Navy Begins Cleaning Tank 8 at Red Hill

by NCTF-RH Public Affairs

18 June 2024 JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM – Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill (NCTF-RH) successfully removed the manway to gain access to Tank 8 on June 13. A marine chemist certified the tank was safe to enter and the contractor will begin installing the necessary equipment to enable workers to safely enter Tank 8, which is the next step in the cleaning process.

NCTF-RH safely and efficiently completed a 10-day venting period for Tank 8. Ventilation, which brings fresh air into the tank to support safe access for workers, has begun and will continue throughout the cleaning process. Venting of Tank 7 continues with the Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii Department of Health (DOH). 



Over the next few weeks, venting operations at Tank 7 will continue and contractors will install safety equipment and lighting in Tank 8 in preparation for sludge removal.

Nine air quality monitoring stations along the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility perimeter track changes in air quality and collect atmospheric data. To date, the stations have recorded volatile contaminant levels under 1 part per million by volume (ppmv) during the venting operations of both tanks. This is well under the regulatory standard limit of 38 ppmv.

NCTF-RH has a series of fail-safes and redundancies to mitigate risk and safeguard the public. In the event of an exceedance during operations, NCTF-RH will alert regulators, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), Honolulu Department of Emergency Management (DEM), and the public via the app, website (www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil), and a press release to the media. 

For questions or concerns, contact the Navy Call Center at 808-210-6968.
 
For more information about NCTF-RH, visit www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil or download our free mobile app by searching for “NCTF-Red Hill” in the Apple App store or Google Play store.