Hanford Mission Integration Solutions transports two empty tanks weighing more than five tons each from outside the Hanford Site’s Effluent Treatment Facility to an onsite landfill, making room for wastewater treatment work by EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions.

Hanford Mission Integration Solutions transports two empty tanks weighing more than five tons each from outside the Hanford Site’s Effluent Treatment Facility to an onsite landfill, making room for wastewater treatment work by EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions.

RICHLAND, Wash. – EM Richland Operations Office contractor Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS) recently removed two large tanks near the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) on the Hanford Site to make way for future wastewater treatment at the ETF.

HMIS provides Hanford Site services, including many transportation services. Its motor carrier services team worked with EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) to remove the excess tanks, each of which weighs more than five tons and stands nearly two stories high.

“This is another example of our One Hanford team working together to complete a risk-reduction project safely,” said Brian Harkins, EM assistant manager for mission support. “Each step, large or small, helps pave the path to tank-waste treatment on the Hanford Site.”

Electrical lineworkers with Hanford Mission Integration Solutions carefully lift overhead power lines to allow a trailer hauling empty tanks to Hanford’s landfill to pass.
Electrical lineworkers with Hanford Mission Integration Solutions carefully lift overhead power lines to allow a trailer hauling empty tanks to Hanford’s landfill to pass.

The tanks once held contaminated wastewater from Hanford Site operations for treatment at the adjacent ETF. WRPS is upgrading and expanding the ETF to improve capacity and treatment capability in support of the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program, and the tanks were no longer needed. The work required months of planning, covering all aspects of disconnecting, removing and disposing of the tanks.

Once loaded on a trailer, the tanks extended higher than overhead power lines at some locations on the site. So HMIS electrical utilities staff planned a transport route minimizing the number of utility lines that would need to be raised for the tanks and trailer to pass.

“To some, raising power lines may look like a simple task, but in reality, it is hazardous work that requires careful teamwork,” said Rick Boarder, HMIS electrical utilities director.

HMIS completed the seven-mile drive from the ETF to Hanford’s onsite landfill and disposed of the tanks.