Remediate Groundwater
The strategy for initiating groundwater interim remedial actions was based on protecting the Columbia
River aquatic environment, and containing and reducing contamination in the Central Plateau. These
actions have been underway for several years and during that period much has been learned about
these cleanup methods. Several activities are ongoing or planned to further evaluate the risk and
impact from the contaminant plumes in an effort to move these interim actions to final remedies.
The goal of these evaluations is to develop the needed technical, scientific, and performance data
to establish final remedial action objectives. In addition, these evaluations will help implement
final remedies as the source control measures for the waste sites responsible for these plumes are
completed.
River Corridor Interim Remedial Action Strategy
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What is pump-and-treat? Several contaminant plumes in the 100 Areas are of special
concern because they are so close to the Columbia River. DOE is pumping contaminated
groundwater of chromium and strontium-90 plumes, treating it to remove the contaminants,
and injecting the clean water back into the aquifer. The primary purpose of these
pump-and-treat systems is to reduce the amount of contamination entering the Columbia
River and protect the ecosystem until a final cleanup solution is in place.
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Interim actions are currently underway to intercept elevated concentrations of chromium and
strontium 90 entering the Columbia River in four of the reactor areas. Actions in
100-H, 100-D, and 100-K Areas were taken to
protect aquatic species from chromium contamination entering the river through springs and seeps,
while actions at 100-N Area are focused on reducing the potential impact
of strontium-90 from N Springs on the Columbia River.
Central Plateau Interim Remedial Action Strategy
Interim actions are currently underway at two locations within the 200 West Area to reduce the
mass and contain the high concentration portions of the technetium-99 and uranium plume in the
groundwater beneath U Plant and carbon tetrachloride in the soil and
groundwater beneath the Plutonium Finishing Plant. Further evaluation of
these actions is needed to assess the potential impact of these contaminant plumes on the
groundwater resources.
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