Community SHEC Report Kooragang Island March 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction 2 2 Safety and Environmental Reporting 2 2.1 February 2015 Environmental Performance 2 3 Environmental Improvements 5 3.1 Nitrates Drainage Upgrade 5 3.2 Remediation Management Orders 5 3.3 Ammonia Management Improvement Program 6 4 Community Engagement Activity Reported for mid-february to mid-march 2015 6 4.1 Orica Kermesse 6 4.2 Chemical Awareness Site Tour 7 4.3 Wincanton s 100th voyage 7 Attachment 1: Ambient Air Quality Summary Information 8 Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page i
1 Introduction This report focuses on activities and events during the month of February 2015 with the exception of community engagement activity which is reported for mid-february to mid- March 2015. 2 Safety and Environmental Reporting Orica Kooragang Island records safety and environmental incidents and opportunities for improvement in the Enablon reporting system. For each incident, a manager is nominated who ensures that the incident is investigated where required, and actions generated to minimise the potential for recurrence. Actions associated with the incident are captured in a database with responsibilities and scheduled due dates to ensure completion. Category February 2015 Summary Injuries 0 There were no injuries during this period. Environmental Non Compliances Complaints received by Orica Complaints received by EPA* * Note: Complaints received by EPA and Orica contacted to investigate. 0 Orica complied with all environmental obligations during February 2015. 2.1 February 2015 Environmental Performance 2 One complaint was received from a Stockton resident regarding brown smoke from a stack onsite. At the time of the complaint an acid plant was starting which is likely to have been responsible for the plume. One complaint from an industrial neighbour regarding an odour. The investigation identified that Orica was unlikely to be the source of the complaint based on site activities and the description of the odour. Orica did not receive any community complaints from the EPA during February 2015. The following section provides information on Orica s compliance during February 2015 with the site s Environment Protection Licence conditions. 2.1.1 Water Emissions Effluent is process water captured across the site and discharged to the Hunter River North Arm via a licensed discharge point. Daily composite sampling is undertaken for arsenic, chromium VI, zinc, nitrogen and total suspended solids. ph, temperature and flow are monitored continuously and oil and grease twice weekly. During the month, Orica complied with all effluent licence conditions. Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 2
Effluent (Monitoring Point 23) Licence 100% limit February 2015 Minimum Maximum Average Compliance ph 6.2 to 9.5 6.8 9.0 7.5 Temperature Max 43 C 28.1 41.8 36.6 Oil and Grease 10mg/L 0.4 1.7 0.7 Arsenic 0.05mg/L <0.01 0.02 0.01 Chromium VI 0.2mg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Zinc 5mg/L 0.2 0.4 0.3 Nitrogen (Total) 2000mg/L 56 333 162 Total Suspended Solids 50mg/L 4 13 9 Effluent Volume 4500kL/day 2184 2881 2606 2.1.2 Stormwater Orica is required to collect a monthly sample, during a rain event of sufficient quantity that it results in a discharge from the site stormwater drains. The average results for the month are shown in the table below. The site has recently increased the stormwater sampling frequency to a weekly basis during rainfall to generate additional data to support stormwater improvement initiatives that are currently being implemented at the site. February 2015 Stormwater drain Arsenic mg/l Chromium VI mg/l Total Nitrogen mg/l ph Phosphate mg/l Total Suspended Solids mg/l 1 <0.01 <0.01 12 6.8 1.2 127 2 0.02 <0.01 4 6.7 1.1 64 3 <0.01 <0.01 7 6.7 1.7 100 4 <0.01 <0.01 465 6.7 1.3 149 5 <0.01 <0.01 273 6.6 0.6 139 6 No Flow Recorded in Catchment 6 during February 2015 Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 3
2.1.3 Air Emissions Orica is required to continuously monitor NOx emissions from the nitric acid plants stacks. During the month the site complied with the licence requirements in relation to NOx emissions. February 2015 NOx limits Licence 99% limit Hours above limit Cumulative no. hours above limit (YTD) No. hours per year allowed above the licence limit No. 1 Nitric Acid Plant No. 2 Nitric Acid Plant No. 3 Nitric Acid Plant 400ppm 2 50 87.6 250ppm 5 45 87.6 200ppm 1 52 87.6 Note: The Environment Protection Licence year runs from 1/04/14 31/03/15 2.1.4 Air Quality Continuous monitoring of ambient nitrogen dioxide concentrations is undertaken in Roxburgh St, Stockton. The nitrogen dioxide levels (NO 2 ) were below the national air quality standard during the month. Location Pollutant Feburary 2015 National Standard Roxburgh St, Stockton Min 1hr average (ppm) * Average (ppm) * Max 1hr average (ppm) * NO 2 0.003 0.007 0.028 0.12ppm NO <0.001 0.003 0.101 N/A NO X 0.003 0.010 0.123 N/A (max 1 hr average) Note: * ppm = parts per million * The National Standard includes a goal of less than one day (i.e. 24 hrs) per year above the National Standard A High Volume Air Sampler and a Particulate Matter sampler for less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) are located at the Substation on Fullerton St, Stockton. The units operate for 24 hours every six days in accordance with Approved Methods for the Sampling and Analysis Air Pollutants in New South Wales methods AM-15 and AM-18. Orica also routinely undertakes PM10 and nitrate monitoring to provide additional information on air quality. This is not an environment protection licence condition, however, Orica undertakes it voluntarily. Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 4
Location Date February 2015 TSP (ug/m3) PM10 (ug/m3) Nitrate (ug/m3) Fullerton St, Stockton 4/02/2015 46.0 24 1.19 10/02/2015 88.8 35 0.33 16/02/2015 79.7 47 0.42 22/02/2015 59.3 40 0.04 28/02/2015 85.8 32 1.15 National Standard N/A 50 N/A Note: TSP Total Suspended Particulates PM10 Particulate matter less than 10 micrometres in diameter 3 Environmental Improvements 3.1 Nitrates Drainage Upgrade In early 2015 the second stage of the No. 2 Nitric Acid Plant drainage upgrade was completed with the installation of a new double contained nitric acid sump tank and a collection tray around valves and infrastructure associated with the absorption column. 3.2 Remediation Management Orders Nutrient Management Order Orica has progressed the planning for monitoring of nutrient levels in soil and groundwater offsite, which is the second stage in works proposed to address the requirements of the Nutrient Management Order. Work is expected to occur in April 2015. Arsenic Management Order Site work to provide additional data for the design of the onsite cap and contain system to address arsenic contamination at the site has been completed. This work will provide additional information on the area that will be incorporated into the cap and contain system and the wall depth that will be required. The development of a groundwater model for the site to assist in the design of the cap and contain system has also commenced. Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 5
Figure 1: Collection of soil samples for testing and analysis 3.3 Ammonia Management Improvement Program The three ammonia flares to be installed to service the Nitrates plants, Ammonia Plant and Ammonia Storage area have been purchased and installation of the first flare, in the Nitrates plants, is expected to be completed in late 2015. Work continues on the installation of the new pressurised ammonia storage tank to replace two existing tanks on site. The installation of piping, pumps and associated infrastructure is nearing completion. The new tank is expected to commence operation in late April/May following a series of nitrates plant outages. 4 Community Engagement Activity Reported for mid- February to mid-march 2015 4.1 Orica Kermesse On Saturday 7 March, the 10th annual Orica Kermesse was held at the Hunter Economic Zone (HEZ) near Kurri Kurri. The Kermesse was the first State Open Cycling NSW road racing event for 2015 and attracted more than 350 riders across 16 categories. Hosted by the Hunter District Cycling Club, the event is usually held on Kooragang Island. However, road works on the island have resulted in the event being held at the HEZ for the last two years. Members of Orica KI s Environment and Community team attended the Kermesse, talking with participants and giving away bottled water, as well as the ever-popular Orica merchandise such as hats and sunscreen. Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 6
4.2 Chemical Awareness Site Tour On Wednesday 11 March, 33 people from a variety of different organisations who were participating in a Chemical Awareness program toured the KI site. There were representatives from the EPA, Fire and Rescue NSW, Transport NSW, Police, Roads and Maritime Services, Port Authority and Marine Rescue. The program was facilitated and coordinated by Transport for NSW. 4.3 Wincanton s 100th voyage The Wincanton, the coastal ship that transports surplus ammonia from the site to the Yarwun facility in Gladstone, celebrated its 100 th voyage in mid February 2015. A morning tea was held with the crew to celebrate this significant milestone in safe operations. Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 7
Attachment 1: Ambient Air Quality Summary Information NO 2, NO and NOx air quality information - Long term Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 8
Month of February 2015 Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 9
Total Suspended Particulates, PM 10 and Nitrates Long term trends February Update The NEPM air quality goal for PM10 is 50ug/m3. February 2015 Orica Kooragang Island Community SHEC Report March 2015 Page 10