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2,000 Gallons of Hanford Tank Waste Treated, Grouted and Disposed

Approximately 2,000 gallons of treated tank waste from the Hanford Site have been safely and successfully solidified in grout and permanently disposed of at licensed commercial facilities. July 8, 2025

Office of Environmental Management

July 8, 2025
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An employee in protective gear stirring a sample with a long object

A worker with EnergySolutions collects a sample to confirm the Hanford Site tank waste meets requirements before it is grouted.

RICHLAND, Wash. — Approximately 2,000 gallons of treated tank waste from the Hanford Site have been safely and successfully solidified in grout and permanently disposed of at licensed commercial facilities as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s Test Bed Initiative.

“This is an innovative effort to demonstrate options with the potential to accelerate the Hanford tank-waste mission in a safe, effective and efficient manner,” said Katie Wong, program manager with the Hanford Field Office Tank Farms Programs Division. “This major accomplishment reflects the strong collaboration with our tank-waste contractor and commercial disposal partners.”

Following in-tank treatment at Hanford to reduce radioactivity by more than 99%, contractor Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C) shipped it to Waste Control Specialists in Texas and EnergySolutions in Utah where it was grouted and disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Security camera view of an employee in protective gear working on a waste transfer

A worker prepares to transfer 1,000 gallons of Hanford Site liquid waste from one of three containers for grouting and disposal at EnergySolutions in Clive, Utah.

An overhead view of a large collection of tanks outside a building

 

 

 

 

 

 

After grouting, the team from Waste Control Specialists prepared the treated Hanford Site tank waste for safe disposal in Texas.

Employees in white hazmat suits working to remove equipment outside

Crews with Hanford Waste Treatment Operations & Closure have removed equipment used to treat the tank waste that reduce radioactivity by more than 99%.

In addition, crews from H2C have removed the equipment from the tank used to treat the waste.

“Every step of this initiative was carried out with great leadership, teamwork and a shared commitment to safely advancing our cleanup mission,” Wong added.