Demonstration projects were sought for tools, methodologies, or technologies that can reduce the cost of managing the Department of Defense’s (DoD) long term liability associated with contaminated groundwater. Groundwater contaminants of concern include chlorinated solvents, energetic compounds, emerging contaminants of interest to DoD, or mixtures of these contaminants.

The primary focus of this topic area was innovative technologies and approaches for managing sites and the associated risks where contamination would persist for a significant period of time after an initial remedy was selected. The following areas were of interest:

• Cost-effective management tools or technologies to specifically address contaminant source zones in complex geological environments that cause persistent groundwater plumes.
• Cost-effective management tools or technologies to address groundwater contaminated with emerging contaminants, such as the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Such technologies also must address common co-contaminants with these emerging contaminants.
• Assessment of how to better combine existing or new technologies to address complex contaminated sites and make informed decisions on transitions from active remediation to passive technologies.
• Optimization, assessment, and/or long-term monitoring tools related to remediation of contaminated groundwater.
• Tools to collect more site data of better quality at lower cost. Site data on groundwater quality, including contaminants and biogeochemical conditions is of particular interest.

In July 2018, the SERDP and ESTCP co-sponsored a Workshop on Research and Development Needs for Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater. This workshop identified several critical priority demonstration needs for chlorinated solvents in groundwater. A more detailed description of these issues can be found in the report from the workshop. Proposers were strongly encouraged to review the workshop report for additional detail and should have aligned their proposed effort with the identified demonstration and technology transfer needs. For those projects that proposed addressing PFAS issues, reviewing the SERDP and ESTCP memo for additional requirements was recommended.

Funded projects will appear below as project overviews are posted to the website.