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CHEMICAL APPEARING IN WATERSHED RADIOACTIVE CHEMICAL APPEARING IN WATERSHED Environmentalists want the operator of a low-level radioactive waste facility in Barnwell County to use more stringent burial practices of waste because tritium, a radioactive chemical, is appearing in a tributary of the Savannah River. The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has divided the state into eight major watersheds, where all water — surface or underground — drains to common areas in the state. The Barnwell Waste Management Facility, as well as Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, is within the Savannah River Basin. Environmentalists want the operator of a low-level radioactive waste facility in Barnwell County to use more stringent burial practices of waste because tritium, a radioactive chemical, is appearing in a tributary of the Savannah River. The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has divided the state into eight major watersheds, where all water — surface or underground — drains to common areas in the state. The Barnwell Waste Management Facility, as well as Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, is within the Savannah River Basin. S.C. TRENCH SYSTEM At right is a typical trench system for the disposal of low-level radiation waste. When vaults are filled, sand and soil are poured over and around the vaults. The final layer is engineered layers of sand, clay, polyethylene and top soil. NOTE: Not to scale S.C. TRENCH SYSTEM Ramp allows access for vehicles. About 1,000 ft. long About 300 ft. wide About 30 ft. deep Vaults CLAY At least five feet between vault and ground water Water table 1 to 3 feet of sand sloped to a sump pump. Standpipes allow rainwater to be monitored. Source: The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control Staff At right is a typical About Ramp allows 1,000 ft. trench system for the access for long About 300 ft. vehicles. disposal of low-level wide radiation waste. When vaults About 30 ft. are filled, deep Vaults sand and soil are poured CLAY At least five over and Water table feet between around the vault and ground water vaults. The 1 to 3 feet of final layer is sand sloped to a engineered layers sump pump. of sand, clay, Standpipes allow polyethylene and top soil. rainwater to be monitored. NOTE: Not to scale Source: The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control Staff