ML20039F859
| ML20039F859 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Point Beach  |
| Issue date: | 01/04/1982 |
| From: | Oestmann M, Paperiello C, Schumacher M NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20039F857 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-266-81-24, 50-301-81-25, NUDOCS 8201130482 | |
| Download: ML20039F859 (6) | |
See also: IR 05000266/1981024
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION III
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Report Nos. 50-266/81-24; 50-301/81-25
Docket Nos. 50-266; 50-301
Licensee: Wisconsin Electric Power Company
231 West Michigan Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Facility Name: Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2
Inspection At:
Point Beach Site, Two Creeks, WI
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Inspection Conducted: December 2-4 and 22,1981
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Inspector:
M.
. Oestmann
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Approved By:
M. C. Schumacher, Chief
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Independent Measurements and
Enviro mental Protection Section
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C. J. Pt.p6riello, Chief
Errergency Preparedness and
Program Support Branch
Inspection SumSary
Inspection on December 2-4 and 22, 1981 (Report Nos. 50-266/81-24; 50-301/81-25)
Areas Inspected: Routine, unannounced inspection of:
(1) confirmatory measure-
i.ents quality control program; (2) radiological environmental monitoring program,
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including management controls, program implementation and results; quality
control of sampling and analytical measurements; and (3) review of licensee
actions on previous inspection findings. The inspection involved 15 inspector-
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hours onsite by one NRC inspector.
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Results: No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
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B201130482 820106
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PDR ADOCK 05000266
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DETAILS
1.
Persons Contacted
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- G. Reed, Manager, Nuclear Power Division (PBNP)
- J. Zack, Superintendent, Technical Services (PBNP)
- C. Harris, Radiochemical Engineer (PBNP)
- P. Skramstad, Radiochemical Engineer (PBNP)
- R. Bredvad, Health Physicist (PBNP)
T. Slack, Laboratory Supervisor (PBNP)
- F. Zeman, Office Supervisor (PBNP)
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M. Moseman, Nuclear Plant Specialist (PBNP)
J. Jacovitch, Nuclear Engineering Group (WEP)
The inspector also interviewed several other licensee employees during
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the course of this inspection, including health physicists and radio-
chemical technicians, members of the security force and general office
personnel.
- Denotes those present at the plant exit interview.
2.
Licensee Action on Previous Inspection Findings
(Closc .) Noncompliance (50-266/79-18; 50-301/79-19): Contrary
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to Technical Specification 15.4.10.1, the licensee failed to
analyze shoreline silt sample No. 5 for gross beta activity and
gamma scanned semiannually. Review of 1979 and 1980 Semiannual
Operating Reports and analytical data logs showed the required
analyses were performed on schedule. The inspector has no further
questions regarding this item.
b.
(Closed) Open Item (50-266/79-15; 50-301/79-17; 50-266/79-18;
50-301/79-19): Review by the Offsite Review Committee (OSRC)
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was made to determine the audit frequency of the environmental
monitoring program. The inspector reviewed the minutes of the
December 21, 1979 OSRC meeting which indicated that audits of
the environmental monitoring program are conducted at least
once every two years. The inspector has no further questions
regarding this item.
(Closed) Open Item (50-266/79-18; 50-301/79-19): No audit
c.
reports of the environmental monitoring program as described in
the licensee's PBEP Environmental Manual were available at the
plant. Discussions with a licensee representative from the
corporate office indicated that an audit of the contractor's
program was performed on October 8-9, 1980. A copy of the audit
report QA-80-691 was sent on December 9, 1981, from the corporate
Nuclear Power Department to the inspector to review. The audit
indicated that the contractor had establisied and implemented a
satisfactory quality control program to meet the requirements of
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ANSI N45.2. This item is considered closed.
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d.
(Closed) Open Item (50-266/79-18; 50-301/79-19): The office of
Nucicar Reactor Regulation'(NRR) is to prepare an environmental
assessment of the licensee's five year nonradiological environ-
mental surveillance program submitted in a summary report to the
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NRR in July 1978 for review. The NRR reported it had no problems
with the findings of the report. This item is considered closed.
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3.
General
This inspection consisted of an examination of the licensee's quality
control in the confirmatory measurements program and the implementation
of the radiological environmental monitoring program (REMP) including
management controls, sampling locations and operation, and program
results. The inspector utilized Section 15.4.10 of Appendix A Technical
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Specifications as the primary inspection criteria for the radiological
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environmental monitoring program.
4.
Licensee Program for Quality Assurance and Qualf ty Control of Analytical
Measurements
a.
Nonradiological Analysis of Reactor Coolant
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The inspector examined selected licensee procedures, logsheets,
and other records relating to nonradiological analyses of reactor
coolant and secondary systems. Procedures reviewed included
analyses of metals, boron, chloride, fluoride, pH, dissolved
oxygen, ammonia, hydrazine, hydrogen, and nitrogen. The licensee
has updated a number of procedures and has reorganized his pre-
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cedures into a new system called " Chemistry Analytical Methods
and Procedures." These procedures appear to be technically
adequate.
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The Anspector observed a radiochemical technician collect a steam
generator blowdown sample and conduct a pH and chloride analysis
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and conductivity measurement on the sample. The technician was
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found to follow the appropriate analytical procedures.
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During a tour of the licensee's nonradiological chemistry area,
the inspector observed that all laboratory instruments appeared
to be functional and adequately. calibrated. No technical problems
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were identified.
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b.
Radiological Analysis of Reactor Plant Effluents
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Selected licensee procedures, records, and log sheets relating
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to quality control of radiological measurements of reactor plant
effluents were reviewed by the inspector. These procedures
included gas decay sampling, operation and calibration of the
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multichannel analyzer and liquid scintillation. counter, and
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radiochemical analysis of various radionuclides. No technical
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weaknesses were identified.
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The inspector also observed the collection of a primary sample
and analysis for gross beta-gamma radioactivity. The inspector
observed that the radiochemical technician followed the appro-
priate procedure, including survey of the sample when taken but
did not utilize shielding availabic during the taking of an
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aliquot of a liquid sample to minimize radiation exposure.
This
item was discussed in the exit interview'.
Instruments located in the radiological chemistry laboratory
area were found to be functional and properly calibrated. The
inspector noted that the licensee had rel cated storage of the
radioactive samples into the fume aood in re
mendation from the health physics appraisal.gponse to a recom-
No problems were
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identified.
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c.
Quality Control of Laboratory Program
Check sheets and logs for performance of routinely scheduled
quality control checks to assure line items have been com-
pleted on time were reviewed. The review indicated that the
licensee had conducted scheduled calibrations and instrument
functional checks in accordance with procedures. No problems
were identified,
d.
Training of Chemistry Laboratory Personnel
The licensee's training program indicates supervisor observation
of on-the-job performance of selected analytical measurements
and techniques. The licensee has established formal acceptanca
criteria to determine if a technician is properly trained.
Dis-
cussions with employee trainees indicate the six month program is
adequate.
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Radiological Analysis of Environmental Samples
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The inspector reviewed records of quality control checks of
the radiological environmental monitoring program conducted
by Hazleton Environmental Sciences Corporation, the licensee's
contractor.
The contractor participates in the Environmental
Protection Agency's cross check program. The inspector reviewed
the contractor's performance for 1979 and 1980 cross check
program and identified no problems.
f.
Licensee Internal Audits
The inspector examined the licensee's review and audit activities
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in the area of chemistry and radiochemistry and environmental
monitoring. Audit reports and meeting minutes of the Offsite
Review Committee (OSCR) for 1979 and 1980 to date of this in-
spection were reviewed. Some problems in reporting analytical
results were identified when the licensee changed environmental
monitoring contractors from Eberline Instrument Corporation to
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Hazleton Environmental Sciences Corporation in the first quarter
of 1980 but they have since been resolved.
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Inspection Reports No. 50-266/80-16; No. 50-301/80-16.
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On November 11, 1980, the OSRC discussed the then current status
of the continuing investigation of identifying the source of
tritiated u ter in ground water runoff drains at,ghe Point Beach
Plant.
Ground water samples were at or below 10
uCige,well
below the maximum permissible concentrations of 3 x 10
uCi/cc
to unrestricted areas (Appendix B, Table II of 10 CFR Part 20).
Theevaluationindicatedspentfuelpoolgaggeproblemsas
describ g in previous inspection reports - - and the licensee's
letter - to the NRC on April 16, 1980.
Leaks in the spent fuel
pool leak chase channels were found and repaired; however the
success of these repairs is uncertain. The licensee's quarterly
samples continue to show the presence of tritium although at
somewhat lower levels than at the time of the original problem.
Licensee representatives during this inspection indicated that
the source of elevated tritium levels is still being evaluated.
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In a telephone conversation of December 22, 1981, the licensee
agreed to submit a current status of the tritium investigation
to meet his commitment in his letter of April 16. 1980. This
item was discussed at the exit interview and is considered an
open item (50-266/81-24-01; 50-301/81-25-01).
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
5.
Management Controls
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The licensee's administrative and procedural controls for the imple-
mentation of the radiological environmental monitoring program were
reviewed. The Staff Radiochemical Engineer is responsible for the
conduct of the REMP. The analyses of environmental samples are con-
ducted by the licensee's contractor, Hazleton Environmental Sciences
Corporation (HES). Plant personnel collect the samples which are
analyzed at the HES facilities in Northbrook, Illinois. The licensee's
Environmental Manual, which defines and implements the environmental
monitoring programs, was reviewed and found to need updating to reflect
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the change in environmental contractors in 1980. This item is considered
an open item and will be examined in a future inspection (50-266/81-24-02;
50-301/81-25-02).
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
6.
Implementation of the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program
The licensee's results of the radiological environmental monitoring
program for CY 1979, 1980 and for the first half of 1981 were reviewed
to assure compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in
Technical Specification 15.4.10.
The results were presented in the
licensee's semi-annual operating reports and in monthly reports pre-
pared by the licensee's contractor. The inspector found all samples
had been collected and analyzed in accordance with a prescribed schedule.
The licensee's annual review of the milk sampling programs including a
milk animal census in the vicinity of the site was also verified.
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Inspection Reports No. 50-266/70-04; No. 50-301/79-03
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Inspection Reports No. 50-266/80-02; No. 50-301/80-01
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Letter dated April 16, 1980 from C. W. Fay, Wisconsin Electric Power,
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to J. G. Keppler, NRC
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The program results revealed no anomalies except for fallout effects
from weapons testing of the Republic of China in 1979 and 1980 and a
positive tritium level of 3700 pCi/l in the quarterly composite of
monthly samples taken at the Two Creeks Park during the first quarter
of 1980. This positive level is about 0.1% of the maximum permissible
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concentration for unrestricted areas (Appendix B, Table II of 10 CFR Part 20). The licensee's investigation did not identify the cause of
this concentration. During the same time, a lakewater sample taken
nearest the plant (meteorological tower location) had a background
level of 300 pCi/1. The Two Creeks Park location is equidistant from
the Kewaunee and Point Beach Plants, either one or both could have
been the contributor. A monthly grab sample taken for the Kewaunee
Plant at the same time and location also indicated positive tritium
levels of about 6170 pCi/1 above background. This item was discussed
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at the exit interview.
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The inspector observed the licensee's radiological environmental air
sampling equipment for proper installation and operability at four
locations during a tour of the site. Thermoluminescent dosimeters
were also found at the same locations. All equipment was found to be
in good working order and properly calibrated.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
7.
Exit Interview
The inspector met with licensee representatives (denoted in Paragraph 1
at the conclusion of this inspection en December 4, 1981. The purpose,
scope and findings of the inspection were discussed. The licensee
stated that he would continue to investigate identification of the
source of the positive tritium levels found in ground water drains and
lakewater.
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On Decembe'r 22, 1981, the licensee agreed to submit a report of the
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current status of his investigation of ground water tritium.
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