Xcel Energy reported the incident in late November 2022 “after finding unusual results during routine groundwater monitoring.”
The authorities of the US state of Minnesota revealed this Thursday that a nuclear power plant near the city of Minneapolis had suffered a radioactive water leak of 400,000 gallons (more than 1.5 million liters).
“The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), in coordination with the Department of Health and the Department of Natural Resources, is monitoring efforts by Xcel Energy to clean up a tritium-contaminated water spill. detected at the company’s Monticello nuclear power plant,” reads the announcement published by MPCA.
From the agency they detailed that Xcel Energy reported the leak to end of november 2022 “after finding unusual results during routine groundwater monitoring,” but “the leak has stopped and has not reached the Mississippi River or contaminated drinking water sources.” “At this time there is no evidence to indicate a risk to any drinking water wells in the vicinity of the plant,” they added.
In this context, Kirk Koudelka, Deputy Commissioner for Territory and Strategic Initiatives of the MPCA, stated that “the highest priority is to protect residents and the environment.” The agency “works closely with other state agencies to oversee Xcel Energy’s monitoring data and cleanup activities,” he added.
“We are working to ensure that this cleanup concludes as thoroughly as possible with a minimal or no risk for drinking water supplies,” he concluded.
For his part, Dan Huff, from the Minnesota Department of Health, assured told Fox 9 that the incident “did not threaten the health of any citizen” of the state. “If at any time someone’s health is in danger, I we would notify people immediately“, he added.
