1. Karen Kim Sr. Project Engineer, EPRI kkim@epri.com, +1-650-855-2659
The EPRI Groundwater Protection Program – Technology R&D for Groundwater Protection
Karen Kim Sr. Project Engineer, EPRI

3. EPRI Advanced Technologies for Groundwater Protection
EPRI Role:
Collaborative nuclear industry/utility research & development for cost effective tools for implementing groundwater protection programs.
Some idea/graphic/concept where people are implementing our Guidelines?... Slide on interactions with utilities – i.e. supplemental and base interactions.

4. EPRI Advanced Technologies for Groundwater Protection
Background & Motivation
Leaks and spills of radioactive liquids
Contamination of on-site groundwater, potential for off-site migration
Stakeholder concern, environmental stewardship
Objectives
Develop advanced and cost-effective tools and technologies for groundwater protection:
Prevention of leaks and spills
Timely detection of leaks and spills
Effective monitoring and remediation of groundwater
Prevent off-site migration

5. Groundwater Protection Guidelines for Nuclear Power Plants (November 2007, 1015118)
OBJECTIVE
Provide guidance for development of robust and technically sound graded approach for groundwater protection at nuclear power plants.
BENEFITS
Developed by 20 nuclear utilities, NEI, and ANI.
Graded approach allows user to tailor a cost effective but technically sound program to each site.
Preventative measures against groundwater contamination
Groundwater Characterization Assistance Supplemental Support

6. EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines Key Principles
Evaluation of Systems, Structures, Components (SSCs) and Work Practices
Risk of groundwater contamination
Design and condition of SSCs
Understanding Site Hydrogeology and Characteristics
Transport of existing or potential groundwater contamination
Developing Conceptual Site Model
Implementing Groundwater Monitoring Program
Installing and sampling groundwater monitoring wells
Data analysis and management
Review and update of monitoring program over time
Grade Approach
Baseline Program for all users
Toolbox of Elevated Program Elements for increased understanding of site hydrogeology.

7. EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines Baseline Program – ALL PLANTS
Evaluating Site Characteristics
Implementing Groundwater Monitoring Program
Potential Subsurface Release Evaluation
Evaluate historical spills (2.1)
Evaluate SSC design (2.2)
Identify PM and inspection programs (2.3)
Evaluate work practices (2.4)
Evaluate potential ongoing releases (2.5)
Priority Indices
Calculate Priority Indices (3.3)
Site Program Levels
Determine site Program Level (4)
Site Conceptual Model
Develop the Site Conceptual Model (5.1)
Examine references (5.2)
Examine previous hydrogeologic reports (5.3)
Evaluate potential receptors of groundwater contamination (5.4)
Review state and local regulations (5.5)
Do preliminary estimate of groundwater characteristics (5.6)
Design and install wells (5.7.1)
Determine horizontal distribution and movement (5.7.2)
Location, Installation & Testing of Groundwater Monitoring Wells
Establish and document DQOs for well drilling (6.1)
Evaluate configuration management., permitting requirements, accessibility (6.2)
Construct wells using a qualified geoscientist (6.3)
Develop and implement a maintenance program for monitoring wells (6.4)
Groundwater Sampling & Analysis Process
Establish and document DQOs for groundwater sampling (7.1)
Establish sample collection procedures (7.2)
Establish analyte list (7.3)
Establish MDC requirements and criteria for positive detection (7.4)
Establish sample volume, container, and preservation requirements (7.5)
Establish sampling schedule (7.6)
Validate analytical results (7.7)
Sampling & Monitoring Data Evaluation
Evaluate analytical data (8.1)
Evaluate field water-quality indicator data (8.2)
Provide for management and data quality assessment of analytical data (8.3)
Evaluate ambient radionuclide concentrations (8.4)
Review and revise the Site Conceptual Model (8.5)
Program Validation & Review
Perform initial independent review (9.1)
Revalidate Priority Index ratings (9.2)

8. Increased understanding of groundwater and contaminant transport
EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines Elevated Program – MODERATE TO HIGH RISK PLANTS
Increased understanding of groundwater and contaminant transport
Implement all Program Elements from Program Level I, plus the following:
Site Conceptual Model
Determine vertical distribution and movement (5.7.3)
Location, Installation & Testing of Groundwater Monitoring Wells
Consider use of water-level transducers (6.5.1)
Implement all Program Elements from Program Levels I and II, plus the following:
Conduct aquifer tests (5.7.4)
Conduct geophysical testing (6.5.2)
Consider use of hydraulic conductivity testing (6.5.3)
Consider use of hydrophysical testing (6.5.4)
Sampling & Monitoring Data Evaluation
Evaluate need for fate and transport numerical modeling (8.6)

9. Review and Revision of EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines
Biennial Review Cycle:
Review advanced technologies, experiences, lessons learned.
Review new policies and regulations
If needed, revise Guidelines.
Review:
Reconvene EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines Committee.
Observations from EPRI Groundwater Assessments, Peer Assessments, OE
Focus on risk assessment of systems structures.
If Committee deems necessary, revise Guidelines

10. EPRI Task Force for Groundwater Protection

11. EPRI NDE Projects for Groundwater Protection
Fuel Pool, Transfer Canal, and Concrete Degradation Issues Workshop
August 11-13, 2009 Charlotte, NC
EPRI Contact: Nathan Muthu,
Buried Piping Integrity Group (BPIG)
EPRI Contact: Doug Munson,

12. Monitored Natural Attenuation for Nuclear Power Plants (EPRI Report 1016764)
ATTENUATION PROCESS
Biological Chemical Volatilization Sorption Dispersion Dilution Radioactive Decay
U.S. EPA & DOE
Guidance for Superfund RCRA/CERCLA Sites:
Hanford Lawrence Livermore Savannah River
DOE Implementation of MNA for Radionuclides
EPA Guidance
EPRI Environment Sector
Guidance for Manufacture Gas Plants
Monitored Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents, U.S. EPA REMEDIAL TECHNOLOGY FACT SHEET
Inter-EPRI Collaboration
EPRI Nuclear Sector
Technical Guidance for Monitored Natural Attenuation for Nuclear Power Plants

13. EPRI Technology Innovation: Tritium Groundwater Contamination Detection Soil Vapor Extraction System (SVES) (EPRI Report )
TECHNOLOGY Extracts soil vapor from vadose zone Condenses vapor for lab analysis for tritium If the tritium vapor is within the extraction zone of influence, detection will occur. System may provide early indication of tritium subsurface leak.
BENEFITS May require fewer monitoring wells Less dependent on precise placement Less invasive (push-probe installation method) than traditional monitoring wells

14. Advanced Technologies For Groundwater Monitoring and Remediation (EPRI Report 1016763)
Passive Sampling Technology Sampling systems designed to minimize effect of measurement process on sample integrity.
Fiber Optic Sensors Technology Radioactivity detected through optical fibers for in-situ contamination monitoring.
Automatic Groundwater Monitoring Systems Automatic contamination detection through remote monitoring systems.
Innovative Approach to Physical Barriers Containment and control of contamination plume that does not require soil trenching.
Tritium Separation Technology
Reduce tritium concentration in process fluids.
HydraSleeveTM Grab Sampler
BetaScintTM
Long-term, Post-closure Radiation Monitoring System (LPRMS)

15. Software Tools for Groundwater Protection
Groundwater Monitoring Data Management Tool – MANAGES Nuclear
EPRI Environment Group Software Tool
Collaboratively developed to meet utility member needs
Nuclear Version: Add radionuclides and associated statistical analysis tools
MANAGES Nuclear Forum for support & future upgrades
Conceptual Site Modeling Tool – ROAM Nuclear
Conceptual site modeling and evaluation of remediation options
Nuclear Version: Add radionuclides and associated data
Collaborations with NDE + Materials
Collaborations with ENV
After these… APPLICATIONS SLIDES for the work we do at Southern Co.
Get Dennis R to pitch in to the Southern Co.
Why this was beneficial… Need benefits statements for all of these.
Plants don’t have the tool to satisfy the needs of the monitoring program
- developing tools for implementing groundwater monitoring program in a cost effective manner

16. Groundwater Protection Provisions for Advanced Nuclear Plant Design
EPRI UTILITY REQUIREMENT DOCUMENT Identifying design based structures, components, operating practices, and work practices that effect groundwater for incorporation into the EPRI URD (Spring 2008, Rev. 10)
- (EPRI Member Account Login)
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
Representatives from GE, Westinghouse, and Areva participating in ANP Groundwater Activities Include in Reviews of AP1000, ESBWR, US EPR
NRC Regulatory Guide 4.21
Minimization of Contamination and Radioactive Waste Generation – Life Cycle Planning
Developed design recommendations to include in NRC Regulatory Guidance for the Implementing
25% EPRI Recommendations adopted in DG-4012/RG 4.21
Technical Support for NEI Template for 10CFR Compliance

17. Atmospheric Deposition of Tritium (2009)
Background & Motivation
Tritium in air, water, atmosphere
Naturally occurring
Monitored gaseous effluents
Re-incorporated into site tritium concentrations through precipitation
Objective & Tasks
Understand effect of atmospheric deposition on site background tritium concentration.
Evaluate available science and technology and utility research
Deliverable
EPRI Technical Report: Atmospheric Deposition of Tritium
Expected Benefits
Distinguish between background tritium concentrations and tritium from inadvertent leaks and spills.
Palo Verde
Diablo Canyon
Southern Hatch
Cook
Colorful examples of situations that plants have had atmospheric deposition problems…. Just speak to it.
Does this tie into tritium management project?

18. EPRI Guidelines for Groundwater Remediation (2009-2010)
Emerging Issue:
NRC Decommissioning Rulemaking:
Increase licensee awareness of residual radioactivity and its potential impact on decommissioning financial assurance.
Potential Rulemaking on Remediation:
May require remediation of contamination during operation.
Industry Needs:
Management of residual radioactivity from contamination events.
Strategy for evaluation of the need for remediation during operation.

19. EPRI Guidelines for Groundwater Remediation (2009-2010)

20. Nuclear Groundwater Characterization and Protection Program Assessment
Assessment and recommendations for nuclear plant site groundwater protection.
Conceptual Site Model
Transport of potential radionuclide contamination through site hydrogeology.
Groundwater monitoring.
Potential Sources of Contamination
Systems, Structures, Components
Work Practices
Historical leaks and spills.
Implementation of EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines for Nuclear Power Plants
Cost Effective and Advanced technologies for groundwater monitoring and remediation.

21. Nuclear Groundwater Characterization and Protection Program Assessment
Project Description:
Focus the Groundwater Assessment for specific goals of the site:
New plant
Operating plant
Decommissioning plant
One week on-site assessment by EPRI Team of groundwater experts
Participation in Groundwater User’s Group
Deliverable:
Site specific report of observations and recommendations.
Benefits:
Independent evaluation of groundwater protection programs based on the EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines
Supports NEI Groundwater Protection Initiative [NEI 07-07]
Recommendations for cost effective and advanced groundwater protection methodology and technologies.

22. Groundwater Technology Demonstrations (NEW)
Project Description:
Groundwater technologies identified in EPRI Report
Provide utilities site specific technical support for demonstration & evaluating technologies for site.
Development of procedures & evaluation criteria
On-site support for deploying technologies
Evaluation based on site hydrogeology, groundwater contamination, cost and labor, robustness of technology
Deliverable:
Site specific report of observations and evaluation
Benefits:
Potential resource savings (capital cost, labor, minimization of waste) associated with implementation of advanced technology.

23. In Plant Tritium and Water Management Model
What?
Mass balance of tritium in plant systems
Tracks the transfer of water and tritium
Calculates generation and decay of tritium over time
Microsoft Excel Workbook
Why?
Optimize transfer of water from RCS to waste/storage tanks
Liquid waste release at optimum tritium concentrations
Benefits:
Optimize waste and storage tank usage.
Minimize impact on the environment (groundwater protection.)

24. In Plant Tritium and Water Management Model

25. 2008 Groundwater Protection Workshop (in collaboration with the Nuclear Energy Institute)
Status reports from nuclear power plants that implemented monitoring and remediation programs.
Status reports from EPRI programs developing technology for groundwater protection.
Insights from international and U.S. nuclear facilities and researchers.

26. 2009 EPRI Groundwater Protection Workshop (in collaboration with the Nuclear Energy Institute)
September 15-16, 2009 in Charleston, South Carolina
Registration now open at the Events Calendar
Call for Papers:
Topics:
Regulations & Policies
Groundwater Protection Programs
Groundwater Protection Technologies & Tools
Atmospheric Deposition of Tritium
Risk Assessment of Systems & Components
Groundwater Protection for the Next Generation of Nuclear Power Plants.
Abstracts due to by Fri. July 10th
EPRI Groundwater Guidelines Committee Meeting - Thurs. Sept. 17th.