ML061870467

NJDEP Case No. 06-06-21-1736-25 Five Day Report

ML061870467
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	06/26/2006
From:	Fricker C Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, State of NJ, Dept of Environmental Protection
References
06-06-21-1736-25, LR-E06-0289
Download: ML061870467 (4)

Text

PSEG Nuclear LLC P.O. Box 236, Hancock Bridge, NJ 08038-0236 JUN 2 6 2006 LR-E06-0289 0 PSEG NuclearLLC Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested Article Number: 7005 1160 0003 4381 5264 Administrator of Water Compliance and Enforcement New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 401 East State Street, 4th Floor East P0 Box 422 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0422 RE: PSEG Nuclear LLC - Salem Generating Station NJPDES Permit No. NJ0005622 NJDEP Case No. 06-06-21-1736-25 Five Day Report

Dear Sir/Madam:

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:14A-6.10 Noncompliance Reporting, PSEG Nuclear LLC is submitting this report concerning a discharge of water containing sodium hypochlorite to the Delaware River through lettered outfall A. The discharge was reported to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) hotline and assigned case number 06-06-21-1736-25. This discharge was also reported to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and assigned event number 42659. This report contains the following information as known at the time of this report. In accordance with the regulations, additional information regarding this discharge will be provided as it becomes available.

1. A description of the discharge, including the time of the discharge, the location of discharge, the volume of the discharge, the concentration of pollutants discharged, and the receiving water of the discharge;

.On June 21th, 2006 at 15:40 Salem Chemistry personnel were restoring the Service Water Chlorination System back to service after maintenance. During the restoration the inlet filter required cleaning. As per Chemistry procedure SC.CH-SO.CL-0831 the strainer was drained (approximately 5 gallons of 15%

sodium hypochlorite) into the Chlorination Pump House sump. Due to 13 B Circulating Water Pump being out-of- servica for maintenance, a plug was installed in the sump discharge pipe. At 17:10 the Operations Shift Manager was notified by impingement sampling personnel of a strong smell of chlorine and impacted fish in the north fish sampling collection pool (used to sample traveling Saas

Administrator of Water Compliance and Enforcement LR-E06-0289 JUN 2 6 2006 screen impinged material). When notified of the chlorine smell, Chemistry personnel investigated and discovered that the end of the fresh water flush hose had dropped in the building sump and dislodged the sump plug. When the plug was dislodged, the sump contents drained by gravity to the out-of-service 13 B Circulating Water Pump intake. The intake at this time was supplying a temporary traveling screen wash pump. Although the 13 B Circulating Water Pump was not operating, a temporary pump was supplied water from the 13 B intake bay as spray wash for the traveling screens. Screen spray wash water was partially diverted to the fish pool for the impingement study and remaining flush water returned to the Delaware River through lettered outfall A. Sampling personnel reported twelve dead croaker were found in the fish collection pool.

No dead or damaged fish were observed in the Delaware River.

2. Steps being taken to determine the cause of the permit noncompliance; PSEG is conducting an investigation in accordance with our problem identification and resolution process. The results of this investigation that would provide additional information will follow this letter as they become available.

3. Steps being taken to reduce, remediate, and eliminate the noncomplying discharge and any damage to the environment, and the anticipated time frame to initiate and complete the steps to be taken; After discovery, the temporary pump was stopped. Samples were taken to confirm the sodium hypochlorite was dissipating. No visible impact to the environment was noted. There is not expected to be a discernable impact to the environment.

4. The duration of the discharge, including the dates and times of the commencement and, for an unanticipated bypass, the dates and times of the end or anticipated end of the discharge, and if the discharge has not been corrected, the anticipated time when the permittee will correct the situation and return the discharge to compliance; The approximate time of the discharge is believed to be 15:45 on 06/21/2006.

The discharge would have lasted approximately 1 minute. It is believed no more then 5 gallons of 15% sodium hypochlorite reached the Delaware River.

5. The cause of the noncompliance; The cause of the noncompliance is the accidental and inadvertent dislodging the sump plug in the Chlorination Pump House allowing sodium hypochlorite to flow into the 13 B Circulating Water Pump intake bay.

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Administrator of Water Compliance and Enforcement LR-E06-0289 gJUN 2 6 2005

6. Steps being taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncomplying discharge; The noncomplying discharge has been eliminated. Steps to prevent reoccurrence are dependant upon the results from the cause investigation and in accordance with the regulations will be transmitted to the NJDEP within ten days after they become available.

7. An estimate of the threat to human health or the environment posed by the discharge; and Based upon visual observation and in light of a maximum volume of 5 gallons of 15% sodium hypochlorite being discharged, it is estimated there was little to no threat to human health or the environment.

8. The measures the permittee has taken or is taking to remediate the problem and any damage or injury to human health or the environment, and to avoid a repetition of the problem.

To date the permittee has eliminated the discharge, and is currently investigating the cause of the noncomplying discharge. Steps to prevent reoccurrence are dependant on the results of the investigation.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Brendan Daly of my staff at (856) 339-1169.

Sincer

_a rlFricker Salem Plant Manager C NJDEP Southern Enforcement Office One Port Center 2 Riverside Drive, Suite 201 Camden, NJ 08102 Attn: Mr. Steven Mathis 3

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Administrator of Water Compliance and Enforcement LR-E06-0289 JUN 2 6 2006 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Delaware Emergency Management Agency Attn.: Janet Chomiszak 165 Brick Store Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 4