ML060960511

Tritium Issue

ML060960511
Person / Time
Site:	Braidwood
Issue date:	03/17/2006
From:	- No Known Affiliation
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
FOIA/PA-2006-0115, FOIA/PA-2010-0209
Download: ML060960511 (1)

Text

BRAIDWOOD TRITIUM ISSUE

• On November 30, 2005, licensee informed NRC Residents of higer than expected tritum levels (-58,000 picoCuries per liter).

• Leakage from Circulating Water Blowdown line - attributed to 1998 and 2000 vacuum breaker valve leakage (3 million gallons leakage on site property).

• Leakage due to failure of float mechanisms of vacuum breakers 2 and 3. Licensee has since installed surge mechanism 3 in the vacuum breakers as a corrective action.

• The following were contacted: IEMA, State Congresswoman, Illinois State Senator, Mayor of Braidwood

• Ofiice of Congressional affairs (OCA) and Office of Public Affairs (OPA) were informed.

• The offsite area in the vicinity of the high levels of tritium include 3 houses to the west and to the north is a small pond arid several underdeveloped lots for sale.

• Licensee has been monitoring the levels of tritium in the wells inside the owner controlled area.

• Licensee has contacted the homeowners and collected well water samples.

• Sample readings taken 12/1/05: Pond opposite Smiley road; 2464 and 2347 picoCuries per liter

• Sample readings taken 12/1/05: Three Homes; 48, -26 and 25 picoCuries per liter

• Preliminary Notification (PNO-RIII-05-016) was made on 12/1/05

• Licensee made a Press release today (12/2/05) at 10.00 am(CST) and thereafter ENS notification at 10.45 am (CST).

• Licensee has generated a Condition Report which under Plant Review to address this issue and outline the future course of actions. The possible actions they are considering are to 1) To drill more wells and collect more samples 2) Develop a mechanism to draw the water back into the owner controlled area and pump it back into the blowdown system.