Hazardous Waste and Wastewater Characterization Survey, Columbus AFB, Mississippi

Abstract

A wastewater characterization and hazardous waste survey was conducted to address problems concerning the discharge of industrial wastes to the sanitary sewer system and subsequently to the base wastewater treatment plant. The treatment plant is authorized to discharge to the Tombigbee waterway under the state of Mississippi National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program. The results of the hazardous waste survey indicate that the shops wastes are being properly contained, labeled and transported. However, waste oils, solvents and fuels are sent to underground storage tanks that have not been properly leak tested. Most of the oil/water sludge waste is being pumped into an underground holding tank, bldg 1944, for disposal by contractor every three years. This practice is unacceptable. The results of the wastewater survey indicate that both the parts Cleaning Shop, bldg 218, and the Corrosion Control Shop, bldg 262, are discharging substantial amounts of priority pollutants into the sanitary system which are still being found in the treatment plant effluent. High levels of chromium and cadmium were also discharging to the sanitary sewer. The lenient parameters of the State of Mississippi NPDES permit do not cover the priority pollutants that discharge directly into the Tombigbee waterway.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA199232

Entities

People

  • Anthony T. Zimmer
  • Francis E. Slavich
  • Robert A. Tetla Jr.

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Alkenes
  • Aromatic Compounds
  • Chemistry
  • Containers
  • Engineering
  • Fuel Systems
  • Fuel Tanks
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Health Services
  • Hygiene
  • Medical Personnel
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Repair Shops
  • Storage Tanks
  • Waste Management
  • Waste Products

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Environmental Engineering.