The 200 West P&T system is one of the key components of the final remedy selected for the 200-ZP-1 Operable Unit (OU), and the interim remedial action selected for 200-UP-1 OU at the Hanford Site. In addition, the facility has been receiving water from several other sources, such as 200-DV-1 OU perched water, groundwater from the 200-BP-5 OU, and leachate from the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility. It is anticipated that the P&T system will continue to receive water from other sources, which may include Modular Storage Unit (purge) water, groundwater near the Waste Management Area C, and Gable Gap. Furthermore, maintaining the injection capacity of the system has been a significant issue since the facility startup in 2012. Fouling issues at the injection wells have necessitated frequent well redevelopment, resulting in decrease in injection capacity and the need to construct new injection wells—with significant effects on system performance and operational costs. Given the evolving nature of treatment plant effluent due to changes in influent, combined with issues observed at the injection wells, it is important to understand the impacts of the P&T operations on the 200 West aquifer where the treated water is injected. This study aims at determining these impacts and providing a quantitative evaluation of aquifer capacity for both current and future conditions. This information will provide a technical basis for decisions related to the P&T system operations that support remedy optimization efforts and short- and long-term remedy decisions related to multiple OUs in the Central Plateau.
Revised: March 12, 2020 |
Published: September 30, 2018