Salem Nuclear Plant Back In Service As Leak Repaired

A nuclear reactor in Lower Alloways Creek Township has resumed operations after crews repaired a leak in the containment building.

Salem and Hope Creek nuclear plants (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)

The Salem Unit 1 in was manually shut down around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, after slightly radioactive water was discovered leaking at a rate of four gallons a minute. The initial investigation determined the leak came from a valve in the reactor coolant system.

PSEG Nuclear says about 4,800 gallons leaked, and the water went through the plant drain system as designed. The entire system holds 90,000 gallons.

Regulators say the spill was confined to the containment building. There was no threat to the public or workers.

PSEG Nuclear spokesman Joe Delmar tells the South Jersey Times that the plant returned to service at 4:47 p.m. Saturday.