Upgrading Of Near Surface Repositories For Radioactive Waste

Sets out the basic safety requirements related to the disposal of radioactive wastes in near surface repositories. As a Safety Requirements publication it is supported by a number of associated Safety Guides which provide guidance on the implementation of the requirements.

This report presents an integrated, stepwise approach for the development of near surface disposal facilities for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. The report is consistent with the current international requirements, principles, standards and guidance for the disposal of radioactive waste. The approach is designed to be flexible enough to be suitable for use in the various Member States, ranging from countries that have nuclear power plants to countries that have small inventories of radioactive waste from nuclear applications.

Defines the site selection process and criteria for identifying suitable near surface disposal facilities. This guide provides guidelines for the siting process management and specifies the data needed to apply the relevant selection criteria. (Please note: this publication will be superseded by DS356)

This publication deals with surveillance and monitoring activities for the purposes of demonstrating the safety of near surface radioactive waste disposal facilities. It covers all phases of facility development, from siting through construction and operation to closure. It identifies the activities over which surveillance needs to be exercised and the parameters to be monitored, and provides examples of such programmes for present-day facilities. It also addresses programmes that may be necessary for older facilities which were not built to present-day standards and for which surveillance and monitoring may have to be carried out to identify remedial measures to be taken.

This report considers a variety of circumstances that may require corrective actions to be assessed or implemented at near surface disposal facilities. The circumstances leading to the corrective actions, or the corrective actions themselves, may be of either a technical or a non-technical nature. Methodologies that can be employed to implement effective solutions to problems are discussed, including assessment of alternative options prior to selecting corrective actions, and the planning, implementation and verification of the specific measures adopted. Examples are provided of approaches and technologies that may be used to improve repository performance and safety. Information is also provided in the Annex on experience in various Member States with the upgrading of disposal facilities.