Hanford Finishes Building Disposal Facility for Tank Waste Treatment Mission

RICHLAND, Wash. — Crews with EM Richland Operations Office contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company (CPCCo) recently completed construction of the Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF), a key component of the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program to treat the Hanford Site’s tank waste.

The IDF is an engineered landfill that will allow for safe disposal of vitrified, or immobilized in glass, low-activity waste from Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant when it begins operations.

“Wrapping up construction at IDF is another important step toward beginning to treat tank waste, a top Hanford Site priority,” said Gary Pyles, EM Richland Operations Office project engineer.

The IDF consists of two expandable disposal cells totaling 1,345 feet wide, 2,151 feet long and 42 feet deep, with a waste disposal capacity of nearly 1.2 million cubic yards.

To protect groundwater under IDF, the disposal cells are lined and outfitted with equipment to collect water from rain, snowmelt and dust suppression — known as leachate — that filters through the landfill. Two 400,000-gallon storage tanks at the facility hold the leachate until it is sent to an onsite facility and treated to remove contaminants.

“Our experienced team is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the tank waste treatment mission and looks forward to the successful transition to operations,” said CPCCo Waste Projects & Operations Director Andy Drom.

The IDF is scheduled to receive its first containers of vitrified waste for disposal in 2025.