ML20216H333

Insp Rept 99990063/98-01 on 980304.No Violations or Deviations/Noncompliance Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Site Security,Radiological Postings & Compliance W/Personnel Contamination Monitoring Requirements

ML20216H333
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/16/1998
From:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:
Shared Package
ML20216H322	List: ML20216H317 ML20216H333
References
REF-QA-99990063-980316 99990063-98-01, 99990063-98-1, NUDOCS 9803200249
Download: ML20216H333 (5)

Text

V U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION 111 License No: Non-Licensee Report No: 999-90063/98001(DNMS)

Organization: Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD)

Cleveland, Ohio Facility: NEORSD Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant Location: 6000 Canal Road Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125 Date: March 4,1998 inspectors: D. W. Nelson, Radiation Specialist R. B. Landsman, Project Engineer Approved By: Bruce L. Jorgensen, Chief Decommissioning Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety l

I i

i I

9803200249 980316 REG 3 GA999 ELONORTE 99990063 PDR

y l

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

j Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District NRC Inspection Report 999-90063/98001(DNMS)

This was a routine inspection of the North and South Fill Areas of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWTP). Areas inspected included site security, radiological postings and compliance with the personnel contamination monitoring requirements of the Radiological Control Plan.

The inspectors did not identify any weaknesses in the NEORSD security program or any deficiencies in the radiological postings around the North and South Fill Areas and the Old Sludge Lagoon. The inspectors t.lso observed the NEORSD contractor survey individuals for i contamination after they had exited from the North Fill area. No deficiencies in the contractor's survey technique were identified.

l l

l 2

D .

Report Details

1.0 Background

During April 1991, an serial monitoring survey conducted in the Cleveland, Ohio area, I

detected increased radiation levels at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWTP) located in Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio. The material causing the increased radiation levels was subsequently determined to be cobalt-60.' The SWTP services a large section of the Cleveland / Northeast Ohio area. The SWTP treatment includes incineration of sludge, transport of ash in slurry form to settlement / evaporation ponds, and eventual removal of the dried product for use as fill on the SWTP property.-

Tne 1991 serial survey detected measurable levels of gamma radioactivity at the SWTP.

Areas identified included the north edge of the plant (North Fill Area), the Sanitary Pond Area (Ash Lagoons A, B, C) and the previously used sludge lagoon (Old Sludge Lagoon).

Subsequent surveys detected Co-60 in the incinerator ash, in the ash lagoons and in several areas onsite where ash from the lagoons had been deposited. Surveys also found elevated radiation readings in the North Fill area and the South Fill Area (SFA) but no evidence of contamination in the berm located in the north area of the Steam Plant or in or around the imhoff Tanks.

During the period May through December,1993, approximately 174,000 cubic yards of contaminated ash was removed from Lagoons A, B, and C and placed in the Old Sludge i- Lagoon. Lagoons A, B, and C were subsequently released for unrestricted use.

Following the removal of the ash from the lagoons approximately two feet of cover was placed over the ash placed in the Old Sludge Lagoon (OSL). Since then, approximately two additional feet of material from Lagoons A, B, and C have been placed in the Old Sludge Lagoon (OSL).

A fence with one gate surrounds the North Fill Area (NFA). During the fall of 1997, dirt mixed with contaminated ash was excavated and moved from the west side of the NFA into the adjacent central portion of the NFA to make way for a NEORSD tunnel project.

Following excavation, the NFA fence was moved and the excavated area was surveyed and released for unrestricted use. Within the NFA, approximately two feet of clay was placed over the sloping portion of the excavated dirt and four inches over the level portion. Future plans call for covering the entire North Fill Area with an additional 20 inches of dirt excavated from the tunnel construction project.

2.0 Personnel Radiation Protection 2.1 Insoection ScoDe (87104)

The Radiological Control Plan requires individuals to be surveyed for contamination before exiting a contaminated area.

l 3

l

m 2.2 Observations and Findinas The inspectors observed the NEORSD contractor survey individuals for contamination before they had exited the NFA The contractor used a Geiger-Mueller pancake probe and appeared to use the proper surveying technique.

2.3 Conclusions NEORSD appeared to be in compliance with the contamination survey provisions of the Radiological Control Plan.

3.0 Radiological Postings 3.1 Insoection Scope (IP 8g104)

The inspectors toured the perimeters of the NFA, the SFA and the OSL.

3.2 Observations and Findinas The inspector observed that the perimeters of the NFA, the SFA and the Old Sludge Lagoon (OSL) were property posted with " Caution Radioactive Materials" signs.

3.3 Conclusions The radiological postings were appropriately placed and well maintained.

4.0 Site Security 4.1 Inspection Scope (IP 87104)

The inspectors toured the perimeter of the NFA, the SFA and the Old Sludge Lagoon.  !

4.2 Observations and Findinas I Security fences surround the NFA, the SFA and the Old Sludge Lagoon. Guards at the Main Process Plant control the keys to the gate leading into the NFA and the SFA and only authorized individuals are allowed to enter the area. The Manager, Water Quality and Industrial Surveillance, NEORSD, controls the one set of keys to the OSL and only he '

can unlock the gate leading into the Old Sludge Lagoon. Access to the OSL is limited to B. Koh & Associates, Inc., personnel and individuals personally authorized by the Manager.

4.3 Conclusions i Security at the NFA, the SFA and the OSL was excellent.

l 4

5.0 Exit Meeting j

- At the conclusion of the on-site inspection on March 4,1998, the inspector met with those individuals identified below. A summary of the preliminary results was discussed. The NEORSD management and employees did not identify any information provided during the inspection as proprietary.

PERSONS CONTACTED

• Thomas Lenhart, Assistant General Counsel, NEORSD

• Rich Connelly, Manager, Water Quality and industrial Surveillance, NEORSD

• Theodore Adams, B. Koh & Associates, Inc.

• Denotes those present during the March 4,1998, exit meeting conducted at the Southerly ,

Wastewater Treatment Plant. )

l lNSPECTION PROCEDURE USED 87104 Decommissioning inspection Procedure for Materials Licensees 1

LIST OF ACRONYMS  !

NFA North Fill Area I SFA South Fill Area l OSL Old Sludge Lagoon l NEORSD Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District '

l i

l 1

5