ML20247B946

SER Supporting 890331 Application for Amend to License SNM-0778 Re Groundwater Monitoring Program for Detection of Potential Leakage of Storage Tanks in Liquid Waste Disposal Facility

ML20247B946
Person / Time
Site:	07000824
Issue date:	05/17/1989
From:	Bidinger G, Soong S NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:
Shared Package
ML20247B926	List: ML20247B920 ML20247B940 ML20247B946 ML20247B957
References
NUDOCS 8905240297
Download: ML20247B946 (2)

Text

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l MAY 171989

~ DOCKET N0: 70-824 LICENSEE: Babcock & Wilcox Naval Nuclear Fuel Division NNFD Research Laboratory (NNFD-RL)

FACILITY: Lynchburg, Virginia

SUBJECT:

SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT, APPLICATION DATED MARCH 31, 1989, RE GROUND WATER MONITORING PROGRAM

Background

When the SNM-778 license was renewed in 1987, the staff added Condition 13 requiring NNFD-RL to submit a ground water monitoring program for the detection of potential leakage of the storage tanks in the Liquid Waste Disposal Facility (LWDF). By letter dated October 28, 1987, NNFD-RL submitted such a program. After reviewing the submittal, the staff requested additional infor-mation by letter dated March 4, 1988. By letter dated April 7, 1988, NNFD-RL submitted supplemental information. During a telecon on January 17, 1989, the staff. discussed the supplement with NNFD-RL whereby, on March 31, 1989, NNFD-RL resubmitted a modified ground water monitoring program.

Discussion NNFD-RL's proposed ground water monitoring program consists of seven wells ,

which are positioned around the perimeter of the LWDF. The wells are designed I to collect ground water at the interface of the soil and bedrock' and provide an early warning of any tank leakage. For the first 2 years, beginning in 1987, the well water will be analyzed on a quarterly basis for radioactivity.

After this period, if the sample results are below the preset action level (30 pCi/l), the frequency will be changed to annually. In addition, if the preset level is exceeded, NNFD-RL will plan and take corrective action. i During a telecon on April 21, 1989, with Mr. C. Boyd, NNFD-RL representative, ,

Mr. Boyd informed the staff that since 1987, NNFD-RL had analyzed water samples l from Well Nos. I thru 5 and that all results were below the action level except i for one sample each for Well Nos. I and 4. NNFD-RL's investigation concluded that the elevated radioactivity levels in the water samples were attributed to the variation of natural background and do not represent radioactive contaminants )

from the NNFD-RL liquid storage tanks. Since Well Nos. 6 and 7 were constructed in February 1989, no analyzed results of the water samples have been reported.  ;

These two wells will be sampled quarterly for two years. j l

$5210$$

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l MAY 171989 Babcock & Wilcox 2 Conclusion / Recommendation Based on the above discussion, the staff concludes that the proposed amendment provides an adequate ground water monitoring program for the detection of potential leakage from the waste water storage tanks. Approval of the application is recommended.

The Region II Principal Inspector has no objection to this proposed action.

QTigilg) Signed BT Sean Soong Uranium Fuel Section Fuel Cycle Safety Branch Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS Approved by: ()tiginal Signed Br George H. Bidinger, Section Leader

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NAME:SSoong:mh: VLT arpe: GHBidinger:

DATE:5//6 /89 5/lV/89 5//h/89 0FFICIAL RECORD COPY

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