Tank at Hanford site may be leaking ‘high-level radioactive waste’ | News

BENTON COUNTY, Washington – The U.S. Department of Energy says there may be a leak in the T-101 tank at the Hanford site.

“We don't believe there is an immediate danger to the public and workers,” said Ryan Miller, communications manager for the Washington Department of Ecology. “But it adds to the ongoing environmental threats and risks at the Hanford Site. And that's something we're following very closely and working aggressively to resolve.”

If the leak in tank T-101 is confirmed, this would be the third active tank at the Hanford Site to leak. The Department of Ecology says leaks at the Hanford Site are not a new problem.

“This potential leak is another sign of the site's aging infrastructure and highlights the importance of completing cleanup in a timely and safe manner,” Miller said. “The longer the cleanup takes, the more this aging infrastructure will fail and fall apart. And the greater the likelihood of an environmental disaster.”

The Energy Ministry and the Environment Ministry estimate that between 65 and 70 tanks have leaked in the past. The amount of radioactive material in the ground makes it difficult to identify new leaks.

“It's very deep below the surface of the earth, and that's why no immediate action is needed,” said Geoff Tyree, spokesman for the Hanford Department of Energy. “We need to work with the Department of Ecology and determine our next steps.”

The Department of Energy and the Department of Environmental Protection estimate that it will take several decades for the waste to reach the groundwater. The Department of Energy has covered some tanks to prevent rain and snow from spreading the pollutants further. However, tank T-101 is not covered.

The Department of Energy has an active pumping and treatment system that captures and removes contaminants that could enter groundwater.

The tanks are located about 1.5 to 3 meters underground and can hold up to 3.8 million liters of material.

“There are a whole bunch of different chemicals and other stuff in the tanks, a mix of highly radioactive and chemically hazardous waste,” Miller said. “And a lot of that waste comes from the plutonium production mission at the Hanford Site.”