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The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has served an enforcement notice on UKAEA Dounreay. The notice relates to rabbits accessing solid low level waste pits.
The site’s authorisation requires UKAEA to use ‘best practicable means’ for preventing the movement of any radionuclides contained in the pits.
By failing to secure the pits UKAEA has allowed rabbits access to radioactive waste. Rabbits have the potential to spread radioactivity and radioactive waste around the site and beyond.
During a routine inspection in June SEPA officers observed rabbits entering one of the pits. A subsequent investigation discovered rabbit faeces next to the pits and evidence of burrows through two pit caps.
The enforcement notice requires UKAEA to do several precautionary actions:
- take immediate measures to limit wildlife access to the pits
- take long term measures to prevent wildlife from accessing to the pits
- quantify and repair damage caused by wildlife.
The enforcement notice also requires UKAEA to carry out surveillance to demonstrate that the measures have been effective. SEPA will also require UKAEA to provide evidence that it has complied with the notice.
SEPA has consulted the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, in line with the agencies’ Memorandum of Understanding.
ENDS
Contact
Stewart Argo, public relations officer - 01224 248338, 07799 477972
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