ML20134K443

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 850707,fecal Coliform Colony Count of Sample from Discharge Point 101 (Sewage Treatment Plant) Exceeded Limits.Caused by Pump Losing Suction Due to Tubing Floating to Surface

ML20134K443
Person / Time
Site:	Limerick
Issue date:	08/01/1985
From:	Ullrich W PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	PENNSYLVANIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
References
NUDOCS 8508300211
Download: ML20134K443 (2)

Text

U W D O lo l g Cjt4 6 a -

PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY -

2301 MARKET STREET P.O. BOX 8699 PHILADELPHI A. PA.19101 (215)841 4000 August 1, 1985 Department of Environmental Resources Bureau of Water Quality Management 1875 New Hope Street Norristown, PA 19401

SUBJECT:

Noncompliance with NPDES Permit Limerick Generating Station Permit No. PA 0051926 Gentlemen:

As per initial tele telephone call on 7/26/ phone call on 85 between Mr.7/25/85 John S.and confirming Wiley (PECo) and Mr. Walter Stanley (DER) this follow-up report is submitted.

DESCRIPTION OF NONCOMPLIANCE:  !

The fecal coliform colony count of a sample from ,

discharge point 101 (sewage treatment plant) exceeded the permit limit.

Date Sample Taken: 7/8/85 <

Date Results Received: 7/24/85 Results of Analysis: 800 colonies /100 mis Permit' Limitation: 200 colonies /100 mis (monthly average):

1000 colonies / LOO mis (instantaneous maximum)

CAUSE OF NONCOMPLIANCE: ,

i Based on information contained in the Plant Service i Group logbook, the sewage plant operator made his round at the sewage treatment plant between 10:00 and 10:30 p.m. on 7/7/85. Sometime af ter 10:30 p.m. on 7/7/85 the hypochlorite pump at the sewage treatment plant lost suction due to the plastic suction tubing floating to the surface in the mixing tank thus terminating the discharge of hypochlorite solution to the chlorine contact tank.

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The following day the sample was collected at about 9:30 a.m. by a chemistry technician who was performing the routine sampling and analysis requirements. The sewage plant operator discovered the problem and corrected it between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m.

DURATION OF NONCOMPLIANCE:

Approximate duration of this incident is estimated to be eighteen hours. Actual duration was probably one or two hours shorter because of the chlorine residual still present in the contact tank af ter the hypochlorite pump stopped discharging.

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CORRECTIVE ACTION:

Upon discovering the problem, the plant operator immediately turned off the raw inlet sump pump and pumped the chlorine contact tank down about two feet to stop any further discharge of effluent. He then reestablished suction to the hypochlorite pump to establish a chlorine residual in the contact tank before allowing any further effluent to discharge from the plant.

PREVENTION OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES:

A suction strainer has been attached to the end of the suction line of the hypochlorite pump to add weight to the 4 end of the tubing. Also, the operators have been instructed to prime the suction line with chlorine solution or water anytime the tubing is removed from the mixing tank.

J Very truly yours, W. T. Ullrich Superintendent Nuclear Generation Division JCEssgg cc: EPA, 3WM52 US NRC Philadelphia, PA Region I OIE 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA US NRC Div. of Licensing ONRR Washington, DC

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