Wake Island, United States Territory General Environmental Compliance Assessment and Wastewater Characterization Survey.
Abstract
Wake Island is a territory of the United States and must comply with the U.S. environmental regulations under the direct authority of Region IX of the EPA. Wake Island is a small community water system. Rain water is utilized as the primary potable water source. The wastewater effluent generated is of weak strength. The incinerator on the island is used to destroy light amounts of general food rubbish. The landfill and adjacent burn pit receive small but un-quantified amounts of domestic solid waste. Hazardous waste was actively being managed by the Hickam AFB environmental flight. The results of this wastewater characterization survey should be used to identify to the regulatory agency the significant findings from this survey and the subsequent environmental impact that the mission operations have on the island's ecosystem. Wake Island has never had a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for its waste water effluent at Peacock Point, this data should be reviewed to determine if Wake Island will be required to obtain a NPDES permit. Recommend that a septic system be procured and installed at lift station 9. A septic system would provide sufficient treatment to reduce the Oil & Grease concentrations and the oxygen demand loading on the receiving waters at Peacock Point. Recommend that the medical technicians initiate monitoring for pH, and chlorine residual during their routine bacteriological sampling. Positive bacteria results cannot identify the potential source of the problem without pH and chlorine residual monitoring, it was also identified that the island may experience supply shortfalls with its gaseous chlorine and had been without for extended periods of time. Recommend that civil engineering maintain an adequate supply of either household or swimming pool beach.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA345684
Entities
People
- Doris A. Dohner
- Jeffrey C. Gillen
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory