ML20127H012
| ML20127H012 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | West Valley Demonstration Project |
| Issue date: | 12/22/1983 |
| From: | Rouse L NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Browning R NRC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20127B821 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-84-905 NUDOCS 8505210205 | |
| Download: ML20127H012 (5) | |
Text
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sEC ass Note for R. Browning 1
SUBJECT:
ATTACHED DISCUSSION OF CONTAMINATED SOLVENT Fits IN M0t'ITORING J
WELL AT WEST VALLEY I
Attached for your use and per your request is a brief discussion on the above subject. We will provide more details, if needed.
erasim istamed W 3s3mdC. Depe Leland C. Rouse
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Enclosures:
As stated DISTRIBUTION:
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CONTAMINATION FIND'IN RESEARCH MONTIORING WELL AT WEST VALLEY LLW DISPOSAL AREA
- As reported to the Comissioners on December 5,1983, the Department of '
~ Energy issued a. press release on that date concerning the detection of' radioactivity in a monitoring well near the facility low-level waste disposal area. The radioactivity was discovered in samples taken on -
November 30, 1983.
The well, designated 82-5A, was one in a series of research wells drilled by the U. S. Geological Survey for the NRC in 1982. The wells were principally used to obtain hydrogeologic data. The U.S.G.S. withdrew a sample of
' liquid from the well and noted the presence of two phases. The organic phase was discovered by analysis to be contaminated with fission products and transuranics.
The Department is taking steps to determine the extent of the contamination spread in an underground " plume." The Department has been informing the NRC and other relevant Federal and New York State agencies of their progress in determining the extent and cause of the contaminant spread.
NRC staff attended a meeting held at the site on December 20,1983 to review the current information developed by the Department.
At this point the Department's' contractor believes that the organic phase is the solvent extractant, tribuly1 phosphate in ultrasene (a purified kerosene)usedby the reprocessing plant when it operates.
Burial records indicate specific j
locations in which the solvent had been disposed during and following plant
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operation.
All solvents were buried prior to 1972.
The Department has committed to taking remedial action, although no specific action has yet been identified. The'NRC staff has provided the Department
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with information related to ground water flow and monitoring.
In approximately t
two months most of the information the site operator has been collecting I'
will be available and decisions may be made as to an appropriate remedial action and the need for additional investigation.
The NRC staff's view at present is that the solvent discovery indicates that site hydrological characteristics, particularly that of near surface unsaturated flow, are not well enough understood and additional work will be necessary. The buried solvent is not related to DOE's West Valley Demonstration Project activities.
Because of weather conditions at the site during this time of year, work on obtaining data has been hindered.
Because there is no imminent danger
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to either employees or the general public, some of the necessary investigation may proceed.in the spring.
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2-The Office of pkclear Regulatory Research has been supporting NMSS on this issue.
In particular, the RES project manager, Tom Nicholson, who had administered the research contract with U.S.G.S. and N.Y.S.G.5, has been involved in the data evaluation.
The Governor of the State of New York was informed of the detected contamination and has responded with a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Energy.
A copy of the letter is attached.
Enclosure:
As stated k
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Deciember 9,1983
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I wish to express to you my personal concern over the r~ecent
,discovery of radioactivity in liquids sampled f rom a hydro-geological testing well near a solid radioactive waste bur;ial area at the Western New Y6tk Nuclear Service Center.
This area.
which had been used by the former site operator for disposal of spent fuel reprocessing plant wastes, is now under the control of your Department for the purposes of carrying.out the West Valley Demonstration Project (" Project").
My understanding of the situation is based upon information T
received f tom DOE's alte office and the stalf of the State Energy Research and Development Authority,- which o'wns the site.
I as tnld that the well in question is one of several the'U.S.
Geological Survey ("USG5') has been monitoring to study ground-water in the vicinity of the burial area, in support of the West Valley Demonstration Project, with funding f rom DOE and the U.S.
Nucilear Regulatory Commission ("NRC").
At t.he request of the New York State Department of Health
("DOH), USGS took samples f rom the various monitoting wells on n
l huvenber 30, 1983.
The' sample f rom one well revealed an l
industrial solvent similar to one used during reprocessing operations at the site years ago.
The' sample also showed.
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concentrations 'of radionuclides, including plutonium.
The NRC, DON, and the New York State Geological Survey have been briefed on this matter..I am informed that your l
-Department's site of fice has been cooperating with them in an effort to promptly investigate the source of this liquid, as well as the cause and extent of its mitigation.
I also understand that the Department's site office has 4xpreused its commitment to take whatever remedial. steps are necessary to ensure the liquid is not released to the environment.
I understand that the Department, in cooperation with DOH, has developed a strean
.uampling program and is also developing contingency plans in the
, event that any contamination should be detected.
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1.wish to thank you and your charf for kooping u:rapprised of this matter to date and to regucat you to ar.uiun the highnet priority to the in.vestigation and remediation.of t.his proisier.s.
k' hen the source of the radioactivity has been identified, I woula
-urge that the Department carefu21y consider its removal in evaluating the remedial options available.
7 truct that your Departm.ent will continue to keep Dolt, the State Cenlogical surycy, and the Energy Authority fully iniormed of develog,ments and cooperate with them in ~ investigating and correcting the pr obl em.
The State agencies ar.o prepared to work closely with you,.your site contractor, the NRC, and USCS, in review of the investigations and, development of a remedial. programs to protect pubile health and safety.
Very truly yours,
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!l Honoral,le Donald Paul Hodel.
Secretary of Energy U.S. Department ot Energy Forrental Building 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C.
20585
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