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Athens County orders tank cleanup at wastewater plant after plugged return line
Summary
Water & Sewer Superintendent Oscar Carson reported a plugged return line in Tank 2, planned crane-and-excavator cleanup, EPA notification, and safety steps; the board discussed notifying the fire department during confined-space work.
Athens — Athens County’s water and sewer superintendent briefed commissioners April 7 on an operational outage at the county wastewater plant that required draining and cleaning of Tank 2.
Oscar Carson told the board staff initially suspected rags and debris in the sump but found the obstruction inside the return line. To access and remove the material, crews drained the re-aeration chamber, removed diffusers and ordered replacements, and planned to lower an excavator with a crane to remove accumulated rags and grit. The goal is to have the tank refilling by Monday, the superintendent said. The county notified the Environmental Protection Agency of the incident and cleanup activities.
Commissioners asked about confined-space safety. Carson said safety harnesses, ventilation blowers and oxygen/gas detectors will be used and confirmed he had entered the tank twice prior to the excavation work. Commissioner Adkins suggested notifying the local fire department as an additional precaution; Carson agreed.
Carson said he would document the work with photos and a report and will inform the board if issues arise. The board did not take formal action but ratified related maintenance equipment purchases and personnel items elsewhere on the agenda.
