ML19339C323

Discusses Water Samples Collected by NRC Around Facilities & Analyzed by Anl.No Evidence Found of Radioactivity from Facilities.Util Will Analyze Water from Various Aquifers in Future & NRC Will Review Results

ML19339C323
Person / Time
Site:	Dresden
Issue date:	11/04/1980
From:	James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Conway F AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
References
NUDOCS 8011180127
Download: ML19339C323 (1)

Text

-_

fo - / o

,,...~,.'o, UNITED STATEt NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

$t 799 ROoSEVL mf ROAD U

e REGIOf.11 9

o

[

• \\

GLEN ELLYN. ILLINOls 60137 q

mg

?~

a Hh X

~-;

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Conway 2

0 3 Mallard Laue Wilmington, IL 60481

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Conway:

Recently the NRC collected er 31 samples around the Dresder Nuclear Power Station from surface wa he three wa*er-bearing layers from which drinking water is drswn in t'

ound the Dresden Station. These samples were analyzed for the NRC by

.ational Laboratory. The samples included water collected on Septembet

, from the Unit 2 and 3 discharge canal (which would be representative a the Dresden Cooling Lake), the Unit 1 dis-charge canal to the Kankakee River, the 1200-foot on-site domestic water well, and the Illinois River at Dresden Island Lock and Dam. Two samples were collected at area homes - a well water sample from a depth of 160 feet was collected on September 6,1980, and a well water sample from a depth of 300 feet was collected on September 12, 1980.

No radioactivity was detected in any of these samples except a small amount of alpha and beta activity in the well water collected from depths of 160 and 300 feet. For the well at a depth of 160 feet, 6.8 picoeuries per liter of beta activity was detected. For the well at a depth of 300 feet, 6.3 picocuries of alpha and 17.1 picoeuries of beta activity were detected. According to Argonne National Laboratory, "These are considered to be normal levels of radioactivity in et ', water samples. The alpha and beta activities may vary significantly in different aqtifers." These levels of alpha and beta activity are the same as typical levels of naturally occurring radium-226 from well water along the Illinois River valley. There is no evidence of any radioactivity from the Dresden Station.

Based on these m-asurements, we find no reason for the NRC to perform additional well sampling at this time.

In the future, Commonwealth Edison will analyze water samples from the various aquifers used for drinking water in the Dresden vicinity. NRC inspectors will review the sampling results, and periodic in-spections will be conducted to make sure the utility's environmental monitoring program is being properly conducted.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Jan Strasma of my staff.

Sincerely,

. e.. u,%!b-<:

James G. Keppfe.

Director Central Files Reproduction Unit, NRC 20b g

PDR NSIC

'0011l'80f=$:

g

.