(Just completed) wall to contain radioactive water leaning towards sea

November 25, 2015

Groundwater wall at Fukushima plant leans slightly

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20151125_37.html

Nov. 25, 2015 - Updated 13:17 UTC+1

The operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has found that a wall it built 30 meters into the ground to block the flow of radioactive water is leaning slightly.

Tokyo Electric Power Company built the steel barrier along a coastal embankment to stop contaminated groundwater from seeping into the sea. The utility finished building the wall in late October.

TEPCO inspectors found that the wall is leaning up to some 20 centimeters toward the sea. They say this is due to the pressure of the groundwater flow.

The officials also blamed rising groundwater levels for cracks found in the embankment's pavement.

The utility says workers are buttressing the wall with steel pillars. They are also repairing the cracks to keep out rainwater so groundwater levels don't rise further.

TEPCO says the lean doesn't affect the wall's ability to block contaminated water.