Savannah River Site Achieves Key Milestone in Groundwater Cleanup
In Aiken, South Carolina, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) has reached a significant milestone in its efforts to clean up contaminated groundwater. The organization has successfully injected over 100 million gallons of artesian well water into the shallow groundwater located beneath a former coal storage yard and associated runoff basin in the Savannah River Site’s D Area. To put this achievement into perspective, this amount of water is nine times more than what can be found in the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, as noted by Ashley Shull, a Senior Scientist involved with the project.
Long History of Coal Operations
The need for such an extensive cleanup effort is tied to the history of the coal-powered plant that operated in the D Area. Starting in 1952 and running until 2012, the plant provided power to the area and used coal as its primary fuel source. With this operation, acidic materials and metals were released, which have since contaminated the groundwater.
Despite the fact that coal was removed from the area between 2012 and 2013, the lingering effects of decades of rainwater filtering through the coal have left the soil acidic. As a result, metals have leached into the shallow groundwater, causing significant contamination. This type of groundwater pollution is not uncommon in the United States where coal was historically used for electricity generation.
A Unique Solution
The team at SRNS came up with a unique groundwater remediation solution that utilizes the existing groundwater conditions and the natural flow of nearby artesian wells. This method is notable because it does not involve electricity or pumps, which makes it a more sustainable and cost-effective option when compared to traditional cleanup technologies.
As per Shull, the system “passively” helps to buffer and neutralize the overly acidic groundwater resulting from past coal storage. This innovative approach is part of the efforts by SRNS’s Environmental Compliance and Area Completion Projects (EC&ACP) group, which is effectively managing the cleanup process.
Collaboration and Monitoring
Since initiating the groundwater injection program in March 2022, SRNS has been closely collaborating with regulatory bodies like the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Both organizations have supported the project as EC&ACP works to restore the balance of groundwater quality.
Regular monitoring of the groundwater surrounding the treatment system is in place to track progress. Though it will take time to fully restore the groundwater to its original condition, the initial adjustments are expected to ultimately result in significant environmental benefits.
Statements from Project Leaders
Michael D. Budney, Manager of the U.S. Department of Energy-Savannah River (DOE-SR), commented, “Tapping into the natural benefits, artesian well water equipped our team with a sustainable alternative to address groundwater quality to levels that will enhance the environment.”
Rasheed Muwwakkil, a Senior Project Engineer, also expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort, stating, “I would like to thank the team for all their hard work, constant communication with the DOE and regulators to gain the support needed to help SRNS reach this major milestone in groundwater remediation. This is truly a great and historic accomplishment to be proud of.”
The Future Ahead
As SRNS continues its commitment to environmental management, the success of this project serves as a positive example of how innovative solutions can effectively address environmental challenges. With continued support and monitoring, the Savannah River Site aims to reverse the damage caused by decades of coal storage and offer a cleaner and healthier environment for the future.
