US Ecology : Partners with Air Force Civil Engineers on PFAS Remediation of Military Base

April 15, 2022

Wurtsmith Air Force Base, located in Iosco County, MI, operated from 1923 until it was decommissioned in 1993. While it was operating as an active base, it was frequently used for firefighting training and drills that utilized Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). AFFF is a fire suppressant that is highly effective in extinguishing flammable liquid fires such as those caused by jet fuel. While not dangerous in itself, AFFF contains two groups of chemicals, PFOS and PFOA commonly known as PFAS, that are hazardous to human health.

The Wurtsmith project was extremely time-sensitive. A safe and secure solution to end the mobility cycle of PFAS was needed within a 90-day period. Management of the project included the removal, transportation and safe disposal of a considerable amount of contaminated waste. To ensure all the contaminated soil was contained during the remediation process, US Ecology used a sloping approach instead of the standard sheet piling method, generating significant savings for the customer. Between the focused work of the US Ecology team, along with the support of Aerostar, we were able to complete the project three weeks early and accept over 24,000 tons of PFAS-contaminated soil into our secure Belleville facility for safe disposal.

In the years following the closure of the base, effects of possible contamination of the water table were shown in an increased number of cancer diagnoses in the surrounding residential areas. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) conducted investigations and analysis of local wells and detected substantially elevated concentrations of PFAS in the groundwater of up to 100 times higher than what is considered normal. As numerous environmental and scientific studies continue to show, the PFAS chemicals contained in the AFFF used on the base were responsible for the increased level of pollutants in the area's water. Time was of the essence to avoid future risk. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center contracted with Aerostar, and was given funding by the Federal Government to clean up the contaminated Wurtsmith site within a period of 90 days.

In the past, US Ecology had securely transported hazardous waste from the Wurtsmith site under the previous contactor, Bayview, and had also been awarded a state contract to collect and safely dispose of AFFF from local fire departments. Our past experience with AFFF and Wurtsmith were well-known facts to EGLE, the Air Force and Aerostar. That's why when Aerostar took over the project, they chose to continue working with US Ecology, knowing we had over 70 years of environmental service experience, wholly-owned assets and skilled professionals providing reliable PFAS and remediation solutions.

The Wurtsmith project was extremely time-sensitive. A safe and secure solution to end the mobility cycle of PFAS was needed within a 90-day period. Management of the project included the removal, transportation and safe disposal of a considerable amount of contaminated waste. To ensure all the contaminated soil was contained during the remediation process, US Ecology used a sloping approach instead of the standard sheet piling method, generating significant savings for the customer. Between the focused work of the US Ecology team, along with the support of Aerostar, we were able to complete the project three weeks early and accept over 24,000 tons of PFAS-contaminated soil into our secure Belleville facility for safe disposal.

The Environmental Director for the Air Force was focused on getting the Wurtsmith site and the surrounding water table remediated quickly and compliantly and in partnering with US Ecology was assured that the project would be done safely and in accordance with all laws and regulations. The expedient completion of this project and the remediation of the area was a top priority for the Air Force and Aerostar and was imperative for both the environment and the health and safety of local area residents.

US Ecology will be completing additional on-going projects at the Wurtsmith AFB site, such as the removal of an underground diesel tank, asbestos abatement and the additional clean-up and disposal of other hazardous materials. Our service excellence, unmatched capacity and extensive capability allow us to provide the additional services needed to successfully and compliantly complete the Wurtsmith remediation project.

US Ecology is an industry leader offering multiple, innovative turnkey solutions for PFAS-contaminated waste, including arid-climate secure disposal, deep-well injection, thermal treatment, remediation, transportation and more. To learn more about our PFAS waste solutions, contact us at [phone] or visit us online at at www.usecology.com/services/treatment-disposal/pfas-waste-solutions.