Chlorine Leak at Water Treatment Plant; Worker Hospitalized

TYLER — A leak in a chlorine pipe at the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant has injured a city worker. An alarm alerted the staff of the leak round 6:45 yesterday morning. According to Managing Director of Water Utilities Greg Morgan, “In accordance with standard protocol, the Fire Department was notified to begin response and plant workers donned emergency breathing apparatus and were able to close the emergency shut off valves, stopping the leak.”

One employee, who was arriving to work at that time, is believed to have been exposed to the chlorine. He was transported to the hospital for treatment and was last reported in stable condition. The Fire Department ventilated the area and cleared the scene. No evacuation outside of the plant property was needed. By mid-morning, City workers were returning to their work stations at the plant. “At this time we do not know what caused the leak to occur,” Morgan added. “However, we will be investigating further.”