James B. Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant - Executive Summary |
As employees of the Augusta-Richmond County Utilities Department, we have the responsibilty to manage our operations to protect human health and the enviroment. Sound health, safety, and the enviroment practices are an intergral part of our everyday job requirements. In recognition of this responsibilty, we will correct an unsound health, safety and enviromental practices or condition, or call them to the attention of those who will do so , as soon as they are indentified. We will conduct our operations in compliance with all applicable health, saefety and enviromental laws and regulations per the GA EPD or USEPA. Conduct periodic assessment of our operations to insure compliance and reduce risk. Provide edcation and and training regarding applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to protect human health and acheive continuous improvement. II. The James B. Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant has been treating wastewater for our customers for over 31 yea rs providing quality waste treatment in a safe manner to our community an enviroment. Our wastewater plant treats an average of 32 MGD utilizing the conventional activated sludge process This process involves primary effluent mixed with return activated in areation basins where organisms mixed by introducing air breakdown particles in the raw wastewater and effluent from the aeration basins settles in secondary clarifiers where settling particles clean the water. Post treatment includes disinfecting with CHLORINE. III. The worst case release scenario for Chlorine would be the failure of a pressurized chlorine cylinder valve, and the sudden release of it's contents (2000lbs) in 10 minutes. The distance would 0.9 miles as estmated by the EPA's PMP* Comp. The alternative release scenario would be avalve sheared off releasing 2000 pounds of liquid chlorine in 15 minutes. The distance to the toxic end point would be o.2 miles asa determined by the EPA's RMP* Comp. IV. The James B. M esserly Wastewater Treatment Plant has not had any reportable releases of Chlorine (3ppm) in the last five years. V. Emergency Response Program Training & Preperation Plant Emergency Response Plan Emergency Response Team available 24 hours per day Emergency Response Team trained in Hazardous Materials Simulation drills conducted If a release Occurrs Chlorine detectors will sound alarm Emergency Response Team can be activated Emergency Response Equipment located in plant and Chlorine platform Ability to immediately request off-site emergency mutual assistance from Police,Fire Department and Richmond County LEPC. |