Explosion at water treatment plant injures one

An explosion occurred during a chemical delivery today at the Graham Water Treatment Plant, destroying the tank that stores bleach at the facility and injuring one.

Until the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality completes an assessment, there is no ETA on the plant returning to normal operation.

The explosion occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 in the 400 block of Power Plant Road in Graham.

City Manager Eric Garretty said an individual was injured due to the explosion.

“One person, a non-city employee, was non-critically injured in the accident. That person has been transported to Graham Regional Medical Center for assessment and treatment,” he said. “As a result of the accident, water production capabilities are temporarily suspended at the water treatment plant. However, the city has approximately 24 hours water storage both in town and some water available at the water treatment plant.”

According to a press release from the city manager, upon initial investigation it was discovered that a rupture of a chemical tank had occurred. The chemical is commonly known as liquid bleach, (the chemical name is sodium hypochlorite) and was diluted to a 10 percent solution.

Further investigation revealed that the tank had ruptured and the estimated spill quantity was less than 2,500 gallons.

“Seepage of the chemical was confined to the immediate grounds of the Water Treatment Plant,” the release states. “The city has opened a formal inquiry into the cause of the rupture and no further details on the proximate cause of the rupture are available at this time.”

The city issued emergency water use restrictions following the explosion which requests all residents restrict to non-essential water usage only until further notice. The water is currently safe to drink and the city is awaiting a TCEQ emergency response team who will further assess the situation.

“(TCEQ) is en route to Graham and should arrive here late this afternoon. They have the materials and the expertise necessary to help us repair our chemical capability to be able to continue to treat water,” Garretty said.

Garretty said once the team arrives and the city is able to establish their ability to treat the water with chemicals, the city will bring the plant back online.

Along with Graham Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety, Garretty said additional units assisted.

Graham Fire/Rescue Department, the Young County Sheriff’s Office, the Olney Volunteer Fire Department and the Young and Jack Counties Offices of Emergency Management responded to the scene quickly to assess the situation and decided no evacuations were necessary.