Pumping plan

TEPCO reveals pumping plan of contaminated water

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130812_32.html

The operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says it plans to pump up radiation-contaminated water to prevent it from seeping into the ocean.

Tokyo Electric Power Company presented the proposal on Monday to a panel of the Nuclear Regulation Authority.

The industry ministry estimates 300 tons of tainted groundwater is leaking into the ocean everyday.

Workers have created an underground wall to prevent tainted groundwater from leaking into the ocean. But the water level has continued to rise despite the barrier.

On Monday, the power company said it will start pumping out 60 tons of groundwater per day near the embankment between the Number One and Number Two reactors.

TEPCO also said it will start pumping out a total of 80 tons per day between the Numbers Two and Three reactors and between the Numbers Three and Four reactors in September, before creating similar underground walls.

The authority instructed the power company to step up the monitoring on the groundwater level, as it fluctuates with rain. It also warned of the approaching typhoon season.

Aug. 12, 2013 - Updated 11:06 UTC