The Navy started lowering water pumping operations on the Crimson Hill Shaft from 4.2 million gallons a day (MGD) to 1.8 MGD, April 29, after working with state regulators for months on a plan to permit the Navy to scale back the quantity of water discharged into the Halawa Stream.
Since January 2022, and on the route of state regulators, the Navy has repeatedly pumped roughly 4.2 MGD to create a seize zone throughout the shaft to scale back the potential unfold of groundwater contamination.
The pumped water is handled by means of a granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system, then discharged underneath a Nationwide Air pollution Discharge Elimination System allow into the stream.
The shaft is positioned underneath the Crimson Hill Bulk Gas Storage Facility (RHBFSF), which Navy Closure Activity Power-Crimson Hill (NCTF-RH) is presently working to decommission.
The discount will save 72 million gallons of water per thirty days, or 864 million gallons per 12 months.
The discount of water pumping charges on the Crimson Hill Shaft marks a significant milestone within the Navy’s efforts to preserve considered one of Hawaii’s most vital assets,” stated Rear Adm. Steve Barnett, commander, NCTF-RH.
The Navy has been working with the DOH to scale back the move of discharge by conducting a number of detailed research to guage the impacts of such a discount on the setting.
To guage the aquifer situations at varied pumping charges, the Navy performed a GAC Stream Optimization survey from April 2023 to June 2023, in accordance with DOH and Environmental Safety Company (EPA)-approved work plans. The survey included weekly groundwater sampling and water degree monitoring occasions from 51 monitoring nicely areas, together with the entry and exit factors of the GAC, to make sure discharged water is freed from contaminants.
In Might 2023, the Navy submitted the preliminary Consolidation and Optimization of the Groundwater Sampling Packages memorandum to EPA and DOH and acquired feedback on July 31, 2023.
In August 2023 the Navy made its preliminary request to scale back the quantity of water being pumped from the shaft, and in September 2023 the Navy submitted a remaining report of its findings to DOH. This report offered knowledge to guage the feasibility of lowering the move from the Crimson Hill Shaft to satisfy the target of long-term sustainability of the consuming water useful resource.
On Nov. 15, 2023, after reviewing the Remaining Report of Findings, the DOH submitted a letter to the Navy indicating the research didn’t present ample proof {that a} discount in pumping on the shaft wouldn’t end in hurt to human well being or the setting. DOH acknowledged the significance of conserving the island’s pure assets and outlined a path ahead to scale back pumping charges by means of a rise in monitoring and analysis of the Navy’s plans and processes.
The Navy since acknowledged DOH’s letter and resubmitted its plan, receiving route to implement the water move discount on April 22, 2024.
Throughout the time, the Navy put in a truck fill station on the facility to permit a few of the extra water for use to wash the within of the tanks within the coming months. The Navy continues to guage different potential useful reuses of the water however should contemplate the bodily web site constraints and out there infrastructure.
NCTF-RH is dedicated to working with all authorities companies and neighborhood stakeholders to securely and intentionally shut the Crimson Hill Bulk Gas Storage Facility underground storage tanks and related piping system, conduct long-term environmental remediation, and guarantee continued entry to protected consuming water in compliance with all Federal, State, and native legal guidelines, insurance policies and laws.
For extra details about NCTF-RH, go to www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil or obtain the cell app by looking for “NCTF-Crimson Hill” within the Apple App retailer or Google Play retailer.
SAFE. DELIBERATE. ENGAGED. COMMITTED.
