Complaint ID 79996 — Public Copy

Tom emailed a copy of the final report.  On June 4, 2016 at approximately 3:45 AM, a chemical decomposition was reported to have started in the east portion of the Bio-Lab hazardous waste storage area located between Plant 4 and Plant 2.  The Rockdale County Fire Department responded. They closed the east stormwater outfall containment valve located south of Plant 4 along Dogwood Drive. The FD began the response to the decomposition using Bio-Lab's AFFF cannon, but the AFFF application was ineffective due to raw materials stored in the west side of the shed, which blocked the stream of the foam. The FD then initiated an application of water approximately 4:15 - 4:30 AM from the immediate south side of the waste storage area. The decomposition was quickly halted after direct application of water. The FD Incident Commander informed Tom upon his arrival that the FD had observed 2 pails smoking upon their arrival and they did not detect any chlorine when monitoring along the route of approach or upon arrival in the incident area. Bio-Lab ERT personnel initiated air monitoring along Old Covington Highway upon arrival at 5:06 AM. They did not detect chlorine inside or outside the fence line along Rockdale Industrial Blvd and Old Covington Hwy. Bio-Lab ERT personnel were accompanied by FD personnel to collect 6 water samples for pH and chlorine around Walker Lake. No chlorine was detected and the pH ranged from 6.60 to 7.05 s.u. All affected solid waste materials were retained in the storage building's secondary containment and the fire-fighting water runoff was collected in the stormwater containment area located south of Plant 4. They analyzed the runoff for chlorine and pH. There was no indication of chlorine and the pH ranged from 5.9 to 6.5 s.u. Approximately 14,596 gallons of fire-fighting water runoff was collected and transported to HEPACO in Doraville, GA for treatment. The solid materials were transferred into onsite chemical neutralization tanks and treated prior to being transported off site for disposal as non-hazardous wastewater. Manifest #s 0008468, 0008469, 0008470, 0008471 were signed for by Richard Brimley at the disposal facility on June 4, 2016. Recommend report be closed with no further EPD ERT actions at this time.

Thomas updated that the incident was caused from decomposition of trichlorisocyanuric acid (swimming pool chemical) contained in a couple of 3.5 gallon pails within secondary containment.  The material did not escape containment, but some of the AFFF missed the target and entered the stormdrain.  The stormdrain has a valve and the FD shut the valve before they applied the water and AFFF, so it was contained.  Even though the water in the stormdrain had a neutral pH and no presence of chlorine, their contractor pumped it out for disposal since it contained the AFFF.  He will send disposal manifests when he receives them. 

0700 received page from SWP.  Was briefed by operator CMcCraney.  NRC only.  NRC indicates the incident occurred at 0411 and was received by NRC at 0539. 0719 NRC only had office number.  I left a voicemail and then searched the Tier 2 report to find a 24 hour contact number. 0722 called Thomas's cell number.  He advised that he received the call at 0411 and then arrived on site about 35-40 minutes later.  He advised there are 15-20 lbs of the trichlorophenol in 2 pails in their waste storage site that started to decompose and smoke.  The FD has applied 2000 gallons of water and foam with their foam cannon.  They believe most of the fire-fighting water is still on site and the pH is neutral.  They had monitoring on the north perimeter of the facility and did not get any readings.  HEPACO is en route to vacuum the fire-fighting water.   There is a pond downstream and Thomas will monitor it to be sure all fire-fighting water was contained on site. 0823 Thomas called to update that the pH readings from the pond ranged from 6.6 to 7.05 s.u. and no chlorine was found. HEPACO is pumping the fire-fighting water now.