West Valley Marks Milestone by Removing Final ‘Balance-of-Site’ Facility

WEST VALLEY, N.Y. – EM and its cleanup contractor at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) recently removed a septic system and well associated with a former one-room schoolhouse demolished in 2007.

The project marks a significant achievement, completing the removal of 46 “balance-of-site” facilities, which are structures no longer needed for EM’s cleanup at the site.

EM WVDP Director Bryan Bower commended the CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) team for its work.

“The CHBWV team completed the last balance-of-site structure safely and in a manner that was protective of the surrounding community as part of our cleanup efforts,” Bower said. “This is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our employees to our cleanup mission.”

Workers used an excavator to remove the concrete septic tank and associated piping, and took out the 37-foot-deep well and piping in five-foot sections. They packaged the waste and shipped it for disposal offsite. The area was graded and reseeded to complete the restoration.

CHBWV President John Rendall said his employees continue to reduce legacy risks at the site in an environmentally sound manner.

“I’m proud to be a part of an organization that prides itself on delivering results in a manner that is safe and protective of the local community and environment,” Rendall said. “Our accomplishments on this project would not be possible without the dedication and skills of our employees, and I look forward to continuing our work together in reducing legacy risks at the site.”

The schoolhouse was once part of the West Valley School District. It closed when the district consolidated and built a new school in the 1930s. The building was later used for training for cleanup operations.