ML20248D807

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Expresses Concern Re Inconsistency in Third & Fourth Quarter Groundwater Results for Well 77-B.Licensee Should Review Procedures for Nitrate & Sr-90 Analyses to Determine Reasons for Inconsistent Results
ML20248D807
Person / Time
Site: Wood River Junction
Issue date: 03/22/1989
From: Bidinger G
NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To: Valasquez J
UNITED NUCLEAR CORP. (SUBS. OF UNC, INC.)
References
NUDOCS 8904120045
Download: ML20248D807 (1)


Text

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Docket No;70-820 License No. SNM-777 MAR 2 21989

.e,

  • UNC~ Recovery Systems ATTN:

Mr. Juan R. Valasquez, Director of Environmental Affairs Ameriwest Financial Center, Suite 1040 6501 Americas Parkway, N.E.

Albuquerque, NM 87110 Gentlemen:

We have reviewed the third and. fourth quarter groundwater results and the corrected sheets received March 6, 1989. We are concerned about the inconsis-tency in the results for well 77-B.

Both the third ard fourth quarter values l

for nitrates'and Sr-90 were very low.

These values are not consistent with the l

trend for this well.

Samples taken in July and Septtmber were 330 and 240 mg/l for nitrates and 12.5 and 12.4 pCi/l respectively for Sr-90, while those taken in November were 0.9 for nitrates and 0.5 for Sr-90.

The corrected report indicated values of 0.9 for nitrate and :10.7 for Sr-90.

The Sr-90 appears reasonable, however, the nitrate remained unchanged.

The December values were 1.2 for nitrate and 0.5 for Sr-90.

The corrected report values were in line with expected results for this well, 248 for nitrates and 17.2 for Sr-90.

UNC took a sample in February to check the low values.

These results were reason-able for Sr 90 (8.1), however, the nitrate value was still low (<0.01).

The gross beta for this well has remained around 100.

We question whether the nitrates have reached background levels in just 2 months, when the levels have been < averaging greater than 200 mg/l for over 10 years.

The changes are especially questionable because the gross beta results have remained at elevated levels.

UNC should review the procedures for nitrate and Sr-90 analyses to determine the reasons for these inconsistent results.

If historical samples are available, the analyses should be performed again.

Any changes in the above-mentioned reports should be reported to us promptly.

1 If you have any questions on this matter, please contact Ms. Merri Horn (301) 492-0606.

Sincerely, r

dinger, Sectisn Leader Uranium Fuel Section Fuel Cycle Safety Branch Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS 0%

o cc:

gy Mr. K. A. Helgeson, Site Manager Mr. R. J. Gregg, Director Non.

UNC Recovery Systems of Technical Services I;D

$8 UNC Naval Products 1

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Distribution

> Docket:70-820 PDRL

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DATE: 3/;tN89 3/[/89 3/N/89

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