This section assesses potential hazards that may arise as a result of the proposed project.

Transcription

1 4.10 CHEMICALS, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, AND ENERGY This section assesses potential hazards that may arise as a result of the proposed project Environmental Setting Chemical Usage Chemicals used in the wastewater treatment process at the LWRP include NaOCl, ammonia, ferrous chloride, and aluminum sulfate (alum). These process chemicals are stored in several aboveground storage tanks on site. In addition to process chemicals, District No. 14 also maintains several aboveground storage tanks for propane, diesel, and gasoline. Table summarizes the current and projected chemical quantities used at the LWRP for each alternative. Projected chemical usage was estimated assuming that quantities would increase commensurate with projected flow rates. Chemicals are delivered to the LWRP on a regular basis. Table shows the number of deliveries per month for chemicals delivered to the LWRP. Table Current and Projected Average Annual Chemical Usage a CURRENT ALTERNATIVES 1 & 3 ALTERNATIVES 2 & 4 Year 2002 Year 2020 Year 2020 Process Chemicals NaOCl 400, , ,000 Alum 120,000 2,000 5,000 Ammonia 32, ,000 80,000 Ferrous Chloride 24,000 70, ,000 Cationic polymer N/A 200, ,000 Sodium Bisulfate N/A 450, ,000 Other Chemicals Propane Diesel (Plant Equipment) 1,250 1,500 1,500 Diesel (General) 1,000 1,500 1,500 Gasoline 2,500 3,500 3,500 Source: District No. 14 (a) Values in gallons NaOCl is currently stored in liquid form on site and is used for disinfection purposes. NaOCl solutions are used in place of gaseous chlorine, an acutely toxic chemical. NaOCl solutions are unstable and some Final LWRP 2020 Plan EIR May 2004

2 chlorine vapor can be released in the event of a spill. However, chlorine vapor production from using NaOCl is minimal and poses no public health risk in comparison to using pressurized gaseous chlorine. Ammonia is used seasonally in conjunction with NaOCl in the disinfection process. In the event of high nitrogen levels, ammonia is added to induce production of chloramines, which aids disinfection. In the event of a spill, ammonia can vaporize into the air, remaining low to the ground. Low-lying ammonia clouds can be hazardous to nearby areas. The LWRP utilizes aqueous ammonia which is less volatile than other forms of ammonia such as anhydrate ammonia. Ferrous chloride is also used on site for coagulation. Although ferrous chloride is not listed as an acutely hazardous material, it can become dangerous if heated to decomposition or on contact with acids or acid fumes, when it can emit highly toxic chloride fumes. Aluminum sulfate, commonly known as alum, is a metal coagulant that enhances sedimentation. It is used during the tertiary treatment process in the final sedimentation step. Alum is a grayish-white, crystallized solid. In addition to the treatment chemicals stored on site, District No. 14 operates a water quality laboratory at the LWRP. The laboratory stores and utilizes small quantities of chemicals used in EPA-approved testing methods. Integrated Emergency Response Program In accordance with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, District No. 14 implemented an Integrated Emergency Response Plan in 1993 and an Injury and Illness Prevention Program for Water Reclamation Plants in The latter includes a Business Management Plan (BMP). District No. 14 has also prepared an Environmental Health and Safety Manual (1993) and Emergency Start-Up Procedures (1998). These documents are all on file in the operations office at the LWRP. Hazardous Waste Disposal Hazardous wastes generated on site include by-products of the laboratory analysis methods. These spent chemicals include volatile organic chemicals. No other hazardous materials are generated at the LWRP. The small quantity of hazardous materials from the treatment facility is collected and disposed of by a licensed hazardous waste hauler. Final LWRP 2020 Plan EIR May 2004

3 Energy Sources and Consumption Petroleum and natural gas supply most of the energy consumed in California. The remaining portion of the state s energy demand is met by a variety of resources, including coal, nuclear, geothermal, wind, solar, and hydropower. The current annual energy consumption in California (for all purposes including transportation) is approximately eight percent of the nation s total energy consumption. California consumes more energy than any other state in the U.S. except for Texas. 106 However, in terms of energy consumption per person, California ranks 48 th among the 50 states, indicating that per-person energy consumption is relatively low. The Southern California Gas Company, a privately owned utility company, provides most of the natural gas service in the County, including to the LWRP and rural residences in both the eastern and western agricultural areas. A four-inch gas line owned and operated by the Southern California Gas Company serves the LWRP, powering the office heating system only. No treatment processes utilize natural gas. Southern California Edison currently provides electrical service to the LWRP. A circuit of 12 kilovolt (kv) electrical lines along Avenue D provides service to the site Regulatory Background Hazardous materials handling is subject to numerous laws and regulations at all levels of government. Federal and state laws require detailed planning to ensure that hazardous materials are properly handled, used, stored, and disposed of, and in the event that such materials are accidentally released into the environment, to prevent or to mitigate injury to human health or the environment. A few of the requirements pertaining to the operations of District No. 14 are included below. Worker safety is regulated through the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as at the state level, through the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal OSHA). Federal OSHA, established in CFR Title 29, requires 40 hours of training for hazardous materials operators, plus eight hours of refresher training per year. The training includes personal safety, hazardous materials storage and handling procedures, and emergency response procedures. 106 Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Profile: California, February Jump, Jim. Southern California Edison. Telephone conversation on August 2, Final LWRP 2020 Plan EIR May 2004

4 The California Hazardous Materials Release Response Plan and Inventory Law of 1985 (Business Plan Act) requires that businesses that store hazardous materials on site prepare an inventory and submit it to local health and fire departments. The U.S. Department of Transportation regulates hazardous materials transportation. State agencies with primary responsibility for enforcing federal and state regulations and responding to hazardous materials emergencies are the CHP and local fire departments Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures Thresholds of Significance Significance criteria under CEQA Guidelines state that a project will normally have a significant effect on the environment if it will create a potential public hazard, involve the use, production, or disposal of materials that pose a hazard to people, animal, or plant populations in the area affected, or if it would interfere with emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans with regard to hazardous materials and chemicals. Significant adverse impacts to energy resources would occur if the proposed project would result in the use of large amounts of electricity or natural gas in a wasteful manner; or if the amount of electricity or natural gas to be used required the construction of new energy facilities. Impact : The project will result in a minimal increase in chemicals stored. The chemicals used at the LWRP do not pose a significant health risk to surrounding land uses. No liquid or gaseous chlorine is currently or will be stored on site. Volumes of chemicals stored, regardless of selected alternative, would be up to three (3) 20,000-gallon tanks provided for hypochlorite storage and up to two (2) 10,000-gallon tanks for all other chemicals. Implementation of the project would increase agricultural use within the western and eastern agricultural areas. The increase in agriculture would likely increase the use of pesticides on crops. Pesticides would be stored in above ground storage containers on the agricultural lands. Since much of land within the western and eastern agricultural areas is currently used for agriculture, the expanded agricultural operations would not substantially alter conditions in the area. Final LWRP 2020 Plan EIR May 2004

5 There is no history of accidental release of chemicals at the LWRP. District No. 14 has prepared an emergency response plan designed to prevent and mediate the effects of any accidental releases of hazardous materials stored and used at the LWRP. In the event of such an accident, the release of hazardous materials would be immediately reported to local fire emergency personnel and appropriate county and state agencies. County Fire Station No. 33, located approximately 7.4 miles from the project site, would respond to any emergency. Mitigation Measure Alternatives 1, 2, 3, and 4 No mitigation measures are necessary. Significance After Mitigation Less than significant. Impact : The project will result in a minimal increase in energy consumption. Southern California Edison supplies electricity to the LWRP through a 12 kv line along Avenue D. All treatment facilities run on electric power, including pumps and digesters. The average monthly electric consumption at the LWRP is currently 456,862 kilowatt-hours (kwh). The plant expansion would increase demand on the electricity infrastructure. By 2020, this amount is expected to more than double for wastewater treatment equipment. If center pivot agricultural irrigation equipment were to be employed, the demand would further increase. Electric supply lines in the agricultural areas would be extended to meet farm operation needs. The total projected average monthly electrical usage for the project by 2020 is 965,725 kwh. It is anticipated that the electrical loads of the project, including the farm operations, would be within the service parameters of the overall area. The state is responsible for ensuring adequate planning to accommodate future demand. The LWRP expansion is phased to accommodate the planned increase in population. Future electricity supplies will be ensured by the state to meet the planned population growth. The project would be consistent with anticipated electricity consumption needs and would have a less than significant impact on electrical service and supplies. Final LWRP 2020 Plan EIR May 2004

6 Mitigation Measure Alternatives 1, 2, 3, and 4 No mitigation measures are necessary. Significance After Mitigation Less than significant. Impact : The project will result in a minimal increase in natural gas consumption. As mentioned before, the project site is currently developed with the existing LWRP facility and does require natural gas for treatment processes. The proposed project is not anticipated to involve the construction of facilities that would require significant amounts of natural gas. It is assumed that the offices and control rooms at the LWRP would be the only facilities requiring natural gas service. No such facilities are currently proposed under the current project. The proposed project s natural gas demand would not exceed the capacity of the Southern California Gas Company s distribution lines. Therefore, with respect to natural gas, the addition of the proposed facilities would not have a significant effect on the surrounding area. Mitigation Measure Alternatives 1, 2, 3, and 4 No mitigation measures are necessary. Significance After Mitigation Less than significant. Final LWRP 2020 Plan EIR May 2004