DRC-2011-007527 - 0901a068802843d7

State of Utah
GARY R. HERBERT
Governor
GREG BELL
Lieutenant Governor
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Department of
Environmental Quality
Amanda Smith
Executive Director
DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL
Rusty Lundberg
Director
Phil Goble pj^ ^ 10/:ii^/zo^ (
Dean Henderson /^^^^
October 17, 2011
Split Sampling of Tailing Cell Monitoring Wells
Denison Mines (USA) Corp.
White Mesa Uranium Mill, near Blanding, Utah
On October 3 and 4, 2011 Utah Division of Radiation Control (hereafter "DRC") staff Dean
Henderson split sampled four tailing cell-monitoring.wells at Denison Mines (USA) Corp.
(hereafter "DUSA") during the 4"^ Quarter 2011 tailing cell groundwater monitoring event.
Tanner Holiday and Garrin Palmer were the DUSA staff performing the monitoring and sampHng
for this event. A report on DRC sample results and comparison with DUSA sample result will be
completed after the 4^*^ quarter 2011 groundwater monitoring report is submitted to DRC on
March 1, 2012.
The Four monitoring wells sampled were MW-14, MW-31, MW-35, and MW-36. A duplicate
sample of MW-35 was collected and is identified as MW-70. After observing the DUSA staff
perform the sampling and monitoring it appears they appropriately followed White Mesa Uranium
Mill Ground Water Monitoring Quality Assurance Plan (hereafter "QAP").
It was observed that DRC staff was measuring field parameters (pH, conductance, Temperature,
Eh, and turbidity) during the last few gallons of completing the purge on two well volumes.
Although the 2 required well volumes were purged, it is difficult to determine if the parameters
were stabilized before sample collection. This issue was discussed with Mr. David Turk during
the closeout meeting. Mr. Turk explained that in the past parameters were measured throughout
the purge and all field parameters stabilized with the exception of turbidly. So to stay in
compliance with QAP requirements for stable parameters they are now measuring field
parameters during the last few gallons of the purge. It is recommended because: 1) DUSA is
field filtering for metals and radiologics and 2) turbid waters do not influence the chemistries in
all other contaminants, that the QAP be modified to remove turbidity as a required field parameter
to help demonstrate that enough water has been purge from the well prior to sampling.
Also during the inspection Garrin Palmer showed DRC staff the new monitor wells south of Cell
4B. Every new well surface completion had a locked protective cover (see photographs in
Attachment 1). '
195 North 1950 West • Salt Lake City, UT
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144850 • Sail Lake City, UT 84114-4850
Telephone (801) 5.'^6-4250 • Fax [phone] • T.D.D. [phone]
www.deq.iilnh.ffov
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Page 2
Attachment 1
Photographs of New Surface Completions
Monitoring Well DR-15