March 9, 2006

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Radioactive Water Found Near Nuclear Plant
KVOA, AZ
March 4, 2006

Operators of the nation's largest nuclear power plant are conducting tests to make sure radioactive water discovered near the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station hasn't seeped into the area's ground water supply.

Arizona Public Service Co. notified the Department of Environmental Quality and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its discovery on Thursday.

Now, the Phoenix-based utility will work with state and federal officials to pinpoint the source of the contaminated water and determine how far it has spread.

The radioactive water was found by work crews this week near a maze of underground pipes at Palo Verde.

APS says it plans more tests. ADEQ says it will also test soil and water at and near the plant in Wintersburg, about 50 miles west of downtown Phoenix. Aquifers about 70 feet and 200 feet underground supply water for the area.

Initial tests confirmed that the tritium-laced water contains more than three times the acceptable amount of tritium.

However, state officials say there's no immediate evidence that the tritium poses any public health concerns.

At this point, we don't have any reason to believe there has been any impact on the groundwater," said Steve Owens, director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Tritium is a byproduct of nuclear power generation and a relatively weak source of radiation. It can be ingested or absorbed in human tissue. Small amounts of tritium pass through the body quickly, usually through urine. However, exposure to tritium can increase the risk of cancer and birth defects.

Several nuclear power plants around the country have reported tritium leaks.

On Wednesday, Palo Verde officials will conduct a public meeting at the plant for nearby residents, who will be notified about the time.