The dilemma of groundwater cleanup levels at DOD Superfund sites: Federal versus state standards
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Groundwater contamination is a prevalent problem at over 85% of all Superfund sites. The Superfund approach to groundwater remediation utilizes the framework outlined in US Environmental Protection Agency`s Groundwater Protection Strategy, which states that groundwater should be restored to protect its current or reasonably expected future uses. Generally, federal cleanup levels are human health-based regulatory standards promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)) and the Clean Water Act (Water Quality Standards). The Strategy promotes the development and implementation of State groundwater protection programs. An analysis of remedial actions at 23 DOD sites indicates that most states follow one of three approaches in establishing cleanup levels: (1) use of federal and/or state MCLS; (2) use of promulgated groundwater standards for varying use classifications, primarily based on potential drinking water use; or (3) use of hazardous waste regulations as applied to corrective actions at treatment, storage, or disposal facilities. Additionally, most states have established an antidegradation policy as a preventative step aimed at reducing the degradation of their groundwaters. Frequently, state hazardous waste regulations and antidegradation policies promote remediation to background levels. This presentation addresses the dilemma at DOD facilities as to whether DOD should be required to clean up contaminated groundwater beyond federal health-based risk levels, resulting in increased cost and remediation time.
- OSTI ID:
- 40151
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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