VENTURA : Toxic Gas Leaks Close Water Plant

Toxic gas leaks forced Ventura city officials to close a water treatment plant Tuesday while emergency workers repaired the damage.

Tanks of sulfur dioxide and chlorine began leaking when city water maintenance workers tried to replace two empty containers, said Steven R. Wilson, water superintendent for the city of Ventura.

The workers, who were checked for contamination at Ventura County Medical Center, were unharmed, Wilson said.

In large quantities, sulfur dioxide is flammable and chlorine corrosive, Wilson said. Chlorine “is an acid that can burn your skin,” he said. Small doses of each of the gases are used to purify the city’s drinking water.

The leaks occurred just before noon at the Bailey Reservoir near Telegraph and Victoria roads. A one-block residential area next to the plant was cordoned off during the repairs, but there were no evacuations, fire officials said.

The reservoir, which provides about 20% of the city’s water, was shut down for about eight hours while repairs were made, Wilson said.

“As far as anyone can remember, this is the first time we’ve had to call in the Fire Department on a leak,” Wilson said.

Encased in yellow rubber suits with plastic face shields and equipped with air tanks, teams of city firefighters ventured into the plant to repair the leaks.

“Basically they have to go in there and put a new piece shaped like a boot on the tank, “ said James M. Glew, Ventura fire protection inspector. “Then they have to make sure it doesn’t leak.”

Afterward the workers were squirted with water to remove any chemicals.

In all, 23 city and county firefighters were called to the scene.

“There isn’t any serious danger,” said Ventura Fire Chief Wayne Belitski. “These are just the precautions we take.”