It is necessary to separate radioactive waste from humans
and the environment for a very long time period
It is necessary to separate radioactive waste from humans and the environment for a very long time period, in connection with which radioactive waste repositories ensure the safe isolation of the waste. It is our statutory duty to provide for the safe operation of these repositories and to verify that the waste intended for disposal complies with the strict standards set by the State Office for Nuclear Safety.
Radioactive waste is disposed of in repositories according to activity level and origin. Three low- and intermediate-level waste repositories are currently in operation in the Czech Republic. The various municipalities in whose areas these facilities are located receive statutory financial contributions.
The Czech Republic’s oldest repository, Hostim (near the town of Beroun) was closed in the 1960s. In 1997, all the remaining vacant areas were filled with concrete. The closed repository is monitored on a regular basis.
Radioactive waste has been accumulated by its various producers for several decades. In 1959, the first Czech repository was constructed at Hostim with others following later. Ensuring the safe operation of these repositories is one of SÚRAO’s most important responsibilities. SÚRAO manages all the country’s radioactive waste repositories:
We conduct the regular analysis of water samples taken from hydrogeological boreholes, wells, rivers and streams in the vicinity of all the repositories. We also analyse the mine water at the Richard and Bratrství facilities. The analysis provides the necessary proof that no leakage of radionuclides has occurred from the disposed of waste. Workers and anyone else who enters the repository are also regularly monitored. The doses received by these persons are consistently well below legal limits.
Spent nuclear fuel produced in the Czech Republic is currently stored at interim storage facilities located at nuclear power stations. Globally, it is acknowledged that the most secure way of disposing of high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel is emplacement in deep geological repositories.