The Office of Environmental Management (EM) tank waste program consists of safely storing of 90 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste at the Hanford Site in Washington, the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho and the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina.
EM operates major nuclear facilities to process and dispose of the waste as well as emptying, cleaning and closing the waste tanks. The SRS and ORP waste streams treatment involves separating the highly radioactive fractions and low activity factions. The high activity portion undergoes vitrification while the low activity portion is then either vitrified or grouted.
As liquid waste is processed, the tanks are operationally closed through a process that involves: bulk waste removal, heel removal, cooling coil flushing/annulus cleaning, isolation and residual sampling and grouting.
The EM tank waste program’s goal is to continue cleanup progress in a cost-effective manner that is risk informed, engages stakeholders, applies innovative solutions and provides value to the American taxpayer.
Tank Waste News
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management is taking a big step forward in its tank waste cleanup effort in the 200 West Area of the Hanford Site. April 28, 2026April 28, 2026
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Workers safely and successfully replaced 36 filters in a ventilation system for an underground waste-tank vault at the West Valley Demonstration Project, ensuring continued removal of airborne contaminants. April 28, 2026April 28, 2026
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management has revised and released its strategic plan to complete the tank waste cleanup mission at the Savannah River Site. April 7, 2026April 7, 2026