Coal Ash Pond Water Remediation and Dewatering Experts

A National Leader in Coal Ash Pond Water Remediation

GWTT’s turnkey approach offers clients schedule-sensitive and regulatory-compliant solutions for their most challenging coal ash projects. We have successfully treated more than 2 billion gallons of coal combustion residual (CCR) site pond water, including bulk surface water and the interstitial “pore” water. GWTT partners with our clients and their engineering teams to address all aspects of the challenges posed by coal ash wastewater ponds. We start with source water characterization and treatability studies, and then work through the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of customized treatment systems, including ongoing compliance testing and monitoring.

Using our advanced subject-matter expertise in water chemistry, GWTT delivers highly engineered treatment systems specific for total metals, with a focus on the reduction of arsenic and selenium (which are difficult to treat with traditional water treatment techniques) for the required effluent discharge criteria. See our technical data sheet below for more information.

Unlike other remediation contractors that outsource large portions of the work, GWTT self-performs substantially all aspects of each project. This vertical integration allows us to offer an unmatched quality assurance guarantee and deliver overall project success. Let us be part of the solution to your coal ash pond closure project.

Coal Ash Pond Treatment Challenges

Regulatory Compliance Challenges

• The federal CCR Rule sets deadlines for ash pond remediation
• State CCR Rules add regulatory muscle to CCR Rule compliance
• The Effluent Limitation Guideline (ELG) Rule has stiffened wastewater treatment requirements
• State Solid Waste Regulations still apply to ash pond remediation projects
• New NPDES permit requirements include CCR-specific parameters

Coal Ash Pond Remediation Challenges

• Closure-in-place requires firm, stable ash base for construction, as well as impermeable caps
• “Clean closure” requires dry excavation of ash and placement in lined landfills
• Construction projects are lengthy, complicated, and cost-intensive
• Ash pond remediation projects may overlap with fly ash handling conversions, demolition projects, landfill construction, and construction of replacement power generating units
• Contact and non-contact storm water must be managed during construction phase

Water Management Challenges

• Efficient management of water is critical to maintaining construction schedules
• Increased treatment is needed to meet more stringent discharge permit requirements
• Water quality evolves over the life of the project, depending on the source of feed water
• Surface water, interstitial water, pore contact water, groundwater, landfill leachate, and contact storm water all have different geochemistry and corresponding treatment requirements
• The volume of water to be treated may vary significantly as a project progresses, and is contingent on local conditions

GWTT Coal Ash Pond Remediation Solutions

GWTT has managed NPDES permits for clients, collected both system performance and permit compliance samples, and is familiar with the paperwork requirements associated with discharge permits. Our experience with high-profile projects subject to intense regulatory scrutiny makes us ideal partners for complex remediation projects.

We have specific experience with CCR wastewaters and active ash pond remediation projects and to-date have treated more than 2 billion gallons of CCR wastewater without a permit violation. Additionally, GWTT has a long history of  conducting large interdisciplinary remediation projects involving excavation, earthmoving, construction dewatering, storm water management, demolition projects, and construction of large-scale wastewater collection and treatment facilities.

GWTT can manage CCR wastewater from “ash to outfall,” including pond decanting, ash dewatering, water treatment, storm water management, and guaranteed performance to meet permit requirements. We have developed innovative and proprietary dewatering systems that adapt to project needs and keep construction crews on schedule. Backing all that up is our in-house treatability laboratory that ensures the right treatment protocol will be identified and implemented. We will use whatever combination of technologies and processes that best addresses the unique contaminant profile of your coal ash pond water remediation project.

Coal Ash Pond Water Remediation

We have experience treating more than 2 billion gallons of CCR and related pond water with project-specific treatment systems designed for arsenic, selenium, thallium, and other metals that are difficult to treat with traditional water treatment techniques. GWTT has designed and installed pontoon systems for decanting surface water, collection systems for removing and treating interstitial water, and groundwater collection and treatment systems to carry the project to closure. We have designed and built CCR water treatment systems that handle influent flow rates of 100 GPM to 10,000 GPM.

Ash Dewatering

GWTT maintains an extensive inventory of pumping equipment, filtration systems, and treatment technologies that can be easily mobilized to meet the immediate needs of the project, whether it is a clean closure or a close-in-place. Our design team can customize a dewatering system to support the construction team, maintain the schedule, and ensure that the ash stability meets all project specifications.

Landfill and Leachate Collection Systems

Our technology and engineering team can construct, install, and start up landfill leachate collection systems, to manage dry ash systems, wet ash systems, landfill closure requirements, and other wastewater collection systems throughout the facility. We can design and operate a system to meet the discharge limits as required by permit.

Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of Treatment Systems

GWTT employs a highly-qualified staff of O&M Operators and Technicians with experience specific to CCR water treatment processes. The GWTT approach to system O&M is project specific and carefully evaluated to determine the appropriate level of staffing required, while also being considerate of project economics.

A Trusted and Vetted Supplier of Environmental Remediation Services

GWTT is subscribed to or has functional experience with the following vendor vetting organizations:

• ISNetworld
• AVETTA
• ConstructSecure
• SAM

Get In Touch With GWTT Today

Contact us to speak with a water treatment expert and begin the process of remediating your coal ash pond projects.

CCR Cost Savings White Paper

GWTT has authored a white paper entitled Cost Savings Opportunities for CCR Pond Closure Projects. You can request a copy by clicking the button below: