Crews with U.S. Department of Energy contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company recently replaced two 10,000-gallon leachate collection tanks at two mixed-waste trenches on the Hanford Site, completing a key infrastructure upgrade that will support safe, reliable waste disposal operations for years to come.
Office of Environmental Management
November 10, 2026
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Workers with U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company recently installed two new 10,000-gallon leachate collection tanks to support ongoing waste disposal operations at two mixed-waste trenches on the Hanford Site.
RICHLAND, Wash. — Crews with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company (CPCCo) recently replaced two 10,000-gallon leachate collection tanks at two mixed-waste trenches on the Hanford Site, completing a key infrastructure upgrade that will support safe, reliable waste disposal operations for years to come.
Located in the center of the 580-square-mile Hanford Site, the disposal site plays an important role in the cleanup mission, providing 43,000 cubic meters of capacity for the safe disposal of chemically and radiologically hazardous waste.
Leachate is liquid generated when rainwater and snowmelt drain through the lined disposal areas and are collected by the facility's drainage system. The new tanks modernize the leachate management system, helping protect the environment while supporting continued operations. The collected liquid is transferred to Hanford's Effluent Treatment Facility for processing.
“This upgrade reflects Hanford's continued commitment to safe, compliant operations across the site,” said Scott Green, acting assistant manager for river and plateau at the DOE Office of Environmental ManagementHanford Field Office. “Investing in critical infrastructure like this helps protect workers, the public and the environment while advancing the cleanup mission.”
Each disposal trench is approximately 250 feet long, 100 feet wide and 30 feet deep. Constructed in 1994, the trenches began receiving waste in 1999. The waste is safely contained in engineered boxes and includes items such as tools, clothing and failed equipment. The tanks that were replaced had been in service since the facility began operations.
“Installing the new tanks supports the long-term reliability of the mixed waste trenches,” said CPCCo Operations Manager Sasa Kosjerina. “This upgrade strengthens a critical system that supports safe operations today and helps ensure the facility can continue managing leachate effectively well into the future.”
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