A failure of the dechlorination process at the St. Albans (Vt.) City Wastewater Treatment Plant led to the release of half a million gallons of chlorinated water on Tuesday, July 24. There was no release of untreated or partially treated wastewater.
A 2-inch rainfall put the combined stormwater and sanitary treatment plant into bypass mode overnight, according to the St. Albans Messenger. During bypass mode, bisulfate is injected at a pump station to remove chlorine before effluent is discharged to Stevens Brook. That system turns off when the plant returns to normal operation. In this instance a failed switch prevented the plant’s
