Radioactive water has been found underneath a nuclear plant in southeast Georgia, but officials said it does not pose an immediate threat to public health.

Atlanta-based Southern Company said workers would start digging Friday under Plant Hatch in Baxley to find the source of the leak.

Plant Vice President Dennis Madison said radioactive tritium was found Wednesday in two test wells at the plant. Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen. It's created when energy is produced at nuclear reactors and is found in water.

It is unclear how much water is leaking.

Madison and state officials said the radioactive water appears confined to a small area at the site. They say there's little or no chance it could get into drinking water. Testing shows local aquifers remain safe.

Tags: Southern Nuclear Operating Company, nuclear power plants, Plant Hatch, nuclear power