NRC Event Notification Reports for 2015 radioactive leaks and spills to water
Source: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/
[LAST UPDATED March 25, 2015]
Power Reactor Event Number: 50907
Facility: PALISADES Region: 3 State: MI Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: BARB DOTSON HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 03/19/2015 Notification Time: 16:44 [ET] Event Date: 03/19/2015 Event Time: 16:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 03/19/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization): GREGORY ROACH (R3DO)
Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
Event Text
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF TRITIUM IN GROUND WATER
"On February 26, 2015, as a result of routine monitoring well sampling, Palisades Nuclear Plant identified tritium in temporary wells 7 and 8, located within the plant protected area. Tritium concentrations were less than the threshold value (20,000 pCi/L) for initiating voluntary communications in accordance with Nuclear Energy Institute Ground Water
Protection Initiative. The station promptly isolated and rerouted the likely source. Subsequent sample concentrations from samples obtained on March 18, 2015, have resulted in
concentrations of tritium less than the minimum detectable activity. The wells are currently used only for on-site sampling and not for drinking water. There is no threat to public health and safety.
"These results confirm that a leak from the pipe that runs from the turbine sump oil separator to the turbine building drain tank was the likely cause. The volume of the leak cannot be
determined but is potentially greater than 100 gallons. Therefore, voluntary communications have been made to state and local stakeholders. The Licensee has notified the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Van Buren County Administrator, the Township Supervisors in Covert, Geneva, and South Haven Townships, as well as the City of South Haven Mayor and City Manager.
The tritium is suspected to be migrating through the steam generator tubes to the turbine building waste water.
Power Reactor Event Number: 50864
Facility: HOPE CREEK Region: 1 State: NJ Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: MARIAZ DAVIS HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA
Notification Date: 03/04/2015 Notification Time: 14:41 [ET] Event Date: 03/04/2015 Event Time: 14:08 [EST] Last Update Date: 03/04/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization): ART BURRITT (R1DO)
Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
Event Text
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO ELEVATED TRITIUM DETECTED ONSITE
"On March 3, 2015, PSEG [Public Service Enterprise Group] confirmed the presence of tritium at a concentration of approximately [0.01] microCurie/ml in ice samples taken in a small area immediately adjacent to the north side of the Hope Creek Turbine Building. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Nuclear Engineering was notified at 1408 [EST] on March 4, 2015, in accordance with NEI 07-07, Industry Ground Water Protection Initiative.
"Samples were taken and analyzed in response to ice which was observed to be forming along the exterior of the north Turbine Building wall. Sample results show detectable tritium is confined within the site boundary and there is no impact to the health and safety of the employees or the public.
"A catch containment was installed in the affected area. PSEG is continuing to evaluate this issue and develop corrective actions.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector." The local Township will be notified.
Power Reactor Event Number: 50829 Facility: HARRIS
Region: 2 State: NC Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: KEVIN ABELL HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 02/17/2015 Notification Time: 16:55 [ET] Event Date: 02/17/2015 Event Time: 15:55 [EST] Last Update Date: 02/17/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization): REBECCA NEASE (R2DO)
Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
Event Text
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO WASTEWATER SPILL
"At approximately 1555 EST on February 17, 2015, Duke Energy personnel determined that the following event required notification of North Carolina state agencies for an NPDES [National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System] permit event and a voluntary reporting of tritium. At approximately 1000 EST on February 16, 2015, plant personnel identified a wastewater spill of more than 100 gallons containing a low level of tritium (9,415 picocuries per liter, less than half the EPA drinking water limit of 20,000 picocuries per liter). No
additional plant-related radionuclides were detected. The wastewater was released as a result of an overfilled basin and entered the plant's storm drain system. The storm drain system releases to an alternative discharge outfall. The release from the settling basin has been stopped. The report to the state of North Carolina also fulfills Harris Nuclear Plant's voluntary
communication to state agencies in accordance with the NEI 07-07 Groundwater Protection Initiative.
"There is no impact to public health and safety or the environment due to this incident. "This event is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), an event related to protection of the environment for which a notification to other government agencies has been made. "The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
Power Reactor Event Number: 50725 Facility: BROWNS FERRY
Region: 2 State: AL Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4 NRC Notified By: MARK MOEBES HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 01/08/2015 Notification Time: 18:14 [ET] Event Date: 01/08/2015 Event Time: 16:26 [CST] Last Update Date: 01/08/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization): MICHAEL F. KING (R2DO)
Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
3 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
Event Text
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO LOW LEVEL TRITIUM SPILL
"On January 7, 2015, at approximately 0700 CST, a leak to the environment was identified. Tritium was present at a concentration of 7.52E-3 uCi/mL, which is above the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standard of 20,000 picocuries per liter. No other radioactive isotopes were identified. The leak rate was estimated at
approximately 0.5 gpm and determined to be from the condensate head tank. Water was accumulating on the concrete-lined reactor/refuel air zone air intake plenum with some
accumulation of water on the ground in the area. The intake plenum contains three floor drains. Actions were immediately taken to terminate the leak once the flowpath was identified. The flowpath was terminated two hours and 45 minutes after identification. Based on system review and analysis, any tritiated water that would have made it to the floor drains would then be mixed with incoming raw water at two million gallons per minute. This mixed volume of water would then be circulated through the plant and discharged to the river with a resultant tritium concentration that is much less than detectable levels and well below US EPA drinking water standards. The station has established increased monitoring of groundwater at designated sample wells.
On January 8, 2015, at approximately 1645 CST in accordance with TVA procedures and the guidance of NEI 07-07 [Nuclear Energy Institute] for the Groundwater Protection Initiative, the licensee notified the Alabama Radiological Protection Department and Alabama
Department of Environmental Management. The Limestone County Emergency Management Department will be notified."