HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC-2020-005844 - 0901a06880c37952DFC-2020- 005844
Enem Fuel. Rmurees (1. SA) Inc.
225 t nion fil‘d. suite 600
1.ako% ood. ( 0, 1. s, 80228
303 9'4 2140 ‘t. 001
ef WnIe" MorlagRierit
and Radlation Control
March 30, 2020 MAR 3 1 2020
Sent VIA E-MAIL AND OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
Mr. Ty L. Howard
Director
Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
195 North 1950 West
P.O. Box 144880
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4820
Re: Transmittal of Chloroform Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation
("CACME") UDEQ Docket No. UGW20-01 White Mesa Uranium Mill
Dear Mr. Howard:
Enclosed are two copies of the Energy Fuels Resources USA Inc. ("EFRI") Corrective Action Comprehensive
Monitoring Evaluation ("CACME") report for chloroform in perched groundwater at the White Mesa Uranium
Mill (the "Mill") located near Blanding, Utah. This report is required by Part III.H of the Groundwater
Corrective Action Plan ("GCAP") found in Attachment 1, of the final Stipulation and Consent Order ("SCO")
Docket No. UGW20-01, approved on September 14, 2015 by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control ("DWMRC").
If you should have any questions regarding this submittal please contact me at 303-389-4134.
Yours very truly,
ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC.
Kathy Weinel
Quality Assurance Manager
CC: Scott Bakken
David Frydenlund
Paul Goranson
Garrin Palmer
Logan Shumway
Terry Slade
HYDRO GEO CHEM, INC.
Environmental Science & Technology
CORRECTIVE ACTION COMPREHENSIVE
MONITORING EVALUATION (CACME) REPORT
WHITE MESA URANIUM MILL
NEAR BLANDING, UTAH
March 30, 2020
Prepared for:
ENERGY FUELS RESOURCES (USA) INC
225 Union Blvd., Suite 600
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
Prepared by:
HYDRO GEO CHEM, INC.
51 West Wetmore Road, Suite 101
Tucson, Arizona 85705
(520) 293-1500
Project Number 7180000.00-01.0
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1
2. BACKGROUND AND HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ........................................................ 5
2.1 Perched Groundwater Flow and Chloroform Plume Sources ................................. 6
2.2 Plume Definition, Long Term Pumping Test, and Permeability Distribution ........ 7
2.3 Preliminary CAP and CIR ...................................................................................... 9
2.4 Hydraulic Testing of TW4-4, TW4-6, and TW4-26 and
Addition of TW4-4 to the Pumping System ........................................................... 9
2.5 Impact of Reduced Wildlife Pond Recharge and Nitrate Pumping ...................... 10
2.6 Eastern Nitrate CIR and Delineation of Plume to Southeast ................................ 11
2.7 Addition of TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21 and
TW4-37 to the Pumping System ........................................................................... 13
2.8 Final GCAP ........................................................................................................... 13
2.9 Addition of Compliance Well TW4-38 and Pumping Well TW4-39 ................... 13
2.10 Addition of Compliance Well TW4-42 and
Pumping Wells TW4-40 and TW4-41 .................................................................. 14
3. SUMMARY OF CHLOROFORM MONITORING AND
PUMPING SINCE DECEMBER 31, 2012 ...................................................................... 15
3.1 Elements of the Quarterly Chloroform Monitoring Reports and
Compliance with Preliminary and Final GCAPs .................................................. 15
3.2 Specific Actions Taken Under the Preliminary and Final GCAPs ....................... 18
3.3 Summary of Key Findings and Interpretation of Results Since
December 31, 2012 ............................................................................................... 19
3.3.1 Perched Groundwater Flow ...................................................................... 20
3.3.2 Purpose of Chloroform Pumping and Hydraulic Capture......................... 21
3.3.3 Impacts of Pumping Fluctuations and Typical Analytical Error .............. 23
3.3.4 Impacts of Reduced Wildlife Pond Recharge and Nitrate Pumping......... 24
3.3.5 Plume Boundary and Southeast Portion of Plume .................................... 25
3.3.6 Pumping Well Productivity and Plume Control ....................................... 28
4. EVALUATION OF PUMPING SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS ....................................... 29
4.1 Trends in Plume Area, Mass Removal Rates, Concentrations, Hydraulic
Gradients, Saturated Thicknesses, and Residual Mass ......................................... 30
4.2 Capture Effectiveness ........................................................................................... 37
4.3 Pumping Well Productivity................................................................................... 38
4.3.1 Comparison of Pumping and Flow through the Chloroform Plume
Over Time ................................................................................................. 41
4.3.2 Evaluation of Interference between Pumping Wells ................................ 44
4.4 Natural Attenuation ............................................................................................... 45
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
5. EFFECTIVENESS OF GCAP IN PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND
THE ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................... 47
6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................... 51
7. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 55
8. LIMITATIONS ................................................................................................................. 59
TABLES
1 Chloroform Plume Area, Mass Removed/Quarter, Residual Mass, and Average
Concentration, First Quarter, 2012 through Fourth Quarter, 2019
2 Hydraulic Gradients within Chloroform Plume, 4th Quarters of 2012, 2015, 2017 and
2019
3 Plume Areas and Masses Under Capture, Fourth Quarters of 2012 Through 2019
FIGURES
1A White Mesa Plan Showing Locations of Perched Wells and Piezometers
1B White Mesa Site Plan Showing 4th Quarter, 2019 Perched Water Levels and Chloroform
and Nitrate Plumes
2 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2019 Chloroform Concentrations, Perched Water Levels, and
Chloroform Source Areas, White Mesa Site
3A Kriged 4th Quarter, 2019 Chloroform Concentrations, Perched Water Levels, and
Saturated Thicknesses, White Mesa Site
3B Kriged 4th Quarter, 2019 Chloroform Mass Distribution and Perched Water Levels, White
Mesa Site
4A Chloroform Concentrations at TW4-6
4B Chloroform Concentrations in TW4-6 and TW4-26 Since the 1st Quarter 2012
5 Comparison of Kriged 4th Quarter, 2014 and 1st Quarter, 2012 Chloroform Plumes, White
Mesa Site
6 Comparison of Kriged 4th Quarter, 2019 and 4th Quarter, 2014 Chloroform Plumes, White
Mesa Site
7A Chloroform Plume Area and Quarterly Chloroform Mass Removed Since 1st Quarter
2012
7B Chloroform Plume Area and Quarterly Chloroform Mass Removed Since 3rd Quarter
2015
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
FIGURES (Continued)
8A Chloroform Plume Area and Average Plume Chloroform Concentration Since 1st Quarter
2012
8B Chloroform Plume Area and Average Plume Chloroform Concentration Since 3rd Quarter
2015
8C Chloroform Plume Mass Removed/Quarter and Average Plume Concentrations Since 3rd
Quarter 2015
9 Chloroform in Non-Pumping Wells within Plume (Includes TW4-6 and TW4-9, no
Longer Within Plume)
10 Chloroform in Pumping Wells within Plume (Including Nitrate Pumping Well TW4-22)
11 Change in Perched Water Elevation within Chloroform Plume, 4th Quarter, 2012 to 4th
Quarter, 2019, White Mesa Site
12A Water Levels in Wells Marginal to Plume (Includes Subset of GCAP Compliance
Monitoring Wells Closest to Plume)
12B Saturated Thickness in Wells Marginal to Plume (Includes Subset of GCAP Compliance
Monitoring Wells Closest to Plume)
13A Water Levels in Non-Pumping Wells within Plume (Includes TW4-6 and TW4-9, no
Longer Within Plume)
13B Saturated Thickness in Non-Pumping Wells within Plume (Includes TW4-6 and TW4-9,
no Longer Within Plume )
14A Water Levels in Pumping Wells within Plume (Including Nitrate Pumping Well TW4-22)
14B Saturated Thickness in Pumping Wells within Plume (Including Nitrate Pumping Well
TW4-22)
15 Percentage Change in Saturated Thickness within Chloroform Plume 4th Quarter, 2012 to
4th Quarter, 2019, White Mesa Site
16A Chloroform Plume Area and Residual Mass Since 1st Quarter 2012
16B Chloroform Plume Area and Residual Mass Since 3rd Quarter 2015
17A Chloroform Plume Residual Mass and Quarterly Mass Removed Since 1st Quarter 2012
17B Chloroform Plume Residual Mass and Quarterly Mass Removed Since 3rd Quarter 2015
18 MW-26, TW4-19, -20, -22, and -37 Chloroform Concentration and Residual Plume Mass,
2012 to 2019
19 Chloroform Plume Residual Mass Estimates, 2006 to 2019
20 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2019 Water Levels, Chloroform Plume Boundary, and Estimated
Total Capture, White Mesa Site
21 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2018 Water Levels, Chloroform Plume Boundary, and Estimated
Total Capture, White Mesa Site
22 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2017 Water Levels, Chloroform Plume Boundary, and Estimated
Total Capture, White Mesa Site
23 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2016 Water Levels, Chloroform Plume Boundary, and Estimated
Total Capture, White Mesa Site
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
FIGURES (Continued)
24 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2015 Water Levels, Chloroform Plume Boundary, and Estimated
Total Capture, White Mesa Site
25 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2014 Water Levels, Chloroform Plume Boundary, and Estimated
Total Capture, White Mesa Site
26 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2013 Water Levels, Chloroform Plume Boundary, and Estimated
Total Capture, White Mesa Site
27 Kriged 4th Quarter, 2012 Water Levels, Chloroform Plume Boundary, and Estimated
Total Capture, White Mesa Site
28 Chloroform Pumping Well Productivity
29 Nitrate Pumping Well Productivity
30A TW4-19 Chloroform Mass Removal and Total Chloroform Mass Removal Since 1st
Quarter 2012
30B TW4-19 Chloroform Mass Removal and Total Chloroform Mass Removal Since 3rd
Quarter 2015
APPENDICES
A Historic Chloroform Plume Comparison Maps (Figures A.1-A.6)
B Well Productivity and Background Flow Analysis Tables and Figures (Tables B.1-B.4;
Figures B.1-B.13)
C Natural Chloroform Degradation
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
1
1. INTRODUCTION
This is the third Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation (CACME) report for
chloroform in perched groundwater at the White Mesa Uranium Mill (the Mill or the site)
located near Blanding, Utah. The report is prepared as required by Part III.H of the Groundwater
Corrective Action Plan (GCAP) found in Attachment 1, of the final Stipulation and Consent
Order (“SCO”) Docket No. UGW20-01, approved on September 14, 2015 by the Utah
Department of Environmental Quality Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control
(DWMRC) [Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Solid Waste and Radiation
Control, 2015].
As required under the GCAP, the CACME will:
1. Summarize and interpret the results of all past quarterly groundwater monitoring
performed after December 31, 2012 in accordance with Parts IILA through E of the
GCAP;
2. Review chloroform mass removal rates resulting from pumping to evaluate the
performance of the Pumping Wells. In the event that the mass removal rates have
dropped substantially, such evaluation shall include a determination whether the removal
rates have dropped as a result of reduced concentrations within the plume, lost well
productivities or a general reduction in saturated thickness;
3. Demonstrate how and why the GCAP continues to be protective of public health and the
environment; and
4. Bear the seal of a Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist, pursuant to UAC
R3l7-6-6.15.D.3.
This report meets the above requirements of the GCAP and focuses on quarterly data collected
between December 31, 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2019. The first CACME (HGC 2016a)
focused on quarterly data collected between December 31, 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2015;
and the second CACME (HGC, 2018a) focused on quarterly data collected between December
31, 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2017. However, in past and present CACME reports,
monitoring data collected prior to December 31, 2012 are discussed as needed for interpretive
context.
In particular, data collected both before and after December 31, 2012 are important because
significant changes to the chloroform plume are attributable to actions taken by the Mill in the
first quarters of 2012 and 2013 in response to regulatory requirements. Specifically, changes in
groundwater flow dynamics, chloroform concentrations, and plume boundaries have resulted
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
2
from two actions: 1) cessation of water delivery to the northern wildlife ponds (Figures 1A and
1B) in the first quarter of 2012; and 2) the initiation of nitrate pumping in the first quarter of
2013. These two actions were expected to result in at least temporary expansion of plume
boundaries, increases in chloroform concentrations within and marginal to the plume, and
corresponding increases in the calculated residual chloroform masses within the plume.
Reduced hydraulic gradients and reduced dilution attributable to reduced wildlife pond recharge
did indeed cause the expected lateral expansion of the plume and increases in concentrations in
wells within the plume. Some wells at the margins of the plume, such as TW4-8 and TW4-16
(Figure 1B), were re-incorporated into the plume. In addition, initiation of nitrate pumping in the
first quarter of 2013 changed hydraulic gradients, causing re-distribution of chloroform,
increases in chloroform concentrations at wells such as nitrate pumping wells TW4-22 and TW4-
24, and westerly expansion of the plume. By the latter half of 2014, more westerly hydraulic
gradients resulting from nitrate pumping likely contributed to re-incorporation of wells TW4-6
and TW4-16 into the plume. Since 2014, TW4-16 has been both within and outside the plume,
and TW4-6 is again outside the plume (as of the third quarter of 2018).
Although the chloroform plume boundaries expanded between 2012 and 2014, and
concentrations generally increased as a result of the above two actions (cessation of water
delivery to the northern wildlife ponds and commencement of nitrate pumping), these conditions
were addressed by doubling the number of chloroform pumping wells (from 5 to 10) during
2015, which more than tripled chloroform mass removal rates by the fourth quarter of 2015. The
pumping system was further enhanced by the addition of chloroform pumping well TW4-39
during 2016; TW4-41 during 2018; and TW4-40 during 2019. Pumping of TW4-40 and TW4-41
has substantially expanded hydraulic capture to the south.
The increase in the number of pumping wells has also compensated for reduced productivity at
some of the wells. Total pumping from the chloroform plume as of the fourth quarter of 2019,
including pumping from nitrate pumping wells TW4-22 and TW4-24 (located within and at the
margin of the chloroform plume, respectively) has approximately doubled since the end of 2012,
increasing from approximately 2.8 gallons per minute (gpm) to approximately 5.9 gpm.
Since the fourth quarter of 2017 (the end of the period covered by the previous CACME) the
plume area has increased only slightly (by approximately 2%); and the plume boundaries have
been relatively stable except for cross-gradient contraction near TW4-6 and downgradient
expansion near TW4-26. In addition, since 2015, both average chloroform concentrations within
the plume and residual mass estimates are trending downward. Furthermore, the proportion of
the plume mass under capture has remained high, ranging between approximately 87% and 99%
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
3
since the fourth quarter of 2017. Finally, although the plume has expanded to the south in the
vicinity of TW4-26, chloroform detected in the vicinity of TW4-26 and TW4-40 appears to be
within the hydraulic capture zone of TW4-40.
Because the area of the plume has expanded only slightly since 2017; the proportion of the mass
of the plume under hydraulic capture has remained high and has increased to approximately 99%
as of the fourth quarter of 2019; average chloroform concentrations within the plume and
residual mass estimates continue to trend downward; and pumping system capture appears to
have expanded to the south to include chloroform detected in the vicinity of TW4-26 and TW4-
40; it can be concluded that the chloroform pumping system has performed well in light of the
above two actions, has maintained its effectiveness, and continues to be protective of public
health and the environment. Therefore, continued implementation of the GCAP and the current
pumping system is recommended.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
4
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
5
2. BACKGROUND AND HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
An extensive description of the site hydrogeology, which focuses on the perched groundwater
zone, is provided in HGC (2018c). Perched groundwater is the shallowest groundwater
encountered beneath the site and is the primary focus of all groundwater monitoring and
corrective action (chloroform and nitrate pumping) activities.
Perched groundwater is hosted primarily by the Burro Canyon Formation. Where saturated
thicknesses are large, perched water extends into the overlying Dakota Sandstone. The perched
water is supported within the Burro Canyon Formation by the underlying Brushy Basin Member
of the Morrison Formation. The Brushy Basin Member is a bentonitic shale that is considered an
aquiclude.
The generally low permeability of the perched zone limits well yields. Although sustainable
yields of a few gpm have been achieved in site wells penetrating higher transmissivity zones near
wildlife ponds (Figures 1A and 1B), yields are typically low (<1/2 gpm). Many of the perched
monitoring wells purge dry and take several hours to more than a day to recover sufficiently for
groundwater samples to be collected. In extreme cases, wells require several weeks to recover
sufficiently for groundwater samples to be collected. During redevelopment (HGC, 2011a) many
of the wells went dry during surging and bailing and required several sessions on subsequent
days to remove the proper volumes of water.
The chloroform plume, defined by groundwater concentrations exceeding the Groundwater
Corrective Action Limit (GCAL) of 70 µg/L, occurs within the perched groundwater zone and
was first discovered in 1999 at MW-4, a perched monitoring well located east and cross-gradient
of the tailings management system which encompasses cells 1 through 4B (Figures 1A and 1B).
Specifically, MW-4 is located east of cell 2.
The chloroform plume appears to have resulted from the operation of a temporary laboratory
facility that was located at the site prior to and during the construction of the Mill, and from
septic drain fields that were used for laboratory and sanitary wastes prior to construction of the
Mill’s tailings management system. Between the time of discovery and the fourth quarter of
2019, the plume has been delineated by installation of 42 TW4-series wells and placed under
remediation by pumping. The northwestern portion of the chloroform plume commingles with a
nitrate plume which is also under remediation by pumping (Figure 1B). Elevated nitrate
concentrations that are not considered part of the nitrate plume occur to the east of the nitrate
plume within and near the chloroform plume.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
6
Physical factors that have influenced the transport of chloroform (and the size and shape of, and
concentration distribution within, the chloroform plume) include the following: 1) the nature of
the source(s); 2) perched groundwater flow in the vicinity of the plume; 3) the permeability
distribution; 4) natural attenuation; 5) initiation of long term pumping within the plume at wells
MW-4, MW-26, and TW4-19 in 2003; 6) the addition of TW4-20 to the pumping system in
2005; 7) the addition of TW4-4 to the pumping system in 2010; 8) reduced wildlife pond
recharge (since the first quarter of 2012); 9) nitrate pumping in TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and
TWN-2 (since the first quarter of 2013); 10) the addition of TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21,
and TW4-37 to the pumping system during the first half of 2015; and 11) the addition of TW4-
39, TW4-40 and TW4-41 to the pumping system since 2015.
The following Sections provide a brief chronological history of chloroform plume
characterization and remediation through the fourth quarter of 2019 and discuss the above
physical factors affecting the plume.
2.1 Perched Groundwater Flow and Chloroform Plume Sources
Figure 1B displays the fourth quarter 2019 kriged boundaries of the chloroform and nitrate
plumes, and fourth quarter 2019 perched water level contours for the Mill. As indicated, flow is
generally to the southwest. Flow beneath the millsite and tailings management system ranges
from generally west-southwest to southwest and is influenced by perched water discharge points
Westwater Seep, located west to west-southwest of the tailings management system, and Ruin
Spring, located southwest of the tailings management system. The overall southwesterly flow
pattern is locally influenced by seepage from the wildlife ponds.
Perched groundwater flow within the chloroform plume ranges from southwesterly in the
western portion of the plume to generally south in the eastern portion of the plume. This flow
pattern is strongly influenced by seepage from the two northern wildlife ponds (shown in Figures
1A and 1B), which, prior to 2012, received a relatively continuous supply of water. The
groundwater mound associated with these ponds (the northern mound) has been decaying since
the cessation of water delivery to the ponds in the first quarter of 2012 but is still evident in
Figure 1B.
Flow in the southeastern portion of the chloroform plume is also influenced by seepage from the
southern wildlife pond (shown in Figures 1A and 1B). The groundwater mound associated with
the southern pond (the southern mound) has also been decaying due to reduced water delivery.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
7
Figure 2 is a detail map showing fourth quarter 2019 kriged chloroform concentrations and
perched water levels, and the locations of the likely sources of the chloroform plume. The
abandoned scale house leach field is the likely source of the southeastern portion of the plume
and the former office leach field is the likely source of the northwestern portion of the plume
(HGC, 2007a and HGC, 2007b). Both of these sources received laboratory wastes prior to
operation of the tailings management system (circa 1980), and in the case of the abandoned scale
house leachfield, prior to construction of the Mill. Laboratory wastes prior to 1980 were first
disposed to the abandoned scale house leach field, and later to the former office leach field.
Chloroform migration has been generally southwesterly in the northwestern portion of the plume
and generally south to locally southeasterly in the southeastern portion of the plume in response
to perched groundwater flow that was strongly influenced by the groundwater mounds associated
with the wildlife ponds. The northern mound caused relatively steep hydraulic gradients that
enhanced historic chloroform migration rates especially within higher permeability materials
generally coincident with the plume as discussed below. As a result of past recharge from the
northern ponds and the presence of the northern groundwater mound, the largest saturated
thicknesses within the chloroform plume occur in the northwestern portion of the plume as
shown in Figure 3A.
2.2 Plume Definition, Long Term Pumping Test, and Permeability
Distribution
From the fourth quarter of 1999 through the third quarter of 2002, 19 TW4-series temporary
chloroform monitoring wells (TW4-1 through TW4-19) were installed to define and characterize
the plume. TW4-15 and TW4-17 were later renamed MW-26 and MW-32, respectively. Data
collected from these and other MW-series wells are used in conjunction with data from the
chloroform wells to define and characterize the plume.
A long-term (7-month long) pumping test was initiated in 2003 to provide data regarding the
permeability distribution within the vicinity of the plume (HGC, 2004). Pumping was initiated at
MW-4, followed by pumping at TW4-19, then MW-26 (formerly TW4-15). As discussed in
HGC (2007a), chloroform migration was facilitated by a relatively continuous higher
permeability zone generally coincident with much of the plume that appeared to ‘pinch out’ in
the vicinity of TW4-6. Hydraulic test data collected during this test and from subsequent tests
were consistent with this zone ‘pinching out’ between TW4-4 and TW4-6. Hydraulic test and
well productivity data also indicate that higher permeability materials penetrated by TW4-19
‘pinch out’ to the southwest of TW4-19 (between TW4-19 and TW4-20). The ‘pinching out’ of
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
8
the higher permeability materials helps to reduce rates of chloroform migration in the
downgradient portions of the plume.
Pumping of MW-4, MW-26, and TW4-19 has continued to the present day in an effort to control
the plume boundaries and reduce concentrations within the plume. The primary purpose of the
pumping was to remove chloroform mass within the plume as rapidly as practical. This was
accomplished by pumping at locations having both high chloroform concentrations and relatively
high productivities (due to large saturated thicknesses and generally moderate to high
permeabilities).
TW4-19 and MW-26 were located in the northwest portion of the plume which had relatively
high concentrations and saturated thicknesses, and therefore a relatively large proportion of the
chloroform mass. At the start-up of MW-4 pumping, the portion of the plume in the vicinity of
MW-4 also had relatively high concentrations and saturated thicknesses. As of the fourth quarter
of 2019, the northwest portion of the plume still encompasses relatively high concentrations and
saturated thicknesses, and a large proportion of the plume mass; however, the proportion of
plume mass in the vicinity of MW-4 has been substantially reduced. Figures 3A and 3B show
that saturated thickness and plume mass in the vicinity of MW-4 are relatively small compared to
areas within the northwestern portion of the plume.
Based on the results of the long term test (HGC, 2004) and subsequent hydraulic tests, pumping
at downgradient locations (in the vicinity of TW4-6) was considered impractical because of low
permeability and small saturated thickness and consequent low well productivity. As shown in
Figures 3A and 3B, saturated thicknesses as of the fourth quarter of 2019 are less than 20 feet at
the southeastern extremity of the plume, and the proportion of the total mass encompassed by
this portion of the plume is relatively small.
Between 2005 and 2007, six additional chloroform monitoring wells (TW4-20 through TW4-25)
were installed and tested to better define and characterize the plume. TW4-20 was installed in
2005. Because sampling of TW4-20 indicated that it was located within an area having the
highest chloroform concentrations, it was converted to a pumping well to augment mass removal
in the vicinities of TW4-19 and MW-26. Mass removal in the vicinity of TW4-20 was then
augmented by adding TW4-37 to the pumping system in 2015 (as discussed in Section 2.7) and
by adding TW4-39 to the pumping system in 2016 (as discussed in Section 2.9).
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
9
2.3 Preliminary CAP and CIR
A preliminary Corrective Action Plan (PCAP) and a preliminary Contamination Investigation
Report (PCIR) were submitted in 2007 (HGC, 2007a and HGC, 2007b). These documents
summarized information available to date and formed the basis for continued chloroform
pumping, quarterly monitoring, and quarterly reporting. Additional chloroform monitoring wells
(TW4-26 and TW4-27) were subsequently installed in consultation with DWMRC, and generally
in conformance with the rationale outlined in the PCAP, to better characterize the chloroform
plume.
These documents discussed the relative stability of the chloroform plume boundaries at that time
as reflected in Appendix A Figure A.1 which compares the first quarter 2006 and first quarter
2007 plume boundaries. Appendix A Figures A.2 through A.6 compare chloroform plume
boundaries at various other times.
The PCAP and PCIR also discussed natural attenuation and provided calculations of chloroform
biodegradation rates based on parent and daughter product concentrations and a first order decay
model. These calculations indicated that chloroform concentrations everywhere within the plume
were expected to be reduced to less than the GCAL of 70 µg/L within less than 200 years solely
by natural biodegradation, without taking into consideration any pumping. Other natural
attenuation processes expected to augment the reduction in chloroform concentrations included
hydrodynamic dispersion, volatilization, and dilution.
Biodegradation rate calculations provided in Appendix C represent updates of calculations
included in the previous CACME report (HGC, 2018a). Appendix C provides the original PCAP
(HGC, 2007a) chloroform biodegradation rate calculations as well as calculations updated based
on chloroform and daughter product concentrations from the first quarter of 2013 through the
third quarter of 2019. Appendix C is summarized in Section 4.4. The calculated degradation rate
based on data from the first quarter of 2013 through the third quarter of 2019 is nearly identical
to that presented in the PCAP.
2.4 Hydraulic Testing of TW4-4, TW4-6, and TW4-26 and Addition of TW4-4
to the Pumping System
Hydraulic testing of TW4-4, TW4-6, and TW4-26 was performed in 2010 (HGC, 2010). At that
time TW4-4 and TW4-6 were within the downgradient portion of the plume and TW4-26 was
downgradient of the southern boundary of the plume. Data from these tests indicated that the
relatively high permeability zone associated with the chloroform plume ‘pinches out’ between
TW4-4 and TW4-6.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
10
Pumping of TW4-4 was also initiated in the first quarter of 2010 to improve mass removal rates
and reduce the downgradient migration of chloroform to the extent possible in the southernmost
portion of the plume (in particular near TW4-6). TW4-4 was the southernmost of the existing
wells within the plume that was completed in materials sufficiently permeable to be effective as
a pumping well. The impact of TW4-4 pumping on chloroform concentrations at TW4-6 is
shown in Figure 4A. Chloroform concentrations at TW4-6 were reduced from 1,000 µg/L to
approximately 10 µg/L within 5 quarters. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, concentrations at
TW4-6 subsequently increased, likely due to reduced wildlife pond recharge and possibly nitrate
pumping as discussed below.
2.5 Impact of Reduced Wildlife Pond Recharge and Nitrate Pumping
Significant changes to the distribution of chloroform and to chloroform concentrations within the
plume resulted from the cessation of water delivery to the northern wildlife ponds in the first
quarter of 2012 and the initiation of nitrate pumping at wells TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and
TWN-2 during the first quarter of 2013. Between 2007 and 2011 the kriged chloroform plume
boundaries were relatively stable as shown in Figures A.2 through A.6 (Appendix A). Figure A.2
compares first quarter 2007 and first quarter 2008 plume boundaries; Figure A.3 compares first
quarter 2008 and first quarter 2009 plume boundaries; Figure A.4 compares first quarter 2009
and first quarter 2010 plume boundaries; and Figure A.5 compares first quarter 2010 and first
quarter 2011 plume boundaries. As shown, the plume boundary was relatively stable except for
expansion to the south to incorporate TW4-6, which reached a maximum concentration of 1,000
µg/L prior to initiation of TW4-4 pumping (Figures 4A and A.4) and the subsequent shrinkage
back toward TW4-4 (Figure A.5). Between the first quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2011
there was almost no change in the plume boundary, as shown in Figure A.6.
Seepage from the two northern wildlife ponds provided a significant source of dilution by
chloroform-free water, which helped to limit chloroform concentrations prior to 2012. However,
once water delivery ceased, and wildlife pond recharge was reduced, chloroform concentrations
in many wells began to increase and some wells that had been outside the plume for many years
were reincorporated into the plume (for example TW4-8 and TW4-16). TW4-8 had been within
the plume for most of the time prior to the fourth quarter of 2004; and TW4-16 had been within
the plume prior to the third quarter of 2005. Both wells were within the plume prior to initiation
of long term pumping in 2003.
Temporary increases in chloroform concentrations, and potential expansion of the plume
boundaries, were anticipated to result from reduced dilution once water delivery to the northern
ponds ceased. However, reduced pond seepage has resulted in the decay of the associated
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
11
northern perched groundwater mound, which reduces hydraulic gradients and chloroform
migration rates within the plume. The reduction in chloroform migration rates resulting from
reduced pond seepage is judged more beneficial to long-term chloroform remediation than the
relatively short-term negative impact of increased concentrations.
In addition, nitrate pumping at TW4-22 and TW4-24 caused chloroform to migrate to the west
from the vicinity of TW4-20, the well having the highest chloroform concentrations historically.
Chloroform concentrations at TW4-22 increased substantially, and concentrations at TW4-24,
which had historically been near the detection limit, increased sufficiently to bring it within the
plume twice since nitrate pumping began. The increases in concentration at TW4-16 are also
likely related in part to more westerly hydraulic gradients in that portion of the plume resulting
from initiation of nitrate pumping.
Figure 5 compares chloroform plume boundaries from the first quarter of 2012 and the fourth
quarter of 2014. As discussed above, water delivery to the northern wildlife ponds ceased in the
first quarter of 2012, approximately one year prior to nitrate pumping. The fourth quarter of 2014
was nearly two years after initiation of nitrate pumping and is reflective of the combined impacts
of reduced recharge and nitrate pumping. As shown in Figure 5, the plume boundaries expanded
over this period. The presumed extension of the plume to the southeast in the first quarter 2012 is
estimated by a hand-drawn boundary. The plume likely extended to the southeast in the first
quarter 2012 but had not yet been defined by monitoring wells installed after this date. As
discussed above, the expansion of the plume boundaries between early 2012 and late 2014 likely
resulted from reduced wildlife pond recharge and the commencement of nitrate pumping.
2.6 Eastern Nitrate CIR and Delineation of Plume to Southeast
TW4-27 was installed south of TW4-14 in the fourth quarter of 2011 to better define chloroform
concentrations in the southernmost portion of the plume and to better characterize water level
conditions in that portion of the site. TW4-14 had a historically low water level. Prior to the
second quarter of 2015, the water level at TW4-14 was more than 10 feet below that of TW4-4
even after TW4-4 began pumping. TW4-14 appeared to be directly downgradient of TW4-4 and
TW4-6, yet chloroform was not detected at TW4-14.
As the persistently low water level at TW4-14 appeared to be anomalous, water level data from
TW4-27 were to be used to better understand water level behavior at TW4-14. Because the water
level at TW4-27 was similar to that of TW4-14, chloroform was not detected at TW4-27 after the
initial sampling, and the hydraulic conductivity measured at TW4-27 was low, both TW4-14 and
TW4-27 were interpreted to be completed in low permeability materials. Water levels at both
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
12
wells generally increased until reaching relative stability during 2018. The relatively slow pre-
2012 increase in water level at TW4-14 compared to nearby well TW4-6 (resulting from
previous wildlife pond recharge) and the absence of chloroform at TW4-14, were also consistent
with low permeability. Water levels at TW4-14 and TW4-27 were eventually expected to ‘catch
up’ and chloroform was eventually expected to migrate to these wells (HGC, 2014a). Detectable
chloroform reached TW4-14 and TW4-27 in 2014 and 2015, respectively, although both wells
have remained outside the plume.
However, unexpectedly high nitrate concentrations were detected at TW4-27 which necessitated
delineation of the extent of nitrate exceeding 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in this area. The
areal extent of relatively high nitrate concentrations at TW4-12 was also undefined. In response,
wells TW4-28 through TW4-31 were installed and tested (HGC 2013a).
Based on water level and analytical data from these new wells, elevated nitrate at TW4-27 was
bounded, but chloroform exceeding 70 µg/L that was not bounded to the south was detected at
TW4-29. Elevated nitrate at TW4-28 was also not bounded to the southeast (downgradient).
In response, wells TW4-32 through TW4-34 were installed and tested (HGC 2013b) and a nitrate
Contamination Investigation Report (CIR) was prepared (HGC 2014a). Elevated nitrate
southeast of TW4-28 was bounded by TW4-32. Chloroform exceeding 70 µg/L was detected at
TW4-33, located between TW4-4 and TW4-29, and chloroform exceeding 70 µg/L at TW4-29
appeared to be bounded to the south and east by TW4-30 and TW4-34.
During the first quarter of 2014, chloroform at TW4-8 exceeded 70 µg/L for the first time since
the fourth quarter of 2004. To provide a nearby bounding well to the east of TW4-8, and a
bounding well to the southeast of TW4-29, TW4-35 and TW4-36 were installed and tested (HGC
2014b). TW4-35 bounded the chloroform plume to the southeast and TW4-36 bounded the
chloroform plume to the east.
The presence of chloroform exceeding 70 µg/L at TW4-29 and TW4-33 indicated a relatively
narrow extension of the chloroform plume to the southeast of TW4-4. Based on historic water
level data, this chloroform had apparently migrated in a nearly cross-gradient direction around
the low permeability zone penetrated by TW4-14 and TW4-27.
The water level at TW4-30, located immediately east of TW4-29, has remained lower than the
water level at TW4-29. TW4-30 serves as a bounding well for the southeastern extremity of the
plume. As of the fourth quarter of 2019, TW4-30 was positioned cross- to downgradient of
TW4-29. During the fourth quarters of 2015, 2017 and 2019, chloroform was detected at TW4-
30 at concentrations of approximately 3 µg/L, 13 µg/L and 45 µg/L, respectively.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
13
2.7 Addition of TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21 and TW4-37 to the Pumping
System
The general increase in concentrations at many of the chloroform wells and apparent areal
expansion to re-incorporate wells that had been outside the plume for many years as a result of
reduced wildlife pond recharge and nitrate pumping led to a decision to add wells to the
chloroform pumping system. TW4-1, TW4-2 and TW4-11 were converted to pumping wells
during the first quarter of 2015 and TW4-21 was converted to pumping during the following
quarter. In addition, TW4-37 was installed in the first quarter of 2015 and began pumping during
the second quarter of 2015.
Addition of these five wells had a measurable impact on the chloroform plume, resulting in
stabilization of the plume boundary and increased mass removal rates. Figure 6 compares the
fourth quarter, 2014 and fourth quarter, 2019 chloroform plume boundaries. As shown, little
change in the plume boundary occurred over this period other than easterly (cross-gradient)
contraction near TW4-6 and southerly (downgradient) expansion in the vicinity of TW4-26. The
expansion to the south at TW4-26 likely results from changes in groundwater flow induced by
reduced recharge from the southern wildlife pond and decay of the associated (southern)
groundwater mound.
2.8 Final GCAP
A final GCAP for chloroform was approved by DWMRC on September 14, 2015 (DWMRC,
2015). The third quarter 2015 Chloroform Monitoring report (EFRI, 2015d) was the first
quarterly report prepared under the requirements of the final GCAP. Additional information
required under the final GCAP that did not appear in previous quarterly reports is discussed in
Section 3.
2.9 Addition of Compliance Well TW4-38 and Pumping Well TW4-39
Concentrations at TW4-9 exceeded the chloroform GCAL of 70 µg/L during the first and second
quarters of 2016, requiring the installation and testing of new compliance well TW4-38 (Figure
1B) as per the GCAP. In addition, as per the GCAP, the addition of a chloroform pumping well
was required. Because no existing wells were considered suitable, new pumping well TW4-39
was installed (Figure 1B) and tested. TW4-39 pumping helps to remove chloroform from the
northern portion of the plume and has likely contributed to the downward trend in chloroform
concentrations at TW4-9 since the first quarter of 2018. As a result of this downward trend,
beginning with the second quarter of 2019, TW4-9 is again outside the plume.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
14
2.10 Addition of Compliance Well TW4-42 and Pumping Wells TW4-40 and
TW4-41
Concentrations at TW4-26 exceeded the chloroform GCAL of 70 µg/L during the second and
third quarters of 2017, requiring the installation and testing of new compliance well TW4-40
(Figure 1B) as per the GCAP (HGC, 2018b). In addition, as per the GCAP, a new chloroform
pumping well was required. Because no existing wells were considered suitable, and productivity
at existing pumping well TW4-4 had diminished, new pumping well TW4-41 was installed
(Figure 1B) and tested (HGC, 2018b). TW4-41, located adjacent to TW4-4 in an area known to
have relatively high permeability, augments pumping at TW4-4. To improve productivity, TW4-
41 was constructed using 6-inch (rather than 4-inch) diameter casing.
TW4-40, located approximately 200 feet south (downgradient) of TW4-26, was intended to be a
new bounding compliance well. However, chloroform at TW4-40 exceeded 70 µg/L, so that new
bounding well TW4-42 (Figure 1B) was installed approximately 200 feet south (downgradient)
of TW4-40 as per the GCAP (HGC 2019). TW4-40 was then converted to a pumping well. TW4-
40 is valuable in that it is located within the downgradient (southern) toe of the plume and is
relatively productive. Pumping of TW4-40 is likely to more effectively reduce or prevent further
downgradient plume migration than can be expected by pumping at the more upgradient
locations.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
15
3. SUMMARY OF CHLOROFORM MONITORING AND PUMPING SINCE
DECEMBER 31, 2012
The following subsections discuss elements included in the quarterly Chloroform Monitoring
reports, and summarize and interpret key findings and results. Since December 31, 2012, twenty
eight (28) quarterly Chloroform Monitoring reports were submitted (Energy Fuels Resources
(USA) Inc [EFRI], 2013a; EFRI, 2013b; EFRI, 2013c; EFRI, 2014a; EFRI, 2014b; EFRI, 2014c;
EFRI, 2014d; EFRI, 2015a; EFRI, 2015b; EFRI, 2015c; EFRI, 2015d; EFRI, 2016a; EFRI,
2016b; EFRI, 2016c; EFRI, 2016d; EFRI, 2017; EFRI, 2017b; EFRI, 2017c; EFRI, 2017d;
EFRI, 2018a; EFRI, 2018b; EFRI, 2018c; EFRI, 2018d; EFRI, 2019a; EFRI, 2019b; EFRI,
2019c; EFRI, 2019d; EFRI, 2020). The first ten (10) were submitted prior to the final GCAP.
Actions taken under the PCAP and final GCAP are consistent with objectives specified in Part I
of the final GCAP to “permanently restore groundwater quality in all pumping wells and
performance monitoring wells completed in the White Mesa shallow aquifer for all contaminants
of concern in accordance with the Ground Water Corrective Action Objectives”. Objectives will
be met by reducing contaminant of concern (COC) concentrations to levels at or below the
GCALs specified in Table 2 of the GCAP. Through reducing chloroform concentrations to the
chloroform GCAL (70 µg/L), concentrations of other COCs associated with the chloroform
plume are also expected to be reduced to their respective GCALs.
3.1 Elements of the Quarterly Chloroform Monitoring Reports and
Compliance with Preliminary and Final GCAPs
Quarterly Chloroform Monitoring reports covering quarters from December 31, 2012 through the
second quarter of 2015 (EFRI, 2013a; EFRI, 2013b; EFRI, 2013c; EFRI, 2014a; EFRI, 2014b;
EFRI, 2014c; EFRI, 2014d; EFRI, 2015a; EFRI, 2015b; EFRI, 2015c) were submitted prior to
the final GCAP. Elements of quarterly reports submitted during this period were guided by the
August, 2007 PCAP (HGC 2007a). The PCAP proposed semi-annual corrective action reporting;
nevertheless, reports were prepared and submitted quarterly. First quarter 2013 through second
quarter 2015 quarterly Chloroform Monitoring reports included the following elements:
• description of the chloroform program monitoring
• quality assurance and data validation
• data interpretation
• description of long-term pumping operation
• description of any corrective action taken
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
16
• conclusions and recommendations
• electronic analytical data files
Data interpretation included generation and discussion of perched water elevation and
chloroform concentration contour maps, and a map estimating capture zones resulting from
chloroform pumping. Subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2013, this map also provided estimated
capture resulting from nitrate pumping. Data interpretation also included discussions of perched
water level and chloroform concentration changes and changes in plume boundaries and capture
between the quarter of interest and the previous quarter. Graphs of perched water levels and
chloroform concentrations were provided.
The third quarter 2015 quarterly Chloroform Monitoring report (EFRI, 2015d) was the first
report submitted under the final GCAP and is consistent with the requirements of the final
GCAP. Quarterly Chloroform Monitoring reports submitted under the final GCAP comply with
Parts II through VI of the final GCAP and include the following elements:
• description of chloroform program monitoring
• quality assurance and data validation
• data interpretation
• description of long-term pumping operation
• description of any corrective action taken
• current compliance status
• conclusions and recommendations
• electronic data files (including residual chloroform plume mass estimate files and
analytical data files)
Data interpretation encompassed all of the elements submitted under the PCAP (including water
level and concentration maps and graphs, maps showing estimated capture zones, and quarter to
quarter comparisons of water level and chloroform concentration changes and changes in
capture) as well as additional elements. The third quarter, 2015 chloroform report (EFRI, 2015d)
and all subsequent reports contain required water level time-series graphs for all pumping wells,
performance monitoring wells, and compliance monitoring wells (as specified in Table 1A of the
GCAP), and time-series chloroform concentration graphs for all wells sampled during the third
quarter of 2015 and all subsequent quarters. Similar concentration and water level graphs
appeared in quarterly reports submitted prior to approval of the GCAP.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
17
Some of the elements required under the final GCAP that were not incorporated previously
include:
• quarterly calculation of volume of water extracted from each pumping well
• quarterly calculation of chloroform mass removed at each pumping well
• quarterly calculation of residual chloroform plume mass and trend analysis
• submission of a chloroform concentration contour map based on the ‘chloroform greater
than or equal to 70 µg/L’ grid file used in residual chloroform plume mass calculations.
• discussion of current compliance status
• submission of residual chloroform mass calculation electronic files
These elements are included in EFRI (2015d) and all subsequent reports.
Current compliance status is addressed within Section 7 (introduced in EFRI, 2015d) that
includes discussion of:
• long term chloroform plume control
• well construction, maintenance, and operation
• disposal of extracted groundwater
• compliance well performance
• chloroform plume monitoring for (any) wells within 500 feet of the Mill property
boundary
The final GCAP specifies actions to be taken should the chloroform plume boundary migrate
within 500 feet of a property boundary (in particular the eastern property boundary which is
closest to the southeastern extremity of the plume). Currently, the southeastern extremity of the
plume is nearly 1,200 feet from the eastern property boundary (Figure 1B). Site water level data
suggest that the plume is unlikely to reach the eastern property boundary as perched water flow
along the boundary to the east of the southeastern extremity of the plume appears to be generally
south-southwesterly and sub-parallel to the boundary (Figure 1B; HGC, 2014a). The southern
property boundary on the east side of the site is more than three miles to the south of the plume.
The nearest downgradient perched water discharge point (Ruin Spring) is nearly two miles to the
south-southwest of the plume.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
18
3.2 Specific Actions Taken Under the Preliminary and Final GCAPs
Some of the specific work performed after December 31, 2012 but before approval of the final
GCAP included:
• all required quarterly sampling, monitoring, quality control, pumping, and reporting
activities;
• submission of required quarterly electronic analytical data files;
• installation and testing of wells TW4-28 through TW4-36 and associated reporting
(HGC. 2013a; HGC. 2013b; HGC, 2014b);
• preliminary evaluation of reduced productivity at TW4-19 (and TW4-24) [EFRI, 2014d];
• addition of TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-4, TW4-11, and TW4-21 to the chloroform pumping
system; and
• installation and testing of TW4-37, associated reporting (HGC, 2015), and inclusion in
the chloroform pumping system.
Wells TW4-28 through TW4-36 were installed (with the concurrence of DWMRC) to bound the
chloroform plume and to bound relatively isolated occurrences of elevated nitrate within and
near the chloroform plume (HGC 2014a). The addition of TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-4, TW4-11,
TW4-21 and TW4-37 to the chloroform pumping system was proactive as it preceded a formal
evaluation of reductions in well productivity and mass extraction rates submitted with the third
quarter 2015 Chloroform Monitoring report (EFRI, 2015d) under the final GCAP. The
productivity evaluation, included as Attachment N (Tab N), was also proactive as this type of
analysis is not required except as part of the CACME every two years.
Some of the specific work performed as of the fourth quarter of 2019 to comply with the final
GCAP includes:
• all required quarterly sampling, monitoring, quality control, pumping, and reporting
activities;
• graphical presentation of volumes pumped and masses removed from each pumping well.
• calculation of chloroform mass removed per quarter;
• calculation of residual chloroform plume mass per quarter;
• contouring of ‘chloroform greater than or equal to 70 µg/L’ grid file used in residual
chloroform plume mass calculations;
• submission of all required quarterly electronic data files (including the additional residual
plume mass calculation files;
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
19
• installation and testing of new compliance well TW4-38, new pumping well TW4-39,
and associated reporting (HGC, 2016b).
• installation and testing of new compliance well TW4-42, new pumping wells TW4-40
and TW4-41, and associated reporting (HGC, 2018b; HGC, 2019).
3.3 Summary of Key Findings and Interpretation of Results Since
December 31, 2012
Overall, quarterly monitoring indicates that the chloroform plume is completely bounded by the
existing monitoring network. Although increases and decreases in concentration occur within the
plume from quarter to quarter, since the fourth quarter of 2014, except for eastward (cross-
gradient) contraction near TW4-6 and southerly (downgradient) expansion near TW4-26, the
plume boundary has been relatively stable (Figure 6). The highest chloroform concentrations
have historically occurred in the vicinity of TW4-20, located immediately downgradient of the
former office leach field source (Figure 2). The historic maximum chloroform concentration
(61,000 µg/L) was detected at TW4-20 during the second quarter of 2006; as of the fourth
quarter of 2019, the chloroform concentration at TW4-20 was approximately 8,790 µg/L.
At the distal (southern) end of the plume, relatively stable chloroform at TW4-33 and generally
increasing concentrations at TW4-29 suggest that chloroform migration has been arrested at
TW4-33 by TW4-4 (and TW4-41) pumping and that increasing chloroform at downgradient well
TW4-29 results from a remnant of the plume that continues to migrate downgradient (toward
TW4-30, which bounds the plume to the east). Similarly, since 2016, increases in concentration
at TW4-26, located in the southern extremity of the plume, accompanied by continuing decreases
in concentration at TW4-6 (located immediately upgradient [north] of TW4-26), suggest that
chloroform at TW4-26 represents a remnant of the plume that continues to migrate downgradient
to the south.
Although chloroform at the southeastern extremity of the plume may temporarily continue to
migrate to the southeast, the southeastern extremity of the plume is nearly 1,200 feet from the
closest (eastern) property boundary (Figure 1B). As discussed in Section 3.1, site water level
data suggest that the plume is unlikely to reach the eastern property boundary as perched water
flow along the boundary to the east of the southeastern extremity of the plume appears to be
generally south-southwesterly and sub-parallel to the boundary (Figure 1B; HGC, 2014a). The
southern property boundary on the east side of the site is more than three miles to the south of
the plume and the nearest downgradient discharge point (Ruin Spring) is nearly two miles to the
south-southwest of the plume. Therefore, because of the large distance to the southern property
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
20
boundary, it is unlikely that any chloroform within the southern or southeastern extremities of
the plume will ever reach the southern property boundary.
3.3.1 Perched Groundwater Flow
The water level contours for the site (Figure 1B) indicate that perched water flow ranges from
generally southwesterly beneath the Mill site and tailings management system to generally
southerly along the eastern and western margins of White Mesa. Flow beneath the millsite and
tailings management system ranges from generally west-southwest to southwest and is
influenced by perched water discharge points Westwater Seep, located west to west-southwest of
the tailings management system, and Ruin Spring, located southwest of the tailings management
system. The overall southwesterly flow is locally influenced by seepage from the wildlife ponds.
Perched groundwater mounding associated with the wildlife ponds locally changes the generally
southwesterly perched water flow patterns. For example, northeast of the Mill site, relict
mounding associated with the two northern wildlife ponds results in locally north-northwesterly
flow near MW-19 and PIEZ-1. The impact of the mounding associated with the northern ponds,
to which water has not been delivered since March 2012, is diminishing and is expected to
continue to diminish as the associated northern mound decays due to reduced recharge.
Likewise, the impact of mounding associated with reduced water delivery to the southern
wildlife pond is diminishing and is expected to continue to diminish as the southern mound
decays due to reduced recharge. Since the first quarter of 2012, water levels have declined within
the northern mound by as much as 23 feet (at PIEZ-2), and within the southern mound by as
much as 21 feet (at PIEZ-5).
Flow within both the chloroform and nitrate plumes is influenced by the past water delivery to
the wildlife ponds. Under the influence of past water delivery to the northern wildlife ponds,
flow in the northwestern portion of the chloroform plume is generally southwesterly (the typical
pattern for the site) and in the southeastern portion of the plume, southerly. Flow in the southern
extremity of the plume is generally to the south and locally to the southeast. In addition, the
diminishing groundwater mound associated with the southern wildlife pond has changed
hydraulic gradients and contributed to downgradient expansion of the chloroform plume near
TW4-26. Continued decay of the southern mound is expected to result in more typical south-
southwesterly flow within the southern extremity of the plume. Furthermore, flow within both
the chloroform and nitrate plumes is locally influenced by chloroform pumping wells MW-4,
MW-26, TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-4, TW4-11, TW4-19, TW4-20, TW4-21, TW4-37, TW4-39,
TW4-40 and TW4-41; and nitrate pumping wells TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and TWN-2.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
21
Nitrate pumping wells TW4-22 and TW4-24 are within and at the boundary of the chloroform
plume, respectively.
Flow is also influenced by the permeability distribution. Hydraulic testing demonstrates that
wells TW4-14, TW4-27, and TW4-36 are located in materials that are one to three orders of
magnitude lower in hydraulic conductivity than surrounding materials. In addition, wells south
and southeast of TW4-4 that include TW4-6, TW4-26, TW4-29, TW4-30, TW4-31, TW4-33,
TW4-34, and TW4-35 are completed in materials having conductivities one to two orders of
magnitude lower than those penetrated by TW4-4. Water level responses to changing recharge
and pumping conditions are influenced by distance from pumping wells, distance from the
wildlife ponds, and permeability.
Overall, pumping and cessation of water delivery to the wildlife ponds has reduced saturated
thicknesses and hydraulic gradients within both the chloroform and nitrate plumes.
3.3.2 Purpose of Chloroform Pumping and Hydraulic Capture
The purpose of chloroform pumping is to reduce the chloroform mass within the perched zone as
rapidly as practical. This has been accomplished by pumping at upgradient locations having both
relatively high transmissivities (and productivities) and relatively high chloroform
concentrations. Although the entire plume is not within hydraulic capture, most of the area and
nearly all the plume mass are under capture, as will be discussed in Section 4.3. Perched water
containing chloroform has been removed by operating chloroform pumping wells MW-4 (since
the second quarter of 2003), MW-26 (since the third quarter of 2003), TW4-4 (since the first
quarter of 2010), TW4-19 (since the second quarter of 2003), TW4-20 (since the third quarter of
2005); and more recently by TW4-1, TW4-2, and TW4-11 (since the first quarter of 2015),
TW4-21 and TW4-37 (since the second quarter of 2015), TW4-39 (since the fourth quarter of
2016), TW4-41 (since the second quarter of 2018) and TW4-40 (since the second quarter of
2019).
TW4-40 is the most downgradient pumping well. Prior to installation and operation of TW4-40
and TW4-41, TW4-4 was the most downgradient well within the plume having sufficient
productivity to make pumping practical. As discussed in Section 2.1, TW4-40 is valuable
because it 1) is located within the downgradient (southern) toe of the plume and 2) is relatively
productive. Pumping of TW4-40 is likely to more effectively reduce or prevent further
downgradient plume migration than can be expected by pumping at the more upgradient
locations. However, pumping at TW4-4 and adjacent well TW4-41 augments the beneficial
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
22
impacts of pumping at TW4-40 by helping to reduce chloroform mass and rates of migration
within the southern portion of the plume.
Drawdown patterns and overall capture associated with pumping of the original chloroform
pumping wells MW-4, MW-26, and TW4-19 have changed as additional groups of wells have
been added to the pumping system. Relatively large capture zones became evident at MW-4,
MW-26, and TW4-19 as of the third quarter of 2003, and at TW4-20 as of the fourth quarter of
2005. A large expansion in capture occurred within a year of the initiation of pumping at nitrate
pumping wells TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and TWN-2 in the first quarter of 2013. Additional
large expansions occurred once chloroform pumping wells TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21
and TW4-37 became operational in 2015, and once TW4-39 became operational in the fourth
quarter of 2016. Significant expansion of capture to the south has resulted from pumping of
TW4-41 since the second quarter of 2018 and from pumping at TW4-40 since the second quarter
of 2019. As a result, chloroform detected in the vicinity of TW4-26 and TW4-40 appears to be
within the hydraulic capture zone of TW4-40.
Prior to operation of TW4-41, a well-defined capture zone was not evident at TW4-4. The lack
of a well-defined capture zone near TW4-4 likely resulted from its position at a transition from
relatively high to relatively low permeability conditions and, prior to the second quarter of 2018,
from the persistent relatively low water level at adjacent non-pumping well TW4-14 (Figure 1B).
Even though TW4-4 was pumping, prior to the second quarter of 2015, the water level at TW4-4
was typically more than 10 feet higher, and as of the first quarter of 2018, remained
approximately 5 feet higher, than the water level at TW4-14. Nevertheless, as discussed in
Section 2.4, water level and chloroform concentration behavior at TW4-6 (located immediately
downgradient of TW4-4) suggest it is under the hydraulic influence of TW4-4, but has also been
influenced by reduced wildlife pond recharge.
The beneficial impact of TW4-4 pumping is demonstrated by chloroform decreases in TW4-6
(Figure 4A) between startup in 2010 and the end of 2013. After 2013, the chloroform
concentration at TW4-6 again increased, most likely due to its position near the plume boundary,
reduced dilution from wildlife pond recharge, and more westerly flow induced by nitrate
pumping and decay of the southern mound. However, the subsequent downward trend in TW4-6
chloroform concentrations that coincided with the initiation of pumping at TW4-1, TW4-2 and
TW4-11 in the first quarter of 2015, has again taken TW4-6 outside the plume since the third
quarter of 2018 (Figures 4A and 4B).
Although concentrations at TW4-6 have been trending downward since the first quarter of 2015,
concentrations at TW4-26 have been generally increasing since the first quarter of 2016, and
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
23
have exceeded 70 µg/L since the second quarter of 2017 (Figure 4B). As discussed above, the
diminishing groundwater mound associated with the southern wildlife pond has changed
hydraulic gradients and contributed to downgradient expansion of the plume in the vicinity of
TW4-26. Pumping of TW4-40, and continued pumping of TW4-4 and adjacent well TW4-41 is
expected to slow or halt plume expansion in this area.
Although chloroform mass removal is enhanced by operation of nitrate pumping wells TW4-22
and TW4-24, nitrate pumping created temporary undesirable expansion of the chloroform plume
to the west, from the area of TW4-20 towards TW4-24, and to the west of TW4-16, by inducing
more westerly flow. However, capture associated with nitrate pumping wells has slowly
increased over time and enhanced chloroform capture as the impacts from former wildlife pond
recharge have dissipated. The relatively slow development of hydraulic capture associated with
nitrate pumping was expected based on the generally low permeability of the perched zone.
3.3.3 Impacts of Pumping Fluctuations and Typical Analytical Error
Water level fluctuations at pumping wells are typical and occur in part because of fluctuations in
pumping conditions. Pumps operate intermittently because low permeability prevents sufficient
water from entering wells for continuous pump operation. Although most pumping wells are
purposely situated at locations having relatively high permeability and saturated thickness
(yielding relatively high transmissivity), the transmissivities of the perched zone even in these
areas are low enough to limit average well productivities to at most a few gpm.
Fluctuations in chloroform concentrations at pumping wells and adjacent wells likely result in
part from changes in pumping conditions. These fluctuations impact plume residual mass
calculations from quarter to quarter. Through the conversion of additional non-pumping wells to
pumping wells in order to improve mass capture and control plume boundaries, the proportion of
pumping to non-pumping wells within the plume has increased, which may contribute to
unavoidable variability in the residual mass calculations. An additional significant source of
variability in the residual mass calculations is concentration fluctuations resulting from normal
sampling and analytical error. Sampling and analytical error typically result in concentration
fluctuations of +/- 20%, which could result in similar fluctuations in residual mass estimates
from quarter to quarter.
In addition, fluctuations in concentrations at wells located near plume boundaries are also
expected to result in quarter to quarter fluctuations in the locations of the plume boundaries and
the area of the plume.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
24
3.3.4 Impacts of Reduced Wildlife Pond Recharge and Nitrate Pumping
The two northern wildlife ponds are located upgradient of the chloroform and nitrate plumes.
Historic recharge from these unlined ponds generated a perched groundwater mound that acted
to increase hydraulic gradients within the plumes and facilitate downgradient migration.
Conversely, the recharge from these ponds acted to dilute constituent concentrations within both
plumes which helped to limit the areal extents of the plumes. As shown in Figure A.6, there was
almost no areal expansion of the chloroform plume between 2007 and 2011, largely the result of
pumping and dilution by chloroform-free wildlife pond recharge. Reduced dilution resulting
from reduced wildlife pond recharge was expected to increase chloroform (and nitrate)
concentrations as discussed in EFRI (2013d). These effects were expected to propagate generally
downgradient over time, and to potentially impact wells completed in higher permeability
materials prior to those completed in lower permeability materials. Therefore, wells completed in
higher permeability materials could be impacted sooner than those completed in lower
permeability materials even if those completed in lower permeability materials are closer to the
ponds.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2012, once water was no longer delivered to the two northern
ponds, the impacts of dilution were reduced as recharge diminished, and constituent
concentrations at many locations within both chloroform and nitrate plumes began to increase,
consistent with expectations. This resulted in areal expansion of the chloroform plume as
chloroform concentrations at wells that had been outside the plume for many years increased
sufficiently to bring the wells again within the plume (as discussed in Section 2.5). Examples of
wells that had been outside the plume for many years prior to the reduction in wildlife pond
recharge include TW4-6, TW4-8, and TW4-16.
TW4-6 was inside the plume between the third quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2010
and was reincorporated into the plume in the third quarter of 2014. As discussed above, since the
third quarter of 2018, TW4-6 is once again outside the plume due to increased pumping. Wells
TW4-8 and TW4-16 were inside the plume prior to the initiation of pumping at MW-4, MW-26,
and TW4-19 in 2003. TW4-8 was inside the plume prior to the first quarter of 2005, outside the
plume from the first quarter of 2005 through the fourth quarter of 2013, and was reincorporated
into the plume in the first quarter of 2014. TW4-16 was inside the plume prior to the fourth
quarter of 2005, was outside the plume from the fourth quarter of 2005 through the second
quarter of 2014, and was reincorporated into the plume by the third quarter of 2014. Since then,
TW4-16 has been both within and outside the plume, and is within the plume since the second
quarter of 2019.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
25
Although the reduction in wildlife pond recharge was expected to increase plume constituent
concentrations due to reduced dilution, the decay of the perched groundwater mound associated
with historic northern pond recharge was expected to decrease plume movement as hydraulic
gradients decreased. As discussed in Section 3.3.1, hydraulic gradients within the plume have
indeed been reduced. Decreases in saturated thicknesses at many wells and piezometers have
resulted primarily from cessation of wildlife pond water deliveries and perched mound decay. To
the extent that saturated thickness reduction results from dewatering of higher permeability
layers receiving low constituent concentration pond water, wells intercepting such layers are
expected to exhibit increases in dissolved constituent concentrations. These effects may be
especially evident at pumping wells. However, as discussed above, the net impact of reduced
wildlife pond recharge is expected to be beneficial, as temporary increases in chloroform
concentrations are judged less important than reduced chloroform migration rates.
Nitrate pumping initiation in the first quarter of 2013 has also impacted chloroform
concentrations and plume boundaries. As discussed in Section 2.5, nitrate pumping at TW4-22
and TW4-24 caused chloroform to migrate to the west from the vicinity of TW4-20, the well
having the highest chloroform concentrations historically. Chloroform concentrations at TW4-22
increased substantially and concentrations at TW4-24, which had historically been near the
detection limit, have increased sufficiently to bring it within the plume twice since nitrate
pumping began. As discussed above, past increases at TW4-6 and TW4-16 are also likely related
in part to more westerly hydraulic gradients resulting from initiation of nitrate pumping. Other
factors include reduced dilution and the proximity of these wells to the plume boundary.
Furthermore, reduced recharge at the southern wildlife pond (located south-southwest and
generally downgradient of the plume), and decay of the associated groundwater mound, has
changed hydraulic gradients within the southern extremity of the plume. Since the first quarter of
2016, this change likely contributed to the increase in chloroform concentrations at TW4-26,
and, since the second quarter of 2017, incorporation of TW4-26 within the plume.
3.3.5 Plume Boundary and Southeast Portion of Plume
The chloroform plume is entirely within the Mill property. The closest boundary is the eastern
property boundary, located nearly 1,200 feet from the southeastern extremity of the plume, as
shown in Figure 1B. The plume is completely surrounded by wells having chloroform
concentrations that are below 70 ug/L. The majority of the wells immediately surrounding the
plume are non-detect for chloroform.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
26
As of the second quarter of 2017, when downgradient well TW4-26 was first incorporated into
the plume, the plume was no longer bounded immediately to the south, although MW-22 and
MW-40 bounded the plume far to the south. TW4-40 (Figure 1A) was installed in the first
quarter of 2018 to bound the plume immediately to the south; and TW4-41 was installed adjacent
to TW4-4 to augment pumping from the relatively high permeability materials known to exist at
TW4-4. However, because chloroform at TW4-40 exceeded 70 ug/L, TW4-42 was installed
approximately 200 feet south of TW4-40 to serve as the new bounding compliance well.
Although current water level data suggest that the extreme southeastern tip of the plume is likely
to migrate to the east temporarily (from TW4-29 toward TW4-30), as discussed in Section 3.1,
site water level data also suggest that the plume is unlikely to reach the eastern property
boundary because perched water flow along the boundary to the east of the southeastern
extremity of the plume appears to be generally south-southwesterly and sub-parallel to the
boundary (Figure 1B; HGC, 2014a). The southern property boundary on the east side of the site
is more than three miles to the south of the plume and the nearest downgradient discharge point
(Ruin Spring) is nearly two miles to the south-southwest of the plume.
Easterly migration from TW4-29 toward TW4-30 is a consequence primarily of the permeability
distribution. Although chloroform exceeds 70 µg/L at TW4-29 (located south of TW4-27) and
TW4-33 (located between TW4-4 and TW4-29), as of the fourth quarter of 2019, chloroform
was detected at approximately 45 µg/L at well TW4-30 (located east and cross- to downgradient
of TW4-29), and was not detected at TW4-31 (located east of TW4-27), nor TW4-34 (located
south and cross-gradient of TW4-29), nor TW4-35 (located southeast and downgradient of TW4-
29). Although historic hydraulic gradients suggested that TW4-14 was almost directly
downgradient of TW4-4, the concentrations at TW4-29 and TW4-33 suggest that chloroform
migrated along a narrow path to the southeast from the vicinity of TW4-4 to TW4-33 then TW4-
29 in a direction nearly cross-gradient with respect to the expected direction of groundwater flow
in this area. Such migration was possible because prior to 2019, the water levels at TW4-29 were
consistently lower than the water levels at TW4-4 (and have remained lower than the water
levels at TW4-6). The hydraulic conductivities of TW4-29, TW4-30, TW4-31, TW4-33, and
TW4-34 are one to two orders of magnitude lower than the conductivity of TW4-4, and one to
two orders of magnitude higher than the conductivities of TW4-27 (and TW4-36). The
permeability and historic water level distributions are generally consistent with the apparent
nearly cross-gradient migration of chloroform from TW4-4 around the low permeability zone
defined by TW4-36, TW4-14, and TW4-27.
Although TW4-4 was impacted by the chloroform plume by 2001; TW4-14 appeared to be
almost directly downgradient of TW4-4; and, prior to 2018, relatively steep hydraulic gradients
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
27
existed from TW4-4 to TW4-14; chloroform was not detected at TW4-14 until the fourth quarter
of 2014. The slow rate of migration from TW4-4 to TW4-14 is a result of the low permeability
near TW4-14. The chloroform concentration at TW4-14 was approximately 4 µg/L as of the
fourth quarter of 2019.
Data from wells located near the southern extremity of the chloroform plume indicate that:
1. Chloroform exceeding 70 µg/L at TW4-29 is bounded by concentrations below 70 µg/L
at wells TW4-23, TW4-27, TW4-30, TW4-34, and TW4-35. TW4-23 is generally cross-
to upgradient of TW4-29; and TW4-27, TW4-30, TW4-34 and TW4-35 are generally
cross- to downgradient of TW4-29.
2. Chloroform concentrations at TW4-33 that are lower than concentrations at TW4-29, and
the likelihood that a pathway exists from TW4-4 to TW4-33 to TW4-29, suggest that
concentrations in the vicinity of TW4-33 were likely higher prior to initiation of TW4-4
pumping, and that lower concentrations currently detected at TW4-33 are due to its closer
proximity to TW4-4.
3. Chloroform concentrations at TW4-26 exceeded 70 µg/L for the first time in the second
quarter of 2017. Chloroform at TW4-26 is bounded by non-detectable concentrations at
TW4-23 (located up- to cross-gradient of TW4-26); at TW4-34 (located down- to cross-
gradient of TW4-26); and at TW4-42, located downgradient of TW4-26.
In addition, pumping at TW4-4, enhanced by pumping at TW4-41 (Figure 1A), is likely to
reduce chloroform at both TW4-33 and TW4-29 by cutting off the source. The decrease at TW4-
33 is expected to be faster than at TW4-29 because TW4-33 is in closer proximity to TW4-4
pumping. Such behavior is expected by analogy with the decreases in chloroform concentrations
that occurred at TW4-6 and TW4-26 once TW4-4 pumping began. Since installation in 2013,
however, concentrations at TW4-33 appear to be relatively stable; whereas, since the third
quarter of 2014, concentrations at TW4-29 are generally increasing. The relative stability at
TW4-33 may result from the dual impacts of reduced dilution from wildlife ponds and TW4-4
(and TW4-41) pumping. The increases at TW4-29 may be related to reduced dilution and its
greater distance from TW4-4. Relatively stable chloroform at TW4-33 and generally increasing
concentrations at TW4-29 likely indicate that chloroform migration has been arrested at TW4-33
by TW4-4 (and TW4-41) pumping and that increasing chloroform at TW4-29 results from a
remnant of the plume that continues to migrate downgradient (toward TW4-30, which bounds to
plume to the east).
Furthermore, the continuing reductions in concentration at TW4-6 suggest that, similar to TW4-
29, the increasing chloroform at downgradient well TW4-26 results from a remnant of the plume
that continues to migrate downgradient in the vicinity of TW4-26. Overall, pumping of TW4-4,
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
28
TW4-40 and TW4-41, and natural attenuation, are expected to reduce or halt downgradient
chloroform migration and to eventually lower chloroform concentrations at TW4-26, TW4-29
and TW4-33.
3.3.6 Pumping Well Productivity and Plume Control
The productivities of chloroform pumping well TW4-19 and nitrate pumping well TW4-24 have
decreased since the third quarter of 2014, reducing mass removal rates from these wells between
the third quarter of 2014 and second quarter of 2015. In addition, productivity at TW4-4 has
decreased since the third quarter of 2016.
Decreased productivity at TW4-19 and TW4-24 were addressed in Attachment N (Tab N) of the
third quarter, 2015 Chloroform Monitoring report (EFRI, 2015d). That analysis concluded that
chloroform pumping and associated hydraulic capture were nevertheless adequate at that time
primarily due to the doubling of the number of pumping wells during the first half of 2015. The
addition of pumping well TW4-39 during the fourth quarter of 2016 also helps mitigate the
impacts of reduced productivity at TW4-19 and TW4-24.
Reduced productivity at TW4-4 is likely in part related to reduced saturated thicknesses at that
location. Reduced productivity has been mitigated by the installation of new pumping well TW4-
41 adjacent to TW4-4 (Figure 1A). As discussed in Section 2.10, TW4-41 is constructed using a
6-inch diameter casing to improve productivity. Overall, data collected to date indicate that
pumping is sufficient and that sufficient pumping and non-pumping wells exist to effectively
define, control and monitor the plume.
A detailed discussion of well productivity is provided in Section 4.3.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
29
4. EVALUATION OF PUMPING SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS
Factors that are relevant to pumping system effectiveness are discussed in Sections 4.1 through
4.4. Section 4.1 discusses conditions that are in part impacted by pumping including trends in
chloroform plume area, pumped mass removal rates, concentrations, hydraulic gradients,
saturated thicknesses, and residual mass estimates. These conditions are also impacted by
reduced dilution resulting from reduced wildlife pond recharge which tends to increase
chloroform concentrations, plume area, and residual mass estimates. The goal of the pumping is
to stabilize or reduce chloroform plume area, chloroform concentrations, residual mass,
hydraulic gradients, and saturated thicknesses, while maintaining mass removal rates as high as
is practical.
Time-series perched water level and chloroform concentration graphs presented in Section 4.1
are focused on the immediate vicinity of the chloroform plume. Complete sets of time-series
water level graphs for all wells (pumping wells, performance monitoring wells, and compliance
monitoring wells), and time-series contaminant concentration graphs for all wells, are available
in the fourth quarter, 2019 Chloroform Monitoring report (EFRI, 2020).
Section 4.2 discusses hydraulic capture effectiveness. As will be discussed in Section 4.2,
approximately 90% of the plume area, and 99% of the plume mass are under hydraulic capture as
of the fourth quarter of 2019.
Section 4.3 discusses pumping well productivity. The productivities of chloroform pumping well
TW4-19 and nitrate pumping well TW4-24 declined after the third quarter of 2014. Although
productivity declines are partly due to reductions in transmissivities and interference between
pumping wells, reduced well efficiency may also contribute to reduced productivity. However,
the impact of reduced productivity at TW4-19 on chloroform mass removal was mitigated by
adding TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21, and TW4-37 to the pumping system in the first half
of 2015. The substantial increase in chloroform mass removal that subsequently occurred
indicates that adding these wells more than compensated for reduced TW4-19 productivity.
Since the third quarter of 2016, productivity at TW4-4 has also declined, in part due to reduced
saturated thicknesses (as will be discussed below). Operation of chloroform pumping well TW4-
41 (installed adjacent to TW4-4 in 2018) has mitigated the reduced productivity at TW4-4.
Furthermore, adding TW4-39, TW4-40 and TW4-41 to the chloroform pumping system since
2015 has helped to expand overall pumping system effectiveness. In particular, operation of
TW4-39 has helped shrink the plume boundary away from TW4-9 which is again outside the
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
30
plume. Operation of TW4-40 and TW4-41 has expanded hydraulic capture to the south, and
chloroform detected in the vicinity of TW4-26 and TW4-40 now appears to be within the
hydraulic capture zone of TW4-40.
Section 4.4 discusses natural attenuation of chloroform. Natural attenuation enhances the
effectiveness of the pumping system by independently reducing chloroform concentrations
within the plume.
4.1 Trends in Plume Area, Mass Removal Rates, Concentrations,
Hydraulic Gradients, Saturated Thicknesses, and Residual Mass
Table 1 summarizes chloroform plume area, mass removed by pumping, residual mass, and
average concentrations from the first quarter of 2012 through the fourth quarter of 2019. The first
quarter of 2012 (rather than the first quarter of 2013) was used as a starting point because water
delivery to the wildlife ponds ceased in the first quarter of 2012. As discussed previously, the
resulting reduction in chloroform-free seepage and dilution created substantial (but anticipated)
changes in the chloroform plume.
Over the final year covered by the first CACME (between the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2015
[HGC, 2016a]), the plume area was relatively stable and mass removal rates increased
substantially, while average concentrations within the plume and calculated residual masses
increased. As will be discussed in Section 4.2, the proportion of the plume area under hydraulic
capture also increased. Subsequently, over the last five years (between the fourth quarters of
2014 and 2019) the plume area maintained relative stability (increasing by less than 5%)
although average concentrations, mass removal rates, and calculated residual masses have
decreased. Average chloroform concentrations within the plume were calculated two ways; as
the average of the chloroform concentrations of all wells within the plume and as an area-
weighted average based on the gridded (kriged) concentration data. The estimates using the
gridded data are lower because they are a more accurate area-weighted representation of the data
and because they account for the plume margins in which concentrations depend on data from
wells both within and outside the plume.
Figure 5 compares first quarter 2012 and fourth quarter 2014 plume boundaries; Figure 6
compares fourth quarter 2014 and 2019 plume boundaries; Figure 7A compares graphs of plume
area and mass removed per quarter from the first quarter of 2012 through the fourth quarter of
2019; and Figure 8A compares graphs of plume area and average chloroform concentrations
(calculated as described above) within the plume from the first quarter of 2012 through the
fourth quarter of 2019. Figures 7B and 8B compare graphs of the same quantities as Figures 7A
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
31
and 8A, but over the time period beginning with implementation of the GCAP (third quarter
2015 through fourth quarter 2019). Figure 8C compares graphs of mass removed per quarter and
average concentrations within the plume from the third quarter of 2015 through the fourth
quarter of 2019.
As shown in Figure 5, between the first quarter of 2012 and fourth quarter of 2014, the plume
boundary expanded and the number of wells within the plume increased from 12 to 18 (Table 1).
As shown in Figure 6, between the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2019, the plume boundary was
relatively stable except for (cross-gradient) contraction in the vicinity of TW4-6 and southerly
(downgradient) expansion in the vicinity of TW4-26. The number of wells within the plume
increased from 18 to 21 (Table 1), the net result of: the installation of four new wells (TW4-37,
TW4-39, TW4-40 and TW4-41) within the plume; the incorporation of TW4-26 into the plume;
and plume shrinkage away from TW4-6 and TW4-9.
As indicated in Figure 7A, since the first quarter of 2012, the overall trend in both the plume area
and mass removal rates (pumped mass removed per quarter) is upward. However, the rate of
increase in plume area decreased substantially after the fourth quarter of 2014. In addition,
although the plume area was relatively stable during 2015, the mass removal rate more than
tripled. The increase in chloroform mass removal rate during 2015 resulted in large part from the
addition of the five new pumping wells, in particular TW4-37. The mass removal rate reached a
peak in the second quarter of 2016, correlating with a peak in average concentrations within the
plume (Table 1; Figures 8A and 8C).
Figure 7B shows that although the plume area was relatively stable between the third quarter of
2015 and fourth quarter of 2019, mass removal rates have trended downward. The downward
trend is attributable primarily to reductions in the average chloroform concentrations within the
plume as shown in Table 1 and Figure 8B. As concentrations decrease in pumping wells within
the plume, the mass removal rates also decrease (Figure 8C), even if pumping rates remain
relatively stable.
Although Figure 8A demonstrates that between the first quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of
2019 the plume area has an increasing trend overall, the average chloroform concentrations
within the plume have decreasing trends overall. Figure 8B shows that between the third quarter
of 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2019 the downward trends in average plume chloroform
concentrations are stronger, while the plume area is relatively stable.
Figures 9 and 10 graph chloroform concentrations at wells within the plume from the first
quarter of 2012 through the fourth quarter of 2019. Non-pumping wells are considered in Figure
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
32
9 and pumping wells in Figure 10. Included are wells that were inside the plume during more
than two quarters over this period (note that TW4-6 has been outside the plume since the third
quarter of 2018 and TW4-9 has been outside the plume since the second quarter of 2019).
As shown in Figure 9, concentrations are relatively stable at TW4-7, TW4-10 (since 2013), and
TW4-33, and variable at TW4-6, TW4-8, TW4-9, TW4-16, TW4-26 and TW4-29. Increases at
TW4-6, TW4-8, and TW4-16 during 2013 and 2014 resulted from lateral expansion of the plume
to re-encompass these wells during 2014. Increases at TW4-9 also resulted from lateral
expansion to re-incorporate this well during 2016. As discussed previously, these wells are likely
impacted by close proximity to the plume boundary and decreased dilution from reduced wildlife
pond recharge. The increases at TW4-6 and TW4-16 in 2013 and 2014 are also likely attributable
to more westerly flow induced by nitrate pumping. The general decrease at TW4-6 since mid-
2015 and at TW4-9 since early 2018 is attributable to increased pumping.
The general increase at TW4-29 and relatively stability at TW4-33; and increases at TW4-26 and
decreases at TW4-6; are consistent with continued downgradient migration of a remnant of the
plume. The downgradient expansion at TW4-26 likely results from changes in hydraulic
gradients caused by reduction of the groundwater mound associated with the southern wildlife
pond as discussed in Section 3.3.4.
As shown in Figure 10, concentrations at many of the pumping wells, in particular, at TW4-19
and TW4-39, are relatively variable. Concentrations at TW4-2 and TW4-11 were relatively
stable until pumping began in 2015; and concentrations at TW4-1 were relatively stable until
2017 (approximately two years after commencement of pumping). The highest concentrations
occur at TW4-20 and TW4-37. Concentrations at TW4-22 and TW4-24 (not included in Figure
10) increased substantially as a result of initiation of nitrate pumping in the first quarter of 2013,
as chloroform from the vicinity of TW4-20 was drawn to the west. TW4-24 was within the
plume during the first and third quarters of 2014, but has remained at the margin of, although
outside of, the chloroform plume since the third quarter of 2014.
The impacts of pumping and reduced wildlife pond recharge on water levels are illustrated in
Figure 11 and Figures 12A through 14B. Figure 11 is a contour map based on kriged water level
data showing the fourth quarter, 2019 chloroform plume boundary and water level changes
between the fourth quarter of 2012 (just prior to nitrate pumping) and the fourth quarter of 2019.
Changes in the southern extremity of the plume are not shown because wells TW4-29, TW4-33
and TW4-40 were installed after 2012, and data from this portion of the plume were therefore
not available for comparison. Figures 12A through 14B graph water levels and saturated
thicknesses at selected wells within and marginal to the plume between the first quarter of 2012
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
33
and the fourth quarter of 2019. Figures 12A and 12B graph water levels and saturated
thicknesses at non-pumping wells marginal to the plume; Figures 13A and 13B graph water
levels and saturated thicknesses at non-pumping wells within the plume; and Figures 14A and
14B graph water levels and saturated thicknesses at pumping wells within the plume. TW4-6 and
TW4-9 are included in Figures 13A and 13B although they are no longer within the plume.
As indicated in Figure 11, since the first quarter of 2012 nearly the entire area of the plume
experienced water level decreases. Based on the kriged water level data, the average decrease in
water level within the plume between the first quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2019 was
approximately 18 feet. As shown in Figure 12A, there were both increases and decreases in
water levels at non-pumping wells marginal to the plume, and as shown in Figure 13A, there
were net decreases in water levels at non-pumping wells within the plume, including wells TW4-
29 and TW4-33 which were installed after 2012. At wells marginal to the plume, larger
decreases occurred closer to the northern wildlife ponds (for example, at TW4-5 and TW4-18,
adjacent to the northern portion of the plume) in response to reduced wildlife pond recharge.
At non-pumping wells within and marginal to the southern extremity of the plume (for example
TW4-6, TW4-14, TW4-26, and TW4-27), water levels changes were generally smaller (Figures
12A and 13A). Net increases in water levels since 2012 at downgradient locations such as TW4-
14, TW4-27, and newer wells TW4-30 and TW4-31 are the result of past water delivery to the
wildlife ponds and the expansion of the associated groundwater mounds. Because of their greater
distance from the wildlife ponds these wells are generally expected to respond more slowly to
changes in pond recharge compared to wells closer to the ponds (such as TW4-18, close to the
northern ponds). In addition, water level responses at wells TW4-14, TW4-27, and TW4-36 are
expected to be delayed because of low permeability conditions, and responses at TW4-30 and
TW4-31 are expected to be delayed because of their relative hydraulic isolation from both the
two northern and the southern wildlife ponds.
Hydraulic testing and water level behavior (HGC, 2014a and HGC, 2014b) demonstrate that
wells TW4-14, TW4-27, and TW4-36 are located in materials that are one to three orders of
magnitude lower in conductivity than surrounding materials, In addition, wells south and
southeast of TW4-4 (that include TW4-6, TW4-26, TW4-29, TW4-30, TW4-31, TW4-33, TW4-
34, and TW4-35) are completed in materials having conductivities one to two orders of
magnitude lower than those penetrated by TW4-4. Eventually, water levels at downgradient
wells TW4-14, TW4-27, TW4-30 and TW4-31 are expected to trend downward in response to
reduced wildlife pond recharge as they ‘catch up’ with wells that are closer to the ponds, are
completed in higher permeability materials, or both.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
34
As shown in Figure 14A, water levels at pumping wells within the chloroform plume decreased
over the period, and were generally more variable than at non-pumping wells. Substantial water
level decreases occurred in wells TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, and TW4-21 as pumping was
initiated in the first and second quarters of 2015. As shown in Figure 13A, substantial water level
decreases also occurred in non-pumping wells TW4-7 and TW4-8 in response to initiation of
pumping at TW4-1, TW4-2, and TW4-11. Decreases in water levels at TW4-22 since the fourth
quarter of 2012 coincide with initiation of nitrate pumping in the first quarter of 2013.
Overall, between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2019, hydraulic gradients
within the chloroform plume decreased (Table 2). The average hydraulic gradient in the
southeastern portion of the plume can be approximated between non-pumping wells TW4-10 and
TW4-6 and between TW4-5 and TW4-27 by assuming straight flow paths between the
upgradient (TW4-10 and TW4-5) and downgradient wells (TW4-6 and TW4-27). Although
TW4-5 and TW4-27 are located just outside the plume, water level data are available for both
quarters.
Assuming straight flow paths will underestimate the actual lengths of the flow paths between
wells and result in overestimation of the gradients. However, this is considered acceptable for
comparison purposes. Assuming straight flow paths, between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the
fourth quarter of 2019, the average hydraulic gradient between TW4-10 and TW4-6 decreased
from approximately 0.029 ft/ft to 0.026 ft/ft, a reduction of 10%, and the hydraulic gradient
between TW4-5 and TW4-27 decreased from approximately 0.032 ft/ft to approximately 0.022
ft/ft, a reduction of 31%.
Likewise the hydraulic gradient within the northwestern portion of the plume can be estimated
between non-pumping wells TW4-5 and TW4-16. Between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the
fourth quarter of 2019, the hydraulic gradient in the northwestern portion of the plume decreased
from approximately 0.020 ft/ft to 0.014 ft/ft, a reduction of 30%.
Figure 15 displays percentage changes in saturated thickness within the chloroform plume
between the fourth quarter of 2012 (just prior to nitrate pumping) and the fourth quarter of 2019.
As with Figure 11, Figure 15 is based on kriged water level data. The average percentage
decrease in saturated thickness within the plume between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the
fourth quarter of 2019 is approximately 39%. Changes in the southern extremity of the plume are
not shown because wells TW4-29, TW4-33 and TW4-40 were installed after 2012 and data from
this portion of the plume are not available for comparison.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
35
As indicated in Figure 15 (and Figures 13B and 14B), saturated thicknesses between the fourth
quarters of 2012 and 2019 decreased throughout nearly the entire area of the plume. Relatively
large decreases in the central portion of the plume are primarily related to addition of pumping
wells TW4-1, TW4-2, and TW4-11. The screen of TW4-11 extends approximately 10 feet below
the top of the Brushy Basin Member which defines the base of the perched water zone. Pumping
of TW4-11 maintains the water level at or below the top of the Brushy Basin Member, which
yields a saturated thickness approximately equal to or less than zero, even though there may be
as much as approximately 10 feet of water in the screen. Similarly, as of the fourth quarter of
2019, water levels in TW4-1 and TW4-2 were below the top of the Brushy Basin Member.
The decreases in water levels and saturated thicknesses within the northern portion of the plume,
which is closest to the northern wildlife ponds, result primarily from cessation of water delivery
to the ponds in March, 2012. As discussed above, water level increases within and bordering the
southeastern extremity of the plume result from past wildlife pond recharge and expansion of the
associated perched groundwater mounds. Wells within this area that are completed within lower
permeability materials, or that are relatively isolated from the influence of the northern two
ponds and/or the southern pond by intervening lower permeability materials, have a delayed
response to changes in recharge from the ponds. Eventually, wells in the southeastern extremity
of the plume are expected to ‘catch up’ and begin to decrease. Decreases in saturated thicknesses
as of the second quarter of 2015 were discussed in Attachment N (Tab N) of the third quarter,
2015 Chloroform Monitoring report (EFRI 2015d).
In contrast to many wells located at the plume margins where water levels have increased since
2012 (Figure 12A), water levels decreased in all non-pumping wells within the plume (Figure
13A). Such behavior is consistent with the chloroform plume following higher permeability
zones that respond more rapidly to changes in pumping and wildlife pond recharge.
As shown in Figure 16A, since the first quarter of 2012, the overall trends in both calculated
chloroform residual mass and plume area are upward. However, both are relatively stable
between the fourth quarter of 2014 and third quarter of 2015, likely the result of adding TW4-1,
TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21, and TW4-37 to the pumping system. There is a general apparent
correlation between residual mass and plume area between the first quarter of 2012 and second
quarter of 2016 which suggests that expansions occurred in areas having both high
concentrations and large saturated thicknesses as well as areas having both low concentrations
and small saturated thicknesses (such as the southeast area). Should expansion have occurred
only in areas having relatively low concentrations and small saturated thicknesses, the impact on
calculated residual masses should also be small to negligible.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
36
Although the overall trends in both calculated chloroform residual mass and plume area are
upward, subsequent to the second quarter of 2016, the plume area remained relatively stable
while residual mass estimates trended downward. This feature is apparent in Figure 16B which
plots plume area and residual mass since implementation of the GCAP in the third quarter of
2015. The decrease in residual mass estimates over this period is attributable to the decreasing
trend in average chloroform concentrations within the plume as shown in Figure 8B and to
decreases in saturated thicknesses within the plume as shown in Figures 13B, 14B, and 15.
As with the calculated plume residual masses, since the first quarter of 2012, the overall trend in
chloroform mass removal rates is upward (Figure 17A). However, mass removal rates increased
substantially between the fourth quarter of 2014 and third quarter of 2015 (Table 1) even though
residual mass estimates were relatively stable over the same period. As discussed above, mass
removal rate increases over this period were substantially the result of adding pumping wells
TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21, and, in particular TW4-37.
As shown in Figure 17B, since the third quarter of 2015, however, both chloroform mass
removal rates and residual mass estimates are trending downward. As discussed above, residual
mass estimates are trending downward due to the decreasing trend in average chloroform
concentrations and saturated thicknesses within the plume. As concentrations decrease in
pumping wells within the plume, the mass removal rates also decrease (Figure 8C), even if
pumping rates remain relatively stable. The comparatively large decrease in mass removed since
the second quarter of 2019 correlates to a comparatively large decrease in average concentrations
within the plume, and especially to decreases in concentrations in pumping wells TW4-19 (from
approximately 11,500 µg/L to 551 µg/L), TW4-20 (from approximately 13,700 µg/L to 8,790
µg/L), and TW4-39 (from approximately 8,640 µg/L to 1,650 µg/L).
Figure 18 displays chloroform plume residual mass estimates since the first quarter of 2012,
chloroform concentrations from pumping wells MW-26, TW4-19, TW4-20, TW4-22, and TW4-
37, and the average chloroform concentration from these pumping wells. These wells are located
in the northwest portion of the plume. The general correlation between the mass estimates and
the concentrations in most of these wells indicates the substantial influence of these wells in
calculating the mass estimates.
Figure 19 displays residual chloroform plume mass estimates since the second quarter of 2006.
Prior to the first quarter of 2010, estimates are calculated annually rather than quarterly. As
shown, mass estimates were generally stable prior to 2012. Increases after the first quarter of
2012 are attributable to the impacts of reduced wildlife pond recharge (since the first quarter of
2012) and nitrate pumping (since the first quarter of 2013). Decreases subsequent to the peak in
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
37
the second quarter of 2016 result from reduced concentrations and saturated thicknesses within
the plume, attributable to pumping and natural attenuation.
4.2 Capture Effectiveness
As discussed in Section 2.2, chloroform pumping is designed to remove chloroform mass from
the plume as rapidly as practical by pumping in generally upgradient, more productive locations
that also have high chloroform concentrations. Until the installation of TW4-40, pumping in the
downgradient toe of the plume was impractical because no wells were completed in materials
having sufficient permeability and saturated thickness to make non-negligible extraction rates
possible. TW4-40 is valuable in that it is 1) located within the downgradient (southern) toe of the
plume and 2) is relatively productive. Pumping of TW4-40 is likely to more effectively reduce or
prevent further downgradient plume migration than can be expected by pumping at the more
upgradient locations.
Pumping at locations downgradient of the plume is not considered desirable. Even if productive
wells could be installed, such pumping would, at least temporarily, increase the rate of
downgradient plume migration.
Even before the operation of TW4-40, pumping resulted in hydraulic capture of a substantial
portion of the plume. Table 3 summarizes the calculated plume areas, masses, areas under
capture and masses under capture for the fourth quarters of 2012 through 2019. Figures 20
through 27 show the areas of the chloroform plume under hydraulic capture from the fourth
quarter of 2019 (Figure 20) to the fourth quarter of 2012 (Figure 27).
As of the fourth quarter of 2018, prior to operation of TW4-40, approximately 71% of the plume
area (Figure 21) and approximately 93% of the residual plume mass were under hydraulic
capture. As of the fourth quarter of 2019, subsequent to initiation of operation of TW4-40,
approximately 90% of the plume area (Figure 20) and approximately 99% of the residual plume
mass were under hydraulic capture, in part due to expansion of hydraulic capture to the south.
The area under hydraulic capture also expanded substantially after initiation of pumping at TW4-
1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21, and TW4-37 in the first half of 2015. Figures 24 and 25 show the
areas of the chloroform plume under hydraulic capture in the fourth quarter of 2015 and fourth
quarter of 2014, respectively. The area under capture increased by approximately 30% (from
approximately 27 acres to approximately 35 acres [Table 3]) between the fourth quarter of 2014
and fourth quarter of 2015. However, the increase in the proportion of total plume mass under
hydraulic capture did not change significantly and was approximately 90% in both cases. This is
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
38
a consequence of the concentration and saturated thickness distributions within the plume, and is
expected based on the historic focus of pumping those portions of the plume having both high
concentrations and large saturated thicknesses (and therefore large masses).
Figure 26 shows the area of the chloroform plume under hydraulic capture in the fourth quarter
of 2013 after three quarters of nitrate pumping were underway. The plume area expanded from
approximately 26 to 38 acres (46%) between the fourth quarters of 2012 and 2013 [Table 3] as a
result of both reduced wildlife pond recharge and nitrate pumping. Although in the fourth quarter
of 2013 only about 55% of the plume area was under capture, about 84% of the plume mass was
under capture.
Historically, the portions of the plume under hydraulic capture represented areas generally
having the highest concentrations and saturated thicknesses and therefore the majority of the
plume mass. That a relatively high proportion of the plume mass was under hydraulic capture
historically is consistent with conditions prior to the initiation of nitrate pumping. Figure 27
shows the portion of the chloroform plume under hydraulic capture in the fourth quarter of 2012,
just prior to the initiation of nitrate pumping. At that time approximately 73% of the plume area
was under capture (approximately 19 of the total 26 acres of the plume) yet approximately 93%
of the plume mass was under capture [Table 3].
4.3 Pumping Well Productivity
An analysis of chloroform pumping well productivity was presented in Attachment N (Tab N) of
the third quarter, 2015 Chloroform Monitoring Report (EFRI, 2015d). The analysis discussed the
impacts of reduced productivity at chloroform pumping well TW4-19 (and nitrate pumping well
TW4-24). Reductions in pumping rates at these wells (primarily TW4-19) caused rebounds in
water levels at nearby non-pumping wells TW4-5, TW4-9, TW4-10, TW4-16, and TW4-18.
Water level data through the second quarter of 2015 at these non-pumping wells were judged
sufficiently unaffected by the startup of new pumping wells TW4-1, TW4-2, and TW4-11 to
allow quantitative analysis of the water level changes that resulted from reduced pumping at
TW4-19 (and TW4-24).
The analysis presented below is a revised version of Attachment N. Some of the calculations
presented in Attachment N have been refined to be more representative of site conditions, and
additional supporting data is provided. Calculations are based on data collected through the
second quarter of 2015. Because of ongoing reductions in hydraulic gradients and saturated
thicknesses within the plume since 2015, calculated ‘background’ flows through the plume are
conservatively large with respect to current conditions, and therefore over-represent the actual
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
39
pumping needed for plume control. Figures and Tables from Attachment N are reproduced in
Appendix B as Figures B.1 through B.13 and Tables B.1 through B.4.
As shown in Figures B.1 and B.2 (Appendix B), pumping well productivities between the second
quarter of 2013 and fourth quarter of 2015 were relatively stable except for chloroform pumping
well TW4-19 and nitrate pumping well TW4-24. The productivities of TW4-19 and TW4-24
dropped after the third quarter of 2014. Temporary reductions in pumped chloroform and nitrate
masses from TW4-19 and TW4-24 between the third quarter of 2014 and second quarter of 2015
likely resulted from decreased pumping at these wells. Figures 28 and 29 indicate that
productivities of these wells have remained at reduced levels though the fourth quarter of 2019.
As per the GCAP and Nitrate CAP (HGC 2012), reductions in productivity of chloroform and
nitrate pumping wells requires an evaluation to determine the likely causes and, depending on
the results of the evaluation, a decision to either take no additional action, or to take action that
may include rehabilitation or replacement of the affected wells, or installation of additional
wells. Although under the final chloroform GCAP such an evaluation is only required as part of
the two-year review process (CACME), to be proactive, and due to chloroform and nitrate
pumping system overlap, the evaluation of both systems commenced prior to approval of the
final chloroform GCAP.
Lost productivity may result from several causes. Likely causes at the Mill include: interference
between relatively large numbers of closely spaced extraction wells; reductions in hydraulic
gradients resulting from reduced wildlife pond recharge; reduced transmissivities as saturated
thicknesses decline due to reduced wildlife pond recharge and increases in the number of
pumping wells; potentially lower average hydraulic conductivity related to saturated thickness
declines (that presumably have resulted in dewatering of relatively shallow zones of higher
permeability); and losses in well efficiency.
Reduced productivity at TW4-24 doesn’t significantly affect chloroform mass removal because
TW4-24 is primarily a nitrate pumping well and because of relatively low chloroform
concentrations.
The impact of reduced productivity at TW4-19 on total quarterly chloroform mass removal is
mitigated by factors that include: 1) reduced wildlife pond recharge that reduces non-pumping
‘background’ flow through the chloroform plume as a result of decreases in saturated
thicknesses, decreases in hydraulic gradients, and potentially lower average hydraulic
conductivities; 2) chloroform concentrations at TW4-19 are on average lower than
concentrations at nearby chloroform pumping wells; 3) the addition to the chloroform pumping
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
40
system of TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21, and TW4-37 during the first half of 2015; and 4)
the subsequent addition to the chloroform pumping system of TW4-39, TW4-40 and TW4-41.
Pumping these eight additional wells, in particular TW4-37, increased total chloroform pumping
and mass removal rates (as discussed above) and reduced the relative importance of TW4-19.
The addition of TW4-37 is particularly important because the average mass removal rate at
TW4-37 is higher than at TW4-19 both before and after the reduction in TW4-19 productivity.
Based on data provided Table G.2 of EFRI (2020), between startup of TW4-37 in the second
quarter of 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2019, the approximately 222 lbs. of chloroform
removed by TW4-37 is more than double the 87 lbs. removed by TW4-19. Furthermore, the 87
lb. removed by TW4-19 over the nearly five year TW4-37 operational period is only slightly
smaller than the mass of chloroform removed by TW4-19 over the same length of time prior to
the loss in productivity. From the first quarter of 2010 through the third quarter of 2014, before
the reduction in productivity, approximately 90 lbs. of chloroform was removed by TW4-19,
only slightly more than the 87 lbs. removed after the reduction in productivity.
Figures 30A and 30B compare chloroform mass removal rates at TW4-19 and total chloroform
mass removal rates. The downward trends since the third quarter of 2015 (Figure 30B) primarily
result from generally reduced concentrations.
Furthermore, because of continued reductions in saturated thicknesses and hydraulic gradients
resulting from reduced wildlife pond recharge, ‘background’ flows through both chloroform and
nitrate plumes are expected to continue to diminish, thereby reducing the pumping needed to
control both plumes.
As discussed above, the impact of reduced productivity at TW4-19 is mitigated by the beneficial
impacts of adding eight wells to the chloroform pumping system since the beginning of 2015, in
particular TW4-37, which reduced the relative importance of TW4-19. Therefore no additional
action regarding reduced productivity at TW4-19 is considered necessary at this time.
As shown in Figure 28, productivity at TW4-4 since the third quarter of 2016 has also dropped.
Reduced productivity at TW4-4 is likely related in part to reduced saturated thicknesses at this
location. In response to increased chloroform concentrations at TW4-26, and reduced
productivity at TW4-4, new pumping well TW4-41 was installed during February, 2018 (Figure
1A) in accordance with EFRI (2017e). Operation of TW4-41 has not only mitigated the impact
of reduced productivity at TW4-4, it has resulted in the development of a well-defined capture
zone in the vicinity of TW4-4 and contributed to an increase in hydraulic capture in the southern
portion of the plume.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
41
4.3.1 Comparison of Pumping and Flow through the Chloroform Plume Over Time
Reduced productivity at TW4-19 is likely the result of four factors other than potential losses in
well efficiency: 1) smaller hydraulic gradients related to reduced wildlife pond recharge; 2)
smaller saturated thicknesses, also related to reduced wildlife pond recharge; 3) smaller average
hydraulic conductivities (presumably as a result of dewatering relatively shallow zones of higher
permeability); and 4) interference between pumping wells. ‘Background’ flow through the
chloroform plume will be affected by the first three factors because it is meant to represent the
condition that would arise in the absence of pumping.
The pre-chloroform pumping hydraulic gradient within the chloroform plume can be calculated
using water levels at wells TW4-5 and TW4-16 and wells TW4-10 and TW4-6. The pair TW4-
5/TW4-16 can be used to represent the hydraulic gradient within the northwestern portion of the
plume and the pair TW4-10/TW4-6 can be used to represent the hydraulic gradient within the
southeastern portion of the plume. Using these well pairs also allows representative comparison
to current gradients because these wells have not been pumped. As discussed in Section 4.1,
because straight flow paths are assumed between upgradient and downgradient wells, the
calculated hydraulic gradients are likely overestimated.
Using the above well pairs, and water level data from September 2002 (Figure B.3), a pre-
pumping hydraulic gradient of approximately 0.022 ft/ft is calculated for the northwestern
portion of the plume and a pre-pumping hydraulic gradient of approximately 0.039 ft/ft is
calculated for the southeastern portion of the plume. As of the second quarter of 2015, the
hydraulic gradient within the northwestern portion of the plume was approximately 0.017 ft/ft (a
23% reduction), and within the southeastern portion of the plume approximately 0.026 ft/ft (a
33% reduction). Hydraulic gradient calculations are summarized in Table B.1.
The hydraulic gradient within the chloroform plume has been reduced by decay of the
groundwater mound resulting from cessation of water delivery to the northern wildlife ponds and
by pumping. Reliable separation of these effects within much of the chloroform plume is
problematic because pumping of the plume has been underway for more than 12 years. However,
pre-pumping flow through the plume based on pre-pumping gradients and saturated thicknesses
can be compared with the pumping during the 2003 7-month long pumping test (HGC, 2004).
Representative hydraulic conductivities within and adjacent to the northwestern and southeastern
portions of the plume are provided in Table B.2. The geometric average hydraulic conductivity
for the northwest portion of the plume is calculated as 0.52 feet per day (ft/day), and for the
southeastern portion of the plume as 0.20 ft/day. Data used in the calculations are based on the
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
42
results of the 7-month long pumping test (HGC, 2004) and on slug tests performed at individual
wells. Estimates provided in Table B.2 assumed unconfined conditions to be compatible with the
use of the full saturated thicknesses in the flow calculations. In addition, the result of the analysis
of well MW-4A based on early-time data was used because it yielded a conservatively large
conductivity (0.32 ft/day compared to 0.15 ft/day) Slug test results for wells TW4-4, TW4-20
through TW4-22, and TW4-33 are based on analysis of automatically logged data using the KGS
solution provided in AQTESOLVE (HydroSOLVE, 2000).
For the northwestern portion of the plume, assuming that the average hydraulic conductivity was
0.52 ft/day, the pre-pumping plume width was approximately 1,200 feet (northern cross-section
in Figure B.3), the hydraulic gradient was approximately 0.022 ft/ft, and the saturated thickness
was approximately 65 feet (based on September 2002 data from wells TW4-5, TW4-9, TW4-10,
TW4-16, TW4-18, and TW4-19) a pre-pumping flow of approximately 4.6 gpm is calculated.
For the southeastern portion of the plume, assuming that the average hydraulic conductivity is
0.20 ft/day, the pre-pumping plume width was approximately 600 feet (southern cross-section in
Figure B.3), the hydraulic gradient was approximately 0.039 ft/ft, and the saturated thickness
was approximately 29 feet (based on September 2002 data from wells TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-6,
TW4-7, TW4-8, and TW4-11) a pre-pumping flow of approximately 0.71 gpm is calculated. The
total pre-pumping flow through the plume was therefore approximately 5.3 gpm. During the 7-
month long pumping test, the average pumping within the plume was approximately 6.4 gpm
(from wells MW-4, MW-26 [TW4-15], and TW4-19). Therefore, pumping within the plume was
approximately 1.1 gpm (21%) higher than the calculated total pre-pumping flow. Because
calculated pre-pumping flow through the plume was likely overestimated due to overestimation
of hydraulic gradients, pumping may have exceeded pre-pumping flow by more than 1.1 gpm.
Saturated thicknesses within the chloroform plume have declined since pumping began in 2003.
Changes between 2002 and 2015 can be estimated using data from wells within and adjacent to
the plume that were installed prior to 2003 but were not been pumped until 2015. Up to the
fourth quarter of 2014 (the last quarter prior to addition of wells TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, and
TW4-21 to the pumping system), wells TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-5, TW4-6, TW4-7, TW4-8, TW4-
9, TW4-10, TW4-11, TW4-16, and TW4-18 meet these criteria. Changes in saturated thickness
within and adjacent to the northwest portion of the plume can be estimated using data from wells
TW4-5, TW4-9, TW4-10, TW4-16, and TW4-18, and changes in the southeast portion of the
plume can be estimated using data from wells TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-6, TW4-7, TW4-8, and
TW4-11.
Using data from the above listed wells, between September 2002 and the fourth quarter of 2014,
the reduction in saturated thickness in the northwestern portion of the chloroform plume is
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
43
approximately 11% Conversely, the saturated thickness in the southeastern portion of the plume
increased by approximately 12% over this time period. These results are summarized in
Table B.3
As discussed above, the potential exists for average hydraulic conductivity to change as a result
of reductions in saturated thickness. An assessment of the potential change in transmissivity
(product of saturated thickness and hydraulic conductivity) was performed based on changes in
water levels in non-pumping observation wells TW4-5, TW4-9, TW4-10, TW4-16, and TW4-18
that resulted from reduced pumping at TW4-19 (and TW4-24). Water levels at these wells
(measured monthly since the first quarter of 2013 as part of the nitrate program) clearly
responded to the reductions in pumping at TW4-19 (and TW4-24). As shown in Figures B.4
through B.8, the downward trends in water levels in these wells were halted or reversed once
pumping was reduced. These same wells responded to pumping of TW4-19 during the 2003 7-
month long pumping test. By superposition, the reduced pumping at TW4-19 (and TW4-24) can
be simulated as injection of water at these locations at rates equivalent to the decreases in rates of
pumping at these locations.
Water level changes (displacements) at non-pumping observation wells in response to reduced
pumping were calculated by de-trending the water level data at wells TW4-5, TW4-9, TW4-10,
TW4-16, and TW4-18 to eliminate water level reductions attributable primarily to reduced
wildlife pond recharge. The de-trended data were analyzed as an equivalent injection test using
the well hydraulics interpretation software WHIP (HGC, 1998). The previous use of WHIP at the
Mill is described in HGC (2002). WHIP was chosen for the analysis because it is designed to
interpret both pumping and injection tests.
Figures B.9 through B.13 provide the results and the fits between measured and simulated
displacements at observation wells TW4-5, TW4-9, TW4-10, TW4-16, and TW4-18.
Transmissivity estimates are similar, but lower, than estimates derived from the 7-month long
pumping test (HGC, 2004). The reduction in transmissivity appears to be primarily related to
reduced saturated thickness; however, as shown in Table B.4, compared to the year 2003
analysis, the transmissivity is reduced on average by approximately 27% whereas the average
saturated thickness (representing at each observation well the average of the saturated
thicknesses at pumping well TW4-19 and the observation well) is reduced on average by only
about 20%. This implies a reduction in average conductivity of approximately 9%.
Assuming that the following changes occurred in the northwestern portion of the chloroform
plume between September 2002 and the second quarter of 2015: the conductivity was reduced by
9%; the hydraulic gradient was reduced by 23%; and the saturated thickness was reduced by
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
44
11%; the ‘background’ flow through the plume would be approximately 62% of its initial value.
As of the second quarter of 2015, these changes imply a reduced ‘background’ flow of
approximately 2.9 gpm, which is approximately 37% lower than the pre-pumping calculated
flow of 4.6 gpm. For the southeastern portion of the plume, assuming no change in hydraulic
conductivity, a reduction in hydraulic gradient of 33%, and an increase in saturated thickness of
approximately 12%, a new ‘background’ flow of approximately 0.53 gpm is calculated. The total
‘background’ flow through the plume as of the second quarter of 2015 is therefore approximately
3.4 gpm. As with the pre-pumping flow calculation, because of the assumption of straight flow
paths in calculating hydraulic gradients, the new ‘background’ flow is likely overestimated.
Total chloroform pumping is assumed to include pumping from all chloroform pumping wells
and pumping from nitrate pumping wells TW4-22 and TW4-24. Total pumping from the
chloroform plume from the third quarter of 2014 through the fourth quarter of 2019 has exceeded
the new ‘background’ flow estimate of 3.4 gpm each quarter except the first quarter of 2015.
Temporarily reduced pumping during the first quarter of 2015 resulted in part from down time
related to upgrading discharge lines to accommodate the addition of wells TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-
11, TW4-21, and TW4-37 to the pumping system. Since the third quarter of 2015, total pumping
(from wells MW-4, MW-26, TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-4, TW4-11, TW4-19, TW4-20, TW4-21,
TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-37 and [since the fourth quarter of 2016] TW4-39) exceeded the new
‘background’ flow by between approximately 0.9 and 2.5 gpm (averaging 1.8 gpm), indicating
that pumping is likely adequate even with reduced productivity at TW4-19.
Furthermore, as discussed in Section 4.1, hydraulic gradients and saturated thicknesses within
the plume have continued to decrease since 2015. The ongoing decreases in hydraulic gradients
and saturated thicknesses reduce the ‘background’ flow through the plume and consequently
reduce the rate of pumping needed to control the plume. Therefore, pumping since 2015 likely
exceeds the actual ‘background’ flow on average by more than 1.8 gpm.
4.3.2 Evaluation of Interference between Pumping Wells
Closely spaced pumping wells will ‘interfere’ with one another as they ‘compete’ for
groundwater. This ‘interference’ reduces the productivities of the individual wells. While adding
wells will likely increase total pumping, a point will be reached where the gains are negligible.
Reduced productivity at individual wells results in part from reduced saturated thicknesses as
overall pumping increases with the addition of wells. Addition of wells also creates stagnation
points between wells; by superposition, an effective no-flow boundary is created between
pumping wells. Because of the effective creation of a no-flow boundary between pumping wells,
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
45
rectangular grids of wells or triangular patterns of wells may be undesirable. The creation of
effective no-flow boundaries increases the rates of drawdowns at individual wells as well as the
rates of reductions in saturated thicknesses within pumped areas; both reduce individual well
productivities.
A quantitative analysis of interference within the chloroform and nitrate pumping systems is
considered unnecessary at this time; both chloroform and nitrate pumping appear adequate even
with reduced productivity at TW4-4, TW4-19 and TW4-24. Reduced chloroform pumping at
TW4-19 was mitigated by the addition of TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21, TW4-37 and
TW4-39 to the chloroform pumping system in 2015 and 2016. Operation of pumping well TW4-
41 has mitigated reduced pumping at TW4-4; and the addition of both TW4-40 and TW4-41 has
resulted in significant expansion of pumping system capture to the south, apparently
incorporating chloroform detected in the vicinity of TW4-26 and TW4-40.
4.4 Natural Attenuation
Natural attenuation processes that include dilution, hydrodynamic dispersion, volatilization, and
biodegradation enhance the effectiveness of the pumping system by reducing chloroform
concentrations within and at the margins of the plume. Calculations of chloroform
biodegradation rates based on daughter product concentrations using a first order decay model
were provided in the PCAP (HGC, 2007a). These calculations (reproduced in Appendix C)
indicated that chloroform concentrations everywhere within the plume were expected to be
reduced to the action level of 70 µg/L within less than 200 years solely by natural attenuation
(including biodegradation), without taking into consideration any pumping.
In addition to the calculations provided in the PCAP, Appendix C provides updated calculations
based on chloroform and daughter product concentrations over the period covering the first
quarter of 2013 through the third quarter of 2019. These calculations are based on concentrations
of chloroform and methylene chloride in wells within and marginal to the plume that had at least
one detection of both chloroform and methylene chloride within the same sample. Data from
wells MW-26, TW4-14, TW4-20, TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-37 and TW4-39 met these criteria.
The largest data set was derived from MW-26 (sampled both quarterly and monthly), which had
detectable and reportable chloroform and methylene chloride concentrations during 108
sampling events. TW4-20 met these criteria 10 consecutive times from the first quarter of 2013
through the second quarter of 2015; once during the first quarter of 2016; and twice during the
first and second quarters of 2018. TW4-37 met these criteria 5 consecutive times from the second
quarter of 2015 through the second quarter of 2016. TW4-14 met these criteria during each
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
46
quarter of 2016. TW4-39 met these criteria during the first through third quarters of 2017.
Finally TW4-22 and TW4-24 each met these criteria once during the first quarter of 2014.
Using the same approach described in the PCAP, rates of chloroform degradation were
calculated for each well. Because MW-26 had the most methylene chloride detections, and
because the average quarterly chloroform concentration at MW-26 since 2012 (approximately
1,825 µg/L) was similar to the average chloroform concentration within the plume
(approximately 1,523 µg/L based on gridded quarterly concentration data and approximately
3,180 µg/L based on the average quarterly concentrations at wells within the plume), calculations
using MW-26 data are likely to be the most reliable and representative. However, to be
conservative, calculations using data from all wells having both chloroform and methylene
chloride detections are provided.
Based on the rates calculated for each well (Table C.1), the geometric average first order
degradation rate is 1.02 x 10-4/day implying that approximately 67,723 days or 186 years would
be required for a three order of magnitude reduction in concentration, which would lower the
highest measured chloroform concentration during 2019 (16,200 µg/L) to 16.2 µg/L. To reduce
the highest 2019 concentration of 16,200 µg/L to the GCAL of 70 µg/L would take
approximately 53,375 days or 146 years, even in the absence of pumping.
Furthermore, direct mass removal by pumping, dilution, volatilization, and hydrodynamic
dispersion are expected to independently reduce concentrations and plume remediation times.
Calculated remediation times are therefore conservative and likely underestimate actual
concentration reduction rates, overestimate plume remediation times in the absence of pumping,
and significantly overestimate plume remediation times considering the beneficial impacts of
pumping.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
47
5. EFFECTIVENESS OF GCAP IN PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
Actions carried out under the PCAP and the final GCAP have maintained control of the
chloroform plume, and have been consistent with the objectives specified in Part I of the final
GCAP to “permanently restore groundwater quality in all pumping wells and performance
monitoring wells completed in the White Mesa shallow aquifer for all contaminants of concern
in accordance with the Ground Water Corrective Action Objectives”.
Continued implementation of the GCAP is expected to reduce COC concentrations to levels at or
below the GCALs specified in Table 2 of the GCAP. As chloroform concentrations are reduced
to the chloroform GCAL (70 µg/L), concentrations of other COCs associated with the
chloroform plume are also expected to be reduced to their respective GCALs.
Control of the chloroform plume, and the eventual reduction of chloroform concentrations to
levels at or below the GCAL, are supported by the following:
1. The plume is currently bounded by nineteen compliance wells having concentrations that
are below the GCAL of 70 µg/L: seventeen of these wells are specified in Table 1A of
the GCAP and TW4-38 and TW4-42 are new compliance wells installed since
implementation of the GCAP. Twelve of these nineteen bounding wells are non-detect
for chloroform as of the fourth quarter of 2019. The twelve non-detect wells are MW-32,
TW4-3, TW4-12, TW4-13, TW4-23, TW4-25, TW4-28, TW4-34, TW4-35, TW4-36,
TW4-38 and TW4-42.
2. TW4-42 bounds the plume immediately to the south. TW4-40 was installed once
concentrations at TW4-26 exceeded 70 µg/L for two consecutive quarters; likewise,
TW4-42 was installed once concentrations at TW4-40 exceeded 70 µg/L for two
consecutive quarters. TW4-40 has been converted to a pumping well. The plume is
bounded far to the south by MW-22 and MW-40 (both non-detect for chloroform).
3. The plume is nearly 1,200 feet from the closest (eastern) property boundary (as of the
fourth quarter of 2019), and perched water flow is sub-parallel to that boundary.
4. Both saturated thicknesses and hydraulic gradients within the plume have diminished.
Since 2012, decreases in saturated thickness average approximately 39%; and decreases
in hydraulic gradients range between approximately 10% and 31%.
5. The plume boundary has been relatively stable since 2014 except for easterly (cross-
gradient) contraction near TW4-6 and southerly (downgradient) expansion in the vicinity
of TW4-26. Between the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2019 the plume area increased by
less than 5%; between the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2019 the plume area increased by
only 2%.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
48
6. Average chloroform concentrations within the plume and residual mass estimates have
trended downward since inception of the GCAP in the third quarter of 2015. The
downward trend in residual mass estimates results from reductions in both average
concentrations and saturated thicknesses.
7. Approximately 99% of the plume mass and 90% of the plume area are under hydraulic
capture as of the fourth quarter of 2019. These values have increased by approximately
14% and 26%, respectively since the fourth quarter of 2017.
8. The area of the plume under hydraulic capture increased by 30% between the fourth
quarters of 2014 and 2015 due to the addition of pumping wells TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-
11, TW4-21, and TW4-37 during the first half of 2015.
9. Pumping exceeds calculated total flow through the plume, indicating that pumping is
adequate. Chloroform pumping since 2015 has exceeded the conservatively large
calculated ‘background flow’ through the plume (3.4 gpm) by between approximately 0.9
gpm and 2.5 gpm (26% to 74%), or on average 1.8 gpm (53%).
10. Although the productivities of TW4-19 and nitrate pumping well TW4-24 have
diminished since the third quarter of 2014, total chloroform mass removal rates more than
tripled between the third quarter of 2014 (10.2 lbs/quarter) and fourth quarter of 2015
(32.3 lbs/quarter), primarily the result of adding TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-11, TW4-21, and
TW4-37 to the pumping system. In addition, 5-year average TW4-19 chloroform mass
removal rates are similar before and after the loss in productivity (Section 4.3).
Furthermore, since 2015, the pumping system has been additionally augmented by
pumping TW4-39, TW4-40 and TW4-41.
11. Reductions in productivity at TW4-4 have been addressed by operation of pumping well
TW4-41 since the second quarter of 2018. Pumping of TW4-41 and TW4-40 (since the
second quarter of 2019) has expanded hydraulic capture to the south. Chloroform
detected in the vicinity of TW4-26 and TW4-40 now appears to be within the hydraulic
capture zone of TW4-40.
12. TW4-40 is particularly valuable because it is located within the downgradient (southern)
toe of the plume and is relatively productive. Pumping of TW4-40 is likely to more
effectively reduce or prevent further downgradient plume migration than can be expected
by pumping at the more upgradient locations.
13. The decreasing trend in pumped mass removal rate since inception of the GCAP (third
quarter of 2015) results primarily from decreases in average chloroform concentrations
within the plume. As concentrations decrease in pumping wells within the plume, the
mass removal rates also decrease, even if pumping rates remain relatively stable.
14. Calculations of natural degradation of chloroform (based on daughter product
concentrations as discussed in Appendix C) indicate that a three order of magnitude
reduction in chloroform concentration will take approximately 67,723 days or 186 years.
To reduce the highest 2019 concentration of 16,200 µg/L to the GCAL of 70 µg/L would
take approximately 53,375 days or 146 years, even in the absence of pumping.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
49
As discussed above, the plume boundary is nearly 1,200 feet from the nearest (eastern) property
boundary, and perched water flow appears to be sub-parallel to that boundary, making it unlikely
that chloroform would migrate across that boundary. Regardless, GCAP procedures are in place
to ensure that the plume will not reach a property boundary (in particular, the eastern property
boundary). In addition, although the plume has expanded and concentrations at many wells at
least temporarily increased (as anticipated) after cessation of water delivery to the northern
wildlife ponds and initiation of nitrate pumping, the highest concentration detected during 2019
(16,200 µg/L) is less than one-third of the historic maximum of approximately 61,000 µg/L (at
TW4-20 during the second quarter of 2006). Furthermore, as discussed above, natural
attenuation calculations provided in Appendix C and HGC (2007a) suggest that all chloroform
concentrations will be below the GCAL within less than 200 years (and in as short a time as 146
years), not taking into account the effects of any pumping. Therefore, the GCAP is considered
effective in protecting public health and the environment.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
50
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
51
6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Actions taken by the Mill in response to regulatory requirements include cessation of water
delivery to the northern wildlife ponds in the first quarter of 2012 and the initiation of nitrate
pumping in the first quarter of 2013. The northern wildlife ponds are located immediately
upgradient of the chloroform and nitrate plumes at the site. The above two actions have changed
perched groundwater flow dynamics, thereby impacting chloroform concentrations and
chloroform plume boundaries.
Chloroform pumping since 2003, reduced wildlife pond recharge since 2012, and nitrate
pumping since 2013 have reduced hydraulic gradients and saturated thicknesses, and
consequently the rate of groundwater flow through the chloroform plume. Because the rate of
groundwater flow through the plume has been reduced, the rate of groundwater pumping needed
to control the plume has been reduced.
Between the fourth quarters of 2012 and 2019, the calculated hydraulic gradient within the
northwestern portion of the plume, between non-pumping wells TW4-5 and TW4-16, decreased
from approximately 0.020 ft/ft to 0.014 ft/ft, a reduction of 30%. Likewise, the calculated
hydraulic gradients within the southeastern portion of the plume decreased: the calculated
hydraulic gradient between non-pumping wells TW4-10 and TW4-6 decreased from
approximately 0.029 ft/ft to 0.026 ft/ft, a reduction of 10%; and the calculated hydraulic gradient
between TW4-5 and TW4-27 (both adjacent to the plume) decreased from approximately 0.032
ft/ft to approximately 0.022 ft/ft, a reduction of 31%. Based on kriged water level data, the
average percentage decrease in saturated thickness within the plume between the fourth quarters
of 2012 and 2019 is approximately 39%.
Since 2012, although recharge has been reduced, water levels in many wells marginal to the
chloroform plume are increasing to stable, while water levels in all wells within the plume are
decreasing. This behavior is consistent with the chloroform plume following higher permeability
zones that respond more rapidly to chloroform pumping and changes in wildlife pond recharge.
The number of chloroform pumping wells doubled (from five to ten) during the first half of
2015. Doubling the number of chloroform pumping wells more than tripled the short-term rate of
chloroform mass removal from approximately 10.2 lbs/quarter in the third quarter of 2014 to
32.3 lbs/quarter by the fourth quarter of 2015. Since 2015, the chloroform pumping system has
continued to expand through the addition of TW4-39, TW4-40 and TW4-41. Chloroform
pumping since 2015 has exceeded the conservatively large calculated ‘background flow’ through
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
52
the plume (3.4 gpm) by between approximately 0.9 gpm and 2.5 gpm (26% to 74%), or on
average 1.8 gpm (53%), indicating that pumping is adequate.
Since implementation of the GCAP in the third quarter of 2015, chloroform plume residual mass
estimates have trended downward. The decrease in residual mass estimates is a consequence of
decreases in average concentrations and reduced saturated thicknesses within the plume.
In addition, since implementation of the GCAP, pumped mass removal rates have trended
downward. Decreasing mass removal rates are attributable primarily to the reduced
concentrations within the plume. As concentrations decrease in pumping wells within the plume,
the pumped mass removal rates also decrease, even if pumping rates remain relatively stable.
The chloroform plume boundary expanded between the first quarter of 2012 and fourth quarter
of 2014 as a result of reduced dilution (caused by reduced wildlife pond recharge since the first
quarter of 2012) and nitrate pumping since the first quarter of 2013. Operation of nitrate
pumping wells TW4-22 and TW4-24 in particular caused westerly migration of chloroform from
the vicinity of TW4-20 and westerly expansion of the plume boundary. However, expansion was
nearly halted by the fourth quarter of 2014. Plume boundaries were relatively stable between the
fourth quarters of 2014 and 2015.
Since 2014 the increase in plume area is less than 5% and plume boundaries have remained
relatively stable except for eastward (cross-gradient) contraction near TW4-6 and southerly
(downgradient) expansion in the vicinity of TW4-26. The contraction near TW4-6 is attributable
to pumping at TW4-4 enhanced by pumping at adjacent well TW4-41. The downgradient
expansion near TW4-26 is attributable primarily to changes in hydraulic gradients resulting from
decay of the groundwater mound associated with the southern wildlife pond.
Doubling the number of chloroform pumping wells during 2015 also expanded the area of the
plume under hydraulic capture by approximately 30%. As of the fourth quarter of 2015,
approximately 74% of the plume area and approximately 89% of the residual plume mass were
under hydraulic capture. Although the area under capture increased by approximately 30% (from
approximately 27 acres to approximately 35 acres) between the fourth quarters of 2014 and
2015, the increase in the proportion of total plume mass under hydraulic capture did not change
significantly and remained at approximately 90%. This is a consequence of the concentration and
saturated thickness distributions within the plume, and is expected based on the historic focus of
pumping those portions of the plume having both high concentrations and large saturated
thicknesses (and therefore large masses).
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
53
Additional expansion of capture since 2015 has resulted from adding TW4-39, TW4-40 and
TW4-41 to the pumping system. As of the fourth quarter of 2019, approximately 90% of the
plume area and approximately 99% of the plume mass are under capture. Total pumping from
the chloroform plume as of the fourth quarter of 2019 (including pumping from nitrate pumping
wells TW4-22 and TW4-24, located within and at the margin of the chloroform plume,
respectively) has more than doubled since the end of 2012, increasing from approximately 2.8
gpm to approximately 5.9 gpm.
The chloroform plume is completely bounded by nineteen compliance wells having
concentrations that are below the GCAL of 70 µg/L: seventeen of these wells are specified in
Table 1A of the GCAP and TW4-38 and TW4-42 are new compliance wells installed since
implementation of the GCAP. Twelve of these nineteen bounding wells are non-detect for
chloroform as of the fourth quarter of 2019. The twelve non-detect wells are MW-32, TW4-3,
TW4-12, TW4-13, TW4-23, TW4-25, TW4-28, TW4-34, TW4-35, TW4-36, TW4-38 and TW4-
42. The plume is also nearly 1,200 feet from the closest (eastern) property boundary (as of the
fourth quarter of 2019), and because perched water flow is approximately parallel to that
boundary, any chloroform encroaching on that boundary is unlikely to cross the boundary.
The southern portion of the plume is bounded immediately to the south by TW4-42, and far to
the south by MW-22 and MW-40 (all non-detect for chloroform). TW4-40 was installed once
concentrations at TW4-26 exceeded 70 µg/L for two consecutive quarters; likewise, TW4-42
was installed once concentrations at TW4-40 exceeded 70 µg/L for two consecutive quarters.
TW4-40 has been converted to a pumping well.
At the southeast extremity of the plume, relatively stable chloroform at TW4-33 and generally
increasing concentrations at TW4-29 suggest that chloroform migration has been arrested at
TW4-33 by TW4-4 (and TW4-41) pumping and that increasing chloroform at downgradient well
TW4-29 results from a remnant of the plume that continues to migrate downgradient (toward
TW4-30, which bounds to plume to the east). Likewise, decreasing concentrations at TW4-6
since the first quarter of 2015 and increasing concentrations at TW4-26 since the first quarter of
2016 suggest that chloroform migration has been arrested at TW4-6 by TW4-4 (and TW4-41)
pumping and that increasing chloroform at downgradient well TW4-26 results from a remnant of
the plume that continues to migrate downgradient to the south.
TW4-40 began pumping during the second quarter of 2019. TW4-40 is particularly valuable
because it is located within the downgradient (southern) toe of the plume, south of TW4-26, and
is relatively productive. Pumping of TW4-40 is likely to more effectively reduce or prevent
further downgradient plume migration than can be expected by pumping at the more upgradient
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
54
locations. Chloroform detected in the vicinity of TW4-26 and TW4-40 now appears to be within
the hydraulic capture zone of TW4-40.
Based on the above factors, and as discussed in Section 5, the chloroform plume is under control
and the GCAP has been effective in protecting public health and the environment. In particular,
current pumping system effectiveness is demonstrated by 1) the slowing to near halting of plume
boundary expansion attributable to reduced dilution from reduced wildlife pond recharge and
redistribution of chloroform resulting from nitrate pumping; and 2) maintaining a large
proportion of the plume mass under hydraulic capture (approximately 99% as of the fourth
quarter of 2019). Furthermore, natural attenuation calculations provided in Appendix C and HGC
(2007a) suggest that all chloroform concentrations will be below the GCAL within less than 200
years, not taking into account the effects of any pumping. Specifically, based on Appendix C
calculations, reducing the highest 2019 chloroform concentration of 16,200 µg/L to the GCAL of
70 µg/L would take approximately 53,375 days or 146 years.
Therefore, continued implementation of the GCAP and the current pumping system is
recommended.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
55
7. REFERENCES
Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. (EFRI). 2013a. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform
Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action
Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 1st Quarter (January through March) 2013. June
1, 2013.
EFRI. 2013b. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
2nd Quarter (April through June) 2013. September 1, 2013.
EFRI. 2013c. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
3rd Quarter (July through September) 2013. December 1, 2013.
EFRI. 2013d. White Mesa Uranium Mill Nitrate Monitoring Report, State of Utah Stipulated
Consent Agreement, January 2009, Docket No. UGW09-03, 3rd Quarter (July through
September) 2013. December 1, 2013.
EFRI. 2014a. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 4th
Quarter (October through December) 2013. March 1, 2014.
EFRI. 2014b. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 1st
Quarter (January through March) 2014. June 1, 2014.
EFRI. 2014c. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
2nd Quarter (April through June) 2014. September 1, 2014.
EFRI. 2014d. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
3rd Quarter (July through September) 2014. December 1, 2014.
EFRI. 2015a. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 4th
Quarter (October through December) 2014. March 1, 2015.
EFRI. 2015b. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 1st
Quarter (January through March) 2015. June 1, 2015.
EFRI. 2015c. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
2nd Quarter (April through June) 2015. September 1, 2015.
EFRI. 2015d. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
3rd Quarter (July through September) 2015. December 1, 2015.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
56
EFRI. 2016. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 4th
Quarter (October through December) 2015. March 1, 2016.
EFRI. 2016b. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 1st
Quarter (January through March) 2016. June 1, 2016.
EFRI. 2016c. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
2nd Quarter (April through June) 2016. September 1, 2016.
EFRI. 2016d. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
3rd Quarter (July through September) 2016. December 1, 2016.
EFRI. 2017. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 4th
Quarter (October through December) 2016. March 1, 2017.
EFRI. 2017b. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 1st
Quarter (January through March) 2017. June 1, 2017.
EFRI. 2017c. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
2nd Quarter (April through June) 2017. September 1, 2017.
EFRI. 2017d. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
3rd Quarter (July through September) 2017. December 1, 2017.
EFRI. 2017e. Plan and Time Schedule Under Part II.H.2 For Exceedances in TW4-26 in the
Third Quarter of 2017. January 10, 2018.
EFRI. 2018a. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 4th
Quarter (October through December) 2017. March 1, 2018.
EFRI. 2018b. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 1st
Quarter (January through March) 2018. June 1, 2018.
EFRI. 2018c. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
2nd Quarter (April through June) 2018. September 1, 2018.
EFRI. 2018d. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
3rd Quarter (July through September) 2018. December 1, 2018.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
57
EFRI. 2019a. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 4th
Quarter (October through December) 2018. March 1, 2019.
EFRI. 2019b. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 1st
Quarter (January through March) 2019. June 1, 2019.
EFRI. 2019c. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
2nd Quarter (April through June) 2019. September 1, 2019.
EFRI. 2019d. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01,
3rd Quarter (July through September) 2019. December 1, 2019.
EFRI. 2020. White Mesa Uranium Mill Chloroform Monitoring Report, State of Utah Notice of
Violation and Groundwater Corrective Action Order UDEQ Docket No. UGW-20-01, 4th
Quarter (October through December) 2019. March 1, 2020.
Hydro Geo Chem, Inc. (HGC). 1988. WHIP. Well Hydraulics Interpretation Program, Version
3.22, User’s Manual. July, 1988
HGC. 2002. Hydraulic Testing at the White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding, Utah During
July 2002. Submitted to International Uranium Corporation. August 22, 2002
HGC. 2004. Final Report. Long Term Pumping at MW-4, TW4-10, and TW4-15. White Mesa
Uranium Mill Near Blanding, Utah. May 26, 2004.
HGC. 2007a. Preliminary Corrective Action Plan. White Mesa Uranium Mill Site Near
Blanding, Utah. August 20, 2007.
HGC. 2007b. Preliminary Contamination Investigation Report. White Mesa Uranium Mill Site
Near Blanding, Utah. November 20, 2007.
HGC. 2010. Hydraulic Testing of TW4-4, TW4-6, and TW4-26. White Mesa Uranium Mill. July
2010. September 20, 2010.
HGC. 2011a. Redevelopment of Existing Perched Monitoring Wells. White Mesa Uranium Mill
Near Blanding, Utah. September 30, 2011
HGC. 2011b. Installation, Hydraulic Testing, and Perched Zone Hydrogeology of Perched
Monitoring Well TW4-27. White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding Utah. November
28, 2011.
HGC. 2012. Corrective Action Plan for Nitrate. White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding, Utah.
May 7, 2012
HGC. 2013a. Installation and Hydraulic Testing of Perched Monitoring Wells TW4-28 through
TW4-31. White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding Utah. April 30, 2013.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
58
HGC. 2013b. Installation and Hydraulic Testing of Perched Monitoring Wells TW4-32 through
TW4-34. White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding Utah.As Built Report. October 30,
2013.
HGC. 2014a. Contamination Investigation Report. TW4-12 and TW4-27 Areas. White Mesa
Uranium Mill Near Blanding, Utah. January 23, 2014.
HGC. 2014b Installation and Hydraulic Testing of Perched Monitoring Wells TW4-35 and TW4-
36. White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding Utah. As Built Report. July 1, 2014.
HGC. 2015. Installation and Hydraulic Testing of Perched Monitoring Well TW4-37. White
Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding Utah. As Built Report. May 12, 2015.
HGC, 2016a. Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation (CACME) Report,
White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding, Utah. March 31, 2016.
HGC. 2016b. Installation and Hydraulic Testing of Perched Monitoring Wells TW4-38 and
TW4-39. White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding Utah. As Built Report. December 8,
2016.
HGC, 2018a. Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation (CACME) Report,
White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding, Utah. March 31, 2018.
HGC. 2018b. Installation and Hydraulic Testing of Perched Monitoring Wells TW4-40 and
TW4-41. White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding Utah. As Built Report. April 10,
2018.
HGC. 2018c. Hydrogeology of the White Mesa Uranium Mill and Recommended Locations of
New Perched Wells to Monitor Proposed Cells 5A and 5B. July 11, 2018.
HGC. 2019. Installation and Hydraulic Testing of Perched Monitoring Well TW4-42. White
Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding Utah. As Built Report. June 11, 2019.
HydroSOLVE, Inc. 2000. AQTESOLVE for Windows. User=s Guide.
Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Solid Waste and Radiation Control,
2015. Letter to Mr David Frydenlund, Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.
September 16, 2015.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
59
8. LIMITATIONS
The information and conclusions presented in this report are based upon the scope of services
and information obtained through the performance of the services, as agreed upon by HGC and
the party for whom this report was originally prepared. Results of any investigations, tests, or
findings presented in this report apply solely to conditions existing at the time HGC’s
investigative work was performed and are inherently based on and limited to the available data
and the extent of the investigation activities. No representation, warranty, or guarantee, express
or implied, is intended or given. HGC makes no representation as to the accuracy or
completeness of any information provided by other parties not under contract to HGC to the
extent that HGC relied upon that information. This report is expressly for the sole and exclusive
use of the party for whom this report was originally prepared and for the particular purpose that
it was intended. Reuse of this report, or any portion thereof, for other than its intended purpose,
or if modified, or if used by third parties, shall be at the sole risk of the user.
Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation Report
White Mesa Uranium Mill, Near Blanding, Utah
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\Final CACME March 2020.doc
March 30, 2020
60
TABLES
TABLE 1
Plume Area, Mass Removed/Quarter,Residual Mass, and Average Concentration,
First Quarter 2012 through Fourth Quarter 2019
Number Plume Total Mass Residual
1Average 2Average
of Plume Area Removed/Quarter Plume Mass Chloroform Chloroform
Quarter Wells (m2) (lb) (lb) Concentration (ug/L) Concentration (ug/L)
Q1 2012 12 1.01E+05 10.6 492 1946 843
Q2 2012 12 9.59E+04 10.4 623 3884 1125
Q3 2012 12 1.09E+05 6.6 640 2195 1000
Q4 2012 12 1.07E+05 7.2 649 2598 1029
Q1 2013 12 1.20E+05 13.7 1373 3755 1784
Q2 2013 13 1.24E+05 13.5 1480 3993 1920
Q3 2013 13 1.41E+05 31.1 1858 4464 2125
Q4 2013 14 1.54E+05 10.3 1206 3060 1390
Q1 2014 16 1.59E+05 8.6 1321 2749 1477
Q2 2014 15 1.62E+05 9.9 1334 3152 1518
Q3 2014 18 1.88E+05 10.2 1416 2175 1330
Q4 2014 18 1.89E+05 14.6 1677 2990 1632
Q1 2015 17 1.93E+05 9.9 1638 3047 1549
Q2 2015 17 1.77E+05 15.3 1670 4273 1661
Q3 2015 18 1.86E+05 33.4 1712 3541 1576
Q4 2015 18 1.91E+05 32.3 1869 3767 1756
Q1 2016 18 1.86E+05 30.6 1946 3843 1847
Q2 2016 19 2.00E+05 39.4 2261 4599 2012
Q3 2016 18 1.87E+05 24.7 1717 3766 1757
Q4 2016 20 1.89E+05 25.6 1704 3301 1652
Q1 2017 19 1.87E+05 27.2 1271 3602 1535
Q2 2017 20 1.92E+05 19.6 1372 2935 1339
Q3 2017 21 2.00E+05 28.5 1948 3834 1794
Q4 2017 21 1.94E+05 16.9 884 2153 948
Q1 2018 22 2.05E+05 18.0 1271 2432 1234
Q2 2018 22 2.04E+05 20.1 1271 2484 1318
Q3 2018 21 1.99E+05 17.6 1208 2511 1231
Q4 2018 21 1.96E+05 20.8 1107 2546 1289
Q1 2019 21 1.86E+05 16.2 833 2307 1093
Q2 2019 21 1.98E+05 26.2 1408 3316 1632
Q3 2019 21 1.97E+05 18.3 1050 2390 1251
Q4 2019 21 1.98E+05 13.0 770 2043 992
Notes:
1 = average of concentrations in wells within plume
2 = average plume concentrations based on gridded data (weighted average)
lb = pounds
ug/L = micrograms per liter
m2 = square meters
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: Table 1
TABLE 2
Hydraulic Gradients
Within Chloroform Plume
4th Quarters of 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019
Q4 2012 Q4 2015 Q4 2017 Q4 2019
Well Water Level Water Level Water Level Water Level
(ft amsl) (ft amsl) (ft amsl) (ft amsl)
TW4-5 5583.9 5576.3 5573.5 5570.7
TW4-6 5538.7 5537.4 5534.5 5531.7
TW4-10 5577.8 5572.4 5569.4 5566.8
TW4-16 5563.8 5560.8 5558.5 5556.9
TW4-27 5524.9 5527.9 5528.9 5529.1
approximate approximate approximate
distance (ft)distance (ft)distance (ft)
TW4-10 to TW4-6 TW4-5 to TW4-27 TW4-5 to TW4-16
1365 1855 990
Q4 2012 hydraulic Q4 2012 hydraulic Q4 2012 hydraulic
gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)
TW4-10 to TW4-6 TW4-5 to TW4-27 TW4-5 to TW4-16
0.029 0.032 0.020
Q4 2015 hydraulic Q4 2015 hydraulic Q4 2015 hydraulic
gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)
TW4-10 to TW4-6 TW4-5 to TW4-27 TW4-5 to TW4-16
0.026 0.026 0.016
Q4 2017 hydraulic Q4 2017 hydraulic Q4 2017 hydraulic
gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)
TW4-10 to TW4-6 TW4-5 to TW4-27 TW4-5 to TW4-16
0.026 0.024 0.015
Q4 2019 hydraulic Q4 2019 hydraulic Q4 2019 hydraulic
gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)
TW4-10 to TW4-6 TW4-5 to TW4-27 TW4-5 to TW4-16
0.026 0.022 0.014
Notes:
ft amsl = feet above mean sea level
ft/ft = feet per foot
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: Table 2
TABLE 3
Plume Areas and Masses Under Capture
Fourth Quarters of 2012 Through 2019
Plume Residual Plume Area Chloroform Mass Percentage Mass
Area Plume Mass Under Capture Under Capture Under Capture
Quarter (acres) (lbs) (acres) (lbs) (%)
Q4 2012 26 649 19 602 93
Q4 2013 38 1206 21 1009 84
Q4 2014 47 1677 27 1507 90
Q4 2015 47 1869 35 1672 89
Q4 2016 47 1704 34 1432 84
Q4 2017 48 884 35 766 87
Q4 2018 48 1107 34 1031 93
Q4 2019 49 770 44 764 99
Notes:
lbs = pounds
% = percent
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: Table 3
FIGURES
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
1 mile
WHITE MESA
Mill Site
CORRAL CANYON
CORRAL SPRINGS
COTTONWOOD
ENTRANCE SPRING
RUIN SPRING
WESTWATER
Cell 1
Cell 2
Cell 3
Cell 4A
Cell 4B
MW-01
MW-02
MW-3A
MW-11
MW-14MW-15
MW-17
MW-18
MW-19
MW-20
MW-21
MW-22
MW-23
MW-24
MW-25
MW-27
MW-28
MW-29
MW-30
MW-31
MW-32
MW-33
MW-34MW-37
MW-38
MW-39
MW-40
TW4-01
TW4-03
TW4-34
TWN-01
TWN-02
TWN-03
TWN-04
TWN-05
TWN-06
TWN-07
TWN-08
TWN-09
TWN-10
TWN-11 TWN-12
TWN-13
TWN-14
TWN-15
TWN-16
TWN-17
TWN-18
TWN-19
PIEZ-01
PIEZ-02
PIEZ-3A
PIEZ-04
PIEZ-05
TW4-05
TW4-12
TW4-13
TW4-31
TW4-32
MW-12
TW4-11TW4-16
TW4-18
TW4-27
MW-26
MW-35
MW-36
TW4-04
TW4-07
TW4-09
TW4-19
TW4-21
TW4-24
TW4-25
TW4-26
TW4-40
TW4-06
TW4-42
TW4-02
TW4-08
MW-04
MW-05
TW4-22
TW4-23
TW4-20
TW4-28
TW4-29
TW4-30
TW4-10
TW4-33
TW4-35
TW4-36
TW4-41TW4-14
DR-05 DR-06 DR-07
DR-08
DR-09
DR-10 DR-11 DR-12 DR-13
DR-14 DR-15
DR-17
DR-19 DR-20 DR-21
DR-22
DR-23
DR-24
TW4-37 TW4-38
TW4-39
MW-24A
abandoned abandoned
abandoned
abandoned
abandoned abandoned
abandoned
abandoned abandoned
wildlife pond
wildlife pond
wildlife pond
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
seep or spring
WHITE MESA SITE PLAN SHOWING LOCATIONS OF
PERCHED WELLS AND PIEZOMETERS
H:/718000/aug19/Uwelloc1219.srf
MW-5
PIEZ-1
RUIN SPRING
temporary perched monitoring well
temporary perched nitrate monitoring
well
TW4-12
TWN-7
TW4-19 perched chloroform or
nitrate pumping well
MW-38 perched monitoring well installed
February 2018
TW4-40 perched chloroform pumping well
installed February 2018
temporary perched monitoring well
installed April 2019
TW4-42
MW-24A perched monitoring well installed
December 2019 (note: no quarterly
data collected until Q1 2020)
1A
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
1 mile
WHITE MESA
Mill Site
CORRAL CANYON
CORRAL SPRINGS
COTTONWOOD
ENTRANCE SPRING
RUIN SPRING
WESTWATER
Cell 1
Cell 2
Cell 3
Cell 4A
Cell 4B
5390
5390
5400
5400
5410
5420
5430
5440
5 4 4 0
5450
5 4 5 0
5460
5 4 6 0
5470
5470
5480
5490
5
4
9
0
5500
5510
5520
5525
5530
5540
55 5 0
5 5 6 0
5 5 7 0
5 5 8 0
55 8 5
5588
5590
5600
5
6
1
0
MW-01
MW-02
MW-3A
MW-11
MW-14MW-15
MW-17
MW-18
MW-19
MW-20
MW-21
MW-22
MW-23
MW-24
MW-25
MW-27
MW-28
MW-29
MW-30
MW-31
MW-32
MW-33
MW-34MW-37
MW-38
MW-39
MW-40
TW4-01
TW4-03
TW4-34
TWN-01
TWN-02
TWN-03
TWN-04
TWN-05
TWN-06
TWN-07
TWN-08
TWN-09
TWN-10
TWN-11 TWN-12
TWN-13
TWN-14
TWN-15
TWN-16
TWN-17
TWN-18
TWN-19
PIEZ-01
PIEZ-02
PIEZ-3A
PIEZ-04
PIEZ-05
TW4-05
TW4-12
TW4-13
TW4-31
TW4-32
MW-12
TW4-11TW4-16
TW4-18
TW4-27
MW-26
MW-35
MW-36
TW4-04
TW4-07
TW4-09
TW4-19
TW4-21
TW4-24
TW4-25
TW4-26
TW4-40
TW4-06
TW4-42
TW4-02
TW4-08
MW-04
MW-05
TW4-22
TW4-23
TW4-20
TW4-28
TW4-29
TW4-30
TW4-10
TW4-33
TW4-35
TW4-36
TW4-41TW4-14
DR-05 DR-06 DR-07
DR-08
DR-09
DR-10 DR-11 DR-12 DR-13
DR-14 DR-15
DR-17
DR-19 DR-20 DR-21
DR-22
DR-23
DR-24
TW4-37 TW4-38
TW4-39
abandoned abandoned
abandoned
abandoned
abandoned abandoned
abandoned
abandoned abandoned
wildlife pond
wildlife pond
wildlife pond
Eastern Property Boundary
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
seep or spring H:/718000/71801/maps
cacme2020/UwlChlNt1219.srf
MW-5
PIEZ-1
RUIN SPRING
temporary perched monitoring well
temporary perched nitrate monitoring
well
TW4-12
TWN-7
TW4-19 perched chloroform or
nitrate pumping well
MW-38 perched monitoring well installed
February 2018
TW4-40 perched chloroform pumping well
installed February 2018
temporary perched monitoring well
installed April 2019
TW4-42
1B
WHITE MESA SITE PLAN SHOWING 4th QUARTER 2019
PERCHED WATER LEVELS AND
CHLOROFORM AND NITRATE PLUMES
5500
4th quarter 2019 water level
contour and label in feet amsl
4th quarter 2019 nitrate plume
4th quarter 2019 chloroform plume
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
5
2
0
5525
5530
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 05555
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 5
5 5 8 0
5 5 8 5
3
5
3 5
7 0
7 0
2
5
0
2 5 0
5
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
perched monitoring well
temporary perched monitoring well
MW-32
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
kriged chloroform isocon
and label (ug/L)70
2
temporary perched monitoring well
installed February, 2018
temporary perched monitoring well
installed April, 2019
5550 kriged perched water level (feet amsl)
abandoned scale house
leach field source
former office leach field source
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2019 CHLOROFORM
CONCENTRATIONS, PERCHED WATER LEVELS,
AND CHLOROFORM SOURCE AREAS
WHITE MESA SITE
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5525
5530
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 0
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 5
5 5 8 0
5 5 8 5
70
7
0
2
5
0
5
0
0
1000
2
0
0
0
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well
temporary perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
MW-32
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2019 CHLOROFORM
CONCENTRATIONS, PERCHED WATER LEVELS,
AND SATURATED THICKNESSES
WHITE MESA SITE
kriged chloroform isocon (ug/L)70
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2020/maps/Uchlsat4Q19.srf 3A
5550 kriged perched water level (feet amsl)1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
saturated thickness (feet)
perched pumping well
MW-4
TW4-40 temporary perched monitoring well
installed February, 2018
TW4-42 temporary perched monitoring well
installed April, 2019
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5525
5530
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 0
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 5
5 5 8 0
5 5 8 5
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well
temporary perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
MW-32
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
kriged chloroform plume boundary
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2020/maps/Uchlmass4Q19.srf 3B
5550 kriged perched water level (feet amsl)
chloroform mass (lb) per grid cell
perched pumping well
MW-4
TW4-40 temporary perched monitoring well
installed February, 2018
TW4-42 temporary perched monitoring well
installed April, 2019 KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2019
CHLOROFORM MASS DISTRIBUTION
AND PERCHED WATER LEVELS
WHITE MESA SITE
grid cell for mass calculation
0.03125 0.0625 0.125
0.25
0.5
1 2 5 10 15
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\F4_tw6chl_4Q19.xls: Fig 4A
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1/1/2002 1/1/2004 1/1/2006 1/1/2008 1/1/2010 1/1/2012 1/1/2014 1/1/2016 1/1/2018 1/1/2020
co
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
(
µ
g
/
L
)
date
TW4-6
TW4-4 pumping
additional pumping wells
CHLOROFORM CONCENTRATIONS AT
TW4-6
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDateFile Name
SJS 4AF4_tw6chl.xlsSJS
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\F4_tw6chl_4Q19.xls: Fig 4B
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1/1/2012 1/1/2013 1/1/2014 1/1/2015 1/1/2016 1/1/2017 1/1/2018 1/1/2019 1/1/2020
co
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
(
µ
g
/
L
)
date
TW4-6
TW4-26
additional pumping wells
CHLOROFORM CONCENTRATIONS AT
TW4-6 AND TW4-26 SINCE THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDateFile Name
SJS 4BF4_tw6chl.xlsSJS
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well
temporary perched monitoring well
temporary perched nitrate monitoring
well
perched piezometer
temporary perched monitoring well
installed May, 2014
MW-4
TW4-7
TWN-1
PIEZ-1
TW4-36
hand drawn Q1 2012
chloroform isocon
kriged Q4 2014 chloroform
plume boundary
kriged Q1 2012 chloroform
plume boundary
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2020/maps/chlcomp_12_14.srf
COMPARISON OF KRIGED 4th QUARTER 2014
AND 1st QUARTER 2012 CHLOROFORM PLUMES
WHITE MESA SITE
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
EXPLANATION
temporary perched monitoring well
temporary perched nitrate monitoring
well
perched piezometer
TW4-7
TWN-1
PIEZ-1
6
perched monitoring well
MW-32
MW-38
COMPARISON OF KRIGED 4th QUARTER 2019
AND 4th QUARTER 2014 CHLOROFORM PLUMES
WHITE MESA SITE
kriged Q4 2014 chloroform
plume boundary
kriged Q4 2019 chloroform
plume boundary
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F7A chl area+mr
CHLOROFORM PLUME AREA AND
QUARTERLY CHLOROFORM MASS REMOVED
SINCE 1st QUARTER 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 7Achl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
pl
u
m
e
a
r
e
a
(
m
2
)
plume area
Linear (plume area)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
s
)
quarter
total lbs pumped
Linear (total lbs pumped)
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F 7B
CHLOROFORM PLUME AREA AND
QUARTERLY CHLOROFORM MASS REMOVED
SINCE 3rd QUARTER 2015
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 7Bchl_wl_1q12_4q19xls
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
pl
u
m
e
a
r
e
a
(
m
2
)
plume area
Linear (plume area)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
s
)
quarter
total lbs pumped
Linear (total lbs pumped)
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F8A chl area+conc
CHLOROFORM PLUME AREA AND
AVERAGE PLUME CHLOROFORM CONCENTRATION
SINCE 1st QUARTER 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 8Achl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
pl
u
m
e
a
r
e
a
(
m
2
)
plume area
Linear (plume area)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
av
e
r
a
g
e
c
h
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
c
o
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
(
µ
g
/
L
)
quarter
average plume concentration, plume wells
average plume concentration, gridded data
Linear (average plume concentration, plume wells)
Linear (average plume concentration, gridded data)
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F 8B
CHLOROFORM PLUME AREA AND
AVERAGE PLUME CHLOROFORM CONCENTRATION
SINCE 3rd QUARTER 2015
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 8Bchl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
pl
u
m
e
a
r
e
a
(
m
2
)
plume area
Linear (plume area)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
av
e
r
a
g
e
c
h
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
c
o
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
(
µ
g
/
L
)
quarter
average plume concentration, plume wells
average plume concentration, gridded data
Linear (average plume concentration, plume wells)
Linear (average plume concentration, gridded data)
CHLOROFORM PLUME MASS REMOVED/QUARTER AND
AVERAGE PLUME CHLOROFORM CONCENTRATION
SINCE 3rd QUARTER 2015
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 8Cchl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
)
total lbs pumped
Linear (total lbs pumped)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
av
e
r
a
g
e
c
h
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
c
o
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
(
µ
g
/
L
)
quarter
average plume concentration, plume wells
average plume concentration, gridded data
Linear (average plume concentration, plume wells)
Linear (average plume concentration, gridded data)
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F 9 chlpl non-P
1
10
100
1000
10000
100000
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
c
o
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
(
µ
g
/
L
)
quarter
TW4-6 TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-9 TW4-10 TW4-16
TW4-26 TW4-29 TW4-33
CHLOROFORM IN NON-PUMPING WELLS WITHIN PLUME
(INCLUDES TW4-6 AND TW4-9. NO LONGER WITHIN
PLUME)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 9chl_wl_1Q12_4Q19.xls
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F 10 chlpl-P
CHLOROFORM IN PUMPING WELLS WITHIN PLUME
(INCLUDING NITRATE PUMPING WELL TW4-22)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 10chl_wl_1Q12_4Q19.xls
1
10
100
1000
10000
100000
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
c
o
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
(
µ
g
/
L
)
quarter
MW-4 MW-26 TW4-1
TW4-2 TW4-4 TW4-11
TW4-19 TW4-20 TW4-21
TW4-22 TW4-37 TW4-39
TW4-40 TW4-41
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well
temporary perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
MW-32
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
Q4 2019 kriged chloroform
plume boundary
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2020/maps/Udelwl_4Q12_4Q19.srf 11
-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
change in perched water elevation (feet)
perched pumping well
MW-4
TW4-40 temporary perched monitoring well
installed February, 2018
TW4-42 temporary perched monitoring well
installed April, 2019 CHANGE IN PERCHED WATER ELEVATION
WITHIN CHLOROFORM PLUME
4th QUARTER 2012 TO 4th QUARTER 2019
WHITE MESA SITE
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F12A WL-marg
WATER LEVELS IN WELLS MARGINAL TO PLUME
(INCLUDES SUBSET OF GCAP COMPLIANCE MONITORING
WELLS CLOSEST TO PLUME)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 12Achl_wl_1Q12_4Q19.xls
5520
5530
5540
5550
5560
5570
5580
5590
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
wa
t
e
r
l
e
v
e
l
e
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n
(
f
e
e
t
a
m
s
l
)
quarter
TW4-5 TW4-6 TW4-9
TW4-13 TW4-14 TW4-18
TW4-23 TW4-27 TW4-30
TW4-31 TW4-34 TW4-35
TW4-36 TW4-42
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F12B sat marg
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
sa
t
u
r
t
a
e
d
t
h
i
c
k
n
e
s
s
(
f
e
e
t
)
quarter
TW4-5 TW4-6 TW4-9 TW4-13
TW4-14 TW4-18 TW4-23 TW4-27
TW4-30 TW4-31 TW4-34 TW4-35
TW4-36 TW4-42
SATURATED THICKNESS IN WELLS MARGINAL TO PLUME
(INCLUDES SUBSET OF GCAP COMPLIANCE MONITORING
WELLS CLOSEST TO PLUME)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 12Bchl_wl_1Q12_4Q19.xls
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F13A WL non-P
5520
5530
5540
5550
5560
5570
5580
5590
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
WL
e
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n
(
f
e
e
t
a
m
s
l
)
quarter
TW4-6 TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-9 TW4-10 TW4-16
TW4-26 TW4-29 TW4-33
WATER LEVELS IN NON-PUMPING WELLS WITHIN PLUME
(INCLUDES TW4-6 AND TW4-9, NO LONGER WITHIN
PLUME)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 13Achl_wl_1Q12_4Q19xls
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F13B sat non-P
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
sa
t
u
r
a
t
e
d
t
h
i
c
k
n
e
s
s
(
f
e
e
l
)
quarter
TW4-6 TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-9 TW4-10 TW4-16
TW4-26 TW4-29 TW4-33
SATURATED THICKNESS IN NON-PUMPING WELLS WITHIN
PLUME (INCLUDES TW4-6 AND TW4-9, NO LONGER
WITHIN PLUME)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 13Bchl_wl_1Q12_4Q19.xls
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F14A WL-P
5500
5510
5520
5530
5540
5550
5560
5570
5580
5590
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
WL
e
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n
(
f
e
e
t
a
m
s
l
)
quarter
MW-4 MW-26 TW4-1 TW4-2
TW4-4 TW4-11 TW4-19 TW4-20
TW4-21 TW4-22 TW4-37 TW4-39
TW4-40 TW4-41
WATER LEVELS IN PUMPING WELLS WITHIN PLUME
(INCLUDING NITRATE PUMPING WELL
TW4-22)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 14Achl_wl_1Q12_4Q19.xls
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F14B sat-P
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
sa
t
u
r
a
t
e
d
t
h
i
c
k
n
e
s
s
(
f
e
e
t
)
quarter
MW-4 MW-26 TW4-1
TW4-2 TW4-4 TW4-11
TW4-19 TW4-20 TW4-21
TW4-22 TW4-37 TW4-39
TW4-40 TW4-41
SATURATED THICKNESS IN PUMPING WELLS WITHIN
PLUME (INCLUDING NITRATE PUMPING WELL
TW4-22)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 14Bchl_wl_1Q12_4Q19.xls
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well
temporary perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
MW-32
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
Q4 2019 kriged chloroform
plume boundary
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2020/maps/U%delsat_4Q12_4Q19.srf 15
-99 -50 -35 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
% change in saturated thickness (feet)
perched pumping well
MW-4
TW4-40 temporary perched monitoring well
installed February, 2018
TW4-42 temporary perched monitoring well
installed April, 2019 PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN SATURATED THICKNESS
WITHIN CHLOROFORM PLUME
4th QUARTER 2012 TO 4th QUARTER 2019
WHITE MESA SITE
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F 16A chl area+mass
CHLOROFORM PLUME AREA AND
RESIDUAL MASS
SINCE 1st QUARTER 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 16Achl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
p
l
u
m
e
r
e
s
i
d
u
a
l
m
a
s
s
(
l
b
s
)
quarter
residual mass (lbs)
Linear (residual mass (lbs))
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
pl
u
m
e
a
r
e
a
(
m
2)
plume area
Linear (plume area)
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F 16B
CHLOROFORM PLUME AREA AND
RESIDUAL MASS
SINCE 3rd QUARTER 2015
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 16Bchl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
p
l
u
m
e
r
e
s
i
d
u
a
l
m
a
s
s
(
l
b
s
)
quarter
residual mass (lbs)
Linear (residual mass (lbs))
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
pl
u
m
e
a
r
e
a
(
m
2)
plume area
Linear (plume area)
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F17A chl mass+mr
CHLOROFORM PLUME RESIDUAL MASS AND
QUARTERLY MASS REMOVED
SINCE 1st QUARTER 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 17Achl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
s
)
quarter
total lbs pumped
Linear (total lbs pumped)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
p
l
u
m
e
r
e
s
i
d
u
a
l
m
a
s
s
(
l
b
s
)
residual mass (lbs)
Linear (residual mass (lbs))
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F 17B
CHLOROFORM PLUME RESIDUAL MASS AND
QUARTERLY MASS REMOVED
SINCE 3rd QUARTER 2015
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 17Bchl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
s
)
quarter
total lbs pumped
Linear (total lbs pumped)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
p
l
u
m
e
r
e
s
i
d
u
a
l
m
a
s
s
(
l
b
s
)
residual mass (lbs)
Linear (residual mass (lbs))
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\F18_PlumeMass192022conc_4Q19.xlsx: F18
MW-26, TW4-19, -20, -22 AND -37 CHLOROFORM
CONCENTRATIONS AND RESIDUAL PLUME MASS
2012 to 2019
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 1/13/20 18PlumeMass192022.xls1/13/20
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
Ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
(
u
g
/
l
)
Date
MW-26
TW4-19
TW4-20
TW4-22
TW4-37
Chloroform Plume Mass (lbs)
pl
u
m
e
m
a
s
s
(
l
b
s
)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
Av
e
r
a
g
e
C
h
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
(
u
g
/
l
)
Date
MW-26, TW4-19, 20, 22, 37 Average
Chloroform Plume Mass (lbs)
pl
u
m
e
m
a
s
s
(
l
b
s
)
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\F19_resid_chl_mass_4Q19.xls: F19 Resid CHL Mass
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2400
Re
s
i
d
u
a
l
C
h
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
M
a
s
s
E
s
t
i
m
a
t
e
(
l
b
)
mass estimate
CHLOROFORM PLUME RESIDUAL MASS ESTIMATES
2006 TO 2019
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 19MassEstTimeSeries.xlsSJS
RE
D
U
C
E
D
R
E
C
H
A
R
G
E
NI
T
R
A
T
E
P
U
M
P
I
N
G
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
5
2
0
5525
5527.5
5530
5532.5
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 05552.5
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 5
5 5 8 0
5 5 8 2 .5
5 5 8 5
5 5 8 7 .5
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
showing elevation in feet amsl
perched piezometer showing
elevation in feet amsl
MW-25
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2019 WATER LEVELS
CHLOROFORM PLUME BOUNDARY
AND ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPTURE
WHITE MESA SITE
5533
5539
5585 20
5526 temporary perched monitoring well
installed February, 2018 showing
elevation in feet amsl
TW4-42
5527
TW4-40
temporary perched monitoring well
installed April, 2019 showing
elevation in feet amsl
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
5
2
0
5525
5530
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 0
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 5
55 8 0
5 5 8 45585
5 5 8 7 .5
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
showing elevation in feet amsl
perched piezometer showing
elevation in feet amsl
MW-25
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
5534
5538
5586 21
PIEZ-3A
5583
May, 2016 replacement of perched
piezometer Piez-03 showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
installed February, 2018 showing
elevation in feet amsl
TW4-40
5530
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2018 WATER LEVELS
CHLOROFORM PLUME BOUNDARY
AND ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPTURE
WHITE MESA SITE
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
5
2
0
5525
5
5
2
5
5530
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 0
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 5
5 5 8 0
5 5 8 5
5590
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
showing elevation in feet amsl
perched piezometer showing
elevation in feet amsl
MW-25
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2017 WATER LEVELS,
CHLOROFORM PLUME BOUNDARY,
AND ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPTURE
WHITE MESA SITE
5534
5541
5587
5585
NOTES: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-4, TW4-11, TW4-19, TW4-20, TW4-21, TW4-37 and TW4-39 are chloroform pumping wells;
TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and TWN-2 are nitrate pumping wells; TW4-11 water level is below the base of the Burro Canyon Formation
temporary perched pumping well installed
October, 2016 showing elevation in feet amsl
TW4-38
5576
22PIEZ-3A May, 2016 replacement of perched
piezometer Piez-03 showing
elevation in feet amsl
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
5
2
0
5525
5
5
2
5
5530
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 0
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 5
5 5 8 0
5 5 8 55590
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
showing elevation in feet amsl
perched piezometer showing
elevation in feet amsl
MW-25
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2016 WATER LEVELS,
CHLOROFORM PLUME BOUNDARY,
AND ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPTURE
WHITE MESA SITE
5535
5544
5588
5587
NOTES: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-4, TW4-11, TW4-19, TW4-20, TW4-21, TW4-37 and TW4-39 are chloroform pumping wells;
TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and TWN-2 are nitrate pumping wells; TW4-11 water level is below the base of the Burro Canyon Formation
temporary perched pumping well installed
October, 2016 showing elevation in feet amsl
TW4-38
5577
23PIEZ-3A May, 2016 replacement of perched
piezometer Piez-03 showing
elevation in feet amsl
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
5
2
0
5525
5
5
2
5
5530
5
5
3
0
553
5
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 0
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 5
5 5 8 0
5 5 8 5
5 5 9 0
5 5 9 5
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
showing elevation in feet amsl
perched piezometer showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well installed
May, 2014 showing elevation in feet amsl
MW-25
TW4-7
PIEZ-2
TW4-35
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2015 WATER LEVELS,
CHLOROFORM PLUME BOUNDARY,
AND ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPTURE
WHITE MESA SITE
5536
5540
5590
5526
NOTES: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-4, TW4-11, TW4-19, TW4-20, TW4-21 and TW4-37 are chloroform pumping wells;
TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and TWN-2 are nitrate pumping wells; TW4-11 water level is below the base of the Burro Canyon Formation
perched pumping well installed March, 2015
showing elevation in feet amsl
TW4-37
5568
24
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5525
5
5
2
5
5530
5
5
3
0
5 5 4 5
5 5 5 0
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5570
5 5 7 5
5575
5 5 8 0
5 5 8 5
5590
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
showing elevation in feet amsl
perched piezometer showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
installed May, 2014 showing
elevation in feet amsl
MW-4
TW4-1
PIEZ-2
TW4-35
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2014 WATER LEVELS,
CHLOROFORM PLUME BOUNDARY,
AND ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPTURE
WHITE MESA SITE
5552
5551
5593
5526
NOTE: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-4, TW4-19, and TW4-20 are chloroform pumping wells;
TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and TWN-2 are nitrate pumping wells
25
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
5
2
5
5
5
2
5
5530
5
5
3
0
5
5
3
5
5 5 5 0
5 5 5 5
5 5 6 0
5 5 6 5
5 5 6 5
5 5 7 0
5 5 7 0
5570
5 5 7 5
5
5
7
5
5 5 8 0
5580
5 5 8 5
5590
5595
5 5 9 5
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
showing elevation in feet amsl
perched piezometer showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
installed September, 2013 showing
elevation in feet amsl
MW-4
TW4-1
PIEZ-2
TW4-32
5553
5554
5595
5564
NOTE: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-4, TW4-19, and TW4-20 are chloroform pumping wells;
TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-25, and TWN-2 are nitrate pumping wells
26
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2013 WATER LEVELS,
CHLOROFORM PLUME BOUNDARY,
AND ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPTURE
WHITE MESA SITE
estimated total capture resulting
from chloroform and nitrate pumping
estimated portion of chloroform
plume within capture zone
chloroform plume boundary
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
5
5
3
0
5
5
3
0
5
5
4
0
5 5 6 0
5 5 7 0
5
5
7
0
5 5 8 0
5580
5 5 9 0
560 0
EXPLANATION
perched monitoring well showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
showing elevation in feet amsl
perched piezometer showing
elevation in feet amsl
temporary perched monitoring well
installed October, 2011
showing elevation in feet amsl
MW-4
TW4-1
PIEZ-2
TW4-27
NOTE: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-4, TW4-19 and TW4-20 are pumping wells
KRIGED 4th QUARTER, 2012 WATER LEVELS,
CHLOROFORM PLUME BOUNDARY,
AND ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPTURE
WHITE MESA SITE
5549
5554
5609
5525
estimated total capture resulting
from chloroform pumping
estimated portion of chloroform
plume within capture zone
chloroform plume boundary
27
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\F28_29_Pvolume_4Q19_CACME.xls: F 28 chl pmp
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ga
l
l
o
n
s
p
u
m
p
e
d
MW-4 MW-26 TW4-4 TW4-19
TW4-20 TW4-1 TW4-2 TW4-11
TW4-21 TW4-37 TW4-39 TW4-40
TW4-41
PRODUCTIVITY OF
CHLOROFORM PUMPING WELLS
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 28Pvolume_4Q19SJS
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\F28_29_Pvolume_4Q19_CACME.xls: F 29 N pump
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ga
l
l
o
n
s
p
u
m
p
e
d
TW4-22 TW4-24
TW4-25 TWN-2
PRODUCTIVITY OF
NITRATE PUMPING WELLS
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 29Pvolume_4Q19SJS
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F30A chl mr+mass
TW4-19 CHLOROFORM MASS REMOVED/QUARTER
AND TOTAL CHLOROFORM MASS REMOVED/QUARTER
SINCE 1st QUARTER 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 30Achl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
s
)
TW4-19 lbs pumped
Linear (TW4-19 lbs pumped)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Q1
12
Q2
12
Q3
12
Q4
12
Q1
13
Q2
13
Q3
13
Q4
13
Q1
14
Q2
14
Q3
14
Q4
14
Q1
15
Q2
15
Q3
15
Q4
15
Q1
16
Q2
16
Q3
16
Q4
16
Q1
17
Q2
17
Q3
17
Q4
17
Q1
18
Q2
18
Q3
18
Q4
18
Q1
19
Q2
19
Q3
19
Q4
19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
s
)
quarter
total lbs pumped
Linear (total lbs pumped)
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\graphs\chl_WL_1Q12_4Q19_CACME2020.xlsx: F 30B
TW4-19 CHLOROFORM MASS REMOVED/QUARTER
AND TOTAL CHLOROFORM MASS REMOVED/QUARTER
SINCE 3rd QUARTER 2015
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 30Bchl_wl_1q12_4q19.xls
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
s
)
TW4-19 lbs pumped
Linear (TW4-19 lbs pumped)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Q3 15 Q4 15 Q1 16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 Q3 17 Q4 17 Q1 18 Q2 18 Q3 18 Q4 18 Q1 19 Q2 19 Q3 19 Q4 19
ch
l
o
r
o
f
o
r
m
m
a
s
s
r
e
m
o
v
e
d
(
l
b
s
)
quarter
total lbs pumped
Linear (total lbs pumped)
APPENDIX A
HISTORIC CHLOROFORM PLUME COMPARISON MAPS
(FIGURES A.1-A.6)
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
APPROVED DATE REFERENCE FIGURE
CELL NO. 2
CELL NO. 4A
3332
MW-21
3000
BOUNDARY
PROPERTY
SCALE IN FEET
0
CELL NO. 1
MILL SITE
MW-01
MW-02
MW-03
MW-05
MW-11
MW-12
MW-14
MW-15
MW-17
MW-18
MW-19
MW-20
MW-22
MW-23
MW-24
MW-25
MW-27
MW-28
MW-29
MW-30
MW-31
MW-32
MW-26
MW-16
PIEZ-1
PIEZ-2
PIEZ-3
PIEZ-4
PIEZ-5
TW4-1
TW4-2
TW4-3
TW4-4
TW4-5
TW4-6
TW4-9
TW4-11
TW4-12
TW4-13
TW4-14
TW4-16
TW4-18
TW4-20
TW4-21
MW-04TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-10
TW4-22
TW4-19
MW-20
PIEZ-1
perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
temporary perched monitoring well
COMPARISON OF KRIGED 1st QUARTER 2007
AND 1st QUARTER 2006 CHLOROFORM PLUMES
WHITE MESA SITE
TW4-1
EXPLANATION
chloroform plume boundaries
(solid = 1st Quarter, 2007
dashed = 1st Quarter, 2006)
A.1SJS H:/718000/71801/
CACME2016/maps/chlcomp_06_07.srf
Note: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-19, and TW4-20 are pumping wells
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
APPROVED DATE REFERENCE FIGURE
CELL NO. 2
CELL NO. 4A
3332
MW-21
3000
BOUNDARY
PROPERTY
SCALE IN FEET
0
CELL NO. 1
MILL SITE
MW-01
MW-02
MW-03
MW-05
MW-11
MW-12
MW-14
MW-15
MW-17
MW-18
MW-19
MW-20
MW-22
MW-23
MW-24
MW-25
MW-27
MW-28
MW-29
MW-30
MW-31
MW-32
MW-26
MW-16
PIEZ-1
PIEZ-2
PIEZ-3
PIEZ-4
PIEZ-5
TW4-1
TW4-2
TW4-3
TW4-4
TW4-5
TW4-6
TW4-9
TW4-11
TW4-12
TW4-13
TW4-14
TW4-16
TW4-18
TW4-20
TW4-21
MW-04TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-10
TW4-22
TW4-19
TW4-23
TW4-24
TW4-25
MW-20
PIEZ-1
perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
temporary perched monitoring well
COMPARISON OF KRIGED 1st QUARTER 2008
AND 1st QUARTER 2007 CHLOROFORM PLUMES
WHITE MESA SITE
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2016/maps/chlcomp_07_08.srf
TW4-1
EXPLANATION
chloroform plume boundaries
(solid = 1st Quarter, 2008
dashed = 1st Quarter, 2007)
SJS A.2
Note: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-19, and TW4-20 are pumping wells
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
APPROVED DATE REFERENCE FIGURE
CELL NO. 2
CELL NO. 4A
3332
MW-21
3000
BOUNDARY
PROPERTY
SCALE IN FEET
0
CELL NO. 1
MILL SITE
MW-01
MW-02
MW-03
MW-05
MW-11
MW-12
MW-14
MW-15
MW-17
MW-18
MW-19
MW-20
MW-22
MW-23
MW-24
MW-25
MW-27
MW-28
MW-29
MW-30
MW-31
MW-32
MW-26
MW-16
PIEZ-1
PIEZ-2
PIEZ-3
PIEZ-4
PIEZ-5
TW4-1
TW4-2
TW4-3
TW4-4
TW4-5
TW4-6
TW4-9
TW4-11
TW4-12
TW4-13
TW4-14
TW4-16
TW4-18
TW4-20
TW4-21
MW-04TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-10
TW4-22
TW4-19
TW4-23
TW4-24
TW4-25
MW-20
PIEZ-1
perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
temporary perched monitoring well
COMPARISON OF KRIGED 1st QUARTER 2009
AND 1st QUARTER 2008 CHLOROFORM PLUMES
WHITE MESA SITE
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2016/maps/chlcomp_08_09.srf
TW4-1
EXPLANATION
chloroform plume boundaries
(solid = 1st Quarter, 2009
dashed = 1st Quarter, 2008)
SJS A.3
Note: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-19, and TW4-20 are pumping wells
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
APPROVED DATE REFERENCE FIGURE
CELL NO. 2
CELL NO. 4A
3332
MW-21
3000
BOUNDARY
PROPERTY
SCALE IN FEET
0
CELL NO. 1
MILL SITE
MW-01
MW-02
MW-03
MW-05
MW-11
MW-12
MW-14
MW-15
MW-17
MW-18
MW-19
MW-20
MW-22
MW-23
MW-24
MW-25
MW-27
MW-28
MW-29
MW-30
MW-31
MW-32
MW-26
MW-16
PIEZ-1
PIEZ-2
PIEZ-3
PIEZ-4
PIEZ-5
TW4-1
TW4-2
TW4-3
TW4-4
TW4-5
TW4-6
TW4-9
TW4-11
TW4-12
TW4-13
TW4-14
TW4-16
TW4-18
TW4-20
TW4-21
MW-04TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-10
TW4-22
TW4-19
TW4-23
TW4-24
TW4-25
TWN-1
TWN-2
TWN-3
TWN-4
TWN-5
TWN-6
TWN-7
TWN-8
TWN-9
TWN-10
TWN-11 TWN-12
TWN-13
TWN-14
TWN-15
TWN-16
TWN-17
TWN-18
TWN-19
MW-20
PIEZ-1
perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
temporary perched monitoring well
COMPARISON OF KRIGED 1st QUARTER 2010
AND 1st QUARTER 2009 CHLOROFORM PLUMES
WHITE MESA SITE
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2016/maps/chlcomp_09_10.srf
TW4-1
EXPLANATION
chloroform plume boundaries
(solid = 1st Quarter, 2010
dashed = 1st Quarter, 2009)
SJS A.4
temporary perched nitrate monitoring wellTWN-1
Note: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-4 (as of Q1 2010), TW4-19, and TW4-20 are pumping wells
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
APPROVED DATE REFERENCE FIGURE
CELL NO. 2
CELL NO. 4A
3332
MW-21
3000
BOUNDARY
PROPERTY
SCALE IN FEET
0
CELL NO. 1
MILL SITE
MW-01
MW-02
MW-03
MW-05
MW-11
MW-12
MW-14
MW-15
MW-17
MW-18
MW-19
MW-20
MW-22
MW-23
MW-24
MW-25
MW-27
MW-28
MW-29
MW-30
MW-31
MW-32
MW-26
MW-33
MW-34
MW-35
PIEZ-1
PIEZ-2
PIEZ-3
PIEZ-4
PIEZ-5
TW4-1
TW4-2
TW4-3
TW4-4
TW4-5
TW4-6
TW4-9
TW4-11
TW4-12
TW4-13
TW4-14
TW4-16
TW4-18
TW4-20
TW4-21
MW-04TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-10
TW4-22
TW4-19
TW4-23
TW4-24
TW4-25
TW4-26
TWN-1
TWN-2
TWN-3
TWN-4
TWN-5
TWN-6
TWN-7
TWN-8
TWN-9
TWN-10
TWN-11 TWN-12
TWN-13
TWN-14
TWN-15
TWN-16
TWN-17
TWN-18
TWN-19
MW-20
PIEZ-1
perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
temporary perched monitoring well
COMPARISON OF KRIGED 1st QUARTER 2011
AND 1st QUARTER 2010 CHLOROFORM PLUMES
WHITE MESA SITE
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2016/maps/chlcomp_10_11.srf
TW4-1
EXPLANATION
chloroform plume boundaries
(solid = 1st Quarter, 2011
dashed = 1st Quarter, 2010)
SJS A.5
TWN-1
temporary perched nitrate monitoring well
CELL NO. 4B
Note: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-4, TW4-19, and TW4-20 are pumping wells
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.
APPROVED DATE REFERENCE FIGURE
CELL NO. 2
CELL NO. 4A
3332
MW-21
3000
BOUNDARY
PROPERTY
SCALE IN FEET
0
CELL NO. 1
MILL SITE
MW-01
MW-02
MW-03
MW-05
MW-11
MW-12
MW-14
MW-15
MW-17
MW-18
MW-19
MW-20
MW-22
MW-23
MW-24
MW-25
MW-27
MW-28
MW-29
MW-30
MW-31
MW-32
MW-26
TW4-1
TW4-2
TW4-3
TW4-4
TW4-5
TW4-6
TW4-9
TW4-11
TW4-12
TW4-13
TW4-14
TW4-16
TW4-18
TW4-20
TW4-21
MW-04TW4-7 TW4-8
TW4-10
TW4-22
TW4-19
PIEZ-1
PIEZ-2
PIEZ-3
PIEZ-4
PIEZ-5
TW4-23
TW4-24
TW4-25
TWN-1
TWN-2
TWN-3
TWN-4
TWN-5
TWN-6
TWN-7
TWN-8
TWN-9
TWN-10
TWN-11 TWN-12
TWN-13
TWN-14
TWN-15
TWN-16
TWN-17
TWN-18
TWN-19
TW4-26
MW-33
MW-34
MW-35
MW-20
PIEZ-1
perched monitoring well
perched piezometer
temporary perched monitoring well
COMPARISON OF KRIGED 1st QUARTER 2011
AND 1st QUARTER 2007 CHLOROFORM PLUMES
WHITE MESA SITE
H:/718000/71801/
CACME2016/maps/chlcomp_07_11.srf
TW4-1
EXPLANATION
chloroform plume boundaries
(solid = 1st Quarter, 2011
dashed = 1st Quarter, 2007)
SJS A.6
CELL NO. 4B
temporary perched nitrate monitoring well
TWN-1
Note: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-4 (as of Q1 2010), TW4-19, and TW4-20 are pumping wells
APPENDIX B
WELL PRODUCTIVITY AND BACKGROUND FLOW ANALYSIS
TABLES AND FIGURES
(TABLES B.1-B.4; FIGURES B.1-B.13)
TABLE B.1
Hydraulic Gradients Within the Chloroform Plume
3rd Quarter 2002 and 2nd Quarter 2015
Q3 2002 Q2 2015
well water level water level
(ft amsl) (ft amsl)
TW4-5 5585.0 5577.5
TW4-6 5524.4 5537.8
TW4-10 5578.2 5573.3
TW4-16 5563.4 5560.6
approximate approximate
distance (ft)distance (ft)
TW4-5 to TW4-16 TW4-10 to TW4-6
990 1365
Q3 2002 hydraulic Q3 2002 hydraulic
gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)
TW4-5 to TW4-16 TW4-10 to TW4-6
0.022 0.039
Q2 2015 hydraulic Q2 2015 hydraulic
gradient (ft/ft)gradient (ft/ft)
TW4-5 to TW4-16 TW4-10 to TW4-6
0.017 0.026
Notes:
ft amsl = feet above mean sea level
ft/ft = feet per foot
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\Table_B1_B3.xls: Table B1
TABLE B.2
Hydraulic Conductivities Within and Adjacent to
the Northwestern and Southeastern Portions
of the Chloroform Plume
location k (cm/s) k (ft/d) location k (cm/s) k (ft/d)
TW4-5 4.60E-04 1.29 TW4-1 8.20E-05 0.23
TW4-9 3.90E-04 1.09 TW4-2 4.30E-05 0.12
TW4-10 2.60E-04 0.73 TW4-4 1.66E-03 4.65
TW4-16 1.00E-04 0.28 TW4-6 1.15E-05 0.03
TW4-18 3.90E-04 1.09 TW4-7 4.30E-05 0.12
TW4-19 2.40E-04 0.67 TW4-8 4.30E-05 0.12
TW4-20 5.90E-05 0.17 TW4-33 5.51E-05 0.15
TW4-21 1.90E-04 0.53 MW-4A 1.14E-04 0.32
TW4-22 1.30E-04 0.36
MW-26 7.90E-05 0.22
geomean:1.86E-04 0.52 geomean:7.27E-05 0.20
Notes:
k = hydraulic conductivity
cm/s = centimeters per second
ft/d = feet per day
northwest southeast
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\Table_B1_B3.xls: Table B2
TABLE B.3
Changes in Saturated Thickness Between 3rd Quarter 2002 and 4th Quarter 2014
Brushy Basin Q3 2002 Q4 2014 Q3 2002 Q4 2014
well elevation water level water level saturated saturated
(ft amsl) (ft amsl) (ft amsl) thickness (ft) thickness (ft)
TW4-5 5536.3 5585.0 5577.4 48.7 41.1
TW4-9 5532.1 5583.8 5576.5 51.7 44.3
TW4-10 5526.0 5578.2 5573.2 52.2 47.1
TW4-16 5481.2 5563.4 5558.0 82.2 76.8
TW4-18 5501.6 5585.4 5577.1 83.8 75.5
average:63.7 57.0
TW4-1 5514.6 5551.8 5550.7 37.2 36.1
TW4-2 5517.8 5556.2 5557.1 38.4 39.3
TW4-6 5512.3 5524.4 5538.7 12.1 26.4
TW4-7 5522.4 5560.2 5552.7 37.8 30.3
TW4-8 5517.4 5553.7 5555.0 36.3 37.6
TW4-11 5535.9 5549.6 5563.4 13.7 27.5
average:29.3 32.8
Notes:
ft = feet
ft amsl = feet above mean sea level
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\Table_B1_B3.xls: Table B3
TABLE B.4
Comparison of Transmissivity and Saturated Thickness Estimates
Observation *Average 2003 *Average 2015 % 2003 T 2015 T %
Well Saturated Saturated Difference Estimate Estimate Difference
Thickness (ft) Thickness (ft)(ft2/day)(ft2/day)
TW4-5 62 48 -23 87 46 -47
TW4-9 63 49 -22 71 51 -28
TW4-10 64 51 -20 46 47 2
TW4-16 79 67 -15 18 9 -50
TW4-18 80 65 -19 74 66 -11
Average 70 56 -20 59 44 -27
Notes:
*average saturated thickness = average of TW4-19 and observation well saturated thicknesses
T = transmissivity in feet squared per day
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_WHIP_Fits_chl.xls: Table B4
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\Pvolume_4Q15: F B1 N pump
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
Q2 13 Q3 13 Q4 13 Q1 14 Q2 14 Q3 14 Q4 14 Q1 15 Q2 15 Q3 15 Q4 15
ga
l
l
o
n
s
p
u
m
p
e
d
TW4-22 TW4-24
TW4-25 TWN-2
PRODUCTIVITY OF
NITRATE PUMPING WELLS
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.1Pvolume_4Q15.xls2/5/16SJS
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\Pvolume_4Q15: F B2 chl pmp
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
Q2 13 Q3 13 Q4 13 Q1 14 Q2 14 Q3 14 Q4 14 Q1 15 Q2 15 Q3 15 Q4 15
ga
l
l
o
n
s
p
u
m
p
e
d
MW-4 MW-26 TW4-4
TW4-19 TW4-20 TW4-1
TW4-2 TW4-11
PRODUCTIVITY OF
CHLOROFORM PUMPING WELLS
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.2Pvolume_4Q15.xls2/5/16SJS
N.3
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_DTW_TimeSeries_chl: F B4 TW4-5
TIME SERIES OF DEPTHS TO WATER AT TW4-5
SINCE Q1 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.4DTW_TimeSeries.xls2/4/16GEM
50
55
60
65
70
De
p
t
h
t
o
W
a
t
e
r
(
f
t
)
Date
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_DTW_TimeSeries_chl: F B5 TW4-9
TIME SERIES OF DEPTHS TO WATER AT TW4-9
SINCE Q1 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.5DTW_TimeSeries.xls2/4/16GEM
50
55
60
65
70
De
p
t
h
t
o
W
a
t
e
r
(
f
t
)
Date
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_DTW_TimeSeries_chl: F B6 TW4-10
TIME SERIES OF DEPTHS TO WATER AT TW4-10
SINCE Q1 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.6DTW_TimeSeries.xls2/4/16GEM
50
55
60
65
70
De
p
t
h
t
o
W
a
t
e
r
(
f
t
)
Date
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_DTW_TimeSeries_chl: F B7 TW4-16
TIME SERIES OF DEPTHS TO WATER AT TW4-16
SINCE Q1 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.7DTW_TimeSeries.xls2/4/16GEM
50
55
60
65
70
De
p
t
h
t
o
W
a
t
e
r
(
f
t
)
Date
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_DTW_TimeSeries_chl: F B8 TW4-18
TIME SERIES OF DEPTHS TO WATER AT TW4-18
SINCE Q1 2012
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.8DTW_TimeSeries.xls2/4/16GEM
50
55
60
65
70
De
p
t
h
t
o
W
a
t
e
r
(
f
t
)
Date
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_WHIP_Fits_chl: F B9 TW4-5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
Di
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
(
f
t
)
Elapsed Time (minutes)
Observed
Simulated
Results
Transmissivity = 45.9 ft
2/d
Storativity = 2.86E-04
OBSERVED AND SIMULATED WATER LEVEL
DISPLACEMENTS IN TW4-5 SINCE Q4 2014
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.9CACME_WHIP_fits_chl.xls2/4/16GEM
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_WHIP_Fits_chl: Fig B10 TW4-9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
Di
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
(
f
t
)
Elapsed Time (minutes)
Observed
Simulated
OBSERVED AND SIMULATED WATER LEVEL
DISPLACEMENTS IN TW4-9 SINCE Q4 2014
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.10CACME_WHIP_fits_chl.xls2/4/16GEM
Results
Transmissivity = 50.8 ft
2/d
Storativity = 1.23E-04
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_WHIP_Fits_chl: Fig B11 TW4-10
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
Di
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
(
f
t
)
Elapsed Time (minutes)
Observed
Simulated
Results
Transmissivity = 47.4 ft
2/d
Storativity = 8.98E-04
OBSERVED AND SIMULATED WATER LEVEL
DISPLACEMENTS IN TW4-10 SINCE Q4 2014
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.11CACME_WHIP_fits_chl.xls2/4/16GEM
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_WHIP_Fits_chl: Fig B12 TW4-16
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
Di
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
(
f
t
)
Elapsed Time (minutes)
Observed
Simulated
Results
Transmissivity = 9.2 ft
2/d
Storativity = 7.23E-04
OBSERVED AND SIMULATED WATER LEVEL
DISPLACEMENTS IN TW4-16 SINCE Q4 2014
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.12CACME_WHIP_fits_chl.xls2/4/16GEM
H:\718000\71801\CACME2016\CACME_WHIP_Fits_chl: Fig B13 TW4-18
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
Di
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
(
f
t
)
Elapsed Time (minutes)
Observed
Simulated
Results
Transmissivity = 65.7 ft
2/d
Storativity = 1.29E-05
OBSERVED AND SIMULATED WATER LEVEL
DISPLACEMENTS IN TW4-18 SINCE Q4 2014
HYDRO
GEO
CHEM, INC.Approved FigureDateAuthorDate File Name
SJS 2/18/16 B.13CACME_WHIP_fits_chl.xls2/4/16GEM
APPENDIX C
NATURAL CHLOROFORM DEGRADATION
Appendix C - Chloroform Mass Removal Via Natural In-Situ Degradation
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\AppC\AppC_2020CACME.docx
March 2020
C-1
APPENDIX C
NATURAL CHLOROFORM DEGRADATION
In-situ breakdown of chloroform via biologically mediated and abiotic means is expected to
occur within the perched zone chloroform plume at the White Mesa site. The possible
degradation mechanisms include:
• reductive dechlorination (abiotic degradation)
• anaerobic reductive dechlorination (anaerobic biodegradation)
• cometabolic processes (aerobic biodegradation)
Reductive dechlorination of chloroform involves successive replacement of chloroform atoms by
hydrogen. This process occurs relatively rapidly under anaerobic conditions in the presence of
naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria, but can also occur, albeit slowly, without the aid of
bacteria.
Degradation of chloroform can also occur under aerobic conditions by cometabolic processes.
Cometabolism involves incidental biodegradation of one compound while another compound is
used as a food source by the naturally occurring bacteria. Within the perched groundwater zone,
naturally occurring organic carbon might be used as such a food source, allowing chloroform to
be cometabolized.
Based on rates provided in HydroGeoLogic, 1999, anaerobic reductive dechlorination could
reduce detected concentrations by more than three orders of magnitude within a few years,
provided conditions were favorable. However, this mechanism is likely to be minimal, because
the relative persistence of the perched groundwater chloroform and nitrate plumes, and of nitrate
associated with the chloroform plume, indicates that the perched groundwater is generally
aerobic. Neither nitrate nor chloroform would be persistent under strictly anaerobic conditions as
both would be expected to degrade relatively rapidly. However, the detection in perched
groundwater of low concentrations of methylene chloride (dichloromethane or DCM) and
chloromethane (CM), both daughter products of anaerobic reductive dechlorination, is consistent
with locally anaerobic conditions.
Abiotic reductive dechlorination is likely to be quite slow based on studies by Jeffers, et al, 1989,
and Mabey and Mill, 1978, with expected half lives for chloroform of 1,850 to 3,650 years at
neutral pH. Degradation would be more rapid at higher pH, with expected half lives of 25 to 37
years at pH 9. However, perched water at the site is generally near neutral, so the lower rates
(higher half lives) would be likely for the perched zone.
Appendix C - Chloroform Mass Removal Via Natural In-Situ Degradation
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\AppC\AppC_2020CACME.docx
March 2020
C-2
Cometabolic degradation can occur relatively rapidly if sufficient organic carbon is present in the
perched zone that could serve as a food source for an indigenous methanotrophic population.
Under ideal conditions, this process would be expected to proceed at rates higher than anaerobic
rates. However, in natural groundwater, this mechanism is not expected to be dominant.
Concentrations of DCM and CM, the daughter products of reductive chloroform dechlorination,
can be used to estimate the actual degradation rates of chloroform in the perched groundwater.
As discussed above, both have been detected at the site in low concentrations (typically a few
µg/L). Chloroform degrades via reductive dechlorination to DCM, then CM. DCM is commonly
used in analytical laboratories and its detection in some cases may have resulted from laboratory
contamination. However, assuming that detections are representative of site conditions,
chloroform degradation rates can be estimated by assuming the following:
• the detected DCM is a degradation product of chloroform,
• the rate of DCM depletion is fast compared to chloroform (because, unlike chloroform,
DCM can degrade relatively rapidly under aerobic conditions), and
• the concentrations of detected DCM are in pseudo steady state.
The last assumption implies that the DCM degrades about as fast as it is produced. A range of
first order aerobic degradation rate constants for DCM are provided in Aronson, et al, 1999.
These range from 0.0036/day to 0.533/day, with a recommended rate of 0.0546/day. These rates
are relatively large and imply fast rates of DCM degradation under aerobic conditions. The rates
imply that degradation of DCM would be much faster (by orders of magnitude) than would be
expected for chloroform which is expected to degrade very slowly under aerobic conditions.
As discussed in HGC (2007) DCM was detected in perched zone wells TW4-11, TW4-15, TW4-
16, and TW4-20 in the first quarter of 2007 at concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 6.5 µg/L, and
the same four wells in the fourth quarter of 2006, at concentrations ranging from 1.3 to 9.2 µg/L.
Chloroform was also detected at these same four wells during the same two quarters. Because
DCM was detected in the same four wells during both quarters, these detections were likely
representative of site conditions, and not random laboratory analytical error. Furthermore, the
similarity in DCM concentrations over these two quarters suggests a pseudo steady state
condition. The average DCM concentration at these four wells over the two quarters was 3.8
µg/L.
The amount of chloroform degradation implied by these DCM concentrations can be estimated
by using the expected rate of DCM degradation (0.0546/day) and assuming, on a molar basis,
Appendix C - Chloroform Mass Removal Via Natural In-Situ Degradation
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\AppC\AppC_2020CACME.docx
March 2020
C-3
that the amount of chloroform degraded is equal to the amount of DCM degraded. The expected
amount of DCM degraded per day can be calculated using the following first order rate equation:
tkC
Cn -=
0
l
Where:
C = the observed concentration
C0 = the concentration at time zero (initial concentration)
k = the rate constant (1/day)
t = the elapsed time (days)
Assuming that t = 1 day, C0 = 3.8 µg/L, k = 0.0546/day, and solving for C, C = 3.60 µg/L
The implied change in DCM concentration per day is 3.8 µg/L - 3.6 µg/L, or 0.20 µg/L. On a
molar basis, this implies that 0.28 µg/L chloroform was degraded to replace the 0.20 µg/L DCM
that was degraded in the same day.
During the first quarter of 2007 and the fourth quarter of 2006, the chloroform concentrations at
TW4-11, TW4-15, and TW4-16 ranged from 9 µg/L to 11,000 µg/L and averaged 2,929 µg/L. A
reduction of between one and two orders of magnitude would be needed to bring this chloroform
concentration to the action level of 70 µg/L. To calculate the rate of chloroform degradation
implied by the daily amount of 0.28 µg/L chloroform degraded as calculated above, the same
first order rate equation can be used:
tkC
Cn -=
0
l
Using 2,929 µg/L for C0, assuming C = 2,929 – 0.28 = 2928.72 µg/L, rearranging and solving for
k, yields -0.00010/day. This rate is more than an order of magnitude lower than the lowest
anaerobic rate of -0.004/day reported for chloroform in HydroGeoLogic, 1999.
The calculated chloroform degradation rate of -0.00010/day can then be used in the first order
rate equation after solving for t to calculate the time needed to reduce chloroform
concentrations by one and two orders of magnitude (C/C0 = 0.1, and C/C0 = 0.01, respectively).
By rearranging and solving for t ,
day
nt
/00010.0
)1.0(
-
=l = 23,025 days or 63 years for a one
order of magnitude reduction,
Appendix C - Chloroform Mass Removal Via Natural In-Situ Degradation
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\AppC\AppC_2020CACME.docx
March 2020
C-4
And
day
nt /00010.0
)01.0(
-=l =
To reduce the highest concentration ever detected at the site (61,000 µg/L at TW4-20) to the
action level would require nearly three orders of magnitude reduction in concentration.
Performing a similar calculation where C/C0 = 0.001 yields
day
nt /00010.0
)001.0(
-=l =
Using a similar methodology, detectable and reportable chloroform and methylene chloride
concentrations from the first quarter of 2013 through the third quarter of 2019 were used to
calculate degradation rates and estimate the time needed for a three order of magnitude reduction
in chloroform concentrations. These calculations update those presented in HGC (2018) and are
based on concentrations of chloroform and methylene chloride in wells within and marginal to
the plume that had reportable detections of both chloroform and methylene chloride in at least
one sample. Data from wells MW-26, TW4-14, TW4-20, TW4-22, TW4-24, TW4-37 and TW4-
39 met these criteria.
The largest data set was derived from MW-26 (sampled both quarterly and monthly), which had
detectable and reportable chloroform and methylene chloride concentrations in 108 samples.
TW4-20 met these criteria 10 consecutive times from the first quarter of 2013 through the second
quarter of 2015; once during the first quarter of 2016; and twice during the first and second
quarters of 2018. TW4-37 met these criteria 5 consecutive times from the second quarter of 2015
through the second quarter of 2016. TW4-14 met these criteria during each quarter of 2016.
TW4-39 met these criteria during the first through third quarters of 2017. Finally TW4-22 and
TW4-24 met these criteria once each during the first quarter of 2014. The largest and second
largest methylene chloride concentrations of 52.4 µg/L and 43.3 µg/L were detected at MW-26.
In addition to both chloroform and methylene chloride detections at the above wells, reportable
detections of both chloroform and chloromethane occurred at least once in the same sample at
the following 13 wells: MW-4, MW-26, TW4-1, TW4-2, TW4-4, TW4-5, TW4-7, TW4-10,
TW4-11, TW4-19, TW4-20, TW4-22, TW4-26, TW4-37 and TW4-39. The largest and second
46,052 days or 126 years for a two
orders of magnitude reduction.
69,077 days or 189 years for a
three orders of magnitude
reduction.
Appendix C - Chloroform Mass Removal Via Natural In-Situ Degradation
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\AppC\AppC_2020CACME.docx
March 2020
C-5
largest chloromethane concentrations of 55.2 µg/L and 40 µg/L were detected at TW4-20 and
TW4-22, respectively.
Rates of chloroform degradation were calculated from the chloroform and methylene chloride
data using the same approach described above for the fourth quarter 2006 and first quarter 2007
data, except that calculations were performed on an individual well basis. Because it had the
largest number of methylene chloride detections, and because the average quarterly chloroform
concentration at MW-26 since 2012 (approximately 1,825 µg/L) is similar to the average
chloroform concentration within the plume (approximately 1,523 µg/L based on gridded
concentration data and approximately 3,180 µg/L based on the average concentrations at wells
within the plume), calculations using MW-26 data are likely to be the most reliable and
representative. However, to be conservative, calculations using the data from all seven of the
above wells having both chloroform and methylene chloride detections are provided.
Calculated degradation rates for each well are summarized in Table C.1. Using the rates
calculated for each well, the geometric average first order degradation rate was -0.000102/day
(-1.02 x 10-4/day) implying that approximately 67,723 days or 186 years would be required for a
three order of magnitude reduction in concentration, which would lower the highest chloroform
concentration detected during 2019 (16,200 µg/L) to 16.2 µg/L. To reduce the highest 2019
concentration of 16,200 µg/L to the GCAL of 70 µg/L would take approximately 53,375 days or
146 years.
The above calculations assume that reductions in chloroform concentrations occur only through
biological means, and do not account for mass removal by pumping nor additional natural
attenuation mechanisms that include dilution, hydrodynamic dispersion, volatilization, and
abiotic degradation. The calculations are therefore conservative in that they likely underestimate
the actual rates of reductions in chloroform concentrations and overestimate plume remediation
times in the absence of pumping, and significantly overestimate plume remediation times
considering the beneficial impacts of pumping.
Appendix C - Chloroform Mass Removal Via Natural In-Situ Degradation
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\AppC\AppC_2020CACME.docx
March 2020
C-6
REFERENCES
Aronson, et al. 1999. Aerobic Biodegradation of Organic Chemicals in Environmental Media: A
Summary of Field and Laboratory Studies. Environmental science Center, Syracuse
Research Corporation, North Syracuse, NY. Submitted to U S Environmental Protection
Agency.
Hydro Geo Chem, Inc. 2007. Preliminary Corrective Action Plan. White Mesa Uranium Mill
Site Near Blanding, Utah. August 20, 2007.
Hydro Geo Chem, Inc. 2018. Corrective Action Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluation
(CACME) Report, White Mesa Uranium Mill Near Blanding, Utah. March 30, 2018.
HydroGeoLogic, Inc. 1999. Anaerobic Degradation Rates of Organic Chemicals in
Groundwater: A Summary of Field and Laboratory Studies. Submitted to U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste.
Jeffers, et al.1989. Homogeneous Hydrolysis Rate Constants for Selected Chlorinated Methanes,
Ethanes, Ethenes, and Propanes. Environ. Sci. Technol., Vol 23, No. 8, pp 965-969.
Mabey, W., and T. Mill. 1989. Critical Review of Hydrolysis of Organic Compounds in Water
Under Environmental Conditions. Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data,
Vol 7, No. 2, pp 383-415.
TABLE C.1
Estimated First Order Rate Constants
number of average CH3CL average MC -k
Well sampling events concentration (µg/L) concentration (µg/L) (1/day)
MW-26 108 2039 9.3 3.38E-04
TW4-14 4 5.7 2.2 2.91E-02
TW4-20 13 19185 2.4 8.50E-06
TW4-22 1 12100 2.8 1.74E-05
TW4-24 1 78.5 1.2 1.12E-03
TW4-37 5 20500 1.3 4.83E-06
TW4-39 3 7340 1.4 1.41E-05
geomean 1.02E-04
Notes:
CH3CL = chloroform
MC = methylene chloride
k = first order rate constant
µg/L = micrograms per liter
H:\718000\71801\CACME2020\report\AppC\CHL_biodeg_calcs_cacme2020.xlsx: 2019 table C.1