Long-term O&M/System Optimization

Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant (NIROP), Minneapolis, MN

$10M, 1999-present

Environmental Remediation Case Study - NIROP

Bay West has performed RA-O and LTM on a 1,000-gpm groundwater recovery & treatment system that was installed to mitigate a trichloroethylene (TCE) plume beneath the site and adjacent the Mississippi River.

The system consisted of 7 recovery wells, four 250-gpm air strippers piped in parallel, feed pumps, discharge pumps, a polymer feed system, an acid cleaning/neutralization system, and controls.

Bay West performs remediation system sampling work in accordance with NPDES permit requirements. Bay West also conducts groundwater gauging and sampling work per the Remedial Action Work Plan. One municipal well, 7 recovery wells, and more than 80 monitoring wells are sampled each year by Bay West. Monitoring well samples are collected using low flow sampling techniques, per with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency guidance documents. Sample collection, sample analysis, and data validation were completed in accordance with the Annual Groundwater Monitoring Plan and the facility’s QAPP.

Bay West collects remediation system operational data 365 days a year. During normal business days, Bay West is on-site to inspect equipment, perform routine maintenance, and collect operational data. On weekends and holidays, Bay West collects the operational data remotely using the remote telemetry system. An auto dialer program is used to respond to any fault conditions in the treatment system by dialing the system operator and notifying them of the fault condition.

Although this project involves a single site, Bay West has successfully worked with several stakeholders, including two regulatory agencies (US EPA Reg 5 and MN Pollution Control Agency), the Navy, and the Restoration Advisory Board, which is made up of various project stakeholders, including the general public.

Bay West has achieved 97% uptime for he groundwater remediation system surpassing the contract requirement of 95% uptime through attention to preventative maintenance and remedial system optimization.