United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
Emergency and
Remedial Response
EPA/ROD/R04-93/163
September 1993
&EPA Superfund
Record of Decision:
Savannah River (USDOE)
(Operable Unit 6), SC
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50272-101
REPORT DOCUMENTATION
PAGE
1. REPORT NO.
EPA/ROD/R04-93/163
3. Recipient's Accession No.
4. Title and Subtitle
SUPERFUND RECORD OF DECISION
USDOE Savannah River (Operable Unit 6), SC
Fourth Remedial Action
5. Report Date
09/10/93
6.
7. Authors)
8. Performing Organization Rapt No.
9. Performing Organization Nama and Address
10 Project Task/Work Unit No.
11. Contract(O or Grant(G) No.
(Q
12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
13. Typa of Report & Period Covered
800/800
14.
15. Supplementary Notes
PB94-964020
16. Abstract (Limit: 200 words)
The USDOE Savannah River (Operable Unit 6) site is part of the 300-square mile Savannah
River Site facility located in Aiken, Barnwell, and Allendale Counties, South Carolina.
Land use in the area is predominantly agricultural, with no residential uses. The
Savannah River Site (SRS), co-operated by the Westinghouse Savannah River Company', is a
secured, national defense-related facility that produces tritium, plutonium, and other
special nuclear materials. The site also provides nuclear materials for the space
program, and conducts medical, industrial, and research efforts. From 1955 to 1988,
the central area of the site, known as the F-Area, was used as a Hazardous Waste
Management Facility (HWMF). The F-Area HWMF consists of three unlined, earthen surface
impoundments located near the center of SRS. During site operations, the facility
received waste effluents from F-Area chemical separation facilities processes,
including a nitric acid recovery unit, waste storage system evaporator overheads, and
general purpose evaporator overheads. The three basins had a combined maximum
operating capacity of 20.5 million gallons of wastewater. Significant amounts of
nitrate and caustic were received from wastewater discharge into the F-Area basins, and
these radioactive releases to the three basins were greater than 99% tritium. Several
studies showed that 90% of the radionuclides, cations, and anions were concentrated
(See Attached Page)
17. Document Analysis a. Descriptors
Record of Decision - USDOE Savannah River (Operable Unit 6), SC
Fourth Remedial Action
Contaminated Medium: None
Key Contaminants: None
b. Identifiers/Open-ended Terms
c. COSATI Field/Group
18. Availability Statement
19. Security Class (This Report)
None
20. Security Class (This Page)
None
21. No. of Pages
22
22. Price
(See ANSI-Z39.18)
Sea Instructions on Rwnn*
OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77)
(Formerly KTIS-35)
Deportment of Commerce
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EPA/ROD/R04-93/163
USDOE Savannah River (Operable Unit 6), SC
Fourth Remedial Action
Abstract (Continued)
within the top 1 foot of basin soil. In 1988, a RCRA closure plan for the site was
developed. The closure of the F-Area HWMF began in 1989, and was completed in early 1991.
Closure activities included removing standing water remaining in the basins; stabilizing
the basin sludge with a layer of granite, limestone, and blast furnace slag; constructing
a low permeability multi—layer cap over the basins; and restoring the area. The site
closure prevents physical exposure to contaminants and mitigates further migration of
contaminants from the F-Area HWMF to ground water through rainwater percolation. The
F-Area HWMF is being routinely inspected for a minimum of 30 years, and institutional
controls, including deed restrictions, have been implemented. This ROD addresses
contaminated soil and sludge in the F-Area, as OU6. Future RODs will address the
remaining ground water beneath the site. EPA investigations indicate that the previous
RCRA closure of the site sufficiently has reduced the threat to human health and the
environment; therefore, there are no contaminants of concern affecting this site. Future
RODs will address the remaining OUs found at the site.
The selected remedial action for this site is no further action, with ground water
monitoring. EPA has determined that the previous RCRA closure of the site has prevented
the risk of physical exposure to site contaminants, reduced further migration of site
contaminants to ground water, and that the site poses no threat to human health and the
environment. However, as a condition of the RCRA Hazardous Waste Permit, post closure
ground water monitoring is required to verify that no unacceptable exposures to potential
hazards posed by conditions at OU6 occur in the future. There are no present worth or O&M
costs associated with this no action remedy.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OR GOALS:
Not applicable. .
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FINAL ROD WSRC-RP-93-1042
F-AREA HWMF REV.1
• September 2, 1993
4) The F-Area HWMF is being routinely inspected for a minimum of 30 years to
verify the integrity of the cover system, fences, signs, etc. Any necessary repairs
to the cap will be made as part of the maintenance program.
5) Access to the F-Area HWMF is restricted to authorized personnel with
appropriate training on applicable requirements. The survey plat and records
associated with deed restricted use of the F-Area HWMF have been filed with
Aiken County, SC.
Declaration Statement
Previous action taken at the F-Area HWMF was under a RCRA Closure Plan
approved by the state of South Carolina and was protective of human health
and the environment. Therefore, no further remedial action is necessary under
CERCLA. To ensure continued protection of human health and the
environment, this remedial action will b« r«v>«wed every 5 years, consistent
with the requirements of the NCP.
4/fa?
DafeV
: Manager for Environmental
Solid Waste
U S Oummmt of Energy
jo/99S
Date1 P«M*M Tobin
Acano n«Qn:ifMil Administrator,
U S EnvTOfvntntal Protection Agency
III
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WSRC-RP-93-1042
Revision 1
September 2, 1993
SUMMARY OF FINAL ACTION
REMEDIAL ALTERNATIVE SELECTION
FOR
F-Area Hazardous Waste Management Facility (U)
Prepared by
WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER COMPANY
SAVANNAH RIVER SITE
AIKEN, SC 29802
PREPARED FOR THE US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY UNDER
CONTRACT DE-AC09-89SR18035
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• September 2, 1993
DECISION SUMMARY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
I. Site and Operable Unit Names, Locations, and 1
Descriptions
II. Operable Unit History and Compliance History 4
III. Highlights of Community Participation 6
IV. Scope and Rol%-of Operable Unit within the Site 7
Strategy fi.
V. Summary of Operable Unit Characteristics 7
VI. Summary of ©peraBle4Jnit Risks 8
VII. Explanatfon of Significant Changes 9
Appendices
A. References for Development of ROD Format 10
B. Responsiveness Summary 11
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; September 2, 1993
I. Site and Operable Unit Names, Locations, and Descriptions
The Savannah River Site (SRS) occupies approximately 300 square miles (483
km) adjacent to the Savannah River, principally in Aiken and Barnwell Counties
of South Carolina (Figure 1). SRS is a secured facility with no permanent
residents. The site is approximately 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Augusta,
Georgia, and 20 miles (32 km) south of Aiken, South Carolina. The average
population density in the counties surrounding SRS ranges from 23-560 people
per square mile (60-1452 per square km) with the largest concentration in the
Augusta, Georgia, metropolitan area. Based on 1980 census data, the
population within a 50-mile (80 km) radius of SRS is approximately 555,100.
SRS is owned by the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC) is the manager and
operating contractor for DOE. SRS produces tritium, plutonium, and other
special nuclear materials for national defense. The site also provides nuclear
materials for the space program, and conducts medical, industrial, and research
efforts. The F-Area HWMF is a source specific operable unit within the F-Area
Fundamental Study Area. The F-Area HWMF consists of three unlined, earthen
surface impoundments located in the center of SRS, west of Road C and
opposite road E approximately 5 miles (8 km) from the nearest site boundary
(Figure 2).
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SAVANNAH RIVER
SITE
Figure 1 Location of the Savannah River Site (SRS)
(Source: Modified from the Savannah River Environmental Report, 1990)
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F-AREA HWMF
WSRC-RP-93-1042
REV.1
September 2. 1993
Figure 2 F-Area HWMF
(Source: Modified from the EID for F-A/»*
Basins, 1987)
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F-AREA HWMF - REV.1
September 2, 1993
II. Operable Unit History and Compliance History
Operable Unit History
The F-Area HWMF (basins F-1, F-2, and F-3) operated from 1955 until
November 7,1988. During that time, the facility received waste effluents from
F-Area chemical separation facilities processes such as the nitric acid recovery
unit, waste storage system evaporator overheads, and general purpose
evaporator overheads. The maximum operating dimensions and volumetric
capacities of the F-Area HWMF basins were as follows:
F-1: 90 ft x 280 ft x 10.7 ft, 1.6 million gallons
F-2: 90 ft x 530 ft x 10.7 ft, 3.1 million gallons
F-3:310 ft x 720 ft x 11.2 ft, 15.8 million gallons
The three basins had a combined maximum operating capacity of 20.5 million
gallons of wastewater.
These basins were closed by dewatering, physically and chemically stabilizing
the remaining sludges and placing a protective multi-layer cover system (Figure
3) over them to reduce rainwater contact with basin bottoms.
Compliance History
RCRA preventive actions at the F-Area HWMF were conducted pursuant to the
requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) per
Settlement Agreement 87-27-SW. In 1988, a RCRA Closure Plan was
submitted to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental
Control (SCDHEC). The closure plan underwent several revisions prior to
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Vegetative Cover
Top Sol! (2 ft)
QeotexUle Fabric
Sand Drainage Layer (9 in)
Low Permeability Clay Layer (2 ft)
Clean Soil Backfill and Contour Layer
Limestone and Blast Furnace Slag (1 ft)
Granite Aggregate (3-6 ft)
Basin Sediments
Figure 3 F-Area HWMF Cap Cross Section
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^ September 2. 1993
approval by SCDHEC in 1989. Closure of the F-Area HWMF was begun in
1989 and completed in January 1991. The F-Area HWMF was certified closed
in February 1991. In April 1991, the closure certification was accepted by
SCDHEC as being in compliance with RCRA requirements. A RCRA Part B
Permit Application for Post-Closure Care was submitted in December 1990 and
a Hazardous Waste Permit was effective November 1992.
Closure activities specifically included removal of standing water remaining in
the basin; stabilization of the basin sludge with a layer of granite, limestone and
blast furnace slag; construction of a low permeability cap over the basin; and
restoration of the area.
RCRA preventive activities at the F-Area HWMF became subject to CERCLA
when the entire SRS facility was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in
December 1989. The F-Area HWMF is a source-specific operable unit within
the F-Area Fundamental Study Area.
III. Highlights of Community Participation
The public comment period ran from 18 June 93 - 2 August 93. SCDHEC
submitted comments on the Proposed Plans which have been incorporated into
this ROD, where appropriate.
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• September 2. 1993
IV. Scope and Role of Operable Unit within the Site Strategy
The selected remedy involved the placement of all contaminated materials
under a low permeability cap. The remedy prevents physical exposure to
contaminants and mitigates further migration of contaminants from the F-Area
HWMF to groundwater by minimizing a liquid medium pathway (rainwater
percolation) for transport.
V. Summary of Operable Unit Characteristics
Waste effluents from F-Area chemical separation facilities processes such as
the nitric acid recovery unit, waste storage system evaporator overheads, and
general purpose evaporator overheads were discharged to the F-Area HWMF.
Significant amounts of nitrate and caustic were received. Radioactive releases
to these basins were greater than 99% tritium. Several studies were conducted
to characterize the subsoils. A 1984 soil coring study showed that
approximately 90% of the radionuclides, cations, and anions were concentrated
within the top 1 foot of basin soil. The constituents of concern at the F-Area
HWMF are barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, tritium, copper, cyanide,
nickel, tetrachloroethylene, trichlorofluoromethane, zinc, gross alpha, gross
beta, nitrate, radium-226, radium-228, tritium, americium-241, cesium-137,
curium-234/244, curium-246, cobalt-60, strontium-90, technetium-99, uranium-
233/234, uranium-238.
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« September 2, 1993
VI. Summary of Operable Unit Risks
Due to the previous F-Area HWMF RCRA preventive action, No Further Action
under CERCLA is necessary for this source control operable unit. The RCRA
preventive action is protective to human health and the environment and
satisfies CERCLA requirements.
Contaminated sediments of the F-Area HWMF were stabilized in the basin
during closure. The basin then was covered with a low permeability soil cap.
Therefore, exposure through surface soil and sediment pathways is minimized
because of this RCRA cap.
Preventive alternatives were developed for the F-Area HWMF based on
effective technologies available at the time the RCRA Closure Plan was
prepared. The RCRA Closure Plan was inrtialy submitted to SCDHEC in early
1989 and was approved, following several rtvwont. n June 1989.
Options regarding the F-Area HWMF evaluated at that time included:
Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
No Waste Removal, Waste Consolidation. Treatment and Closure
Alternative 3
Waste Removal and Closure
8
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Alternative 2 was selected within the RCRA closure process in 1988 as the most
technically effective of the three alternatives for protection of human health and
the environment. Closure of the F-Area HWMF was begun in 1989 and
completed in 1991. The closure was certified in February 1991 and accepted
by SCDHEC as being in compliance with RCRA and state requirements. The
closure is considered a final action under CERCLA.
VII. Explanation of Significant Changes
There were no significant changes.
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Appendix A
References for Development of ROD Format
Weeks, Victor, 1993. "Regarding Records of Decision, F-Area and H-Area,
Savannah River Site, Aiken , South Carolina", Letter to Goidell (DOE),
Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC, April 14, 1993.
EPA, 1991. "Guide to Developing Superfund No Action, Interim Action, and
Contingency Remedy RODs," OSWER Publication 9355.3-02FS-3, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., April 1991.
WSRC, 1992. "Draft RCRA Facility Investigation/Remedial Investigation
Program Plan," WSRC-RP-89-994, Rev. 1, Chapter 15, Westinghouse
Savannah River Company, Aiken, South Carolina, May 1992.
10
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• September 2, 1993
Appendix B
Responsiveness Summary
SCDHEC submitted comments. DOE concurs with these comments and they
have been incorporated into this ROD, where appropriate. These comments
are available for review in the Administrative Record File.
11
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