TVA files notice of 'unusual event' at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant after leak of ammonia-treated water

Friday, August 10, 2012

photo Watts Bar Nuclear Plant

A leak of ammonia-treated water at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in Spring City prompted TVA to have to file a notice of an unusual event today to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

TVA spokesman Travis Brickey said the leak was caused by a faulty valve and occurred in the turbine area of the electricity plant.

The event did not involve nuclear areas, Brickey said.

The valve failure caused about 100 gallons of water treated with ammonia to spill from a tank onto the floor. The vapors required the evacuation of workers in that area, he said.

The workers were able to return to their stations around 1:30 p.m.

Brickey said the water is treated with ammonia to ensure it is hyper-pure for use in the plant's steam generator.

He said no one was injured, and public safety was never threatened.