Thursday, March 26, 2015

SULFUR DIOXIDE LEAK AT THE SOUTH CROSS BAYOU WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT




MARCH 25, 2015

SAINT PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

A sulfur dioxide leak at the South Cross Bayou Wastewater Treatment was patched up Wednesday afternoon.

Sulfur dioxide is commonly used at treatment plants during the dechlorination of wastewater. When sulfur dioxide contacts water, it produces sulfuric acid.  It is very toxic if inhaled and can cause death.  It is corrosive if it comes in contact with skin or eyes.  It will irritate or burn the skin/eyes.

The hazmat team was investigating the incident.

Hazmat units responded to the leak in the one ton cylinder just before noon and crews were able to patch it around 2 p.m.

The leak was confined to the building and systems in place were working, according to a statement from the Lealman Fire Dept. There was no leak outside of the building.

Employees at the building on 54th Ave. in Lealman were evacuated as a precaution. Traffic was shut down at 54th Ave. between Belcher Rd. and Park St. but the roads have since been reopened.

There was no word on what caused the leak. No injuries were reported.
The South Cross Bayou Wastewater Treatment Facility is located at 5900 74th Street North in Saint Petersburg, FL and has had serious violation(s) over the past three years.

7 quarter(s) of Clean Water Act violations - resulting in 2 enforcement action and $293,460 in fines.

There is a population of 3,481 people (11% minorities) within a 3 mile radius of the facility.