Notice of February 22, 2009 Leak at NRU

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) informed the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) on Sunday, February 22, 2009 that a small leak was discovered at the National Research Universal reactor (NRU) at Chalk River Laboratories.

The heavy water leak is not in the reactor. It is in the purification system. The preliminary report from AECL to the CNSC early Sunday morning indicated an estimated 18 kg of heavy water.

CNSC staff confirms that the leak has no impact on the safety or operation of the NRU, and poses no risk to the health and safety of the public, workers or to the environment. AECL is taking measures to carry out the repairs safely without a need to shut down the NRU. The CNSC is confirming the amount of vapour loss from this event and is carrying out its routine compliance activity to verify the root cause.

Further to discussions at a Commission meeting held last week, the CNSC is proactively posting this notification. Additional information is available on the AECL Web site to inform the public.

For more information
Email: info@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
Phone: 1-800-668-5284

Media inquiries
Contact Aurèle Gervais, Chief Advisor, Media and Community Relations
Phone: 613-996-6860 or 613-995-2903