The cleanup of contaminated soils at the Lab’s Sewage Treatment Plant is nearing completion. The project began after a cleanup plan was agreed upon by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation in July 2001.

The project focuses on removing soils containing mercury and cesium-137. Workers are using bulldozers and excavators to remove the contaminated soil, much of which is concentrated within the top six inches. Following excavation, the contaminated soils will be transported to a licensed, off-site disposal facility.

To control dust produced during this project, the excavation area was misted with water during work, and work was halted entirely and the area covered during high wind conditions. Air monitoring during work activities has verified the effectiveness of these measures and assured the safety of our workers.

After an independent verification that the cleanup levels have been met, clean fill will replace the excavated soil.

From the 1940s through the 1980s, Laboratory disposal procedures resulted in some chemicals being processed by the sewage treatment plant. Some of these chemicals became trapped in the plant's sand filter beds and berms.