499 



(The information follows:) 



AiB FoBCE Disposal of Photographic Wastes 



The Department of the Air Force began operation of the Aerospace Audio 

 visual Service at Norton Air Force Base, California, in May 1969. The processing 

 of film at the facility results in liquid wastes which contain a number of chemical 

 materials. 



The Air Force determined that, for environmental and economic reasons, it 

 A^'ould be better to contract v^dth a responsible party for the disposal of the 

 photographic wastes rather than to alter existing industrial waste processing 

 facilities at the Air Force Base to accommodate these wastes. Prior to beginning 

 operations, the Air Force entered into a contract with the Chino Basin Municipal 

 "S^'ater District for the disposal of photographic wastes. The contract cites the 

 significant components of the wastes as well as certain maximum concentrations 

 and the pH at the time of delivery to the contractor. It provides that the con- 

 tractor shall furnish ". . . an acceptance and disposal service as required by the 

 Oovemment, and shall receive, carry, treat, and dispose of all chemical waste 

 originating at the reception locations in such amounts as the Government desires 

 to release into contractor's system, and in a manner and by such means as v^U 

 constitute no hazard to the public health. Contractor shall operate its disposal 

 and treatment facilities in conformity with applicable laws, rules, and regula- 

 tions promulgated by the State and Federal Government authorities." The con- 

 tract specifically states that "Contractor acceptance and disposal service shall 

 include all necessary treatment." 



Since May 1969 the Air Force has disposed of approximately 1.86 million gal- 

 lons of photographic wastes by transporting them to the Chino Basin Collection 

 Point in Fontana, California. The Chino Basin Municipal Water District pipes 

 the wastes from the collection point to the Los Angeles Sewage Treatment Plant 

 located in Carson City, Califoi*nia, where the wastes are treated and the resulting 

 efHuent piped from that plant to a point in the ocean two and one-half miles from 

 shore. The outflow at that point is diffused two hundred feet below the surface. 



The wastes delivered by the Air Force to the Chino Basin Collection Point have 

 met the standards specied in the contract, and this fact was confirmed in writing 

 by the General Manager of the Chino Basin Municipal Water District on April 8, 

 1971. ALL operations from the time of delivery of the wastes by the Air Force to 

 the final disposition in the ocean are monitored by the California State Water 

 Resources Control Board. 



In an effort to reduce operational costs, the Air Force changed its processing 

 procedures in September 1970 so that a large portion of the photographic wastes 

 are recycled through an oxidation process, thereby permitting reuse of some of 

 the liquids prior to disposal. As a result of these changes the concentration of 

 certain chemicals in the resulting wastes has been greatly reduced. 



Mr. Rogers. N^ow while you are getting us that report, could you also 

 get us a report on the Navy dumping, or maybe Admiral Crawford 

 could, in Jacksonville. I have still not seen a report after our hearings 

 on that, of what happened there and who actually gave the order of 

 dumping. 



Admiral Crawfokd. Mr. Rogers, before I answer that question, I 

 would like to clarify a point. 



Mr. Rogers. Surely. 



Admiral Crawford. You said that the Secretary prohibited dump- 

 ing. Were you speaking of the deepwater dumps of conventional 

 munitions ? 



Mr. Rogers. Well, I thought I read in the statement 



Admiral Crawford. He suspended them, wliile this study goes on 

 seeking alternative methods. There is no positive prohibition. 



Mr. Rogers. Oh, all chemical munition disposal at sea has been 

 terminated? 



