George B. Prindle Water Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
|
The City of Highland Park's George B. Prindle Water Treatment Plant has been in continuous operation since its commissioning in 1929. During this time NO (on or off premise) CHLORINE RELATED INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED. This enviable safety record is typical of the water treatment industry because safety precautions have always been an important part of water treatment facility design. Our chlorine feed system features delivery of chlorine to the point of application in a line under partial vacuum. Should this line sustain damage, it will leak air into the line instead of chlorine out to the atmosphere. Out of concern for the recreational boating and swimming facilities abutting our Plant, we incorporated a chlorine leak scrubber system into a facility upgrade in 1986, long before the attention of the public and regulators turned to this issue. This system features a leak detection system which can contain and neutralize the contents of a full ton chlorine cylinder without hum an intervention. Integral to this system is automatic notification of our Fire Department. We have also built our own leak simulator from the head of an old chlorine cylinder. This device is used for in-house and in cooperative drills with the Fire Department to simulate various types of tank and valve failures. This enables us to maintain a high level of readiness as well as familiarity with the emergency procedures and equipment. Our concern for the public safety had led us to explore alternatives to the use of gaseous chlorine. A component of our next Plant renovation effort is the evaluation of sodium hypochlorite as a replacement. |