Racine Utilities - Wastewater Utility - Executive Summary |
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The Racine Utilities Wastewater Utility is committed to promoting a safe operating environment for the facility, its employees, and the community. As of June 1999, the facility is completing its compliance program to meet the requirements of WIsconsin ILHR 32.293, "Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals" for the chlorination process. All remaining training will be completed by mid-July 1999. Compliance with this regulation, and EPA's "Risk Management Program Rule" helps to prevent the release of chlorine from this process. Additionally, these regulations required development of procedures to minimize releases of chlorine in the event that they do occur, and to outline appropriate emergency response steps to take in the event of a release. The Racine Utilities Wastewater Utility is located at 2101 S. Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin, 53403. Among the processes required for proper treatment of wastewater is the chlorination process. The chlorination process add s chlorine gas to wastewater to reduce bacteria. Chlorine is received in ton containers. The chlorination process has a separate area for storage and process activities. The process has been designed in accordance with all local, state, and federal codes and requirements. The process has a gas detection system that alarms should the concentration of chlorine reach 1.0 parts per million. The chlorination process is maintained and operated by personnel certified by the State of Wisconsin as Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators. The Racine Utilities Wastewater Utility has developed its worst-case release scenario utilizing EPA's "Risk Management Program Guidance for Wastewater Treatment Facilities." The scenario assumes that a ton container has ruptured, and released its contents within a 10-minute period. The release of 2,000 pounds of chlorine has a toxic endpoint of 1.3 miles under the conditions of the scenario. It should be noted that such an incident is highly improbable. Ton co ntainers are inspected by the chemical distributor each time they are filled. The ton containers are hydrostatically tested every five years. Loading and unloading activities are attended by trained operators. Ton containers are immediately transferred from the deliver truck into storage areas. All container handling equipment is inspected regularly, and certified for use annually. The Racine Utilities Wastewater Utlity has developed its alternative release scenario also utilizing EPA guidelines. This scenario assumes that a 1/4-inch hole occurs in the system, and releases chlorine at the rate of 150 pounds per minute. For the conditions of this scenario, the toxic endpoint is 0.2 miles. Again, such an incident is highly improbable, as the chlorination system has been designed, installed, and maintained to maximize the mechanical integrity of the piping system. The Racine Utilities Wastewater Utility's Emergency Response Plan is based upon OSHA requirements for Emergency Action P lans. The plan has been coordinated with the Racine Fire Department. |