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| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 53254 | 12 March 2018 11:59:00 | LacrosseSolutions is preparing to issue a short press release related to the detection of tritium above background levels detected in site groundwater sampling wells. Following is a summary of the release: The LACBWR (LaCrosse Boiling Water Reactor) site contains a network of industrial groundwater monitoring wells. Analytical results from a routine sampling event on December 28, 2017, indicated above background levels of tritium in the monitoring well closest to the reactor building. All wells sampled in December were resampled on February 14, 2018. From that sampling event, one additional well resulted positive for tritium. The monitoring well closest to the reactor building has a tritium concentration equivalent to the EPA limit for drinking water. No other radionuclides were found in the groundwater monitoring wells. EnergySolutions is using Haley & Aldrich, a national environmental consulting firm experienced in this area, to assist EnergySolutions in further testing and development of a groundwater monitoring plan to monitor the source of the tritium. On March 6, 2018, Dairyland Power Cooperative directed their employees working at the coal plant next to LACBWR to switch to bottled drinking water instead of well water until more information is known about the source of tritium. This was a prudent and cautious step to address any concerns employees may have. The drinking water wells draw water from a much deeper depth than the groundwater that is approximately equal to the river height. No radionuclides were detected in the drinking water levels above background. The State of Wisconsin and the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission were briefed and are closely following the issue. The licensee has been communicating with NRC R3 (Edwards) and NRC HQ (Vaaler) since the initial sampling event. |