Demonstration projects were sought for tools, methodologies, or technologies that can reduce the cost of managing the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) long-term liability associated with soils and waters (groundwater, surface waters, stormwater, etc.) impacted by chemicals of concern. Such chemicals of concern include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chlorinated solvents, 1,4-dioxane, energetic compounds, emerging chemicals of interest to the DoD, or mixtures of these chemicals.
The primary focus of this topic area was development of innovative technologies and approaches for managing sites impacted by chemicals of concern. The following topics were of particular interest:
- Development of cost-effective modeling tools or technologies to specifically address chemical source zones that cause persistent groundwater plumes.
- Development of cost-effective modeling tools or technologies to manage and treat soils and waters impacted by chemicals of concern, particularly PFAS. Such technologies also must address common co-occurring chemicals with these chemicals of concern.
- Assessment of how to better combine existing or new technologies to address complex sites and make informed decisions on transitions from active remediation to passive technologies.
- Optimization, assessment, and/or long-term monitoring tools related to remediation of impacted waters.
- Development and evaluation of tools to collect more site data of better quality at lower cost. Site data on groundwater quality, including chemicals of concern and biogeochemical conditions is of particular interest.
- Utilize available and developing tools to develop an assessment framework to evaluate the long-term remedy protectiveness at restoration sites in areas that could be impacted by extreme events, particularly flooding.
For those proposing projects addressing PFAS issues, review the SERDP and ESTCP Workshop Report on Management of PFAS in the Environment for more detailed information on demonstration needs in this area.
In situ or ex situ treatment options were of interest, but proposers had to be clear on the need for and advantages of ex situ treatment. Technologies and methods were sought that have well-defined demonstration/validation questions to address. Proposed technologies had to complete all required laboratory work, although site-specific treatability work prior to the field demonstration was acceptable.
Demonstrations addressed technical and/or regulatory issues that inhibit the widespread use of the proposed approach across the DoD. Proposals addressed the federal, state, and local regulatory issues applicable to the demonstration technology. All proposals had to have a clear statement as to the final disposition of the treatment residuals from the project. ESTCP supports demonstrations at a scale sufficient to determine the operational performance of the remediation technology and to estimate its expected full-scale capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. Full-scale cleanup of specific sites is not performed under ESTCP. Specific DoD demonstration site(s) could have been suggested in the pre-proposal, but were not required.
