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.

U.S. EPA and the Hawaii Department of Health are reviewing the Navy’s environmental work as it continues to proceed. Our most recent written comments are available below. The Navy’s final Groundwater Flow Model Report is due on October 5, 2019.

Documents

• Regulatory Agency Comments on Environmental Work: Red Hill AOC 6 and 7 (PDF)(12 pp, 6 MB, April 22, 2019)
  Comments on Environmental Work and Development of the Contaminant Fate and Transport Model for the Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent ("AOC") Statement of Work ("SOW").
• 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.