ML20117H674

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 960515,unanticipated Bypass of Clarifier a Occurred.Caused by Isolation Valve Leaking by Seat.Temporary Diesel Pump Set Up to Divert Water from Valve Pit to Clarifier Splitter Box

ML20117H674
Person / Time
Site:	River Bend
Issue date:	05/22/1996
From:	Chapman P ENTERGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To:	Levy L LOUISIANA, STATE OF
References
NUDOCS 9605290042
Download: ML20117H674 (3)

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===ENTERGY Po Box 220 St Francisvdie. LA 70775 May 22,1996 Ms. Linda Levy Assistant Secretary Office of Water Resources Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 82215 Baton Rouge, LA 70884-2215

Subject:

Permitted Outfall 006 Bypass on May 15,'1996

Reference:

Permit No. LWDPS WP0409 File No.: G1,11.2 l

RBG - 42,940

Dear Ms. Levy:

This letter is a written follow-up for a prompt notification of an unanticipated bypass of our clarifier "A" which occurred at River Bend Station on May 15,1996.

The contents of clarifier "A", which has a capacity of 5,000,000 gallons, was to be drained via the "A" clarifier blowdown line. The line was found to be plugged and e' forts were underway to free the line by removing an expansion joint and flush the line with high pressure water. The clarifier was to be drained to facilitate maintenance activities to be performed on the clarifier internals. During this effort the "A" clarifier blowdown line plug dispersed, the high water pressure line was removed and the WTL-V9 valve was closed. The isolation valve leaked by the seat, allowing the valve pit to overflow and spilling clarified river water onto the ground.

Approximately 750,000 gallons of water escaped the clarifier via the valve pit at an 1 approximate flow rate of 1000 gallons per minute. The water accumulated in the immediate area of the clarifiers and drained into the station East Creek drainage (outfall 006) which drains to Grants Bayou and into the Mississippi River via Thompson Creek. This water is untreated clarified Mississippi River water and the "A" clarifier was not in operation at !he time of the event.

50-457 9605290042 960522 V1 PDR ADOCK 05000458 ',)

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.. l Permitted Outfall 006 Bypass on May 15,1996 May 22,1996 RBG - 42,940 Page 2 of 3 Immediate actions where taken to re-seat the valve and stop the leak, with no success. A temporary diesel pump was set up to divert water from the valve pit to the clarifier splitter box which would ultimately reduce the flow rate to approximately 50 gallons per minute. This diversion continued through the night until approximately 0800 the next morning on May 16,1996 when the bypass was stopped.

State agency notifications were made at 1450 on May 15,1996, of the unanticipated bypass of the clarifier system by the station Environmental Group. Additional actions taken immediately after discovery included sampling and analysis of East Creek for oil and grease, total organic carbon, total suspended solids and pH with  !

the following results: l Parameter Concentration Oil and Grease 0.65 mg/l Total Organic Carbon 5.16 mg/l Total Suspended Solids 970 mg/l )

pH 8.12 SU The observed flow of East Creek at the time of sampling was approximately 100 l

gpm. Actions taken to prevent recurrence included maintenance of the subject valve to restore complete seating of the valve during closure.

I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared j under the direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. i Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those i persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted i is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.

Sincerely, unkL Pamela W. Chapman YV" Coordinator - Environmental SKS/sks I

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Permitted Outfall 006 Bypass on May 15,1996 May 22,1996 l RBG - 42,940 Page 3 of 3 l cc: Environmental Protection Agency ]

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