Sellafield could leak radioactive water until 2050s, MPs warn

UK MPs have warned that the country’s largest nuclear site may emit radioactive water until the 2050s, as clean-up operations lag behind.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticized the pace of decommissioning work at Cumbria’s Sellafield, citing “cost overruns and ongoing safety concerns” in a Wednesday report.

Despite acknowledging “signs of improvement”, PAC chairman Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown emphasized that Sellafield continues to pose “unacceptable risks”.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) recognized the leak at the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) as its “most significant environmental issue”.

The MSSS, described by the NDA as “the UK’s most hazardous building”, has been leaking radioactive water into the ground since 2018, discharging enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool every three years.

This leakage is expected to persist until the oldest section of the building is emptied in the 2050s, approximately ten years later than previously anticipated.

According to Sir Geoffrey, “Similar to the battle against climate change, the extensive timeline of the decommissioning project obscures the immediacy of safety hazards and the financial implications of delays.”

“Every day at Sellafield is a race against time to finalize work before structures reach the end of their lifespan.”

“Our report indicates too many signs that this is a race that Sellafield is at risk of losing.”

The committee highlighted that Sellafield Ltd has missed most annual targets for waste retrieval from buildings, including the MSSS, warning: “The consequence of this shortfall is that the buildings are likely to remain dangerously hazardous for a longer period.”

A spokesperson for the NDA reiterated that the “leak in the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo is contained and does not jeopardize public safety”.

“Regulatory agencies agree that the current plan to address the leak is the most effective option.”

Sir Geoffrey stressed the “urgent need for the government to recognize the daily urgency of operations at Sellafield and to abandon any notion of a distant completion date for which nobody alive is accountable”.

“The risks and challenges posed by Sellafield are immediate.”

“While our report notes some early signs of improvement in Sellafield’s operations, the government must do much more to hold everyone accountable to ensure these do not turn out to be merely a false dawn, and to better protect both taxpayer funds and the public.”

Sellafield ceased electricity generation in 2003 and currently processes and stores nuclear waste from power stations across the UK, alongside site cleanup efforts.

The government is planning to develop an underground geological disposal facility (GDF) for nuclear waste, intended to securely store it for thousands of years until it is no longer hazardous.

However, the committee pointed out that delays in establishing the GDF, now expected to be completed in the late 2050s, will lead to increased costs for Sellafield.

NDA CEO David Peattie expressed appreciation for the report, stating it takes “the findings seriously and prioritizes safety and the wellbeing of our personnel”.

“We’re glad to see that improvements in managing major projects and safely retrieving waste from all four highest-risk facilities are acknowledged.”

The PAC expressed worry over a “sub-optimal culture” at Sellafield, urging the NDA to disclose information related to the presence and perception of bullying in its annual reports.

The NDA representative said: “We’re committed to fostering an open and respectful culture and have taken decisive steps to facilitate this, including enhancing our whistleblowing policy.”

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated it expects the highest safety and security standards as former nuclear sites are decommissioned, with regulators ensuring public safety is not compromised at Sellafield.

This commitment is supported by monthly performance reviews and heightened responsibility for overseeing major projects, allowing for more direct scrutiny and intervention,” a department spokesperson added.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding bullying, harassment, and offensive behavior in the workplace, and we expect Sellafield and the NDA to operate on this principle, investigate allegations thoroughly, and take appropriate action as necessary.”