![]() MDH does not have plans to test private wells at this time. We will continue to monitor water sources and evaluate the situation. There are no private wells located in the direction of groundwater flow between the plume and the Mississippi River. We have no evidence at this time to indicate impacts or risk to private wells in the vicinity of the plant. If the contamination would reach the river, we do not expect to find harmful amounts of tritium from the groundwater plume in downstream samples due to the volume of water moving through the river. Paul are many miles downstream from the plant and use water from the river as a drinking water source. The leak that resulted in a plume has not reached the river. We will work with Xcel on an appropriate plan to test drinking water at the plant to protect Xcel workers.We will continue to monitor and assess the situation. We do expect the mitigation activities to contain the plume. It would take years for the contamination to reach the closest wells. At this time, the plume has not migrated off the site. The closest public water supply well to the plume is more than a mile away in the opposite direction of groundwater flow.We have no evidence that there currently are impacts to public drinking water serving the plant or serving public water supplies in the vicinity of the plant. Backgrounder On Tritium, Radiation Protection Limits, And Drinking Water Standards | NRC.gov.Picocuries are often the units used to describe environmental levels of radioactivity. This provides minimal risk of health impacts for people from drinking water. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Act limit for tritium in drinking water is 4 millirems per year which equates to a concentration of 20,000 picocuries per liter. ![]() Therefore, it is not an external radiation dose concern, but breathing in tritium or swallowing contaminated water are possible ways to be exposed. Beta particles do not travel far in air and are too weak to penetrate the skin. It is also a byproduct of producing electricity from nuclear power plants. Tritium is a naturally occurring radioactive form of hydrogen (low-energy beta particle) that is produced in the atmosphere. Statement on Xcel Energy shutdown of Monticello nuclear plant.For more information, see the March 23 joint statement from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health. ![]() Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and Minnesota state agencies will continue to review the company’s response and oversee the recovery, storage and disposal of impacted groundwater.īased on the available information, there is no evidence at this point to indicate a current or imminent risk to the public. ![]() See: Xcel Energy to take Monticello nuclear plant offline to fix tritium leak. While there is no indication the water has moved away from the immediate site of the plant, the leak prompted the company to power down the plant to address the issue, and the company is monitoring the groundwater plume through two dozen wells. Xcel has reported a recurring issue of water containing tritium leaking from its Monticello facility. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says there's no threat to drinking water or the nearby Mississippi River, but that the groundwater under the plant does move toward the river.Xcel Energy Monticello Power Plant Tritium Leak Information about the leak The reactor was licensed to operate until 2010, however on November 8, 2006, it was extended to operate until 2030. It is owned by Northern States Power Company (NSP), today a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, and is operated by Nuclear Management Company (NMC). The site, which began operating in 1971, has a single nuclear reactor (boiling water reactor) of the General Electric BWR-3 design generating 613 megawatts, but studies are ongoing to uprate it to 700 MWe. "Our number one action was to stop the leak and excel did that the number two action is make sure that Xcel reclaims the water and they're working on that." This Jphoto shows the Monticello nuclear power plant in Monticello, MN. "This is a very localized leak, it is not migrated off-site, there has been no risk to public health or public safety," Dan Huff, Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health said. State officials say the leak has since been stopped and has been contained to the facility. In late November, Xcel Energy confirmed and reported the leak to state officials as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Minnesota state agencies are monitoring Xcel Energy's cleanup of a tritium leak at a Monticello nuclear generating plant.Īccording to state officials, 400,000 gallons of water contaminated with tritium leaked from a water pipe running between two buildings at the facility. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |