Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 01fb3132-b05a-41a0-ab81-466a6fb6f4d3
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Plant License Renewal Applications (Rev. 1)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0916/ML091620409.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.2S1
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
water from a river. Table B-1 states the following: Water use conflicts could result from water withdrawals from rivers during low-flow conditions, which may affect aquifer recharge. The significance of impacts would depend on makeup water requirements, water availability, and competing water demands. Specifically, 10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(A) requires, in part, the following: If the applicant’s plant utilizes cooling towers…and withdraws make-up water from a river whose annual flow rate is less than 3.15×1012 ft3/year (9 × 1010 m3/year)…. The applicant shall also provide an assessment of the impacts of the withdrawal of water from the river on alluvial aquifers during low flow. Section 4.5.1.2 of the GEIS discusses this issue. Information and Analysis Content If the plant withdraws cooling tower makeup water from a river, the applicant should provide the following information and analyses to enable the NRC staff to assess the groundwater use conflicts during operation: • Provide a description of alluvial aquifers near the site that could be affected by surface water withdrawal, including approximate areal extent, thickness, porosities, and hydraulic conductivities of aquifer strata. • Describe existing and known future offsite and onsite wells, including average flow rate, peak flow rate, water use, and completion depth. • Include maps of steady-state piezometric surface estimated with onsite and offsite wells at peak pumping rates, average pumping rates, and no pumping. These maps should indicate the location of all wells, and each offsite well should be annotated with the drawdown of the piezometric surface attributable to both the onsite and offsite wells. • Describe existing and known future water rights (including Tribal water rights). • Describe any wetlands in the vicinity that might be affected by a lowered water table. • Evaluate the significance of present and future effects of onsite withdrawal on offsite wells. Additionally, describe