PNO-IV-06-009, Union Electric Company, Callaway Plant, Subject: Radioactive Contamination Identified by Licensee at Locations Along the Plant Discharge Pipeline

PNO-IV-06-009 - Union Electric Company, Callaway Plant, Subject: Radioactive Contamination Identified by Licensee at Locations Along the Plant Discharge Pipeline

ML061810413
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	06/30/2006
From:	Shannon M NRC Region 4
To:
References
PNO-IV-06-009
Download: ML061810413 (3)

June 30, 2006 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE -- PNO-IV-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 IV staff on this date.

Facility Licensee Emergency Classification Union Electric Company Notification of Unusual Event Callaway Plant Alert Fulton, Missouri 65251 Site Area Emergency Docket: 50-482 General Emergency License: NPF-30 X Not Applicable

SUBJECT:

RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION IDENTIFIED BY LICENSEE AT LOCATIONS ALONG THE PLANT DISCHARGE PIPELINE DESCRIPTION: This PN is being issued following notification from the licensee that recent sampling along the plant's discharge line revealed contamination levels exceeding the EPA standard for drinking water of 0.02 microcuries per liter. However, there is no evidence of radioactive contamination in drinking water based on the licensee's sampling and analysis of wells in the area.

On June 14, 2006, the licensee notified Region IV that elevated levels of tritium and two other radionuclides were identified at four locations along the blowdown discharge pipeline at underground enclosures (manholes). The radioactive material is believed to have leaked from air-relief valves during routine radiological releases through the discharge pipeline. The radionuclides included low levels of tritium, cobalt-60, and cesium-137. These levels were below NRC reporting criteria and below 10 CFR 20 limits.

On June 22, 2006, the licensee updated Region IV with the results of additional samples taken in the first locations and at three additional manholes. With the exception of tritium, the additional samples were similar to the first samples. Tritium levels ranged from 0.02 to 0.2 microcuries per liter. While this contamination level is below NRC reporting criteria and 10 CFR Part 20 limits, it does exceed the EPA standard for drinking water of .02 microcuries per liter. All sample locations are on the licensee's property and the water is not intended for human consumption.

While the licensee's environmental monitoring continues, the radioactive contamination poses no danger to public health and safety. The licensee temporarily suspended all liquid radioactive discharges and installed basins under the air-relief valves to capture any leakage.

The licensee plans to issue a press release on this matter on Friday, June 30, 2006.

Region IV has informed EDO, NRR, and PA. The state of Missouri was informed telephonically.

The information presented herein has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of 1:00 p.m. on June 30, 2006.

ADAMS ACCESSION NUMBER: ML061810413 CONTACT: Michael P. Shannon, Chief 817-860-8215 mps1@nrc.gov