ENS 42381
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
21:30 Mar 2, 2006 | |
| Title | Offsite Notification |
| Event Description | The following event description is based on information currently available. If through subsequent reviews of this event, additional information is identified that is pertinent to this event or alters the information being provided at this time, a follow-up notification will be made via the ENS.
This is a report of a situation, related to the protection of the environment, for which a notification to another government agency has been or will be made, as described in 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi). Specifically, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) notified the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) of the possibility of a discharge of non-hazardous material that has the potential to cause groundwater limits to be exceeded At Palo Verde Unit 3, water was observed in a concrete pipe vault that was abutted against soil. The source of the water appeared to becoming from seals around the pipes and originating from the ground behind the pipe chase. The area behind the pipe chase contains a series of pipes buried in a layer of compacted soil. In order to characterize the water and identify its source, a pothole, approximately 13 feet deep and reinforced with a perforated drain pipe was dug in the radiological controlled area yard so that a sample of the water could be obtained. Initial results from the unit laboratory indicated the presence of tritium. A confirmatory sample was collected and analyzed by the State certified laboratory at Palo Verde that confirmed the presence of tritium at a concentration of approximately 7.14 x 10 -5 microCurie per milliliter. The Aquifer Protection Permit Aquifer Quality Limit for tritium is 2.00 x 10 -5 microCurie per milliliter. At this time we are working to identify the source. We currently have no evidence that the water has contaminated any aquifer but are continuing with our investigation. Palo Verde's ground-water monitoring program - in place since the unit operations began - has validated that no tritium has been present in any wells or aquifers in any quarterly samples. PVNGS has just finished collecting its quarterly monitoring samples. Analyzed samples have no indication of tritium. The remaining samples will be completed next week. No Technical Specification effluent limits have been exceeded. No Offsite Dose Calculation Manual (ODCM) effluent limits have been exceeded. No federal effluent limits have been exceeded. Palo Verde has not identified any health or safety risk to the public or onsite personnel. No source of leakage or release path has been identified, therefore no release rate or total quantity released has been quantified. Unit 3 is operating at approximately 100% rated thermal power at normal operating temperature and pressure. This information is also being reported to the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
Palo Verde  Arizona (NRC Region 4) | |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification to Government Agency or News Release | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+-2.7 h-0.113 days <br />-0.0161 weeks <br />-0.0037 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Dan Marks 18:48 Mar 2, 2006 |
| NRC Officer: | Bill Gott |
| Last Updated: | Mar 2, 2006 |
| 42381 - NRC Website
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Unit 3 | |
|---|---|
| Reactor critical | Critical |
| Scram | No |
| Before | Power Operation (100 %) |
| After | Power Operation (100 %) |