FUKUSHIMA--Tokyo Electric Power Co. said May 14 that groundwater collected before it reaches the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant will be released into the sea from next week.
FUKUSHIMA--Tokyo Electric Power Co. said May 14 that groundwater collected before it reaches the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant will be released into the sea from next week.
The move is part of the plant operator's "
According to tests conducted by TEPCO and two outside organizations, radiation levels in the water measured between 220 and 240 becquerels of tritium per liter, well below the 1,500 becquerels set as the safety standard.
The "bypass project" is designed to prevent further accumulation of contaminated water at the nuclear power facility. The utility said the influx of groundwater at the plant was adding 400 tons of radioactive water daily.
About 100 tons of groundwater is expected to be siphoned off before it can reach the reactor buildings and become contaminated.
The siphoned off water will be temporarily stored in tanks before being diverted to the sea.
A detailed analysis of the water by a third-party was one of the demands made by the
TEPCO will hold briefing sessions with the local fishery associations and the prefectural government to explain the results.