Long Cane Creek Water Pollution Control Plant - Executive Summary |
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The Risk Management Plan for Safe Chlorine Handling at the Long Cane Creek Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) addresses all applicable procedures of 40 CFR 68.170. As intended under the Clean Air Act, the procedures contained in the Plan were developed to minimize the risk of accidental releases of chlorine. Hazard assessment and coordination with local emergency responders provide for enhanced safety of employees and the general public. Located in the central portion of Troup County, the Long Cane WPCP is a wastewater treatment facility owned and operated by the City of LaGrange, Georgia. The plant uses chlorine for the disinfection of treated effluent before discharge into the Chattahoochee River. One ton chlorine cylinders are the primary source of chlorine. One hundred fifty pound cylinders are used for backup chlorination and effluent filter cleaning. The chlorination process includes chlorinators, vacuum regulators, and auxiliary equipment. There have been no accide nts with chlorine in the last five years that have had onsite or offsite consequences. The facility is not covered by OSHA standards; however, there are public receptors within a distance to endpoint worst-case release. The Long Cane WPCP is therefore subject to Program 2 requirements. Determination of the area impacted by accidental release scenarios is based on tables provided in EPAs Risk Management Guidance for Wastewater Treatment Plants. The worst case scenario for the Long Cane Plant involves failure of a one-ton cylinder yielding a release of 2,000 pounds of chlorine. In order to reach a public receptor, the alternative case scenario was determined to be a release due to a valve failure. More information on the accidental release scenarios is available in the Risk Management Plan. The City of LaGranges Long Cane Plant complies with all generally accepted practices for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant and all applica ble state and federal laws. The chlorine storage area and chlorinator room are equipped with chlorine release detectors that alarm both locally and through the plants central computer system. Operator training, a preventative maintenance program, and safety equipment are in place to minimize the potential for accidental releases. Our employees are trained to respond to minor (incidental) chlorine releases. Should a major release occur, it is our written policy to inform the LaGrange Fire Department through 911. The LaGrange Fire Department is equipped to handle such releases. A mutual aid agreement with the Troup County Fire Department provides even greater protection for any affected area. |