PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado plant destroying obsolete U.S. Army chemical weapons has taken a step toward resuming full operations.
Officials said Monday the Pueblo Chemical Depot restarted one of the final steps in the process, using bacteria to treat liquid hazardous waste.
The plant is destroying 780,000 shells containing 2,500 U.S. tons (2,270 metric tons) of mustard agent under an international treaty.
The biotreatment part of the plant has been out of operation for modifications but restarted on Oct. 5. Officials say biotreatment is running at 25 percent capacity and will be gradually increased.
While the biotreatment was out of operation, wastewater has been shipped to an incinerator in Port Arthur, Texas.
Trucks have hauled 193,000 gallons (730,000 liters) so far and are expected to send up to 57,000 gallons (217,000 liters) more.
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Work resumes at Colorado plant destroying chemical weapons (Jan. 9, 2017)
Colorado chemical arms waste may be trucked to another state (March 31, 2017)
Colorado chemical arms wastewater to be trucked to Texas (July 29, 2017)
Army halts shipment of chemical weapons wastewater to Texas (Aug, 31, 2017)
US plant that destroys chemical weapons in Colorado beset by troubles (March 29, 2018)