Several of the sample results are above the “DOE Derived Concentration Guideline.” What does a DOE DCG mean?
DOE’s Derived Concentration Guides (DCG) are reference values for conducting radiological environmental protection programs at operational DOE facilities and sites. The application of DCGs is described in the “Environment, Safety and Health Reporting Manual (DOE M 231.1-1). The DCGs are based on consumption of two liters of water per day for 365 days per year. The public dose DCG values are based on a committed effective dose equivalent of a maximum of 100 mrem for the radionuclide taken into the body by ingestion during one year. The DCG for drinking water is based on a criterion of 4 mrem per year and is 4% of the public dose values for ingestion. It is unlikely that anyone would drink the muddy water associated with stormwater events. It would not be possible to drink the water from stormwater events for more than a few days per year since the events are infrequent and short lived. For these reasons comparison to DCGs is a very conservative evaluation of the potential for health imp
