As nuclear power plants plan for long-term operation and license renewal, ensuring the integrity of buried infrastructure becomes a top priority. One essential step in this process is conducting soil corrosivity assessments—a critical component of the Nuclear Energy Institute’s (NEI) Underground Buried Pipe and Tank Initiative (UPTI). RSCS has been supporting utilities across the country with these assessments to help meet regulatory requirements and maintain plant reliability.
What Does a Soil Corrosivity Assessment Provide?
Soil corrosivity assessments are designed to evaluate the potential of underground environments to degrade metallic infrastructure such as pipes and tanks. This includes:
- Selecting appropriate soil parameters for testing
- Evaluating site-specific environmental and physical conditions
- Systematically collecting and analyzing soil samples
- Using the results to inform protective measures like cathodic protection systems
The insights gained from this analysis help determine if corrective actions are necessary to preserve asset integrity and comply with regulatory commitments.
Why Conduct Soil Corrosivity Assessments?
- Protect Structural Integrity
Corrosive soils can cause thinning, pitting, and eventual failure of buried metallic assets. Early detection helps prevent leaks and costly damage. - Support License Renewal Compliance
As part of NEI’s UPTI and license renewal mandates, utilities must demonstrate proactive management of underground infrastructure. These assessments deliver the data needed to meet those standards. - Reduce Maintenance Costs and Unplanned Outages
By identifying corrosion risks early, plants can reduce emergency repairs, minimize downtime, and better manage long-term maintenance budgets. - Optimize Cathodic Protection
Assessment data helps evaluate the effectiveness of cathodic protection systems and guides decisions on upgrades or new installations. - Enable Risk-Based Inspections
Pinpointing high-risk corrosion zones allows for more targeted inspection programs and better allocation of inspection resources. - Protect the Environment
Preventing underground leaks helps safeguard groundwater and nearby ecosystems, supporting public trust and regulatory compliance. - Improve Asset Management and Planning
Soil data integrates into plant asset management systems to guide long-term infrastructure investments and life-cycle planning.
Why Partner with RSCS?
At RSCS, we bring a depth of expertise and a standardized, reliable approach to every assessment.
- Standardized Reporting: Consistent and traceable evaluation of current and historical data
- Multidisciplinary Team: Including engineers, soil scientists, geologists, and environmental specialists
- Proven Track Record: Supported Energy Northwest, Constellation, Entergy, and Dominion Energy with soil corrosivity assessments at several nuclear sites
- Advanced Tools: CAD and ArcGIS Pro for mapping and data integration
- Certified Partners: Trusted laboratories and corrosion experts aligned with RSCS procedures
- Robust QA/QC: Data accuracy and quality assurance built into every step
Interested in learning more about our Environmental & Engineering Department’s soil corrosivity assessment services? Contact RSCS or visit to discuss how we can support your license renewal and asset integrity needs.