-19-
HW-80991
-
B.
Radionuclides in Drinking Water
In the latter part of 1963, Richland started up a new water treatment
plant that draws water from the Columbia River.
Freviously Richland ob-
tained its water from wells, and Kennewick and Pasco (downstream from
Richland) were the nearest cities to the Hanford reactors that used Columbia
River water.
Sanitary water was collected at the Richland and Pasco water
treatment plants every 2 weeks and analyzed for the important radionuclides.
Similar analyses were made on Kennewick water once each month.
The
results of the radioanalysis of water from these plants are presented in
Appendix A, Tables 5, 6, and 7 are summarized in Table V.
TABLE
ANNUAL AVERAGE CONCENTRATION OF SEVERAL
RADIONUCLIDES MEASURED IN SANITARY WATER - 1963
Units of pe/l
Radionuctide
Richland*
Pasco
Total Beta
RE+Y
23, 000
90
4,000
50
600
10
130
40
<10
Na*4
p>?
‘
3,000
600
cr°l
Cub4
14, 000
3, 000
5, 400
400
As!
800
200
zn6s
gr 90
ysl
Np239
80
2
10
2,500
Kennewick
90
1
;
90
2, 500
90
.
5
_ 800
<20
“60
<0.5
<3
30
* Averages for Richland are based only on the last quarter
of 1963 when the new water treatment plant was in full
Operation. These averages may change significantly when
a full year's operation is used.
The concentrations of short-lived radionuclides in the water at ‘the
time it is consumed is less than shown in the table because there is a
significant flow time between the water plant and most consumers.
The
flow time may vary from hours to days depending upon the location of the
customer on the distribution system.