Understanding the flow patterns of groundwater in the subsurface is important to assess the environment in the Red Hill area and investigate contamination around and underneath the facility.

The Navy has modeled groundwater flow in the past, but additional work is needed to ensure that models developed for the area reflect actual groundwater flow conditions. The results of the modeling efforts, both for groundwater flow and contaminant fate and transport, will inform decisions on the feasibility and necessity of recovering any leaked fuel.

Beginning in June 2017, the Navy and the U.S. Geological Survey convened regular monthly meetings of a Red Hill Groundwater Modeling Workgroup. Members of the workgroup include representatives from the U.S. Navy, U.S. EPA, the Hawaii Department of Health, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Commission of Water Resource Management, the University of Hawaii, and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. The workgroup meetings allow the Navy to demonstrate their progress in updating the groundwater flow and fate and transport modeling for the Red Hill area.

Most recently, in August 2018, the Navy submitted an interim Conceptual Site Model for the Red Hill Area, as well as their interim Groundwater Flow Model Report. These documents are available for review below. U.S. EPA and Hawaii Department of Health comments, submitted on October 29, 2018, on these interim documents are also available below.

Documents

• Regulatory Agency Comments on Interim Environmental Documents (PDF)(61 pp, 8 MB, 10/29/2018)
  EPA and Hawaii Department of Health review and comment on the Navy’s interim environmental documents.
• Red Hill Interim Conceptual Site Model [Redacted] (PDF)(654 pp, 127 MB, July 31, 2018)
  Conceptual Site Model, Investigation and Remediation of Releases and Groundwater Protection and Evaluation, Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Revision 00. [Redacted]
• Red Hill Interim Groundwater Flow Model [Redacted] (PDF)(460 pp, 137 MB, July 27, 2018)
  Groundwater Protection and Evaluation Considerations for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Revision 00. [Redacted]