Radioactivity Found In A Drainage System Near Dounreay
28th July 2014
The Environmental Closure & Demolition department at Dounreay have found elevated levels of radioactivity in a manhole in a redundant offsite drainage system.
Samples of sludge were taken from the manhole which indicated elevated levels of alpha activity.
DSRL have agreed with SEPA that they will obtain further samples and subject them to detailed analysis to confirm the level and source of the radioactivity. The results are expected mid-August.
Until the result of the analysis is received, DSRL does not wish to speculate on what the activity is and where it came from, although we are investigating the possibility that the activity in the manhole may have come from sludges produced at the Shebster water treatment plant upstream of the manhole.
There was a pipeline from the water works that enabled sludges from treatment at the works to be disposed into the Dounreay drainage system, which was disconnected in 2011.
DSRL is keeping SEPA informed, and will report on the findings once all the analysis has been complete.
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