COLUMBIANA Accident at water plant probed

Work on a sewer installation project should continue through the winter.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- City Manager Keith Chamberlin said he is still investigating an accident in which an employee at the water treatment plant mixed two chemicals together and created toxic fumes.
"I am just doing an in-house investigation," Chamberlin said. "It looks like it was simply a mistake, and we're looking at ways we can change procedures so it doesn't happen again."
He said there were two employees working at the plant at the time. Both were treated at Salem Community Hospital after the Oct. 22 accident, and both are fine.
The employees were working at the treatment plant on Metz Road when one worker mixed chlorine and fluoride together, filling the plant with fumes.
Chamberlin said both chemicals are used in treating the water supply, but mixing the chemicals together before adding them to water is not part of the treatment procedure.
Chamberlin emphasized the city water is safe to drink. There was never a threat to the water supply because of the accident.
Columbiana Fire Department and a hazardous materials team from Mahoning County dispersed the fumes from the building. After the fumes were dispersed, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency officials declared the plant safe for operation.
Line extensions
Chamberlin said work on a waterline extension project along state Route 14 to state Route 7 is nearing completion.
A sewer extension project to residential and business owners along state Route 14 and state Route 7 will continue through the winter, he said.
Chamberlin said contractors Marucci & amp; Gaffney Inc. of Youngstown have until April to complete the sewer extension.
An employee of Marucci & amp; Gaffney died Oct. 13 after being injured when a backhoe bucket fell on him at a Railroad Street work site on the project.
Atty. Alan D. Wenger, spokesman for Marucci & amp; Gaffney, said Richard Repp, 45, of Youngstown, died at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Mahoning County Coroner David M. Kennedy ruled Oct. 15 that Repp's death was accidental.
tullis@vindy.com