Evaluation of contaminated groundwater clean-up objectives

The benefits of performing risk/loss assessments of clean-up objectives are examined with emphasis on local groundwater contamination at the Savannah river site. Containment and treatment are the objectives considered. The site, contaminated with radionuclides, metals and organic chemicals, is described, and 3 receptor scenarios evaluated. The latter are: a local farmer exposed through food, groundwater intake and surface water contact; a person using the Savannah river extensively; and a remediation worker. Contaminants of particular concern are identified for each receptor and baseline risks calculated. Residual risk and risk during remediation are also estimated for different clean-up objectives. The costs of achieving each of these remediation objectives are estimated for the representative sub-sites. The general trends of impacts as a function of clean-up objective are then summarized.