North Tonawanda Wastewater Treatment Facility - Executive Summary |
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Executive Summary for the City of North Tonawanda Wastewater Treatment Facility Accidental Release Prevention Policy: The City will take every reasonable action to prevent all accidental releases. We will accomplish this by using the most current design, training, and inspecting processes available. Emergency Response Policy (ERP). The City will respond to any emergency in a manner best suited to protecting our employees, the public, and the environment. Trained on-site responders will access the emergency, and decide on a coarse of action. For emergencies within their training level they will respond. For any emergency not included in their training, off-site emergency response agencies will be called. The Stationary Source. The stationary source is the gaseous chlorine disinfection system at this municipal wastewater treatment plant. Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5) is the regulated substance handled at this facility. The chlorine system has a maximum inventory of 32 ,000 pounds. This quantity qualifies the chlorine system as a Program 3 process. The Worst-case Scenario. The worst-case scenario is the rupture of the largest chlorine tank. The volume of the storage tank would allow a maximum of 2,000 pounds of liquid chlorine to be stored. In the worst case scenario this tank would rupture and spill its entire contents onto the ground in ten minutes. Using the EPA look-up tables for this release, the distance to the toxic endpoint is 1.3 miles. The Alternative Release Scenario. The alternative release scenario is the discharge of chlorine from a broken valve on a ton cylinder. Based on a > inch opening, such a release could yield a release of 840 pounds of chlorine during a ten-minute release. Using the EPA look-up tables for this release, the distance to the toxic endpoint is 0.2 miles. Accidental Release Prevention Program. The accidental release prevention program includes a combination of design, training, and inspecting. The c hlorine system was designed according to current codes and specifications, and adheres to good operating practice. The operators and contractors who work in and around the chlorine equipment have been trained in both safety and proper operating procedures. We have a detailed monitoring and inspection program that maintains the mechanical integrity of the chlorine equipment. Five Year Accident History. There were no reportable accidents in the last five years. Emergency Response Program (ERP). The wastewater treatment plant has a written ERP that includes specific actions to be taken in response to an accidental release of chlorine. On-site responders will respond to small accidental releases. Any large or uncontrolled release will require assistance from off-site responding agencies. The ERP plan states the specific procedures for informing the public and local agencies responsible for responding to an accidental release. The ERP also includes information on emergency heal th care for exposure to chlorine. The ERP was last reviewed on April 29, 1999. ERP training for all employees was last conducted on July 15, 1998. The ERP is coordinated with the North Tonawanda Fire Department. The contact is the Fire Chief, at telephone (716) 693-2201. The facility is also subject to OSHA 1910.120, OSHA Process Safety Management Rules. Planned Changes to improve Safety. None outstanding. |