ML20077C279

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 910504,approx 250,000 Gallons of Water Discharged Into Standby Nuclear Svc Water Pond Due to Nuclear Svc Water Pump Being Turned on Prior to Sampling.Sc Dept of Health & Environ Control Notified

ML20077C279
Person / Time
Site:	Catawba
Issue date:	05/09/1991
From:	Kowalewski M DUKE POWER CO.
To:	Jay Robinson SOUTH CAROLINA, STATE OF
References
NUDOCS 9105210237
Download: ML20077C279 (1)

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DUKE POWER May 9, 1991 Mr. J. Lanny Robinson South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental control Catawba District office P. O. Box 100 Fort Lawn, South Carolina 29714 Subject Catawba Nuclear Station Chemical Metal Cleaning Non-Compliance Files CN-702.26 As per your conservation with Mr. Robert Wylin, Duke Power Company, Catawba Nuclear Station, this report serves to document the subject event.

Catawba Nuclear Station has permission to chemically clean the Nuclear Service Water (RN) pump bearings and has conducted this process many times.

Essentially, the chemical cleaning of RN pump bearings is performed to ensure operability. The result of this cleaning operation removes silt and sedianent deposits which restrict RN pump bearing cooling water flow. After the cleaning and rinse process, the solution is overflowed to the pump pit where it mixes with the water in the pit. The pit is isolated during the entire cleaning process which allows copper, iron and pH samples to be obtained prior to release. Normally, the pit volume will be mixed with Low Pressure Service Water before dischargi.1g through outfall 001.

On May 3, 1991, RN 2B pump underwent a chemical metal cleaning. Typically, the Chemistry section would be notified once the pit containing the RN 2B pump was filled to an operational level so that a representative sample could be taken prior to its release. However, the RN 2B pump wha turned on prior to sampling, resulting in approximately 250,000 gallons being discharged into the Standby Nuclear Service Water Pond (SNSWP) . It is estimated that the ,

discharge occurred over a 25 minute period starting at 1354 hrs. on May 4,

• 1991.

As a result, SCDHEC, Columbia, was notified at 1650 on May 1, 1991. Mr.

• Jacob Baker of SCDMEC, Columbia, returned the initial phone call and then contacted Lanny Robinson, SCDREC, Fort Lawn. Mr. La.ny Robinson in turn contacted Robert Wylie at 1730 hrs. Mr. Lanny Robinson requested that a written report documenting the subject event be submitted within five days.

A copy of this report will be attached to May's monthly DMR for the station as well.

Subsequent to this event, the SNSWP was inspected and no environmental impact was observed by Duke Power Company. Presently, an in-house review of the procedures used and the overall process is being conducted. This process will identify the necessary actions needed to prevent a reoccurrencu.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss this matter further, please contact Mitch Griggs at (704)373-7080.

J.S. Carter, Technical System Manager Nucle r Environmental Compliance hO4.

Mike Kowalewski j Associate Scientist MEK/.007 / J' 1 9105.210237 910507 I

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