Fukushima Daiichi NPS Prompt Report 2015

Clearing of water from trenches, near-completion of treatment of stored contaminated water, and improvement of working conditions, all are reported

TOKYO, August 11—Significant improvements in water management and working conditions at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station dominate the latest quarterly progress report on implementation of the Nuclear Safety Reform Plan.

The report, issued for the first quarter of TEPCO's current fiscal year (which began April 1), will be presented to the Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee, the company's independent advisory board, at its meeting in Tokyo on August 24.

Highlights of the report include:

Water Treatment: The treatment was completed for all highly contaminated water that had been stored on site since the accident except for a small amount of residue at the bottom of the storage tanks that will be captured and cleaned as the tanks are dismantled. By cleaning the contaminated water using 7 treatment facilities including advanced liquid processing systems (ALPS), the ambient radiation is expected to be significantly reduced.

Removal of Trench Water: After March 2011, highly contaminated water had collected in underground tunnels known as "trenches" connected to Unit 2 and Unit 3 turbine buildings. Removal of this water at Unit 2 was accomplished after successful efforts to fill up the tunnel and the vertical shafts with special liquid cement. The radioactive concentration of the contaminated water in the trench is very high, so the contaminated water removal is a step forward in reducing the risk of water leakage. (Removal of Unit 3 trench water was completed shortly after the end of the quarter to which this report pertains.)

Improved working conditions: Thanks to reduced levels of radiation, workers at 90 percent of the site can now work without wearing full face masks for both comfort and safety. A new nine-storey rest facility opened on June 1, capable of accommodating 1,200 workers. (Hot meals are now provided from a nearby meal center.)

Further preparations at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa: As part of stronger preventive measures at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station, facilities were enhanced to prevent flooding and enhance fire safety. IAEA's OSART reviewed those enhancements along with nuclear safety culture and organization management using IAEA's safety standards.

Progress at Fukushima Daini: While remaining in cold shutdown, it supports Fukushima Daiichi decommissioning from various angles. Industrial safety training was also set up on site to train supervisors and workers.

A summary of the FY2015 Q1 Progress Report can be seen at
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/betu15_e/images/150811e0201.pdf (PDF 464KB）

About TEPCO

Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) is Japan's largest power company, supplying energy to the greater Kanto area, including Japan's two most populous cities, Tokyo and Yokohama. Its 34,000 employees are committed to providing safe, reliable power to its 29.0 million customers, diversifying energy resources to ensure sustainability, and contributing to economic growth while fully meeting its responsibilities after the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
TEPCO Website: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html
TEPCO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTEPCOen
TEPCO Twitter page: https://twitter.com/TEPCO_English