The Radiation Control Program has the statutory authority to conduct environmental monitoring in areas around operating nuclear power stations in or near the Commonwealth. Environmental radiation monitoring devices are deployed at a variety of sites around these power stations, and staff conduct periodic sampling of crops, finfish, shellfish and dairy products originating in these areas. These environmental samples and monitoring devices are evaluated at the Massachusetts Environmental Radiation Laboratory to determine the extent of radioactive releases, if any, from these power stations.

The Radiation Control Program also operates the Ring Monitoring System, a network of 14 fixed, real-time, land-based environmental radiation monitors that surround Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in a one-mile ring. The individual monitors are connected to a computer which collects and stores the data, and transmits it in real-time to a central location.

The Tritium in Groundwater Monitoring Wells at PNPP

Nuclear Energy Institute's Groundwater Protection Initiative has been implemented at nuclear power plants across the United States. Entergy established the groundwater monitoring program at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant (PNPP) in 2007 to monitor for tritium in groundwater beneath and around the facility. The purpose of monitoring groundwater is to provide a system of watchfulness with regard to plant operations and infrastructure.

Results of groundwater monitoring well samples collected at PNPP to date can be accessed by clicking on the link below. Groundwater samples collected at PNPP were analyzed by an Entergy contract laboratory and split samples were analyzed by MDPH/RCP Massachusetts Environmental Radiation Laboratory (MERL). All groundwater samples were collected from groundwater monitoring wells located on the PNPP property. Approximate locations of monitoring wells can be viewed by clicking on the map link below.

To improve readability, the environmental monitoring data (previously reported in one large table) have been split into smaller tables summarized by year for 2007, 2008, and 2009; data are reported quarterly for the more frequent sampling which began in 2010. A graph showing tritium concentrations in groundwater monitoring wells MW205, and MW206 over time has also been added for clarity.

Summaries

Map and Graph

 

This information is provided by the Radiation Control Program within the Department of Public Health.