(image: Xcel Energy)
Xcel Energy this week issued a statement about increased efforts at the Monticello Nuclear Power Generating Facility to mediate an uptick in tritium levels in water at the plant.
The company implemented numerous wells to pump contaminated water from the vicinity of the plant and then contain elsewhere at the plant while the radioactive tritium can be removed.
Xcel says its work has resulted in tritium concentrations in the groundwater to be reduced by more than 90 percent from initial levels found after an equipment failure in late 2022 resulted in water mixing with natural groundwater in the area.
Officials say the recent tritium detection came from a deeper well, some 40 feet underground, actually deeper than the Mississippi River bed. The level was reported to be slightly less than the EPA’s acceptable standard of 20 thousand picocuries per liter for human consumption. Nevertheless, Xcel says it will continue to adjust it’s pumping strategies to recover water at the plant to keep it from the river.
Officials say tritium has not been detected in the Mississippi itself above levels that can be considered naturally occurring. The EPA has not issued any notice of action needed because of the recent findings.
Meanwhile, work continues with numerous contract workers at the Monticello plant during its current planned outage for re-fueling. Officials say all work is on track for completion on the original timetable.
Xcel reminds residents and visitors to the area that increased activity will be seen at the plant as the re-fueling effort proceeds.
