U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) team members injected more than 100 million gallons of artesian well water to clean up shallow groundwater underneath a 33-acre former coal storage yard and associated runoff basin at the Savannah River Site (SRS).
Office of Environmental Management
August 20, 2024
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Unique system saves millions of dollars compared to traditional technologies that are not as sustainable, passive or cost effective
AIKEN, S.C. — U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) team members injected more than 100 million gallons of artesian well water to clean up shallow groundwater underneath a 33-acre former coal storage yard and associated runoff basin at the Savannah River Site (SRS).
That volume of injected well water from deep underground is nine times more water than the amount contained in the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, according to Ashley Shull, senior scientist for EM contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS).
Over 60 years of power plant operation, which generated acidic materials and metals associated with coal, impacted the groundwater in the site’s D Area. The coal-powered plant, which began operations in 1952, produced electricity for D Area and other parts of SRS until 2012. Even though the coal was removed in 2012 and 2013, decades of rainwater passing through the coal on the ground left the soils underneath acidic. Metals leached from the coal and natural soil minerals, causing shallow groundwater contamination. It is common in the United States for contamination such as this to exist where coal was used for power production.
The D Area Groundwater Treatability Study project team assesses artesian flow into an injection well at the Savannah River Site.
SRNS developed a unique solution, taking advantage of the existing conditions of the groundwater and the natural flow of two nearby artesian wells, offering a groundwater remedy without electricity or pumps.
The unique groundwater remediation system saves millions of dollars compared to traditional technologies that are not as sustainable, passive or cost effective.
“This system passively ensures a neutral buffering to groundwater to help correct the currently overly acidic conditions in groundwater caused by the decades of storage of coal in the area,” said Shull.
This graphic shows the Savannah River Site D Area Treatability Study injection wells, reactive structure and projected water table elevation.
Working with regulators from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, formerly the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SRNS began injecting the artesian well water to neutralize the groundwater in March 2022.
While this passive technology project is adjusting the balance of the groundwater below the coal storage and runoff basin areas, it will take time to see the groundwater restored to pristine conditions. SRS tracks the cleanup regularly by monitoring the groundwater surrounding the treatment system.
“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,” said Mike Budney, manager of the DOE-Savannah River Operations Office. “DOE and SRS have a longstanding approach to remediation that identifies opportunities to craft solutions to lower costs through less labor- and equipment-centered methods, opting for passive technology when practicable.”
Rasheed Muwwakkil, SRNS senior project engineer, added, “I would like to thank the team for all their hard work and 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.”
-Contributor: Fallan Flatow
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