Nuclear Groundwater Review

Based on the findings of a previous review, we evaluated the TVA Nuclear Power Group (NPG) Groundwater Protection Program (GWPP). The objectives of our review were to determine if NPG's GWPP performed required monitoring and reporting and completed required corrective actions based on monitoring results.While NPG's GWPP performed required reporting, we could not verify the monitoring requirements in TVA's NPG standard programs and processes were followed. Our review also found corrective actions were taken to address the leaks and spills at TVA's nuclear plants reported to the NRC for the time frame of our review. However, we found opportunities for programmatic improvements. There were instances where programmatic weaknesses were identified several times over the last five years and were not remediated. External assessments also noted deficiencies in the program that were downgraded or excluded when NPG performed its fleet self-assessment. In addition, there was not a formal process in place to ensure recommendations made by external consultants were addressed. We made recommendations to management, accordingly, to address the findings in the report.