Ozone leak sends three to the hospital

An Arizona water treatment plant that uses ozone for water treatment had a minor equipment failure that sent three people to the hospital. The plant was evacuated and the fire department Haz-Mat team was called to the scene.  Read full story below:

http://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/gilbert/water-treatment-plant-in-gilbert-evacuated-for-hazardous-materials-situation

GILBERT, AZ – A water treatment plant in Gilbert was evacuated Friday because of a hazardous materials situation on Friday.

Jennifer Alvarez, digital media and marketing officer for Gilbert, said in am email to ABC15 that a “minor equipment failure” resulted in “a small release of ozone” at the plant.

Up to thirty people were in the area at the time, a spokesman for Gilbert Fire Department said.

Three people were transported to the hospital, said Alvarez. The other people were treated on-site.

The plant has since been given the all-clear, she said, and emplyees have returned to work.

The SanTan Vista Drinking Water Treatment Plant is located near Ocotillo and Recker roads. According to the Town of Gilbert, the treatment plant receives water from Central Arizona Project’s Colorado River watershed through a 14-mile ductile iron pipeline.

The plant treats 24 million gallons of water a day, which is split evenly between Gilbert and Chandler, the website said.

The plant is undergoing an expansion project that began in 2016 and is slated to be completed in 2018.

Ozone is commonly used for water treatment.  The use of ozone in water treatment and many applications is perfectly safe, and in fact safer than alternative chemicals like Chlorine.  It should be simple to maintain a safe environment around your ozone equipment.

Ozone Leaks and ambient ozone levels are not issues to be taken lightly by your safety team.  Ensure you have ozone monitors on-site, ensure they are working, and ensure your staff knows how to keep themselves safe in your facility.  Need help with ozone equipment maintenance, ozone sensors, and ozone safety?  Contact our office, we would be glad to help.

Need an ozone monitor?  Click HERE to view our complete line of ozone safety monitors.

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