ERDF | ARRA

The Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility is being expanded and upgraded for the fourth time since it began operation in 1996. ERDF accommodates low-level radioactive, hazardous and mixed waste generated during cleanup activities from the River Corridor Cleanup Project and other Hanford contractors. As of February 2010, ERDF had received nine million tons of waste for disposal.

The facility consists of a series of disposal areas called cells. A pair of adjoining cells is 70 feet deep, and 500 feet by 1,000 feet at the base. Each cell is constructed with a bottom liner consisting of multiple layers of plastic, other impermeable materials and a system to collect and remove liquids as they drain through the waste materials.

In the past, the facility has expanded two cells at a time. But recent design upgrades have led to the combination of two cells into one “super cell.” Two new super cells – Nos. 9 and 10 – are under construction. The expansion, which will increase total disposal capacity to more than 16 million tons, is necessary to accommodate cleanup waste disposed by Washington Closure and other Hanford contractors.

TradeWind Services, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, recently began work to add two new “super” cells – or waste disposal areas – to the facility. Super cells are twice the size of existing cells, or disposal areas. TradeWind, along with prime subcontractor DelHur Industries, will excavate super cell 10 and construct the liner and leachate collection system of super cells 9 and 10. DelHur completed the excavation of super cell 9 earlier this year.