Last week, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) announced a significant water leak at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. The leak, which occurred on February 7, was traced back to human error involving the improper closure of valves on a piece of filtering equipment.
During a press conference on Thursday, TEPCO revealed that out of 16 valves on the device's pipes, 10 were inadvertently left open by workers. This oversight resulted in the spill of 1.5 tonnes of untreated water containing approximately 6.6 billion becquerels of radioactive materials. Initially, the company had reported a leak of 5.5 tonnes with 22 billion becquerels of cesium-137 and other radionuclides.
The utility company is currently conducting a thorough investigation and has begun questioning the personnel present during the incident. TEPCO acknowledged that the operation manual was lacking in clear instructions for the proper closure of the valves, which contributed to the mistake.
In response to the incident, TEPCO has committed to implementing stricter safety protocols and revising their operational guidelines to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This development underscores the ongoing challenges in managing and maintaining nuclear facilities, particularly those with a history like Fukushima Daiichi.
The Fukushima water leak highlights the critical importance of stringent safety measures and continuous training for personnel in nuclear plants. As TEPCO works to address the current issue, the global community remains attentive to the implications for nuclear safety and environmental protection.
Reference(s):
TEPCO: Water leak at Fukushima power plant caused by open valves
cgtn.com
