Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
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Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant EPA/RMP Executive Summary 6/21/99 I. THE WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is a quasi-government agency established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1918 as a regional (bi-county) organization under Article 29 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, to provide water and sewer services for Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Maryland. Currently WSSC provides service to 396,000 customer accounts and an area of nearly 1,000 square miles. II. THE VISION AND MISSION OF THE WSSC The WSSC Vision: Since we are entrusted by our communities to provide safe drinking water, to ensure reliable service, and to safeguard the environment, we will demonstrate, through our daily performance in meeting these responsibilities, the importance of earning the trust and advocacy of our customers. We will be recognized as pioneers in our field and will be looked up to by our peers. Our leadership role in community involvement will forge working partnerships that place trust in our customers interests as they place trust in our tested experience. We inspire among our employees sensitivity and responsiveness to customers needs, with a commitment to excellence at every level in the organization. We will develop an empowered and diverse work force representative of the public we serve, and one that will exhibit a sense of individual values that translate into teamwork, pride, and personal responsibility. Our Mission: We are entrusted by our community to provide safe and reliable water, lifes most precious resource, and to return clean water to our environment, all in a financially responsible manner. III. FULFILLING OUR VISION AND MISSION To fulfill our mission of providing safe, reliable water that meets or exceeds all standards for purity and of returning clean water to the environment--all in an efficient, financially responsible manner--WSSC operates and maintains a n extensive array of highly automated facilities. Its two water filtration plants, drawing from the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, produce an average of 166 million gallons of potable water per day, and over 5,000 miles of water mains deliver that product to homes and businesses in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties. The Commission operates three reservoirs, with a total capacity of 14 billion gallons, to ensure a reliable water supply for all seasons and conditions. Six wastewater treatment plants operated by WSSC provide sewage treatment. Every day an average of 181 million gallons of wastewater from Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties move to facilities through 4,900 miles of sewers maintained by WSSC. The six WSSC wastewater treatment plants have a combined capacity of over 73 million gallons per day (mgd). Under the Inter-municipal Agreement, WSSC is allocated 169 mgd of Blue Plains 370 mgd capacity. WSSC, in turn, pays a share of the Blue Plains operating and capit al expenses. IV. POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES A six-member commission governs WSSC--three members from each county. The Commissioners are appointed to four-year terms by their respective county executives, and confirmed by their county councils. The Commissions powers and responsibilities are set forth in State law and in subsequent legislative amendments. The Maryland General Assembly conferred these powers upon the WSSC to enable it to fulfill its principal functions. The Commissions major functions are to: - provide for the construction, operation, and maintenance of water supply and sanitary sewerage systems in Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, - approve the locations of, and issue permits for, utilities installed in public ways, and - establish water consumption rates, sewer usage rates, connection charges, front foot benefit charges, and permit fees, and if required, cause ad valorem taxes to be levied. The Commission also: - reviews preliminary subdiv ision plats as to suitability of water and sewer design, and reviews street grades for those streets in which there are Commission facilities, - formulates regulations, issues permits for, and inspects, all plumbing and gas-fitting installations, and - conducts examinations for master and journeyman plumbers and gas fitters, and issues licenses to those qualified to perform plumbing and gas-fitting work. V. THE BUREAU OF OPERATIONS The Bureau of Operations is responsible for providing overall supervision, management, coordination, and administration of the Water and Wastewater Divisions. The Bureau Office formulates operating policy and procedures, provides technical advice to the Commission and staff, and participates in inter and intra-agency meetings. The Bureau Director serves as Chairman of the Blue Plains Regional Committee, and the Principal Civil Engineer serves as Chairman of the Blue Plains Technical Committee. These Committees are charged with administration of t he Inter-municipal Agreement, or IMA, which governs regional coordination on Blue Plains issues. The Bureau Director also serves as WSSCs representative to the Council of Governments Environmental and Public Works Directors Committee (a committee which develops environmental policy recommendations for the Board of Directors), the Montgomery County Water Quality Advisory Group (which advises the Council on water policies) and the Chairman of the WSSC Plumbing Board (which makes policy recommendations regarding the Plumbing Code). The Bureau Director provides the supervision, management, and administrative control of the Water and Wastewater Divisions. VI. WASTEWATER OPERATIONS DIVISION This Divisions mission is to produce quality effluent which meets all discharge standards, beneficially utilize the biosolids, and operate the sewage pumping stations to collect and transport wastewater without overflows. This is to be done safely, cost effectively, and in a responsible manner, thus protecting the environment. The Division is responsible for the operational readiness of treatment plants currently not in service so that they are capable of being placed back in service when needed. The Division also provides support for other organizations within the Commission, such as the Systems Maintenance Division, and the Industrial Discharge Control Section, by assisting in developing research projects and testing. Support is also given to organizations outside the Commission, such as the US Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Maryland Environmental Services, and the Maryland Department of the Environment. The Division operates six wastewater treatment plants, with an average daily flow of 73 mgd. In addition to the six plants, there are thirty-nine (39) wastewater-pumping stations operated by the Division. Three (3) of the wastewater treatment plants are covered by the CAAA 112 ( r ) requirements; and the other three (3) do not use t he EPA 112 ( r ) listed threshold chemicals. VII. SENECA WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT The Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is located at 12600 Great Seneca Highway in Germantown, Maryland. The Seneca WWTP is currently designed to treat 5.0 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater with an expansion in 1999 the plant will have the capacity to treat 20 mgd. It employs an extended aeration activated sludge process, followed by secondary clarification, gravity sand filtration, chlorination and dechlorination, chemical pH adjustment, and then cascade aeration prior to release into the Great Seneca Creek. The current plant average flow is 4.9 mgd. Plant biosolids are conditioned with polymer prior to dewatering by belt filter presses. A contractor for beneficial reuse removes the resulting biosolids for land application. The plant is staffed 24 hours a day, year round. Plant staff also monitors the Damascus and Hyattstown WWTPs during off-shifts via computerized process con trol systems, and the staff is responsible for maintaining all of Montgomery Countys wastewater pumping stations. Performance and safety are the hallmarks of the Seneca WWTP. Performance has enabled the Seneca WWTP to receive many awards. During 1992-1996, the Seneca WWTP received the annual American Metropolitan Sewage Authoritys (AMSA) Gold Award for no process related NPDES permit non-compliance. In 1997, the plant received the AMSA Platinum Award for five consecutive years without a process related non-compliance; the plant was one of approximately 30 plants in the nation eligible for this prestigious award. In 1998, plant personnel were recognized for their hard work by receiving second place in EPAs National Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award program. Additionally, the plant is operated so that the actual discharge quality parameters are a mere fraction of the allowable NPDES levels. Seneca WWTP has an active and aggressive safety and training program. Safely o perating the plant facilities to protect it and the environment is paramount. WSSCs Safety Section and the Plants Safety Coordinator train the Plant staff regularly on plant operations, accident prevention, and for emergencies. Annual training includes: CPR, Lockout/Tagout, Right-to-Know, Personal Protective Equipment, emergency repair of chlorine/sulfur dioxide cylinders, Confined Space Entry, Rescue & Retrieval, etc. As a WSSC requisite for long term employment, wastewater Plant Operators must pass an examination to become certified by the State of Marylands Department of the Environment. This ensures that Plant Operators are fully capable of effectively operating the plant. At Seneca, all Plant Operators are fully certified. Seneca has an impeccable safety record. During the past five years, Seneca has received 20 Wastewater Division Quarterly No Lost Time Accident awards, and since 1980, there has not been a single chemical spill or release to the environment. The plant is designed to provide reliable operations year-round. Power to the plant originates from two different electrical sources, providing electrical redundancy, thereby reducing the potential occurrence of a total power outage. The plant is designed with redundant equipment at every phase of the treatment process. Thus, when an equipment failure occurs, the process can continue producing a high quality final effluent and providing maximum protection to our environment. VIII. PREVENTION PROGRAM The Commission accidental release prevention program is part of the agencys overall Safety & Health Program and involves a unified approach that integrates technologies, procedures, and management practices to ensure our workers and the public a safe environment. The RMP requirement is essentially an expansion of the OSHA Process Safety requirement and the Employee and Community Right to Know programs that have been in existence for a number of years. Hazardous material has always been recognized as a unique hazard for our employees and the public; therefore, we have made every possible effort to ensure the proper and safe use of all hazardous materials. WSSCs chemical safety prevention program includes: the availability of personal protective equipment; obtaining and use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS); designing facilities for safety and accident prevention; training and educating employees on chemical systems and processes; planning and practicing for emergency situations; requiring consultants and contractors to abide by established safety practices; sharing of information with employees, contractors and consultants; conducting periodic inspection and audit reviews of chemical process systems; and formulating policies and procedures for an effective chemical handling processes. Additionally, all Commission facilities are designed and built to conform with the industries recognized codes, such as: National Electric Code, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American National Standards Institute, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes, BOCA codes, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Condition Engineers, American Water Works Association, etc A review of the hazards associated with the chlorine and dechlorination processes and procedures are performed annually. The Commission plant management has developed written procedures that provide clear instructions and steps for safely conducting activities associated with our chlorination and dechlorination processes. The procedures include initial startup, normal operations, temporary operations, emergency shutdown and operation, equipment inspections, and emergency planning and response. Employees currently operating and maintaining the chlorination and dechlorination processes have been trained and tested competent to perform their work duties. Newly assigned workers will also receive the appropriate training to perform their assigned duties. The safet y of our employees and the performance of the plant are our primary concerns. WSSCs Safety Section and the Plants Safety Coordinator train the Plant staff regularly on accident prevention and responding to emergencies. Included among the annual training classes are CPR, Lockout/Tagout, Right-to-Know, Personal Protective Equipment, Chlorine/Sulfur Dioxide Cylinder Repair and Leak Response Procedures, Confined Space Entry and Rescue & Retrieval, and First Aid. As a WSSC requisite for long term employment, all wastewater Plant Operators must become fully certified by the State of Marylands Department of the Environment by passing examinations. This ensures that Plant Operators are capable of effectively operating the plant. At Seneca, all Plant Operators have State of Maryland certification. Seneca has an excellent safety record, as evidenced by winning the WSSC Wastewater Operations Division Annual Safety Award, which was awarded to the WSSC wastewater treatment plant with the best sa fety record four years in a row from 1989 through 1992, and also in 1996 and 1998. Because safety is so important, there have been no releases of sulfur dioxide or chlorine gas to the environment in the history of the plant. The plant is designed to provide reliable operations year round. Power to the plant originates from two different electrical sources, providing electrical redundancy and thereby reducing the potential occurrence of a total power outage. The plant is designed with redundant equipment at every phase of the treatment process. Thus, when an equipment failure occurs, the process can continue producing a high quality final effluent and provide maximum protection to our environment. IX. EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PLANNING The Seneca WFP has an written emergency response and planning program. A written emergency plan is maintained by on site plant personnel with the support of the WSSC Safety Section. The plan is consistent with the EPA 40 CFR, Emergency Planning and Com munity Right-to-Know Act of 1986 of the Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act and includes: delegation of authority; notification of officials; emergency procedures; and procedures for working with local officials should an emergency create the need for an evacuation of the plant and/or surrounding community. Plant personnel are regularly trained on the plan requirements and conduct periodic emergency response drills for a variety of plant emergencies. The plant personnel and the Safety Section document training. Some training courses related to emergency response are requirements for Operators to maintain their plant certifications by the Maryland Department of the Environment. A WSSC staff member from the Safety Section is a member of the Montgomery County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and attends the LEPC meetings in Prince Georges County, the site of Seneca WWTP. He assists the plant and fire department in coordinating emergency respon se planning and training procedures for the plant. Prince Georges County Fire Department officials visit the facility annually conducting walk around inspections of the chemical storage areas and the plant in general. WSSC and the fire officials have an excellent working relationship and are both prepared for on site plant emergencies. WSSC will share with the Prince Georges and the local fire departments our Risk Management Plan for this facility and any future amendments. Our goal is to provide amendments or updates to the LEPCs within 30 days of the final action. Additionally, if any future offsite consequence analysis identifies potential exposure to residents outside of the Prince Georges County LEPC jurisdiction, the WSSC Safety Manger shall ensure that the impacted county LEPC is advised of the potential offsite consequence. Safety Manager (6/99) Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission 14501 Sweitzer Lane Laurel, Maryland 20707 301-206-7060 |