Quail Valley Utility District - Executive Summary

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PROCESS AT THE QUAIL VALLEY UTILITY DISTRICT 
 
The Quail Valley Utility District Wastewater Treatment Plant treatment works utilizes the Unox, high purity oxygen system to aerate wastewater in the treatment process.  The oxygen process is maintained by an oxygen generating system that physically removes nitrogen and produces a high purity oxygen (85-90% pure oxygen).  Ferrous sulfate solution is also utilized to aid in settling solids in the clarification process and concentrating solids in the sludge removal process.  Vaporized liquid chlorine is used to disinfect the final treatment effluent.  Vaporized liquid sulfur dioxide is utilized as a de-chlorinating agent for the final treated effluent prior to the effluent discharge to an irrigation reservoir.  There is an on-site diesel generator with 500 gallons of diesel fuel to provide immediate power in the event supplied electrical power is interrupted or lost. 
 
1.  THE ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICIES AT YO 
UR FACILITY 
 
Hazardous materials are stored and protected in such way that, if any, airborne release is extremely minimal.  The most hazardous material used at this facility is chlorine (Cl2).  As per the supplied MSDS, the specific gravity of chlorine is 1.47.  This specific gravity will cause the chlorine of seek low spots in preference to becoming airborne.  Because of the storage location of chlorine at this facility and the precautionary building containment the worst-case scenario is release to ground. 
 
A water filled reservoir is located 30 feet from the chlorine storage.  The facility is topographically designed so any ground release will drain immediately into the reservoir.  The reservoir is equipped with a primary and redundant containment barrier. 
 
The primary and redundant barriers can be activated in less than five minutes.  Real-time monitoring devices notify personnel immediately of any release thereby providing time to initiate containment.  Employees are trained and d 
rill to ensure the ability to promptly don SCBAs before beginning containment procedures. 
 
Although contained, all proper authorities are advised of the release and a hazardous materials recovery team is immediately summoned to remove the hazardous materials according to accepted practices. 
 
There could be as much as 4,000 pounds of chlorine on-site.  However, the "normal" quantity is 2,000. 
 
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is also used in this facility's operation.  The quantity of sulfur dioxide is the same as chlorine.  As per the MSDS, the specific gravity of sulfur dioxide is 1.434.  Because of this the same accidental release procedures as for chlorine are policy at this facility. 
 
2. YOUR FACILITY AND THE REGULATED SUBSTANCES HANDLED 
 
At this facility two regulated substances are handled: chlorine and sulfur dioxide.  The maximum quantity of each that may be on-site is 4,000 pounds.  However, the normal quantity at the facility is maximum 2,000 pounds.  These substances are stored in a hig 
h integrity storage container and further protected by engineered building construction to minimize and control any potential release. 
 
3. THE WORST-CASE RELEASE SCENARIO 
 
The normal quantity of chlorine on-site is 2,000 pounds maximum.  However, worst-case scenario will have 4,000 pounds on-site. 
 
This facility is topographically engineered in such manner that any ground release cannot flow anywhere except into a reservoir. 
 
The facility is equipped with real-time monitoring devices that immediately advise personnel of the release.  The real-time monitoring devices provide minimal time for responding personnel to place sorbent materials to minimize or prohibit chlorine from entering the reservoir.  Chlorine has a specific gravity of 1.47 (as per MSDS).  Because of this: the close proximity of the reservoir, the topographically engineered controls and immediate placement of sorbent booms by responding personnel, there is only minimal potential for an airborne chlorine release. 
 
Personn 
el who will address the release are supplied by QVUD with all appropriate personal protective equipment, including SCBAs (personnel are trained and drilled to respond to a release). 
 
In the event chlorine flows into the reservoir, it is equipped with a primary and redundant barrier containment system to prevent leakage.  In addition to application of sorbents the primary and redundant barriers are activated.  Additionally, there are sorbent booms adequate to retain ongoing ground release before mitigation procedures begin. 
 
There are single-dwelling homes within 1200 feet of the facility.  Also a private golf course in proximity of the facility.  According to these most current data (30 November 1998) there is a general population of 15,514 persons within the vicinity of the QVUD.  Ten thousand three hundred and twenty one reside North of the facility.  Five thousand one hundred and ninety three reside South of the facility. 
 
According to these data supplied by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration the predominant wind direction is 6.6 mph from the south, southeast to the north, northwest.  The nearest distance to endpoint is .22 miles. 
 
The worst-case scenario involves ground release to a maximum of 4,000 pounds of chlorine, QVUD and emergency personnel immediately advise individuals or the release.  If an airborne release occurs these individuals are advised protective measures, including evacuation if necessary. 
 
4. THE 5-YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY 
There have been no accidents within the past 5-years. 
 
5. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN 
 
PURPOSE 
The purpose is to provide guidance to employees as to their responsibilities during the event of an emergency or disaster. 
 
PROCEDURE(S) 
The primary operations of the Quail Valley Utility District (QVUD) and QV (Quail Valley) Sewer Treatment Plant (STP) are carried out in a normal 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. work day, Monday through Friday.  "On Call" personnel are on duty 24 hours per day, seven days per week providing minim 
al coverage of the QVUD operations and the QV STP operation. 
 
It is unlikely that advance warning of a natural disaster or major accident or incident could be provided.  Events that are known about in advance (i.e., hurricanes, freezes and heavy rain) can be prepared for and sufficient personnel placed on duty to react to the emergency.  However, these events, and others, can happen without warning.  These advance-planning considerations are included should such an emergency occurring without the minimum number of people on duty. 
 
In the event of an emergency, the notification protocol is: 
A. The On Call QVUD operator calls 911 to advise and request assistance from emergency personnel (i.e., law enforcement, hazardous materials response).  If the emergency is vaporization, law enforcement officers will alert the affected population and ensure removal to a safe area. 
B. The On Call QVUD operator calls the Local Emergency Planning Committee regarding the emergency. 
C. The On Call QVUD op 
erator calls the hazardous materials supplier regarding the emergency. 
D. The On Call QVUD operator notifies the 1) General Manager, 2) Superintendent or 3) Assistant Superintendent. 
 
Notification of the General Manager, Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent for the QVUD emergency conditions and the General Manager, Plant Superintendent or Superintendent for the QV STP emergency condition should occur as soon as possible once an emergency condition (an event without warning) has occurred. 
 
Once the emergency condition has occurred, the "On Call" operator at QVUD and QV STP is in charge until the General Manager or one of the Superintendents is in communication with the "On Call" personnel.  The "On Call" operator will provide an initial survey of damage and report on the impact of the damage at the direction of the General Manager or one of the Superintendents. 
 
Further, the "On Call" and "Standby" personnel would, under directions from the General Manager or one of the Superinten 
dents provide for initial damage control activities, isolation of utilities, equipment and/or processes.  The "On Call" operator or General Manager/Superintendents will provide for damage support by initiating the recall of emergency essential personnel and may include communications with police, fire, ambulance or hazardous response units of Missouri City/Fort Bend County, Texas. 
 
If the emergency occurred at a time when the full work force is on duty, then more people are available to respond initially as required by the General Manager or one of the Superintendents. 
 
Once the emergency condition is under control, repair and restoration of facilities will begin and an orderly schedule of activities is carried out. 
 
A copy of the QVUD and QV STP personnel phone list is posted at the QVUD shop and front office of the Operations and Maintenance facility and at the QV STP employee break room. 
 
COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS 
The QVUD service area lies who 
lly in Missouri City, Texas and Fort Bend County, Texas, coordination will be affected with the city for police, fire, hazardous materials, ambulance response and drainage departments as well as the Fort Bend County ambulance, local emergency planning committee and drainage departments. 
 
The City and County are provided layout drawings of the public facilities (water plants, sewage treatment plants and lift stations with chemical storage) operated by the QVUD including the QV STP.  Included in the drawing are location maps and site plans of facilities.  The city of Missouri City, Texas has, and will from time-to-time visit to obtain information on existing capabilities for fire protection, rescue and hazardous materials response. 
 
The phone numbers for the Missouri City and Fort Bend County are posted at the Operations and Maintenance shop and front office as well as the QV STP employee break room. 
 
EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTER 
The QVUD and Operations and Maintenance Map room and Shop are 
designated as the Emergency Response Center.  Phone lists of employees, city services and personnel and county services and personnel are posted in the Map Room and in the Foreman's office.  Utility companies (Houston Lighting and Power, Entex [gas], General Telephone and Southwestern Bell Telephone) are also located in the Map Room and the key for locking and unlocking is available to the General Manager and Superintendents. 
 
6. PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY 
 
Because of our safety and health procedures that are reflected in our safety record, no changes are planned.  We will continue to train and drill employees in emergency procedures.
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