Radioactive Drying Beds Closure
About The Project
RVE provided environmental engineering services for this project where Bordentown City was required to close the water treatment plant’s sludge drying beds that contained radioisotopes exceeding standards. These radioisotopes originated from the Potomac aquifer. Subsequently, during plant filter bed backwashing the radioisotopes were removed to the drying beds with the precipitated iron/manganese solids. Guided by field radiation microprocessors capable of detecting ionizing radiation, RVE conducted extensive sludge and environmental sampling, 50 radioisotope analyses and 2,500 tests. Twenty-four computer models were utilized to support an in-place closure strategy consisting of removal of filter-backwash deposition hotspots, in combination with capping remaining backwash materials. Sampling of radioactive sediments near the outfall were field screened/sampled to isolate 10 tons of impacted wetland sediments. Over $1.2 million in offsite disposal costs were avoided by substituting a practical/innovative remedy protective of human health and the environment. Since vast regions draw water from the Potomac formation, project findings advance invaluable precedents for compliance with radiation cleanups.
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Over $1.2 million in offsite disposal costs were avoided by substituting a practical/innovative remedy protective of human health and the environment.
Since vast regions draw water from the Potomac formation, project findings advance invaluable precedents for compliance with radiation cleanups.
CIANJ COMMERCE Magazine Environmental Leadership Award - Cleanup of Contaminated Sites Category