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Title: Status Update for Implementing Best Available Technology per DOE Order 5400.5 - September 2002

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/910658· OSTI ID:910658

This report identifies discharges of liquid waste streams that require documentation of the Best Available Technology selection process at Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC, operated facilities at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. The Best Available Technology selection process is conducted according to Department of Energy Order 5400.5, Chapter II (3),“Management and Control of Radioactive Materials in Liquid Discharges and Phaseout of Soil Columns” and Department of Energy guidance. Only those liquid waste streams and facilities requiring the Best Available Technology selection process are evaluated in further detail. In addition, this report will be submitted to the Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office Field Office manager for approval according to DOE Order 5400.5, Chapter II, Section 3.b.(1). Two facilities (Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center existing Percolation Ponds and Test Area North/Technical Support Facility Disposal Pond) at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory required documentation of the Best Available Technology selection process (Section 4). These two facilities required documentation of the Best Available Technology selection process because they discharge wastewater that may contain process-derived radionuclides to a soil column even though the average radioactivity levels are typically below drinking water maximum contaminant levels. At the request of the Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office, the 73.5-acre Central Facilities Area Sewage Treatment Plant land application site is included in Section 4 of this report to ensure the requirements of DOE Order 5400.5, Chapter II, Section 3 are met. The Central Facilities Area Sewage Treatment Plant effluent contains process-derived radionuclides from radioactive tracers used in certain analytical procedures. The radioactivity levels of these radionuclides are below maximum contaminant levels. According to Department of Energy guidance, “If the liquid waste stream is below maximum contaminant levels, then the goals of the Best Available Technology selection process are being met and the liquid waste stream is considered clean water. However, it is necessary to document this through the Best Available Technology selection process.” Because liquid waste streams below maximum contaminant levels are already considered “clean water,” additional treatment technologies are considered unnecessary and are not addressed in this report.

Research Organization:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE - EM
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC07-99ID-13727
OSTI ID:
910658
Report Number(s):
INEEL/EXT-02-00838; TRN: US200802%%35
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English