Radioactive tritium from leaks at the Oyster Creek nuclear plant in Lacey has now contaminated two aquifers and the tritium is making its way into the plant's intake and discharge canal, according to a state letter.
The Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Lacey
The aquifers are the Cape May and the Cohansey.
All samples taken at the Route 9 Bridge (the closest public access point) have been below the detection level for tritium because of dilution in the canal, according to the Nov. 19 letter by a Department of Environmental Protection official to an Exelon executive. Exelon owns the plant.
The canal is linked to Barnegat Bay.
"Based on modeling of potential routes of exposure, there appears to be no current public health impact and no samples have exceeded New Jersey's surface water standard,'' the letter says.
"Yet, there is an ongoing, slow migration of tritium,'' according to the letter, which also stresses concerns about sampling and the Oyster Creek laboratory.
"NJDEP expects Exelon to fully and promptly provide data and samples which will allow NJDEP to understand the concentrations and locations of the Oyster Creek contamination,'' the letter says.
"We look forward to receiving your stated commitments for capital improvements to prevent further releases in writing,’’ it says.
David Benson, Oyster Creek spokesman, told my colleague, Bob Vosseller, that the Cohansey is not used for drinking water, contaminants were not found off-site and the plant is providing samples to state officials.
The Cape May aquifer also is not used as a public water supply in the plant area, according to the DEP.
File photo
