NRA approves frozen barrier plan

August 4, 2015

NRA approves soil freezing plan

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

Aug. 4, 2015 - Updated 01:11 UTC+2

Japan's nuclear regulator has approved plans for underground frozen barriers at all locations at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The aim is to stem the buildup of contaminated water in reactor buildings.

On Friday, the Nuclear Regulation Authority approved a revised construction plan submitted by the Tokyo Electric Power Company to build a system that will freeze soil along the seaside. The utility hopes to start the work as soon as possible. It began work on the project on the inland side last June.

TEPCO plans to freeze soil around the No.1 to No.4 reactor buildings in order to create a barrier 1.5 kilometers long. It is intended to keep groundwater from seeping into the reactor buildings.

The nuclear regulator told TEPCO that a condition of its approval of the frozen barrier plans is that the utility must control the level of groundwater by adding water from wells that will be dug around the reactor buildings.

The utility faces opposition from residents as the plans require pumping up groundwater for purification and releasing it into the ocean.

TEPCO began trials to freeze soil around the reactor buildings on the inland side in April. But it says temperatures did not get low enough at some locations.