ML20116B385

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 960602 Identified Ph Levels Exceeded NPDES Permit Limitations.Caused by Natural Biological activity.CO2 Injection Established,Maintained & Monitored Until 960612

ML20116B385
Person / Time
Site:	Limerick
Issue date:	07/24/1996
From:	Boyce R PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	Oneil S PENNSYLVANIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
References
NUDOCS 9607300004
Download: ML20116B385 (2)

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y PECO NUCLEAR eccoen c - ev Limenck Generaung Stauon A Unit of PECO Energy PO Box 2300 Sanatoga, PA 19464-0920 610 718 2000 July 24, 1996 Mr. Steven J. O'Neil, Chief, Operations Section Department of Environmental Resources Bureau of Water Quality Management Suite 6010, Lee Park 555 North Lane Conshohocken, PA. 19428

SUBJECT:

Limerick Generating Station, Bradshaw Reservoir l Non-Compliance of NPDES Permit No. PA0052221 '

Dear Mr. O'Neil:

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT At 1700 hours0.0197 days <br />0.472 hours <br />0.00281 weeks <br />6.4685e-4 months <br /> on June 2, 1996, Operations personnel identified that the pH at the discharge of the Bradshaw Reservoir pumps in Bucks County, PA. was 8.71. The continuous pH reading is checked by Operations personnel on a four-hour frequency per station procedures. The NPDES Permit limitations for pH are 6.0 minimum and 9.0 maximum. The NPDES Permit does not require regular treatment to control pH; however, station procedures do require remedial action when pH exceeds 8.75. At 2100 hours0.0243 days <br />0.583 hours <br />0.00347 weeks <br />7.9905e-4 months <br /> on June 2, 1996, Operations personnel identified that the pH was 8.84. In accordance with station procedures, Operations personnel initiated corrective actions as discussed below. At 2200 hours0.0255 days <br />0.611 hours <br />0.00364 weeks <br />8.371e-4 months <br /> on June 2, 1996, the pH reached 9.1, thereby exceeding the NPDES Permit limitation. By 2300 hours0.0266 days <br />0.639 hours <br />0.0038 weeks <br />8.7515e-4 months <br /> on June 2, 1996, pH decreased below the maximum limitation of 9.0, thereby re-establishing NPDES Permit compliance.

CAUSE OF EVENT:

An investigation concluded that natural biological activity in the Delaware River and the Bradshaw Reservoir associated with the spring aquatic plant life ' bloom' caused the temporary high pH ,

condition. Several local water companies operating on the LJ Delaware River were contacted and reported pH readings of 8 or ,C higher at their intakes which supports our conclusion. .(j r

9607300004 960724 IN PDR ADOCK 05000352 .

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. July 24, 1996 Page'Two CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN:

A previous similar non-compliance was reported on July 29, 1993.

An effective immediate corrective action for this prior event was to establish a temporary gaseous CO injection system at the 2

Bradshaw Reservoir Pump Station to control pH. Therefore at approximately 1600 hours0.0185 days <br />0.444 hours <br />0.00265 weeks <br />6.088e-4 months <br /> on June 4, 1996, CO2 injection was established. The CO2 injection was maintained and monitored until June 12, 1996, when station personnel determined that injection was no longer necessary. The CO system was left 2 in place, such that treatment could be re-established if required.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN TO PREVENT RECURRENCE:

Given the design of the PECO Water Diversion System and the fact that natural processes caused the high pH condition, it was concluded that no additional corrective actions were appropriate.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Mr.

James L. Kantner at (610) 718-3400.

Sincerely,

__.____ __a_ _ _ _ . __

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l cc: U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Docket Nos. 50-352/353 Washington, D.C. 20555 T. T. Martin Administrator, Region I, USNRC Docket Nos. 50-352/353 N. S. Perry USNRC Senior Resident Inspector, LGS Docket Nos. 50-352/353 Program Management Section (3WM52)

Permits Enforcement Branch Environmental Protection Agency Water Management Division Environmental Protection Agency Water Permits Section Region III l 841 Chestnut Building '

Philadelphia, PA 19107

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