Chemical leaks into Montco stormwater basin

POTTSTOWN About 100 gallons of sodium hypochlorite leaked into a Schuylkill storage basin from the Limerick Generating Station, Exelon Corp. announced Wednesday.

The chemical is commonly found in household bleach and swimming pool cleaners. At the Limerick nuclear plant, it is used to purify the water that goes into one of the cooling towers, said Neil Sheehan, a public affairs officer with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

In a news release Wednesday, Exelon said the leak had been stopped and the amount released "did not present an environmental risk."

The state Department of Environmental Protection found "no evidence of discharge into the river," and said the chemical would be cleaned out of the storm-water basin. A notice of violation will be issued, said DEP spokeswoman Lynda Rebarchak.

Sheehan said the leak was traced to a crack in a storage tank, and inspectors were notified promptly.

Sodium hypochlorite can cause serious health risks when inhaled, or when it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, and can be toxic to aquatic life. - Jessica Parks