Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 96baa826-d3bb-478b-8f38-e74500f6d433
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: 06/2009 (Rev. 2)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0911/ML091170109.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.21
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
Inspection and Enforcement (IE) Bulletin 80-10, “Contamination of Nonradioactive System and Resulting Potential for Unmonitored, Uncontrolled Release of Radioactivity to Environment,” dated May 6, 1980 (Ref. 12). 1.5 Monitoring Leaks and Spills An area where an unplanned release occurred into the on-site environs (e.g., a leak or spill) should be identified as an “impacted area” for decommissioning purposes in accordance with NUREG-1757, “Consolidated Decommissioning Guidance,” issued September 2006 (Ref. 13). A leak or spill should be assessed to obtain the necessary information for the ARERR as specified in Regulatory Position 8.5.1, “Abnormal Releases or Abnormal Discharges” (see glossary). Leaks or spills to the ground will be diluted on contact with soil and water in the environment. Samples of the undiluted liquid (from the source of the leak or spill) and samples of the affected soil (or surface water or ground water) should be analyzed as soon as practical. In some instances, sampling, particularly soil sampling, may not be practical if the leak occurred in inaccessible areas, or if there are extenuating considerations. In this respect, ground water monitoring may be used as a surrogate for soil sampling. If sampling is not practical, the 10 CFR 50.75(g) records should describe why sampling was not conducted (e.g., the area was inaccessible or there were safety considerations). The location and estimated volume of the leak or spill should be recorded to identify the extent of the impacted area and predicted size or extent of the contaminant plume. If a spill is promptly remediated (e.g., within 48 hours) and if subsequent surveys of the remediated area indicate no detectable residual radioactivity remaining in the soil or ground water (see paragraph below), then, for purposes of reporting discharges in the ARERR, there was no liquid discharge to the unrestricted area, and the spill need not be reported in the ARERR. However, the