Firm hired to analyze chlorine storage at Water Treatment Plant

The City of Clear Lake will review the chlorine storage system at its Water Treatment Plant in the wake of a recent leak.

The City Council voted Aug. 3 to hire Veenstra & Kimm, of Mason City, to review and make recommendations to improve the storage of the chlorine gas used for disinfecting the municipal drinking water supply.  The cost of the work will be $8,400.

City Administrator Scott Flory reviewed the July 17 chlorine leak at the plant, which caused the evacuation of the area immediately surrounding the plant, was the first leak that has occurred in at least 40 years or more.  The source of the leak was later determined to be a gasket that connects a valve from the cylinder to the feed system.

Flory said the incident brought a number of issues to the forefront which need to be addressed.

Currently there is not an appropriate leak detection or alarm system, or secondary containment. In addition, ventilation issues for chlorine storage merit review to assure the safety of employees and the general public.

Jason Petersburg, of Veenstra & Kimm, told Council members the city needs to make upgrades in its use and storage of chlorine gas to meet Iowa Department of Natural Resources standards.

Petersburg expects the contracted review and analysis will take six to eight weeks to complete.