Closure of the Savannah River Laboratory seepage basins

Four seepage basins connected in cascade have been used by the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) for the disposal of low-level radioactive liquid wastes. Waste discharges to these unlined basins occurred between 1954 and 1982 and included a variety of chemical, as well as radioactive, constituents from laboratory experiments and other programs requested by the US Department of Energy (DOE). These seepage basins are being closed in compliance with federal and state regulations, namely the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 as amended in 1984. A strategy for closing a waste disposal site that contains mixed waste (a combination of hazardous and low-level radioactive substances) in compliance with RCRA has been developed and is being applied in the closure of the SRL seepage basins. This strategy consists of several phases including: (a) site characterization, (b) development of alternative closure options, (c) development of alternative closure options, (c) risk assessment, (d) recommendation of a preferred option, and (e) regulatory approval of the final closure plan