Evaluation of DoD Waste Site Groundwater Pump-And-Treat Operations

摘要

In FY 1996, the DoD operated 75 pump-and-treat systems as a primary remedy at sites where the groundwater is contaminated by chlorinated solvents. This evaluation report discusses the financial and technical aspects of the operation and maintenance of current pump-and-treat systems. The objective was to determine the cost and effectiveness of DoD groundwater pump-and-treat remediation efforts. Specifically, we focused on groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents. Pump-and-treat systems remediate contamination slowly, cost $40 million annually as of FY 1996, and will not allow DoD to meet required cleanup goals within a reasonable time. Many pump-and-treat systems were designed before more innovative technologies were available. If DoD continues the operation of many pump-and-treat systems with indefinite shut-off dates, increasing proportions of the Defense Environmental Restoration Account will be required to fund the continuing operations and monitoring of the costly systems for the foreseeable future. Alternative cleanup methods may be feasible and more appropriate for many sites.