2016.08.02
On 1 August 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during July, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of July. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
2016.07.06
On 4 July 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during June, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of June. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
2016.06.08
On 3 June 2016, the Tritiated Water Task Force has announced the release of a report as well as an outline of the report that presents the results of technical evaluations conducted by the Tritiated Water Task at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
The Tritiated Water Task Force is an expert’s group established under the governmental Committee on Contaminated Water Countermeasures to examine and consider various options for the handling of contaminated water in the site containing radioactive hydrogen (tritium).
As the current Multi-nuclide removal equipment installed at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is not technically capable of removing tritium, the treated contaminated water still contains tritium and is stored within the Fukushima Daiichi site. The report evaluates various options regarding the handling of this tritiated water.
The full text (in Japanese only) of the outline of the report is available on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (see here).
2016.06.03
The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.
In this assessment, the IAEA acknowledges further progress toward the achievement of a sustainable situation regarding groundwater and contaminated water issues, including the commencement of the freezing of the major part of the land-side impermeable wall (started in March 2016). Other technical measures, such as the completion of the separation of Unit 1 turbine building from the circulation water injection line, also demonstrate progress in water management. These activities, as well as the ground water bypass and drain pumping, indicate effective implementation of the overall water management strategy.
In addition, the IAEA assessment states that no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period from February 2016 to April 2016. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the ongoing authorized discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.
The IAEA continues to assist the Government of Japan in ensuring that the regularly updated Sea Area Monitoring Plan is comprehensive, credible and transparent. A proficiency test and two inter-laboratory comparison exercises are organized annually to test the sampling and analytical performance of the Japanese laboratories for the analysis of radionuclides in seawater, sediment and marine organisms. A fifth inter-laboratory comparison exercise study is currently underway and includes the analysis of the levels of radionuclides in seawater and marine sediment. The results of the first four inter-laboratory comparison exercise studies (organised in 2014–2015) were presented in an IAEA progress report released in April 2016. The report indicated that the participating Japanese laboratories produced reliable data on the level of radionuclides in seawater, sediment and fish samples collected near Fukushima (see here).
The IAEA considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to ensure that stakeholders can be confident of the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data.
Finally, based on the information that has been made available, the Joint FAO/IAEA Division understands that the measures taken to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is under effective control of the relevant authorities.
2016.06.02
On 1 June 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during May, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of May. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
2016.05.03
On 2 May 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during April, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of April. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
2016.04.04
On 1 April 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during March, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of March. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
2016.03.04
On 4 March, Japan provided the IAEA with a comprehensive report summarizing the events and highlights on the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The IAEA had provided its assessments, which is contained in full at the end of the report.
Based on the information in the report, the IAEA recognizes the positive impact of the various countermeasures against groundwater ingress into the reactor buildings including the operation of various groundwater pumping systems. These countermeasures, together with the deployment of the sea-side impermeable wall, have led to a decrease in radioactivity in the port area.
The IAEA considers the removal of contaminated water from the Unit 4 seawater pipe trench and the plugging of the trench as important achievements for further risk reduction on-site.
No significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period from October 2015 to January 2016. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the on-going authorised discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.
The IAEA also considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to ensure that all stakeholders can be confident of the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data.
Finally, based on the information that has been made available in the report, the Joint IAEA/FAO Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture understands that the measures taken to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is under effective control of the relevant authorities.
2016.03.01
On 1 March 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during February, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of February. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
2016.02.02
On 1 February 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during January, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of January. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
2016.01.07
On 6 January 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during December 2015, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of December 2015. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
2015.12.01
On 1 December 2015, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during November, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of November. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.
At the same time, TEPCO has also posted a document on its website concerning the current work environment and future improvements onsite.