EPA Announces Final Cleanup Plan for Drinking Water Aquifer on Tohono O’odham Nation | US EPA
EPA Announces Final Cleanup Plan for Drinking Water Aquifer on ... U.S. EPA.gov
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Cleanup Plan Finalized for Cyprus Tohono Mine Site Basin Fill Aquifer
Cleanup will pave the way to beneficial groundwater use, ensuring future drinking water security
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TUCSON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its plan for the cleanup of the Cyprus Tohono Mine Site Basin Fill Aquifer under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund law. The newly signed Record of Decision outlines a cleanup plan which will use reverse osmosis treatment for groundwater contaminated with perchlorate, uranium, and sulfate, and will restore groundwater as a drinking water resource.
The Cyprus Tohono Mine Site is located on the Tohono O’odham Nation near the Village of North Komelik, about 30 miles south of Casa Grande, Arizona. Mine waste which caused the groundwater contamination was removed in 2008, but an approximate 4-mile-long plume of groundwater polluted by perchlorate, sulfate, and uranium remains in what is known as the Basin Fill Aquifer. This aquifer was formerly a drinking water source, but alternative drinking water is currently being supplied to nearby residents due to its contamination.
“Ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water is one of EPA’s most important missions,” said EPA Director of Region 9 Superfund and Emergency Management Division Michael Montgomery. “Today’s announcement is an essential step in reducing the burden on communities in the region, including the Tohono O’odham Nation.”
The selected cleanup plan will pump out and treat contaminated groundwater with a technology called reverse osmosis, a water treatment process that removes contaminants from water using pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane where the contaminants are filtered out. Treated water will then be reinjected back into the aquifer or made available for other beneficial uses. Additionally, wells will be installed to monitor the site contamination to ensure it is cleaned up as intended.
While the cleanup plan selected cleans up the site in the shortest timeframe, EPA estimates it will take about 30 years to complete, with an additional 20 years of monitoring. This site is being cleaned up under what’s known as the Superfund Alternative Approach program.
The Cyprus Tohono Mine site’s contamination originally stems from copper sulfide and oxide ore mining operations in the 1880s. During the 1950s and 60s, the site included a small open pit copper oxide mine, which eventually was enlarged to remove 350,000 tons of ore. From 1975-1997, large-scale copper mining produced about 25 million tons of ore. Cyprus Tohono Corporation began operating the property in 1987. Since 2009, no active mining has occurred at the site.
Learn more by visiting EPA’s Cyprus Tohono Mine Site webpage.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the cleanup of groundwater contaminated with perchlorate, uranium, and sulfate, and the restoration of groundwater as a drinking water resource. This aligns with SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The contamination of the groundwater also relates to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
The cleanup of the contaminated groundwater aligns with the target of improving water quality and reducing pollution (SDG 6.3). Additionally, the restoration of the groundwater as a drinking water resource contributes to the target of ensuring the sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems (SDG 15.1).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Contaminant levels in treated groundwater: The reduction of perchlorate, uranium, and sulfate levels in the treated groundwater can serve as an indicator of progress towards improving water quality.
- Availability of treated water for beneficial uses: The availability of treated water for reinjection into the aquifer or other beneficial uses can indicate progress in restoring and sustainably using the groundwater.
The article mentions that the cleanup plan involves using reverse osmosis treatment to remove contaminants from the groundwater. Monitoring the contaminant levels in the treated groundwater can provide an indicator of progress towards reducing pollution and improving water quality. Additionally, tracking the availability of treated water for beneficial uses can indicate progress in restoring and sustainably using the groundwater.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | – Contaminant levels in treated groundwater |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | – Availability of treated water for beneficial uses |
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Source: epa.gov
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