General Conditions
The ECoS Survey has found the general status of environmental programs and conditions at Menwith Hill Station (MHS) to range from fair to poor compared to US standards. It is evident that considerable efforts are required in many areas to bring the Station into compliance with US, DoD, and UK regulations. The status of each environmental category will be discussed in turn.
Water Supply System
Water for MHS is supplied from the Yorkshire Water Authority. Sampling of the water supply on station occurs monthly, and meets required specifications. A new water storage tank is scheduled to be constructed to provide additional capacity to the station.
Wastewater Treatment System
Domestic sewage at MHS is treated at the MHS sewage treatment plant. The facility has a current COPA registry for the combined discharge of the plant with HMS Forest Moor. Sampling of the plant effluent by the National Rivers Authority has shown the plant to be in compliance. However, the plant is under sized, and in heavy rains will overflow from the final treatment tank into the local creek. Expansion o the tank is planned for the very near future.
Stormwater System
The stormwater system at the Station is in poor condition from an environmental protection standpoint. Many mechanical systems (boilers, generators, chillers, etc.) discharge to the stormwater system. These discharges may contain hazardous materials and may represent an unpermitted discharge. Both upper and lower station have oil/water separators. The separator at the lower level at the generators shows long term neglect - heavy sediment and large quantities of oil present. The source of oil is unknown, and the potential exists in this area for greater problems to be found. The separator located behind SATCOM, while not as bad, also shows a lack of maintenance and the presence of quantities of oil.
Air Emissions
The air emissions at MHS are, with one exception, apparently in good condition and compliant. The exception is the classified material incinerator, which reportedly produces smoke and particulate. A lack of supplemental fuel to the incinerator may be cause of this problem. The other sources of air emissions are from boilers and emergency generators.
Underground Storage Tanks
The program for management of underground storage tanks at MHS requires considerable improvement to meet US standards and ensure environmental protection. Tank tightness testing has not been performed on all tanks. Fill areas at several tanks show evidence of historical spills, and at least one tank system had leakage from the underground piping that may not have been cleaned up. A centralised listing of tank locations, history, and records does not exist.
Petroleum Oil Lubrication (POL)
The POL program at the Station falls far short of US and DoD requirements. Spillge exists at several unloading and dispensing sites. Storage and handling of oil drums is casual, with many drums left outside, some on their sides, while still full of product. The exception to this condition is in the motor pool, which has a good program of handling oil and other hazardous materials. The above ground tanks are located in containment dikes, but some of the dikes have openings or pathways that would allow any spilled material to escape.
Hazardous Material Handling
The hazardous material program at MHS is in poor condition. Many chemicals are not properly stored, dispensed, or labedled. Storage occurs outside and without shelter in some areas. Point of use storage and labelling is poor in most cases. Work areas do not have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) in the workplace. The incoming material is the exception, where materials are properly stored and segregated. There is considerable use of CFCs by the tech areas; no efforts have been undertaken to change or eliminate these materials that will be eliminated in 1995 and are high in ozone depleting characteristics.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
The hazardous waster program is undergoing major changes at this time. Programs that had been the responsibility of PSA and DOE are now the responsibility of the US Department of Defense personnel and Ministry of Defense personnel of Defense Work Services. As a result of these recent changes, the program is truly in its infancy. There is no station-wide awareness program for the proper use and disposal of hazardous materials. Training for personnel responsible for the disposal of hazardous waste in non-existent, although some of this training is planned for later in May. Storage areas required under US regulations do not exist. Record keeping from pervious years does not exist, although attempts are being made to have some documentation of current disposal shipments.
Conclusion
The environmental program at Menwith Hill Station is currently in a state of flux and some disarray as a result of organizational changes. Significant problems exist in all program areas, including the potential for remedial action at several sites on the station. The resources and awareness necessary to correct this situation are coming together. The increased concern of DWS, the arrival today of the DWS environmental engineer, and the arrival of an environmental specialist from DoD should provide the resource and knowledge needed to bring the Station up to US and UK standards.