PNO-III-06-009, Perry Nuclear Power Plant Low Level Tritium Identified in Underdrain System
| ML060960633 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Perry  |
| Issue date: | 04/06/2006 |
| From: | Eric Duncan NRC/RGN-III |
| To: | |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2010-0209 PNO-III-06-009 | |
| Download: ML060960633 (1) | |
April 6, 2006 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE -- PNO-III-06-009 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region III staff on this date.
Facility FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co.
Perry Nuclear Power Plant Perry OH Docket: 050-00440 License: NPF-58 Licensee Emergency Classification Notification of Unusual Event Alert Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable
SUBJECT:
LOW LEVEL TRITIUM IDENTIFIED IN UNDERDRAIN SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:
On April 5, 2006, the licensee reported detection of low levels of tritium in an underdrain system that surrounds the perimeter of the actual plant. The underdrain system is designed to collect water from the area under and around the plant foundation and is well within the owner controlled area. The system discharges to the Emergency Service Water Intake on Lake Erie.
On March 28, 2006, a quarterly sample from a manhole in the system was collected and analyzed for tritium and gamma-producing isotopes. About 60,000 picocuries per liter of tritium was measured with no detectable gamma-producing isotopes. Subsequent measurements at other points in the underdrain system showed lower levels of tritium. Off-site environmental monitoring has shown no measurable tritium.
The licensee attributes the tritium to leakage from a flange in the feedwater system. The leakage migrated into the underdrain system which directed the water to the Emergency Service Water Pumphouse, where it is monitored and discharged. The leaking flange has been repaired.
The tritium levels did not meet any reporting or regulatory thresholds. The licensee notified state and local officials and area news media of the tritium measurements. Region III (Chicago) responded to news media inquiries. The information in this preliminary notification has been reviewed with licensee management.
The licensee notified the Headquarters Operation Center at 3:05 p.m. on April 5, 2006. This information is current as of 9 a.m. on April 6, 2006.
CONTACTS:
Geoffrey Wright Eric Duncan 630/829-9602 630/829-9628