PNO-II-07-012, A - Update - Onsite Ground Water Tritium Contamination at the Catawba Nuclear Station Site, Units 1 & 2
| ML073111396 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Catawba  |
| Issue date: | 11/06/2007 |
| From: | NRC/RGN-II |
| To: | |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2010-0209 PNO-II-07-012A | |
| Download: ML073111396 (1) | |
November 6, 2007 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-II-07-012A 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 Region II staff (Atlanta, Georgia) on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification Catawba Nuclear Station Notification of Unusual Event Units 1 & 2 Alert York, SC Site Area Emergency Dockets/License: 50-413, 50-414 General Emergency X Not Applicable
SUBJECT:
UPDATE - ONSITE GROUND WATER TRITIUM CONTAMINATION AT THE CATAWBA NUCLEAR STATION SITE On November 2, 2007, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) released the results of testing conducted on well water samples taken from wells near the site to determine the presence of tritium.
DHEC tested 25 off-site wells surrounding the site. Analysis results for 24 of the samples were below DHECs analytical detection capability of approximately 200 picocuries per liter (pCi/l).
The other off-site, private well registered 348 pCi/l of tritium. This level is well below the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agencys safe drinking water standard of 20,000 pCi/l. This well will be retested by DHEC.
DHEC will hold a community meeting to discuss the results with residents at 7:00 p.m., on December 6th, at Crowders Creek Middle School.
Region II continues to monitor and assess the licensees actions in response to this issue.
The full text of the DHEC press release and other pertinent information can be found on the DHEC public web site at the following address: http://www.scdhec.net/ environment/catawba_
nuclear/
Additional information regarding groundwater contamination from tritium can be found at the following NRC public web site address: http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops-experience/grndwtr-contam-tritium.html The State of South Carolina has been informed. The information presented herein has been discussed with the licensee and the state, and is current as of 1:00 p.m., on November 7, 2007.
CONTACTS: James H. Moorman George B. Kuzo Brian R. Bonser (404) 562-4647 (404) 562-4658 (404) 562-4653