Page 4 - SRNS Today August 2021

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SRNS Environmental Monitoring Specialist Jesse Baxley reads a rain gauge. Rainwater
collection is used to ensure SRS operations pose no risk to the surrounding population. Working toward ‘Green’ goal for
mechanically maintained systems
Site Services (SS) achieved the overhaul of four chillers in A Area and
two chillers in B Area, providing for continued reliable chilled water
service at SRS. They strive to obtain a “Green” status for all areas
within the SS Infrastructure Systems Dashboard accountability and
project tracking system.
The first SS Dashboard was created in 2013 and showed the A Area
Chilled Water System as “Red” (unsatisfactory condition) and trending
downward. In fact, across the 12 infrastructure systems (Electrical,
2020 Annual Site Domestic Water, Steam, Sanitary, etc.), Reds and Yellows (marginal
condition) would dot the dashboard for several years to follow until
Environmental Report released necessary maintenance improvements were implemented.

“In order to maintain reliable service to our customers, major
Each year, SRS prepares an Annual Site Environmental Report equipment repairs and overhauls must be strategically planned
(ASER) in accordance with DOE requirements. The Site releases and coordinated while closely monitoring equipment and system
the report to give the public and SRS regulators detailed performance,” said Site Infrastructure Director Randy Keenan. “I’m
information regarding environmental conditions at SRS for the proud of our Site Services team and their successful overhaul of
previous calendar year. the chillers as well as meeting the long-term goal of bringing our
infrastructure systems back to reliable operating condition and
In 2020, SRS continued to safely operate, completing its obtaining the long-awaited ‘Green’ status.”
missions while maintaining a record of environmental excellence
and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. As in previous years, Technical Services’ SS organization operates and maintains
the Site met federal and state standards designed to protect the infrastructure systems critical to the successful operations for all
public, environment and Site workers. Site tenants. Currently, nine systems are Green (satisfactory), and
six systems are Yellow. The following systems are Green: Electrical
The report also summarizes SRS environmental data; Distribution; Domestic Water; Fire Water; Chilled Water; Sanitary
environmental sustainability performance; compliance with Wastewater; Steam Generation and Distribution; Outfalls, Basins and
applicable DOE, federal and state regulations; and remediation Landfills; Railroad; Portable Equipment Commodity Management
and surveillance monitoring programs. Center and Transportation. The remaining six systems are Yellow:
SRS has monitored environmental conditions since the Site was Facilities; River Water; Process Water; Service Water; Dams, Lakes
built in the early 1950s and has published an ASER since 1959. and Ponds; and Roads and Bridges. All systems must achieve pre-
determined criteria on the path to Green.
Each year, SRNS collects more than 10,000 monitoring samples
found both on- and off-site including air, water, soil, sediment, Although some of these systems are Green, continued corrective
food products, freshwater fish, seafood, wildlife, plants and and preventative maintenance will be needed to maintain that status.
trees. Samples are collected from neighboring cities, towns “While more reliable than in 2013, many of these systems are over
and counties located in Georgia and South Carolina. SRS has 50 years old and will ultimately require major recapitalization efforts
maintained a comprehensive environmental monitoring program in the coming years, and our goal is to stay out of the red and ensure
for over 70 years. uninterrupted operations at SRS,” said Keenan.
“The SRS Environmental Report is one of the oldest continuous SRNS strives to invest more than $100 million annually in
records of the Site’s environmental performance, documenting infrastructure upgrades and improvements.
with intricate precision the effect our operations have on the
public and the environment,” said Michael Budney, Manager of
DOE Savannah River Operations Office. “This year, as in every
year in our past, the commitment to inform the public and
stakeholders is steadfast, and one SRS carries out transparently
and with the spirit of service to the community.”
A companion document to the ASER, referred to as the Summary
Report, is also available. This publication supports SRS
educational and community outreach programs and serves to
educate a broad cross section of the population on important
programs at the Site. Both the ASER for 2020 and the Summary
Report are online at: srs.gov/general/pubs/ERsum/index.html.