ML20005F408

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 891228,unauthorized Discharge Resulted in Brief Ph Excursion in Outfall 006. Excursion Caused by Leak of Dilute Sulfuric Acid from Waste Water Neutralization Sys Pipe.Leak Isolated Immediately

ML20005F408
Person / Time
Site:	River Bend
Issue date:	01/02/1990
From:	Deddens J GULF STATES UTILITIES CO.
To:	Oneill M LOUISIANA, STATE OF
References
RBG-32047, NUDOCS 9001160256
Download: ML20005F408 (2)

Text

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6, f syi , :. s GULF STATRiB ~ UTILITIES COMPANY mrvta 9tND St AttON PCC* Etf *Et BOX 120 $t rrtA'23VILLL L0ut$iAteA 70776

'e Att A tm tc4 t% tc)4 340 B651 January 2, 1990 -i

, RBG- 32047 i File No G1.11.2

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Ms. Maureen O'Neill, Assistant Secretary i Office of Water Resources Louisiana Department of Environmental Ouality P. O. Box 44091, capitol Station -

' Baton Rouge, LA.70804-4091

{

Dear Ms. O'Neill:

Louisiana Water Discharge Permit No. WPO409  !

NPDES Permit No. LA0042731 River Bend Station - Unit 1 This ' letter is a . follow-up to a telephone notification made at 10:37 a.m. on December 29,1989, of an ' unauthorized discharge which occurred on the  ;

previous night and resulted in a brief pH excursion in Outfall 006 of the "

above referenced permits:(stormwater runoff from east side of plant to Grants Bayou). The pH of a sample collected at 11:30 p.m. on December 28, 1989, was l 1.8 SU, whereas the established lower effluent limitation for this '

characteristic.is 6.0 SU.

The excursion was caused by a leak of dilute (0.7 percent) sulfuric acid from  ;

a wastewater neutralization system transfer pipe. The leak was intermittent,  :

and one increment was observed shortly after 9:00 p.m., but no flow was found >

by operators during the initial investigation. Soon thereafter. .two  ;

additional increments were observed, the source was recognized and isolated.

• and environmental personnel were summoned. Levels in the sump from which the  !

, acidified water was being transferred indicated that up to 300 gallons may r

. have been released. - The liquid flowed across the ground to two manholes and entered a storm sewer. At about 11:00 p.m., shortly before environmental personnel arrived, a light but steady rain began. It is believed that the  ;

sample collected at 11:30 p.m. was fairly representative of the initial flush of stormwater from the sewers. When Outfall 006 was visited an hour later, I flow had subsided by about 50 percent (although light rain persisted) and the i

. pH was 7.5 SU. Virtually all of the contaminated water must have been flushed away shortly after the noncompliant sample was taken. In any case, almost another inch of rain fell before daylight on the 29th and we therefore believe that no significant adverse impact on Grants Bayou resulted.

As noted, the leaking line was isolated immediately upon recognition of the problem. Complete investigation of the extent of pipe and/or fitting damage, as well as repairs, have been delayed by weather and logistical constraints

' imposed by nearby facilities. The wastewater transfer pipe will not be used unti (itgg g n ,th g uahly repaired or replaced, as appropriate.

PDR ADOCK 05000458 s eDe go

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- lNS, O'Neill Page 2 4

f- I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed- to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the informa tion -submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons .who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the l information submitted, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.

! Sincerel ,

J. C. Deddens Senior Vice President JCD/JEB/ CfJVC/ch cc: U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 Arlington, TX 76011 NRC Resident Inspector Post Office Box 1051 St. Francisv111e, LA 70775 Capitol Regional Office Water Pollution Control Division 11720 Airline Highway Baton Rouge, LA 70817-1720 Mr. Myron Knudson, Director i

' Water Management Division (6W)

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI Allied Bank Tower 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75202-2733 I

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