Lubbock Water Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
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1. GENERAL INFORMATION The raw water supplied to Lubbock is treated by a conventional process involving disinfection, clarification (sedimentation), taste and odor control and filtration. The Water Treatment Plant employs chloramine disinfection which is the combination of CHLORINE and AMMONIA. CHLORINE and AMMONIA (chloramines) produce what is known as a combined or total chlorine residual. The process of using CHLORINE and AMMONIA to form chloramines enhances the longevity of the CHLORINE. Chloramines are used as the primary disinfectant to kill bacteria, algae and other micro-organisms which are undesirable in public water supplies. The treatment process and primary quality is continuously monitored by a staff of state certified water treatment operators 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Other water quality analyses are performed by highly skilled laboratory staff composed of degreed chemist and laboratory technicians. 2. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION and EMERGENCY RES PONSE POLICIES CHLORINE and AMMONIA are present at the Lubbock Water Treatment Plant. CHLORINE and AMMONIA are classified as toxic chemicals under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Risk Management Program (RMP) rule. Some of the same properties which CHLORINE and AMMONIA valuable and necessary components of the Water Treatment Plant's operation also makes it necessary to observe certain safety precautions in handling each chemical to prevent unnecessary human exposure, including the threat to plant personnel, neighboring citizens of the City of Lubbock, as well as the environment. It is the City of Lubbock's policy to strictly adhere to all applicable Federal and State guidelines and regulations. Safety depends on the manner in which CHLORINE and AMMONIA are handled at the plant, the safety devices inherent in the design of the facility, the safe handling procedures which are in place and the training of personnel. The City of Lubbock Fire Department will re spond to any major release involving either CHLORINE or AMMONIA. The Water Utilities Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is based upon available informational materials related to CHLORINE and AMMONIA. The ERP includes procedures for the notification of the City of Lubbock Fire Department, proper plant personnel and any potentially affected citizenry. 3. THE STATIONARY SCOURCE AND REGULATED SUBSTANCES HANDLED As described in Section 1, the primary purpose of the Lubbock Water Treatment Plant is to treat raw water making it safe for consumption by the citizens of Lubbock. CHLORINE is received in one (1) ton cylinders by truck. It is then utilized in the disinfection process. Access to the site is restricted to authorized facility employees, authorized management personnel, authorized contractors and authorized guests. The total maximum inventory of CHLORINE is 40,000 lbs. AMMONIA is received in bulk state delivered by tanker truck and is pumped into a storage tank. It is then u sed in the disinfection process and access to the site is regulated the same as the chlorine site. The total maximum inventory of AMMONIA is 205,600 lbs. 4. THE GENERAL ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM AND THE SPECIFIC PREVENTION STEPS The Lubbock Water Treatment Plant complies with all applicable Federal and State guidelines, codes and regulations. The facility is operated in accordance with recommendations from the Chlorine Institute and adheres to regulation 40 CFR 302. 5. FIVE YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY There have been no accidental releases of CHLORINE or AMMONIA at the Lubbock Water Treatment Plant within the past five (5) years. 6. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM (ERP) Lubbock Water Treatment Plant employees will respond to minor releases involving CHLORINE and AMMONIA. More involved releases of CHLORINE and AMMONIA will be responded to by the City of Lubbock Fire Department per the ERP developed by the City of Lubbock Water Utilities Department. 7. PLANNED CHAN GES TO IMPROVE SAFETY The Lubbock Water Treatment Plant will continue to improve operations on an ongoing basis. Chlorine Institute and additional engineering programs will be reviewed to determine that processes being conducted are in compliance with latest safety innvoation. |