Pentagon plans released Friday for proposed partial closure of Tooele Army Depot say "there (are) no significant environmental impediments from this realignment."
But documents the Deseret News obtained through the Freedom of Information Act in recent years show major environmental problems do exist - which the military has been trying to address.For example, explosive compounds have contaminated regional groundwater, which could cause diseases potentially fatal to infants if spread into wells off base.
In tests beginning in 1981, the Army found that soil beneath four ponds was contaminated with high concentrations of the explosives TNT, DNT and RDX to a depth of at least 60 feet.
In 1984, to help prevent migration of the contamination, the Army covered the ponds with soil and placed a synthetic cap to retard water from percolating and carrying the contamination into aquifers. The ponds were replaced with a modern facility designed to filter out explosives.
But the contamination was spread anyway - by two other nearby ponds, where 7,200 gallons of laundry and shower wastewater were dumped each day, which flushed water into underground contamination and spread it.
Studies said nitrate pollution in groundwater under the TNT ponds is as much as six times EPA and Utah drinking water standards.
It also warns, "Excess dissolved nitrate in samples of well water have been documented as causing nitrate poisoning of infants. This disease, which can be fatal, occurs when an infant consumes formula or breast milk high in dissolved nitrate."
The Army said because contaminated groundwater is found far from supply wells, there is no health risk. However, contamination of the regional aquifer at the site severely impacts future use and development of groundwater.
Reports say the contaminated aquifer is connected to other regional aquifers that flow generally north through Tooele Valley to the Great Salt Lake.
Solvents and other industrial wastewater that had also been dumped into unlined ponds - meaning water may seep through the bottom - had earlier been found to contaminate groundwater. After a suit by the state, the Army built a $4.5 million plant to better treat it, allow recycling of much of the base's water and allow some to be safely dumped into Tooele City's sewage system.
The Tooele base's North Area faces several other environmental problems. Seven other sites have been identified as having high potential for contamination, and 14 others are identified as having low threat. Some include:
- A landfill where paint thinners, pesticide containers, battery acid and other chemicals were dumped and may be leaching into groundwater.
- An area with barrels stored upside-down to drain residue, which may threaten groundwater.
- Trenches where chemical munitions were buried.
Pentagon reports released Friday said "environmental restoration will continue until complete." They also estimate one-time costs for realignment of Tooele missions will cost $74 million.