ML102030163

E-Mail from Crawford to HNP All Employees, State Notification Regarding Leak of Tritiated Water

ML102030163
Person / Time
Site:	Harris
Issue date:	01/12/2010
From:	Crawford K Progress Energy Carolinas
To:	Office of Information Services, Progress Energy Carolinas
References
FOIA/PA-2010-0209
Download: ML102030163 (2)

Text

Austin, Joe From: Crawford, Kim Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 1:45 PM To: HNP All Employees

Subject:

A message from Chris: state notification of tritiated water Attachments: imageO00 .jpg; image002.jpg Prugrs E*wvy A message from Chris Vice President, Harris State notification regarding leak of tritiated water January 12, 2010 Today, we made a notification to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the NRC regarding a leak involving tritiated' water.

An operator discovered the issue Sunday in the waste neutralization basin flash mixer return pipe. Approximately 1,000 gallons of water containing a low level of tritium leaked into the surrounding soil. The pipe was immediately shut off and crews expect repairs to be complete by week's end.

This water is not used for drinking consumption. Based on the leak location and low tritium levels, there is no health or safety risk to employees or to the public.

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of the element hydrogen. It is produced naturally in the upper atmosphere. It is used commercially in devices such as exit signs and wristwatches and is also a byproduct of the nuclear process.

The Environmental Protection Agency's established guidelines for tritium concentration set the safety threshold at 20,000 picocuries per liter for drinking water. The highest level found as a result of the leaking water line was around 5,500 picocuries per liter, all on the plant site.

It is possible the issue could generate public or media interest. Ifyou have any'questions, please see your supervisor.

I K/S

tR.

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