An Emporia Water Treatment Plant employee went by private vehicle to Newman Regional Health as a precaution following a small chlorine gas escape at the facility late Wednesday afternoon.
The incident was reported to Lyon County Emergency Communications shortly after 4:15 pm. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Conley there was a valve malfunction in a one-ton container inside the plant.
Emporia Fire was toned out for a reported hazardous materials incident before learning about the chlorine gas situation. Conley says all appropriate steps were taken at the plant.
Because a major chlorine gas incident is among the worst-case scenarios at the Water Treatment Plant, with human symptoms ranging from burning eyes to lung damage, Conley says it was good to learn Wednesday’s incident was contained to the plant’s interior.
Conley says the faulty valve was on a backup container, so there was no risk to the drinking water supply, which serves Emporia, Lyon County and parts of neighboring counties. There was also no environmental or health risks to the outside public as a result of this incident.
6:20 pm Wednesday: One employee observed on site, no impact to drinking water supply after chlorine gas incident at Emporia Water Treatment Plant
An Emporia Public Works employee was observed on site during a hazardous materials incident at the Water Treatment Plant on Wednesday.
The incident developed in the 4 pm hour and was reported to Lyon County Emergency Communications around 4:15 pm. City Manager Trey Cocking tells KVOE News two employees were working on a chlorine gas cylinder when some of the gas escaped, exposing the one employee.
Cocking says the early indications are minimal gas amounts escaped and only the cylinder was impacted. There was no effect on the city’s drinking water supply, which also serves the rest of Lyon County and portions of nearby counties.
Emporia Fire has remained on the scene as the investigation continues.
4:20 pm Wednesday: Hazardous materials response underway at Emporia’s Water Treatment Plant
Emporia Fire is on a hazardous materials call at the city’s Water Treatment Plant in northwest Emporia.
Early indications are there was a cleaning project underway when a chlorine tank dislodged. There is no confirmation of injuries or chlorine spread at this time.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
