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Colorado Radionuclide Abatement and Disposal Strategy (CO-RADS)

Colorado Radionuclide Abatement and Disposal Strategy (CO-RADS). A compliance assistance project sponsored by: Water Quality Control Division Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment. Outline. Radionuclides 101 MCL’s and EPA Risk Assessment CO-RADS Project Background

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Colorado Radionuclide Abatement and Disposal Strategy (CO-RADS)

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  1. Colorado Radionuclide Abatement and Disposal Strategy(CO-RADS) A compliance assistance project sponsored by: Water Quality Control Division Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment

  2. Outline Radionuclides 101 MCL’s and EPA Risk Assessment CO-RADS Project Background CO-RADS Project Details Discussion / Brainstorming Session

  3. Radionuclides: What Are They and How Are They Formed? Occur naturally as trace elements in rocks/soils due to radioactive decay of uranium and thorium As radioactive atoms release or emit energy, decay occurs and the radioactive atom transforms into a new atom Emission Types: Alpha particles (2 protons and 2 neutrons bound together) Beta particles (electron) Gamma rays (light ray) Notable products of uranium and thorium decay Radon-222 Radium-226 and -228 Uranium-238 and -234 Most commonly found in groundwater Manmade radionuclides not a concern in Colorado

  4. Simplified Decay Series Thorium-232 decay series (radium series) Uranium-235 decay series (radium series) Uranium-238 decay series (radium series) Thorium-232 Uranium-235 Uranium-238 Radium-228 Thorium-231 Uranium-234 Thorium-230 Thorium-228 Radium-223 Radium-226 Radium-224 Radon-219 Radon-222 Radon-220 Lead-207 Lead-208 Lead-206

  5. Radionuclide Primary Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Levels

  6. Risk Assessment • Maximum Contaminant Levels based on lifetime increased cancer risk of approx. 1 in 10,000 • Lifetime consumption = 2 Liters/day for 70 years • Linear No Threshold dose-response model

  7. Project Background Historical Perspective • Rule applies to all Community Water Systems • Gross alpha and radium standard effective 1976 • Uranium Standard and revised radium monitoring effective in 2003

  8. Project Background Historical Perspective • 36 systems currently in violation • 20 open enforcement orders • Treatment options are available • Waste disposal is complex and expensive • Worker safety and licensing may be required • Limited guidance previously available

  9. Colorado Water Systems with Radionuclide Violations Map of Colorado Counties Map of Colorado Counties Map of Colorado Counties CO-STAR

  10. CO-RADS Participants not in Violation

  11. Project BackgroundRecent Efforts • In Feb 2007, the Department issued: Interim Policy and Guidance Pending Rulemaking for Control and Disposition of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Colorado “TENORM Manual” for short, available at: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/DrinkingWater/pdf/TENORM/FinalPDFMaster.pdf • Division has gained more resources and is in a position to assist • Radionuclide compliance is a high priority for new resource allocation

  12. Project Background • CDPHE launched CO-RADS in 2007 ColoradoRadionuclide Abatement and Disposal Strategy 13

  13. Project Background CO-RADS Overview Phase 1 – Identify Affected Systems Phase 2 – Source Water Characterization Phase 3 – Treatment and Waste Disposal Evaluations Phase 4 – Financial and Compliance Assistance Phase 5 – Implementation Assistance Target completion date December 31, 2009 14

  14. Project OverviewBasic Approach • Project is designed to find practical solutions for radionuclide violations • Sponsored by the Water Quality Control Division • Funding will come primarily from Federal dollars • Participation is optional and at no cost to systems

  15. Phase 1: Identify Potential ParticipantsParticipant Recruitment • Internal Data Review • Identify systems affected by radionuclides • Contact systems • Host local meetings • Recruit systems • 33 systems are participating

  16. Phase 1: Identify Potential ParticipantsService Procurement • Later phases will use contracted services • Contractor selection • WQCD posted a Request for Proposal • 5 bids received • Selected firm: Malcolm Pirnie in conjunction with Colorado School of Mines • Contract was approved August 24, 2007

  17. Phase 2: Source Water SamplingWater System Source Sampling • Sampling was performed at each system to provide data for engineering evaluations • Sampling plan was developed by Malcolm Pirnie in conjunction with WQCD • Sampling will include: • Radionuclides: • Other constituents affecting treatment: Fe, Mn, pH, Alk, Ca, TDS, SO4, etc. • Source water variability

  18. Phase 2: Source Water SamplingOnsite Evaluations • Additional information gathered while onsite • Solicited input from the system • Records and data review • User demands and well production capacities • Growth trends • Financial status and user rates • Current system infrastructure and condition • Information will be used to develop engineering reports for each system

  19. Phase 3: Engineering EvaluationsPhase 3 Overview • Desktop Treatment Evaluations • Waste Handling and Disposal Options • Pilot Studies • Interim Measures Investigation • Residuals Management Plan Template • Final report to systems

  20. Phase 3: Engineering EvaluationsTreatment Evaluations • System specific evaluations will be performed for all participating systems • Desktop analysis • Will be based upon raw water data and onsite information collected in Phase 2 • Will be done with input from the Division’s Engineering Section

  21. Phase 3: Engineering EvaluationsTreatment Evaluations • Options that will be evaluated • Non-treatment (new source, blending, etc.) • Ion exchange • Reverse osmosis • POU/POE • Proprietary systems, to extent possible (WRT, Virotec) • Other innovative technologies (lime softening, HMO, barium co-precipitation etc.)

  22. Phase 3: Engineering EvaluationsWaste Handling and Disposal Evaluations • Theoretical prediction of wastes • Intermediate processing of waste • Review of disposal options and receiving facilities • Identification of licensing requirements • Design recommendations • General cost information

  23. Phase 3: Engineering EvaluationsWaste Handling and Disposal Evaluations • Waste handling falls under many jurisdictions • Requires coordination with multiple agencies: • Engineering Section • Wastewater Permits Section • Solid Waste Unit • Radiation Management Unit • Laboratory Services Division

  24. Phase 3: Engineering EvaluationsPilot Studies • Representative source waters have been selected for bench and pilot studies • Will be performed by the School of Mines • Finished water and waste content will be compared to theoretical predictions • Information will be used to support treatment designs

  25. Phase 3: Engineering EvaluationsInterim Measures Investigation • Evaluation of potential interim measures • Public education • Bottled water recommendation • Water system providing bottled water • Point-of-use devices • WQCD working on policy regarding required interim measures based on radionuclide levels and time to achieve compliance • Arkansas Valley Conduit Project

  26. Phase 3: Engineering EvaluationsFinal Report • Individual report for each system • Will contain design information: • Analysis of alternatives • Recommended compliance options • Preliminary design criteria • Capital cost estimates • Life cycle cost estimates including capital, operating, and disposal costs • Will be developed to satisfy PER requirements for State Revolving Fund Loans

  27. Phase 4: Compliance AssistanceFinancial Planning • Identify funding options • WQCD Capacity Coaches • Assistance preparing grant and loan applications • Challenges associated with funding privately owned water systems

  28. Phase 4: Compliance AssistanceCapacity Development • Capacity = Capabilities • Increase technical, managerial, and financial capabilities of systems • Operator training • Development of SOP’s • Updating/revising water rate structures • O & M (including waste disposal) budgeting • Encourage regionalization efforts

  29. Phase 4: Compliance AssistancePublic Outreach • Public support will be critical to the success of a system’s project • Department workgroup established • Multi agency effort: • Water Quality Control Division • Office of Local Liaison • Comprehensive Cancer Prevention Program • Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology • Evaluate cancer occurrence and other health statistics in affected areas • Begin to develop public outreach campaign

  30. Phase 4: Compliance AssistancePublic Outreach • Opportunity for additional partnerships and collaboration with local health agencies • Developing appropriate message • Disseminating information to the public • Other possibilities? • WQCD hopes to develop a relationship with CDEH and other local health agency organizations to help accomplish mutual goals • Dissemination of information • Improved public and environmental health

  31. Phase 5: ImplementationPhase 5 Overview • Division will provide technical assistance to help systems select an appropriate compliance option • Funding application and plans and specification reviews • Operator certification compliance

  32. Project OverviewProject Timeline

  33. Rads Systems of Concern Team Jon DeBoer Jon Erickson Glenn Bodnar Ron Falco Cathy Heald Dave Knope Paul Kosik Jeff Lawrence Jackie Whelan Carolyn Schachterle Sharon Williams Additional Support Tom Armitage Gene Bissett Donna Davis Jorge Delgado Heather Drissel Phil Egidi Faith Erickson James Grice Charles Johnson Brad Simons Joey Talbott Steve Tarlton CO-RADS Project Credits

  34. Discussion / Brainstorm Jon Erickson Drinking Water Engineer, Water Quality Control Division, CDPHE 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, B2 Denver, CO 80246 Phone: 303-692-3593 Email: jon.erickson@state.co.us

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