Critical Pathways and Radiological Dose Assessment
ESOP uses data from environmental monitoring activities around the perimeter of SRS each year to calculate the potential radiation dose to the surrounding public within a 50-mile radius of the SRS center. , Potential radionuclide dose or exposure to the public is calculated from radioactive concentrations that are identified in the environment. A comparison of similar ESOP and SRS media allows for an evaluation of both environmental programs based on similar dose scenarios. Each year, ESOP reviews the different inhalation, ingestion, and external exposure pathways that may result in a dose to the…, Maximum Exposed Individual (MEI) =, a hypothetical subsistence and survivalist type of individual who resides downriver in the area below all SRS contributions to the Savannah River, visits the entire 50-mile perimeter study area, and receives the MEI dose based on the single highest detection per radionuclide per media detected in the environment. A typical person should receive a lower dose than the MEI as it is a conservative…, Average Exposed Individual (AEI) =, a conservative estimate based on consumption rates, average dose per media and is based on sample results only with no modeling. The AEI dose is more representative of the likely dose to the general public than the MEI dose although it also skews high, as only detections are used in the dose calculations. For a typical person in the study area, the dose they receive should be lower than the AEI…Savannah River Site - Bureau of Air Quality
United States Department of Energy – Savannah River Site (SRS) Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC Bureau of Air Quality , Air Permit Number: 0080-0041 , SRS is permitted to process and store nuclear materials in support of the national defense and U.S. nuclear non-proliferation efforts. The site also develops and deploys technologies to treat nuclear and hazardous wastes left from the Cold War. Air emissions from the facility must comply with state and federal air quality regulations, as documented in the Title V Operating Air Permit below. …, Air Permit Number: 0080-0041-C4 , The mission of the Surplus Plutonium Disposition (SPD) Project is to expedite removal of plutonium from the State of South Carolina by dispositioning surplus weapons-grade plutonium via the Dilute and Dispose approach. To reduce the attractiveness level and the required safeguards and security measures, the plutonium will be diluted with an adulterant prior to disposition at the Waste Isolation…, Air Permit Number: 0080-0041-C5, The mission of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) is to vitrify High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW) by mixing HLW with silica sand, melting the mixture, and pouring the glass mixture into stainless steel canisters. The current DWPF Chemical Process Cell (CPC) operation uses nitric acid to neutralize HLW, which results in the destruction of hydroxides and carbonates. This is followed by…, Robert.Mahoney@des.sc.gov, or, (803) 898-3823, .Savannah River Site - Bureau of Water
NPDES Permit #SC0000175, SRS is permitted to discharge effluents from a number of sources such as process water, cooling water, groundwater effluent, treated wastewater and stormwater under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by DHEC. These sources discharge to a number of tributaries within and surrounding the Savannah River Site. This permit sets monitoring requirements and pollutant…, Land Application Permit #ND0072125, The Savannah River Site also has a land application permit to land apply treated industrial sludge onto approximately 23 acres within the site boundaries. The sludge is monitored with each land application for metals, nutrients, pH, solids, and fecal coliforms. Soil sampling for metals, nutrients and soluble salts is required as well as groundwater sampling for nutrients, water level,…, General Permit Coverages, The Bureau of Water grants coverage to groups or types of facilities that have similar types of operations and discharges. These types of permits are called general permits and typically have the same effluent limitations, monitoring and/or operating conditions. The Savannah River Site has been granted coverage under two (2) NPDES General Permits. Application of Pesticides Utility Water…, Construction Permits, The Savannah River Site has a number of construction permits associated with industrial wastewater. Permits for some of the larger projects are listed below: Defense Waste Processing Facility Saltstone Production Facility Salt Waste Processing Facility F and H Tank Farm Effluent Treatment Plant Tank Closure Cesium Removal Next Generation Solvent Central Sanitary Wastewater Treatment Facility, Closure Plans, One of the main missions of the Savannah River Site is to treat and dispose of radioactive high level waste. As this waste is treated, legacy storage tanks that are part of the overall wastewater treatment system are closed in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment. The initial closeout of these tanks and ancillary equipment is approved by the Bureau of Water. The…Savannah River Site - Federal Facility Agreement
At, SRS, , contaminated sites, including soil, groundwater, and surface waters, are cleaned up under a, Federal Facility Agreement, (FFA). On August 16, 1993, the FFA, a three party agreement between the DOE, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DHEC became effective. The Agreement required DOE to establish a procedural framework and schedule for characterizing and remediating all releases of hazardous substances as defined by the, Comprehensive Environmental Responses, Compensation, and Liability Act, (CERCLA) and all hazardous wastes and hazardous waste constituents as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The core team approach utilized by the three-parties fosters collaborative and efficient real-time decision-making to ensure that the requirements of all the parties are integrated into comprehensive cleanup decisions. SRS is comprised of six watersheds or…, Memorandum of Agreement for Achieving an Accelerated Vision, . As of November 2022, over 81 percent of the 515 operable units at SRS have been addressed. 412 units complete 8 units in remediation phase Cleanup of the site will continue into the 2060s under a schedule set through the FFA. , Upcoming Projects, D-Area Groundwater Operable Unit, The D Area Groundwater (DAG) Operable Unit (OU), which is located in the Savannah River Floodplain and Swamp watershed, encompasses groundwater beneath D Area, west and southwest to the Savannah River. The groundwater has been contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), tritium, beryllium, and other metals from surface or facility sources associated with the D-Area OU…, F-Area Material Storage Building, The F-Area Material Storage Building (235-F) was constructed in the 1950s as part of the original SRS project and was used for a variety of missions, primarily processing, storage, and distribution of radioactive materials in the support of SRS and the USDOE complex. This building and its support facilities are currently in a reduced surveillance and maintenance state and are undergoing…, Significant Accomplishments, P & R-Reactor Buildings , The in-situ stabilization of the P and R Reactor Buildings and Disassembly Basins was completed in 2011, making them the first successful closure of plutonium production reactor buildings for national defense within the DOE complex nationwide. The remaining reactor complexes (C-, K-, and L-) will be closed once their ongoing missions are complete., Lower Three Runs Integrator Operable Unit (IOU), This IOU was the first of 6 watersheds at SRS to have a signed Record of Decision. Located in the southeastern portion of SRS, the remedy selected included Land Use Controls with Monitored Natural Attenuation, Excavation and Disposal of Principal Threat Source Material, and Maintain Water in Ponds. The Record of Decision for the Lower Three Runs IOU was issued on December 21, 2021., High-Level Waste Tanks, High-level radioactive liquid waste is generated by SRS as a by-product from the processing of nuclear materials. The waste, totaling about 35 million gallons, was historically stored in 51 underground carbon-steel waste tanks grouped into two “tank farms” (F & H Area tank farms). Waste storage continues in 43 tanks; 16 of these tanks, without adequate secondary containment, are under a DHEC…, click here, . The High-Level Waste Tanks are regulated by the Bureau of Water’s Industrial Wastewater Program. The tanks operate through an industrial wastewater permit, and closure is conducted under a wastewater closure plan. The General Closure Plan for each tank farm outlines maintenance and monitoring activities that will be performed, and tank-specific closure modules, generated as the tanks are…, Available Cleanup Documents, SRS Administrative Record File, (ARF) Documents are available for public comment can be accessed, here, . , Links, SRS External Webpage, , Federal Facility Agreement, Administrative Record File, (ARF), EPA FFA Webpage, Public Comment, Memorandum of Agreement, For more information on the FFA, please contact Susan Fulmer, DHEC FFA Project Manager, at, (803) 898-4331, or, Susan.Fulmer@des.sc.gov, .Savannah River Site - High-Level Waste Tanks
High-level radioactive liquid waste is generated by SRS as a by-product from the processing of nuclear materials. The waste, totaling about 35 million gallons, was historically stored in 51 underground carbon-steel waste tanks grouped into two “tank farms” (F & H Area tank farms). Waste storage continues in 43 tanks; 16 of these tanks, without adequate secondary containment, are under a…Stormwater Management
Stormwater Overview, SCDES manages South Carolina's Stormwater Program, Who needs a stormwater permit? All construction sites of 1 acre or more Many industrial sites All regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) . Some sites can obtain permit coverage under the state general permit, but sites that pose considerable risk to contaminate water may be required to obtain an individual permit (a longer, more involved process). SCDES's Stormwater Permitting…, NPDES Permit Program, NPDES is a regulatory program created under the Clean Water Act, and it is one of the main driving forces behind the majority of the mandated state and federal regulations. Under the NPDES Permit Program, stormwater discharges are considered point sources and operators of these sources are required to receive an NPDES permit before they can discharge stormwater runoff. This NPDES Program as it…, Phase I (1990), Construction Activities Required all construction sites disturbing 5 or more acres to obtain coverage to discharge stormwater under the NPDES Program. Industrial Activities Defined 11 categories of industrial activity (including construction) if disturbance of activity is equal to 5 acres or more than NPDES approval was required. MS4s Required all municipalities with populations equal to 100,000…, Phase II (March 2003), Construction Activities Required all construction sites disturbing 1-5 acres to acquire coverage under NPDES program. Industrial Activities Added 1-5 acres in Industrial activities and expanded upon the no exposure limitation from 1 group of activity to all 11 groups. MS4s Required municipalities with populations between 10,000 and 100,000 to obtain NPDES Coverage.Stormwater Regulations
Regulations, State Regulations, Learn more about the various State Regulations concerning Stormwater Management, EPA's Role, Learn more about the various Stormwater Rules and Notices presented by the EPA, Federal Regulations, Learn more about the various Federal Acts that may impact NPDES permitting The, Stormwater Regulations Section, was designed to provide information on the regulatory side of the stormwater process. There are numerous regulations and acts that affect the stormwater permitting program and these regulations range from local policies up to federal acts. In this section, one will be able to navigate to and through the majority of the state and federal regulations concerning stormwater management., The NPDES Permit Program, is another topic covered under this section, and it is one of the main driving forces behind the majority of the mandated state and federal regulations. Under the federal NPDES Permit Program, stormwater discharges are labeled pollution sources and operators of these sources may be required to obtain an NPDES permit before they can discharge. This NPDES Program was created through the authorities…, The Clean Water Act, , which was enacted by Congress and signed by the President to establish environmental programs. The basis behind this act is to protect the Nation's waters and directs EPA to develop, implement, and enforce regulations consistent with this law. In addition to The Clean Water Act, there are other laws, commonly called Acts, implemented by other government agencies that may impact various aspects…, Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), which may prohibit the issuance of NPDES coverage for activities affecting land or water use in coastal zones., Who will benefit most from this section?, Design Engineers, Compliance & Enforcement Personnel208 (Wastewater) Water Quality Management
When amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA) were passed in the 1970s, legislators included provisions in section 208 that required states to develop and implement regional wastewater management plans. In South Carolina, DHEC carries out these requirements by: Documenting current and future wastewater infrastructure needs Outlining policies that guide the wastewater infrastructure permitting…, 208 Plan for 22 Non-Designated Counties (Areas Where DHEC Oversees Wastewater Planning), The 208 Water Quality Management Plan for the Non-designated Areas of South Carolina (208 Plan) is the guiding document in the 22 counties where DHEC is responsible for wastewater planning. It details wastewater management policies and lists the management agencies in each county that are responsible for and legally capable of carrying out those policies. A large portion of the 208 Plan is…, Conformance Reviews, Wastewater projects are reviewed to determine whether or not they conflict with the applicable 208 Plan. The designated planning agency for the county where a project will take place conducts the conformance review. The six regional planning agencies make recommendations to DHEC on whether or not to permit a particular project based on these reviews. Permits cannot be issued for wastewater…, Management Agency Designation, Management agencies are designated to carry out water quality management plans. They are responsible for constructing, operating and maintaining publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities and have the legal authorities necessary to implement the plans. All incorporated municipalities, counties and special purpose districts in South Carolina are legally capable of performing the duties of a…, Related Documents, 1997 208 Water Quality Management Plan Regulation 61-67, Standards for Wastewater Facility Construction Antidegradation Implementation for Water Quality Protection in South Carolina Regulation 61-68, Water Classifications and StandardsSludge Disposal and Use
All publicly owned and privately owned treatment facilities treating domestic wastewater are regulated by federal regulations 40 CFR 503 deals with use and disposal of domestic sludge. This federal regulation has been adopted by the Bureau and is included in Regulation 61-9 under Section 503. Also, the Bureau has state regulations for use and disposal of industrial sludge not regulated either…Wastewater Laws and Regulations
Laws, SC Pollution Control Act, The SC Pollution Control Act (PCA) is the basis of South Carolina's water pollution control and water quality protection programs. It establishes the Department of Health and Environmental Control (Department) as the state agency responsible for environmental matters. The law empowers the Department to hold hearings, promulgate regulations, require permits, conduct monitoring, and take…, SC Environmental Protection Fund Act, The SC Environmental Protection Fund Act authorizes the Department to collect application and annual operating fees for any facility permitted under the SC Pollution Control Act. This law requires that fees for any program be identified in a regulation before they can assessed. Regulation 61-30 addresses fees for most environmental programs including the wastewater construction permit program.…, Regulations, Regulation 61-67: Standards for Wastewater Facility Construction, Prior to the adoption of these regulations the Department used guidelines, other standard references commonly used in the field of wastewater, and EPA guidance documents during the technical review of plans and specifications on wastewater systems. The Regulations are divided into four (4) Parts. Part 100 contains the purpose, applicability, exclusions, general definitions, and general…, SC Regulation 61-82, Proper Closeout of Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Regulation 61-82 requires any wastewater treatment facility to be properly closed out when the facility in ceases operation. This regulation requires that a closeout report be prepared and submitted to the Department for review and approval when a facility has closed. The regulation does not prescribe specific methods for closures but it does contain some information relating to lagoon closures…, SC Regulation 61-30, Environmental Protection Fees, This regulation gives the specific fee amounts for both application and annual operating fees for wastewater facilities as well as other types of facilities. Wastewater construction permit application fees are included in this regulation. The regulation addresses assessment of penalties for late payment of fees and also authorizes the Department to deny any environmental permit to a permit…