LINE 3 AMMO LAP (ARTILLERY)-GROUNDWATER

 

SITE DESCRIPTION

The IRP site consists of the groundwater contamination from past munitions production. Any contamination from current activities will be addressed under compliance (non-ER,A funding). The practice during the early years of production was to dispose of wastewater at the Line 800 Pink Water Lagoon. This line was upgraded to include self-contained Pinkwater Reroute Systems in July 1995 and September 1998.

Line 3 is a production line that has been in operation since 1941, except for a short time between 1945 and 1949. This line fills and assembles artillery projectiles, occupies about 150 acres and consists of 26 buildings and covered walkways. The buildings include equipment rooms, explosives magazines, and nine sump buildings for explosive waste processing. The two melt buildings appear to be the areas where the highest volumes of wastes were produced during operations.

From 1977 to 1984, metal cleaning operations were conducted at Line 3. This process consisted of several stainless steel dip tanks where ammunition casings were immersed in a sulfuric/hydrochloric acid bath, followed by a chromic acid rinse, then rinsed with water. Sludge that accumulated in the bottom of the sulfuric acid tank was removed, and treated with sodium hydroxide.

RDX in concentrations of 0.5-2.2 ppm has been found in the groundwater in a shallow localized plume within 30 feet of the ground surface. Recent data shows a downward trend in groundwater concentrations.

The PA/SI was completed in 1991, and an initial RI was completed in May 1996. Supplemental RI work was completed in 2003 to better delineate groundwater contamination.

Phase progress will be tracked at the PBC Site, but funding requirements will be tracked under Site PBC at Iowa.  Post PBC costs will be covered under Site IAAP-020.

CLEANUP STRATEGY

This site is included in the PBC awarded in 2004.  The remedial approach for this site, as well as others in the Brush Creek watershed, will be assessed in the FS.  At present, it is presumed that localized areas of contamination will be remediated.

STATUS

RRSE RATING: Low

CONTAMINANTS: Explosives

MEDIA OF CONCERN: Groundwater

COMPLETED IRP PHASE: PA/SI

CURRENT IRP PHASE: RI/FS

FUTURE IRP PHASE: RD, RA(C), RA(O), LTM