemply personnel can be on-site within 1.5 hours of notification of a need. Once the chlorine usage area has been adequately ventila ted and the release of chlorine stopped, FWWTP personnel will enter into the area to perform the repair work necessary. FWWTP personnel have been instructed to never enter into a chlorine usage area in the event of an alarm situation. Should community evacuation or shelter in place become necessary, FWWTP will utilize the Marion County Office of Emergency to coordinate the evacuation/shelter in place activity. TRAINING FWWTP personnel receive annual chlorine awareness training from Chemply. This training is performed to insure that personnel understand the hazards of dealing with chlorine gas and are familiar with the routine tasks associated with their jobs, as well as aware of the emergency response procedures neceessary to be followed in the event of a chlorine release. FWWT personnel are also provided with CPR training on an annual basis as well as basic first aid training every three years. This training is provided by the Plant Superintendent who is trained as an instruc tor for both CPR and basic first aid. AFFECTED AREA In the event of a release, either a catastrophic release or the alternate scenario type release, there would be a immediatel impact of recreational area, in that the FWWTP is located adjacent to the Monongahelia River. This river is used for a variety of recreational purposes including boating, fishing, and swimming. |