New world technology meet old world problem and wins while saving more than USD$3 million in cleanup costs.

At the height of World War II, the Memphis General Depot was a busy place with nearly 5,000 civilian and military personnel helping supply the Army. The Memphis Depot closed in 1997 as the result of a decision by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. We began work at the former Memphis Depot in 2006 to streamline remediation activities, provide public outreach and risk communications programmatic support and prepare and manage the BRAC Cleanup Plan.

We launched a multi-phase, multi-approach cleanup with remedial actions performed concurrently, including the installation of a soil vapor extraction system and removal of contaminated waste and soil. The innovative SVE system induced air flow through the soil using a vacuum, pushing contaminants as soil vapor to extraction wells for above ground collection and treatment. This system effectively removed more than 16,000 pounds of contamination more rapidly and effectively than anticipated, with a savings of more than USD$3 million in cleanup costs. The combination of effective remediation, successful community relations and strict adherence to the project master schedule brought recognition of the former Memphis Depot as the 2009 Department of Defence winner for outstanding work by an installation in environmental restoration.

Award

• 2011 Region 4 Phoenix Award