ML070740054
| ML070740054 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 03/14/2007 |
| From: | Blough A Division of Reactor Safety I |
| To: | Tom Gurdziel - No Known Affiliation |
| White J, RI/DRS/PSB2, (610) 337-5114 | |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2007-0166 | |
| Download: ML070740054 (3) | |
Text
March 14, 2007 Mr. Tom Gurdziel 9 Twin Orchard Drive Oswego, NY 13126
Dear Mr. Gurdziel:
This is in response to your letter dated February 1, 2007, relative to your thoughts on the groundwater contamination at Entergys Indian Point Energy Center. Thank you for providing your ideas on these complex matters. While we have not reached a final regulatory conclusion, we remain confident that public health and safety has not been, nor is likely to be, adversely affected by the contaminated groundwater conditions at Indian Point. From our continuing inspection of this matter, we observed that Entergy is devoting sufficient resources to characterize and resolve the groundwater conditions; making reasonable progress; and complying with NRC regulatory requirements.
NRC has been actively assessing and inspecting Entergys investigation of the nature and extent of onsite groundwater contamination since September 2005. To this end, Entergy has developed 36 new onsite monitoring wells which are routinely sampled and analyzed for radiological and hydrological information. Samples and data from many of these onsite wells, and other offsite environmental sample locations are routinely analyzed by NRC and New York States Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS/DEC) to independently assess the radiological and hydrological conditions. Our independent review of Entergys radiological dose assessment, based on current analysis of the information obtained, continues to confirm that this onsite condition has negligible affect on public health and safety.
To assure effective communication, Entergy, the NYS/DEC, and NRC provide bi-weekly briefings to all interested federal, state, and local government stakeholders on the status and progress of the groundwater investigation at Indian Point; and we routinely provide the results of our inspections of this matter in publicly available inspection reports. Additionally, NRC established the following publicly available webpages to provide additional information:
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops-experience/grndwtr-contam-tritium.html, provides generic information relative to industry experience with groundwater contamination; http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/plant-specific-items/indian-point-issues.html, describes the conditions, activities, and correspondence that pertain specifically to groundwater contamination at Entergys Indian Point Energy Center.
2 From our review and independent assessment of information to-date, we have determined the following relative to each Indian Point Unit:
(1)
The contaminated groundwater in the vicinity of Unit 1 is due to known leakage from the spent fuel pool system of this unit. Strontium-90 is the primary contaminant, but other isotopes have also been identified. Entergy has been effective in reducing the amount of radioactive material that is available for leakage from the spent fuel pool system, by continuous treatment of the pool water with a filter/demineralizer system. As a result, the concentration of strontium-90 and other isotopes in the groundwater have been significantly reduced. Complete elimination of this source is expected when the spent fuel pool is drained upon off-loading the spent fuel to dry cask storage, an activity that is scheduled to occur in 2008.
(2)
The contaminated groundwater in the vicinity of Unit 2 is likely due to leakage from the spent fuel pool or associated systems. Tritium is the primary contaminant. Entergy has reviewed all other systems that could be possible sources, and conducted underwater examination of all accessible portions of the spent fuel pool with divers and remote visual monitoring equipment. Some portions of the spent fuel pool cannot be accessed due to the proximity of spent fuel; and close dimensional tolerances prevent the use of currently available visual surveillance equipment. While further examination is planned, a specific leak location has not yet been identified. Tracer and extraction pump testing is currently in process to further characterize groundwater behavior.
(3)
Entergys review of systems associated with Unit 3, and groundwater measurements in the vicinity have not determined any condition that indicates leakage to groundwater has or is occurring from that unit. While low-level contamination has been detected in the Unit 3 vicinity, current information indicates that the source was likely legacy leakage from abandoned drain systems associated with previous Unit 1 operations. Further, unlike Units 1 and 2, the Unit 3 spent fuel pool system contains a leak collection system which is expected to detect system leakage, if occurring.
We thank you for your interest in this matter. We believe that our ongoing inspection and assessment of Entergys efforts have been, and will continue to be, effective in assuring appropriate resolution of this issue.
Sincerely,
/RA by Marsha K. Gamberoni for/
A. Randolph Blough, Director Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos.
50-247, 50-286 License Nos. DPR-26, DPR-64
3 Distribution: (Via E-Mail)
S. Collins, RA M. Dapas, DRA E. Cobey, DRP D. Jackson, DRP D. Lew, DRP J. Clifford, DRP M. Cox, DRP G. Bowman, DRP T. Walker, DRP D. Screnci, PAO N. Sheehan, PAO A. Blough, DRS M. Gamberoni, DRS J. White, DRS J. Noggle, DRS RA 07-034 G. Matakas, ORA SUNSI Review Complete: JRW (Reviewers Initials)
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