Chlorine leak at Culpeper Wastewater Plant injures one
By Staff
One person suffered a minor injury following a chlorine leak at the Town of Culpeper Wastewater Treatment Plant on Saturday, May 10.
About 45 firefighters from six Culpeper County fire companies and a hazardous materials team from the Fredericksburg Fire Department responded to a chlorine leak, which occurred when the plant’s two operators were changing out one-ton chlorine cylinders used in the treatment of raw sewage processed by the plant.
Operator Paula Byers, a three and a half-year employee, had taken the regulator off the empty tank and was putting it on the new tank when the accidental leak happened. During the routine procedure, Byers noticed the valve on the new tank was stiff. Unable to open the valve, she asked the other plant operator, Neal Moore, for help.
“It made a crack noise,” Byers said, as Moore exerted pressure on the valve. “Gas shot out.”
Both Byers and Moore, who were wearing breathing apparatus and gloves, fled the building and immediately called 911, notifying authorities of the leak.
A small amount of chlorine gas made contact with Moore’s skin, causing a minor chemical reaction. He was taken to the Culpeper Regional Hospital emergency room as a precaution where he was treated and released.
Fire, law enforcement and emergency services officials set up a command post near the treatment plant. As a precaution, Culpeper police officers and Culpeper County Sheriff’s deputies sealed off the area of East Chandler Street, Keyser Road and McDevitt Drive to traffic. No residents in nearby houses were forced to evacuate.
Culpeper County Volunteer Fire Chief Stacy Carpenter served as the on scene commander. He said the Fredericksburg Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team was called since that department possessed specialized equipment and training to deal with chlorine leaks.
The Fredericksburg firefighters arrived at the wastewater plant about 11 a.m. and after donning protective suits entered the building about 11:45 a.m. A short time later, the firefighters had capped the tank, which still contained chlorine, said Chief Carpenter.
Fire officials said the rainy and cool weather, along with a steady breeze helped dissipate the chlorine gas that may have escaped. The gas is heavier than air, but dissipates quickly. Chlorine gas can be fatal, if inhaled.
Fire fighters ventilated the building where the leak occurred to ensure none of the poisonous gas remained inside. Town wastewater officials examined the plant after the incident and determined that there was no apparent damage to the plant.
The plant continued to operate during the incident. There was no interruption of service to sewer customers.
The wastewater plant, which is undergoing an upgrade from four- to six-million gallons per day capacity, will no longer use chlorine in the treatment process when the upgrade is complete, said Interim Town Manager Dan Boring.
Volunteer firefighters from Culpeper County Fire Department, Salem, Brandy Station, Little Fork, Reva and Rapidan, as well as career county medics responded to the scene. EMS personnel remained on scene for about 4 ½ hours.