Novel Groundwater Pilot Study Underway at Energy Technology Engineering Center

Crews operate a sonic drill rig to install monitoring boreholes and document rock core samples taken for an innovative groundwater pilot study at the Energy Technology Engineering Center.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Drilling for an innovative groundwater pilot study at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) is afoot.

SSFL is a 2,850-acre former rocket engine and nuclear research facility comprised of four operational areas. DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) is charged with remediation in Area IV, where ETEC previously operated.

The pilot will apply the innovative remediation approach known as in-situ biological and chemical reduction, which involves injecting amendments into the ground that create a reductive environment in-situ, or in-place, to stimulate natural degradation of the contaminants present. EM will then monitor the progress over time.

This past summer, crews broke ground on the first of 18 boreholes that will be drilled near two wells in Area IV as part of the pilot study at ETEC’s Hazardous Materials Storage Area.

After the boreholes are drilled, crews will install monitoring wells and take samples to determine the current groundwater conditions. They will then inject the amendments into the wells and take samples monthly for six months to determine if there have been any effects on the contaminants.

EM will use these results to determine whether to expand this innovative groundwater remediation approach or implement other methods to treat the groundwater contamination and complete a safe and effective cleanup at SSFL.

Quarterly monitoring and reporting will continue after that as part of the permit approved in July by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

-Contributor: Melissa Simon