NOTIFICATION TO OFFSITE AGENCIES DUE TO ELEVATED TRITIUM LEVELS
"Five new ground water monitoring wells were recently installed at Palisades Nuclear Plant in support of the Nuclear Energy institute (NEI) ground water initiative. The initial sampling of one of these wells displayed a level of tritium that triggered the communication protocol of the NEI initiative on ground water protection. On December 10, 2007, at 1830 hours, Entergy confirmed that the tritium concentration for this well was 22,000 picoCuries per liter (pCi/l). The threshold for initiating the communication protocol is 20,000 pCi/l (Offsite Dose Calculation Manual limit for drinking water). This well is located inside the owner controlled area and inside the protected area. This well is not a drinking water source. Entergy is continuing to investigate the source of tritium identified in this well. Samples from the remaining four wells are below minimum detectable activity levels. There is no indication that tritium has migrated off the Palisades site. The licensee plans to notify the State of Michigan, Van Buren County Office of Domestic Preparedness, City of South Haven, Covert Township, and the South Haven Charter Township.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector." |