The following report was received from the State of
Tennessee via email:
On December 3, 2016, M & EC [East Tennessee Materials & Energy Corporation] staff notified DRH [Tennessee Division or Radiological Health] regarding an event in which a [Fire Protection] water line outside an M & EC building began leaking [on 12/1/16]. The water entered the building flooding a non-contaminated area (radiologically clean) and a bermed contaminated area. After the leak was stopped, water removal was performed Friday and over the weekend. M & EC staff were able to segregate removal of water from the clean area from removal of water from the bermed contaminated area. A total of [approximately 136,000 to 242,000] gallons was removed, a large percentage of which was in the contaminated area. M & EC is in process of completing the clean up, and is also in the process of performing radio-analysis of both the clean and the contaminated water. The contaminated bermed area had an average contamination of [approximately] 15,000 dpm/100 cm2.
No release to the public has occurred and a follow-up investigation by the Tennessee DRH is being conducted and additional information will be provided by DRH when available.
Report #: TN-16-173