Temelín nuclear power plant, South Bohemia - Reference level of hydrosphere, prediction of impact, results from pre-operation period

T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, Department of Radioecology, 16062 Prague 6, Czech Republic

Abstract

Beginning of the construction of Temelin Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in south Bohemia (CR) dates back to 1986. It was planned that the first water-cooled reactor could be put into operation in 2001. A research project (1989-1998), funded from the national budget and carried out under supervision of the Czech Ministry of Environment, was aimed at examining pre-operational environmental conditions (a reference level) in terms of concentrations of radioactive and non-radioactive polluting substances in components of the environment, particularly in the hydrosphere, and at predicting possible impacts of future operation of Temelín NPP. Special attention paid to the hydrosphere was associated with requirements for protection of water quality in the Vltava River, which serves as drinking water resource for Prague capital. The observation and research activities continue during the following period (1999-2006) within the framework of a project sponsored by Czech Power Company. The paper summarises selected results of the projects, particularly those concerning pre-operational environmental conditions and impacts predicted for standard operation of the plant. More detailed description of the results, including possible impacts of the so called maximum project accident, is presented in [1-3]. To the date of the conference, the releases of tritium and other radionuclides from the plant into the hydrosphere were much less than the authorised limits.