City crews handle chemical leak

STEUBENVILLE -- City wastewater department workers spent Tuesday evening working to prevent bleach from killing the microorganisms which breaks down the sewerage.

Chuck Murphy, city utilities director, said workers at the plant noticed a white cloud in a ditch at the plant and notified the fire department.

The chemical, sodium hypochlorite, or household bleach, had entered the sewer system and made its way to the plant. Murphy said between 50 and 55 gallons of the chemical was released.

City Manager James Mavromatis said a drum burst at National Colloid on Adams Street, and the liquid entered a drain.

Murphy said holding tanks used during times of heavy rain were opened and the sewerage containing the sodium hypochlorite was pumped into the tanks. He said that was done to prevent the chemical from entering the secondary treatment section of the plant. Sodium bisulfite was added to the sewerage to remove the chlorine from the water, Murphy said. Chlorine is present in a small amount in sodium hypochlorite.

Mavromatis said National Colloid provided the sodium busulfite to the city.

Murphy said he is still assessing any potential damage to the biology of the plant. He said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was immediately notified of the problem.

Murphy said, if the biology of the plant is compromised, the plant will fall out of compliance with its permit. He said the plant would then have to release sewerage which isn't properly treated.