Government Seeks New Uses for Massive Secret Heavy Water Stash
Published Date: 7/21/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Energy wants ideas on how to reuse 530,000 gallons of special heavy water stored at the Savannah River Site. They’re looking for partners to help clean and repurpose this water for science, medicine, and industry in the U.S., possibly by building new facilities on-site. If you’re interested, you need to send your ideas by September 21, 2026, so the government can plan how to make the most of this valuable resource.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Partners Must Pay for Processing and Waste
If you partner with DOE to reuse the 530,000 gallons of heavy water at the Savannah River Site, your organization would be solely responsible for extracting isotopes, de-tritiation, purification, repurposing, and for managing and disposing of any waste streams or byproducts generated from those activities.
Opportunity to Lease or Build On-Site Facilities
DOE-EM is open to discussions with interested parties about leasing land or developing facilities on the Savannah River Site to process or repurpose the approximately 530,000 gallons of heavy water. Parties interested in on-site operations may propose facility footprints, utility needs, and other site requirements.
No Funding for RFI Responses
DOE will not provide funding or compensation for any information submitted in response to this Request for Information, and this notice does not constitute a funding opportunity announcement. Responses must be submitted by September 21, 2026.
DOE May Accept Separated Tritium
DOE states it may have an interest in receiving and utilizing tritium if an industry partner separates it from the heavy water. That could provide a disposition pathway for separated tritium produced during processing of the SRS inventory.
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