Lima Water Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR THE CITY OF LIMA, OHIO RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN GENERAL The Lima Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is a municipally-owned and operated water purification facility. Chlorine is used in the potable water treatment process for disinfection. The existing chlorination system utilizes gaseous chlorine and is comprised of equipment in the Administration Building. The chlorine system consists of four one ton containers; two digital scales; one 3,000 lb/day combination vacuum regulator and automatic changeover valve; three 500 lb/day wall mounted chlorinators and injectors and one distribution panel. The average chlorine dosage at the facility is 4.86 mg/l and maximum dosage of 8.82 mg/l. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICIES The City of Lima WTP's approach to chemical safety focuses on training and safety awaren ess. Plant operators are annually trained on operational and safety practices associated with chlorine and chlorine feed equipment. The training program currently utilizes presentations in addition to presentations by local chlorine supply professionals. These programs are used to routinely refresh operators' understanding and knowledge on the safe handling procedures and accident prevention procedures for chlorine. The Lima WTP is a secure facility and only authorized plant personnel maintain and handle chlorine containers and feed equipment. Because of the City's commitment to safety and implementation of safe procedures for the chlorine facilities, new policies, procedures and instructional programs have been developed in conjunction with the development of this Risk Management Plan. A new, updated Emergency Response Plan has also been prepared. The City will continue to coordinate with the Allen County Emergency Management Agency in this regard and will have better defined procedures as a result of this participation. A new management program, training program and Operations and Maintenance Manual have also been developed and shall be utilized by the WTP staff to safely manage and operate the chlorine facilities. WORST-CASE RELEASE SCENARIO The City of Lima receives chlorine in one ton containers. The containers are currently stored outside, so no passive mitigation was used. The endpoint distance was determined using US EPA's "Risk Management Program Guidance for Wastewater Treatment Plants". The distance to the endpoint is 1.3 miles, assuming a full container release in 10 minutes. ALTERNATIVE RELEASE SCENARIO The alternative release scenario assumes a feed line leak from a one ton container in service. The containers in service are located in the Chlorination Room of the Administration Building. A passive mitigation factor was used for the alternative release scenario. Th e distance to the endpoint is 0.1 mile with a release duration of 60 minutes. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM AND CHEMICAL SPECIFIC PREVENTION STEPS The Lima WTP complies with the OSHA Rules and Regulations with respect to the Accidental Release Prevention Program. Chemical specific prevention steps include compliance with all Ohio EPA requirements , Recommended Standards for Water Works, 1997 (Ten State Standards) and Chlorine Institute Standards and Regulations Concerning Chlorination Equipment and Facilities for Public Water Supplies. FIVE-YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY The City of Lima WTP has had no accidental releases of chlorine in the past five years. There have been no accidental chlorine releases in the known history of the plant which resulted in injury to off-site personnel or evacuations. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM The key element of the Emergency Response Program is the written Emergency Response Plan on file at the WTP and at City of fices located downtown in City Hall. The written Plan includes a Quick Reference Guide which allows an operator to immediately and positively act in the case of an observed or detected chlorine leak. The Allen County Local Emergency Planning Committee is the overall coordinator of emergency response services. The City will maintain its current approach to first contact the City of Lima Fire Department in case of an emergency as part of the County's current program. Additional notification procedures are also defined. The Emergency Response Plan includes first aid procedures, medical management of chlorine exposure information, emergency response training and pre-emergency coordination guidelines. A summary of emergency chlorine leak response procedures is also included. PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY The City of Lima WTP has committed to review and follow the guidelines presented in the Emergency Response Plan, Training Program and Management Program. The City will implement the requirements of these programs as part of the Risk Management Program. |