Winterset Water Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
Winterset Water Utility RMP Executive Summary The Winterset Water Utility had adopted the following vision statement in regards not only to chemical safety, but all safety matters: The personal safety and health of each employee of this organization is of primary importance. The prevention of occupationally induced injuries and illnesses will be given priority over operating productivity whenever necessary. To the greatest degree possible, the Winterset Water Utility will provide all mechanical and physical facilities required for personal safety and health in keeping with the highest standards. The Water Utility Board of Directors, Supervisory personnel, and employees has committed themselves to safety in all areas of operation with training and policies designed to protect everyone. These programs include, but are not limited to Hazardous Communication (Right-to-Know), Lock-out/Tag-out, Confined Space, Respiratory Protection, PPE and Emergency/Disa ster Planning. The Winterset Water Utility (WWU) is engaged in the production of potable (drinking) water for the community of Winterset, Iowa. The treatment plant is located approximately 1.75 miles NE of the community. Its six man staff operates a superpulsator surface water treatment plant under the guidelines of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The process treatment flow is as follows: Oxidation using Potassium Permanganate & Chlorine Dioxide utilizing a baffled mixing, detention tank. Flocculation and sedimentation using PAC and polymers for floc formation utilizing both rapid and slow mixers and two superpulsator up flow clarifiers. Filtration using a dual bed sand and carbon filter. The GAC helps with removal of inorganics, farm chemicals, taste & odor precursors. Following filtration sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is added to adjust the pH to control corrosion in the distribution system, hydrofluosilic acid (fluoride) is add ed for protection against tooth decay and gas chlorine is used for disinfection. Chlorine (a regulated substance) is stored in four, 2,000 lb. cylinders in a storage room located on the SE corner of our building. Using RMP*Comp & Landview software the Winterset Water Utility has determined the following release scenarios: Worst-Case Release quantity released - 2,000 lbs in 10 minutes area affected - 2.23 miles from release population affected - 672 Alternative Release quantity released - 630 lbs in 60 minutes area affected - 0.2 miles from release population affected - 7 Both of the above scenarios would be mitigated by the building the chlorine is housed in. Accidental release is unlikely due to training and procedures followed by the Winterset Water Utility staff. These include, but are not limited to: inspection of cylinders prior to acceptance unloading, tran sfer & storage procedures changing of cylinder procedures sops for start-up, general operation, shutdown availability of safety and leak repair equipment on site surrounding topography (hills) should limit release to immediate area emergency response & evacuation plan In addition the Winterset Water Utility follows all rules, regulations & practices for chlorine safety established by IDNR and EPA. Although the Winterset Water Utility has never had an chlorine release event, a emergency plan has been developed in cooperation with the Water Utility, fire department, law enforcement, ambulance, hospital/clinics, County LEPC. Emergency planning includes: Evacuation, public warning Health related issues Injuries Repair Clean-up & restoration Future planning includes: Continued updating of procedures & employee training. Training exercises such as mock leak and evacuation drills. Further notification of evacuation zone, so that they are aware of leak possibilities and can make plans of their own. |