Tritium system finishes job, 'low flow' pumping continues
On September 29, 2000, following the approval of the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation and the US Environmental Protection Agency, Brookhaven placed its tritium pump-and-recharge system on standby. The Laboratory installed this system in 1997 after identifying the tritium leak from the High Flux Beam Reactor's spent fuel storage pool. The system has prevented the leading edge of the on-site tritium plume from moving south.
Groundwater monitoring shows that tritium levels in the vicinity of the system's three extraction wells have decreased to undetectable levels. The Laboratory predicted this decrease through groundwater sampling and computer modeling. The decrease is a result of the combined effects of radioactive decay, dilution and dispersion.
The Department of Energy is now focusing on removing the highest levels of tritium just south of the High Flux Beam Reactor, using low-flow pumping to remove the highest concentrations from the aquifer. Approximately 75,000 gallons of tritiated water have been pumped out and shipped off site for disposal.
The Laboratory will continue to monitor and model the tritium plume. This work is conducted as part of Brookhaven's Groundwater Protection Program, which encompasses monitoring and restoration activities as described at http://www.esh.bnl.gov/esd/gpmp.htm.
Roundtable participants discuss future of reactor
On November 30, 2000, the High Flux Beam Reactor project team held a public roundtable discussion to present the alternatives for HFBR stabilization and decommissioning.
This research reactor, closed permanently in November 1999, operated from 1965 to 1996. The stabilization process involves securing the facility until decommissioning can be accomplished.
The roundtable gave participants an opportunity to learn about and become involved in this research reactor's decommissioning process. Equally important, participants informed the project team about their interests and concerns, and contributed to the decision-making process. Information from this discussion will be considered in the analysis of reactor decommissioning alternatives.
A report of meeting events, as well as the presentations given, is available at the HFBR web site, http://www.bnl.gov/hfbr, or can be obtained by calling Jen Clodius (631-344-2489). Notices about future roundtables and open houses will be made as activity dates are finalized.
Web site revamped for easier use
The Environmental Restoration Division web site has been redesigned and reorganized to be more "user-friendly." We encourage you to visit http://www.bnl.gov/erd and send any comments to clafon@bnl.gov.
The U.S. Department of Energy and Brookhaven National Laboratory have completed another component of Brookhaven's final groundwater cleanup plan: identifying properties in the free public water hookup area south of the Laboratory whose owners have elected not to connect to the public water supply.
The results show that 10 property owners in this area chose to continue using their private wells for drinking water purposes. The Department will be offering these 10 property owners free yearly testing of their water supply. The testing would be performed through the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
Approximately 1,500 homes south of the Lab were connected to the public water supply between 1996 and 1998. This hookup was a precautionary measure to prevent possible exposure to chemical contamination in groundwater from the Laboratory.