Alternatives for managing the nation's complex contaminated groundwater sites / Committee on Future Options for Management in the Nation's Subsurface Remediation Effort, Water Science and Technology Board, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Future Options for Management in the Nation's Subsurface Remediation Effort, issuing body.

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Water Science and Technology Board, issuing body.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Groundwater--Purification--Management.

Groundwater.

Soil remediation--Management.

Soil remediation.

Groundwater--Effect of human beings on.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (421 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, District of Columbia : National Academies Press, [2013]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Across the United States, thousands of hazardous waste sites are contaminated with chemicals that prevent the underlying groundwater from meeting drinking water standards. These include Superfund sites and other facilities that handle and dispose of hazardous waste, active and inactive dry cleaners, and leaking underground storage tanks; many are at federal facilities such as military installations. While many sites have been closed over the past 30 years through cleanup programs run by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. EPA, and other state and federal agencies, the remaining caseload is much more difficult to address because the nature of the contamination and subsurface conditions make it difficult to achieve drinking water standards in the affected groundwater. Alternatives for Managing the Nation's Complex Contaminated Groundwater Sites estimates that at least 126,000 sites across the U.S. still have contaminated groundwater, and their closure is expected to cost at least $110 billion to $127 billion. About 10 percent of these sites are considered "complex," meaning restoration is unlikely to be achieved in the next 50 to 100 years due to technological limitations. At sites where contaminant concentrations have plateaued at levels above cleanup goals despite active efforts, the report recommends evaluating whether the sites should transition to long-term management, where risks would be monitored and harmful exposures prevented, but at reduced costs.

Contents:

Magnitude of the problem

Remedial objectives, remedy selection, and site closure

Current capabilities to remove or contain contamination

Implications of contamination remaining in place

Technology development to support long-term management of complex sites

Better decision making during the long-term management of complex groundwater contamination sites.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780309278133

0309278139

9780309278119

0309278112

OCLC:

917341338