PARIS - First, an overflowing tub at a French nuclear plant spilled uranium into the groundwater. Then a burst pipe leaked uranium at another nuclear site, raising an alert on Friday.

The two accidents within two weeks, both at sites run by French nuclear giant Areva, have raised questions about safety and control measures in one of the world's most nuclear-dependent nations, and given fodder to anti-nuclear activists.

Environmentalists said the incidents are a wake-up call, raising doubts about an industry in which France has staked out a leading role internationally.

France has 59 reactors churning out nearly 80 per cent of its electricity, and the French state owns Areva, which exports its nuclear technologies around the world.

French Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo insisted that the incidents were minor.

However, he nonetheless ordered an overhaul of the country's nuclear supervision and information processes, as well as checks of the groundwater around all nuclear plants in France.

Areva Chief Executive Anne Lauvergeon travelled to one of the plants Friday to meet with employees and local officials.

Former French Environment Minister Corinne Lepage, who opposes nuclear energy, said the "repeated incidents ... shine a light on the nuclear industry's failures, mainly due to under-investment in safety, the protection of human health and the environment."

On Friday, nuclear safety officials announced the discovery of a burst underground pipe at a plant in Romans-sur-Isere, southeastern France, run by Areva subsidiary Societe Franco-Belge de Fabrication de Combustibles.

Inspectors found that the pipe had been broken for several years and didn't meet safety standards.

Jean-Pierre Gros, Areva's head of combustion, said between 120 and 750 grams of uranium had leaked.

Areva insisted the leak of lightly enriched uranium didn't spill beyond the plant, and that it had no impact on the environment.

But the incident was nonetheless another blow for Areva after a leak at the Tricastin site, about 40 kilometres from the historic southeast city of Avignon.

A liquid containing traces of unenriched uranium leaked from a factory run by Areva subsidiary Socatri, spilling from a reservoir that overflowed.

It leaked both into the ground and into two rivers, the Gaffiere and the Lauzon, the nuclear safety agency said.

The incident prompted authorities to ban the consumption of well water and the watering of crops from two polluted rivers, as well as fishing, swimming and water sports.

Local authorities said the leak happened during the washing of a tank.

Areva insisted the Tricastin problem "did not affect either the health of employees and local populations, or their environment."

Still, it cost the plant director his job.

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