Development of Mitigation Strategies for Preventing Firewater Runoff into Aquatic Systems from Chemical Storage and Warehousing Facilities

This study investigates the environmental risks associated with contaminated firefighting water runoff from hazardous chemical storage facilities. A case study of sixty-three facilities in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, was conducted using a quantitative methodology. Firefighting water generation was estimated for different accident scenarios, and mitigation factors such as hydrants, sprinkler systems, and on-site personnel were considered to adjust discharge volumes. For the representative case facility, the predicted volume was 12,960 tons, reduced to 9,072 tons after accounting for early response capacity. However, on-site storage capacity was only 138 tons, resulting in an estimated external discharge of 8,934 tons. Risk assessment matrices incorporating discharge volume, containment distance, chemical inventory, and ecotoxicity indicated a “high” risk level. These findings were consistent across multiple facilities, demonstrating the broader applicability of the methodology. Comparison with international regulations, including NFPA 30 (United States), CEPA 1999 (Canada), WHG §62 (Germany), and UK guidance, confirmed the importance of structural prevention and institutional coordination. The results emphasize that firefighting water management should extend beyond individual facilities to regional institutional frameworks. This study provides a quantitative basis for strengthening institutional systems for environmental safety and offers practical implications for preventing secondary water pollution.