TEPCO, groundwater and fishermen

 April 21, 2014

TEPCO reports on radioactivity in groundwater

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140421_40.html

Some contamination in the groundwater drawn from near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is making the area's fishermen uneasy, as the plant's operator plans to release it into the sea.

Tokyo Electric Power Company has a plan to pump up groundwater and release it into the Pacific Ocean before it can be contaminated with radioactive materials at the plant.

On Monday, officials from the operator explained their preparations for the release at a fishermen's meeting in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.

They said they tested samples from 12 wells dug to pump out groundwater before it reaches the highly contaminated plant buildings.

They said technicians detected radioactivity exceeding the target level in one of the wells. They added that after 3 days, a sample taken from the same well registered below that level.

Some fishermen expressed concern about the plan and urged the operator to check the water through proper procedures. Others demanded that the company determine the cause of the temporary hike in radioactivity.

A senior executive of the utility, Tsunemasa Niitsuma, said it is their duty to strictly observe the rules set for the release plan. He added that they will assess the situation and decide what to do if radiation levels in the pumped-up water greatly exceed the target level.

Apr. 21, 2014 - Updated 13:32 UTC