Emergency Plan - Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority

EVENT SPECIFIC GUIDELINES 14(ESG-14)
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RELEASE
3.3. Hazardous Material Release
3.3.1. SITUATION
GSWSA utilizes a wide variety of chemicals and materials that, if released or used incorrectly,
could create physical and/or health hazards. While any of these products are capable of
causing problems under the right conditions (propane, gasoline, etc.), the primary chemicals of
concern are chlorine and anhydrous ammonia.
Both Wastewater Treatment Plants utilize chlorine in One-Ton cylinders. When full, these
cylinders contain 2,000 pounds of liquid chlorine under pressure. A catastrophic, worst-case
release could, according to air modeling, travel a maximum distance of up to 1.5 miles from
the source of the release.
The water treatment plant uses chlorine in one hundred and fifty pound cylinders. When full,
these cylinders contain 150 pounds of liquid chlorine under pressure. A catastrophic, worstcase
release could, according to air modeling, travel a maximum distance of up to 0.9 miles.
The water treatment Plant uses anhydrous ammonia in one hundred pound cylinders. When
full, these cylinders contain 100 pounds of liquid anhydrous ammonia under pressure. A
catastrophic, worst-case release could, according to air modeling, travel a maximum distance
of up to 700 feet.
All GSWSA chlorine and ammonia feed systems withdraw gas from the gas-space at the top of
the cylinder, and this gas is introduced into a water stream to create a very strong chlorine or
ammonia solution. This solution is then introduced into the treatment process at the desired
locations
3.3.2. THREAT or HAZARD INFORMATION
CHLORINE
Chlorine gas is one-and-one-half times heavier than air, so it tends to stay near the floor or
ground, and settles into low-lying areas.
Chlorine is highly aggressive in the presence of moisture, and will react with the moisture in
your eyes, mouth, nose, lungs, and even on your skin.
Even minor exposure to chlorine gas can irritate the lungs and respiratory system, and can lead
to delayed complications.
One volume of liquid chlorine (for example, one cubic foot) not under pressure and at normal
room temperature, will rapidly vaporize (turn to gas) into 460 volumes of pure chlorine gas
(for example, 460 cubic feet).
Liquid chlorine is extremely cold, and will cause severe burns if it comes in contact with the
skin.
Chlorine is not flammable, but it is an oxidizer, so it does support combustion the same way
oxygen does (makes things burn easier and better).
Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority 129 CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS
Emergency Management Plan
SECURITY SENSITIVE
June 7, 2013
NOT FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE