Secondary containment system recoating was completed April 13, repairing damage to the Brine Concentrator Feed Tank liner identified in November.

“After a period of heavy rain, moisture got underneath the free-floating membrane. The new liner, a fully-adhered membrane, will prevent the spread of liquid beneath the liner,” said Paul Warbington, environmental manager, Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP).

The coating, a sprayed on polyurea, was applied directly to the prepared concrete containment structure. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act hazardous waste regulations require tanks holding hazardous waste be in a secondary containment system coated with a crack-free liner compatible with the hazardous waste, Warbington said.

In March, a temporary enclosure was built around the tanks to serve as protection against weather while the coatings were being replaced.

“The membrane was applied under controlled environmental conditions, creating a higher level of quality control on the finished product,” Warbington said.

The enclosure will remain intact during operations to keep stormwater out of the secondary containment system. Previously, any stormwater that accumulated in the area would have to be analyzed for hazardous waste constituents. The enclosure will keep stormwater out of the space, Warbington said.

“We now have a much better system for managing environmental precipitation and keeping it separate from the hazardous waste,” Warbington said.