Montana’s harsh winters leave the power station with only a narrow window to control rising brine wastewater, and storage levels were already approaching critical thresholds as freezing conditions neared. Without timely reduction, the site faced overtopping risk, regulatory exposure, increased safety hazards for onsite teams and a winter-long loss of operational flexibility.

A cobalt operation in Missouri prepared to restart production while confronting rising stored water that threatened safe access, regulatory compliance and the reopening timeline. Without rapid reduction, the site risked delayed commissioning, constrained operating space and escalating environmental exposure.