The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Explosive Destruction System (PCAPP EDS) continues destruction of a small number of problematic munitions, including munitions that have leaked in the past and now are overpacked. As of May 21, 2015, 10 Department of Transportation bottles and 117 of the problematic 105mm projectiles have been eliminated.

“Wastes produced by the EDS include neutralant and rinsate from the neutralization process and decontaminated metal parts, filters and used personal protective equipment,” said Steve Bird, project lead, U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity Recovered Chemical Materiel Directorate. All wastes are properly packed, stored in Department of Transportation-approved containers in a permitted hazardous waste storage area before being transported to a permitted treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF) for final disposal.

The waste management contract was awarded to CB&I Federal Services, whose responsibilities include collecting samples for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) characterization and preparing waste profiles based on analytical data. According to Bird, six 330-gallon totes of water used during training exercises have been sent to Deer Trail, Colorado, while 10 totes of EDS rinsate liquid were shipped to Grassy Mountain, Utah, in May. Although non-hazardous, the water has to be sent to a TSDF because it came in contact with chemical agent. Scrap metal is also sent to Grassy Mountain. There, it is mixed with concrete to form a block, and is buried in a RCRA landfill. Neutralent water, which contains mostly monoethanolamine, is sent to Deer Park, Texas, to be incinerated.

The disposal of the secondary waste produced by PCAPP EDS activities is coordinated with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and other agencies as appropriate.